Posts

A Crossbow Christmas by Ann Swann – Review by La Toya Lewis

/0 Comments/in /by

A Crossbow ChristmasA Crossbow Christmas by Ann Swann
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A Crossbow Christmas by Ann Swann is a very relatable story. Set during the pandemic, Carina is a married mother of grown children that has just had an incredibly rough year. Carina has lost several family members over the last year and has been near death with Covid. She gets invited to her friend’s cabin so that she may have a white Christmas. She finds it very difficult to take the time for herself and decides to journal her time at the cabin. This was a beautifully written story. Carina was very relatable. I definitely understand taking care of everyone but yourself. Trying to find your footing after all the changes that Covid brought is a story that everyone can relate to at this time.

View all my reviews

A Christmas to Remember by 5 Prince Publishing – Review by La Toya Lewis

/0 Comments/in /by

A Christmas to Remember: An Anthology from 5 Prince PublishingA Christmas to Remember: An Anthology from 5 Prince Publishing by Bernadette Marie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I love a good Christmas romance and with the A Christmas to Remember anthology by 5 Prince Publishing, you get 7 of them. This book is around 600 pages but well worth the read. You get such a good variety of romance against the backdrop of Christmas. There are enemies to lovers, small-town romance, surprise romance, and a lot more. It’s hard to pick a favorite and I won’t try. All the stories are wonderfully written and absolutely adorable. This was the perfect book to start my holiday season with. Out of all the stories, you are bound to find one you enjoy, if not all of them.

View all my reviews

Stumble & Fall (A Legacy of Silence Book 2) by Amy Rivers – Review by La Toya Lewis

/0 Comments/in /by

Stumble & Fall (A Legacy of Silence, #2)Stumble & Fall by Amy Rivers
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Stumble and Fall by Amy Rivers is a fast-past thriller. Kate and Tilly are sisters who find themselves in danger after a family tragedy strikes. This is a very well-written book. I really loved both Kate and Tilly. These two young ladies have been through a lot and risk everything to prevent others from doing the same. The story is a very satisfying thriller that leads you on a fun, suspenseful ride. While it is a quick read, this book is very intense. If you love thrillers with solid characters, you will enjoy this book.

View all my reviews

Divided Lives by K.R. Mullins – Review by La Toya Lewis

/0 Comments/in /by

Divided LivesDivided Lives by K.R. Mullins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Divided Lives is a Historical Fiction story by K. R. Mullins. I am a big fan of the author’s Notebook Mysteries series and was very happy to see that the protagonist of this story is Emma’s niece, Lottie. Lottie seems to be influenced by her Aunt Emma. She takes risks at a time when women are not allowed and she is definitely her own person. Lottie is a lawyer who finds herself being blackmailed while being involved in a very high-profile case. I really loved the character of Lottie. She navigates her way through her troubles and comes out on the other side living her life the way she chooses to. This is a wonderfully written book full of suspense. The story is a must-read for anyone that enjoys historical fiction and mysteries.

View all my reviews

Fallen Star (The Divine Devils Book 2) by R Weir – Review by La Toya Lewis

/0 Comments/in /by

Fallen Star: The Divine Devils Book 2Fallen Star: The Divine Devils Book 2 by R. Weir
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Fallen Star by R. Weir is the second book in The Divine Devils Book series. It follows Hunter Divine and his crew of private investigators as they take the case of Megan Getz; a Hollywood star that is being blackmailed. This is a very action-packed book. The characters are solid and the plot is strong and intense. I especially enjoyed Hunter’s character and his crew. They definitely handled everything and got the job done. The story is very realistic and is a definite page-turner. Awesome read!

View all my reviews

More Text Than Sex by Jim Shomos – Review by La Toya Lewis

/0 Comments/in /by

More Text Than SexMore Text Than Sex by Jim Shomos
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

More Text than Sex by Jim Shomos is an entertaining book that follows the story of Cat, and Robbie. Cat and Annie run a public songwriting contest that Robbie has delegated to. Robbie has hopes of romantically connecting with Annie but they run into some issues. I really enjoyed this book. It was an excellent, fun read. The plot ran smoothly and the characters were well-written. The chemistry between Robbie and Annie warmed up and then took off. The story was fun and adventurous and was a delight to read.

