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How To Write A Historical Novel And Love It by TL Clark – Review by Kayla Kearney

How To Write A Historical Novel And Love ItHow To Write A Historical Novel And Love It by T.L. Clark
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When I saw this book on my suggested reads I was super excited to read it as I have always wanted to write a historical fiction novel and knew that this would be a great place to start! Reading this book helped me in knowing how much would go into writing a book like this, even though I have always known it would a bit more work than the normal novel as if I were to go about this the right way I would want it to be historically accurate. After reading this book I have a good idea on where to start, and what the process will look like, which I believe is helpful to any author. I highly suggest everyone who plans to write a historical fiction novel in the future start by reading this book!

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Spirit Guide (Madame Chalamet Ghost Mysteries Book 3) by Byrd Nash – Review by Kayla Kearney

Spirit Guide (Madame Chalamet Ghost Mysteries #3)Spirit Guide by Byrd Nash
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The third book in the Madame Chalamet series is even better than the first two! I have a read a few books by this author now and am getting more and more impressed at the attention to detail he shows, specifically surrounding the mystery the main characters are solving in the books. I’ve really enjoyed the slow-burning romance between her and Tristan Fontaine, the other main character, during the series, and am eager to see what lies in store for them in the future. I loved learning more about her past and see her continue to try to solve her father’s murder in addition to the main plot line. Excited to read more of the series, and highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys Sherlock Holmes!

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Cry Baby (Pierce Brothers Book 4) by Belinda Williams – Review by Kayla Kearney

Cry Baby (Pierce Brothers, #4)Cry Baby by Belinda Williams
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The most recent book in the Pierce Brothers series was definitely my favorite one! I have been a long time fan of this author, and with every book that I read by her, she solidifies herself as one of my new favorite authors.

If you haven’t read any of the other books in the series, this book can definitely be read as a standalone novel but I personally enjoyed it more because I knew some of the other characters in the book. I was definitely sad to reach the end of the series but I am happy with how it played out.

The two main characters were easy to fall in love with. I enjoyed watching Noah come to the realization that he is happy being a family man, and watching Amy help him come to the conclusion while slowing falling in love with him. I wish we could see how their future plays out, but in the end I am happy to have read this book.

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Lucky Stars by Fantasia Yu – Review by Kayla Kearney

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

I don’t read sci-fi romances very often but I did really enjoy this one! The author was fantastic at painting the picture in every scene, I could picture myself being a part of the adventure with Princess Mora and Darin, an unlikely couple that I found myself rooting for from the moment they met each other. The story kept me hooked with all the secrets, self-discovery, humor and the ultimate challenge: following your head or your heart. The book ended on a cliffhanger that I wasn’t expecting, which makes me eager for me to read more of the story. I also can’t wait to read more by the author.

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Shore Lodge by Susan Specht Oram – Review by Kayla Kearney

Shore Lodge: A high-stakes psychological thriller (The Millersville series)Shore Lodge: A high-stakes psychological thriller by Susan Specht Oram
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book had me on the edge of my seat from the very start! I was definitely impressed at how seamlessly the transitions from character to character were, with most chapters changing the point of view of the story one after the other. The story focuses on the story of Jacklyn after suddenly losing her husband at the beginning of the story, from what her experience is to what others around her can observe. Upon moving into Shore Lodge at the behest of her children, her life is thrown through a loophole, and I enjoyed watching her reactions to the events around her as she also learned to manage her own issues. I can’t wait to read more by this author!

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The Authorpreneur Yellowpages by Winnifred Tataw – Review by Kayla Kearney

The Authorpreneur YellowpagesThe Authorpreneur Yellowpages by Winnifred Tataw
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Being a writer myself, it was a no-brainer for me to check out this book when I came across it. What I didn’t know is how helpful it would be! The only complaint I have is that it doesn’t format the best on Kindle all the time, particularly if you are using a phone, but that was a minor inconvenience when looking at all the valuable information this gave to me! Reading this book was like talking to a seasoned author, full of valuable information and things I never would have thought about. Reading this book has definitely helped me prepare for publishing a book, which is something I hope to do in the near future. Definitely recommend all beginning authors to read this book!

