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Exiled South by Harriet Cannon – Review by Mikaela Insinger
Exiled South by Harriet Cannon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
“Exiled South” starts as a devastating loss that turns into a narrative of reconnecting with the self. The story is full of rich knowledge, depicting the history of the Southern states. The changing narratives and timelines brought an impactful force to the reader, giving feelings to the facts of history and a face to the people who lived during that time. An easy and good read for historical fiction junkies. My only qualm is some of the language the author used and the implied sympathy for the colonizers. Otherwise, great novel!
Blindsided by T. Christensen – Review by Bethany Rucker
Blindsided by T. Christensen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Brock and Kirsa were best friends growing up. After Kirsa’s parents build her a treehouse, they end up bringing new people into their tiny group. In the beginning, everything is going great until something happens and everything changes. Brock ends up mad at Kirsa and ends up staying mad for a very long time. Kirsa ends up being bullied by many people they go to school with because of Brock’s promise to make her life difficult. During her senior year, Kirsa meets Rylan and he becomes a really good friend because he doesn’t mind standing up to Brock. Eventually, the truth is revealed, and Brock realizes that all these years he has been believing lies. He ends up regretting how he has been treating her. I really liked this book. In the beginning, I did not enjoy how Krisa was being treated, but I did really enjoy this book!
ConQuest: The Art of Selling at Cons by Megan Mackie – Review by Naomi McDonald
ConQuest: The Art of Selling At Cons by Megan Mackie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I picked up this book because I’ve been considering branching out into working events. It’s a quick read, which is nice. There’s not a bunch of unnecessary stuff to weed through. I liked the personal examples the author gives. Most of what is included in this book is common sense stuff and yet simple things that often end up being forgotten in the hustle and bustle of preparing for an event. If you’ve worked events before (even if not as an author) you’ll recognize a lot of the tips in this book because some things are universal, no matter what you are selling. One thing I thought was awesome is that the author included a small section on interacting with neurodivergent people. As a neurodivergent person myself, this is really important thing to know!
Blindsided by T. Christensen – Review by Nina Maes
Blindsided: A Contemporary Sports Romance by T. Christensen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Whoa, this book had it all. I was captivated from the start, this has everything from friendship, love, jealous, vengeance and contempt. This one also gave me all the feels, happy, sad, angry and hurt. I do love how this book give you the inside drop on how bullying is actually played out. I love how the writer was able to capture so much of his characters trails and vulnerabilities. This one made me think of “mean girls” on steroids. Great book.
Unlikely to Stay (Parker Lake) by Olivia Sherwood – Review by Angela Packard
Unlikely to Stay by Ashlie Knapp
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I love the little town of Parker, having grown up in a small town (that is now not so small), I feel like I am going back to my hometown. Colleen is a hairdresser and most of her clientele are of the older generation. Brant is a nurse, who moves to a rural town to practice for three years so that his student debt can be forgiven.
I loved the chemistry between the two and the real-life hurdles that can come from living in a small town. Will Brant be willing to stay? Will Colleen be willing to open her heart to a man she feels is just a short timer in her town? This was a book full of love, with some twists and turns that made me turning the pages to find out what would happen next.
King of Pain (Interstellar Rescue Series Book 5) by Donna S. Frelick – Review by Liz Vrchota
King of Pain by Donna S. Frelick
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I was excited to start this fifth installment of the Interstellar Rescue Series. I have been following and reading from the very beginning, but you can enjoy this read on its own if you’d like without any hiccups. This author has a knack for world building and really makes you feel as if you are transported right into the novel as you read. I really felt as if I was along for the journey and it was quite the adventurous space travel that is for sure! I loved how this included so many different layers. From romance, intrigue, action, adventure, sci-fi moments that make you think, to racial indifferences and more. I was never bored and they all flowed so beautifully. I loved the characters and developed a soft spot in my heart for Lael. I look forward to seeing what will come next!
Review by @lizaileen
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Blindsided by T. Christensen – Review by Liz Vrchota
Blindsided: A Contemporary Sports Romance by T. Christensen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I love these kind of books… sometimes lol. This was one of those situations where I really loved it because I was all over the place while reading and one moment I found myself screaming at my kindle, and the next I was cheering these two on. I suppose this is often what we are looking for when we want a great romance read though. We want to be engaged and completely invested in the characters, and darn if I wasn’t completely invested in Brock and Kirsa. Sometimes, these situations where a third person plays havoc on something that is already so perfect is a hard situation for a polyamorus person to read like myself because I typically just shout, why not just love everyone lol and I have to remember that is not how the world works for everyone else. This is a beautiful book that kept me reading and had me believing in the hard work it takes to rebuild the hurt and scars that are there to find the love that is still shining through.
