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The Silent Road by S.N. McKibben – Review by Katie Turner

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The Silent RoadThe Silent Road by S.N. McKibben
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Silent Road is the first book I’ve read from author S.N. McKibben. This story takes the reader on a journey with Dan, a divorced father and truck driver who cannot seem to catch a break in any aspect of his life. He feels like a failure of a husband because he loved the road as a truck driver more than he enjoyed time with his family. He feels like a failure of a father because of the turmoil of a somewhat absent father. Now he is having to be trained to drive a truck, although he has been doing it since he was a child. He is racing to get to Texas while apprenticing under a gay man named Jake so that he can help his daughter with moving into her dorm and to pay for her first semester of college. It is evident he feels passionately about being there for his baby girl, and might seek some redemption from the past. Dan has considered himself to be a “bigot” but still respectful enough to not wish harm upon anyone who is different or thinks differently from him. However, this trip with Jake seems to opening his eyes to thoughts and feelings he’s never thought or felt before.

This story was very well written and I loved seeing how this story grew and how Dan grew as a person as well. Sometimes it’s the things and situations we detest and refuse to accept, that we actually need to open ourselves up to to be okay with or even find our true happiness, whatever that may be. Overall, I do recommend giving this story a try if it sounds interesting to you!

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Savage Lies (Hidden Valley Elite Book 1) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Katie Turner

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Savage Lies: A High School Bully Romance (Hidden Valley Elite Book 1)Savage Lies: A High School Bully Romance by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Savage Lies by Isla Vaughn is the first book in the Hidden Valley Elite series, following the prequel Savage Start. In this story, it picks up where some time has passed since Cole and Damon lost their mother. They blame their father and his inability to be faithful to their mother for her taking her life. But when Cole finds out who his father is seeing and connects the dots to Riley’s mother, he decides to make it his mission to run Riley and her mother off. The tension between Cole and Riley is fierce as they toy with each other and it is so gripping, it was hard to put this book down. I am anticipating diving right into the second book next to see where it goes next.

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Manipulator’s War (Ruarnon Trilogy Book 1) by Elise Carlson – Review by Katie Turner

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Manipulator's War (Ruarnon Trilogy, #1)Manipulator’s War by Elise Carlson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Manipulator’s War by Elise Carlson is the first book in the Ruarnon Trilogy and my first book with this author. This is also my first book with a nonbinary character lead. I didn’t have any particular expectations going into this book but it sounded interesting. While the story did not take off immediately for me as I got into the rythym of it all, I eventually found myself absolutey enthralled in this tale and then the pages turned faster and faster. I felt like the characters and their interactions, the plot, and details were beautifully crafted and all came together perfectly inside its fantasy realm. And at the end, I was ready for more. This book has definitely opened me up to be more willing to read outside of my norm. Never know when you’ll find an absolute gem where you’re not necessarily looking for one. I look forward to reading book two!

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Wild Lavender (Heart & Hand Series Book 1) by Nicole E. Kelleher – Review by Katie Turner

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Wild Lavender (Heart & Hand, #1)Wild Lavender by Nicole E. Kelleher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wild Lavender by Nicole E. Kelleher is the first installment to the Aurelian Guard fantasy romance series. Lady Aubrianne (Anna) is arranged to marry Lord Roger not long after meeting and while she tries to fulfill the role, it’s apparent she’d rather be left to her own thoughts with her horses that she raises than be in his company. His cruel nature eventually surfaces, and Anna realizes that he is not the man she’d hoped he would be. But Anna is a strong woman and is not going to let his treatment of her and Lord Roger’s people break her. But then Larkin, a man she had met during an interesting encounter only a couple of years prior and not seen again, is hired to do detective work on Roger. He has had Anna in the back of his mind ever since, but will she be found to be tied to the evilness of her husband?

This story was immaculately written, whirling with secrets and romance in a medieval setting. The author paints such a vivid picture for the readers without becoming monotonous and the plot builds at what I thought to be a perfect pace. It was very easy to get lost in the pages and difficult to put down. I am very intrigued to read the next installment and see what comes next.

