Insatiable Darkness by L.M. Preston
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Sports, Mystery & Body Parts… OH MY! This is a short story that is fast paced and I think the author did a good job writing it. The main characters are good ones and I loved following their story and seeing where this huge mystery was going. I am looking forward to more by this author in the future!
Happy Reading.
Undeniable by Victoria Saccenti
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
3.5 Stars
Undeniable is the second book in the Central Florida Stories series by Victoria Saccenti. This is a contemporary romance with second chances, danger, drama, angst, and emotion. There is an erotic BDSM component too, that gives this story an added element of interest.
Victoria Saccenti crafted her characters really well- creating fully realised individuals with their own quirks and flaws. Both our MC’s have their own challenges, bringing angst, tension, and plenty of emotion to the whole story. We have our female lead, Arely, on the run from the mob, trying to stay off their radar by taking a job in a BDSM club. While our male lead, Kurt, has just been going through the motions, not truly living, dealing with PTSD since leaving the military. They have a history between them that adds another layer to their story. Add in simmering chemistry, danger, and some intrigue and we have quite an interesting story.
Happy Reading!
Thank you, Victoria Saccenti!
Reviewed by @angelahayes
A Quirk of Destiny: Ignoramus et Ignorabimus by Catherine Greenall
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is an interesting take on the dystopian genre and had me turning the page to see how the story unfolds. The story is told from a third person point of view, based in the UK, and is written in British English. There’s some slang as an American that I didn’t understand, but figured it out as I read on.
I haven’t read a novel with this type of outbreak leading up to a dystopian future and it’s a distinguishing feature- something I wouldn’t have thought of! If you like dystopian stories, this would be a fantastic addition to the TBR pile!
Reviewed by @bilberrysweet
Brandy Vaughn, July 2022
Insatiable Darkness by L.M. Preston
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Insatiable Darkness was a great first book in the Vigilant series. It left me wanting more and more and I cannot wait to read the rest of the series. There is a cliffhanger so beware, however it made me NEED to continue with the series. The author has a great writing style and she led us into the characters in a way that made us learn who they were and their prevalence to the story. I really enjoyed and will be grabbing what else is out in the series asap! A great thrilling ride to settle in and solve the mystery!
I’m Not Your Difference by Theresa Sederholt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I’m Not Your Difference is the fourth book in the Fitz Series of mystery stories. This book highlights the character Andy, introduced in the earlier books as Fitz’s brother-in-law and close friend. The crime part of the story centres around a homophobic serial killer, with Fitz fighting to prove that what appear to be a series of guilt-ridden suicides are not what they seem. Meanwhile, Andy is trying to get back on the dating scene as a single father with early onset Parkinson’s.
This is a sensitive story, with many scenes focusing on domestic and family life. We see in flashbacks Andy’s family coming together to support him when he’s diagnosed sun Parkinson’s, and later their concern for him as he agrees to reconnect with his ex. We also see Andy’s love for his adoptive daughter, Stella, as well as his niece and nephew.
This book works alright as a standalone, if there are themes in it that particularly interest you. But reading it as part of the series will give you more background for the other characters.
I’m Not Your Difference gets five stars from me – an enjoyable and captivating read!
Love is Worth Fighting for by Effie Kammenou
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Krystina and Loukas have known each other for their whole lives. At one point they were best friends and inseparable, that is until the other boys continues Loukas to do some things that in Krystina’s mind we’re unforgivable.
Krystina wants to be famous. What girl these days doesn’t want to travel and dreams of being a famous blogger on Instagram? But, as usual, Loukas is always there. All she wants is for him to leave her alone so she can breathe and do her own thing.
When situations arise and Krystina is stuck trying to manage it all, Loukas is there to help her through it all. Add on to that the search her family has been doing for her missing grandfather, and things start to get a little intense. Krystina and her sisters are determined to find and bring home this man even in the midst of hard times. This determination will test everything Krystina has and may help her learn that no matter what, love is worth the fight.