View all my reviews

An Inheritance to Die For (Cozy Mysteries To Die For Book 4) by Judy Moore – Review by La Toya Lewis

/0 Comments/in /by

An Inheritance To Die For (Cozy Mysteries To Die For, #4)An Inheritance To Die For by Judy Moore
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An Inheritance to Die For is the fourth stand-alone book in the Cozy Mysteries to Die For series by Judy Moore. Beck O’ Rourke is investigating the death of her college roommate’s father. This was the first book that I have read in this series and I greatly enjoyed Beck’s feisty personality. There was good chemistry between Beck and Devon and both the main and side characters are well-written. The plot is entertaining and there are twists that keep you on your toes. This is a very solid read. I will be going back to read the other three books.

View all my reviews

Hate You Later (Lit Lovers Series Book 1) by Ciara Blume – Review by La Toya Lewis

/0 Comments/in /by

Hate You Later (Lit Lovers, #1)Hate You Later by Ciara Blume
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Hate You Later is an enemies-to-lovers Rom-Com story by Ciara Blume. Georgia and Hudson clash in person but are strongly attracted to each other. However, when these two chat online as their pets they get along wonderfully. The story reminds me a bit of “You’ve Got Mail”. I really enjoyed this story. There is excellent chemistry between Georgia and Hudson. There are plenty of sweet moments as well as moments that have you laughing out loud. I loved the involvement of their pets in the story. This is a very good read and entertaining read.

View all my reviews

Operation Pinpoint (Space Force Rejects Book 1) by Landra Graf – Review by La Toya Lewis

/0 Comments/in /by

Operation PinpointOperation Pinpoint by Landra Graf
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Operation Pinpoint is a very original and fast-paced adventure in space. Captain Ravenna Joyner is on a mission to save her lover. Dravos Trax is on a mission to find Perseus; a missing Space Force vessel. When Ravenna and Dravos meet, there is an instant pull to each other but they have a lot to deal with. When the ship is located they find that all the occupants, including Ravenna’s lover, are dead. They find themselves betrayed and have to find a way to gain their freedom. Landra Graf has created an excellent original story. The characters are well-written and the world-building is amazing. I enjoyed the chemistry between Raveena and Dravos and all the action within the story. This book is the first in the series and I cannot wait to see how the story continues.

View all my reviews

Notebook Mysteries ~ Haunted Christmas by Kimberly Mullins – Review by La Toya Lewis

/0 Comments/in /by

Notebook Mysteries Haunted ChristmasNotebook Mysteries Haunted Christmas by Kimberly Mullins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh boy, did I enjoy this novella! Emma is back in an A Christmas Carol-type mystery. I loved the light-heartedness mixed with a bit of spookiness. Emma is back at it, helping a friend investigate a haunted mansion. This book was the perfect fall/Christmas read. There are some twists and turns and it keeps you hooked. This book is fast-paced and a page-turner. It is also a quick read. I was very sad to be done reading it. The ending is clever. You will definitely enjoy this book.

View all my reviews

Notebook Mysteries ~ Emma (Notebook Mysteries Book 1) by Kimberly Mullins – Review by La Toya Lewis

/0 Comments/in /by

Notebook Mysteries ~ EmmaNotebook Mysteries ~ Emma by Kimberly Mullins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Notebook Mysteries: Emma is the first book in the Notebook Mysteries series. We meet Emma when she is 16 years old living in Chicago with her Father, older sister, and extended family. She works in the family bakery while longing for adventure. As she observes the different goings on around her she finds herself being pulled into more and more adventure; and some danger. I loved that Ms. Mullins also includes recipes from the bakery in the book. You get to learn about Emma’s unfortunate background and see her relationship with her sister and father. This is a fun and wonderful start to the Notebook Mysteries series.

View all my reviews

Jake (Billionaire Blind Dates Book 1) by Toni Denise – Review by La Toya Lewis

/0 Comments/in /by

Jake (Billionaire Blind Dates Book 1)Jake by Toni Denise
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Jake by Toni Denise is the first book in the Billionaire Blind Dates series. Jake is a billionaire who is tired of dating women that only date him for his money. Lauren is a woman that dislikes dating rich men as she has only found rich men that thought women should bow down to them because they have money. These two are matched when Jake and his four billionaire friends use a blind dating app. I really enjoyed the chemistry between Jake and Lauren. I found them very easy to root for. I also enjoyed the friendship between Jake and his friends. The characters in the book are very well written and I look forward to reading about the other four friends. This is a book that is easy to get into and hard to put down.

