Posts

Consigliere’s Revenge (Sicilian Gods Book 3) by Via Mari – Review by Maisie Dickinson

Consigliere's Revenge (Sicilian Gods Book 3)Consigliere’s Revenge by Via Mari
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The story follows Lorenzo, consigliere to the Larussio crime family, and Isabella, a journalist who is determined to spill the dirt of every crime family in Vegas. Lorenzo realised the Larussio family could use Isabella’s skills to their advantage, but he doesn’t expect to fall in love with her. My favourite character is Isabella and my least favourite character – it’s the same every single time, evil man – is De Rosa. I recommend this book because I’ve now read the three of Via Mari’s Sicilian Gods series, and I’ve loved all three of them. Each one is full of angst and passion, with a different take on mafia romance each time, and I can’t forget the strong, independent women featured. I can’t wait to read her next book. I know this quote isn’t romantic, but it felt important to share: “Sometimes it feels like we deal with more sharks on the legitimate side of the business than when dealing with the men who sell arms to the highest bidder in the dirtiest of alleys. Perhaps it’s because we expect differently of them, but they are just as dirty if not dirtier than the rest of us.”

View all my reviews

Euphoric Wonderland by Ryan M. Becker – Review by Maisie Dickinson

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: 4 of 5 stars

Euphoric Wonderland is a wonderful collection of Ryan M Beckers psychedelic poetry. These poems are inspiring, they make you think about life, peace, love, freedom, happiness. There’s reference to legendary bands like The Beatles and Pink Floyd, and a range of poetic techniques used that really make the poems flow which the reader can appreciate. My favourite poem was either ‘Euphoric Rhythm in My Mind: A Voice Inside it Screams to Hyde,’ ‘Dear Beatles,’ or ‘Dactylogram, Your Finger Ran, Quill in Hand, You Then Began.’ I recommend this book because I think this collection is a unique take on poetry and Becker is extremely talented to have created such a big, varied profile in such an original way. I would love to read more of Becker’s poetry to see what else can inspire him. I don’t want to spoil the poems but here are my favourite lines from my three favourite poems: ‘a secret you they thought they knew,’ ‘all the things that I believed weren’t real come alive when I listen to you, like happiness, love, and thoughts about my very existence all at once,’ ‘I don’t know how my thoughts would translate without you.’

View all my reviews

Dawnbreaker: The House of Blood and Sun by Hadley Thorne – Review by Maisie Dickinson

Dawnbreaker: The House of Blood and SunDawnbreaker: The House of Blood and Sun by Hadley Thorne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The story follows Niamh el Ri’ili, Princess of the Emerald City Under The Mound, and Connor O’Brien, a vampire full of hatred and rage until he meets her. They meet through family friends, get to know each other through their shared love of music, and fall in love through the trials and tribulations they face back in the Emerald City. My favourite character is Niamh el Ri’ili because she is strong, independent, powerful, knows what she wants, and my least favourite character was, while perfectly written, Queen Desdemona because she is greedy, selfish, condescending, overruling. I recommend this book because it’s a type of love story I haven’t read before, it celebrates Irish culture, and it explores Irish folklore which was interesting to learn about. I would love to read more from Hadley Thorne. ‘It was clear to him from the moment he first saw her that she was his.’

View all my reviews

Braving Lily (True Platinum Series Book 7) by Morgana Bevan – Review by Maisie Dickinson

Braving Lily (True Platinum, #5)Braving Lily by Morgana Bevan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This story follows Lily, a rockstar known for leading the band The Brightside, and Rhys, a ‘normal’ IT guy who she’s set up on a date with. They’re complete opposites and both think there’s no chance they could get along, but apparently, opposites attract. They fall in love, but will those differences come in between them? My favourite character is Lily because she’s a badass rockstar and also a sweetheart, and my least favourite character is Sherry for breaking poor Rhys’ heart. I recommend this book because it’s a beautiful opposites-attract romance, a pure love story where two people meet unconventionally, think they have nothing in common but it turns out they have unbelievable chemistry. I think I’ll have to read the rest of Morgana Bevan’s work! ‘And I knew, no matter how our brief time ended, I would always cherish our stolen moments together.’

