The Girl Who Escaped by Mark Nolan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I could not put this book down, I read it so fast! It was such a fun paced book with tons of action and things I didn’t see coming! The plot was great and the characters were fantastic. Of course Cody was my absolute favorite but I enjoyed everyone. I highly recommend reading this book, you won’t regret it!
Ashes by M.K. Harkins
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Ashes (Modern-Day Fairy Tale Book 1) by MK Harkins – Review by Maryn Belling
Were you less than thrilled with Neon Gods or Electric Idol? Are you too old for My Sister the Vampire or Monster High but still looking for a fun read where the clique is seen for who/what it truly is? Do you miss being able to watch Shrek and not feel like you should be analyzing it for your PopLit or Global Studies class?
MK Harkins delivers with this debut YA fairy tale. Even if you’re a former high school teacher or mom of a kid who’s trying to figure out who she is after her dad has passed away, you’ll feel a connection with Ashley.
Those connections are even stronger if you’re a teen facing hideous high school popularity issues while working and preparing for college while dealing with a family situation that amounts to the absolute worst of foster-care complete with court-ordered therapists and more road-blocks than the PCH during construction season.
I’m not saying you should throw cinderblocks at your stepmom when she commands you to schlep them around before school; but if you know why that would feel good this book might be a boost. Especially if your mandatory therapist disagrees with your coping skills or your after-school job includes being a cosmetologist at a mortuary.
In a world where good & evil aren’t always clear and social media has obscured magic, this book is a nice glimmer of hope.
Ashes, Modern-Day Fairy Tale Series, MK Harkins, Review, Itsy Bitsy Book Bits, YA, Romance, Fairy Tale
My Darling Rogue by April Moran
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
So good! The perfect amount of steam with a great storyline to go along with it. Gabriel and Celia were absolutely perfect together and I just couldn’t get enough. I read through this so fast because I just couldn’t put it down. I really enjoyed how the author wrote the characters and the story and really just everything.
Hard Lover by Deborah Garland
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book was so good – it came out swinging with the club, but then followed it up with an interesting and well written story, to boot. Will be checking out more by this author.
Callie is a college student with lots on her plate to get her degree in social work, managing a dorm, and looking to pick up a TA job on campus, as well. Is THAT why she is still a virgin interested in visiting a sex club, or is it all because of Noah? Will she find him there? Will he turn her away?
Noah is former military and working campus security with his best friend Grant’s security company. He is a long standing member of The Stable, the local sex club with all sorts of kinks and opportunities safely available for people to enjoy. When he sees his best friends little sister standing outside of his voyeur room, he decides to see how interested she is…and it gets pretty hot. Will he break Callie’s heart or will he continue to see her as a little girl? Will they get to play?
Callie and Noah have good chemistry and are fun to read about, you learn about the suspense bit by bit as the story progresses, and you’re cheering them on. Good, fast read.
Last Seen at Lighthouse Lane by Sage Parker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Journalist Laura Williams is pulled back to her hometown when her mother takes a fall and needs help.
However one of the conditions from her work is that she will need to write about any story that they ask her to in order to get the time off. Unbeknownst to Laura she’s about to be thrown into a mysterious kidnapping, that will bring up memories from when she was a teenager. This is a very short novella with a lot of action and a well written start to the series. Please note that this does end in a cliffhanger so I recommend buying the series. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book.
Agent Red: Fatal Memory by Ava S. King
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
If you are looking for a quick read that is fast paced and filled to the brim with action, look no further!
Teagan Stone is a mother of 3 and a doting wife to her husband. One day she is kidnapped by her old team from an elite force of spies. With her memory gone, she has no idea who these people are and why they would want anything to do with her. Turns out she was a badass agent who decided to give up the spy life to raise her children. Unfortunately a former team member has gone missing and the clues lead to the last case Teagan and her team last worked together.
They tell her one more case and she can go back to her family. She never wanted to be dragged back into the life but has no choice.
The author did a really good job of stuffing the book full of action with a splash of politics. Taking place in the present with flashbacks so you know what the previous case was. I also really enjoyed the way the author wrote Teagan. She’s sassy, strong, smart and stubborn.
