Posts

The Cruiser (The Hustlers Trilogy Book 1) by Rowan Rossler – Review by Angela Packard

The Cruiser (The Hustlers Trilogy, #1)The Cruiser by Rowan Rossler
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Vandana is a CEO of a PR firm and her marriage has just ended. Morgan is a PR’s nightmare and a playboy. These two independent people are in for the ride of their lives. They had chemistry that steamed off the pages. The story was well written and I connected to the characters right away. I loved how the destinations that I never thought about visiting were brought to life and made me rethink that whole getting a passport thing.

View all my reviews

Blood and Ravens (The Casket Girls Series Book 1) by A.D. Brazeau- Review by Micalah Weatherholtz

Blood & Ravens: A dark, paranormal romance (The Casket Girls Book 1)Blood & Ravens: A dark, paranormal romance by A.D. Brazeau
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Blood and Ravens is a historically based paranormal romance novel that has a premise that pulled me in from the very beginning. It is book one in a series. Greer is kidnapped and thrown into a ship and taken to New Orleans where she doesn’t know anything or anyone but she is required upon disembarking the ship to stay at a convent and be pushed into an arranged marriage that she wants nothing to do with. Although she keeps having dreams about a man at her bedside that she can barely remember. Enter Theron, the mysterious man at her bedside who can’t help but want her to notice him. I’m a sucker for the rough, tough bad guy who progresses in the story and ‘changes’ or reveals his heart and he’s really a big softie or he has feelings for ‘the girl’ he’s never had for anyone else before. I did enjoy the writing and the story had me hooked from the beginning and I had trouble putting it down, finishing it all in one night. I am looking forward to other books in the series that I hope include at least a little snippet of an update as to how these two are doing with Greer’s deal with Hades.

View all my reviews

Blood & Ravens (The Casket Girls Series Book 1) by A.D. Brazeau- Review by Lauren West

Blood & Ravens: A dark, paranormal romance (The Casket Girls Book 1)Blood & Ravens: A dark, paranormal romance by A.D. Brazeau
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I loved Greer and Theron. The push and pull between them, and the undeniable chemistry made the story magnetic. Greer was a strong and fierce heroine, and you cant help but fall in love with her character. Theron was very much a dark and broody soul with bad boy vibes. Together they are dark, intense, and fearsome. This was a dark tale I will not forget, and I am eager to continue to see if they couple thrives.

View all my reviews

The True Purpose of Vines (The Winemakers Book 1) by Giovanna Siniscalchi – Review by Jerricka Brown

The True Purpose of VinesThe True Purpose of Vines by Giovanna Siniscalchi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was an amazing book. I love a good historical romance. I love how the author used some wine terminology in this book. As an enjoyer of wine, I found it very entertaining. This is my first book by this author but not the last. I highly recommend this book.

View all my reviews

The Last Cabin Girl (Detective Josie Thompson Series) by Tom Swyers – Review by Jasmin Marie

The Last Cabin Girl: A totally gripping thriller full of twistsThe Last Cabin Girl: A totally gripping thriller full of twists by Tom Swyers
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This novel is well written and absolutely thrilling! I could not put this down. With every chapter, the author surprised me with twists and turns. The characters were well developed and interesting. What I liked was that I could not read all of the characters and was surprised throughout the novel by what motivated and guided them. In the end, they might surprise you! I highly recommend this book! It will not disappoint.

View all my reviews

Bake Off (Bake Believe Series Book 2) by Cori Cooper – Review by Candice Estes

Bake OffBake Off by Cori Cooper
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a good follow-up and second book in this series. This book covers Thanksgiving vacation and Cat (along with her family, and Robyn) visiting the family bakery in Arizona and learning more about the family secret and how it works. There was plenty of mystery and fun, along with new information and new characters to enjoy. I am excited to see what comes next in this series.

