https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Maura Harperhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngMaura Harper2018-10-08 08:01:012018-10-31 10:50:41The Sound of Love (The Sound Series Book 1) by Maria Watts – Review by Maura Harper
I have been reading this series out of order and I’m so glad to finally get to Leah and Cap’s story. First of all, I read a “warning” somewhere that said “This is NOT a Christian Romance” – I appreciate whoever wrote that because in the first few pages, that’s exactly what I thought I was going to be reading. (I had not read the warning before hand) There is a very strong religious “tone” in this story that, at times, had me scratching my head about where it was trying to lead me.
This is a story of conflicts. Where do one’s beliefs come from and how much influence does the religion of our childhood gel with the religion of our adulthood. An interesting premise. As we follow the story from beginning to end, we see the MC allow herself to be pulled in different directions depending on who she is talking to. “I hate feeling like I am a bad Christian or a hypocrite, you know?”.
I have a hard time with the characters. Initially I didn’t like Leah very much. There was just something about her that rubbed me the wrong way. She was a lovely people pleaser who always put others needs before her own. She has an immaturity about her that belies her age. For someone who is so “worldly” in the ways a business runs she sure was innocent about the world. “…swingers? It seemed like a mythical construct to her like Santa Claus or Bigfoot, instead of the real thing. hahahaha Cap is a strong, domineering man that I felt was a little too strong handed and almost whiny.
While this was not my favorite book of the series, I appreciate the tale the author weaves. Perhaps if I had read this story ANY other time than October of 2018, I would have had a completely different reaction to it. Which is why I’ve rated it the way I did. The author does a fantastic job of telling a story that has meaning, depth and weight to it while setting up the rest of the series. Nice job!!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Maura Harperhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngMaura Harper2018-10-07 05:45:352018-11-08 09:59:55Fisher of Men (Eastern Shore Swingers Book 1) by Phoebe Alexander – Review by Maura Harper
~sigh~ This was a quick and easy romance that is full of good friends, small town charm, romance and a bit of angst.
One of the many things I enjoyed about this story is that neither protagonist is an over the top alpha. They are both strong and independent and able to deal with life on an individual basis. This story seems to be the start or a series because we are introduced to many different characters. Each is well developed with individual traits that make up part of a hole.
There are a few dangling questions for me that I’m sure will be answered in future stories in the series.
I really like reading books by this author and I don’t recall ever being disappointed in anything she has written.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Maura Harperhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngMaura Harper2018-10-04 07:36:272018-10-05 07:38:47Summer Fling by Tarrah Anders – Review by Maura Harper
Wow, this book had me turning pages so fast because I couldn’t absorb the story fast enough. There was no way I could take a break to be an adult while reading it.
This is the first book in “The Immortal Series” and I’m so glad I have book 2 downloaded already.
This story had a familiarity about it but was different enough that it heads in a direction I was not expecting. I read this blind so wasn’t sure exactly what the story would be about.
The character development is spot on. The descriptions of locations was detailed enough to be visual but not so detailed that it dragged the story down. The story has a very obvious beginning,middle, and end and has a well thought out plot. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
This is a fantastic book for young and old readers alike.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Maura Harperhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngMaura Harper2018-10-03 13:25:292018-10-04 13:30:25The Reader (The Immortal Series Book One) by M.K. Harkins – Review by Maura Harper
This is one of those books that pulled me in from the very first sentence. It starts out in such a way that I thought I was jumping into the middle of the series, but it was actually a BRILLIANT way to begin this series. I turned the pages as fast as I could while absorbing all the goodness that this paranormal story has to offer.
The story is one that has very clear lines of good vs evil. Each character is well defined in their role within the story. Like their own little clan of superheros, there are all sorts of “gifts” such as freezing or healing or pyrokinesis, and of course your average, run of the mill psychic/mind reader. There are six “brothers” so I’m sure we will be finding out more about each of these talented men.
The story was very quick paced, it was a multi-layered read that had the perfect blend of romance and revenge and a whole lot of other action in between.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Maura Harperhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngMaura Harper2018-10-02 04:52:392018-10-03 05:02:17Releasing the Demons (The Order of the Senary) by L.D. Rose – Review by Maura Harper
I enjoy dragon stories very much. This is book 2 in a series and I was a little lost at times trying to follow the family tree as the story is being told. I had to muddle through the lines to figure out who was who in this large family. Once I was able to work it all out, I settled in to a decent read.