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The Man in Black by L.R. Liverpool – Review by Katie Turner

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The Man In BlackThe Man In Black by L.R. Liverpool
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Man in Black is a MM romantic thriller by L.R. Liverpool. The story takes the reader along on a journey with Fenimore James as he sets off to make a new name for himself, literally and figuratively. At the beginning of Fenimore’s journey, he transitions into his new self- Simon Shaw. As he travels west, he contemplates on his dreams of all the fame and glamorous lifestyle of being an outlaw. There are times where he feels like he should turn around and go back to his old life. But eventually his dreams are in reach and joins with Red Evan’s gang. It’s there, he makes some very confusing and deep revelations of himself and who he really is as a man he despises becomes his love interest. Members begin dying and the boss is on edge as he suspects it is one of their very own. Is this dream everything he really wished it could be or will he regret this adventurous life he sought out as it all takes a dark turn?

While this is certainly no quick read, the author has put a lot into this story and by the end of it, I felt like everything came together so well. So many feelings were felt along with Simon and just wished I could reach into the story and give him a big hug. The character growth and writing was immaculate and really kept me drawn in. I quite enjoyed this!

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Lucky Stars by Fantasia Yu – Review by Katie Turner

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Lucky StarsLucky Stars by Fantasia Yu
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Mora is a moon princess who aspires to do more and see more. However, she is arranged to wed Prince Fidge, whom she clearly has no interest in. Despite gaining acceptance, her parents do not seem to be very supportive of her dreams to go to the Bronze City for school, where she hopes to be far, far away from Fidge. And from that point, she begins to care less and less about the opinions of others about her, as well as her safety. When she is introduced to the handsome Darin, she is instantly smitten and becomes quite the risk taker. But if Darin found out who she really was, Mora is not sure he would still be accepting of her being a Princess. How long can she hide her identity from him when the royals send a bounty hunter to retrieve her?

Lucky Stars is my first experience with Fantasia Yu’s work. The way she writes keeps you pulled in and able to easily imagine the world that characters are engaged in. She has really created a fun adventure within space in this short sci-fi romance.

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Savage Start (Hidden Valley Elite Prequel) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Katie Turner

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Savage Start: A High School Bully Romance: Hidden Valley Elite PrequelSavage Start: A High School Bully Romance: Hidden Valley Elite Prequel by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Savage Start by author Isla Vaughn is the prequel story to the Hidden Valley Elite series. It features Riley, a teenager who is constantly on the run with her mother. They never can get too comfortable anywhere before it’s time to pack up what little they have and take off again. But there’s a boy she is swept away by and she has to know more about him. The handsomely popular Cole is often finding himself having to nurture his mother’s mental health while his dad is constantly gone for business conferences and working late hours. Will he find time to try to bump into the girl that comes along with blurry memories of a party, but definitely a kiss he can’t forget?

While the book is not even remotely lengthy, it certainly packed a punch and definitely has left me wondering what is yet to come. I felt like the bouncing back between Riley and Cole’s thoughts worked out very well and didn’t become confusing. I am definitely interested in seeing what comes next with Riley and Cole.

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Titanian Warrior (Titanian Chronicles Book 3) by Victoria Saccenti – Review by Katie Turner

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Titanian Warrior (Titanian Chronicles #3)Titanian Warrior by Victoria Saccenti
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Titanian Warrior is the third installment to the Titanian Chronicles series by Victoria Saccenti. With the author’s phenomenal writing, she has a wonderful way of setting the stage for her readers. I lost all concept of time as I was pulled into the story of Faiza and Hagen’s separate journeys that unite them. Their lives are forever changed and entwined as they stand side by side with their friends and family to try to save the world from the evil necromancer Master Oras and his army. A world full of all types of supernatural beings, good versus evil, love and loss- this story has a bit of everything and is weaved together in this beautiful fantasy. I highly recommend this story, and reading the previous as well. You can read this as a standalone like I did, but I would recommend reading the previous stories as well for perhaps a bit more context. I plan to do so myself. Fantastic story!

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The Taste of Light (The Winemakers Book 2) by Giovanna Siniscalchi – Review by Katie Turner

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The Taste of Light (The Winemakers, #2)The Taste of Light by Giovanna Siniscalchi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Taste of Light by Giovanna Siniscalchi is the second book to the Winemakers series. I have to say this book was absolutely beautiful in every way. From the setting of Portugal 1872 to the character growth of Pedro, who is previously portrayed as a bad guy. I really loved Anne. She is not just a proper lady who teaches Tony English, but also has the ability to be tough when required. These characters have so much depth and layers, along with the plotline. I absolutely implore you to give this story, as well as the previous book ‘The True Purpose of Vines’, a chance if you love a good historical romance. The author has a fantastic way of ensnaring you into her writing and helping you visualize everything as you read along.