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My Inner Critic by Christine Bernard – Review by Kayla Kearney

My Inner CriticMy Inner Critic by Christine Bernard
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Anyone with anxiety, self esteem issues and self love issues needs to read this book! From the very beginning I was thinking to myself, do I have a stalker? This book was spot on for so many of my anxieties and self love issues, to a point that it was somewhat therapeutic for me to read. As an author myself, I’ve always wondered what it would be like to write about my life, but after reading this, I no longer have to wonder! This is the first book I’ve read by this author but it certainly won’t be the last!

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Hit on You by Brooke May – Review by Kayla Kearney

Hit on YouHit on You by Brooke May
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Every book I have read by this author has impressed me and this one was no different! This was also special as it is her 30th book to be published, so I was happy to be one of the first people to read it!

This dark romance was a quick read for me, a stand-alone novel that focuses on Luke and Nikolai. I love how Luke is determined to prove herself, as well as her ‘strong, independent’ woman complex. Her chemistry with Nikolai is tangible to anyone reading the story as well, which is something I love about the book. I definitely enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more by the author!

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A Dowry of Snails and Mud by Brittany Tucker – Review by Kayla Kearney

A Dowry of Snails and MudA Dowry of Snails and Mud by Brittany Tucker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A new to me author, her writing style definitely impressed me! Writing a great historical fiction novel is hard to do, but she achieved it in this cute story about Rhia and The Prince of Wales. Rhia is a fiercely independent 16-year-old who is put into an arranged marriage with the Prince, and both have ulterior motives into entering the courtship. It takes awhile for the two of them to warm up to each other, but eventually Rhia realizes something. She has to choose between her village and the man she promised not to but eventually fell in love with. What will she choose?

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Delicious Death (Madame Chalamet Ghost Mysteries Book 2) by Byrd Nash – Review by Kayla Kearney

Delicious Death (Madame Chalamet Ghost Mysteries #2)Delicious Death by Byrd Nash
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was delightfully surprised by how much I loved this book, even more so than the first! A twist of romance in this paranormal delight made it easy for me to devour this book in a short time, despite the romance part moving a bit slower than the previous novel. I am so in love with how the author puts hard work into developing each and every character in his books, makes it SO much easier to feel like you are a part of the drama in the story. I was happy that this picked up shortly after the ending of the first book and also talks a bit about what happens between the novels. No doubt will I be reading the next book in the series!

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Ghost Talker (Madame Chalamet Ghost Mysteries Book 1) by Byrd Nash – Review by Kayla Kearney

Ghost Talker (Madame Chalamet Ghost Mysteries #1)Ghost Talker by Byrd Nash
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

As someone who has always been interested in what lies await for us in the afterlife, upon hearing that this series focuses on a medium in the Morpheus Society, I knew it was a no-brainer that I had to read this book. I have always been interested in the 1900s, which is when this book takes place, so enjoyed seeing ‘signs of the times’ throughout the story of a heroine and a duke up against a ghost. I loved the slow-burning romance that takes place between the two main characters, and found other characters you encounter to be well-written as well. I hope to see more of these characters in future novels, this one is certainly not the last that I will read by the author. Delicious Death, here I come!

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Falling Home (Buckeye Falls Book 1) by Libby Kay – Review by Kayla Kearney

Falling HomeFalling Home by Libby Kay
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a book to end the year on! A wonderful second-chance-at-romance novel around the holidays made it perfect for me to read as romance novels are my favorite to read this time of year. From the first page my heart ached for Ginny, understanding her dread of returning home, especially as Max awaits her return anxiously. But the farther into the story I got, I found myself for them to find their happy ever after together, especially seeing that he is the perfect fit for her. I encourage anyone who loves christmas romances to grab a soft blanket and curl up with it today!