Review by @lizaileen
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Blindsided by T. Christensen – Review by Wendy Wary
Blindsided: A Contemporary Sports Romance by T. Christensen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I loved and hated this book, which only speaks to the wonderful writing by the author. I was very invested in the characters, particularly Kirsa and Rylan. The story mostly follows Kirsa through a childhood friendship with Brock and Victoria that turns nasty in high school when Kirsa catches her two best friends fooling around behind her back. A vicious rumor spreads, which Kirsa gets blamed for, and she spends the next three years dealing with an onslaught of bullying for the rumor.
Having gotten hooked in early on, it made it very difficult, as a reader, to shift so quickly to Brock’s side, despite the simmering feelings between Kirsa and Brock that lingered from before the rumor split them apart. I wanted to be happy for Kirsa that she finally worked things out with Brock, but my heart didn’t want to forgive him so easily after his part in her bullying. I also struggled with the storyline of her holding onto romantic feelings with him, and then relenting so easily when he starts to come around from hearing her side after three years had passed, only thanks to an outsider questioning the validity of the rumor; that was far too quick of a transition for me to make and I felt it took away from Kirsa’s character as a strong female lead.
Again, though, I give credit to the author for weaving a tale that had me so invested in the characters, I was angry on their behalf. Any book that gets me emotional about the characters is one I cannot hate, even if the storyline takes me somewhere I don’t like. I thoroughly enjoyed the friendship Kirsa forged with Rylan, and how they were able to share some of the sweetness reflected in Kirsa’s earlier friendships. Definitely worth a read!
Swipe Right to Bite (New Orleans Nocturnes Book 6) by Carrie Pulkinen – Review by Rachel Moss
Swipe Right to Bite by Carrie Pulkinen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was a really good book! This is not the first I’ve read from this author, but this is the first book I’ve read from this series, which is a standalone. I wasn’t sure at the beginning of this story how I would feel, but once I had the midway point I was obsessed and could barely put it down. This book made me chuckle, had me rooting for the demons and was just hard to put down. This was a steamy romance but this book is more focused on the emotional side of things than the physical. This was a quick and easy read and I highly recommend it! I don’t think Author ever disappoints!
The Traveler (The Traveler, Book 1) by Deborah Dugan – Review by Francis O’Sullivan
The Traveler by Deborah Dugan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The Traveler is an exciting speculative fiction novel. I didn’t really know what to expect when I started it, just that I was intrigued, and can safely say I would never have anticipated what it would actually be like. Totally original, and captivating!
Tristan is very down-to-earth and likes things predictable and familiar. He likes to be able to make sense of things, and isn’t particularly fond of surprises. So when the Traveler turns up, he has a lot of questions. And concerns. And panic.
The Traveler is a fascinating creature, and the more I learnt the more I wanted to know. If you’ve ever been disappointed that aliens and fantasy creatures are often humanoid, this will satisfy your thirst for something different!
There’s something Douglas Adams-y in the tone of the story, and there are similarities between Tristan and Arthur Dent. So I would recommend this book to fans of wacky stories like that! And any fans of speculative fiction looking for something new and a bit different. I would not recommend it to arachnophobes, unless you’re working on exposure therapy…
This book gets five stars from me. There’s a sequel out soon which is definitely going on my tbr list! Can’t wait to read more of the Traveler’s adventures.
Swipe Right to Bite (New Orleans Nocturnes Book 6) by Carrie Pulkinen – Review by Jordan Allen
Swipe Right to Bite by Carrie Pulkinen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Hilarious. Sexy. Fun.
Swipe Right To Bite is the text-book definition of enemies to lovers. Katrina, a sex demon, is trying to redeem herself by refraining from sexual desires. In order to stick by her oath she creates a dating app that is just for hooking up. Instead of sex being her life, she makes other people’s sex lives her business – literally. Then Gabe, a retired sex demon, comes to New Orleans teaching emotional intimiacy over just phyisical attraction. Katrina is furious and plans to stop him at all costs. Gabe wants his business to thrive and will make any deal he can to make it happen. The two clash in a way neither truly expected.
