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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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Ye Gods! The Law is an Ass! (Donovan Trait Book 2) by Seelie Kay – Review by Katie Turner

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Ye Gods! The Law is an Ass! (Donovan Trait Book 2)Ye Gods! The Law is an Ass! by Seelie Kay
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ye Gods! The Law is an Ass! is the second book to the Donovan Trait series, by Seelie Kay. Wedding bells are ringing for my friends Donovan Trait and newly turned vampire, Shirley Magnusen! But when Seelie comes down with feeling under the weather, they make a new discovery… she is pregnant! While they are both quite excited about the news, the Vampire Coalition does not mirror their happiness. The Trait’s find themselves escaping to an island for vampires, and is ran by vampire nuns.

I just love the twists in this book. And while I giggled at some of the concepts initially, such as ‘vampire nuns’.. it all WORKS. Seelie makes everything flow together well. Her writing is fantastic and it grips you tight and pulls you into the world she weaves upon the pages. I do recommend reading the first installment before picking this book up. It will be so worth it. I cannot wait to dive into book 3!

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No Pistol Tastes the Same (PTSD Disaster Book 1) by Jacob Paul Patchen – Review by Katie Turner

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No Pistol Tastes the SameNo Pistol Tastes the Same by Jacob Paul Patchen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

No Pistol Tastes the Same by Jacob Paul Patchen is a story about JP Grimm, a U.S. Marine Sergeant who goes to war and comes back plagued with nightmares of what he witnessed and what he wished he’d done differently. All he can think about is getting home to his family, but once he does and some time passes, he starts showing signs of PTSD that rapidly progress and he does not know how to process it or let anyone help him. Although his beautiful wife, Lisa, is supportive and hurts for him as she watches him spiral, she becomes terrified of what he might accidentally do and has to make difficult choices to keep their 7 year old son safe while her husband unravels into the depths of his terrors.

This book reminded me how easily we take for granted that we have brave men and women, most who are strangers to us, who are willing to sacrifice literally everything to fight for our entire country’s freedoms. I know firsthand it is not that easy for them to come home and slip back into normal routine with society, if they ever even can. This author captured these truths so well in a way that was equally heartbreaking and beautiful. The writing and details were absolutely phenomenal and thought-provoking. I love the direction this story took towards the last several chapters, and look forward to reading the next book after reading the sample provided. I absolutely recommend to anyone who wants to experience what many of our servicemen and servicewomen endure, away from home and when they return. To anyone who does live with PTSD but is considering reading this story, take it slow as PTSD is a main theme here and is quite detailed. Still, a great read!

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Dark Sparrow Box Set: The Complete 6-Book Series (A Dark Sparrow Novel) by India Kells – Review by Katie Turner

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Dark Sparrow Box Set: The Complete 6-Book SeriesDark Sparrow Box Set: The Complete 6-Book Series by India Kells
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Reading the Dark Sparrow books 1-6 was my first encounter with India Kells’ writing, and all I can say is WOW! This book series centers around half-blood brothers who all lead very different lives, but have all been sired and abandoned by the same dangerous criminal, Jamieson Finch. Each book spotlights a brother and one of the Dark Sparrows who is recruited in by Purgatory to aid in the mission of bringing Finch down. The Dark Sparrows are women who owe their lives to Purgatory for one reason or another, and have agreed to help them if the need ever arose.

I applaud Kells on her ability to make every story unique. Each brother and female lead is vastly different in personality and lifestyle, crafting completely different storylines. I enjoyed that many of the characters I grew to love in each book before continued to make an appearance so that it didn’t feel as if they were gone and their story was over. The books are written in a way that you could read any one of them as a standalone, but I highly suggest reading them all in order as each story does have parts that link the previous books together. If you like handfuls of romance, action and suspense, this just might be the perfect world to curl up with and get lost in.

