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Priscida Finds Greatness by Constance Mays – Review by Karen Marsh

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Priscida Finds Greatness: In Herself and in OthersPriscida Finds Greatness: In Herself and in Others by Constance Mays
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

So, I didn’t read this to any kids, the ones I babysit are out of town for the holidays. But I myself actually really enjoyed this and I know they will too when they get home!

I’m not to old to admit sometimes, a sweet short story is just what you need before a long day of work. After getting this, I actually have read it to myself 3 times before a long day at work!

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Still Taking Chances by Roz Lee – Review by Karen Melody Marsh

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Still Taking ChancesStill Taking Chances by Roz Lee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Every woman dreams of bringing a man to his knees! Not quite in the same context but even so. The romance and defiance this author brings to the table floored me!

This was my first book by this author, and I could not be more happy! I normally don’t go for Domme, but I am so glad I went out of my normal zone, because this book was so worth it. And (small spoiler that we all saw coming) when he comes back for her… I almost cried!
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Nite Fire: Flash Point by C. L. Schneider – Review by Karen Melody Marsh

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Flash Point (Nite Fire, #1)Flash Point by C.L. Schneider
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love fantasies! Throw the word dragon or shifter into a story AND I AM THERE. But this author didn’t just throw the words around! It was filled with deceit and mystery. I loved the writing style, the plot, and the characters!

This was my first book by this author and I was not let down at all! This book is going into my re-read pile for when I am going through a reading slump!! Dahlia Nite is a well rounded character with plenty of arc to grow and change! I look forward to the rest of the series!

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A Sweet Christmas: A Sweet Confections Novella by Nicole Richards – Review by Karen Melody Marsh

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A Sweet ChristmasA Sweet Christmas by Nicole Richard
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was the first book I have read from this author and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I mostly read romances and this was right up my alley! I love the holidays and truly believe that they are the perfect time to read romance!

Ben and Thea were very well crafted, the story was short and sweet. This author wastes no time getting to the point and neither does Ben. I loved the meeting in the bakery and the sweet scenes the author puts up. I will for sure be recommending this to my friends!

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Caught in Midnight Shadows (The Caught Series Book 4) by Sharleen Scott – Review by Karen Melody Marsh

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Caught in Midnight Shadows (Caught series, #4)Caught in Midnight Shadows by Sharleen Scott
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Although this is the fourth book in the series, this is the first book I have read from this author. I really enjoyed the plot and the twists and turns! I can honestly say that I was expecting none of this book!

The characters were very well written! I really enjoyed both Brant and Aubrey which is rare because most of the time the guys seem too perfect! This was well written, good plot, and just a joy to read! Props to the author!!!
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Twilight’s Curse (Twilight Realm Series Book 1) by K. M. Wray – Review by Karen Marsh

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Twilight's CurseTwilight’s Curse by K.M. Wray
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The story and plot was good! The detail in the emotions and the way the author shows you the weight on Nix and Zoe’s shoulders was really good! I can’t give this 5 stars because of the writing style. I am such a stickler for writing style, but there are so many of them and many people prefer completely different styles than me. The short sentences don’t always get me, but when they are more common in a book it makes it harder to read (I have dyslexia and small punctuation like commas and periods tend to mess with me).

All in all, the plot was amazing and the story came alive around me. I absolutely will be recommending this book to friends!!
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Blood Oath (Mafia Elite, book 2) by Amy McKinley – Review by Karen (Marsh) Melody

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Blood Oath (Mafia Elite, #2)Blood Oath by Amy McKinley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Amy McKinley has done it again!! I am in awe of this author!! Mafia seems like an easy start to write on, but in reality I have quit reading like 80% of the mafia romance that I start because the characters seem so diluted by desire that there is no personality in the books. McKinley hits the freaking nail on the head with her mix of personality and attraction. First with No Way Out and now with Blood Oath! I am in LOVE!

Following Lil and Max in the first book was interesting, you mostly had no clue what was coming next. Blood Oath though, you know exactly what you want to happen with Sophia and Enzo, but McKinley sure knows how to build her audience and introduce some amazing twists that you can see approaching, but can’t completely pinpoint those suckers!!

