Link goodreads for itsy bitsy
In His Kiss by Ava Alise
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I loved the fact that there friendship blossoms into much more. This book is absolutely amazing. Its a fairytale of true love. The plot twists were amazing. It kept me guessing and couldn’t wait to finish.
The Girl and The Raven by Pauline Gruber
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Amazing paranormal YA story.
Really enjoyed this story, it was very easy to read and had great pacing. The characters were well developed and Lucy was presented as a very typical 16 year old with all her attitude and ‘worries’. The unique aspect of the paranormal was refreshing and the underlying story for Lucy made me so much more vested in her character. I feel there is still so much more to explore in book 2 and I look forward to it.
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Jessica Aiken-Hall, author of her award-winning memoir, The Monster That Ate My Mommy lives in New Hampshire with her husband, three children, and three dogs. She is a survivor of child abuse and domestic violence and is a fierce advocate. Her mission is to help others share their story.
She has a master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling, with over a decade of experience as a social worker. She is also a Reiki Master and focuses her attention on healing.
When she is not writing, she enjoys listening to Tom Petty, walking along the beach, looking at the moon, and watching murder shows. To follow what she’s doing next check out http://www.jessicaaikenhall.com.
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Laurencia Hoffman is the author of several novels and novellas and co-author of The Wages of Sin series. She specializes in horror but loves to dabble in other genres including fantasy and romance.
When she’s not writing, she also enjoys making her own line of natural products, satisfying her sweet tooth, and watching films.
Remember My Name by Laurencia Hoffman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is the first book I have read by this author and I was pleasantly surprised.
It was a very interesting storyline and the pacing kept me reading. The author’s writing style is engaging with a lot of show not tell. The character development with Shane was brilliantly executed, I really felt the emotional rollercoaster. Even though this is a series, this was a complete novel. Will be definitely reading the next book.
Journeys Through SpaceTime by James Talisman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Cleverly written sci-fi adventure
This was an exceptional piece of writing. So many layers that one could easily become lost in the intricate web of the multi-verse. The author was very good at providing moments of grounding within each chapter that really helped the reader to connect and gather their understanding. There is a lot within these pages but it all needs to be appreciated as a whole package – so reading on is a must as it all ties in together. As I finished the book it I felt like I had been on an epic journey – just as the title says. Highly recommend.
Confessions of a Sophomore Prankster by Danielle Jacks
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Confessions of a Sophomore Prankster : Frat House Confessions by Danielle Jacks
This book is part of a series by several different authors and I have only just discovered and so glad I found this book.
Casey is a wallflower who is happiest while in the library but she hasn’t always been this way and her reason for changing is so sad,
Setter is one of the start football players whose greatest joy outside of football is playing pranks.
These total opposites fit so well together in so many ways and seem to bring out the best in one another, but have some obstacles to get past.
I enjoyed this booked, was able to turn my brain off for a bit and live in their world which isn’t always easy for me to do.
Tangled Roots by Denise D. Young
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I just finished the book, and I have to say I’m sad it ended. It is very well written and I found myself invested in the story. Cassie and Nick are excellent lead characters. They are both very relatable and I found myself rooting for them. I loved all of the plot twists throughout the book. Tangled Roots is a great book for anyone who likes romance and magic! I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!
Captured by the Viscount by Wareeze Woodson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I love this time period of old London. This book was full of twists and turns from a despicable brother, a malicious cousin, a spoiled sister, and many other suspects.
Isabel is given an ultimatum, the gaol or marriage to the Viscount. The book follows Isabel’s’ and Matthew’s journey.
