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More Than by Diane Barnes – Review by Mandy Ott

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

More Than was much more than I was expecting! This book was so beautifully written, with a touch of humor, lots of emotions, and a will to push yourself. The characters are so realistic that I found myself rooting for Peggy as she started her journey through boot camp workouts, and continued rooting for her throughout the book. Her inner dialogs with herself are too close to reality (I found myself wondering if someone had tapped into my own thoughts). Peggy constantly questions whether she is raising her twins well, carrying guilt over the death of her husband, all while being ridiculed for her weight. Diane Barnes does a wonderful job creating a realistic setting for the reader; I could feel the heat in boot camp room, heat the labored breathing of the other “campers.” A well-written, powerful story of a woman’s journey to find herself again. I can’t wait to read more by Diane Barnes.

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Mis-Spelled (The Stellaluna Chronicles Book 1) by TH Leatherman – Review by Mandy Ott

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Mis-Spelled: Book One of the Stellaluna ChroniclesMis-Spelled: Book One of the Stellaluna Chronicles by T.H. Leatherman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Mis-Spelled is such an amazingly fun read! T. H. Leatherman is a new author for me, but I can’t wait to read more. Mis-Spelled was full of fantastic, wonderfully written characters. I found the way Leatherman humanized the fairy-tale creatures very entertaining and a great twist on things! There is such great world building that I felt like I was right there with Evan and his entourage walking through the forest, or climbing the stairs in the tree house! There are so many ups and downs in this book, but the ups far outweigh the downs! I love fantasy, and this is one of my new favorites. It being Book 1 in the Stellaluna Chronicles, I am looking forward to the continuation of this story!

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Bycatch by Alexander Blevens – Review by Mandy Ott

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BycatchBycatch by Alexander Blevens
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Bycatch took me by complete surprise! There is so much depth and thought in the story that I am absolutely amazed! Alexander Blevens delivers with substantial, realistic, multi-level characters. I could almost hear the accent of Jake and Pigeon, feel the anger and confusion of Rex and Dung, and feel the tension between the Mississippi and Vietnamese fishermen. Blevens also uses amazing storytelling in the back and forth accounts of two men unwillingly thrown across each other’s paths in the midst of the war in Vietnam, and how their pasts collide later in life in the shrimping community in Mississippi. I could hear the bombs exploding in Vietnam, I could smell the strong seafood odor of the coast, and hear the rumbling motors of the shrimping boats.
Bycatch and Alexander Blevens are two new favorites on my list!

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More Text Than Sex by Jim Shomos – Review by Mandy Ott

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

Jim Shomos is a first time author for me, but the story sounded interesting. I was not disappointed. From the name of the book, More Text Than Sex, I was expecting a slightly shallow, fluffier piece; what I got was so much more! There are so many wonderfully realistic and well-developed characters that I couldn’t help but cry when things were going poorly and cheer when things went well. Not only were the characters deep, there was so much to the storyline. Although there is a lot of information to this book, it is easy to follow, with great world building. There is music, dancing, sex, family, friendship, and so much more. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who needs a good book full of humor, wit, and lots of emotions.

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Queen’s Destiny (Blood Prophecy Book 1) by Barb Jones – Review by Mandy Ott

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Queen's Destiny (The Blood Prophecy, #1)Queen’s Destiny by Barb Jones
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is my first read by Barb Jones so I wasn’t sure what to expect. Queen’s Destiny sort of took me by surprise. I really liked the idea of the book but felt like some of the elements were rushed, while others were unnecessarily drawn out. I did like how the story alternated between time periods but found myself lost at times because of it. I love all the paranormal aspects of the story including vampires, werewolves, and witches, but I found myself getting lost in all the different characters. Overall, this was a very well written story with wonderful ideas and great world building. However, I still felt like something was missing; almost like a lost connection somewhere along the way. I do feel that this series could have a lot of potential and cannot wait to read the next book.