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What Actually Happened to Isaac Moore by Samantha J. Rose – Review by Kayla Kearney

What Actually Happened to Isaac MooreWhat Actually Happened to Isaac Moore by Samantha J. Rose
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It’s been awhile since I read a good, old-fashioned adventure novel so I was eager to read this and it definitely lived up to my expectations! The creativity and imagination that so clearly runs through the veins of the author made it a delight to read, also living up to the fantasy found in any C.S. Lewis novel! Isaac Moore is a delightful main character, making the journey he goes on even more enjoyable to experience. The author definitely puts in the work of showing his character development through the story, which always draws me in even more, as well as showing that he remains true to himself from beginning to end. I loved the writing style this author had and can’t wait to read more by her!

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Love Tools (Bluestone Series Book 1) by Isobel Reed – Review by Kayla Kearney

Love Tools (Bluestone Series, #1)Love Tools by Isobel Reed
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

So many good things to say about this book! From the very beginning of the book I could see myself in Lily, so many of the things she dealt with throughout her life are things that I have also dealt with. The moment she meets Jake I started rooting for them to work out and find their happily ever after, and wanting to know how their love story would end made me read this book super quick! One of my favorite things about the book is that it made me laugh so much, something that I love in a romance book! This author definitely left a great first impression on me, I can’t wait to read the other books in this series!

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Beast (Popov Bratva Book 5) by Leslie Georgeson – Review by Kayla Kearney

Beast (Popov Bratva #5)Beast by Leslie Georgeson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I chose this book for the name thinking it was a twist on the classic Beauty and the Beast, and even though it wasn’t completely, I enjoyed it so much! I’ve been reading a lot of mafia books by Amy McKinley in the past year and a half or so, and even though it wasn’t by her, it was just as fantastic as all of them have been.

This book is the fifth of the series but I was able to enjoy it without having read the other books first. I enjoyed the story a lot, the flashbacks that pop up throughout made me want to not put it down, because it made me need to know more about ‘Beast’ and his haunted past. I love the connection that he forges with Annika, and how she is able to show him that it is what lies beneath the surface that matters more. Can’t wait to read more by this author!

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If I Had a Magic Wand by Melissa Lavi – Review by Kayla Kearney

If I had a Magic WandIf I had a Magic Wand by Melissa Lavi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Words have escaped me when it comes to this book! I love the underlying message of the book, that everyone has magic inside of them, but not the kind of magic one would think! This is such an important book to read to little ones, it will instill self confidence in them from an early age. The illustrations were also beautifully done, and I loved how they were inclusive of many different ethnicities and cultural groups in them. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who has children!

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I Love You Today (Trading Heartbeats Trilogy Book 2) by Julie Navickas – Review by Kayla Kearney

I Love You Today (The Trading Heartbeats Trilogy Book 2)I Love You Today by Julie Navickas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When I found out about this sequel, I jumped on the chance to read it! Austin was introduced to us in the first book so I loved being able to hear more about his story, which includes the lovely Casey in this book!

I love the depth that Julie puts into her characters, a new layer of their personality and story exposed in every chapter. It was easy for me to sit down and read this over the course of a few afternoons, just like the first one. Can’t wait to see how the trilogy ends!

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And Then She Fell by Dreena Collins – Review by Kayla Kearney

And Then She FellAnd Then She Fell by Dreena Collins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

From the very beginning of the book I could tell I would be hooked, and I wasn’t wrong. I understood on a deep level from the start of the book the grief of Catherine Keely, who spends the book trying to better understand her daughter’s death. As someone who is not a mother, I finished the book with a better understanding of how far a mom will go to protect and support their children, as Catherine proves time and again while investigating.

This is by far one of the best psychological thrillers that I have ever read, as it kept me changing my mind as to what actually happened very frequently. It didn’t take me long to reach the end of the book, which ended in a way I was not expecting in the slightest. This is the first book that I have read by the author but it certainly will not be the last!

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The Rom Com Movie Club (The Rom Com Movie Club Book 1) by Bernadette Marie – Review by Kayla Kearney

The Rom Com Movie Club - Book OneThe Rom Com Movie Club – Book One by Bernadette Marie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Bernadette continues to impress me with each of her novels, and this is no exception! Choosing this to be my next read was an easy decision, what with loving rom com movies, girls nights and the author herself.

