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SHORTCUTS (Singularities) by Amy Bearce – Review by Maura Harper

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ShortcutsShortcuts by Amy Bearce
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this book and then went through it again because I felt like I was missing something – I tend to read very quickly and sometimes don’t absorb important facts. It was after running through it the second time that I realized what I read was meant for the Y/A crowd, so it’s not going to have the resolutions I am looking for (I specifically want to know more about Dr. O and the clinic).

SHORTCUTS is a story about just that, taking shortcuts to get what a perceived outcome should be. Each of the high schoolers featured in the story have an enviable “power”. There’s an empath, a boy with telekinesis, a “psychic”, one with supersonic hearing, Josh and Mia (I don’t want to give anything away so won’t tell you what they are up to).

Parker is a girl who wants to help everyone feel better and the theme of the story are the shortcuts she takes to “help” others along. Messing with destiny can have life altering results.

This book was well written, the friendships are strong and diverse and the energy of the book was fast paced. It certainly held my attention from beginning to end. I think there are covert lessons to be learned also. Everyone is carrying a burden; some share the burdens better than others. Everyone deserves to have friends and be loved. Most importantly, there is no such thing as a shortcut. Every action has a counter action which is not always what we want it to be.

I absolutely would recommend this story to my younger cousins.

Review by @mauraharper

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Lies Come True (The Avery Hart Trilogy Book 1) by Emerald O’Brien – Review by Maura Harper

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Lies Come True (Avery Hart Trilogy, #1)Lies Come True by Emerald O’Brien
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

WOW!!!

This story was a real page turner for me. LIES COME TRUE is book 1 in the Avery Hart trilogy and holy moly if the next two are as good as this one, I will never get chores done until the very last page.

This is one of those books that I desperately wanted to skip ahead to find out how it resolves itself. There are A LOT of characters and sometimes I had to slow down to remember who was who. The story has a very strong plot point that involves mis-direction, murder, and mystery. There were parts that made me grateful I wasn’t reading it home alone. It is NOT horror, but there was a noise in the dark that gave me pause.

While this is a long book with lots of chapters, each chapter was on the shorter side so it was easy to navigate from the beginning to the end.

I absolutely will be downloading the second and third books in the trilogy because I need to know who/what/why/how/when IMMEDIATELY.

Review by @mauraharper

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REWIND by Rowan Shaw – Review by Maura Harper

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Rewind (Rewind #1)Rewind by Rowan Shaw
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I hope that the literary world embraces change faster than the human world and soon we will no longer have to categorize ANY story as L B G T or Q. Love is love is love is love (and hate is hate). If everyone could just embrace others as being flesh and blood, wouldn’t the world be better for it?

Anyway…

I love when a story has a soundtrack that accompanies it. REWIND has a couple of “playlists” of sorts. You can click a link to learn how to pronounce character’s names (always handy). You can click a link to find the recipes that are featured in the story. There are a few others also – worth the time to explore.

On to my review of the actual story. This is a book that is told in dual points of view flashing between past and present. It’s a tale that has drama and tragedy and second chances and love. This is a story that I wanted to throw my Kindle against the wall a few times because I was super frustrated with certain aspects. Overall, this is a story I enjoyed and I intend to continue the series.

“Why did people always think that me being queer meant they could ask all kinds of weird shit about my sex life?” WHY INDEED!!

The story flowed pretty well, the characters are developed and the overall story seemed to follow plot points. There is a super strong undertone of homo-phobia and lack of compassion in the story and it made me feel bad for the characters. Their choices in friends and dates leave much to be desired. (Did I mention I wanted to hurl my Kindle a few times?).

I look forward to reading book 2 in the series.

Review by @mauraharper

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Operation Boyfriend by Molly Zenk – Review by Maura Harper

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Operation BoyfriendOperation Boyfriend by Molly Zenk
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is one of those books that as i was reading, i was highlighting a bunch of quotes because they offered terrific advice or would be a great motivational poster. There is a lot of good in this book and then there is the main female and her supposed best friend. As I read further into the story, I wanted to hang the quotes and posters in their apartment.

This is a clean story that has a religious undertone, family values and sibling love.

The story started out very strong for me. I liked where the story was heading and how it was going to get there. I thought unless everyone turned into zombies, it couldn’t go wrong. I was wrong. Somewhere along the way it took a hard left turn and it felt like someone else began writing the story. At the end, there are a lot of elements that come into play which need to be tied up before “the end”. The last 3% of the book felt super rushed and left me feeling disappointed.