View all my reviews

How To Write A Historical Novel And Love It by TL Clark – Review by Maisie Dickinson

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

This is a beginner’s guide to writing a historical novel, such as historical romance or just historical fiction, and features information relating to research, writing tips, formatting, publishing, reviews, advertising, and self-publishing. I recommend this book because it has been a really interesting, informative, helpful book and Clark seems so intelligent and friendly, I would love to approach her if I ever write a historical novel and her comments throughout this book have made me feel comfortable enough to do that. It’s pushed me to get on with writing. ‘I write about different types of love because I’m fascinated that the one word ‘love’ has so many meanings and different feelings attached to it. And, let’s face it, I love love!’

View all my reviews

What I Wish I’d Known: For Writers by H.D. Thomson – Review by Maisie Dickinson

What I Wish I'd Known: For Writers: 100 Authors Reveal What They Wish They'd Told Their Younger SelvesWhat I Wish I’d Known: For Writers: 100 Authors Reveal What They Wish They’d Told Their Younger Selves by H. D. Thomson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

100 authors were given the question, ‘what advice would you give to your younger self?’ The responses vary between writing techniques, goals, genre, reading, traditional and self-publishing, self-doubt, routines, ideas, practices, characters, editing, etc. My favourite section was by Rita Herron who said; ‘instead of writing one book of the heart, I tried to put heart in every book.’ However, I wasn’t particularly fond of the section by Ernest Dempsey. Either way, I recommend this book because it is a really useful read, and there’s such a variety of authors providing advice that it would suit all aspiring authors in one way or another. I’m going to start using these techniques straight away.

View all my reviews

Lucky Stars by Fantasia Yu – Review by Maisie Dickinson

Lucky StarsLucky Stars by Fantasia Yu
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The story follows Princess Mora of the planet Xitlych, who has been set up to marry Prince Fidge of Xot in order to create an alliance among the nexus of planets. However, Mora has other ideas. She escapes from the castle and ends up on a dangerous adventure with criminal-come-tour guide, Darin O’Joy. Mora helps Darin open himself up to love and Darin helps Mora face her fears. I love Mora and Darin and hate all of the royals minus Pola. It was a really interesting storyline, although quite hard to follow at parts as I don’t think all of the chapters necessarily flow, but I’m glad it ends with a happy ever after. I wish we could have seen Mora and Darin come together officially at the end, though. ‘Both safe at last from the loneliness of the world.’

View all my reviews

Hit on You by Brooke May – Review by Maisie Dickinson

Hit on YouHit on You by Brooke May
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This story follows Luke, a strong, independent woman whose fear of love lands her back in Seattle in a dangerous position, and Nikolai, member of Seattle’s biggest mafia family with a sole purpose of protecting Luke to show her how he feels about her. I recommend this book because, whilst this story is still in the editing process, it has so much potential; the storyline is gripping, the characters are strong – I particularly love Luke’s character, a woman who is independent and does not rely on men, but also a woman who loves her makeup and nice clothes and high heels and feeling sexy – the book is steamy, and I am a sucker for a happy ending. I’m looking forward to reading more of Brooke May and watching her grow in the industry. “You’ve been mine from the first glance.”

View all my reviews

My Pearl Heart by J.N. Sheats – Review by Maisie Dickinson

My Pearl HeartMy Pearl Heart by J.N. Sheats
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

My Pearl Heart by J.N. Sheats is a stand-alone story that follows Jasmine, co-owner of event management company Divine, which she shares with her best friend, Cadence. Jasmine falls for James, who just so happens to be engaged to Cadence. This sets Jasmine off on a journey to explore herself and what she wants from life. I recommend this book as the stakes are high but the love is bigger, and I love a happy ending. My only wish is that Jasmine had that courage she had at the end, all along! “Live your life for now. Do whatever you want, you more than earned that, and I’ll catch up with you later.”

View all my reviews

Underboss’s Retaliation (Sicilian Gods Book 2) by Via Mari – Review by Maisie Dickinson

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

Underboss’s Retaliation Arc is the second in Via Mari’s Sicilian Gods series. It follows straight on from Boss’s Vendetta, this time revolving around cousin Dominic – who would ‘do it all again, risk everything for the woman I barely know but whose heart and mind beats in time to my own’ – and the badass mafia princess from the rival crime family, Emelia. There is even a link to Mari’s Cruel Deception series, of which I have read Degrees of Innocence. I’ve read three of her books this year and I am becoming a huge fan. The romance, the passion, the danger, it all keeps you hooked. Every time I pick up one of her books, I cannot put it back down, and Underboss’s Retaliation Arc has proven this again. I can’t wait to read the next in the series.