This book is not one I would usually pick up. Supernatural-romances with an emphasis on enemies to lovers is not my usual flavor. With that being said, I completely lost myself in the world Carrie Pulkinen crafted for her readers! I laughed more than I ever have while reading a book. I found myself cheering for both Gabe and Katrina. Each character found a place in my heart. Mostly, I enjoyed myself. It has been a really long time since I read a seriously fun book.
If you are in need of a sexy romance with devilishly attractive characters or even just a light hearted book then his book is absolutely for you!
To be a Fae Queen by Tricia Copeland – Review by Skylar Daniels
To be a Fae Queen by Tricia Copeland
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Titania’s fast introduction into becoming the monarch of her kingdom and her struggle to maintain her title. She finds herself falling in love with a soldier that is assigned to guard her. After several battles and defeating the kobolds, She learns her father and trusted advisor plan on marrying her in order to have a male to lead the kingdom. Reading this book will capture your imagination as you follow the personal growth of a faerie princess.
Forbidden Mate (The Shadow Chronicles Book 2) by CR Robertson – Review by Skylar Daniels
Forbidden Mate by C.R. Robertson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is the second book in this series and it picks up right where the first left off. This book really drew me in deep, and I mean that in a good way, From the very beginning of the novel I was sucked in. The characters were beautifully written, and this author really knows how to grab you and keep you reading! Even when Tasha and Levi love is approved by their inner circle, they are still fighting to prove themselves to the rest of the races. As if that wasn’t enough as they also have the hellspawn growing in strength. Causing more strife for Lycans and vampires alike. I can’t wait to see how the rest of the series plays out.
Forbidden Wolf (The Shadow Chronicles Book 1) by CR Robertson – Review by Skylar Daniels
Forbidden Wolf by C.R. Robertson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is such an incredible supernatural romance. Levi and Tasha are such incredible characters. They’ve been taught from birth to view the other species as the enemy. During their first encounter, their hearts somehow recognize the truth that they aren’t enemies at all. This is a perfect example of hating what you don’t understand and just how wrong preconceived ideas can be. They’re drawn to each other and can’t resist the other even though it could kill them if they’re found out. There’s so much danger surrounding them, and it just seems to continue to get worse. I was on the edge of my seat from the very first page to the last. I’m excited to read the next book in the series.
Master Tuscano (Masters of the Consulate Book 2) by Sylvia Black – Review by Skylar Daniels
Master Tuscano: Dark Vampire Romance by Sylvia Black
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is the second story in the “Masters of the Consulate” series. It is an interesting world this author has created. It is a paranormal read about Christian and Delilah. This is an interesting and intriguing story. great paranormal, vampire romance series. Each book can be read as a stand-alone, but it’ll make for much better reading and more enjoyment if the series is read in order as there is a background story running along in the background of the romance storyline. The ongoing storyline of the vampires and their struggles with others that is running through this series. The author has done a great job of creating a great storyline with many twists and turns that keep you entertained and not wanting to put the book down.
Master Descallia (Masters of the Consulate Book 1) by Sylvia Black – Review by Skylar Daniels
Descallia: Dark Vampire Romance by Sylvia Black
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is the first story in the “Masters of the Consulate” series. It’s an interesting world this author has created. A brand-new world where humans, vampires and syndicates work along in the same world respecting each world. Lucianna is a cop with some interesting powers. Salvatore is the leader of the Consulate that governs the vampire clans. He stumbles upon her and must rescue her from death. This is an interesting and intriguing story.
Swipe Right to Bite (New Orleans Nocturnes Book 6) by Carrie Pulkinen – Review by Angela Plate, January 2022
Swipe Right to Bite by Carrie Pulkinen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I don’t think I’ve read a book like this one in a long time. Most romance novels seem to base the relationships around sex. This one allowed the characters to experience the emotional aspects of their relationship first. It was fun to see Katrina evolve from a demon who “is evil” into a denom who showed emotion.