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The Elements of the Crown (The Elements of Kamdaria Book 1) by Kay L. Moody – Review by Karen (Melody) Marsh

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The Elements of the Crown (The Elements of Kamdaria, #1)The Elements of the Crown by Kay L. Moody
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh goodness, my heart hurts for these kids! The Element of the Crown by Kay L. Moody is the first book in the Elements of Kamdaria series, and it is amazing!

I cried, I hid, and I felt my heart shatter during this book. The emotions that Moody smashes against your head while reading this book are intense. This has to be one of the most emotional reads I have read in a long time. You get pulled in learning about this little girl, Talise, and her caretaker, Marmie, while they speak and bare their souls. (I am not entirely over the feelings while writing this.) Then repetitively we see hope and then watch it drift away and wait for it to come back. This is a must read!
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Ashes of Aldyr (The Obscured Throne Trilogy Book 1) by Russell Archey – Review by Karen (Melody) Marsh

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Ashes of AldyrAshes of Aldyr by Russell Archey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ashes of Aldyr by Russell Archey took me for a ride! I love fantasies, but recently saw this one and knew I had to read! It was so descriptive and very well written! (I am a stickler for writing style and I flew through this book!)

This was a dark fantasy with twists and turns. I will say the beginning was a little confusing as it starts in medias res and doesn’t slow down, but once you get your brain on the right gear I swear only ten minutes had passed and I was done with the book! Must read!!

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Shadows of Doubt (A Crawford Mystery) by Merissa Racine – Review by Karen (Melody) Marsh

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Shadows of Doubt (A Crawford Mystery)Shadows of Doubt by Merissa Racine
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I just… wow I normally dislike mysteries! I think they are either too cliche or too boring. But not the Crawford Mystery series!!!! Ahhhh!!! Merissa Racine is amazing!! I read the first book first (like a normal person), but I think this could be a good standalone.

So in the first book, we meet everyone and get great story, in the book, ITS WONDERFUL STORY!!!! I could not picture anything that was going to happen and I just loved this books so much. (Upcoming little spolier) following Lauren’s ups and downs after her first run in with a murder was a good look into how skeptical and curious she is. And when Sam and her FINALLY get everything in the open I was so happy!!!
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Forever: A Diamond Doms Novel by Ivy Nelson – Review by Karen (Melody) Marsh

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Forever (Diamond Doms #9)Forever by Ivy Nelson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is the ninth book in the series, however, this book can be read as a standalone. I will say though, I cannot imagine not wanting to read the other books with an author this good! Ivy Nelson seems well educated on the fetishes and has such a great writing style. I can’t wait to read more!

Following Russell and Gemma was a treat! Russell has a problem though, he can’t be with a married woman but he knows his lust can’t hold out for long. Matthew and Gemma have to be 100% clear with Russell exactly what their relationship is. Everything that follows is written so well! Nelson did a great job on the series!
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Tenacious (Billionaire Bodyguards Book 6) by Via Mari – Review by Karen (Melody) Marsh

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Tenacious (Billionaire Bodyguards # 6)Tenacious by Via Mari
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Tenacious was a great novel! Via Mari did a beautiful job on this book. That being said, I didn’t read any of the first books. I’m sure they add a lot more to this book, but I question if it needs it. It was a very well put together standalone though I will be going back to read some of these other couples stories!!

This doesn’t really feel like a billionaire or bad boy/ mafia type of book. While I know it is because they do mention it more than a few times, it really feels like a sweet love story that just had a wrench thrown in. Allie is a great nurse who loves her job, her space, and her freedom. But when Nick comes along to protect her, that all changes. She can’t do real relationships, and he isn’t on a continent long enough to try.
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Kingdom of Embers (Kingdom Journals Book 1) by Tricia Copeland – Review by Karen (Melody) Marsh

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Kingdom of Embers (Kingdom Journals #1)Kingdom of Embers by Tricia Copeland
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Kingdom of Embers by Tricia Copeland gets 5 stars from me!! This was an amazing young adult novel! It has an amazing balance of magic, mystery, and romance to make you stay up all night!

Following Alena as she navigates a world where everything is normal for maybe 10 minutes? She tackles each problem with a sort of dark optimism that only a teenager can have. Between wanting to be normal and date, to not knowing how to make friends or deal with so many men, Alena has to learn why her mother is keeping her a secret and how to deal with bloodlust and magic gone awry.