View all my reviews

The Lonely Hearts of San Sity by Stacy-Deanne – Review by La Toya Lewis

/0 Comments/in /by

The Lonely Hearts of San SityThe Lonely Hearts of San Sity by Stacy-Deanne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Lonely Hearts of San Sity by Stacy-Deanne is a story of love found in a small town. While scouting for talent for her upcoming reality show Jules meets Mitchel and thinks he is just what the show needs. Unfortunately for her, Mitchel wants nothing to do with the show or her. This story is a quick fun read. I really enjoyed watching Jules and Mitchel warm up to each other. There was good chemistry. I think there was room for more fleshing out of the story. It was over way too quickly but it was very enjoyable!

View all my reviews

Ashes (Modern-Day Fairy Tale Book 1) by MK Harkins – Review by La Toya Lewis

/0 Comments/in /by

Ashes (Modern-Day Fairy Tale, #1)Ashes by M.K. Harkins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ashes by MK Harkins is a modern-day retelling of the Cinderella fairy tale. Ashley is an outsider that gets bullied by her peers at school and is disliked by her stepmother. Harry is the “bad-boy” pop star attending her high school while he cleans up his act. They find that they have an instant connection when she hides hum from fans but it remains to be seen if they’ll be able to stay together. This is a pretty good read. I like the relationship between Ashley and Harry. The book has nice twists to keep it interesting. There is a good amount of character development, especially for Harry. This is a very good retelling of Cinderella. If you enjoy modern-day fairy tales, you will enjoy this book.

View all my reviews

My Darling Rogue (A Wicked Rogues Romance Book 1) by April Moran – Review by La Toya Lewis

/0 Comments/in /by

My Darling Rogue (A Wicked Rogues Romance Book 1)My Darling Rogue by April Moran
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

My Darling Rogue is the first book in the A Wicked Rogues Romance series. We have strong, smart, feisty, stubborn Lady Celia and dark, brooding, dangerous, and handsome Gabriel Rose. These two find themselves continuously thrown and drawn together. They keep fighting it though they both seem taken with each other. Very much an “everyone can see it” situation. Although Gabriel is obsessed with Celia he thinks he has no right to vie for her affections because she is a lady and he is a bastard. Then something happens to change all that and these two can finally be together but Celia isn’t sure she can be what Gabriel needs.

I found Celia and Gabriel’s relationship fun but frustrating. They were both so stubborn, sometimes to the point of foolishness. It was nice to see them get their act together. This book was interesting and there was a bit of adventure. Gabriel is awesome as is Celia and I love the relationships they have with their family and friends. The book contains some triggering elements so be aware. It was a very enjoyable book.

View all my reviews

Ashes of Sin and Stardust (AnchorX) by Lindsay Murray – Review by La Toya Lewis

/0 Comments/in /by

Ashes of Sin and StardustAshes of Sin and Stardust by Lindsay Murray
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ashes of Sin and Stardust by Lindsay Murray is a dark erotica/BDSM story. Reuben is a Dom that has been dreaming of Alice for years, not knowing who she is. He feels that once he finds her everything will fall into place. As he goes home to spend some down time with friends, there she is. And to Reuben’s chagrin, she’s a brat. I enjoyed the dynamic between Reuben and his friends. I love that he dives in and tries to make a difference. I was not a big fan of Alice but she and Reuben dive in and try to make it work with each other. The book was a nice read but it was a bit long. There are some pacing issues because of info dumps. All-in-all a good read for those that like the BDSM genre.

View all my reviews

Fairly Royal (The Fair Series Book 4) by Grace Grahme – Review by La Toya Lewis

/0 Comments/in /by

Fairly Royal (Fair, #4)Fairly Royal by Grace Grahme
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Fairly Royal is book 4 of The Fair Series and it is an absolute gem. Although this book is part of a series it can be read as a stand-alone book. I did not feel lost at all even though I had not read the other books in the series. This book is a fake dating romance story and I absolutely loved it. Philip and Anna put on a fake romance in order to throw off the tabloids and he soon finds that she is just the breath of fresh air that he needs. Philip himself is not all that his public persona portrays and is very lovable. He and Anna are adorable. together. Their chemistry is wonderful and I loved reading about them. This book is fun, romantic, and entertaining. There is also some steam and sizzle for you. This was a great book!