This was an entertaining read. I didn’t read much about the description prior to starting it, so I didn’t realize it took place during the pandemic and closures. I feel like the pandemic side of it was well done and realistically portrayed in most ways, although the timeline bouncing got me a little confused at times.
At times, the timeline felt jumbled to me when discussing present day events vs events happening that felt like they would have been in present day but were labeled differently (ex: one chapter would be present day in June, then suddenly it’s thanksgiving 2020, but the story continues into December). I enjoyed falling back in time with Kalliope and Panos so the dates on the timeline are definitely important to follow along with.
While it can be read as a standalone in the series, I feel that if I had read the first two books I would have been able to understand a little more in some parts. I found myself lost and unsure on several occasions and feel that the first part of the series may have helped with that confusion.
I loved that there are recipes found throughout some of the chapters because I enjoy food and plan to come back and try some of them!
Overall, I liked reading this book and would be will to try more from this author. However, definitely plan to read any series from her in order.
One Unexpected Gift by Marianne Rice
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is a story that will melt your heart and bring out all the emotional feelers. Skylar has to find her way in single motherhood. With the help of her band of sisters, she will tell Gabriela’s father about her and work through the intricacies of a relationship. She and Nick both bring baggage. Can that love survive? A beautifully written story with real struggles that just makes you smile. The characters are wonderful and feel like family. You’ll find youurself relating to them. The plot is very smooth, just like a flowing river. A romance that I would recommend to all contemporary romance lovers.
Murder in the Lightning Room by A.D. Brazeau
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This story is set in Colorado Springs. Nicholas Tesla’s time in Colorado Springs is a key component of the story. The protagonist is a teenage high school girl. A budding romance ensues between two amateur detectives. The ending is a surprise!
Love in the Roses by T.L. Clark
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is such an engaging book. Isabel is such a beautiful character. Her spirit and mind are so refreshing. The medieval setting was well written and the perfect backdrop to this arranged marriage between houses. Can happiness be found in this situation? Can love?
Lost Soul by Theresa Van Spankeren
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book jumps right into Juliana’s past and grabs your attention right away! There are some very intense scenes that may be hard for some to read. This story was amazing though. Julia grows a lot but still is very naive. This book is setting the back story for Julia. It was so hard to read about her past and what all she went through. She’s not out of the woods yet and has a lot still to learn about her new life. I’m about to start the second book because I have to know what happens! This was definitely a great start to the series!
Insatiable Darkness by L.M. Preston
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was my first book by this author, but it is far from the last! Insatiable Darkness was a short but thrilling read. I have a feeling I am going to devour this entire series right after this review. EmVee had no idea what she was getting into at her new town, but surprises lurked in every corner. Being a strong female athlete comes with its disadvantages yet her new school appears to have some individuals up for the challenge. Will this finally be a place she fits in and finds a suitable partner? I enjoyed all the twists and turns during this rollercoaster story. It is fast paced so I didn’t even have time to guess what happens next. Heading to get the next book now!
Reviewed by @shannlynn
Undeniable by Victoria Saccenti
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Undeniable (Central Florida Stories Book 2) by Victoria Saccenti. This is the 2nd book in the Central Florida Stories series and it is just as good as the first if not better. Its the story of Arley and Kurt who have grown up as neighbors. Kurt is five years older than Arley and best friends with her brother. Hiding in Florida after getting kidnapped and thrown into a sex trafficking ring she runs into her one true love that she thought she could never have, Kurt. Arley gets a job bartending at a BDSM club which Kurt owns part of. While Kurt tries to protect Arley from the group of guys after her they get closer and closer. Kurt is determined to protect Arley at all costs. Arley makes Kurt feel alive again and like he has something to look forward to in life. This book has all the things, suspense, mystery, romance and steamy scenes too! Once you start reading you won’t want to put it down!