Tally and the Angel: Book One, India by Eleanor Dixon – Review by Kylean Sprosty
Tally and the Angel : Book One India by Eleanor Dixon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
A sweet story about a girl and her father taking out on adventure after her mother’s death. Tally meets an angel to look over her, given to her by her mother. As Tally and her father start their journey in India she learns that the world is much different from what she has known. A great view of how we tend to make assumptions about things that are different to us and how we can help make a change. Tally begins the book as a naïve and somewhat spoiled young girl and grows to become a kind-hearted and brave hero to a whole city.
Unlikely to Stay (Parker Lake) by Olivia Sherwood – Review by Whitney Morrison
Unlikely to Stay by Ashlie Knapp
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I loved reading CC and Brants story. I’ve been waiting patiently for CC as she’s always been my favorite and was not disappointed! She deserves all the love sent her way and the biggest hea. I love small town stories living in a small town myself. If you enjoy them too this is definitely the series for you! So fun and extremely cute.
Swipe Right to Bite (New Orleans Nocturnes Book 6) by Carrie Pulkinen – Review by Kerry Carr
Swipe Right to Bite by Carrie Pulkinen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I have loved all these stories. The author does an amazing job of mixing paranormal and romance and making each story unique and different. The characters in this story are what really make it come alive and be believable. This is definately a story of friends to lovers.
In this story we meet Katrina and Gabe. Both of them are sex demons, both of them are trying to live life better to make up for their pasts. Gabe is free of Satan’s rule thanks to a agreement he made, however Katrina is not.
Katrina sets up a app to help supernatural beings connect with people purely for a physical connection. The app was very popular until Gabe came along teaching about emotional and romantic connections.
These leads to Katrina and Gabe to butt heads. Gabe wants to prove to Katrina that he doesn’t mean her harm and things the best way to do this is gain her freedom from Satan. However there is always a catch. To get Katrine’s freedom and Gabe’s manhood back he needs to make Katrine fall in love with him.
Katrine had a similar plan but hers is to show Gabe that physical connections is more important that emotional.
Bit both their plans go wrong when the feelings they share start off as fake and then change into something very real that neither of them expected.
No Names To Be Given by Julia Brewer Daily review by – Stephanie Driskill
No Names to Be Given by Julia Brewer Daily
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Holy moly! I just cannot say enough about this book! Three young unwed mothers meet in Magnolia Home Hospital where they become friends over the seven months they were roommates at the home. Giving birth on the same day, they make a pact to keep things secret. Never able to see the children they gave birth to nor naming, they were expected to go to back to their lives as if nothing ever happened. But something happened that changed each woman forever!
Let me just say that this book moved me to tears! Through the tragedy and triumphs of each unwed mother and the children they relinquished for adoption was a rollercoaster ride of emotions. This was such a personal book for me to read as I was an unwed mother in the 1980’s and I chose to put my child up for adoption however my experience was different. I chose the adoptive parents and I held my daughter in the hospital and I named her before she went directly home with the adoptive parents. This book just ripped my heart out reading that the women had no real idea if the childbirth they went through was real. This book is a must read but beware that if you have any relationship with adoption whether giving or receiving, this book may be a trigger! But such an amazing read!!!!
Blindsided by T. Christensen – Review by Ashley Westerman
Blindsided: A Contemporary Sports Romance by T. Christensen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Friends to Enemies to Lovers! This was a good, relatable, believable book. It made me glad I’m not in high school anymore and I don’t have to deal with the drama. But I’ll read the drama-filled books all day! The characters were very relatable, some likable, some not likable, a lot like real life. I enjoyed reading this and feeling like I was in the world that was created and seeing everything play out live. Can’t wait to check out the other books by this author.
Master Trentino (Masters of the Consulate Book 3) by Sylvia Black – Review by Dr. Anya Schultz
Master Trentino by Sylvia Black
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Love this new take on vampires!! This is the 3rd book in the author’s series, however, it is the first one I am reading. I love that it is a series, but I felt you did not need to have read the first 2 to understand this book. It is one of those that while in a series, they are also stand alone because each story is about a different set of characters. The new take on the fact that vampires are actually the good guys who have been smeared through history. Everyone knows about all the different species, but humans hate the vampires due to horrible rumors being spread through the ages.