View all my reviews

Blood Sector (V-Clan Book 1) by Lexi C. Foss – Review by La Toya Lewis

/0 Comments/in /by

Blood Sector (V-Clan #1)Blood Sector by Lexi C. Foss
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Blood Sector is the first book I have read by Lexi C. Foss and I greatly enjoyed it. Quinn has made her betrothed, Kieran chase her for 100 years. When he finally tracks her down, he puts a plan in place to make sure he can hold on to her for good. I really enjoyed the chemistry between Kieran and Quinn. Quinn was (understandably) frustrating but Kieran was an absolute gem to her. They were great together. I really enjoyed the plot. This book is steamy and action-packed. A very fun read that pulls you in.

View all my reviews

Notebook Mysteries ~ Unexpected Outcomes (Notebook Mysteries Book 4) by Kimberly Mullins – Review by La Toya Lewis

/0 Comments/in /by

Notebook Mysteries ~ Unexpected Outcomes (Notebook Mysteries book #4)Notebook Mysteries ~ Unexpected Outcomes by Kimberly Mullins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have read every book in this series and I think this one is my favorite! Notebook Mysteries: Unexpected Outcomes starts right out with the action. Emma and Jeremy start the book by getting into a train crash while in the midst of pursuing a crime. As they get help and return to their case they find themselves with more issues. Emma has to juggle more cases with meeting her partner/fiance’s (Jeremy) mother Abbey. Abbey also happens to have a bit of a history with Emma’s father. Emma takes it all in stride while continuing to be her strong, courageous self. I love Kimberly Mullins’s writing! This book has her signature strong plot and well-written characters. It is wonderfully fast-paced and adventurous!

View all my reviews

Murder Most Pemberley (Eliza Darcy Mysteries Book 1) by Jessica Berg – Review by La Toya Lewis

/0 Comments/in /by

Murder Most PemberleyMurder Most Pemberley by Jessica Berg
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Murder Most Pemberley is a wonderfully fun murder mystery. Eliza Darcy is an American-born descendant of the Darcy/Bennet family. She is in England for a family reunion and finds herself in a real-life murder mystery. Eliza decides to indulge her inner Agatha Christie but finds herself in harm’s way. I really enjoyed the interactions between Eliza and Heath. I absolutely loved quirky Aunt Iris. This book was so fun to read. I was quickly drawn in. I look forward to seeing what the author does with book 2.

View all my reviews

Something About Aimee (Girls from the Street Book 1) by S.E. Smith – Review by La Toya Lewis

/0 Comments/in /by

Something About Aimee (Girls from the Street Book 1)Something About Aimee by S.E. Smith
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Aimee Wheels is a free spirit trying to make her way in the world. Sheik Qadir Saif-Ad-Din is a powerful royal. These two couldn’t be more different but when she saves his life he can’t get her out of his head. These two had really good chemistry. I really enjoyed the story and their interactions. I would have liked a bit more relationship development before they fall in love. This story is nice and adventurous and Qadir and Aimee are really good people. An enjoyable story.

View all my reviews

Let It Be Love (A Mustang Prairie Romance Book 5) by N.D. Jackson – Review by La Toya Lewis

/0 Comments/in /by

Let It Be Love (A Mustang Prairie Romance)Let It Be Love by N.D. Jackson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Let It Be Love is a contemporary romance about pop star KiKi and small-town mayor Eric. This couple truly cares for each other but fame makes it difficult to have the relationship she wants and Eric is reluctant to step into the public eye. This was a very realistic and mature portrayal of your typical romance book. I like how KiKi and Eric communicated and made an earnest effort to have a happy relationship. These two were committed to one another and it was lovely to see. This was a delightful read.

View all my reviews

Saved by Love (Bellevue Bullies Book 7) by Toni Aleo – Review by La Toya Lewis

/0 Comments/in /by

Saved by Love (Bellevue Bullies #7)Saved by Love by Toni Aleo
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Saved by Love is the seventh book in the Bellvue Bullies series. This book focuses on the coming together of Evan and Callie. I loved the chemistry between the two. I loved the very real portrayal of what it takes to heal mentally. This was a couple that truly built a very real love together while healing. This book is a quick read and a definite page-turner.

View all my reviews

Love in the Roses (Love Through the Ages Book 1) by TL Clark – Review by La Toya Lewis

/0 Comments/in /by

Love in the RosesLove in the Roses by T.L. Clark
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love a good historical romance set in medieval times and Love in the Roses definitely delivers. This book is well-written and gives a realistic depiction of a medieval romance. There is a nice slow-burn romance between Isabel and Sir William. They are a wonderfully written couple and I really enjoy watching them grow. The author pays great attention to detail and you can really get into the story. This story is steamy and sweet. I really enjoyed this book.