The good outweighs the rushed so that I’m able to keep my review to 4 stars and keep it on my “I would recommend” list.

Review by @mauraharper

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Drawing Bloodlines (The Princeton Allegiant Series Book 1) by Deborah Garland – Review by Maura Harper

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Drawing BloodlinesDrawing Bloodlines by Deborah Garland
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have read this author before in her “Darling Cove” series – I enjoy her writing style and the way she tells a tale. DRAWING BLOODLINES was a little bit of a departure from the “small town” feel of her previous series.

From the very first sentence to the very last period, this book turned its own pages. It’s a well balanced story that has a paranormal aspect, romance, amazing characters and terrific world building. The main characters are a great read and the secondary characters not only hold their own, but lend to great anticipation of reading their stories in the very near (crossing my fingers) future.

This book is one that I would recommend to paranormal and romance readers alike.

Review by @mauraharper

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Wild Heart (Hollywood Hearts Book 4) by Belinda Williams – Review by Maura Harper

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Wild Heart (Hollywood Hearts, #4)Wild Heart by Belinda Williams
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

WILD HEART is book 4 and the first one I’ve read in the “Hollywood Hearts” series. It is absolutely a stand-alone and I am invested enough in the secondary characters that I have added books 1-3 to my TBR list.

The author wrote a very rich story. It’s full of friendships, second chances, first loves, family of origin vs family of choice and so so much more. The characters are all well developed and the story flows well from beginning to end. I looked at the cover AFTER reading the story and was surprised by the couple chosen to represent the story. They look nothing like I imagined. That’s one of the reasons I love reading so much; we can all interpret the words our own way.

One of the things I liked the most about this story is the strength of the female protagonist and the decisions the male protagonist made in his life to keep it “normal”. The thing that surprised me about this story is the emotion it pulled out of me. I cried a few ugly tears very close to the end (I won’t tell you why or exactly when) and that was unexpected for me. Nice job Ms. Williams!

I really enjoyed this story and would recommend it.

Review by @mauraharper

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A Person Could Disappear Here by Terri George – Review by Maura Harper

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A Person Could Disappear HereA Person Could Disappear Here by Terri George
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I want to say so much about this story but don’t want to give anything away. I feel that I CANNOT do it justice by trying to be evasive. So this is my review:

A quote: “It’s all about perspective.”

Wow!
Wow!
Wow!

READ THIS BOOK!!!

Another quote: “Who among us can cast the first stone? We are all guilty of some transgression or other.”

Great World Building
Sustained Anticipation
Fantastic Visualization
Mind Blowingly Plotted

Seriously, it’s worth the read.

Review by @mauraharper

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Abandoned by Love: Book 1 in the Shattered Hearts Duet by Aleya Michelle – Review by Maura Harper

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Abandoned by Love: Book 1 in the Shattered Hearts DuetAbandoned by Love: Book 1 in the Shattered Hearts Duet by Aleya Michelle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I knew going in that this was a DUET (which means two) so I should not have been surprised by how it ended. I should have known that it was going to be tied into a neat bow at 92% when it was still “heavy”. I should have known that, even though this is a quick and great read, I would not have the answers I wanted today. No instant gratification. I am absolutely invested enough to grab the second part to find out how this ends.

ABANDONED BY LOVE is a Y/A-Coming of Age novel told in dual pov and in past and present time. The way it’s written is a really cool concept. It’s a shorter story so I was able to read it in one sitting, but I can’t imagine putting this book down even if I had something else to do. It’s one of those that stories that you know how it ends from the beginning, yet I was hopeful I misunderstood.

This is a story I would recommend to my cousins who are ready to read at a higher level and 7th grade.

The ONLY reason this is not a 5 star read for me is because I think the back and forth timeline could have been done in a smoother way. It took a little bit of the reading pleasure from me. Looking forward to reading the ending soon.

Review by @mauraharper

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Man with the Mafia (Man With #2) by Debra Falasco – Review by Maura Harper

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Man with the Mafia (Man With, #2)Man with the Mafia by Debra J. Falasco
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I found it very enjoyable. It is the second in the series and I had no problem getting right into it. When necessary characters are clearly introduced and explained.

The story is told from different points of view and a had a very strong beginning and middle. The end happened quickly and I have a few questions but it didn’t take away from the story.