Kara Shieldmaiden of Eire by Jay Veloso Batista
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The saga of the Agneson family continues!! Cub, Kara, Sorven, Thorfinn, and Uncle Karl are all scattered far from each other and facing their own battles to survive. Cub finds himself becoming known as a strategist. Kara finds herself as a hired sword and her first love. Sorven finds out that his cousin doesn’t make the best decisions and that he’d be better off alone. Thorfinn finds himself trying to protect his sister and ends up paying the price of a revenge plot. Karl find himself with an unexpected bride, and an impending sea battle. The magic, battles and heartbreak abound in this story. The kids are quickly growing up and changing while Uncle Karl does his best to survive. Can they all survive their personal battles? Will they ever come back together as a family?
I enjoy this author’s work! Each book I find myself immediately pulled into the story and I don’t want to put them down until the end! The characters are all well written. Their struggles and how they work through them feel very real -as much as fantasy can. There are a few unexpected twists at the end that had me heartbroken for one sibling and worried for another. I am looking forward to the next installment so I can find out what happens next!
Unearthly Magik by Matilda Reyes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Unearthly Magik (Black Cauldron Detective Agency Book 1) by Matilda Reyes. This was such a fun read. Its a fast paced, paranormal, supernatural story filled with magic, underground that is supernatural, secrets and mages. Ava is a Mage who runs the Black Cauldron Detective Agency and she knows all the goings on in New York. If you need secrets uncovered, objects found or just plain Mage gossip Ava is the one to call. When Tasis her formal rival shows up asking her to help find the Laurent Grimoire she may have bit off more than she can chew. She is full of worry if she can really trust Tasis or not. Is this all a big scam to ruin her and her agency. Will Ava and her Mage’s be able to find The Laurent Grimoire before bad people get their hands on it and start a supernatural war? Read this fast paced fun paranormal read to find out!
Destiny’s Daughter: It was the best of times. by Lynda Filler
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is a really beautiful book, following the memories and the life of the author. The writing is really good. As a reader you are gripped and it feels like you are viewing the story from the author’s eyes has it happens.
This is the 3rd book of memoirs however the author does a good job of making it enjoyable even if you haven’t read the previous books.
As with most people’s life’s there are ups and downs, sadness and happiness though this book but what I love is the author’s raw honesty and how they have overcome all the heartbreaks and sadness and moved forwards with the lessons they have learnt.
This is a story about starting over, finding a new place to settle down and put roots and realising that maybe your choice was wrong or could it just seem that way because of the circumstances happening around you such as seeing the warships on the way to attack Ukraine. Its about the effect seeing that had on the author and how it allowed her to stop and think and put her life into perspective and realise how her life had come full circle. From growing up as a military Brat she finds herself back close to a war zone. Is it coincidence or is it part of her destiny?
Agent Red: Fatal Memory by Ava S. King
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Fatal Memory (Agent Red:Teagan Stone Series Book 1) by Ava S. King. I loved this book. Its a fast paced, action thriller. Its about Teagan Stone who is a retired operative on a mission to track down missing agent in Spain. Diablo Garcia is a very bad wanted drug Lord and Teagan doesn’t know how in the world she is going to capture him because she has lost all of her memory. She’s not excited about this mission but she knows she has to do it to save her Country. Being recruited by the Navy is a huge deal when she would really rather be at home with her husband and kids. She is having to rely on anything she can remember to save her self and get thru this mission. Teagan was such a fun, strong willed woman and I loved reading about her. This book will pull you in and you will be flipping pages way into the night. I can’t wait to read the next one!
In Plain Sight: A Logan McKenna Mystery Book 8 by Valerie Davisson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
What a great book In Plain Sight was. I have not read the other books in the Logan McKenna series but now I need to after finding such a strong and fearless female lead character that is very well-written and so easy to relate to. So, Logan finds herself enjoying her new life married to Ben and living on the beautiful Oregon coast. She enjoys her time playing her violin and volunteering at a wildlife rescue, but things are not as smooth as she hoped. Upon arrival one morning at work, she finds a co-worker dead and the raptor she was doctoring dead as well., it becomes a huge mystery as to who the killer is and why. Is it the coworker’s gay lover, ex-husband, or someone not even known to Logan? Logan takes matters into her own hands to find justice for her coworker and friend but puts her life in danger in the process. This was such a great book! A real vision of true friendship, love, and the need for justice. You will not be disappointed in this read! Strong female characters lead the investigation and finally solve the murder. Great character development and edge of your seat thriller, this is a great book to be read!
