Elusive by Via Mari
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
As with all this authors books, we get it all in this one. The chemistry, the passion, the action of someone crazy and the fierce men who protect the leading lady. These two had me hooked to this story. As with all her books this author sure knows how to weave a story and have you on the edge of your seat for what happens next.
The Cross of Ciaran by Andrea Matthews
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Oh what a tangled web we weave! Cieran is a 1500 year old pagan priest who ends up waking up in 1966. He disappears into New York and ends up at a New York rectory where Caitlin’s, the professor who found him, uncle is a priest. He helps Cieran try to fit in. As strange as it may sound, while Caitlin is looking for her missing Celt, he is right under her nose. She is falling for him. The adventures and misadventures they have are quite a delight You can relate because we all experience that feeling of newness. Though Cieran would make you want to give the the dead language of Latin a try. He’s a hottie As Caitlin tries to deal with this gorgeous man so seems a little off, she’s also dealing with some messed up experiences. The author does a great job with keeping the plot running smooth. The characters feel real and relatable I can’t wait to read book 2 so I can see what happens.
Dirty Kisses and Conflicting Wishes by Danielle Jacks
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
So to start with I love me a British book especially because I don’t read that many and I love when we have things set in places I know well. Also, love that the author is English herself. This is have nothing to do with the actual book I just love it.
This was a fast-paced steamy read and I was there for it, I demolished this book in one sitting and I truly have no regrets about that. It was great. I really enjoyed Damien and Zoe’s relationship I love me a fake relationship to start with and seeing when they get feelings for each other I just live for it.
I really enjoyed this book and I can’t wait to read more from this author.
Reviews by @samanthajayne96x
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Courage of Us by Brooke May
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Courage of Us is book one in the Code of Honor series by Brooke May. It is a gripping second chance story that pulled at the heartstrings. Patience and Duke share past and their journey is one of being lost, discovering an inner strength and determination to live a wonderful life, courage to carry on and fight for your wants and desires. It was easy to be captured by their story and captivated by their attraction and chemistry. The path was tumultuous, the feelings intense, the passion palpable, the ending sublime. A clever and heartfelt love story that will stay in my thoughts and leave its mark. 4 stars.
Turning Wheels by Manda Mellett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
What happens when you do a good deed and it back fires, well that’s what happened to Sophie and now how can she get out of this mess.
Sophie is a great friend and within helping her best friend escape a horrendous relationship she becomes embroiled within a contract being placed on her head. So broken and at her lowest she is in the protection of a MC gang but can she survive her own demons as well as the devil who is her protector.
Wraith is the VP of the Satan Devil’s he can have any woman he wants but why does he keep getting drawn to the one woman he shouldn’t have, he is her protector but he needs to show her that she is still attractive and does not belong in his broken world, but getting close to her can he protector like he has been order too.
This is the first book I have read by this author and I have to say I loved the premise and the action twists and turns which will have you on the end of your seat. Did I find the attraction believable with the two main characters, well yes in certain ways but sometimes I feel that the relationship was trying to fit a certain pattern which got me a little flat at times, did this distract from the story, hell know this was only my preference and is only a slight critic. The story was well written and fast paced and was a pleasure to read.
I also love the getting to know different worlds and although I have read a few books in this genre it was fascinating to read the way the group dynamic worked and the structures and rules. I will definitely read the next book in this series and try the other books by this author.
Reviewed by Angela Shirley
The Cross of Ciaran by Andrea Matthews
The Cross of Ciaran by Andrea Matthews is a paranormal romance novel about an archaeologist named Caitlin O’Connell who discovers the fifteen-hundred-year-old tomb of Ciaran, a disgraced pagan priest. Matthews expertly weaves dual timelines into her story’s fabric with it flipping back and forth between the 1960s and fifth century Ireland- a period of time we get to explore through Ciaran’s eyes that’s filled with magic, betrayal and religious and political intrigue. This ancient world that Matthews has crafted is intricate with its Celtic and Pagan influences, and is teeming with life with Matthews’ use of Latin and Gaelic. The frequent flashbacks to this time long past allows readers to understand and sympathise with Ciaran as they show his experiences spanning from when he was a young boy to the events in his life that ultimately domino into his untimely and frankly horrifying and unwarranted death. It is truly astounding how attached I became to some of the characters from this age-old past who have been dead for centuries at the primary time period the book takes place and who we’re only shown glimpses of from Ciaran’s memories. This is a testament to the absolute life that Matthews breathes into her characters who actually transcend the confines of mere characters to become full-fledged and fleshed-out people and friends who you come to care for as much as Ciaran does.