View all my reviews

Toby: The (Mostly) True Story of a Former Bad Dog by Stephanie Wilson Peterson – Review by Trish Ann

Toby: The (Mostly) True Story of a Former Bad DogToby: The (Mostly) True Story of a Former Bad Dog by Stephenie Wilson Peterson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was a very cute story! I’m a cat person but found myself rooting for Toby at times. The first few chapters were well thought out. As the story progressed, I’m not sure if the details were added to plump the story but I didn’t always feel it was connected. I was also frustrated by the ending. Overall, this was a cute story that kids would enjoy reading.

View all my reviews

Bake Believe by Cori Cooper – Review by Trish Ann

Bake BelieveBake Believe by Cori Cooper
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was a cute book. Definitely not something I would normally pick up but I enjoyed it. I thought it was interesting that Cat’s moods while baking were influential of others. This is definitely a good book for middle school age/pre-teen and would recommend it. I also appreciated the recipes!

View all my reviews

Bake Off (Bake Believe Series Book 2) by Cori Cooper – Review by Trish Ann

Bake OffBake Off by Cori Cooper
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was a fun sequel to Bake Believe. Again, loved the recipes after each chapter. The relationship of the grandmother with the granddaughters was really special and something I can connect with. This is another book I would definitely recommend for middle school age/pre-teen. I look forward to book three to see where the story goes.

View all my reviews

Toby: The (Mostly) True Story of a Former Bad Dog by Stephanie Wilson Peterson – Review by Bobbi Wagner

Toby: The (Mostly) True Story of a Former Bad DogToby: The (Mostly) True Story of a Former Bad Dog by Stephenie Wilson Peterson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a great enjoyable children’s story. This is an engaging story about a dog who is mischievous. He does some things that he blames on others. This is a great story that will take you on a funny adventure. Toby is a fun character that brings the story to life. He is a very likable dog that can teach things to children reading this book. There is also a cat that seems to cause trouble. They are great characters which any child would like. Overall a great child’s story that I highly recommend.

View all my reviews

Review by @bjwagner

Bake Off (Bake Believe Series Book 2) by Cori Cooper – Review by Dawn Daughenbaugh

Bake OffBake Off by Cori Cooper
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

5 Stars
Bake Off (Bake Believe Series Book 2) by Cori Cooper

Bake Off is the second book in the Bake Believe Trilogy. This is a cute YA / Fantasy/Kids book that was really fun to read. I truly enjoyed reading this book its got all the ingredients to make a quirky and fun story mixed with a bit of drama, magic and adventure. I do recommend reading the first book if you haven’t already as this book follows it. This author knocked it out of the park with this one. Cat is back and this time we find her and her family going on a Thanksgiving holiday and ending up in the middle of a baking showdown. Cat and Robin find out what happens when you add to much magic and reckless baking together it makes for a nice little disaster. Can Cat figure out more about her baking including the how’s and why’s of it all. I highly recommend reading this book and I cant wait to read more from this Author.

View all my reviews

The Last Cabin Girl (Detective Josie Thompson Series) by Tom Swyers – Review by Christine Baranek

The Last Cabin GirlThe Last Cabin Girl by Tom Swyers
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Last Cabin Girl
By: Tom Swyers
5*

This book is amazing. I never read books in one day, but I did with this one. I was absolutely unable to put it down. It is one of the first books that addresses the world with COVID and I have to say, if I didn’t know that part of the story was based in reality it would make for an even more chilling thriller.
Josie is the main character. She has moved to a cabin in the woods along the river along with her children. They are hiding from her husband, well her soon to be ex-husband if he will ever sign the paperwork. They are living in a cabin from her childhood. She was 12 when she saw her first body in the river. She swears it was pink. The town will never let her forget it.
Just recently Josie saw another dead body in pink in the river. She is becoming very paranoid just as rumor is spreading about a new flu-like virus that is killing people in China. Her ex is becoming increasingly threatening and violent.
Josie works as a waitress. Her usual Zumba group is the local gossip mill. That’s where she finds out her ex is dating someone fairly seriously. That is also where she first hears of the mysterious app designer. She never expects that he would come into the diner and sweep her off her feet.
Soon, her ex is missing and suspected to be dead and more bodies are turning up. Unfortunately, she becomes a main suspect which is when the real drama starts.
I truly can’t speak enough for how hooked this book had me. Everytime I thought I had figured out what was going to happen next, there would be an unsuspecting turn of events. This definitely had me on the edge of my seat. I love how the new pandemic was intertwined and how it all played into Josie’s paranoia. This book is definitely one that I recommend.

