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Flowers of Evil (Hani’s Daughter Mysteries Book 1) by N.L. Holmes – Review by Lucy Machard

Flowers of Evil (Hani's Daughter Mysteries Book 1)Flowers of Evil by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is my first book by this author, and I gotta say, I’m impressed. The amount of details she poured into this book is phenomenal. This book is a clear labor of love, and it was a very good book as well. I loved the story line of it all, and I also really enjoyed the ending and the book as a whole. It’s a shorter book to my standards, which is fine, but the writing on it is so detailed that I still had to take my time with it and observe everything the author wrote. If you love history and mystery, I highly recommend!

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The Sisterhood of Secrets (The Gods’ Scion Book 4) by Winnifred Tataw – Review by Lucy Machard

The Sisterhood of SecretsThe Sisterhood of Secrets by Winnifred Tataw
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book takes us back to the world of Arcelia and Rodrick, as they go through their adult life and manage their relationship with the politics of their families. I very much enjoyed this book, it was a quick read that I disappeared into after a day out on the river. With the way it ended, it wouldn’t surprise me if it was a final book in the series, but I would like to see another book pop up. Overall, a good book and a good series to try out!

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The Lone Star Child (The Gods’ Scion Book 3) by Winnifred Tataw – Review by Lucy Machard

The Lone Star ChildThe Lone Star Child by Winnifred Tataw
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I definitely liked this book a lot better than the sequel in the series. I really enjoyed how it followed a different character, and the book definitely kept me engaged. Sometimes I feel like I get slammed with character after character, and I feel like there could be more to the story, just a couple more details here and there. The plot was a fantastic plot, and it I enjoy seeing the writer grow as the series grows. Catch you at book four!

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Descendants of Time and Death (The Gods’ Scion Book 2) by Winnifred Tataw – Review by Lucy Machard

Descendants of Time and Death (The Gods' Scion, #2)Descendants of Time and Death by Winnifred Tataw
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The book seemed to drag on a little bit through the beginning and middle. It goes over a lot of politics for a good half of the book, which does tie in to the plot, but also can be a bit tedious. After the first books ending with Roderick and Arcelia, I was expecting a bit more romance, but of course nothing comes as easy as we think with books. I do enjoy the plot the author gives out, but the writing style can be a bit confusing. There’s a lot of POV jumps from character to character, and half the time I didn’t know what character was telling the story until about halfway through it. Make sure you’re reading the series in order, since the first book goes over the lore and background of the world and society set up. Over all, a book I did like, and I’m curious to see what the author does next.

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The Misery House (The House on the Hill Book 1) by David Kummer – Review by Lucy Machard

The Misery House (The House on the Hill #1)The Misery House by David Duane Kummer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book sucked me in right from the start. I typically don’t read soft horror or paranormal psychological thrillers, but I could not put this damn book down! It’s so good! It’s told from the perspective of the Woods family in split POVs, with a couple third person chapters thrown in there too. I’ve never read anything by this author before, but he’s definitely one of my new go-tos. The only thing about this book that upset me was the ending, since it ends in a cliffhanger because it’s part of a trilogy. However, the writing style is immaculate. It’s a very quick and easy read: Under 300 pages. Y’all, do not wait on this book. It’s absolutely fantastic and 100% worth the read. And for the author, thank you. And hurry up with book 2!!

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Tempting Fate (Black Shamrocks MC: Australia Book 1) by Bella Faust – Review by Lucy Machard

Tempting Fate: a dark and angsty love triangle romance (Black Shamrocks MC: Australia Book 1)Tempting Fate: a dark and angsty love triangle romance by Bella Faust
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is an absolute thick piece of an enticing romance full of love, betrayal, tenacity, and hope. It is a very graphic book, so please check trigger warnings and keep your mind safe as you read through this, because it does have detailed descriptions of SA and physical abuse. However, it absolutely sucked me and kept my attention as I started to delve into the Shamrock MC. I loved Lily, and the evolution of her character was fantastic. As I said, this is a very thick book, and while some parts are a little slower, the pace is set very well. The writing is a little different from what I’m used to, but it didn’t deter me from falling in love with the book or the characters. Highly recommend, and I’ll be waiting for book 2!