Matthew had already requested the hand in marriage of two other young ladies who had met with unfortunate accidents. Time was running out as Matthew had to have a bride within the month. Were these accidents intentional or purely coincidental? I was still guessing until the last chapter of this book. Thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Grave Digger Academy by C.A. King
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Mikayla is the only daughter in a group of seven children. She’s always felt like the misfit of the family. She doesn’t excel the way her brothers do. Including her parents, her family all has blond hair and blue eyes but not Mikayla. Her hair is red and her eyes are emerald green. It is time for Mikayla to start school in the paranormal academies. Her choices are vast, but without excellent grades or skills, she is limited in her choices. She chooses three schools, but to her bewilderment, she doesn’t end up in any of them. On the first day of school, Mikayla wakes up late and has to ride the bus to school. She meets Thomas who winds up being at the same paranormal school as her, Grave Digger Academy.
Travel to the world of witches and follow Mikayle through her first semester at the Grave Digger Academy. With friends such as Thomas, Cali, and Leo, Mikayla starts to achieve in her courses with the help of a special gift from her mom. Keeping the dead in the ground is the main objective of learning so far at the Grave Digger Academy. What will the first years encounter at the paranormal academy that no one wants to attend?
Chelsea is a childcare worker who seems to have bad taste in men. Her brothers friend, who also happens to be her roommate, Tom, is tired if hearing about how bad these guys are. When Chelsea’s friend Nadia says that she should give a nice guy a chance, Tom in particular, he runs with it. What could go wrong showing the girl of his dreams how good she should be treated? Of course Chelsea has never seen Tom as anything more than her brothers friend, but could her feelings be changing? What happens when line get blurred and you go from being friends to something more?
These characters were enjoyable and very relatable in some instances. I have read other books by this author and have enjoyed them on different levels. I had fun reading this book and I look forward to the next one in the series.
Mr. Nice Guy by Belinda Williams
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Mr. Nice Guy by Belinda Williams is a short easy comfort read with great characters, a refreshing twist on fake dating turns to real dating, and fantastic word building. This romance story kept this reader on the edge of her seat with drama, angst, romance, and more. I found myself flipping through the pages faster then a bolt of lightning to find out what happens next and I was not disappointed. The way that Ms. Williams developed her main family character was relatable, it was refreshing to have a female lead that wasn’t a skinny super model but has a normal body style that makes her more relatable to some women like myself. While I loved the book over all the one thing I would have liked to see was a little more character development, but over all I can’t wait to see where Ms. Williams takes this series.
Grave Digger Academy by C.A. King
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
C.A. King is an amazing author. She has written different books across different genres. I have never gone wrong when I buy a C.A. King book. This book was no different. It is a fun, fast-paced, paranormal story. The attention to detail is what makes this book a must-read. The characters are complex and fully developed. Makayla is the main character who wants to go to a paranormal academy but the small problem is that did not get into her first choices. She was accepted into Grave Digger Academy. There is a difference between “gravediggers” and Grave Diggers. One puts the body into the ground and the other keeps the body on the ground. Makayla and her classmates have a lot to learn about the dead and how temperamental they can be. Join along as we follow Makayla in this story to see what she learns at Grave Digger Academy.
Least Likely Suspect: Revenge by Cooper McKenzie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Least Likely Suspect-Revenge
Cooper MacKenzie
5 out of 5 stars
I’m not sure what I was expecting from this book but it wasn’t what I got, it FAR surpassed my expectations.
While holding true to the suspense genre, this story really toyed with my emotions and felt deeper than I expected. It kept my attention throughout and the characters were realistic and in many ways, relatable. I think I enjoyed Micah’s character the most and genuinely appreciated the caring, familial feel to how the characters were written, despite being “secret, real life superheroes”. I would love to read more by this author in the future.
The Murders of Lillian Ross by Sirena Van Schaik
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Sirena Van Schaik is an author I hadn’t heard about before but knew I had to read when I stumbled across the Murders of Lillian Ross. I wasn’t sure what I was getting myself into but as I so often find when I explore new (to me) authors,, I wasn’t disappointed. I have been incredibly lucky lately to read a few thrillers that are so good they stick with you long after the story is over. This book was one of them. I loved everything about it, honestly, but mostly how it was formatted. I loved the way the 911 call and court transcripts were intertwined in the writing. I felt like the Murders of Lillian Ross played out like a movie in my head from start to finish.