The book’s heroine and resident spunky professor, Caitlin, is also a delight to read about. The only woman in a field dominated by men, you won’t find Caitlin resigning herself to the shadows of her male colleagues- rather, Caitlin makes it a point to thrust herself into the light with her absolute love and passion for her line of work. Her dedication to her profession and her absolute giddiness and excitement at new discoveries practically leaps off the page and is so infectious, you will feel as animated as she does. Caitlin’s chemistry with her colleagues is strong and is laden with the sense of the prior adventures and experiences that Caitlin has undeniably had with them. You aren’t just told of the bond that Caitlin has with them- you can feel it too.
It would be an injustice, however, to not mention what is by far the novel’s most compelling pairing which is between Ciaran and Caitlin themselves. It turns out that a man and woman out of time- the former literally and the latter spiritually- makes for a potent combination and this is in no small part a credit to Matthew’s beautiful descriptions. Her writing has almost a lyrical quality to it in the way that it ebbs and flows from one sentence to the next and is so vivid and visceral that, upon reading it, I felt like I was physically inside the book itself, witnessing the events of the story.
Overall, The Cross of Ciaran is one that you will not want to miss if you want a rich historical romance with an abundance of both heart and heartbreak.
~ ~ ~ ~ BOOK SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Mary E. Gregory is an American author, poet, and mental health advocate. She was born in Nashville, Tennessee, and is the youngest of three. Mary started writing short stories on her mother’s typewriter at the age of eight. She published her debut book in the summer of 2020.
Mary shares many of her coming-of-age stories and creative roots in her memoir, which are guaranteed to charm, intrigue, and redefine what resilience looks like.
Mary is a graduate of California State University, Long Beach, and is a senior leader in IT at a Fortune 500 entertainment company in Los Angeles. She lives in sunny Long Beach, California with her Belgian husband of 25 years, Pierre.
Blue Summer Part One by Everly Taylor
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
What a great fantasy read! Lillie is trying to make her own way when disaster strikes. Little does she know her whole life and world will be flipped upside down. Between getting kidnapped and learning more about the feared Zayed there’s no telling what will happen next. Not everything is as it appears to be as you soon find out. I’m excited to start part two and see what awaits!
Red Coat by Isobella Dunn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I picked up Red Coat by Isobella Dunn because I can relate to it. Sara and Rachel were/are foster youth. As a child/teenager I spent time growing in foster homes. Sara and Rachel’s troubles are often not uncommon in foster homes, at least in my experiences. I felt like the author did a lot of research before writing, or maybe she lived similar experiences.
I enjoyed the story a lot, it was an easy read, a mix of family issues, thriller and suspense, and some romance thrown in. I related a lot to the characters and spent the whole book rooting for Rachel. There are great background stories for the characters, so you really feel like you get to know them and understand them. You may shed some tears along the way, a racing heartbeat, and happiness as you read through this book.
Reviewed by @mombiex3
The Earl’s Scandalous Wager by Wareeze Woodson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The Earl’s Scandalous Wager by Wareeze Woodson was a great historical romance. I adored Emily as a character and worried about what would happen to her. The attention to detail was spot on and it really helped immerse me into the story. The dialogue kept me immersed as well. I enjoyed the plot, it’s not everyday you’re used as a bargaining chip.
Sleeping Angel by Nikki Lynn Barrett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Another page turner by Nikki Lynn Barrett. Logan is suffering after the death of his sister. He blames Angel. After a night of too much drinking, Logan does something bad, but he doesn’t remember what. And Angel is not herself. Scott, her ex boyfriend, tries to help her figure out what is going on. Will the truth come out before it’s too late?
Another emotional roller coaster and definitely a page turner.
Blue Summer Part One by Everly Taylor
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Blue Summer Part One by Everly Taylor is a whimsical, fantasy tale that will entertain you from the get-go. This is a fast-paced tale that includes blue men named the Zayed, and a strong-willed protagonist named Lillie who finds herself kidnapped by an evil sorcerer. This is a fun read that will not take you very long, but will leave you wanting so much more. Lillie is an endearing character that I quickly grew to love, and I am eagerly awaiting the second book. I give this book 4 out of 5 stars because it builds a fantastic, exciting world and steamy romance. I definitely recommend this book and this author!