While this is a mafia story it is also a suspense, romance, and a story of discovery.

I recommend this story.

Review  By @mauraharper

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Things We Lost (Loving Locksley Book 1) by Shae Banks – Review by Maura Harper

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Things We Lost (Loving Locksley Book 1)Things We Lost by Shae Banks
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the first book I’ve read by this author and is also the first of a series.

The characters are well developed and the story has a very defined beginning, middle, and end. I was smiling on page 1 when the female protagonist got new job and was getting into this thing we call life.

Although this story was predictable at times, it held my attention through the whole story.

Review by @mauraharper
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Hawke (Men of Syn Book 1) by Anise Storm – Review by Maura Harper

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Hawke (Men of Syn, #1)Hawke by Anise Storm
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Based on the blurb, I expected this story to be much lighter than it is. This is as dark story that screws with the mind as it progresses. There are lots of elements that are in this story, from BDSM, abuse, exploration and redemption and self forgiveness.

Told in multiple points of view, I did find myself skimming some of the “darker” parts.

This is a series starter and the first book I’ve read by this author and I will be reading future stories.

Review by @mauraharper

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Broken Pieces by Judith B. Pinkard – Review by Maura Harper

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Broken PiecesBroken Pieces by Judith B. Pinkard
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

“Why does bad weather usually occur at night when it is dark out and difficult to see what’s happening?” Why indeed?

This is one of those stories that holds such value just in the way it is told. It’s a true story that fills the pages with wonder and tragedy. I’m sure there are certain aspects that everyone can relate to. The way this author writes is as if it’s a diary entry to herself. Sometimes fantastical and sometimes heavy, but it seems to always be told with the honesty of the writer’s knowledge of events.

One of the things I most enjoyed in the story were the quotes. They were all very telling and poignant to the events as they unfolded.

I image this was difficult yet cathartic for the author to publish and I hope it healed her as much as it appears to have done.

Review by @mauraharper
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Hell On Heels (PJ Santini Series Book One) by Lynne Russell – Review by Maura Harper

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Hell On Heels (PJ Santini Series Book 1)Hell On Heels by Lynne Russell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

HELL ON HEELS is the first book of a new series starring a strong female protagonist who is one thing by day and another thing by night. It’s a fast paced story with mystery and suspense and while fully developed there is a brevity to the writing that allows the reader to read without any of the filler to make a word count deadline.

This reminded me of a few series I have read in the past and I can see how this can go on and on for many books to come. It is my opinion that it holds its own when held up to the high standard of a good female PI who brings me laughter and a well plotted story.

I enjoyed reading this story very much and it’s one I would recommend to a knitting circle, a wine-centric book club or anyone that loves to read a good story. I look forward to more to come.

Review by @mauraharper

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The Reason Why by Izzibella Beau – Review by Maura Harper

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The Reason Why: Breathless SeriesThe Reason Why: Breathless Series by Izzibella Beau
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the first book I’ve read by the author. THE REASON WHY is a Y/A Coming of Age story about a girl from the wrong side of the tracks who gets taken in by her mom’s friend when things get tough. Some of it was cliché, some of it was predictable, however the story had enough originality to it that it held my attention and encouraged me to stick with it until the end.

There are a few little twists in the story that were unexpected. The story kind of reminded me of a John Hughes movie. Characters were age appropriate most of the time, made poor decisions some of the time, and always moved the story along at a good pace.

I am not the target demographic for the story and I enjoyed it so I imagine those who fit the demo will also enjoy it. I think this book should have come with a soundtrack as well. Music was a big part of it with an original song written for the story. Would have been cool to hear what the author’s inspiration was.

This book was a solid 4 stars for me.

Review by @mauraharper

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Run to the Sea (Reigning Hearts Book 1) by K.G. Fletcher – Review by Maura Harper

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Run to the Sea (Reigning Hearts, #1)Run to the Sea by K.G. Fletcher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is everything a romance of this type should be. The story has old friends, good friends, mutual interests, angst, exploration, drama and some sexy times.

Well written with great character development, this story moves quickly, holds a lot of nostalgia, kept me engaged from beginning to end and had me feeling emotions I did not want to feel.

I recommend this book and this author. Five stars

Review by @mauraharper
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Don’t Let Me (Simplicit Duet Book 1) by Marie Skye – Review by Maura Harper

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Don't Let Me (The Simplicit Duet #1)Don’t Let Me by Marie Skye
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Dude, WTF.!!!!