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Illegal by K.J. Gillenwater – Review by Katie Turner

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IllegalIllegal by K.J. Gillenwater
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Illegal by K.J. Gillenwater takes its readers on a wild adventure in Mexico. This story portrays a view of the life of a young woman, Selena Hernandez, whose life is turned upside. She is ripped from her world in Arizona after finding out that she and her mother were both in the United States illegally. Her mother is thrown in jail and Selena is told to return to Mexico and reapply for a visa to become a legal citizen. After meeting him on the street, she is reacquainted with a young man named Wyatt, who ends up being a customer service representative at the embassy when she goes to apply for her visa. From there, the story begins to unfold. As Wyatt is pulled into this mess surrounding a pretty girl, unknown truths surface and they become more intertwined more than either of them planned to be.

This had it all for me. Suspense, romance and action fueled this story from beginning to end. I thought the main characters, Wyatt and Selena, were perfect and well-fleshed out. They both came from two different backgrounds, both had deeply rooted issues with trust that cause them to question each other’s intentions. But they have to find a way to work together because all they have is each other. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I look forward to read more stories by this author!

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The True Garza (Red Cage Book 3) by S. Ann Cole – Review by Katie Turner

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The True Garza (Red Cage, #3)The True Garza by S. Ann Cole
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am weak for a steamy romance and The True Garza certainly packed a punch. I loved Lonny (London), and her straightforward I-do-things-my-way attitude. She doesn’t feel intimidated or inferior to any man and she is very successful at her job as a private investigator, even if she struggles at following orders. However, she will do practically anything for True Garza, who was once her week-long fling in Denver and now, a year later, is her boss when she takes a job at Red Cage in L.A. As things continually become more complicated and emotionally charged between them, their deeply imprinted flaws and events from hurtful pasts make it hard for them to be able to fully intertwine.

While there were times this story had me cringing and my eyes rolling, I loved this book and I honestly couldn’t put it down once I started. The story can be read as a standalone, but I will be going back and reading the first two books!

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The True Purpose of Vines (The Winemakers Book 1) by Giovanna Siniscalchi – Review by Katie Turner

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The True Purpose of Vines: An intoxicating historical romance about wine and love. (The Winemakers Book 1)The True Purpose of Vines: An intoxicating historical romance about wine and love. by Giovanna Siniscalchi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The True Purpose of Vines is the first book to the Winemakers series by Giovanna Siniscalchi. As I read the first chapter, I was not too sure where the book was going to take me. But as I continued on, I realized it was going to take me to a far more beautiful place than I imagined. In 1870 Portugal, during a timeframe when it was not considered normal for a woman to work so hard and be the household provider, there lived a headstrong widow, mother and passionate winemaker named Julia Costa-Ferreira. Julia has taken over her late husband’s business and does not need help or directions from any man. But here comes the handsome Griffon Maxwell, a pretentious Englishman who agrees to travel to Portugal initially to chase a debt with hopes of striking a deal. He didn’t realize he’d be chasing after the debtor’s heart as well. But can her independent ways and his conservative mindset find a way?

I loved the slow buildup of romance between these two characters, the descriptions, the setting. The author clearly took her time to do a lot of in-depth research to be able to take her readers to a historical period with elaborate, accurate detail. This was a beautiful story, and I look forward to the next one. I’d also like to mention how vibrant and gorgeous the cover is. A perfect representation for this tale. If you love a good historical romance and wine, this is the perfect story to find yourself lost in.

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Flame and Crystal Thorns (Fae and Crystal Thorns Book 1) by Kay L. Moody – Review by Katie Turner

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Flame and Crystal Thorns (Fae and Crystal Thorns, #1)Flame and Crystal Thorns by Kay L. Moody
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book centers around a mortal named Chloe, the town’s apothecary. She is on a quest to heal many of townspeople of an illness that is quickly spreading, and it is proving to be more difficult of a task than she imagined. As this is unfolding, a fae she knew from her time spent in Faerie has returned to the mortal realm. He demands her help to save Faerie from mortals who are trying to destroy it. Chloe is determined she is not leaving her realm, but eventually she realizes that sometimes things do not go as planned.