Peaceful Slumber by Nikki Lynn Barrett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Scott survived and now he sees ghosts. Normally, he is bothered by them and gets aggravated but not “Zelda”, a ghost who showed up with no memory of who she is and what has happened to her. Can Scott help her so she can move on, or is there something more to this story? As he tries to help her, feelings evolve, as well as, the truth and who she is. I normally don’t read a paranormal stories, but this one was very intriguing and had me captivated from page one.
Sleeping Angel by Nikki Lynn Barrett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Sleeping Angel (Soul Connections Book Two) by Nikki Lynn Barrett was a great read! I really enjoyed the first book, and I was so glad Barrett decided to delve more into Angel in this story. This book was just as good if not better than the first. It has all the drama, mystery and suspense of a great novel. Barrett is quickly becoming a favorite author and I can’t wait to more in the future, including another installment on this series! I may or may not be a little obsessed with this one!
The Cross of Ciaran by Andrea Matthews
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
A cross for Ciarán is very well written. The characters are engaging and relatable, especially Father Mike, Mary, and the main characters of Ciarán and Caitlyn. The interaction between the characters feels genuine and I love the bits of Irish and Latin that are mixed in to the story. They author does a good job of showing flashbacks to the fifth century within the chapters that are in the present setting without it getting too confusing. It’s ends on a bit of a cliff hanger so I look forward to reading the next in this series!
Sleeping Angel by Nikki Lynn Barrett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Sleeping Angel by Nikki Lynn Barrett is the second story in the Soul Connection Series. Though I would recommend reading the first book, it is not necessary. (It’s just really good).
Wow. Just wow. This book is an emotional rollercoaster. Logan loses his sister and blames himself and Angel. Angel gave up information that lead to the arrest of the people responsible, but it’s not good enough for Logan. Angel blames herself as much as Logan does, but that doesn’t matter.
Now she has had an accident and wakes up in someone else’s body. Can Angel figure out what happened and get back to her body before it is too late?
Review by Carly Vogler
Peaceful Slumber by Nikki Lynn Barrett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Peaceful Slumber by Nikki Lynn Barrett is the first book in the Soul Connection Series. It is an amazing paranormal romance and mystery in one.
Scott was clinically dead for a few minutes, and that has given him the ability to see ghosts. At a graveyard service, a lady in a blood-stained wedding dress appears, but he is the only one who can see her. As Scott tries to find out who the ghost is, and what happened, he can’t help but fall for her, or what he knows of her.
A must read for sure! Can’t wait for the next story!
Review by Carly Vogler
Sleeping Angel by Nikki Lynn Barrett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Can I just say, I loved this book. There are so many twists, turns and murder mystery. My heart breaks for Logan, whom loses his sister, Andi, by murder and drowns himself in alcohol. Everything changes when Logan blames Angel for not preventing Andi’s murder and not coming forward with the events that takes place and Logan hits Angel with his car. Was it an accident or attempted murder? I also love that it ties in book one characters of Scott and Zelda. This is a great read if you love mystery, secrets and ghosts. Nikki Lynn Barrett is truly becoming one of my favorite authors <3.
The Earl’s Scandalous Wager by Wareeze Woodson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I have to admit that I’m partial to historical romance, but I loved this book. The story begins with the introduction of Emily Ann Brumville being wagered by her brother in a game of dice. It sounds quite shocking in today’s world but was even more shocking then. We follow the aftermath of that bet as well as the ripple effects in the life of Lord Phillip Lenbridge. Phillip and Emily are sweet and fun together. Their dialogue and banter together are fun to read and will put a smile on your face. I highly recommend this book to entertain you and sweep you away for a while.
Courage of Us by Brooke May
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Friends to lovers and second chances
This was an easy, quick-read with good character and story development. Told in dual POV, I connected with both characters. The author does a brilliant job of putting a unique twist on what could have been a predictable romance story. This is the first book I have read from Brooke May and I will definitely be checking out more of her work. She does a fantastic job of drawing the reader into the story. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
Courage of Us by Brooke May
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Patience LaClare and Duke Michaels had been best friends since they were in diapers. Everything was looking up for them as they graduated from high school. Patience was ready to drop her high school boyfriend and profess her love for Duke. But all that changed the day after graduation when Duke left Centennial, Montana to join the Marine Corps.