The two main characters in this book are so similar yet so different. Each ignore their base needs because they think their destiny is elsewhere. The male protagonist is kind of a jerk. The female protagonist is stronger than she even realizes and it was interesting to see the two co-mingle and work out their skeletons.
This is a very visually appealing story. At times I felt myself flying through the air and looking at the ground below just like the characters. The world building is interesting and I can see how this series can continue on for many books to come.
If you are a fan of this style fiction, I would absolutely recommend this book.
Special Agent Charli (Undercover FBI Book 6) by Mimi Barbour is the first book I’ve read by this author. It was fantastic.
I enjoyed the way the characters were set up. There is obviously something that has happened to “Charli” in the past and yet I didn’t feel slighted not knowing exactly what it was because of the way the story unfolded. There is no question as to who the good guys and the bad guys are in this story. In addition to the mystery of the story (nothing like a good witness protection story) I also loved the overall message of the story that EVERYONE is worthy to be loved. The younger characters really pulled at my heart strings and I hope they get their own story in the future. I bet they go on to do amazing things in this world.
The story moves along quickly, I was able to read it in one sitting and while it had some steamy parts, there weren’t so many that it made them gratuitous. The word count in the story is perfect. It was a great book to snuggle down with on a chilly Sunday afternoon (it was a beautiful sunny afternoon and I should have been outside, but the book was soooo good that I didn’t want to put it down.)
The dedication of the story and knowing that one of the characters is modeled after such an important person made me smile and wish I had such a relationship in my life.
I will begin “following” the author to see what other stories they have written. 5 stars for an enjoyable book.
Ummmm, I am rating this as five stars and would rate it a negative 10 for how scared this book makes me feel about our future. IT IS THAT REALISTIC AT THE HEART OF IT ALL.
I read this book today, September 29, 2018 after a very trying week for our country and the divide that is opening further along party lines and humanity. This is one of the best dystopian books I’ve read. It reminded me a lot of a Stephen King novel called “The Stand”.
This story is told from the protagonist’s point of view in both past and present tense. It’s a story that held my attention from beginning to end and I will admit that I skipped ahead a few times because I couldn’t stand the suspense.
The writing is very visual and I was able to read it as if I was watching a movie. I could go on and on and compare and contrast the state of the world today with the state of the world in this story. I could also go on and on about how the author has interwoven so many different elements, but I just don’t want to take away th journey for someone else.
I absolutely recommend this book to friends and family alike.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Maura Harperhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngMaura Harper2018-09-29 00:19:112018-10-31 11:56:00The Last Keeper of the Light: a dystopian fantasy by Nikki Broadwell – Review by Maura Harper
Georgia Pine is book 3 in the Southern Promises Series and can absolutely be read as a stand-alone.
This is the story of the 6′ 5″ 235 lb male specimen named Tim (as I was reading, I pictured Brock O’Hurn or Danny Jones) and a young mother of 4 daughters named Jessica. Both Tim and Jessica had sweet personalities and they were a fun couple to read about.
As with all of the other books I’ve read written by this author, this was a quick – easy to read story. Georgia Pine contained a few funny moments, a lot of realism (what mom hasn’t given herself a time out) and emotions. There were a few people who I wanted to “punch in the throat” and one really cool friend who I wish was my bestie also.
The story line is well developed with a very defined beginning, middle and end and I never doubted where this story was going to end. Exactly as I was hoping it would.
I absolutely recommend this author, this series, and this book.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Maura Harperhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngMaura Harper2018-09-27 21:39:282018-10-31 12:45:22Georgia Pine (Southern Promises Book 3) by K.G. Fletcher – Review by Maura Harper
This is the first I’ve read by this author. MARKS OF THE MAZZA is book 1 in a new series. This book sets up future stories generally well. The characters are well described and we know everyone’s role in the story.
If you aren’t familiar with “Reverse Harem” it is when one woman is taken care of by multiple men. It is explained that while this isn’t a poly relationship, there won’t be any jealousy because the friends already love each other and want the best for each other.