In this book, the vampire world is looking for a trader among their ranks. There are people stealing women and killing innocents to become the most powerful of beings. Trentino is one of the head vampires, Masters, trying to figure out what is going on, who is behind it all, and a way to prove they are not the enemy to the rest of the world. Through the process of searching for the trader, Trentino sires a special human named Angel. Angel is a medium and speaks to the dead, just like her deceased grandmother. Her family is part of a powerful mafia who has hated the vampire community their entire lives. However, one night after meeting Trentino, all that will change. She never feared him and always felt a strong pull or connection before she even knew what he was. The story is a progression of their relationship and how she fairs in his world. She becomes a part of a world she once hated to save her new race. One of the things I love about the book are the characters. The men are dominating, protecting, but respectful and open. The women are badass. While their mates try to protect them, they are also the answer to defeating the bad in the world. The women can fight, take care of themselves, but also respect the order of their world. It also didn’t hurt that the author knows how to write a sex scene – just enough to get you going!
King of Pain (Interstellar Rescue Series Book 5) by Donna S. Frelick – Review by Daryian Lucas
King of Pain by Donna S. Frelick
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was my first book by this author and my first Sci-Fi romance read. At the beginning I was a little confused by the language, but that’s just because I’m not used to the genre. After the first chapter I had a good handle on understanding what was going on and I am glad I kept reading! This is such a good book and intro to Sci-Fi romance! It’s an engaging story that really keeps your attention. This book has sparked an interest in me to keep reading Sci-Fi romance novels.
Unlikely to Fit (Parker Lake) by Olivia Sherwood – Review by Whitney Morrison
Unlikely to Fit by Ashlie Knapp
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I loved loved this book. It was so cute and funny but also at times heartbreaking as well. I really liked the relationship between Breckin (Jellybean) and Griff. I was cheering for them the whole book. I absolutely recommend this series.
Unlikely to Fit (Parker Lake) by Olivia Sherwood – Review by Whitney Morrison
Unlikely to Fit by Ashlie Knapp
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I loved loved this book. It was so cute and funny but also at times heartbreaking as well. I really liked the relationship between Breckin (Jellybean) and Griff. I was cheering for them the whole book. I absolutely recommend this series.
Tally and the Angel: Book Two, Canada by Eleanor Dixon – Review by Barbara Stegall
Tally and the Angel Book Two, Canada by Eleanor Dixon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
What a great book to share with young family members. I loved reading this with my grandson. He loved it as much as the first book. The story keep us both turning the pages to see what will happen next. We were not disappointed with this story! The characters become very real as you read the story. The places described in the book create a great picture in your mind. What a great series for all ages! We enjoyed reading this book during family time. I would suggest reading the first book before this one.
Tally and the Angel: Book Two, Canada by Eleanor Dixon – Review by Kylean Sprosty
Tally and the Angel Book Two, Canada by Eleanor Dixon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Not exactly the story I thought I was getting when reading the book synopsis, but it turned out to be a great book! The villagers and their story liking with the story of the angel was a great touch. Tally is very adventurous, saving Jak and going through everything to keep her and her father together. While reading you almost forget this story takes place in modern day, with the description of the village and how they all lived. Dog sledding through the North Yukon near old gold mines, fighting off wolves, and saving a village are great adventures for a 13-year-old travelling with her father around the world. Here’s hoping for book 3!
Tally and the Angel: Book One India by Eleanor Dixon – Review by Alexandria Richard
Tally and the Angel : Book One India by Eleanor Dixon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Cute middle school age about what’s right and wrong, and someone having your back
A cute book about finding inner strength as well as having someone help you be true to yourself and good to others. Includes a mystery storyline.
While there is an Angel involved and there’s little snippets of its journey to get to today, this book is not overtly religious, which I appreciated. The setting here is mostly in India, so the novel gives facts about the country as well as the Hindi language, culture/style, and religion.
I enjoyed the fact that it seems that each character we meet has some character trait that they’re working on. For example, Tally is just a middle schooler who’s growing up and learning to be a good person, and her dad is trying do good in the world while also being there for his daughter after the passing of his wife/her mom.
I thoroughly appreciate the obvious research that went in to bringing the Indian culture and architecture to life on the page. I love ancient architecture and art and you can tell that the author did their due diligence in the background and representing it authentically for the young readers.
Content warning included in this paragraph: I would label this novel as upper middle school and recommend that parents be willing and able to have discussions with their child about what is read. There is a bit of a mystery theme to this novel as children have gone missing and I think it would be important to know how the child(ren) can handle mature themes like kidnapping and child labor.