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The Bastard Prince (It’s Raining Royals) by Alix Nichols – Review by Karen (Melody) Marsh

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The Bastard Prince (It's Raining Royals, #2)The Bastard Prince by Alix Nichols
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am officially so excited for Alix Nichols! I was kind of excited after book 1, The Boss Prince, but now I am so excited!! The writing style got better, the plot was wonderful, and the spice is very nice!

Following Sasha, the second Key to the Key, and Arnaud through their scavenger hunt was so much fun! Not only was Sasha witty and charming, she was incredibly smart. Arnaud went through some great developments while searching for the key with Sasha. I am so happy and cannot wait for book 3! Alex Nichols keeps getting better!!
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Wild Desire (The Protectors Series Book 1) by Toya Richardson – Review by Karen (Melody) Marsh

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Wild Desire (The Protectors, #1)Wild Desire by Toya Richardson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow! This was such a good book! So most of the time when you read shifter books, its all romance and sex or fighting and fighting! Wild Desire by Toya Richardson has a perfect mix of that in between that you don’t see often. I’m not sure if I would have picked up this book if I had only read the summary, but the few reviews convinced me!

Mila and Elias pissed me off at first! To tease each other and make a mess of things like they did at first makes you have to read more so you can see how they fix it. I very much enjoyed learning more about the community and how it functions. I look forward to reading more of Toya Richardson!
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Scarlet Princess (Lochlann Feuds Book 1) by Robin D. Mahle and Elle Madison – Review by Karen (Melody) Marsh

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Scarlet Princess (The Lochlann Feuds, #1)Scarlet Princess by Robin D. Mahle
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

10/5 Stars!! Holy cow I am so excited to read book 2! Scarlet Princess by Robin Mahle & Elle Madison was a wonderful read. It has a simple but structured writing style that lets you read for 4 hours before you realize what happened!

Following Rowan and Theo as they tease and test each other had me giggling the whole time! Being able to capture somber moments in the way these authors do is a rare treat. While she is a strong woman, Theo can’t help but try and protect her, which pushes more from her. Davin was a great comedic relief, always the life of the party.
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Silent Gavel (A Crawford Mystery Book 1) by Merissa Racine – Review by Karen (Melody) Marsh

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Silent Gavel (Crawford Mystery #1)Silent Gavel by Merissa Racine
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow! Just wow! So normally I pick up mysteries when I don’t want to read too much in one day. They get so boring and slow at parts that you have to set them down or they get so fast paced that you have to stop every paragraph to digest it. But not Silent Gavel by Merissa Racine, I started reading at 7 in the morning and didn’t stop until I was done! (A little after 1 as I had to work)

While the story is pretty cliche when it comes to mysteries, and you know about three-fourths of the way through who did it, it was so well written that you can’t help but wonder what comes next. Following Lauren as she tries to piece together why everyone thinks she is the bad guy. She didn’t love Judge Murphy, but she didn’t have any hate towards her either! Great story!
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No Strings Attached by Lara Ward Cosio – Review by Karen (Melody) Marsh

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No Strings AttachedNo Strings Attached by Lara Ward Cosio
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

No Strings Attached by Lara Ward Cosio was amazingly sweet and romantic (with a little spice). This is the brain popcorn I would binge while I was single and dreaming, and it sets the standards for my day dreams still!! I absolutely recommend this book if you are a romance fan!!

Following the routine of Kayla, a single mom who wants the best for her little girl, is heart-warming and also a little sad. But after she meets Tanner and banters with him, I could feel myself grinning! Between Rad being… not so Rad and Emmy being Kayla’s focus and Tanner needing to help his sister, I was very unsure of how this story would end. I will for sure be revisiting this book when I need a new day-dream for work!

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Saratoga Roan by Bree M. Lewandowski – Review by Karen (Melody) Marsh

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Saratoga RoanSaratoga Roan by Bree M. Lewandowski
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Saratoga Roan by Bree M. Lewandowski was a sweet story. While it is a different type of love story than I normally like, it was still pretty good. It was a mature love story with a back and forth of paces that threw me for a loop. If you enjoy a mature love story with great descriptions, 10/10 would recommend it!

Following Cassie and Rhett was a whirlwind of people with a little bit of a mystery. Putting together their history as readers snatch up bits of information that she leaves for us was a lot of fun! As a reader you normally get it all at once or make it up yourself in a love story. The description of the places, people, and horses is beautiful, I wish we had that for emotions too though.