View all my reviews

The Cruiser (The Hustlers Trilogy Book 1) by Rowan Rossler – Review by Tausha Treadway

The Cruiser (The Hustlers Trilogy, #1)The Cruiser by Rowan Rossler
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Cruiser (The Hustlers Trilogy Book 1) by Rowan Rossler. This is a great, sexy, fun read that will keep you flipping pages until you are finished. Its the story of Vandana who runs a PR company. Her business is flourishing but her love life is falling apart. Her husband has just informed her he wants out of their marriage and he is playing for the other team now. Morgan is a Yacht developer and millionaire who is a playboy by all rights. When Vandana is hit up to bring on a new client ( Morgan) she is ready to jump right in especially with her marriage falling apart. What she doesn’t bargain for is falling in love with her new client. Sparks fly when Morgan and Vandana meet but neither one had any plans on falling for the other. Tensions are high and the chemistry is off the charts between the two of them. Will they be able to work together and make a go at a relationship. Read this short, fun, sexy

View all my reviews

Phoenix’s Ascent (Hera Force Book 2) by Winter Austin – Review by Shelly Kittell

Phoenix's Ascent (Hera Force: #2)Phoenix’s Ascent by Winter Austin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book was intense. I loved the action and thrills. From the very beginning, you were sucked right into the gunfight at the bar. I could just picture it. The scene was set up that well. The character descriptions were fantastic. It was a spy thriller in a book. Tremendous job!! One of my favorites for this year. I started with book 2 so Nadia’s TBI is a little confusing to me. It makes the plot a little choppy but it’s still a great flow. HERA seems to work effortlessly together to find out what’s going down and who is in charge to get them. I was on the edge of the seat the whole time. It would get more than 5 stars if I could give them. Loved it!!!

View all my reviews

Toby: The (Mostly) True Story of a Former Bad Dog by Stephanie Wilson Peterson – Review by Michelle Mulvey

Toby: The (Mostly) True Story of a Former Bad DogToby: The (Mostly) True Story of a Former Bad Dog by Stephenie Wilson Peterson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed the book about Toby. He really did try to be such a good dog but that sneaky cat who pretended to be his friend was anything but a friend. Every bad thing the dog did was because of the cat. Dogs have feelings. The love their humans and want to make them happy. Most dogs are very smart and know how to get out of certain situations and they know their humans will always love them even if they can be a “bad dog” great book for children learning how to read!

review by @xchellex

View all my reviews

Toby: The (Mostly) True Story of a Former Bad Dog by Stephanie Wilson Peterson – Review by Jenni Bishop

Toby: The (Mostly) True Story of a Former Bad DogToby: The (Mostly) True Story of a Former Bad Dog by Stephenie Wilson Peterson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Toby the dog reminds me of my dog who likes to have the last say and explain away his antics. The story is intriguing and the animals are funny. I would recommend the story for children between the ages of 6 and 11 but I am sure that children and adults of all ages will enjoy this story. I enjoyed Stephenie’s humour.

I look forward to see what other adventures Toby gets up to.

Reviewed by @jennadb

View all my reviews

Bake Off (Bake Believe Series Book 2) by Cori Cooper – Review by Angela Hayes

Bake OffBake Off by Cori Cooper
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

 

4 Stars

 

Bake Off is the second book in the Bake Believe Trilogy by Cori Cooper. This follows on from Book One, so I suggest reading “Bake Believe” before starting this book. I love how original and fun this series is, and as with the first book, this is a clever and imaginative kids/YA fantasy story- with magic, family, humour, recipes, a sprinkle of drama, some teen angst, and a bit of an adventure. I love how wonderfully quirky and endearing the character/s are- they really brought the story to life.
We met Cat Anderson in the first book when her life was turned upside down after she discovers baking, and what her baking can do. In this book she and her family set off on a Thanksgiving holiday and end up in the midst of a baking showdown. Will Cat discover more about her baking talents- especially the how and why of it all? Well worth the read to find out…
Another great little story in this fun trilogy. Looking forward to Book Three!