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Hate You Later (Lit Lovers Series Book 1) by Ciara Blume – Review by Mandy Ott

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

Hate You Later is such a feel good romantic comedy! The banter between the two main characters, Georgia and Hudson, as they pretend to be their pets for an influencer challenge is so entertaining and flirtatious. This book has it all though; there’s humor, realistic, loveable characters, lots of ups and downs, and of course, pets! The inclusion of the pets is such an important part of this story and Ciara Blume does a wonderful job in seamlessly incorporating them. This was the first book I’ve read by Blume, but after reading this book, it certainly won’t be the last! I recommend this book to anyone who needs a feel-good, enemies to lovers romance.

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The Serpent Awakens by Luna Saint Claire – Review by Mandy Ott

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The Serpent AwakensThe Serpent Awakens by Luna Saint Claire
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the first time I’ve read anything by Luna Saint Claire but was not disappointed. Personally, I felt this story started off a little slowly and introduced many names into the mix (almost to the point of confusion), but leveled off fairly quickly. Right off the bat, I wanted to hate Nico; he seemed selfish, abusive, and narcissistic. But, the continued story gave me an inside look into Nico’s past that allowed me to better understand the circumstances that made Nico the way he is. I don’t think his past can excuse the way he treated people, but it does help understand him a little better. Luna Saint Claire creates such a vivid, expressive story that I felt like I was right there in the middle of Nico’s travels. The characters are diverse, realistic, and very well-written. Overall, The Serpent Awakens is a wonderfully written book that delves into a person’s spiritual and personal awakening.

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Grave Digger Academy II (Grave Digger Academy Book 2) by C.A. King – Review by Mandy Ott

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Grave Digger Academy IIGrave Digger Academy II by C.A. King
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This second book in the series picks up where the first book left off. I liked this book a little better than the first; the characters have more depth, the story doesn’t feel quite as rushed overall, and the reader learns a little more about the other Academies. I really liked that Makayla’s brothers make more of an appearance in Grave Digger Academy II. While Makayla is the youngest and the only girl in her family, she seemed extremely isolated and lonely in the first book; but in this second installment the reader sees that’s not really the case. Her brothers seem to be very protective of Makayla. I love C. A. King and can’t wait for the next book in the Grave Digger Academy series!

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Dainty Damsels by J.N. Sheats – Review by Mandy Ott

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Dainty Damsels: Halloween Collection 2022Dainty Damsels: Halloween Collection 2022 by J.N. Sheats
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This collection of Halloween coloring pages is great for all ages! I love that there is a sample page at the beginning to test your coloring materials for bleed thru. The pictures are so fun and whimsical and this collection combines two of my favorite things: coloring and Halloween! I was so excited to see this collection and it has not disappointed! My daughter and I have had so much fun coloring together. There is something that appeals to everyone!

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Grave Digger Academy (Grave Digger Academy Book 1) by C.A. King – Review by Mandy Ott

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Grave Digger AcademyGrave Digger Academy by C.A. King
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have read several books by C. A. King so I was very excited for this new series. This is a young adult paranormal novel that follows a young witch at the beginning of her journey in Academy, where witches learn how to properly use their magic. Makayla must navigate an unappealing Academy, classes where topics are taboo, and run-ins with the dead. Overall, I really liked this book. It’s a great start to the series. The characters are well thought out, and relatable, even if they’re witches; there is a great story line as well. There were parts throughout the story, however, that felt rather rushed. It almost felt as if some thoughts were incomplete. The characters and the overall story kept me reading and interested and I am honestly looking forward to the second book in the series.

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Necrosis by C. L. Schneider – Review by Mandy Ott

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NecrosisNecrosis by C.L. Schneider
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect when starting Necrosis. The synopsis sounded pretty promising so I went with it. I was pleasantly surprised at the depth and emotion written by C. L. Schneider. The reader finds the main character, Amy, haunted by her past, but trying to survive into the future. There is so much information added to the story as well. Not only does the reader get the main story of a zombie type apocalypse, you get the emotional story of Amy’s life. The story line is well thought out and the characters are realistic. Filled with descriptive writing, Necrosis takes the reader on a wild ride filled with terror, hope, disease, and, ultimately, ends with a mother’s sacrifice to save her daughter. This is definitely a must read for anyone who likes zombie apocalypse stories with feelings.