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The Finding (Berrycreek Heights Series Book 1) by A. M. Porto – Review by Lucy Machard

The Finding (Berrycreek Heights Series Book 1)The Finding by A.M. Porto
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

CONTAINS SPOILERS/CONTENT WARNING

This book definitely was interesting. It follows the story of Victoria; and tells about the countless abuse she suffered at the hands of her stepfather. There are detailed descriptions of child abuse in this novel, and honestly I did find myself needing to take a bit of a break here and there from the story because of some of the details of abuse. Her stepfather also goes along and ends up selling her to a cartel, where she does end up getting SA’d by the cartel leader. The SA doesn’t go in to detail, for those that might struggle with reading things like that.

The writing style of the author to me seemed to be full of dialog, and a little low on actual action. Don’t get me wrong, I love a book full of dialog, but I feel like I personally missed a lot of opportunities to connect with the characters and connect more with the story due to the way we don’t get to see a range of emotions that can connect readers with characters. This isn’t me saying there are *no* emotions, but honestly there’s only about three- love, rage, and determination. The idea and the plot was absolutely fantastic, but I personally feel like the writing style could have been a little more detailed when it comes to the actions of the characters. This isn’t a dig to the author; I really did like this book, it’s just the writing style wasn’t for me, but it could be perfectly fine for you.

As I said, I do love the plot, and I love the basis surrounding the book. I think this author has a phenomenal amount of potential as a writer and as she develops more into her craft, and I look forward to seeing what else she puts out into the world and to watch her grow!

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Bared. (Green St. Girls Series) by N.D. Jackson – Review by Lucy Machard

Bared.: A Green St. Girls RomanceBared.: A Green St. Girls Romance by N.D. Jackson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book had me hook line and sinker from the very beginning! I was so enthralled with it, which made it the perfect distraction while I waited on my husband to get out of surgery. I absolutely loved Athena’s tenacity, and honestly, I think my favorite character was Tru’s mom in the beginning. Athena’s growth throughout the book was something I applaud the author for. This is the first book I’ve ever read by this author, and I absolutely loved it! I read it on Kindle, but good lord I know I’m going to end up purchasing the physical copy as well. This book is phenomenal, and I’m so excited to get started on book 2!!!

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Broken. (Green St. Girls Series) by N.D. Jackson – Review by Lucy Machard

Broken.: A Green St. Girls RomanceBroken.: A Green St. Girls Romance by N.D. Jackson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I thought I loved Tru, but holy hell, Indigo and Gideon are my new favorites. These can be read as a stand alone, but flow better if you read the books together in the series. This book was absolutely fantstic, with amazing characters and a delicious slow burn friends to lovers romance plot. Ended on an HEA, for all of the girlies who love those endings. I absolutely love this author, and I love her books. Please check out the first book in the series and give this one a shot as well! It’s a gorgeous, detailed contemporary romance with the perfect plot to spice ratio!

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Cruel Start (Hidden Valley Elite) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Lucy Machard

Cruel Start (Hidden Valley Elite #4.5)Cruel Start by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I will say this, there is one thing about this author i dislike, and it’s the freaking cliff hangers. But at the same time, I love the cliff hangers, because it makes the next book so much better! What a wild start into Phoenix and Aspen’s story! This book is a super short read, but it’s packed full of detail. I absolutely loved it, and I’ll be waiting for the next one on pins and needles!