Definitely a 5 star read for me and I would love to read more from this author.
The Murders of Lillian Ross by Sirena Van Schaik
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Sirena Van Schaik is an author I hadn’t heard about before but knew I had to read when I stumbled across the Murders of Lillian Ross. I wasn’t sure what I was getting myself into but as I so often find when I explore new (to me) authors,, I wasn’t disappointed. I have been incredibly lucky lately to read a few thrillers that are so good they stick with you long after the story is over. This book was one of them. I loved everything about it, honestly, but mostly how it was formatted. I loved the way the 911 call and court transcripts were intertwined in the writing. I felt like the Murders of Lillian Ross played out like a movie in my head from start to finish.
Definitely a 5 star read for me and I would love to read more from this author.
Kingdom of War by Tricia Copeland
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Kingdom of War: Kingdom Journals, Book 4 by Tricia Copeland
4 out of 5 stars
Tricia Copeland is one of my favorite authors. I have read many books of hers and thus I was delighted to pick up this little gem. This is the fourth installment in the Kingdom Journals series and a fabulous addition to the set. We meet up with Hunter who is the leader of a long-awaited trinity. Those who are going to restore the order. As his story progresses, I am reminded of Hercules and the requirement of the 12 labors, I find that these are similar to Hunter and the trials that he must complete. Hunter is a complex and often frustrating character as he is constantly at battle with himself and his growing power. He is struggling to control what he thinks is not his and not turn into the father whom he hates. The other two of the trinity are fantastic characters to Hunter and compliment him very well. The conversation, banter, and story progression make this a completely easy read or listen to. Lovers of Paranormal/Romance/Young Adult/Fantasy will love this book. 4 out of 5 stars.
Reviewed by @kgregory
Confessions of a Sophomore Prankster by Danielle Jacks
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Brandon Setter, football star. Casey Nelson, nerd and coaches daughter. The two are paired up for an assignment, how completely different their perspectives are. Casey is very prepared and withdrawn due to an incident in her past, Setter is a party boy and prankster. Coach wants Setter to help Casey come out of her shell, but is falling for her part of the plan. Setter is set to take over the family business and Casey is not supposed to be part of that future. This book is so fun and well written, kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time.
Being Lost by Manda Mellett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Wow, Author Amanda Mellett….this book was just….. WOW! Lost is a leader and questioning if he is truly worthy or good enough…..then Patsy comes into the picture. Both character’s have not very good past marriages, but overcome. Lost must protect Patsy and her son, then eventually Lost and Patsy through the twists and turns love…. I especially love the maturity on this book with the characters being a little older and mature….definitely loved this book and I cannot wait to continue to dive into more of this series!
Lake of Flowers by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I love any opportunity I get to visit Egypt. This book takes you there, but also has you seeing the colours, smelling the decadent florals and feeling like you are really there, among the pageantry and people. If you are looking for a page turner, and wanting to go on an adventure, filled with twists and turns, then this is the book for you. This author does not disappoint at all, and has been added to my favourites list. I am proud to display her on my shelves, and have recommended her to many of my friends. If you are a fan of ancient Egypt, then this is a must read book.
Mr. Nice Guy by Belinda Williams
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Mr. Nice Guy was such a great read and I can’t say enough good stuff about it. Chelsea is the little sister of Tom’s best friend and when she needed a place to stay, Tom took her in. Typical book..just like all the others, right…..WRONG!
Chelsea dates loser after loser until one night her best friend schemes up a plan for her to date a nice guy for once. Who else would be perfect to play that part aside from Tom? Only one problem, Tom is extremely attracted to Chelsea. When she sees him at the beach with no shirt on and he sees her in that itty bitty bikini, the reader expects it to be done…..NOPE!