There are so many things about this book that I absolutely love, but the first that comes to mind is how the author threw in references from some popular rom-coms. One thing that I found I didn’t like about the book was that the chapters were very short and I found many of them ending abruptly. Apart from that, the story of Lisa and Ryan had me hooked from the start, and I can’t wait to see what the next book brings!

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Defiant Princess (Mafia Elite Series Prequel) by Amy McKinley – Review by Kayla Kearney

Defiant Princess (Mafia Elite Prequel)Defiant Princess by Amy McKinley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I don’t think there will ever be a book by Amy that I don’t enjoy immensely, and this one is no different! This may be my favorite book by hers thus far, and that is saying something! Never before have I enjoyed a book from multiple perspectives as much as I have enjoyed this one.

Having read all of the other books in the series, I already knew of all the main characters, so I was excited to see more content on all of the ladies featured in the book. The book opened my eyes to the experiences each of these girls have had, and even though I’ve never experienced half of the things that they have, I found myself relating to each and every one of them. I went away from the book inspired, and hoping that there will be more of the five families in the future!

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Shadow and Crystal Thorns (Fae and Crystal Thorns Book 2) by Kay L. Moody – Review by Kayla Kearney

Shadow and Crystal Thorns (Fae and Crystal Thorns, #2)Shadow and Crystal Thorns by Kay L. Moody
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I began looking forward to reading this the moment I finished the first book, and all of my expectations I had were definitely exceeded! Picking up right where Flame and Crystal Thorns left off, the battle to save Faerie continues in this book, with Chloe and Quintus working side by side to save the world from iron poisoning.

This book shows a lot of character growth in Chloe, she becomes more aware of how she can help the land and also learns that there is nothing wrong with asking for help. She finds the perfect partner in Quintus, who works tirelessly beside her to help save them from the mortals. I also love all the things we discover about Quintus in the story.

If you’re still on the fence about reading this story, this might convince you: there is a dragon! This book has all the classic fantasy tropes, and the author has become a staple in my reading list due to her exquisite writing style! Can’t wait to read the next book in the series!

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The Second View (The View from Here Trilogy Book 2) by Leon Stevens – Review by Kayla Kearney

The Second View (Book 2 of The View trilogy)The Second View by Leon Stevens
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The moment I heard there was a sequel to the first book in this series I snatched it up so quickly! The book starts out following the ending of the first book, with the park being partially destroyed by the earthquake, but shortly after the start the characters find themselves back in the alternate universe they discovered in the previous book. The adventure the characters find themselves in was just as good as the one in the first book, if not better in my opinion. Similar to the first, the author does an amazing job at including details of the world they are exploring to the point that it feels like you are there with them. I definitely had high expectations going into this book, and the author certainly didn’t disappoint!

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Curse of the Elf Lord (Kingdom of the Elf Lords Book 2) by Heidi Vanlandingham – Review by Kayla Kearney

Curse of the Elf Lord (Kingdom of the Elf Lords Book 2)Curse of the Elf Lord by Heidi Vanlandingham
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When I found out there was going to be a second book of the Kingdom of the Elf Lords series I was ecstatic and this book definitely lived up to my excitement. The author does a fantastic job at continuing to build on the magical world introduced to us in the first book, but focusing on his uncle Emilien rather than Bernard. The paranormal undertones of the book made it a wonderful choice of book for spooky season, and I also continue to love the inclusion of the lesser-known Norse Mythology details in the series.

The story of Emilien and his love the Ice Queen Hel presents an interesting twist on the series. I love that even though they are being forced to work together you can still tell how deeply they care for one another. I’m excited to see what happens in the story of Cyran and Shalendra!

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Borrowed Time by Lane Cohen – Review by Kayla Kearney

Borrowed TimeBorrowed Time by Lane Cohen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I’ve always been a fan of books focused around time, whether it was The Time Travelers’ Wife or more recently Love’s Refrain, which I had immensely enjoyed last year. This book certainly was not the exception, I couldn’t put it down for long once I started it!

I loved all the historical references, which were accurate and added to the appeal of the story. The characters were expertly written and relatable to many. I definitely can’t wait to read more by this author!