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Brutal Nights (Hidden Valley Elite Book 4) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Lucy Machard

Brutal Nights (Hidden Valley Elite #4)Brutal Nights by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Yet ANOTHER fantastic book written by one of my favorite contemporary authors. As always, HEA guaranteed with the second half of the Duet for the series, but the way Damon just kept showing up for Sky made my whole heart melt. I’m so in love with these two, and honestly I think I like them better than I like Riley and Cole. Start with the Savage Duet, then work your way through the Brutal Duet yall, and give this series a go! You won’t regret it!

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The Master of Demise by Nadija Mujagic – Review by Lucy Machard

The Master of DemiseThe Master of Demise by Nadija Mujagic
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Holy smokes. What a read! The entire time, I was convinced the main character was just a narcissistic, psychopathic, insane and twisted character, and while he was a bit of a narcissist, the freaking plot twist at the end had me reeling! I’m not really someone who reads thrillers, but this one was 100% worth it! The writing was immaculate and detailed. I couldn’t get enough of it! It’s a relatively quick read too!

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Earl of Griffith (Once Upon a Widow Book 6) by Aubrey Wynne – Review by Lucy Machard

Earl of Griffith (Once Upon a Widow Book 6)Earl of Griffith by Aubrey Wynne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was such a good sweet book! It’s a little on the shorter side (at least compared to what I normally read) but it’s so good! The steady patience that Conway has for Helen is so sweet and pure! I couldn’t get enough of these two! It can be read as stand alone novel, and it’s absolutely worth the read! A very, very short and sweet romance. Give it a read!

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Brutal Days (Hidden Valley Elite Book 3) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Lucy Machard

Brutal Days: A High School Bully Romance (Hidden Valley Elite Book 3)Brutal Days: A High School Bully Romance by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am officially ADDICTED to this series. As always, the author leaves us with a MASSIVE cliffhanger and an insane amount of audacity at the end of this book. This is the 3 book in HVE, but the first book in the duet for Damon and Skylar. You could read this as a stand alone duet, but it makes more sense to read all 3 books for the series, considering that the characters all tie together some way. I cannot WAIT for the next book in the series/duet, because I have got to know what happens after that cliffhanger. June 22nd can’t get here fast enough!!

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Breathless Love (The Bennetts of Langston Falls Book 3) by KG Fletcher – Review by Lucy Machard

Breathless Love (The Bennetts of Langston Falls, #3)Breathless Love by K.G. Fletcher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book was an absolute addiction from the start. I fell in love with Hank and Ellie Mae so quick and so easily! It was so hard to put the book down! I don’t read a lot of honky-tonk romances, so this was a great change of pace for me. And that plot twist at the end had me absolutely floored! Y’all, to all my country lovin, sweet talkin’ adoring readers, this is a book you have GOT to read. I cannot recommend this enough! Go check it out!!

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Hero Complex (Bluestone Series Book 3) by Isobel Reed – Review by Lucy Machard

Hero Complex (Bluestone Series, #3)Hero Complex by Isobel Reed
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book was an absolute addiction from the get go! Before I knew it, it was one in the morning and I still couldn’t put the dang thing down! It’s a great forced proximity/marriage of convenience romance, and the way the two main characters just connect with each other is amazing. I love this series, and I love this author so much. These books are high on my list of fantasticness, and I cannot recommend them enough! If you love a nice little cowboy romance, then this is the book and the series for you!!

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Consigliere’s Revenge (Sicilian Gods Book 3) by Via Mari – Review by Lucy Machard

Consigliere's Revenge (Sicilian Gods Book 3)Consigliere’s Revenge by Via Mari
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another riveting take in the story between the De Rosa and LaRussio families! I am so excited to see if there’s a next book, or what the next book will entail. The suspense, enemies to lovers with a HEA, everything about this book was phenomenal. Everything about this series so far is just absolute perfection! If you’re a Mafia lover, definitely check this book and the other books in the series out!