Remember to Forget Me by Hazel Storm
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A great story of fate! I’m glad I read this all the way through, as I really fell in love with the story and the characters. Wesley and Addie are amazing and I loved learning all of the things about them. The emotional roller coaster that I went on through this book was something I really enjoy out of books. I highly recommend reading this one!
Jake by Toni Denise
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I really really loved this book! Jake was great as well as the other characters too. Lauren was a headstrong, independent woman and I loved how she was written so much. I loved going on their journey with them, even through all the rocky patches. I can’t wait to read the next books from this series!
Bake Happy by Cori Cooper
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I have always wanted to learn how to bake, so the title of this caught my attention.
Though I haven’t read the other novels in the series, I still enjoyed this novel.
Seeing people come together through baking, just makes me happy. No wonder people would bring over baked good to neighbors like I’ve seen in some movies. It conveys you were thinking of them and wanting them to feel welcomed in the neighborhood.
There is some drama with family curses being swapped and Cat trying to fix it before anything bad happens.
I will have to read the previous novels and this one again.
Hard Lover by Deborah Garland
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Oh My! The hot an steamy tension between Callie and Noah will definitely get you interested an want to stay up all night reading! Callie is a virgin an has been crushing on Noah for years but he told Grant (Callies brother) that he would protect her not sleep with her… Plus Noah’s past is creeping up on him so he decides its best to stay away. But can he? This book was a page turner full of twist turns, hot an steamy sex an great friendships. I will definitely read more from this author.
Destiny’s Daughter: It was the best of times. by Lynda Filler
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The author has written a beautiful memoir of her life. Yes, there are sad parts to her life but she focuses on learning and moving on. Like most of us, she has good and bad times. She overcame a heart issue. She includes beautiful pictures that also tell a story of her travels. I do like the fact that she gives you the basic facts to update you to the lastest in this, the 3rd of her memoirs. She puts herself out there and shares it all with the reader. I like the fact that she is still encouraging to the reader. It is a story that I will not likely forget. Iwill have to go back and read the first two books now. Well done, author.
In Plain Sight: A Logan McKenna Mystery Book 8 by Valerie Davisson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book is not in my normal wheel house of genre but was an amazing change of pace. I would consider this book an amazing palette cleanser from what I have been reading. That being said, lets get into the nitty gritty of this book (without spoilers of course). Let’s preface this with I haven’t read any other books in this series, so I can in starting fresh. Most times you will need to read the rest of the series to figure things out but I don’t feel like that is the case in this series. Granted after reading this book, I now want to go back and read the rest because it was just that good. Logan is an amazing character with a lot of depth that I didn’t foresee her having. She has an amazing relationship with her husband Ben. She plays a violin that she named (love that). She starts a new job doing something that she feels gives her purpose and is helpful. Then a murder happens to a co-worker. Well, not everyone thinks it is a murder. So, Logan decides to take matters into her own hands and investigate what happened. This book took so many twists and turns that when I thought I knew who did it or what was happening, I turned the page and found out I was completely wrong. It reminds me of the board game Clue. Everyone is trying to figure it out, you go to prove it but then there is another card that is shown and all your thoughts come crashing down. That is what kept me turning the pages and not being able to put the book down. This book is full of mystery, suspense, drama, danger, edge of seat scenes, and an amazing love story. I highly recommend reading this book and I am going to start at the beginning of the series.
Reviewed by @bbohls
The Girl Who Escaped by Mark Nolan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book is full of twists and turns, with a happy ending that makes everything else worth it.
When Angie and her friends are carjacked and kidnapped on their last night of Spring Break, Angie’s quick thinking allows her to escape, but due to the way her abduction and the murder of her friends occurs, she is quickly blamed for the murders, and after further trauma in the jail, she shuts down completely until an intelligent FBI agent, Brenda, finds a way to reach her. Brenda reaches out to a “friend”, Jake, and his therapy trained dog, Cody, to try and reach the young woman and try to unlock her from the prison that her mind has become. Once she is free to talk and able to help, Angie, Jake, Cody and Brenda set off on a mission to find the man responsible for her abduction and the murder of her friends, and along the way, discover that he was always just a cog in a much bigger machine of human trafficking.