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Practically Pagan – An Alternative Guide to Magical Living by Maria DeBlassie – Review by Katie Turner

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Practically Pagan - An Alternative Guide to Magical LivingPractically Pagan – An Alternative Guide to Magical Living by Maria DeBlassie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Practically Pagan An Alternative Guide To Magical Living by Maria DeBlassie is a guide to help open your mind, body and spirit to allow more magic into all the crevices of everyday life, without the need of intricately worded spells and expensive tools, or anyone else’s permission. Maria has such a beautiful way with words that whether it is a personal guide such as this, or a fictional story, she manages to pull me deeply into her writing and by the end, I am always impacted in some way. In this guide, expect to find encouragement that it is ok and selfless to love yourself entirely, to say no, to carve out quiet time for yourself. I found myself feeling completely refreshed after reading this book- as if she helped me find the “reset” button I have so desperately been searching for. Even if you are not a practitioner of magic, there is still so much that can be harvested from within these pages.

Thank you to Maria DeBlassie for this book. I was searching for it and did not even know it.

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Freedom Rings (The Circle Book 3) by Brenda Hardwick – Review by Katie Turner

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Freedom Rings: Book Three of The CircleFreedom Rings: Book Three of The Circle by Brenda Hardwick
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Brenda Hardwick’s Freedom Rings is the third book to The Circle fantasy series. I cannot say that I have read the two previous books beforehand. However, I am definitely intrigued to do so after reading this book to get the full scope. I was still able to follow along well enough and was completely enamored by the storyline and most of the main characters, even if there were a few gaps for me. I especially adored Soraya, with whom we get to share her journey of growth in power and leadership and fight against this hatred of people of color.

I absolutely recommend checking out this series if you are at all intrigued by witches and magic, good and evil. The writing was fantastic, with a strong and descriptive narrative. So, if you’re a fantasy fan, don’t deprive yourself! Check out The Circle series by Brenda Hardwick!

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Hanging Softly in the Night: A Detective Nick Larson Novel by Maria Elena Alonso-Sierra – Review by Katie Turner

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Hanging Softly in the Night (Detective Nick Larson #1)Hanging Softly in the Night by Maria Elena Alonso-Sierra
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Hanging Softly in the Night by Maria Elena Alonso-Sierra is the first book to the Detective Nick Larson series and the first book I have read by this author. Nick Larson and Victor Sacco are investing what a quick glance might deem as a suicide, but with some skilled detective work, it is obvious to the investigators that ‘suicide’ does not quite fit the crime scene. It looks too neat to the detectives. And then more and more cases start emerging. Nick cannot help but believe it is all interconnected somehow. During all of this, Nick is also trying to work through the haunting loss of his ex-wife. He wants to make space for his new interest, Laura, who is also going through some very difficult things herself.

I am surprised how much I really enjoyed this story! It seemed like it took a very long time for the plot to really take off. But once it did, I had a difficult time putting this down. The author does a fantastic job weaving together this mystery combined with very likable main characters. Highly recommend if you enjoy a good crime mystery mixed with romance.

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Kamana Wanalaya by Susan Renee – Review by Katie Turner

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Kamana Wanalaya for the HolidaysKamana Wanalaya for the Holidays by Susan Renee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Tenley Shay is a podcast host that goes by the name TJ on PAR (Practical Adult Relationships). On air, she promotes her thoughts that love is essentially a fairytale and does not exist. Teagan Mackenzie, TJ Mack aka the Love Guru, believes love is the essence and driving force of truly living one’s best life. When Teagan is a guest on another podcast, and is questioned on his thoughts of TJ on PAR’s opinion, he finds himself making an offer to this Grinch, to join him on a trip to Kamana Wanalaya’s resort in Hawaii. If she does not fall in love with everything about the resort, he promises to make a $10k donation to her podcast. She agrees to go, thinking it will be an easy $10k. Little do they both know that this will be an experience neither of them expected, nor will they ever forget.

Kamana Wanalaya for the Holidays is my first book by Susan Renee, and I absolutely loved it. I loved the character development, the scene setting, and how we were able to read in both Teagan and Tenley’s point of view. I felt like that really helped me to connect with both of these characters and to better understand their opposing ways of thinking. If you’re looking for a perfectly-paced steamy story, with beautiful descriptions, dialogue that can have you laughing and really feeling all the feels, I highly recommend giving this book a chance!