Let It Be Love by N.D. Jackson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Let It Be Love (A Mustang Prairie Romance Book 5) by N.D. Jackson. This is such a good book. Its a series book but can be read as a standalone. Its the story of Kiki who is a pop starlet and Eric the mayor of a small town. Kiki’s career is going great and doesn’t really want to be in a relationship. She wants to enjoy all the craziness that is her life. Greg likes his life just fine but when he meets Kiki he falls madly and completely in love with her. He’s not crazy about all the attention hes getting from Kiki’s life. Kiki is also having to deal with her crappy manager who is a cheat and scum. Kiki really likes Greg and wants to spend time with him but would love to be able to do it without the paparazzi all up in their business. Will they be able to work out their relationship or will it be too much for Greg?
A Quirk of Destiny: Ignoramus et Ignorabimus by Catherine Greenall
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Overall very good book. Not what you would first expect. I did get tripped up on some of the more scientific parts but got the idea and kept going. I already know that GM foods are bad for you, but this makes you think a bit more about what goes in your mouth. Greenall did a very good job using fiction to make us more aware of what could happen if we don’t make some changes. I think this book would be good for young adult through adult.
Let It Be Love by N.D. Jackson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was a super cute romance. It was interesting that this story doesn’t start at the very beginning of Eric and Kiki’s relationship. At first I wasn’t sure if I would like that – usually I want to know everything about how a relationship starts, but in this instance it really worked. I didn’t read the previous books in this series, so I suspect you see the beginning of their relationship in previous books, but it did not detract from this story at all.
Eric and Kiki are figuring out their relationship and trying to make it work. Eric may be the mayor of Mustang Prairie, but that kind of public figure is not quite the same as being a pop star, and it has made him a bit reluctant. But you can tell he truly cares for Kiki, and once he decided he was in, he didn’t waver.
Kiki is dealing with a lot. She is getting ready to tour, is dealing with a smarmy agent, and has been working on songs that are different from what she usually sings. She cares a lot for Eric, but has things in her past that make her hesitate.
The growth of both characters was great. You see them grow both individually and as a couple. The level of communication was better than a stereotypical romance – even if there was something Kiki wasn’t quite ready to share, she acknowledged it was actively looking for when to do so. If she made a mistake, she owned it. I really liked watching them get to their happily everything today.
Let It Be Love by N.D. Jackson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
An enjoyable and engaging contemporary romance, which kept me happily turning the pages. Pop starlet Kiki Ramirez and ‘civilian’, small town mayor Eric didn’t plan to fall in love, but they did. However, their relationship is being tested by Kiki’s fame, her crazy agent, the paparazzi, and the Hollywood machine. I loved Kiki and Eric and was cheering them on, hoping they would get their HEA. The characters were well defined and I felt engaged with them and their circumstances. The chemistry between the couple really came across in the story. The storyline flowed well and I found myself immersed in the story. This was a heartwarming romance which I definitely recommend.
Let It Be Love by N.D. Jackson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
What a heart warming story. I’m not a fan of pregnancy in a romance book but this one wasn’t that bad. Kiki Ramirez is a famous pop star and is secretly dating Eric a small town mayor. The story follow them learning what it’s like to fall in love, deal with a crappy agent (Louie can eat ****) and handle the hard side of fame. Is shows what it’s like to communicate in a relationship though very difficult ups and downs. Outside of the pregnancy aspect of it I loved the book!
Murder in the Lightning Room by A.D. Brazeau
Mystery…Intrigue…Murder. Murder in the Lightning Room by A.D. Brazeau has this and so much more to keep you turning the pages. So grab your favorite beverage and curl up with this murder mystery that will not disappoint.
Set in Colorado Springs in 1899, Cora Croft is finishing her last year at Colorado Springs High School. As a young female interested in continuing her education, her teacher recommends she volunteer to be the new assistant of famed Nikola Tesla. As she embarks on the journey of assisting with intriguing scientific discoveries, Cora gets pulled into solving the mysterious death of Tesla’s previous assistant and finding his missing documents.
Cora is such a well written character. She is full of inquiry, strong-minded and intelligent. Author Brazeau did a great job imagining these characters and found a way to make the story flow in a quick and interesting way. As the mystery unfolds, you are rooting for Cora and hoping she can help solve the mystery and continue to grow in the process.
I highly recommend this novel to anyone who wants to go back in time, solve a mystery and go on a great ride in the process.
