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Hidden Mischief (Shattered Embrace Series) by Alyndra Quinn – Review by M Policicchio

Hidden Mischief (Shattered Embrace #1)Hidden Mischief by Alyndra Quinn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Fantastic book. Love the characters. The friendship between Derek and Ashton is wonderful…heck Ashton’s friendship with the other guys is great. I love how she doesn’t take their nonsense. The blossoming relationship between Zach and Ashton has so many possibilities. I hope it only gets better from here.

My heart aches for Ashton. Her world changed in one tragic moment. Her true nature was hidden, locked away, for so long. As she tries to navigate this relationship with Zach as both his girlfriend and more, I hope it only builds her confidence. Zach will surely remember what it is like to just have a girlfriend. The scene where Ashton calls Graham to get Graham to explain to Zach about being a boyfriend was absolutely hilarious and heartbreaking all at the same time.

I am excited for the second in the series. I hope we get some more club scenes!!!

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Travels Through Aqua, Green, and Blue: A Memoir by Mary E. Gregory – Review by MPolicicchio

Terrifying Love: A Halloween AnthologyTerrifying Love: A Halloween Anthology by Serena Nova
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Terrifying Love: A Halloween Anthology

4 out of 5 stars

The new stories of the frightening ways love can manifest are interspersed with haunting love poems. Each tale takes you to the edge of your seat. Will strangers risk everything for each other? Does true love last through the centuries? Can beings see past their differences or long-held beliefs to find true love?

One of the stories that had me gripping my pillow was Reflections of the Past by Melody Calder. Mary’s story started with feeling out of place where she should have felt at home. The chances Mary took to find belonging led her to real love. When everything in Mary’s world is destroyed, she finds a way to get her revenge. Sins of the past haunt Lia in ways she doesn’t even know yet as Mary’s vengeance collides with Lia’s heart. With Lia’s understanding, Mary is finally able to find peace.

The other story that caused my pillow distress was Runes and Fangs by Victoria Larque. Kayla has every reason to hate after what she has gone through. Minette should feel the same way but doesn’t let her light fade because of the actions of others. When Kayla first meets Minette, Minette should cower but doesn’t. Minette finds it within herself to be strong. Kayla should despise Minette but can’t seem to feel anything other than protective. Together, they seem to be able to accomplish the impossible while finding love.

Which story will be your favorite?

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Red Coat by Isobella Dunn – Review by M Policicchio

Red CoatRed Coat by Isobella Dunn
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Red Coat by Isobella Dunn

3 out of 5 stars

Red Coat by Isobella Dunn is a heartwarming tale of rekindled love, learning to trust again, and finding family that strums all the appropriate heartstrings.

Sara, finding her latest foster placement no longer safe, decides that it is time for a new one. She has been warned that if she attempted to run away again, she would have to be moved. Hoping the threats are real, that is exactly what she does. Luckily, the threats are true but that means leaving her best friends behind.

Ten years later, Sara is now a Social Worker working for a foster care placement agency. Sara specializes in hard to reach children. Rachael is brought to the agency because she has run away, again. Sara is called in on her day off to try to talk to Rachael to find out why she doesn’t want to remain in her current foster placement. Rachael finds Sara different from all the other adults in her life that just make decisions for her, never really listening. Sara earns Rachael’s trust enough for Rachael to disclose the real reasons she doesn’t want to return to the foster home, a reason Sara knows all too well.

Rachael’s former foster father is on the run because Rachael talked. Sara promised that he would not find her but when he calls the group home she was placed, Rachael decides to make it so he won’t find her by disappearing in the middle of the night. Rachael runs to the one place Sara doesn’t want to return, the same town Sara abandoned years before. When Sara arrives in town to retrieve Rachael, she discovers that her former best friend, Colin, is the town sheriff. Now Sara must rely on Colin to keep Rachael safe from looming danger.

Can Sara and Colin rekindle the friendship and possibly find love? Is Sara the family that Rachael is longing for? Will the danger follow them?

This book contains triggering material for some. Graphic descriptions of domestic assault, child abuse, and attempted rape throughout the book may make this a difficult read for some. Inaccurate portrayals of the foster care system and its processes ruined the overall enjoyment of the story this reviewer. Some of these inaccuracies were key parts of the plotline causing the rhythm and flow to be off. This is not the first story I have read by Ms. Dunn. Where I do enjoy her storytelling ability, this one was a bit of a disappointment due to this and some other minor issues in character and plot development. I look forward to reading her next story.

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In His Kiss (Unrequited Series Book 1) by Ava Alise – Review by MPolicicchio

In His Kiss (The Unrequited Series Book 1)In His Kiss by Ava Alise
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In His Kiss (The Unrequited Series Book 1) by Ava Alise

4 of 5 Stars

Xia and Jordan have been friends since they were in diapers but somewhere along the way, each fell for the other. Because of fear, youth and bad timing, neither was ready to reveal their feelings until one night with a drink or two too many. Will it ruin the lifelong friendship?

Xia’s life is falling apart. Jordan was there, as always, to catch and support her. He is reeling from this latest discovery, as well, because their families have always been so close. Jordan knows that he has to keep it together to be there for Xia as she copes with this family disaster. Xia was there for him 2 years ago for his own family tragedy. She had always been there. Jordan knew there would never be a question if he would be there for her, he just hoped that it would be more than friends.

Ava Alise delicately wrings out the emotions of the reader. I became a part of the friend group with Roman, King, Cherry and Kenzie. I was a student in class with Professor Satchi. I hated Ben and supported Della. Ava Alise handles the mental health issues of her characters with respect, appreciation and love.

I can’t wait for Book Two!

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Bound by Secrets (Deadly Isles Special Ops Series Book 2) by Amy McKinley – Review by M Policicchio

4 out of 5 Stars

Kayla starts her journey on the run from a possessive, cheating boyfriend. Kayla runs to the one place she thinks she can be safe, home. Home isn’t as safe as she thinks. A casual run in with Jaxon, her high school crush, at her favorite coffee spot leaves her mind spinning with feelings from the past and memories she doesn’t want. Text messages and a frightening phone call from the ex makes Kayla believe that the safest place for her physically is the most dangerous place for her emotionally.

As Kayla and Jaxon spend time together, Kayla works through her grief for the brother that was tragically lost in an car accident. Kayla discovers that taking chances emotionally may lead her to the greatest love she won’t let herself have.

There are twists and secrets that lead to discoveries that release Kayla from the restraints she has put on herself when it comes to Jaxon. Will she lose everything just when things are aligning for what she has always wanted, forever with Jaxon?

A page-turner that will have you wondering to the final secret has come to light.