This will be a spoiler free review but please know that I wish I could put my phone number in this review so you could call me when you finish reading it so we could chat.

DON’T LET ME grabbed me in the beginning, the middle dragged a little as I was hoping the story would move quicker and then the end is there and I was left trying to squeeze more pages out of my Kindle.

I have questions, lots and lots of questions.

The story is very well plotted. It is told in multiple points of view and switches between past and present tense so you have a fair idea of what is actually happening.

This story packed a powerful punch for me and I’m just going to be over here in the corner rocking while waiting for book 2.

Review by @mauraharper

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After Hurricane Nina, Rand’s Resolution (Hot Hunks-Steamy Romance Collection Book 8) By Tamara Ferguson – Review by Maura Harper

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After Hurricane Nina, Rand's Resolution (Hot Hunks-Steamy Romance Collection)After Hurricane Nina, Rand’s Resolution by Tamara Ferguson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This author is a one-click author for me, no questions asked. I wasn’t sure if this was a whole collection of stories in one book or how it all worked out, but I didn’t care. Turns out this is a really cool concept. EIGHT different books written by EIGHT different authors all with one common thread. All stand-alones.

RAND’S RESOLUTION is classic Tamara Ferguson. It has all the elements that I have come to enjoy in her stories. Meet-cute, reunion, a bit of drama and suspense, romance, great dialog and a quick pace.

This is one of those stories that I was able to rip through in no time and enjoyed from beginning to end.

I absolutely recommend this story.

Review by @mauraharper

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Spar by Randi Perrin – Review by Maura Harper

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SparSpar by Randi Perrin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I opened this book in between appointments to kill a little time and I immediately closed it and opened something else. The reason I closed it is because from the very first paragraph I knew I was going to need to read this book cover to cover as soon as possible and sneaking pages in between appointments wasn’t going to do me (or the book) any good.

I love strong female leads and Chloe is strong physically and mentally. “She was comfortable with who she was and how she looked…” This book was quickly developed and flowed well from beginning to end. While at times it was a little predictable, there was enough originality about it that it was enjoyable from beginning to end. It was also cool to a read about a sport I know anything about. The writer writes so descriptively, that I was able to visually the tools of the craft that were being used.

This story has interesting family dynamics, well rounded personalities and lots of emotions. It was a shorter novel but felt like a much longer novel with all of the depth it had.

This is one of those books that I enjoyed very much and would recommend to everyone.

Review by @mauraharper

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Wolf (Fairy Tale Series Book 3) by Jody Lynn Daniels – Review by Maura Harper

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Wolf: Book 3 in The Fairy Tale Series (Fairy Tale Series )Wolf: Book 3 in The Fairy Tale Series by Jody Lynn Daniels
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the first book I’ve read in this series and I was able to follow the threads with no problem. There were always prompts so I knew what was coming… “Will I need any special information on the children coming in?” Obviously there are secondary characters who have had their story told so it’s assumed we know what the setting is all about.

Told in a dual point of view, this story was easy to read and held my attention from the beginning. For some reason, I gave the lead male looks and a voice that sounds a lot like Sam Elliott from Roadhouse days. His name is Wolf and even though the title clearly states that it’s “The Fairy Tale Series” for some reason I never grabbed onto Red Riding Hood. I think I was just reading along and not comparing it to what it was interpreted from.

The kids in this story are sweet and adorable and the friend Abby – well everyone needs (I do, I hope you do also) to have an “Abby” in their life. What a great character she is.

I did enjoy the way the story was written. It is appropriately detailed, the story flows well (although at times I had to figure out who was speaking and look back at the heading) and it made me smile as often as it made me tear up a little bit. I think it was a good balance of emotions.

I would recommend this story and I will be adding the first two to my TBR list.

Review by @mauraharper

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Temptation and Seduction by L.M. Mountford – Review by Maura Harper

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Temptation and SeductionTemptation and Seduction by L.M. Mountford
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

3.5 stars

e•rot•i•ca
/əˈrädəkə/
noun
Literature or art intended to arouse sexual desire.

This is the first time I’ve ever read anything by this author and I’m not 100% sure it was the best way to be introduced. These were 5 excerpts from what are longer stories or full length novels. What initially drew me to the collection was that the author describes himself as the “Lord of Lust”. I was hoping for some of that humor to be written into the story, but the stories were simple glimpses into the “Lord’s” writing talent.