Love in the Roses by T.L. Clark
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I enjoyed this historical romance set during the War of the Roses in England. The characters themselves were well-developed. But I particularly liked the world-building and the attention to detail in terms of the setting, the dialogue style, and all of this brings the book to life. The drama and the intrigue kept the story moving even as some of the details flew over my head a little. Overall, an enjoyable read.
Murder in the Lightning Room by A.D. Brazeau
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I really enjoyed this YA historical mystery novel, which had me hooked from start to finish. Set in 1899, in Colorado Springs, seventeen year old Cora Croft is in her final year at Palmer High School. She finds herself uncovering a mystery involving Nikola Tesla and his secret projects. Tesla is ready to pack up his secret lab and return to New York after the mysterious death of his assistant, and the theft of some important documents. However, when Cora offers to help him uncover who is behind these events, in order for Tesla to stay and complete his work he agrees.
Cora along with friends Harrison and Marshall work together to unravel the mystery, and discover secrets along the way. Cora has to deal with time, the elements and social constraints, and then she discovers that she is in danger. This was a fast paced story with an exciting storyline and plenty of plot twists, which kept me happily turning the pages. I loved the characters, especially the likeable and relatable Cora, and I felt that I was alongside her uncovering the clues. The historical details really brought the era to life along with the real life Tesla.
Let It Be Love by N.D. Jackson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I really enjoyed reading Let it Be Love. It was a wonderful story about overcoming obstacles and romance. Have you ever had anxiety/depression so bad that you don’t think anything good could ever happen to you? I definitely have and that’s exactly the battle our main character deals with throughout. The author depicted it beautifully, I felt like I was in the main character’s shoes.
Kiki is a pop star, she still can’t believe it sometimes. Has a wonderful boyfriend, who she thinks will leave her any minute. Also is pregnant and feels Eric is only staying for the baby. These things happen to people who have had a messed up childhood, because that’s all they know. (I’ve been through it myself.) This book is her struggle to not only reinvent herself but actually accept that it’s all not a dream, this is her life!
Eric is a saint in my eyes. He’s so patient and loving with Kiki. It’s beautiful. Not many men out there would accept the constant insecurities of the woman they are seeing/in love with. I understand it’s a book of fiction but it gives one hope that they may find a partner like this someday. Because there are definitely people out there just like him.
This book is definitely not just a romance but about the struggles one goes through overcoming and taking back one’s life! Read it, trust me it may surprise you like it did me!
This was my first audio book in many, many years… and I was amazed at just how fast I was pulled into the story! I could not stop listening. Jane Suen created a story and characters that were seamless and relatable. Eve was the perfect heroine – a determined college student who wanted to find the truth about a cold case in a small town. Her relentless drive kept me engaged and I finished Murder Creek in one sitting! Very compelling and intriguing.
Undeniable by Victoria Saccenti
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is an exciting book full of romance, sex and danger. This book is the second in the series but can be easily read as a standalone. I loved the characters in this book. They were intriguing and really piqued my interest. I thought their connection was undeniable and convincing right from the word go.
This author is one of those that I have come to trust. Their writing is always captivating and I always find myself enjoying whatever Book I am reading. This series is a great example as to why. I would definitely recommend this book.
Let It Be Love by N.D. Jackson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Eric is a small town mayor just trying to woo the woman he loves. The only problem is that she is a mega pop superstar. Kiki isn’t just a mega pop star, she was a successful child actor before that. There are lots of people who think they have a claim to Kiki and her life. Kiki has strained relationships with her entire family due her stardom and all that comes with it. Eric wants to find a way to balance her stardom with his quiet, small town life.
The author gets you all in the feels. The book is excellent! While Kiki and Eric figure out how to build a life somewhere between the concert stage and being a hermit, Kiki finds out what being a person is like. Friendships and love are keys to this romance! Great story and outcome!!
The Mermaid and the Water Magnifying Glass by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This really is such a delightful series to read. Every time I tell me daughter there is a new one she gets so excited. The stories are engaging and perfect for the intended audience. It is also interesting and well written enough to entertain any adult involved with the reading. These books are always ones we have to read multiple times, which for me is all I need to tell me it is a success. A great book and a great series.