View all my reviews

Beast (Popov Bratva Book 5) by Leslie Georgeson – Review by Maisie Dickinson

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

I read Leslie Georgeson’s ‘Beast,’ the 5th book in her Popov Bratva’s series, in A NIGHT. It started off steady, but after the first few chapters I was HOOKED. I could not put the book down.
The story is told from both the point of view of the mafia bodyguard, Adrik – aka the beast – and the mafia princess, Annika, and I think it’s really important how the two love interests have physical deformities/disabilities, a group of people we rarely see in love stories but SHOULD.
It’s emotional, it’s romantic, it’s full of lust and pining. It’s everything you want from a mafia romance.
‘I didn’t even know the girl. Yet, I felt an inexplicable affinity to her.’
It’s a must read! I highly recommend!

View all my reviews

More Than by Diane Barnes – Review by Maisie Dickinson

More ThanMore Than by Diane Barnes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Diane Barnes’ ‘More Than’ follows Peggy Moriarty, a middle-aged single mother of two twin teenagers. The kids leave for school, she’s left alone, she’s unhappy and unhealthy. She joins a weight-loss boot-camp, which is the last thing she ever wanted to do. The best part about this is that the weight-loss story doesn’t encourage fat phobia or eating disorder behaviours, but encourages healthy living and self-confidence. Peggy not only develops her confidence but grows as a character. I liked the book from the beginning, even though I didn’t like Peggy at first. She starts off quite pretentious, judgemental, rude, and controlling, but the support of her new friends helps her come out of her shell. The story explores complicated feelings around grief as well as mental health and body image issues. The ending is so perfect that I cried. I couldn’t recommend this more.

View all my reviews

The Kidnapping by Linda Burson – Review by Maisie Dickinson

The KidnappingThe Kidnapping by Linda Burson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Linda Burson’s The Kidnapping is a mysterious romance novel, with an original plot and inspiring storyline. Linda creates a multitude of strong characters with detailed backstories that are unravelled throughout the book. There are moments of terror along with moments of domestic bliss. It has everything you want in a book: plot twist after plot twist keeping you gripped from start to finish, a slow burn romance to die for, a happy ending, and an epilogue so the novel doesn’t finish when the story does. I’d love to read more of Linda’s work.

View all my reviews

Degrees of Innocence: Dark Mafia Romance (Cruel Deceptions Book 1) By Via Mari – Review by Maisie Dickinson

Degrees of Innocence (Prestian Series, #1)Degrees of Innocence by Via Mari
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I’m becoming a huge fan of Via Mari’s work. This story features vivid imagery, detailed characterisation, and shocking plot twists. The romance is intense, the chemistry is off the scale. This book will keep you gripped, with its themes of tension, betrayal, and deception throughout. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series.

View all my reviews

River Witch by Cheryl Burman – Review by Maisie Dickinson

River WitchRiver Witch by Cheryl Burman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Cheryl Burman’s River Witch is a beautiful story, written for a multitude of readers who may be interested in the romance aspect, or the history, or mythology, or fantasy, or coming-of-age aspect. The story starts with a young Hester, a farmer’s daughter, who meets Aaron, a man skilled in herbal lore. The river goddess, Sabrina, and the nymphs, call to Hester, and we follow her journey as she makes sure neither her family or people she meets along the way will stop her from following her own path and achieving her dreams. Cheryl builds a world and describes it so perfectly it feels as if you are there.

View all my reviews

Boss’s Vendetta (Sicilian God’s Book 1)by Via Mari Review by Maisie Dickinson

Boss's Vendetta: Dark Mafia Romance (Sicilian Gods Book 1)Boss’s Vendetta: Dark Mafia Romance by Via Mari
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Boss’s Vendetta, first in the Sicilian Gods series, is gripping from start to finish. Via Mari perfectly captures jealousy and erotica in this mafia enemies-to-lovers romance, which features great characterisation, multiple point-of-views, and terrific world-building. The story follows Adrianna, successful doctor and strong, independent woman who knows how to put herself first, and Salvatore, mafia don with no heart and no soul. ‘Who could really ever love someone with a heart as black as mine?’ You can’t help but root for both characters and when you come to the end of one chapter, you can’t wait to start the next one. I highly recommend.

View all my reviews