They are supposed to date for one week. The first few dates are just a nightmare lol. Also, Tom has a lot of baggage he still hasn’t overcome yet. These two are absolutely perfect for eachother but what if, they both end up having real feelings for eachother and then it doesn’t work out. They are friends and roommates. Is it worth losing what they have? Will they ever find out if it’s worth a shot? You have to read this 5* read to find out. I loved it and cannot wait for more.
review by @xchellex
Tangled Roots by Denise D. Young
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Oh, my magical moments!
I am a sucker for a good time travel book. (Hello Outlander). So reading this I was looking forward to seeing how this unique story out. I am happy to say it didn’t let me down. From the start, I was pulled in. Cassie’s backstory is one of sadness and pain. Add a dash of magic and 45 years into the future. You then meet Nick. Oh boy, this series is something I can really get behind.
Reviewed by @awesomelyamber
The Murders of Lillian Ross by Sirena Van Schaik
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Lillian Ross is in jail for a double murder and has never said a word about what happened and why, she didn’t even put up a fight for the court case, just letting them get on with it around her and has never opened up to anyone, that is until she approaches true-crime author Allison McKinnon. Allison has been writing her true-crime novels for a decade and it is always from the point of view of the victims, she does her research thoroughly and uses facts and first hand interviews to show the real impact which crime can have on lives and she is good at her job, so when she gets the call that Lillian Ross wants her to tell her her story, it is a chance she is more than willing to take, as long as the proper steps are taken and the proper paperwork and releases are signed.
As she approaches the prison for their first meeting, Allison has her legal support there with her, she is stunned when Lillian enters the interview room for the first time, she doesn’t look like her pictures, but she is still a beautiful woman who wouldn’t strike you as being a criminal if you saw her on the street, but there is something about her character which Allison feels is a little off, she agrees to sign off on all the paperwork and so Allison arranges with the prison to conduct the meetings, while in the background, she begins to make requests to Lillian’s family so that she can interview them for the book as well.
As the interviews progress, Allison hears about Lillian’s past and this is where similarities to her own past emerge, this sets off an inner turmoil in Allison, but she bravely carries on listening and tries not to bring her own demons to the fore at the same time. Will Allison be able to separate her story from Lillians, or will it lead down a path where only darkness lives and breathes? This is a thrilling look into how writing true-crime can impact the author as well as the criminals and victims and is an interesting glimpse into how the past can impact both the present and the future as you are drawn into two lives and want to see how their stories end.
Reviewed by @roxsannel
The fourth book in the Kingdom Journals. This book will keep you on the edge of your seat guessing as to what is next the entire read. Tricia Copeland has a great ability to create her world so that you feel a part of it. This was my first read by this author and while I haven’t read the first three installments, I did not for one moment feel confused as to what was going on. This epic battle of witches versus vampires can go so many ways and I love how it has played out so far. I look forward to reading more and seeing the story through the eyes of the other players in this story.
Competing with the Star by Krysten Lindsay Hager
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Hadley tackles dating drama and backstabbing female drama in this latest installment of the star series. Watching Hadley grow from the dilemma is the treat of the book. You’ll be transported back in time to your teen years as you read about the adventures of group dates, exes, dates to the nursing home and other adventures. Refreshing to see the same characters and a continuation of the series that doesn’t leave you confused. Really a good book for your young adults to enjoy. Clean and refreshing.
Lake of Flowers by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
“Lake of Flowers” is my second book by NL Holmes, who does a very thorough job creating ancient worlds that are new to me. In “The Lightning Horse,” we learned about the Hittite Empire; in the series of which “Lake of Flowers” is Book #5, we are in the 18th Dynasty of Ancient Egypt, in the reign of Queen Nefertiti (King Akhen-Khepra-Ra in the book).
Hani is a diplomat of the Dynasty. He is tasked by Lord Ay (the king’s father) and also by the Great Royal Wife Mery-Aten to look into the suspicious death of a midwife, and also into the thefts of small things from the Queen’s chamber. These are two completely different mysteries – or are they? But since the new king’s husband had just died, all diplomatic assignments are on hold, so Hani and his trusty secretary/son-in-law, Maya, set about investigating in both the new capital city and the old.