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Underboss’s Retaliation (Sicilian Gods Book 2) by Via Mari – Review by Lucy Machard

Underboss's Retaliation (Sicilian Gods Book 2)Underboss’s Retaliation by Via Mari
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is a huge storm of action, romance, mystery, and tenacity! I absolutely loved every second of it, and just devoured it! I don’t know if I was just so drawn in to the book that it took me such a short time to finish it, or if it is a shorter book, but either way it was a very quick read! I highly recommend this author and this series! Mafia lovers, don’t sleep on Sicilian God’s! You won’t regret it, because this author does not disappoint!

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Obedience (Ties That Bind Book 1) Audiobook by Liza Snow – Review by Lucy Machard

ObedienceObedience by Liza Snow
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow. The way the author just sucks the reader in right from the first page- Immaculate!! I was so enthralled with Cass and Chandler, that I couldn’t put the book down! The plot was absolutely amazing, and I found myself drawn so much to the characters. The writing style was so easy to get lost in, and made the book that much better. It’s a dual POV, age gap, slightly dark romance, and I am absolutely in love and ready for the next book!!

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Last King (Legacy of Riverfall Book 1) by Amabel Daniels – Review by Lucy Machard

Last King (Legacy of Riverfall Book 1)Last King by Amabel Daniels
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is my first book by this author,and after the way this one ended, I definitely need the second one. The author sucks you right in with Maren and Kane’s story, and it’s so packed with adventure and tenacity, that I couldn’t help but root for Maren every step of the way. It’s a great start to a new fantasy series, and I’ll be on pins and needles until I get to read the next one. I’m so excited to see where First Queen takes Maren and Kane’s story. Highly Recommend!!!

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Reaper (War Brothers MC Book 1) by Bianca Lee Ward – Review by Lucy Machard

Reaper (War Brothers MC, #1)Reaper by Bianca Lee Ward
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book sucked me in right from the start. I found myself enthralled with Ava’s journey as she starts her new life with the MC. Even though it’s a slow burn, the book is a super quick read and goes by fast! There are certain characters that have a special place in my heart, and if you’re someone who enjoys MC books, then I definitely recommend this one! Give it a shot!

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Ten Thousand Shells and Counting: A Memoir (Teenage War Survival Book 1) by Nadija Mujagic – Review by Lucy Machard

Ten Thousand Shells and Counting: A Memoir (Book 1) (Teenage War Survival series)Ten Thousand Shells and Counting: A Memoir (Book 1) by Nadija Mujagic
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’ve read books about war. I’m a history buff, it’s my thing. But reading first hand accounts of what it was like to go through a war zone and deal with the aftermath of war always hits different.

This is an amazing book. The author is very detailed, and it’s like walking through a room of memories and watching as the author gingerly shows you pieces of her life. This is a book about resilience, strength, and overcoming some of the hardest things in life, and I highly reccomend!

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Operation Escape (Space Force Rejects Book 2) by Landra Graf – Review by Lucy Machard

Operation Escape (Space Force Rejects Book 2)Operation Escape by Landra Graf

I loved the first book, but I thunk I love this book even more!! A fantastic, thrilling, gorgeous sequel to Space Force Rejects! The budding attraction between Markus and Sera had me deep in the author’s clutches for the whole book. The book moves along very quickly, and it won’t take long to finish it! I just couldn’t put the book down! Highly recommend!

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Savage Truth (Hidden Valley Elite Book 2) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Lucy Machard

Savage Truth: A High School Bully Romance (Hidden Valley Elite Book 2)Savage Truth: A High School Bully Romance by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was on pins and needles the whole time with this book. I love a good enemies to lovers book, and this one perfectly flowed with the ending of the last book. There’s so much drama, mystery, and retribution in this book, and it’s 100% perfect. Riley and Cole are probably some of my favorite characters I’ve come across in a book like this! I highly recommend this series and this author! If you need me, I’ll be curled up with the next book!

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The Sweet Temptations Trilogy (Sinful Delights) by L.M. Mountford – Review by Lucy Machard

The Sweet Temptations Trilogy (Sinful Delights)The Sweet Temptations Trilogy by L.M. Mountford
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is a collection of 3 short stories surrounding the same plot.