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Fractured Worlds: Courage in the Apocalypse by Courtney Konstantin – Review by Mandy Ott

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Fractured World: Courage in the Apocalypse CollectionFractured World: Courage in the Apocalypse Collection by Maira Dawn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love dystopian and apocalypse stories and this collection did not disappoint! There are so many different types of stories in this collection; there is a tale for everyone! The stories were original and intense, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat. Many of the adventures were so well-written and frighteningly realistic that I got chills. I loved that the stories were not connected so they could be read in any order (and reread whenever I want). The thing that stuck out about all of the stories in this collection was the sense of connection and mutual support between the characters. The teamwork between characters helped keep them going. This is definitely a must read collection for fans of apocalyptic, dystopian stories! Overall, I was very impressed and will be looking for many of these authors in the future.

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The Girl Who Escaped by Mark Nolan – Review by Mandy Ott

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The Girl Who EscapedThe Girl Who Escaped by Mark Nolan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was the first book I’ve read by Mark Nolan and I had really high hopes from the synopsis. The story itself is pretty interesting, but I sort of felt that some elements were a little off. It didn’t flow quite as well as I was hoping it would and skipped around from thought to thought. Overall, the characters were imaginative and somewhat believable, although some seemed extremely far fetched, like the prince and those in his employ. There are plenty of unsavory characters in the world, he just seems to be the true embodiment of evil (I guess that may have been Nolan’s point?). There is a great point I think in the beginning of The Girl Who Escaped that tells the reader to always be aware of your surroundings because even in the fun, carefree times, there is still evil around. Overall, not a bad read, but kind of disjointed.

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Hard Lover (Houston After Dark Book 2) by Deborah Garland – Review by Mandy Ott

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

Hard Lover is the first book I’ve read by Deborah Garland and all I can say is…steamy! This book has it all; spicy scenes, twists and turns, suspense, forbidden best friend’s little sister romance, and dark secrets from the past. Part of me did get frustrated with the secrets that were being kept, but I guess it did help lead the storyline. Even with all these elements, the story isn’t difficult to follow and understand; and although it’s the second in the Houston After Dark series, it can be read without having read the first book. The characters are realistic and believable, and the chemistry between Noah and Callie was unbelievably hot! The storyline is well-written and I love that the reader gets to see the story from both Callie and Noah’s points of view. I can’t wait to read more by Deborah Garland!

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The Letter Carrier by L.C. Lewis – Review by Mandy Ott

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

The Letter Carrier absolutely took my breath away. Not only is this based on the true life story of a French girl, Michelle Naget, during the German invasion of France during World War II, but it’s a tale of faith, determination, family, and perseverance. The characters of L. C. Lewis are so beautifully written and realistic that it was easy to picture the Naget family together at their house, having dinner together, interacting with one another, and loving one another. Lewis’s descriptions of the French towns and countryside, as well as her accounts of the planes and their attacks, made me feel like I was there with the Naget family preparing a meal, or traveling the roads when the German pilots began to attack. This story made me giggle with the connection the family has with each other. But there is also heartache and worry, as well as anger and horror. The Letter Carrier is so many things rolled into one and I couldn’t put it down!

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Ritual Obsession (Blood Obsession Book 1) by R.L. Dunn – Review by Mandy Ott

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Ritual Obsession (Blood Obsession Book 1)Ritual Obsession by R.L. Dunn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a first read for me by R. L. Dunn and I was not disappointed! In this first book in the Blood Obsession series, the author creates totally different, but coexisting worlds. I was drawn in from the very first chapter and couldn’t put this book down. Ritual Obsession is filled with twists and turns, suspense, romance, drama, and everything in between. The connection between the characters is so realistic and each character is so unique that I couldn’t help but want to be friends with some of them! Dunn creates not only one but two strong, female characters that know how to hold their own in the male dominated world of the NYPD. With strong character development, great world building, and action, romance, and suspense in abundance, Ritual Obsession is not a book to miss.