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Euphoric Wonderland by Ryan M. Becker – Review by Kayla Kearney

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 chose the book for the name, but the moment I read the quote from Robin Williams at the beginning I knew that I was in for a good read! The poetry spans a wide array of subjects, ranging from mental health to the power of music. I definitely relate a bit to some of the author’s experiences and found the lessons behind the poems to be thought provoking and encouraging to seek the truth of them in your own lives. Something I particularly loved about this is that is the kind of poetry that everyone can understand and appreciate, which can’t be said very often. I can’t wait to see what this author comes up with next!

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Into the Light (Moon Harbor Series Book 3) by Kate McWilliams – Review by Kayla Kearney

Into the LightInto the Light by Kate McWilliams
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When this book fell into my lap I was a bit hesitant to read it as I had no idea if it would be wise to read the third book in the series first, but this book was great as a standalone novel. I definitely want to go back and read the other two books in the series, as there were connecting details to them that I would love to get more insight on.

The book was the perfect romantic mystery for me! I fell in love right from the start. The characters were also easy to fall in love with, both Rafael and Ellie had amazing chemistry throughout. They had definitely grown on me by the end of the novel. Can’t wait to read more by this author!

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Burn (Elemental Warriors Book 1) by Joanna Morgan – Review by Kayla Kearney

Burn (Elemental Warriors, #1)Burn by Joanna Morgan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I don’t even know where to begin with this book! This was the perfect book for me since I have always been obsessed with element bending stories such as Fate: The Winx Saga and Avatar: The Last Airbender. This was the perfect adult version of those two stories, the chemistry between the characters was almost as good as the story itself!

A fantastic paranormal romance, I highly suggest that everyone who loves fantasy read this book. The characters of Levi and Brooke are expertly written, I love watching both of the characters grow as the story continues. I can’t wait to see what comes next in the series!

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Tropical Date (Postscript Island Book 3) by R.S. Jonesee – Review by Kayla Kearney

Tropical Date (Postscript Island, #2)Tropical Date by R.S. Jonesee
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The moment that Weston arrived back to Postscript Island, I was sucked into the book and transported there myself! This is the first book I have read by this author but was instantly a huge fan, she has a major talent for writing quality romcom books! She has such a unique way of putting humor into the story, and the connection between the characters made them easy to fall in love with. She has you guessing until the very end about what will happen between the two of them, another thing that I loved about the book! I’m definitely going to be reading more of her stories in the future!

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I Loved You Yesterday (Trading Heartbeats Trilogy Book 1) by Julie Navickas – Review by Kayla Kearney

I Loved You Yesterday: Book One in the Trading Heartbeats TrilogyI Loved You Yesterday: Book One in the Trading Heartbeats Trilogy by Julie Navickas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

From the first few pages of this book I knew I would love this book! The first in the series always sets the tone for what else is to come, and this one proved the same, also ending with the perfect setup for the second book in the series.

I loved how the author first introduces us to Josh, giving us an inside look at how his life has been for him all of these years since last seeing Maeve. I fell in love with both him and Maeve early on in the book, and throughout the love triangle between him and Maeve and Austin, I was cheering for him to be the lucky guy that Maeve chooses. I can’t wait to see where the trilogy goes and am excited to read more!

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Hard Lover (Houston After Dark Book 2) by Deborah Garland – Review by Kayla Kearney

Hard Lover (Houston After Dark #2)Hard Lover by Deborah Garland
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Word of warning: DO NOT READ IN PUBLIC! This was one of the spiciest books I have EVER read, and I have read plenty of books of that ‘genre’ in the past, so that’s saying something. The chemistry between Callie and Noah was palpable, leading to some very intense scenes between the two of them to say the least.

Callie is a woman many people can relate to. A troubled past and an overprotective brother sets the scene for her life, and thanks to events in the book, Noah is also dragged into it. But Noah definitely takes advantage of this to say the least.

Even though the chemistry between them is the main feature of this book, at least in my opinion, the underlying story that the book actually has is just as good. I was cheering for a happy ending from the very beginning, and it was easy for me to get sucked in to see if they would get it. I haven’t read anything by this author before, but I plan to go back and read the first book as well as others in the series.

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