Seven years later, Duke is returning to Centennial after being medically discharged from the Corps. Suffering from PTSD, he knows that he still needs help from a therapist and medication. He left years ago hoping to come back from the love of his life, Patience. Instead, she had married her high school boyfriend, and so Duke stayed away.
Brooke May tells a story of love and loss in the Courage of Us. The story is written beautifully. The characters in the book are inspiring and relatable. I loved reading this book as I can relate to Patience, and her desire to be her own person after losing so much in life
In His Kiss by Ava Alise
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I have to say I love when I find a new author like Ava Alise and I am blown away by their writing. In His Kiss was more than I was expecting, these characters had me glued to the pages and holding my breath to see what was going to happen next.
Jordan and Xia have been best friends for years but one night something changed, was this change good or just a mistake? But if two people have been holding on to feelings for one another, is it a mistake?
Jordan and Xia were meant to be together, these two were in sync and you could tell there was love between them. I’m looking forward to getting to know their friends more in their books.
Reviewed by @jbruno26
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Sleeping Angel by Nikki Lynn Barrett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I give Sleeping Angel (Soul Connection Book 2) by Nikki Lynn Barrett, 4 stars.
I started this book thinking it seemed predictable and I knew what was going to happen. I could not have been more wrong! The story is so original, there is no way you will guess what is going on. I was so intrigued about the concepts in this book of souls and such. I cannot elaborate more without possibly giving things away, but I will say that I stopped and thought twice in some sections. The characters are great, too. All of them really grow throughout this book, not just the main ones. Plus you will see some from book one if you read it as well as a whole new cast of characters.
This book has romance, tragic grief, and the paranormal tossed in to the mix. It is a very powerful story that I could not put down. I believe it can be read as a standalone and I highly recommend it.
Sleeping Angel by Nikki Lynn Barrett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Sleeping Angel (Soul Connection Book 2)
By Nikki Lynn Barrett
This book will take you on an emotional roller-coaster. You can read this one as a standalone but it is my suggestion that you read the books in order for a better back story of some of the characters. We get to meet new characters in this story and have returning characters. This story kept me wondering what was going to happen next, it seemed to keep adding more questions and twists and turns as I read. I definitely had a hard time putting this book down. The paranormal elements in this book were intriguing and unique. My heart ached for some of the characters in this book. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I have enjoyed every book I have read by this author and I am sure I will continue to do so. I highly recommend this book.
Sugar & Spice by Phoebe Alexander
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I am very familiar with this author as I have read many of her books so I kind of had an idea of what I would be getting with her writing style and characterization. This one did not disappoint me. I couldn’t put it down. In fact, let’s just say that I finished it in about 5 hours today. I am always able to relate to the characters that she writes about to the point I feel like I personally know them. And I love books like that. I love her way of writing such steamy , sometimes graphic, sex scenes. This one was no different, so I highly recommend only if you are mature and into this kind of writing. If not, you could easily fast forward through those pages and still enjoy the book. Which I do recommend. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to the next one of her books I pick up.
Sleeping Angel by Nikki Lynn Barrett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Angel and Logan are two young people with a lot of guilt over one other young person, the death of Logan’s sister. Logan blames Angel for not coming forward with some information sooner and he also blames himself for not heeding the signals and seeing what was right in front of him. Angel blames herself for the same thing, she didn’t take notice of a situation which felt a little off, she feels she was selfish and it was only when someone asked her a question two years later that she realised she should come forward, but when she does, her apology to Logan goes down in flames and he dogs her every movement after that and makes her life a living hell. Another year down the line and it is the anniversary of his sisters birthday and Logan does what the same as every year, gets drunk, angry and accusatory, he goes to Angel’s house and shouts abuse at her before being taken home, Angel is trying to celebrate her birthday when he shows up, but becomes completely overwhelmed and goes outside for some air, but all of a sudden she sees headlights and then is out of her body and nobody can see or hear her, apart from one person who insists that she goes back into her own body, however, as she does, she sees a flash of light and then nothing.
The next day Angel wakes up, but in somewhere she doesn’t recognise, she is not in a hospital where she expects to be after what she saw, but when she looks in the mirror, it is not her looking back, it is someone with blue hair and a nose ring and she has a roommate she has no idea the name of, thinking that she has the hangover from hell and trying not to let on she has no idea who she is, she is eventually taken to the hospital to be checked over. When she arrives there, she decides to go and look for herself instead, but finds that her body is surrounded by too many people and hasn’t woken up, but she does run into Logan, this is how she finds out she is in his ex-girlfriend Rionna’s body and that just causes more questions than answers. Finally she finds the one person she knows can help her untangle this mess and hopes that she can work with them to solve the mystery.