I Loved You Yesterday: Book One in the Trading Heartbeats Trilogy by Julie Navickas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I haven’t read anything by this author previously but I loved it. I felt like a teenager hiding under the covers sneaking more pages after hubby had gone to sleep!
I’m normally adept at guessing endings which makes me lose interest in the book but this one kept me going. Loved the love triangle with the twin brothers – made it all the more interesting. The characters were well developed and came to life on the pages. i really loved this read.
I’m already stalking to find out when book 2 will hit the shelves!
5 Stars
Ashali and the Blue Horseman by Jordan Elizabeth
Ashali and the Blue Horseman is a wonderfully written Sci-Fi Romance that I absolutely loved reading. I honestly wasn’t sure to expect going in but man im glad I decided to give this a read. This author is a fairly new author to me but I can see myself being a fan. The characters are fun, fully developed and relatable. They really bring the story to life and had me feeling like I was apart of the story. This authors style of writing and attention to detail kept me turning the pages till the end. Get ready to be taken on a adventure with Ashali as she finds herself in a situation she never imagined she be in. There’s twists and turns that will have you turning the pages trying to figure out what happens next. I highly recommend reading this book to find out what happens next. I look forward to reading more from this Author.
I Loved You Yesterday: Book One in the Trading Heartbeats Trilogy by Julie Navickas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Josh and Mavis are high school sweethearts with big dreams. Mavis however made a mistake when she ended up sleeping with her boyfriend’s twin not once, but twice and ended up pregnant. Rather than have to see the devastation on Josh’s face she decides to leave town after leaving an apology letter. Austin knows the secret that would break his brothers heart even more. Years later both Josh and Austin turn up in her life, Josh wants her back and Austin isn’t going down without a fight. Who will she end up choosing? How can she choose? The truth always finds a way to come out and the consequences can be even more devastating now that years have passed. Will Josh be able to forgive Mavis for her indiscretions or walk away for good?
Jake by Toni Denise
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Jake is fed up with dating after he and his last girlfriend broke up when he found out she was only with him for his money. His friends talk him into trying out a dating app but he is reluctant until he finds out that the first date is done in the dark. Lauren doesn’t want to date a rich man as most of the rich men she knows seem to think women are beneath them. She is begged by her bosses sister to go on a blind date. Lauren does so just because she doesn’t want to be hounded. After they hit things off on the date in the dark how will things progress? Will Lauren want to continue seeing Jake even though she is not the type of man she didn’t want to date or will it be a none issue? Will Jake cut things off when he finds out Lauren is his best friends secretary?
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The Girl Who Escaped by Mark Nolan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
My true crime junkie heart loved this suspense packed story! At first, I was a little distracted since I have a very dear friend named Angie Taylor. I quickly got over it and immediately sucked into her tale of tragedy and terror. The twists and turns throughout the story kept me on my toes, yet the character building kept the characters endearing. Definitely give this book a read and clear your schedule because it’s definitely a page turner!!!
Master Tuscano by Sylvia Black
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Christian Tuscano is out to seek retribution for what happened to his mate at the hands of the Syndicate. Delilah disliked the world Christian lived in but was turned by him in order to save her life. She herself goes after those that have wronged her and puts their relationship in jeopardy. The witches that are intent on taking vampire land have now aligned themselves with others that want the vampires out of power and have given refuge to Delilah. Will she prove to the Consulate and Christian that she is worthy or being his mate and staying by his side? Or has she gone too far by accepting help from the witches?
I adored this book! Such a fun read for me, and I even got my 12 year old to enjoy it!! Superhero’s, danger, Sci-Fi, a little romance, and of course drama!
Young girls on spring break! Boy meets girl and they have chemistry. They attempt to get to know each other and hang out…. And then next thing you know girl goes missing! Who comes to save the day??