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What Actually Happened to Isaac Moore by Samantha J. Rose – Review by Katie Turner

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What Actually Happened to Isaac MooreWhat Actually Happened to Isaac Moore by Samantha J. Rose
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What Actually Happened to Isaac Moore by Samantha J. Rose was my first book by this author, and wow, does she have an amazing imagination for storytelling. The world that she has weaved with this expansive story and the unique characters was phenomenally crafted. From the first page, I was already so invested and curious about where this magical story was going to lead me to, and I was not at any point disappointed! This story unfolded into such a beautiful and emotional adventure that left me feeling all the feelings. I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone, despite book genre preferences. Read it!

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And Then She Fell by Dreena Collins – Review by Katie Turner

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And Then She FellAnd Then She Fell by Dreena Collins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

And Then She Fell by Dreena Collins is a book about a mother, Catherine Keely, who is determined to find the truth about her daughter Susie’s death. Her daughter died on a trip to Greece at age 26, and Catherine’s grief was not ebbing. She sets out to try to put together the pieces of what really happened. As she meets with those who accompanied Susie on her trip, and residents who may have seen her during her stay, it does not take long for Catherine to realize that Susie had secrets she was withholding.
This story was an intense read for me. I never want to know the pain and grief that weighed upon Catherine. Losing a child is the biggest fear of any loving parent. The author did such a wonderful job conveying that devastating pain to me as a reader. It was so raw and unwavering. I could not have guessed the story would end as it did! Phenomenal writing and a well-crafted story. I look forward to reading more of this author’s work in the future. Highly recommend.

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The Perfect Mrs. Claus by Barbara Matteson – Review by Katie Turner

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The Perfect Mrs. ClausThe Perfect Mrs. Claus by Barbara Matteson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Perfect Mrs. Claus by Barbara Matteson is a delightful Christmas time tale. The story centers around Savannah Brady and Matthew Buck. Savannah is a widow, as her husband Bradley had passed a couple years prior to an aneurysm. They also had a son named Patrick who unfortunately lives overseas. Matthew is a divorced father- his daughter Athena also living overseas with his ex-wife Summer. Matthew spots Savannah as she watches as Howardson’s decorate the store with Christmas decor, and he feels a strong pull towards her and strongly feels that she could complete his Enchanted Land of Claus by portraying Mrs. Claus. They sit down to discuss his ideas and from there, the book begins to unfold into a very endearing story of two lonely people coming together to find love again later in life.

I honestly adored this story more than I thought I would. I loved how kind and level-headed Matthew was and I envisioned him as this sweet, handsome gentle soul. Savannah is determined and witty, but also kind as well. I thought their characters fit together perfectly and their interactions had me chuckling and smiling as I read along. I would absolutely recommend adding this to your list of to-read’s if you enjoy sweet love stories with older, mature characters. This would be a perfect book to read with a steaming cup of hot chocolate.

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Soliloquy by Janet Fogg – Review by Katie Turner

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SoliloquySoliloquy by Janet Fogg
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Seven years after her grandmother’s passing, Erin inherits a strange box containing very realistic and intricately-made figurines. She can sense energy coming from them as soon as she opens the box and sees what is inside. She could only imagine the power they held at that point. But before she knows it, she is being teleported back in time to WWII France, and into someone else’s body, where she is responsible for entertaining a powerful German soldier with her musical talent. Erin finds herself and her friends taking a huge risk to hide and aid an injured pilot that was gunned down. She can’t stand the thought of losing him, and she is certain she knows him from another time. Can she keep the German soldier happy and her friends safe as she tries to understand what has happened to bring her there?

Soliloquy by Janet Fogg is a well-balanced and captivating story of history, time travel and romance. From the very first page, this story hooked me and made it nearly impossible to put away. The author has a way with words and weaved them into such a unique and intriguing tale, that I could swear I was back in France as well as I read along. I highly recommend!

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Ice Dance by Vik Azeem – Review by Katie Turner

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Ice DanceIce Dance by Vik Azeem
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ice Dance is a magical fantasy written by Vik Azeem, and the first book I have read by this author. I found the main character, Hassan, immediately relatable and it locked me into the story from there. Hassan is struggling to keep his head above water between a strained relationship with his family, losing his job and his landlord wanting to evict him from his apartment. But then he meets the beautiful, nice, yet mysterious Yasmine while out at a bar to perform his stand-up comedy routine, and from there the strangeness begins.