View all my reviews

Enemies of Doves by Shanessa Gluhm – Review by La Toya Lewis

/0 Comments/in /by

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

Thirteen years after Joel Fitchett wanders into a diner in East Texas carrying his younger brother Clancy, both badly beaten, they both suffer from the aftershocks. They have made a promise to each other to hide the truth of what went on. Later, in 1991 Garrison Stark finds his way to Texas, chasing a rumor that Clancy is his biological grandfather. He is looking for a family but stumbles into a web of 60 years of lies that involve both Joel and Clancy along with a woman named Lorraine whom they both loved. The author masterfully weaves a story with alternating timelines that manage to hook you in from the first page. The characters are all complex and wonderfully written. The plot is intriguing. There are a lot of twists and turns and the story has you in tears. You cannot help but feel for these characters. This is a very well-written, page-turner of a story.

View all my reviews

Murder in the Lightning Room by A.D. Brazeau – Review by La Toya Lewis

/0 Comments/in /by

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

Cora Croft is a high school senior that gets the chance to be Nikola Tesla’s assistant. This is a wonderful chance for Cora; especially at a time that saw it as unusual for women to pursue such things. This assignment leads her into a world of murder and intrigue. I always enjoy reading this author. They really have a knack for a grand retelling of historical situations. As always a great plot and well-written characters lead the way. The plot sucks you in and the characters are relatable. Murder in the Lightning Room is a definite page-turner.

View all my reviews

Antipodes (Antipodes Book 1) by T.S. Simons – Review by La Toya Lewis

/0 Comments/in /by

Antipodes (Antipodes, #1)Antipodes by T.S. Simons
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Antipodes is a YA Dystopian novel about a young man named Cam Mackintosh who is chosen to help build a new community on an Australian island after an outbreak threatens to destroy the planet. This book has amazing world-building and a well-written plot. I enjoyed the way the characters were written and it was wonderful seeing if the characters would make the same mistakes that were made in the past or would they learn from the mistakes made before them. I really liked Cam and could not put this book down. I look forward to reading the next book in this series.

View all my reviews

The Letter Carrier by L.C. Lewis – Review by La Toya Lewis

/0 Comments/in /by

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

The Letter Carrier is a historical fiction novel about a young lady named Michelle Naget that lives in France during World War II while their country and home are invaded by Nazi’s. This is a touching and informative coming-of-age story. Reading about Michelle’s unwavering hope for better times and strong faith in God is inspirational. The faith of the Naget family was definitely rewarded. Reading about the hardships of living in an occupied country during World War II was heartbreaking. There was a lot to be learned regarding the experiences of these people.

View all my reviews

The Secret Cure: A Gripping Psychological Thriller with a Twist by JD Spero – Review by La Toya Lewis

/0 Comments/in /by

The Secret CureThe Secret Cure by J.D. Spero
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Secret Cure by JD Spero is a gripping and intriguing story. Rosalie Giordano has the perfect life with her Prince Charming husband. At least that’s what she thinks until she finds out that while she’s been fighting a paralyzing virus, he has been having an affair. How will she get her revenge? This book is filled with twists and will leave you guessing. The characters are complex and you see how the story unfolds for each of them. Rosalie was a protagonist that I wanted to see succeed and felt so much empathy for. This was a page-turner. I really enjoyed this story.

View all my reviews

A Quirk of Destiny (Quirk of Destiny Book 1) by Catherine Greenall – Review by La Toya Lewis

/0 Comments/in /by

A Quirk of Destiny: Ignoramus et IgnorabimusA Quirk of Destiny: Ignoramus et Ignorabimus by Catherine Greenall
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Calum O’Connell is a scientist with the Department of Food and Environment that starts to suspect that genetically-modified food is responsible for the zombie-like dystopia that he has found himself in. Only people that don’t consume animal products are able to avoid the mutation that makes people have a reaction and become so aggressive that society is about to fall. Calum builds a group of unaffected survivors to try to find answers. A Quirk of Destiny is a very good thriller that made me very happy that I am vegan. The plot and characters are well-written. The world-building is awesome. This author really makes you think about what could be under similar circumstances. It was a bit terrifying. A great read for those that like dystopian books.

View all my reviews