There is a bit of suspense, humor, sexy times and a decent basis for a story. My ONLY complaint is that if the protagonist is so “woke” I would think she would have some resistance to her new station in life. It was just a little something that bugged me.
I will be reading future installments of this series.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Maura Harperhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngMaura Harper2018-09-18 21:41:202018-11-08 10:01:58Marks of the Mazza: Reverse Harem (Mazza Series Book 1) by Blake Blessing – Review by Maura Harper
This is one of those books that as I was reading, I kept comparing to today’s socio-economic-political situations.
RUNNING FROM DEMONS is the first book I’ve read by this author and while it is the second book in a series, I did not realize it until I read the comments at the end of the book.
This book was a tale that involves lots of characters, some well developed and important – others are background players to move the story forward. It is well plotted and has a very clear beginning, middle and end. The world building was fantastic and yet it seemed so familiar. Although this book is set in a “made up” land and time, there are familiar themes to the story. For example:
“Time to go to the restrooms before the bus takes off.” … “I don’t have to go.” … “Well, squeeze your drips. I’ll smack you up the head if you start whining on the bus.”
This book almost reads like an RPG story. It is written with such detail that I felt and the MC’s were able to make decisions based on limited facts.
I am going to be adding this to my TBRA (to be read again) pile because I will revisit it when the next installment comes out.
I would recommend this to readers from YA to my mom’s book club.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Maura Harperhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngMaura Harper2018-09-16 13:55:472018-10-03 04:39:12Running from Demons by M.K. Theodoratus – review by Maura Harper
I’ve read other books by this author and have always enjoyed the tales that are weaved.
I was half way through “UNBREAK THIS HEART” before I realized what the title was about. (I also sing a song every time I say the title). It’s about retaking your power and moving forward. This book is certainly about healing.
There were times during this story that I laughed and cringed and cried and sighed. There is a particular character who I wanted to throat punch. There is ugliness and beauty in this story.
It was a bit of a longer book than I remember the author writing in other books – but that could just be my impression.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Maura Harperhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngMaura Harper2018-09-15 21:39:502018-10-03 04:40:00Unbreak This Heart by Betty Shreffler – Review by Maura Harper
Let me start this review by saying that I JUST found out it is book 2 in The Sand Dollar Series. Book 3 doesn’t come out until 2019 and it’s the first that has been added to my “next year release TBR”. I honestly did not know this story started somewhere else. It actually changes my perspective on a few things.
This is the first book I’ve read by this author and WISH I HAD A NICKEL is extremely detailed. At times it felt a bit like a tour of the town, other times a recap of recent weather disasters and still other times like a vacation diary from someone’s road trip. I was able to visually 97% of the descriptions in my mind’s eye.
The characters are interesting. There are layers to them and it’s not always obvious what they are thinking. This is an interesting story because it’s told from the male’s point of view. This is a story about first love and best friends and oh so much more. I was surprised by the end. I thought a book of this length would stand on it’s own. I didn’t realize (as I mentioned before) that this is actually part of a series. I read it “blind” so wasn’t sure what to expect.
I think this could be classified as a “Christian Contemporary Fiction” and I appreciated that tone in which the story is told. It’s not too heavy handed, but you know where the characters lean. It’s never judgmental of the reader and their knowledge of religion. It’s also a romance with no bedroom scenes which is a pleasant break from what I’ve recently been reading.
This is a book I would recommend to my elderly mother’s book club and my neighborhood book club alike.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Maura Harperhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngMaura Harper2018-09-04 21:46:502018-10-03 04:41:24Wish I Had A Nickel (The Sand Dollar Series Book 2) by J D Boudreaux – Review by Maura Harper
This is Book 2 of the “Intentional Series” and I highly recommend reading book 1 first.
I enjoyed UNINTENTIONAL better than the 1st book. I am so glad that this book was written. I had expectations of how it was all going to play out and because this is a spoiler free review I will not go any further with that thought.
I enjoy the way this author writes. The story flows well and takes its twists and turns smoothly and purposefully. Characters were well developed and all of my questions are satisfied.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Maura Harperhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngMaura Harper2018-08-24 21:49:492018-10-03 04:43:08Unintentional (Intentional Series Book 2) by M.K. Harkins – Review by Maura Harper
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The Sound of Love by Maria Watts