I really enjoyed this story and all the fantasy and magical elements and how it all entwined so well together. I also loved the main characters and their develepment throughout. Yasmine is mentally strong and a total badass. Hassan is so kind and following his heart. His sense of humor, even during times of danger, always made me giggle. I would highly recommend to any fantasy lovers looking for something a little different, adventurous and fun. The author has a beautiful way with words and keeps the story interesting from beginning to end.

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The Gauntlet (The Soppranaturale Series Book 1) by Ashley Pagano – Review by Katie Turner

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The Gauntlet: The Soppranaturale SeriesThe Gauntlet: The Soppranaturale Series by Ashley Pagano
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Gauntlet is the very first book from The Soppranaturale Series by Ashley Pagano. This story takes you right in to the setting of a hotel, known in the supernatural world to be a safe haven for those with magical abilities, and known in the human world to simply be haunted. Link is a fae who works at the front desk of the hotel. While he is working, the only other fae in the world walks into the hotel with her fiancé, and his life completely changes. He feels an intense energy in her presence that he cannot fathom ignoring. Eventually they interact, and he finds himself saying too much and doing things he said he’d never do again.

This book has a bit of everything supernatural, which I always love. It was a very fast-paced read but there was so much within the pages to pull you right into the story and make you feel like you’re there with them. I really enjoyed this read from beginning to end and I definitely look forward to the next book. Also, I must say the cover to this book is absolutely beautiful!

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River Witch by Cheryl Burman – Review by Katie Turner

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River WitchRiver Witch by Cheryl Burman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

River Witch by Cheryl Burman is a beautifully written story of a girl named Hester Williams, who at a very young age, is drawn into the waters by the song of the river and the playful river nymphs. It is there that she meets Aaron, a quiet young man skilled in herbal lore, who stops her from wading into the river to play with the nymphs. The story continues to follow Hester as she matures into a young woman that aspires to be a wisewoman, curing others of ailments with the healing properties of herbs and flowers with the knowledge Aaron has bestowed her. After she goes against the wishes and attempts of her mother to tame her by refusing to marry local fisherman Jem Stokes, Hester finds herself with limited places to turn to and a trail of tribulations ahead and left in her wake.

This was an absolutely magnificent read that I struggled to put down. I was captivated by the author’s beautiful and articulate writing, which fabricated this captivating tale. The characters were unique and fascinating, and they all came together perfectly to weave this story into something truly remarkable in my opinion. Everything was so well descripted that it was so easy to feel like I was in the story with them, witnessing everything unfold. I was honestly sad the story ended because I loved the main characters so much! While I might be crossing my fingers for another book in the future featuring all of them again, the closing of the story was perfect. I truly did not expect to love this book as much as I did. It has the perfect mix of a little bit of everything. If you ask me, it deserves all the stars!

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Necrosis by C.L. Schneider – Review by Katie Turner

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NecrosisNecrosis by C.L. Schneider
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Necrosis is a fast-paced thriller about a mother and daughter, Amy and Lila, who are trying to survive this new world riddled with a deadly virus that is turning people into flesh-eating undead. Amy is trying to do everything she can to keep her daughter safe from harm. Just as they think they may have found the closest thing to real safety; the rug is pulled out from under them, and hard decisions have to be made. How far is Amy going to have to go to keep Lila safe?

I could not put this one down once I started reading. Though not a long story, the author did not skimp on action and detail. It definitely brought forth many emotions as I imagined myself in Amy’s position- being a mother of a child who is the center of your universe and you just aren’t sure you can fully protect them from the world outside, but you’ll do whatever it takes to give them their best chance. Definitely recommend! Phenomenal author. I will be keeping an eye out for C.L. Schneider in the future.

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Euphoric Wonderland by Ryan M. Becker – Review by Katie Turner

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Euphoric Wonderland: An Eclectic Collection of Psychedelic Poetry to Stimulate the Senses and Open the MindEuphoric Wonderland: An Eclectic Collection of Psychedelic Poetry to Stimulate the Senses and Open the Mind by Ryan M. Becker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have never read a full book of poetry before, so I was not entirely sure what to expect. Poetry can be a very deep and personal form of artistic expression and, for me, can also be very difficult to interpret if not the composer. However, I felt like I was able to maintain a fairly good sense of understanding throughout.