Meanwhile, Logan has woken up in the hospital with no memory of what happened after he was taken home by two people who were at the party he crashed, he remembers going to bed to sleep it off, but when he is told that he was behind the wheel, drunk out of his mind and that he ran over Angel outside her home, he realises just what a mess he is in. As he comes to and is treated for his head wound, the police come into his room and tell him that he will be arrested on multiple charges as soon as he is released from the hospital, however, the severity of the punishment will all depend on whether Angel wakes up from the coma she is currently in. Logan is torn in two by what he has done and accepts all the punishments he is given, however, when the alcohol withdrawal hits him, he feels like death would be preferable to the pain, spasms, nausea and hallucinations he is experiencing.
Will Angel be able to figure out Rionna’s life so that she can work out how to get back to herself, or will fate intervene and leave more questions than answers for her? Will Logan be able to turn over a new leaf, or will the downward spiral he was experiencing before begin again? What ties Logan, Angel and Rionna together and how did the body swap happen in the first place? This is a story of loss, grief, heartbreak and secrets with a tangled web of connections which need to be unraveled before the mystery can be solved.
Reviewed by @roxsannel
Sleeping Angel by Nikki Lynn Barrett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Sleeping Angel (Soul Connection book 2)
Nikki Lynn Barrett
5 out of 5 stars
I remember reading Peaceful Slumber a LONG time ago and while the details are vague in my memory now, I remember being blown away. When I found out the book is actually part of a series, I couldn’t be more excited. My only complaint after reading Sleeping Angel is that I wish I had reread Peaceful Slumber first. There were times that I just wished I remembered more about the characters but this didn’t really impact my love for the book overall. There’s not much I can say that doesn’t give the story away but I will say this book is unlike anything I have ever read before. It is unique, at times emotional and even a bit funny. The characters are lovable, even when you think they’re not. If you haven’t read Nikki Lynn Barrett yet, you’re missing out on a talented storyteller. I can’t wait to read more of this soul connections series!
Sleeping Angel by Nikki Lynn Barrett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Nikki Lynn Barrett does it again, Sleeping Angel is just as amazing as Peaceful Slumber was. Once again Ms. Barrett takes us on emotional roller coaster ride, capturing her readers from page 1. This book has literally everything that a reader could possibly want from love, hate, joy, fear, sadness, and more, Ms. Barrett will have you not wanting to put it down. I felt so many emotions in reading this story that I cried multiple times and had chills going down my spine while reading this novel. Just like her other novels Ms. Barrett’s characters have so much depth, and description you can’t help but fall in love with their stories. I have read several of Ms. Barret’s novels and loved them all, but after reading Sleeping Angel I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next.
Tally and the Angel : Book One India by Eleanor Dixon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is a great story. Tally, a 13-year-old from England accompanies her father to travel the world after the death of her mother. Wearing the pendant her mother always wore, she discovers it houses an ancient angel who helps guide the wearer toward intelligence and reasoned judgement. It’s a good thing too, because Tally is a brave girl who can’t sit idly by when she learns that children are being stolen in the city she is staying in. She’ll need every bit of that smarts and reason to tackle some serious bad guys and and have the courage to seek justice for them.
This is a fun book with lots to keep the reader entertained. Anyone who’s been an underestimated kid will be rooting for Tally and cheering for her success. That’s not to say she isn’t scared – of course she is! But she chooses to act anyways, which is the mark of a true hero.
Reviewed by @ericalorraine
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Sexy Drug by Melody Calder
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Sexy drug was a great 5 star read. Once I started I couldn’t put it down.
After an attempt on Katie’s life. Ramone is put in charge of being her bodyguard, his boss’s daughter. He is not thrilled about the job at all. Katie also has her opinion of Ramone. But as these two spend more time together they get to see another side to each other.
Will Ramone be able to keep Katie safe?
Overall I really enjoyed this read.
Ramone, ah Ramone where to start with this man. I really liked him and enjoyed the build up between him and Katie. Katie, my heart went out to her because of the father she had. All of the secondary characters added a great element to the story. We get drama, danger, suspense and so much more. If you like dark reads this is one for you. This is my first read from this author and I can’t wait to read more from her. 1-click and get started today.
Reviewed by @mab54615
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