Thank you, Cori Cooper!

 

Reviewed by @angelahayes

View all my reviews

Manipulator’s War (Ruarnon Trilogy Book 1) by Elise Carlson – Review by April Binkley

Manipulator's War (Ruarnon Trilogy, #1)Manipulator’s War by Elise Carlson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Non-Binary representation in a fantasy story that doesn’t feel like it’s forced. It’s rare to find that so major kudos to Elise Carlson.

Fans of Narnia will enjoy this fast paced story that shows the power of strength & community. A story that is full of action, betrayal, survival of life, abductions and you don’t want to miss the assassins. This is a fast paced, engaging story that was hard to put down. The plot had great growth which made the story easy to read as well as entertaining.

I’m looking forward to the sequel coming out! I would recommend this to teenagers and even adults like myself who have always hoped for a great representation of us in print.

View all my reviews

 

reviewed by @talamascan

Bake Off (Bake Believe Series Book 2) by Cori Cooper – Review by Jenni Bishop

Bake OffBake Off by Cori Cooper
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Cat returns in this YA fantasy that is original, a little quirky and cleverly imaginative sequel to Bake Believe. It’s a feel-good fun and entertaining story. The story picks up where the first one ends. Cori not only entices you with the story but she gives you the added benefit of recipes. The story is humorous and engaging as we journey along with Cat and her family as she learns more about her magic. This is also as story about family and is a captivating culinary delight for tweens and most definitely families.

 

View all my reviews

Taming of the Few (Guardians of the PHAE Book 1) by Rowan Dillon – Review by Jenni Bishop

Taming of the FewTaming of the Few by Christy Nicholas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

3.5 stars

This is the first book in this exciting new fantasy series. It is full of danger, tension, action and adventure. The story premise is interesting. There are a lot of unique characters with different powers and a lot of information was given for their back stories. Unfortunately, it felt a bit too bogged down with that information and I had to back track and reread bits to try to keep it straight in my mind. It was set in the beautiful country of Ireland which made it easy to imagine.

The Unhidden are now faced with not only dealing with a world in war and chaos but they struggle having to learn what they have become and their new abilities and powers.

I am intrigued to see where Rowan takes us next.

 

Reviewed by @jennadb

View all my reviews

A Veil of Gods and Kings (Apollo Ascending Book 1) by Nicole Bailey – Review by April Binkley

A Veil of Gods and Kings (Apollo Ascending, #1)A Veil of Gods and Kings by Nicole Bailey

“It’s going to rip my heart into pieces and leave nothing but shreds remaining. And centuries —millennia from now— I will still bleed for you.” – A Veil of Gods and Kings

Ok, I’m still bleeding from this book. Ms. Bailey takes you up and down the range of emotions from sadness to joy and everything in between as you watch these two stubborn men defy Fate & everything around them.

Ms. Bailey put her heart into this retelling of the ancient story. I hope she sticks with this genre a few times as I’d like to see her take on a few other mythos. 5/5 stars

View all my reviews

 

reviewed by @talamascan

Blood & Ravens (The Casket Girls Series Book 1) by A.D. Brazeau – Review by April Binkley

Blood & Ravens: A dark, paranormal romance (The Casket Girls Book 1)Blood & Ravens: A dark, paranormal romance by A.D. Brazeau
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Blood & Ravens is the fantastic first installment in A.D. Brazeau’s new series ‘The Casket Girls’.

I very much recommend this beginning book for fans of gothic romance, dark gods, and plot twists.

Greer & Theron, what a duo. The chemistry between them lifts right off the pages and makes you feel some type of way.

I’m definitely giving this author 5 stars and this book a 5/5. I’ll be following along to read the next installment!