Each of the “stories” contained in this collection are very similar. A little bit of a set-up of the characters to get to know who they are and why they are in the story, then a very open door – descriptive “erotic” scene between two characters and then the end.

This is classified as erotica but I found it to be more slurpy and sloppy than erotic. To me, it seemed like director notes for a raunchy sex scene in porn.

While this collection of erotic is not my cup of tea, I always appreciate when a human opens themselves to the world of publishing to share their talent.

Review by @mauraharper

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Hate to Love You (Baker’s Bunch Book 1) by Lily Ryan – Review by Maura Harper

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Hate to Love You (Baker's Bunch Book 1)Hate to Love You by Lily Ryan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

HATE TO LOVE YOU is the first book I’ve read by this author and I will be reading future books in this series.

This is one of those stories that was so frustrating to read because of the immaturity of the female protagonist UNTIL I remembered that she is only a senior in high school who has had a crush on her brother’s best friend forever and it makes total sense that she acts the way she does. Poor kid has no life experience.

This was a quick read with characters who are fully developed and a story that was well plotted from beginning to end. While the story was predictable at times, there were still some things that were fresh to the genre. The accountability the brother takes for the mistakes he’s made and how he came to be where he is in life. REFRESHING!!! Also, there is a conversation regarding #metoo and I’m super hopeful that this is actually happening in the real world peer to peer.

I absolutely am looking forward to getting to know more about Abby and Zane in future stories.

Review by @mauraharper

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Pandora’s Price (Hart & Cole Book 3) by Sacha T. Y. Fortuné – Review by Maura Harper

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Pandora's Price (Hart & Cole Book 3)Pandora’s Price by Sacha T. Y. Fortuné
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Please do not read this series out of order. You will be doing yourself and the author a disservice.

This is one of those unexplainable series that took me on such an emotional ride. There is so much realism in the writing that it was like watching relationships my friends are involved in. There are so many personalities and events that take place in this series. Like I’ve said in a previous review, this is not all unicorns and glittery rainbows, it’s raw and emotional and real. I know I’m repeating myself.

Told in dual POV, we are invited in to understand both sides of the story. As a result of that, opinions of events changed as the series continued.

A multi-dimensional story with complex characters, I definitely recommend reading this series.

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Garrett (Dark Water Security book 2) By Madison Quinn – Review by Maura Harper

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Garrett (Dark Water Security #2)Garrett by Madison Quinn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the second story in the “Dark Water Security” series and can be read as a stand-alone.

Dark Water Security is a firm that employees veteran’s to provide security for a variety of clients. Garrett is one of the newer employees. Hope is a live-in house manager who has recently overcome an event in her past that caused her to withdraw from life for a while.

This book was pretty clear cut. Each character is introduced with enough background that you know who everyone is. There is a little bit of suspense in this tale and the story is written in such a way that I didn’t “figure it out” before I was meant to.

I look forward to reading Cole’s story next.

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Gamble on a Cowboy by Melissa Keir and D’Ann Lindun – Review by Maura Harper

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Gamble on a CowboyGamble on a Cowboy by Melissa Keir
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I’m typically not a fan of “western romance” or cowboys (probably because I’m a city girl at heart and it is like reading a foreign language) but I decided to take a chance on this 2 story collection. I’m glad I did, because I found both stories enjoyable.

I’m not sure what the connection is between the two authors but for as much as their writing style was similar, it was also very different. Both stories had lovely main characters with backstories that made them be who they are today. Both stories had strong women who weren’t afraid to be a woman in a “man’s world”.

These stories have surprise and tenderness and romance and sexy times. They also had miscommunications and angst and everything that makes a romance fun to read.

Side note: When I read the blurb and there was mention about taking stock to market, I was thinking the “financial market” I was wrong. Hehe

I will be reading stories by both of these authors in the future and recommend this collection.

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Rafferty (Default Distraction #2) by A.S. Roberts – Review by Maura Harper

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Rafferty (Default Distraction #2)Rafferty by A.S. Roberts
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Rock band – CHECK
Still hooked on first love – CHECK
Strong female protagonist – CHECK
Well plotted – CHECK
5 Stars – CHECK

RAFFERTY is book two in the Default Distraction series yet can be read as a stand-alone. Like the other books written by this author, this is a story that has multiple layers, secondary characters that play an important role, slow burn and angst and emotions galore. Oh, and romance.