I definitely understand why the author is called the lord of lust, because these books are definitely full of it.

Richard is a man who ends up tempted by not one, but two women in the series and falls to their temptation. The book is marketed as a “Why Choose?” polyamorous relationship style erotica; but I’ll be honest, the book just wasn’t it for me. I really despised Richard and also Alice throughout the books, because even though everything was right in the end, the way they got there just wasn’t it. It could be your cup of tea, but the plot and story writing just wasn’t mine.

Happy reading!

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Savage Lies (Hidden Valley Elite Book 1) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Lucy Machard

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

This book is awesome. You’ve got a con-artist’s daughter and a playboy football star who hate each other from the get-go as they try to come to terms with everything that’s happening in their lives. Of course, they ignore each other, and try to make each other’s lives miserable while denying how they feel. I don’t think I’ve read anything else besides this series from the author, but she has me absolutely impressed and enthralled! I can’t wait to start the second book; definitely grab this one!

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Savage Start (Hidden Valley Elite Prequel) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Lucy Machard

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

I love novellas, and I love prequels. This prequel was FANTASTIC! I made the (not so major) mistake of reading the first major installment of the series before the prequel, and lemme tell ya, things do make a bit more sense with the prequel. I absolutely love Riley- she’s a firecracker, and a force to be reckoned with. I definitely have an intrigue with Cole- I know he has major potential, and I’m sensing some serious enemies-to-lovers vibes with this series. The prequel definitely has a sadder ending- but it leaves it perfect for the next book!

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The Romanov Heiress by Jennifer Laam – Review by Lucy Machard

The Romanov HeiressThe Romanov Heiress by Jennifer Laam
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

There are so many books about the speculation of Anastasia’s survival through the Bolshevic captain of the Romanov dynasty during the Russian Civil War. There have been plays, movies, etc., made about Anastasia, yet we very rarely hear anything about the other sisters, the other siblings, the rest of the Romanov Dynasty. This particular time period in history has always fascinated me, and I love reading books about it.

Reading a book about not only the oldest Romanov heir, but all of the sisters combined, was a phenomenal take on this piece of history. I loved the way everything was written, the mystery of it all, the way Olga tried so hard to do what was right through her family and through her loyalty to Russia.

I love this book. It captured me from the first page. The writing style is amazing. The story is utterly captivating and keeps you wanting more and more. I don’t think I’ve read any other books by this author, but I definitely want to. If you love history, historical fiction, and a touch of mystery, I cannot recommend this book enough. It’s a must read, and I’ll definitely be reading it again!

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Ocean’s Three (Made In Heaven #2) by Elena Kincaid – Review by Lucy Machard

Ocean's Three (Made In Heaven, #2)Ocean’s Three by Elena Kincaid
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The spice? Amazing. The plot? Fantastic. It’s a bit of a paranormal RH book, which brought an interesting element into the story. Cam’s visions with Jocelyn in the beginning really set the stage for the whirlwind romance. It’s a short, quick read. I think I finished it in about 2 hours. This book can be read as a stand alone within the two books in the current series, and I’ll for sure be checking out the first!

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Shadow (Devil’s Handmaidens MC: Timber-Ghost, Montana Chapter Book 2) by D.M. Earl – Review by Lucy Machard

Shadow (Devil's Handmaidens MC-Book Two)Shadow by D.M. Earl
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a heavy book for me. There’s a lot of detailed scenes in this book, so please heed the content warnings. Shadow is definitely a complex character, and by the end of the book, I found myself applauding her from her character arc of survival to living. Those of us who have personally dealt with similar issues know what I mean by that. It’s a very fast paced book like the first, and the new characters introduced in the book are some of my favorites so far. If you’re into the MC books, with lots of tenacity, twists and turns then you would enjoy this one!

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