As I said, there is all sorts of world-building, as well as a BUNCH of confusing names. I would probably have been better off starting the series w book #1 but it was #5 that presented itself to me cheaply. I never did keep the names all straight, but really loved the action scenes, which Holmes writes very well, and Hani’s interactions w/ his family members, one of whom is a physician in the royal household, are also engaging. What does Hani’s physician daughter know about the thefts – or the midwife’s murder?
Things become progressively more complicated as the thefts turn out to be attempted poisonings – and more midwives start getting murdered. Do the murders have something to do w/ the actual parentage of the boy-prince, Haru-in-the-Nest (to be known as Tukhen-Aten to history)?
I like that the Lake of Flowers has to be crossed to get to the Field of Reeds – the afterlife. It is a lovely metaphor for Hani getting through the dangers caused by these investigations into a smoother life for himself and his family, although there is a lot of suspense and action getting to his smoother life!
The world created by the book has really stuck w/ me for days. Even though there are too many hard names of characters and places, and the plot line started s-l-o-w-l-y, I give the story 3.4 stars, rounded down to three.
Grave Digger Academy by C.A. King
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
You’ve heard of necromancers, but have you heard about the witches that stop the dead the necromancers have risen? This book takes a very well known dark magic and tells it from the other side. The good guys, the Grave Diggers.
I really enjoyed this book. I love tales about witches and other supernatural beings. This book was filled with fables and had a Harry Potter Vibe to it which was a bonus in of itself.
Makayla, the main character, is an outcast. In her family, she is the only girl, the only one with red hair and the only one sent to the Grave Digger Academy. With Necromancy being illegal, and as far as anyone is concerned, a “dead” craft, the Grave Digger Academy is where all of the untalented and rejected witches go.
Makayla starts off hating the fact that she is there but as time goes on, she realizes that maybe she, perhaps, belongs there. Things seem to be easier for her and all of the fables point to her being there.
The ending leads into another book being written. I can’t wait to read the next one in the series! I also think I found a new author to look into their other books!
Tangled Roots by Denise D. Young
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
“Be careful what you wish for.” It is a perfect way to describe the deal Cassie made with a Goddess in 1974. In desperation to stay out of her abusive families clutches Cassie strikes a deal that may have saved her, but it has also trapped her in time. Fast forward 45 years and she reawakens in the woods where she cast her last spell. What she doesn’t realize is that the whole world is a different place, her coven and high priestess are all gone and all that is left is a male witch named Nick. Problem is he hates magic and won’t use the power he has.
Although there is a 45 year gap between then and now and the story itself is fast paced, Denise D. Young made the entire story and character development flow naturally. Not many authors can do that so eloquently. That alone gives this book 5 stars in my opinion. This story was also filled with magic, adventure, love and passion and I loved every minute of it. I cannot wait to read the next book.
Great book with lots of action. If you love stories with witches, vampires and magic like I do this book is for you. I really enjoyed Hunter’s side of this book. Hunter was granted his powers and needs to know how to use them as he is a strong leader against the evil him and his friends are against. The story just flowed and the characters are fantastic. There were twists and turns throughout the book that keep you at the edge of your seat. This is my first book of Author Tricia Copeland’s and looking forward to going back and reading some more of her work as this book was truly fantastic! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Least Likely Suspect: Revenge by Cooper McKenzie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Least Likely Suspect- Revenge by Cooper McKenzie is PERFECT book for lovers of James bond. A thrilling novel about a mother’s thirst for revenge against the woman that abused her son, leading to his death. Samantha Wycoff, a woman with nothing to lose searches for a way to make her son’s murderess pay dearly for her actions. This book is an adventure- and perfect for people who have busy lives with little time to read. It’s a short read, but very engaging and interesting. I hope she releases more stories to make a thrilling series about Samantha; and if she does, I’ll be one of the first in line to read it!