While many of the poems were deep and seemed to come from a place of depression, annoyance and anger, the emotions were beautifully captured by the author’s gift with words. And not all of the poetic writings were desolate. Some were light, or heavily influenced by music the author loves. And some even made me giggle. Dark or light, I caught myself nodding in understanding or relating to many of emotions shared. I also quite enjoyed the periodic journal-type writings tucked in between.

I am very glad I tried something new and gave this compilation of poems a chance. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I truly enjoyed the works of Ryan Becker and I hope there is more to come.

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The Letter Carrier by L.C. Lewis – Review by Katie Turner

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The Letter CarrierThe Letter Carrier by Laurie L.C. Lewis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Letter Carrier by L.C. Lewis is a masterfully written piece of historical fiction. The fact that the author took so much time to capture these intricate details shines through from the very first page. Although this is a fictional story, she is clearly passionate about her writing and story being precise to reflect the time. Her writing and descriptions provided me a clear view of what it was like for Michelle and her family living in their home while it was occupied by the German soldiers during World War II, and having to tiptoe around to keep many secrets hidden from the Nazi’s. Many emotions flooded me throughout my time reading it, and even now I catch myself still reflecting upon it. I’d like to say thank you to the author for taking some much time and care transcribing this beautiful story. I will most certainly recommend to my historical fan friends and keep an eye out for more books by her.

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Goddess of Everything: A Blood-Curdling Tale of Truth, Freedom, and Love by Paul DeBlassie III – Review by Katie Turner

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Goddess of EverythingGoddess of Everything by Paul DeBlassie III
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Gabriél is the son of Mother Juana de la Cruz, Mother Superior of the nunnery and orphanage in Aztlan del Norte. He is also a therapist to the children who live within the orphanage and it is his passion to help heal their wounded psyches. He loves his mother and truly believes she is doing right by these children, and that the other sisters are sinister. Love can be blind. Suddenly children are going missing and Gabriél has to face the fact that his beloved mother is every bit a part of it.

Goddess of Everything by Paul DeBlassie III was my first book by this author. Admittedly, I have never been much of a horror reader. I have a hard time getting through certain subjects and situations that can often come with that genre. There were a few areas in this story where I had to take a break because it messed with me a bit. But isn’t that what horror is supposed to do? That being said, it did not affect how I felt about the story overall, nor diminish my respect for the author’s incredible writing skills that captured so much detail in the descriptions that it was easy to visualize all that was happening. There is a lot building up in the beginning, then suddenly things are unfolding and I was completely wrapped up in it. If you love the supernatural horror genre, I highly recommend you add this book to your list!

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This Time Around by Jane Suen – Review by Katie Turner

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This Time AroundThis Time Around by Jane Suen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This Time Around by Jane Suen is a fast paced second chance romance novella. It centers around Katie and Chase who were young lovers, but Katie shattered his heart when she left him, and everyone else she cared about, to pursue what she thought was her dream job. Chase never really forgave her, but tried to push thoughts of her and his pain aside to focus on raising his orphaned nephew, Timmy. When Katie returns to her hometown attend a wedding, the bride insists she bring a plus one and has the perfect person for her- Chase. Now Katie is placed face to face with the man she crushed a decade prior and her guilt is all-consuming. While trying his best to suppress it, Chase’s feelings of resentment cause inner turmoil as they resurface. Can they put everything aside and pick up where they left off or is the emotional damage too extensive?

I really enjoyed this story. It was easy to dive into and left me feeling all the feels. Jane Suen did a wonderful job developing and expressing each character. The story is relatable to anyone who has had to make hard choices in life to find happiness- which I would venture to say would make it relatable to nearly everyone! If you’re in the mood for a quick romance, I would recommend giving this story a try! I’ll be looking for more stories by this author in the future, as I quite enjoyed her writing.

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Tale of a Body Thief (Rovena Silvex Book 1) by Kristy Centeno – Review by Katie Turner

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Tale of a Body Thief (Rovena Silvex chronicles Book 1)Tale of a Body Thief by Kristy Centeno
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A Tale of a Body Thief was my first book from by Kristy Centeno and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it! This was a great introduction to the Rovena Silvex Chronicles. The world building in this story is -phenomenal-. The characters are extremely well fleshed out. I adored the strength and perseverance of Rovena. She is no ordinary demon hunter and she is very good at what she does. For me, this book was a slow-burn, and enjoyably so. Many things are transpiring and building and it is absolutely worth the wait. This book concludes perfectly to lead into the next and I can say that I am very excited to dive in when the following book for this series comes out. I definitely recommend, even if paranormal fantasy is not your typical go-to!