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Goddess of Everything: A Blood-Curdling Tale of Truth, Freedom, and Love by Paul DeBlassie III – Review by Mandy Ott

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Goddess of EverythingGoddess of Everything by Paul DeBlassie III
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Although not the first book I’ve read by Paul DeBlassie III, Goddess of Everything is, by far, my favorite! Not only does this book have horror and supernatural elements, but DeBlassie throws in psychological elements, with lots of twists and turns along the way. The story and the characters are both so well- developed and I found myself fascinated by the character of Mother Juana. Such evil inside one person, but veiled by religion and beliefs to the point that most of those around her, even her own son, are in awe of her. It made me want to yell like I do at the typical horror movie, “why can’t you see how evil she is?” If you are looking for a page-turning, supernatural, psychological horror story that you can’t put down, filled with believable, relatable, realistic characters, then this is the book for you!

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Something About Aimee (Girls from the Street Book 1) by S.E. Smith – Review by Mandy Ott

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

I was pleasantly surprised with Something About Aimee. S. E. Smith did an amazing job of drawing the reader in from the first chapter and never letting go! I found myself on the edge of my seat, invested in the romance between Aimee and Qadir. The descriptions of the different settings makes the reader feel like you are on the streets with Aimee or in the desert with Qadir. S. E. Smith uses great character building and an opposites attract romance, which I absolutely loved. There are so many twists and turns in the story, but somehow, it all meshes well. Something About Aimee is like a modern-day Cinderella mixed with a crime drama, complete with quick love and sneaky international criminals! I cannot wait to read more books by S. E. Smith.

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Between Darkness & Light (War of Destiny Book 3) by Theresa Van Spankeren – Review by Mandy Ott

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Between Darkness & Light (War of Destiny #3)Between Darkness & Light by Theresa Van Spankeren
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In the 3rd Book of the War of Destiny series, Between Darkness and Light begins where the second book ended. Julia made a truly difficult decision at the end of Book 2, and this book flawlessly picks up where it left off. I love how this book shows how much Julia’s decision truly impacted the members of the ka-tet. The characters in this third book continue to evolve and change with, not only the story itself, but the time period in which they find themselves. Theresa Van Spankeren does an amazing job describing all of the new places traveled to. There is still so much emotion in this book, just like the other two in the series so far! I could feel the sadness, the excitement over small triumphs, the pain that is felt. I cannot wait to read more by this author!

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Pursuit into Darkness (War of Destiny Book 2) by Theresa Van Spankeren – Review by Mandy Ott

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Pursuit into Darkness (War of Destiny, #2)Pursuit into Darkness by Theresa Van Spankeren
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This second installment in the War of Destiny series is just as great as the first. While many years have passed between the books, the time is nothing for the vampires in Julia’s ka-tet. Julia is considered a young vampire, as it’s been less than a century since she had been changed. For me, this book was a lot more emotional than the first book. I felt like, even though Julia had gone through a lot in her human life, she experiences more heartache and challenges in Pursuit into Darkness. The reader learns more about the Resistance leader, Samuel, who turned Julia. Things start to hear up between the Resistance and the evil vampire, Valentino. This book reads just as fast as the first book and I cannot wait to get started on the next book in the series!

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Lost Soul (War of Destiny Book 1) by Theresa Van Spankeren – Review by Mandy Ott

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Lost Soul (War of Destiny # 1)Lost Soul by Theresa Van Spankeren
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It took me a while to get into this book, not due to the book itself but because of life events. But, once I was able to focus more on the book, it took me less than 2 days! What a great read! The characters are so well-developed and believable! The author did a great job describing the relationship between the members of the ka-tet. Julia’s strength through so many terrible circumstances is truly exceptional. Not only is this kind of a period piece (as it’s set in the 1500s), but it’s a journey of Julia’s transformation into a vampire and her discovery of the world in this new light. I devoured the description of the world in 1500s England as well as the world of the vampires. Definitely a must read for anyone who loves tales involving the creatures of the night! I can’t wait to read the rest in this War of Destiny series.