Blood & Vengeance by A.D. Brazeau
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
We are welcomed back into this second book of this series with our main woman Desiree. After the events of book one she had one thing in mind. And that was the vampires need to be dealt with. Dealt with in the way of getting rid of them.
But, the arrival of another player in power makes that a much harder task to accomplish. I finished this in one sitting and truly cannot wait to read more from this author!!!!!
Review by @michellerenee6590
View all my reviews
Paige and the Reluctant Artist by Darci Garcia
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book was written by a new author to me. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect but it’s a romance and the cover has a cat on it. Cats are always a wonderful way to get me to pick up a book. What I found was a very cute story with romance and animals combined. I thought the writer did an amazing job with describing what was taking place. I could visualize the surroundings in my mind. I also thought that she did a wonderful job with the characters, and I felt like these could be personal friends of mine. I did feel like it took a little too long for them to connect but once they did, WOW what a connection it was. This was a very fast paced book for me as I was unable to put it down. I even snuck in some reading while at work. I highly recommend this book if you are a fan of romantic stories. I look forward to picking up more books from this author.
Love is Worth Fighting for by Effie Kammenou
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This was my first read in the series and by this author. It definitely can be a standalone. This book is a “falling in love with my friend/enemy” story told from different points of views. We meet Krystina, who wants to travel, expand her blog and be “insta” famous. She works hard at planning her outfits, photoshoots and uploads. When Krystina and her family take a trip to find their long lost grandfather… she finds that what she thought she knew isn’t what is real. Longtime family friend Loukas tags along and goes through some tough situations with Krystina. This trip makes her think differently about and love and learn that love is worth fighting for.
I loved the characters and the way the story goes back and forth between past and present.
A Quirk of Destiny: Ignoramus et Ignorabimus by Catherine Greenall
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is a great opportunity for readers who have not read or just starting to read apocalyptic books. This has a great narrative and world-building. It has a few sentences that are stumbling blocks or have to be re-read to understand, but you ignore it when reading it to find out what happens. I quickly immersed myself into the book and was eager to know more about the conspiracy and how the government caused the end of the world. The characters are personable and they are easy to know. This is an overall experience. Not at all your typical zombie/plague type of book.
The main characters discover a virus that was first tested on rats and then quickly went south. Both scientists and citizens alike try to fight or uncover the cause and stop it. But it is too late the government quickly covers it up and tries to kill everyone involved. Not realizing it’s too late. This is a seat-of-your-pants thriller/ conspiracy at the core and a plague/zombie book secondly. Definitely worth reading.
Murder in the Lightning Room by A.D. Brazeau
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Murder in the Lightning Room by A.D. Brazeau – Review by Maryn Belling
Welcome to Colorado Springs. Home to sparkling landscapes and barely a generation of history. Our completely relatable Miss Cora Croft – academic hopeful and hopelessly short of her mother’s example of corseted grace – would rather walk in the snow than be beholden. Amid the usual challenges for a lady of her age, social status, and upbringing, Cora tussles with calculus, physics, and gender roles.
Set 40 years after the gold-rush, the attraction of new residents to Colorado Springs is for medical reasons (consumption & tuberculosis). The railroad’s depot (Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe) constructed in Colorado Springs in 1917 is alluded to through character presence, but the town is still foot-traffic, horse, and buggy propelled.
With Pike’s Peak watching over the town and its inhabitants, Nikola Tesla watches over his experiments with physics. Despite the integral presence of physics and calculus in the workings of Tesla’s lab, readers needn’t possess specific knowledge of either topic.
The greater mysteries for Colorado Springs’ inhabitants are untimely deaths. Miss Cora’s scientific mind works through the myriad pieces to reveal the truth.
Murder in the Lightning Room, A Historical Mystery, A.D. Brazeau, Review, Itsy Bitsy Book Bits, YA, Historical, Mystery, Maryn Belling, July 2022