I absolutely loved this book! With the author’s writing style and detailed descriptions of the characters and their surroundings, I had no trouble visualizing the story clearly as I read along. It was so well written and everything unfolded at a perfect pace for me. While I do wish I had read the books in the previous series to be able to better piece together certain aspects, it by no means diminished the fact that the story held so much intriguing depth to it. I will definitely be picking up the previous series written of the Faerie realm, and I cannot wait to read the next book as well. Beautiful work, Kay L. Moody!

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A Veil of Gods and Kings (Apollo Ascending Book 1) by Nicole Bailey – Review by Katie Turner

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A Veil of Gods and Kings (Apollo Ascending, #1)A Veil of Gods and Kings by Nicole Bailey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Nicole Bailey wove together a beautifully crafted new telling of the Greek myth story of Apollo as a demigod who is trying everything he can to avoid ascending into the god he is fated to become, and Prince Hyacinth who is trying to manage a kingdom during his father’s time away.

This book was so much more than just a romance story. There is also emphasis on friendships, trust, compassion and rectitude. All of the main characters, and the world they live in, are crafted together with such detailed descriptions that it allows you to visualize the story clearly in your mind as you read along. My heartstrings were tugged at many times while reading this novel. I loved “watching” all the different friendships grow among the characters. I also enjoyed getting to view things from each of the main characters perspectives, and I found them all to be very likable and interesting. I absolutely loved this book. It exceeded all my expectations. I am impatiently awaiting more!

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Everwood Plantation by Stacy-Deanne – Review by Katie Turner

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Everwood County Plantation: BWWM Enemies-to-Lovers Billionaire RomanceEverwood County Plantation: BWWM Enemies-to-Lovers Billionaire Romance by Stacy-Deanne
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Everwood County Plantation: BWWM Enemies-to-Lovers Billionaire Romance was the first I’ve read by Stacy-Deanne. This short romance story was a quick afternoon read for me and I could not put it down. The chemistry buildup between the two main characters, billionaire Colton and florist Zenni, was hot and intense. They both feel attracted to one another instantly, but they are rivals on the matter of tearing down the Everwood plantation. Zenni feels that this plantation is all she has left of her family and wants to preserve its history. Colton wants to use his money to tear down the plantation and remove the physical reminder of the pain and suffering of the people who were enslaved there. Because of this, Zenni and Colton struggle to allow their love to prevail and blossom over this disagreement. Can they put their own feelings of the plantation’s future aside and see what is in front of them? Read and find out!

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Beelzebub: The Gift of Gluttony (A Sinful Seven Novel) by JC Brown & Lena Lane – Review by Katie Turner

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Beelzebub The Gift of Gluttony (Sinful Seven, #2)Beelzebub The Gift of Gluttony by J.C. Brown
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have to say, I enjoyed Beelzebub The Gift of Gluttony far more than I anticipated I would. Once I started this book, I was all in and could not put it down. I loved the characters and the instant heat between Clara and Zee. I thought for sure I knew how the book would end, but then came unexpected twists that proved my predictions all wrong. I look forward to reading more from this author!

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Vox Astra: The Black Box (Vox Astra Series Book 1) by James Chambers – Review by Katie Turner

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Vox Astra: The Black BoxVox Astra: The Black Box by James Chambers
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Vox Astra: The Black Box is a compilation of several science fiction short stories and are the first I’ve read by James Chambers. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to glimpse into these separate worlds, each settled somewhere among the vastness of space. Every story hosted a unique and intriguing plot, as well as spectacular detail that allowed me to paint the scene vividly in my mind as I read along. The only thing I would change would be that they all became their own novels, because the uniqueness of these stories really pulled me in. Science fiction is one of my favorite genres and the author did not disappoint me whatsoever with these page turners. I will be keeping an eye out for this author in the future. Phenomenal writing. Highly recommend!

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