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The Second Alpha Heir by C. L. Ledford – Review by Mandy Ott

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The Second Alpha HeirThe Second Alpha Heir by C.L. Ledford
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book captured my attention from the very beginning! I was expecting your typical shifter romance, but was pleasantly surprised by the depth of the story. C. L. Ledford pulls you right in to the emotional roller coaster of the story when the oldest son of the Alpha, and brother of the main character, Archer is killed. This story follows the second son, Nolen, as he begins training to become Alpha. The Second Alpha Heir is full of ups and downs, and so many emotions as Nolen navigates training, growing up, and finally shifting and finding his mate. C. L. Ledford delivers a wonderfully imaginative and descriptive story along with captivating characters that you’ll just fall in love with! I can’t wait to read more books by C. L. Ledford.

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The Lie That Binds by Amy Argent – Review by Mandy Ott

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The Lie That BindsThe Lie That Binds by Amy Argent
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This novel by Amy Argent exceeded expectations! I had read previous books by this author, but the genre for The Lie That Binds was a little different. While still a romance, this book was more of a Young Adult read. The story took me back to high school; where what your friends and others thought of you was truly one of the most important things. The secrets and lies that the two main characters navigate throughout the book, together and separately, was truly amazing. How many secrets and lies are told in the world of a single high school on a daily basis? The Lie That Binds makes you truly think about what is important. Holly and Nathan not only traverse the secrets and lies, but they must come to terms with the feelings that first love evokes in them. This story has a wide array of realistic, relatable characters; some that I liked, others I did not, but all were necessary in the overall telling of the story. I can’t wait to read more books from Amy Argent!

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Finding Starlight (Quimby Grove Book 1) by Shannon Nikole – Review by Mandy Ott

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Finding Starlight (Quimby Grove #1)Finding Starlight by Shannon Nikole
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

First, I want to say, I love the main character’s name, Ellawyn! Shannon Nikole delivers a page-turning story in Finding Starlight. I was drawn in quickly from the very first page and couldn’t put it down. The story has romance, heartache, twists and turns, suspense, and drama all rolled into one. I did feel like some elements of the story were rushed while others were kind of left for the reader to draw their own conclusions. But, overall, Finding Starlight was a great start to a series. The main characters were well thought out, realistic, and relatable. I found myself wanting to transport myself to Quimby Grove to become friends with Ellawyn, Beckett, Benji, and Max! This book definitely contains some triggers such as domestic violence, stalking, assault, and terminal illness. But, I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for something to stir up emotions; sadness, love, fear, anger. Finding Starlight has it all.

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The Mastermind (WaterFyre Rising Book 1) by Nadia Han – Review by Mandy Ott

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The Mastermind (WaterFyre Rising, #1)The Mastermind by Nadia Han
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was expecting your typical “brother’s best friend” story when I started reading The Mastermind; but wow! I was not expecting to have all the suspense, shaded pasts, danger, mystery, and romance! Nadia Han delivers wonderfully realistic and flawed characters along with a compelling story line in a book that was hard to put down! I was drawn to the characters and the sizzle and spark between Remi and Audri. They obviously care for one another, evidenced in the easy banter between them, but neither one wants to hurt the other with their troubled pasts. The twists and turns in the story made me keep turning, page after page, devouring the book! This was a first time author for me and she did not disappoint and has added a new follower. I cannot wait for the next book!