View all my reviews

 

Reviewed by @talamascan

Blood & Ravens (The Casket Girls Series Book 1) by A.D. Brazeau – Review by Francis O’Sullivan

Blood & Ravens: A dark, paranormal romance (The Casket Girls Book 1)Blood & Ravens: A dark, paranormal romance by A.D. Brazeau
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Blood & Ravens is the first book in The Casket Girls series. I was drawn to it by the 18th-Century New Orleans setting and was soon captivated by the vivid world and the paranormal plot.
The story builds on the experiences of young women who were sent from France to North America to marry the settlers and highlights the challenges they faced – seasickness, uncertainty, isolation, husbands with whom they had no romantic connection – as well as the conditions back home that would make this seem like an attractive choice. But it adds in a paranormal element, with vampires taking advantage of the situation to start a new life overseas.
There are some great characters in this book – Greer of course, and also her friends. I particularly like Desiree and am thrilled to see that the second book in the series will focus on her! I can’t wait to learn more of her story.
This is an enjoyable read, with some plot twists that really caught me by surprise! The best thing about it is the setting – clearly well-researched and with plenty of detail to bring it to life and also encourage an interest in this period of history. It gets five stars from me!

View all my reviews
Blood & Ravens (The Casket Girls Series Book 1) by A.D. Brazeau – Review by

Phoenix’s Ascent (Hera Force Book 2) by Winter Austin – Review by Bobbi Wagner

Phoenix's Ascent (Hera Force: #2)Phoenix’s Ascent by Winter Austin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this military romance story. This is a well written story about Nada and Mitch. She has a traumatic brain injury that has affected her memory. She has no memory of Mitch and their relationship but there is something about Mitch that is drawing her to him. Will she remember what they had together or will the secret between them stay just that a secret? I enjoyed these characters and what they brought to the story. They are strong, engaging and kept me coming back for more. I enjoyed their chemistry and watching their growth throughout the story. This is a story that is full of romance and some action. It is a hard story to put down and so entertaining to read. I highly recommend this book.

View all my reviews

Review by @bjwagner

Bake Off (Bake Believe Series Book 2) by Cori Cooper – Review by Bobbi Wagner

Bake OffBake Off by Cori Cooper
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this children’s chapter book. This is the second book in this series by this author. This is a great young adult story that brings baking and magic together and what happens when you. Cat and Robyn are about to find out what happens when you mix the two. I enjoyed their characters and how they brought the story to life. They are supportive and relatable. They have great growth throughout and kept the story engaging. This is a great book for any child that loves to read and would certainly enjoy the characters. I highly recommend this book.

View all my reviews

Review by @bjwagner

Bake Off (Bake Believe Series Book 2) by Cori Cooper – Review by Kerry Baker

Bake OffBake Off by Cori Cooper
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a wonderful follow to the first book. It was lovely to pick back uo with these characters and their stories. It was so easy to slip right back in as though you had never stopped reading about them.
The author has done another great job of creating a fun and exciting story that is well matched to its audience. The pace of the book was perfect and certainly held my attention. This is a well written book that I thoroughly enjoyed.

View all my reviews

The Cruiser (The Hustlers Trilogy Book 1) by Rowan Rossler – Review by Ashley Lape

The Cruiser (The Hustlers Trilogy, #1)The Cruiser by Rowan Rossler
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Vandana thought her life was pretty close to perfect. Gorgeous Hollywood husband, a dream job of making a ton of money, and even a fabulous home, so what could go wrong? In one conversation with her husband, Vandana’s world shattered. She does not have time to process what her life has become because she now has to deal with a high-dollar, high-demanding client. Morgan de Rohan-Chabot does not need to have a Public Relations watching his every move but when he lays eyes on Vandana, Morgan wouldn’t mind having the beauty by his side. But Morgan will be in for more than he bargained for when he propositions Vandana to follow him to Monico and help with the yacht shows.
This is the first book I have read by Rowan Rossler and the first book in the Hustlers trilogy. I could not put the book down. There was a constant need to keep reading the next page or 20 lol. I can not wait for the next book in the trilogy to come out!!