Ashali and Jace were a lot of fun together. Jace was that gorgeous boy by day and superhero by night. Ashali is smart and cute with some secrets of her own. When Ashali is taken she proves to be no damsel in need of a knight…. From there our superhero adventure begins!
Aloha Series Box Set Books 1-3 by Jill Brashear
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
4 Stars
Aloha Series Boxset contain the three books in the series by Jill Brashear. It is a great deal, three books for the price of one #winning!
The series is set against the tropical and picturesque backdrop of Hawaii. There is a retro historical element to the story too, as it is set in the1960’s, which definitely added an extra element of interest to the stories/series for me.
The boxset contains:
TRY EASY (BOOK #1)
This is a vacation romance with a bit of a love triangle. Lou travel to Hawaii for a vacation, leaving her fiancé back home in Seattle. She soon meets a local surfer named Keoni, and a friendship is formed. With a fiancé back home, she fights her attraction to Keoni- what does the future hold for these two. Will Lou return to Seattle and her fiancé? This story makes for a great read….
TRY ME (BOOK #2)
This is a fake relationship romance. Declan, a pro surfer seems to be at the top his game. But that’s not really the case at all. There is a sea of pain he hides from the world.
Pearl is determined to follow in her mother’s footsteps and cement her place in the surfing world. Pretending to be Declan’s girlfriend wasn’t part of the plan…. but if it helps her achieve her dreams then she can pretend for a while. These two have so much chemistry and are perfect for each other… another wonderful addition
TRY RIGHT (BOOK #3)
We follow Claudia, a movie star trying to reinvigorate her career, and Henry the stuntman working on her latest set. Claudia is trying to recapture her past, and Henry has agreed to help. But along the way the lines of friendship begin to blur- and maybe recapturing her past isn’t so important anymore.
A sweet friends-to-lovers romance, with a little drama, plenty of chemistry, and a dash or two of angst…. just to keep things interesting.
Happy Reading!
Thank you, Jill Brashear.
Reviewed by @angelahayes
Master Romano by Sylvia Black
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
5 Stars
Master Romano is the fourth book in the Masters of the Consulate series by Sylvia Black. It is a fantastic addition to this paranormal romance series- with vampires, witches, curses, feuds, agendas, an underworld society, politics, the supernatural, magic, danger, tension, intrigue, drama, emotion, superb world-building, twists, dramatic turns, opposites attract, duty, responsibility, choices, challenges, and a whole lot of sizzlingly HOT developments.
Even though this is the fourth book in the series, I really recommend reading the other three books before beginning this one. Each book in the series focuses on its own separate couple, but as there are interconnected details, as well as recurring characters that span the series- I really recommend reading from the beginning and seeing what has happened right from the start, as each instalment contains information that I feel would help you to better appreciate this book, and the series as a whole. And the series seems to get better and better with each new addition, making it extremely hard to pick a favourite from the four (so far).
I am really thrilled to find that there are 12 books planned for this series! Colour me excited!
Can’t wait for the next instalment!!!
Happy Reading!
Thank you, Sylvia Black!
Reviewed by @angelahayes
Jake by Toni Denise
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
4 Stars
Jake is the first book in the Billionaire Blind Date series by Toni Denise. This is a captivating billionaire romance- a contemporary romance with interesting characters, a little drama, angst, sizzling chemistry, and hot encounters. It is a great start to a new series that I can’t wait to continue.
I have read some of Toni Denise’s work before, but this is definitely my favourite (so far). I really liked the blind date aspect to the story and think it added an extra element of interest to the storyline. I also really liked Jake and Lauren, so it was easy for me to become invested in them and the outcome of their story.
I can’t wait to see what the rest of the series holds…. Bring on Book #2!
Happy Reading!
Thank you, Toni Denise!
Reviewed by @angelahayes
Master Trentino by Sylvia Black
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
In book 3 we get the story of Master Trentino and Angel. Angel is the sister of a sworn enemy but when Trentino finds her lying in a pool of blood badly wounded he cannot just leave her. He goes against the judgment of the other masters when he turns her into one of them inevitably saving her life. Angel must decide between helping those trying to oust the vampires from power or standing by the man she has come to love. This is another good book in the series by the author. All of them are pages turners and have their own unique storyline while simultaneously continuing the plot of the first book.