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Enemies of Doves by Shanessa Gluhm – Review by Katie Turner

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Enemies of DovesEnemies of Doves by Shanessa Gluhm
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Enemies of Doves by Shanessa Gluhm is easily my favorite read of the year thus far! Even when I was not reading, I was thinking about the story and wondering where it was going to lead to. I would sneak in a page or two while cooking, while I ate lunch on my work break, anywhere or time I could until I finished! The main characters were very well developed and I adored and sympathized with each of them in different ways. I was hooked by this story on both timelines- enjoying reading of Lori, Joel and Clancy and then going forward to Garrison and Molly. Their stories spanned between the 1930’s, 1940’s and 1991. Each jump was a smooth transition between the timeframes that wove together this addicting mystery. I never once got lost. It worked so well for this book! The story had so many twists and turns. I loved that just when I thought for sure I had the ending cracked, another curve ball was tossed in and proved my theories to be wrong. By the end of the book, I was completely satisfied. I didn’t feel like the author left any loose ends. I highly recommend if you like the mystery genre. I’ll be looking forward to more from Shanessa Gluhm!

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Murder in the Lightning Room by A.D. Brazeau – Review by Katie Turner

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Murder in the Lightning RoomMurder in the Lightning Room by A.D. Brazeau
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Murder in the Lightning room by author A.D. Brazeau takes place in Colorado Springs in the late 1800’s and focuses on a teenager named Cora Croft. In the blink of an eye, Cora’s life goes from completely normal, to trying to solve murders and locate stolen documents of Nicola Tesla’s work. With the help of her friend Marshall and Harrison, a boy she cannot seem to get rid of, she tries to piece together clues that were overlooked by the police. But will the information they have found lead them to the perpetrator, and find justice for the victims?

From the very first page, I was completely enthralled in this story. I loved the characters; their personalities matched the timeline so well. The setting of Colorado Springs was beautifully descripted to the point that I felt like I was there, smelling the snow and fresh air along with Cora. I also loved how some of the history and personality traits of Nicola Tesla were accurately entwined. I adored Cora for her bravery and stubbornness, especially when it came to Harrison Byrne. All in all, Brazeau writes beautifully in this story and I highly recommend this book if you’re looking for a fast paced, cozy mystery. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future!

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Vive la Resistance (Donovan Trait Book 3) by Seelie Kay – Review by Katie Turner

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Vive la ResistanceVive la Resistance by Seelie Kay
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Vive la Resistance by Seelie Kay is a Vampire/Were paranormal romance and is the third book in the Donovan Trait series. Now there is a huge war brewing. The Vampire Coalition wants to eliminate Half-Blood Vampires and Weres and those who have even the faintest trace of their blood. This includes Donovan Trait’s family and their two infant children. Unbeknownst to the Coalition, there are literally millions of Half-Bloods and they are prepared to fight for their freedom. And the Trait’s certainly won’t give in without putting up a fight.

I highly enjoyed all of the Donovan Trait books, but this one was by far my favorite! If you love books with vampires, weres, war with a dose of romance, you may find yourself really enjoying it as well. I certainly did. I definitely recommend reading the first two books before picking up Vive la Resistance. The previous books have a lot of information, situations and character building that entwine with the third book. Otherwise, pick it up and enjoy getting submersed into this fun world with adorable characters!

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First, We Kill all the Lawyers (Donovan Trait Series) by Seelie Kay – Review by Katie Turner

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First, We Kill All the Lawyers (Donovan Trait Book 1)First, We Kill All the Lawyers by Seelie Kay
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

First, We Kill All the Lawyers by Seelie Kay is the first book to the Donovan Trait series. The confident, handsome Donovan Trait is a vampire casanova that chose to stop aging at 35 years old, but has been around since the late 1700s. Needless to say, he is very well versed with law… and the judges. But suddenly, someone is killing off lawyers and he has to stop whoever this serial killer is and protect himself and the ones he holds dear. Especially his newfound love, Judge Shirley Magnusen.

This was a very fun read for me and I was pulled in from the very beginning of the story by Donovan’s charm. While I love a good vampire romance, this one struck with me differently. It was unique from any other I had read before. These are not your typical vampires, so don’t expect this to be similar to anything you’ve ever encountered, regardless of how many vampire books you’ve read. Definitely recommend if you love vampires, romance and suspense!

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