View all my reviews

Reviewed by @alape

Blood & Ravens: A dark, paranormal romance (The Casket Girls Book 1) by A.D. Brazeau – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

Blood & Ravens: A dark, paranormal romance (The Casket Girls Book 1)Blood & Ravens: A dark, paranormal romance by A.D. Brazeau
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It is the year 1782 and Greer is a young woman who sells flowers on the streets of Paris, she is independent and earning just enough to scrape by, but she is happy, that is until she is kidnapped and wakes up in New Orleans, she has no memory of how she came to be there, but as she drags her casket shaped trunk to a local convent, where she finds out that she is to marry a man whom the nuns have chosen for her, she is to become a Casket Girl. Theron is a demon who has been cast out of the Underworld and cursed by Hades to live as a vampire for eternity has travelled to New Orleans and found that his chosen food source for the journey is fast becoming something more, but he denies it as vehemently as he can.

As Greer settles in to life within the convent and gets to know the girls she shares the dormitory with, she becomes friends with a couple of them and they band together to find out what has happened to them and why, not to mention the strange dreams of her Dark Knight and how he treats her with a tenderness she has never experienced before. Meanwhile, Theron is trying his hardest to keep from feeling things he has no right to feel about his prey, however, when she wakes and discovers what is happening, he has no choice but to confront her about it, but he struggles to maintain the distance he needs and as more time passes, he realises that he doesn’t want to.

As their predicament becomes clear, Greer tries to convince her friends of what is happening, that the dreams she has been having are real and someone is really feeding off of her and her friends and that they are residing in their casket shaped cases, but as their wedding days draw nearer, they need a plan to escape. However, this path is not without dangers for both Greer and Theron and when they are confronted by Hades himself, will Greer be able to save all those she loves and now holds dear, or will it all end in disaster? This is a paranormal romance with a dark twist as danger lurks around every corner and darkness feeds off light as this dramatic story plays out in the streets of New Orleans, where nothing is as it seems and you are pulled into the twisted world behind the holiest of walls.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

View all my reviews

The Last Cabin Girl (Detective Josie Thompson Series) by Tom Swyers Review by Stephanie Driskill

The Last Cabin Girl: A totally gripping thriller full of twistsThe Last Cabin Girl: A totally gripping thriller full of twists by Tom Swyers
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Imagine having to hide from your husband, a husband who is a drug pusher and a doctor. The husband is also part of the Chinese communist party. A man who is dangerous and deceitful who only used you to stay in the United States. Now you have two children with this man whom you are afraid of and must live in a cabin by the river in which he is not fond of. Moreover turmoil, your mental health status is coming into play again when another body is found in the river sporting pink clothes like the one from your childhood. What do you do and who do you turn to when even the feds think you are a suspect? Now, one of the worst pandemics is spreading through the country and you have a poor and weak immune system.
Poor Josie must navigate her way through all the above-mentioned problems and remain sane. What a great crime story and a powerful one about the one woman who can face the demons and conquer to be successful. Josie was written as a strong lead character that I couldn’t help but to walk in her shoes and live the life she was given. The characters are well- developed, and I look forward to reading more about the adventures of Detective Josie! A great read full of suspense and thrills. Don’t miss out on one of my favorite reads of the year so far and enjoy learning about the new app called Triggered, truly what we do in society on our social media outlets. Pick up the book!!

View all my reviews

The Last Cabin Girl (Detective Josie Thompson Series) by Tom Swyers – Review by Karen Pearman

The Last Cabin Girl: A totally gripping thriller full of twistsThe Last Cabin Girl: A totally gripping thriller full of twists by Tom Swyers
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Where to start with this book? AMAZING! Probably one of the best thrillers I’ve read in quite a while. I was pulled in from the beginning of this story and couldn’t put it down. I’ve never read a book by this writer, but I’ll check out some of his other works now. This book had me gripping the edge of my seat. I thought his writing was great even though some of the plot twists I could see coming a mile away. I loved how it included some current day themes, like the COVID pandemic. With everything that the main character was experiencing it reminded me of what some of my own friends and family have dealt with during this time. I loved this book. Highly recommend that you read it.

View all my reviews