I have always enjoyed reading this author. There is a way the story is told that just flows naturally and my emotions tend to go with the flow. Rafferty and Lauren had a lot going for them and I found that at times I kind of had that pit in my stomach, like it was going to go all wrong. That’s good story telling.

I absolutely recommend this book, this series and this author. Oh and the cover wasn’t hard to look at either.

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Heart of Stone: Emery & Jackson (Heart of Stone Series Book 1) by Chiquita Dennie – Review by Maura Harper

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(Heart of Stone Series Book #1) Emery&Jackson(Heart of Stone Series Book #1) Emery&Jackson by Chiquita Dennie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I went into HEART OF STONE blind so wasn’t sure what to expect.

This is the first book in a new series. It’s a contemporary romance with open door (at times extremely descriptive) sex, family, friends and a feisty Granny who doesn’t care that a burger and fries are not good for high cholesterol and blood pressure (seriously – she is FIESTY). It’s a story of self-discovery and trusting that not everyone is who you assume them to be.

This story is told in first person direct to the reader at times. It’s enjoyable to read stories this way; it’s like talking to a friend.

There is a lot of personality to this story. There are several layers and threads all moving together at the same time yet sometimes going in different directions.

I enjoyed reading this story and will definitely go into the author’s catalogue to see what else has been written. I look forward to reading more of this series in the future.

Review by @mauraharper

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Me and Cinderella (The Dirty Rooster Book 2) by Kelly Mooney – Review by Maura Harper

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Me and Cinderella (The Dirty Rooster #2)Me and Cinderella by Kelly Mooney
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This story is right in my wheelhouse. Romance, best friends, best friend’s sexy brother, angst and self-discovery. From the first page to the last, I read the book in one sitting. At 99% I was worried that it would be a cliffhanger, but it’s all wrapped up quickly and satisfactorily.

The characters had depth and the family dynamics were equally disfunctional for both protagonists. It was a well balanced story told in dual POV.

I’m looking forward to reading the sisters story next. I am whole heartedly invested in these characters.

4 solid stars

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Flirty Dancing: A Spicy Romantic Comedy About the Afterlife (The Green Room Chronicles Book 3) by J.D. Frettier – Review by Maura Harper

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Flirty DancingFlirty Dancing by J.D. Frettier
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I’ve read the other 2 books in this series but this is the first one that I’ve read since my mother died and I have to tell you – if there is a “green room” I hope to hell she has made friends as fun as these gals. (of course that’s as far as I’m going to go with that thought because if there really is a Dr. Draper and she is visiting, I’m better off not knowing).

This story packed a punch for me.

Light and sad and funny and all these emotions tied up inside. It’s a combination of YOLO and YODO and how acceptance plays a key role in settling in to a new “normal”.

This is a fun, short story that I absolutely recommend. I would recommend it to my mother’s book club but – well, I can’t so I will recommend it to you.

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Reset to One (Paranormal Talent Agency Book 2) by Heather Silvio – Review by Maura Harper

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Reset to One (Paranormal Talent Agency, #2)Reset to One by Heather Silvio
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“Reset to one – go back to the beginning”

This is the second book in the Paranormal Talent Agency Series and it can be read as a stand-alone, but the first is also enjoyable.

This is a shorter story yet is full-bodied. If there wasn’t the paranormal twist, I would call this a cozy mystery. It’s clean and cute and something that I think any age could enjoy.

The characters are developed quickly, they all play a role in the story, the timeline of the story is well paced and every scene is vital to the story. There is no filler or repetition to make a word count. I read the story in a couple of hours and I felt better after reading it than before. It allowed me to escape into a world so different from mine (thank goodness because I’m not sure I could handle the things these characters go through.

I would recommend this to knitting groups and book clubs alike.

Review by @mauraharper

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Cinderfella by Kristy Brown – Review by Maura Harper

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CinderfellaCinderfella by Kristy Brown
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

3.5 stars

I wanted to like this story more than I did. It started out cute and sweet; from the play on their names ( Ash and Ellie), the runt pot bellied pig, to their meet cute, but somewhere along the way it became something I wasn’t interested in reading. While I am not the target audience I typically enjoy contemporary fairy tales.

I always appreciate the effort a writer puts into creating a story as I am not someone who could do it. While this one didn’t tickle my fancy, it might be perfect for you.

Review by @mauraharper

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