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As Close to Perfect by Maria Jane – Review by Mandy Ott

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As Close to PerfectAs Close to Perfect by Maria Jane
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

As Close to Perfect is a modern, relatable romance that captured my attention. The main character, Bree, has been hurt by past romances and it has caused her to become very critical of those she let’s into her life. Bree seems pretty judgmental towards the opposite sex based on her negative experiences in the past. For example, Bree has been hurt by “jocks” before so she has sworn off dating all those she sees as “jocks.” I did find it rather ironic though that, to improve her social life, Bree begins taking tennis lessons. I would consider tennis a sport played by “jocks.” Overall, Maria Jane did an amazing job building her characters; they were well-written, believable, and relatable. I also enjoyed the overall story. I look forward to reading more books by Maria Jane.

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Thorfinn and the Witch’s Curse (The Forerunner Saga Book 1) by Jay Veloso Batista – Review by Mandy Ott

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Thorfinn and the Witch's Curse (The Forerunner Series #1)Thorfinn and the Witch’s Curse by Jay Veloso Batista
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thorfinn and the Witch’s Curse is a wonderful exploration into myths, legends, folklore, history, and magic! Jay Veloso Batista creates an amazing world with his descriptive words and wonderful characters. I felt the book started a little slow with the introduction of many of the characters, but picked up quickly. Overall, this is a delightful book full of adventure and great storytelling. It draws you in until the very last page and leaves you wanting more! I can’t wait to read more from Jay Veloso Batista.

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Flame and Crystal Thorns (Far and Crystal Thorns Book 1) by Kay L. Moody – Review by Mandy Ott

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

This is my first time reading Kay L. Moody and was rewarded with a well written, fairy fantasy story. This is a spin-off from one of Moody’s previous series, The Fae of Bitter Thorn. While this is a new series and can be read without previous knowledge, I did feel like I was missing a little bit of backstory that may have been divulged in the other series. However, the wonderful world building and character development in Flame and Crystal Thorns made it seem as if that previous knowledge was unnecessary. I am a fan of this type of story and have read many fantasy novels over the years, but Kay L. Moody is able to create a world that is unique yet somehow familiar. The struggle Chloe goes through in wanting to help everyone yet having to choose who to save is heartbreaking. Chloe is realistic, witty, and headstrong. I can’t wait to read more from Kay L. Moody!

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Everything To Me (Playing for Keeps Book 2) by Lauren Fraser – Review by Mandy Ott

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Everything to Me (Playing for Keeps Book 2)Everything to Me by Lauren Fraser
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Lauren Fraser is a first time author for me and I was impressed. The main content of Everything To Me started quickly without a whole lot of fluff to distract the reader. I love the sports element included in this book, and the fact the main character, Kendall, is a fan of baseball creates a very complex character. There wasn’t a whole lot of delving into the lives of the secondary characters, but the two main characters were well developed and realistic. I want to be friends with a couple like Kendall and Pete! Lauren Fraser did a great job keeping the “brother’s best friend” genre from being too overplayed by focusing more on the connection and emotions between Pete and Kendall. Both of the main characters, but especially Pete, went through a lot of emotional changes and growth throughout the book. Fraser does a wonderful job of creating a quick, witty, emotional read while allowing the reader to still connect with the characters. I can’t wait to read more books by Lauren Fraser.

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The Scent of Gardenias by Lorraine Haas – Review by Mandy Ott

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The Scent of GardeniasThe Scent of Gardenias by Lorraine Haas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was very unsure about this book at first, as it’s not something I would usually read. But I was pleasantly surprised by The Scent of Gardenias. It was a little lengthy compared to the books I’ve read lately and parts did not hold my attention well. Overall, however, Lorraine Haas delivers great character building and scene setting. I felt transported to the small town life of the early 1940s, where a young girl dreams and strives for a better life for herself than the one she was raised. The trials and tribulations that are experienced and related in this book seem very authentic and realistic, as it is based on the life of the author’s own mother. There were so many emotions in this book, from sadness and heartbreak, to fear and determination, to courage and love. The Scent of Gardenias is a well written story of the courageous journey of one woman to defy the odds to provide for her family. I can’t wait to read more by Lorraine Haas.

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