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Something Lost (Funerals and Weddings Series Book 1) by Bernadette Marie – Review by Karen Marsh

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Something LostSomething Lost by Bernadette Marie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Something Lost by Bernadette Marie was utterly heart-breaking. I have never cried over a book so hard in my life, and this is something that will stick with me probably forever. While I personally dislike the writing style of this book, the message and the emotion poured into it is unlike any other I have ever read.

From the start of Craig and Rachel you know there will be a lot of uncovering for us to do. They drop hints here and there until Marie dumps it all out at once. The happy parts are overwhelmingly happy, like ugly crying in the office happy. But the sad parts leave you… feeling a little lost. Although my writing preference is way different, this is a book I would recommend to everyone. The depiction of trauma is true and shows the beautiful side, like a person’s support net, and the ugly side like the things you mess up or miss out on.

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Code Name: Vulture (The Order of the Condor Series Book 1) by Maya Daniels and Sylvia Black – Review by Karen Marsh

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Code Name: Vulture: Dark Vampire Romance (The Order of the Condor Series Book 1)Code Name: Vulture: Dark Vampire Romance by Maya Daniels
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Code Name: Vulture was amazing! It had a simple but captivating writing style, romance, 😉 spicy romance, fighting… It was just absolutely wonderful!

Following Vulture and Danielle, you see a few different ups and downs. In the start you can tell that they just want to do their jobs and be done with it, especially Vulture. He knew he couldn’t ever hurt her, but boy did he try to force himself to. The beginning of a great series! I absolutely cannot wait for book two!!!
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The Boss Prince (It’s Raining Royals) by Alix Nichols – Review by Karen (Melody) Marsh

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The Boss Prince (It's Raining Royals, #1)The Boss Prince by Alix Nichols
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Boss Prince by Alix Nichols is a good romance novel. It has just the right amount of magic and romance to make it feel attainable yet still fantasy. I do wish the prophecy was explained a little better because I am not entirely sure about Mount Evor and MINDFUCH and what feels like magic, but the romance was excellent and detailed!

Following The Key to the Key and Max, we see a good amount of back and forth. Lucie refuses to get involved in another boss and Max has more important things to worry about than a girl to warm his bed. But reading their feelings as they both tottle along their feelings was heartwarming and very sweet! Sometimes a little steamy too 😉 This was a very good book! I can’t wait to continue this series!
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A Natural Passion by Tammy Mannersly – Review by Karen (Melody) Marsh

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A Natural PassionA Natural Passion by Tammy Mannersly
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A Natural Passion by Tammy Mannersly was a wonderfully written novella. I am falling in love with Mannersly’s writing style! She doesn’t use overly large words but instead lets the descriptive words run free. Her novella’s are short, sweet, and quite to the point, but not a moment goes by that you can’t accurately picture the setting!

This book follows Dylan and Kyra as they take everything day by day. Although the plot was fairly predictable, it was not the cliché “oh they get to be together and live happily blah”. This is more focused on the small aspects, the little self doubts they have, and the jobs that both Kyra and Dylan love more than pretty much anything else. A Natural Passion is a must read and it won’t take much brain power to read because it flows so well and as soon as you start, you can’t stop!!!
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No Way Out (Mafia Elite, book 1) by Amy McKinley – Review by Karen (Melody) Marsh

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No Way Out (Mafia Elite, #1)No Way Out by Amy McKinley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was an amazing book! A lot of times Mafia books feel like the “love” between characters is only primal desire or really seems like it was forced *not sexually*. But Amy McKinley doesn’t force anything to happen. She lets us and Max and Lil get to know each other.

No Way Out set the bar really high for the rest of this series. Following Max who knows family and has morals showing Lil small snippets of his life like the pizza, gives her a sense of what she could eventually have. Of course him keeping her safe is a given, but oh man, McKinley loves to give us scares! It is a wonderful book!

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Raven Woman’s Tavern by Laura Koerber – Review by Karen (Melody) Marsh

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Raven Woman's TavernRaven Woman’s Tavern by Laura Koerber
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Raven Woman’s Tavern by Laura Koerber was very weird in a good way. Whenever you pick up a book you think you know what you are getting into, but this book takes turns and twists that I would never ever have thought about. As I abstain from most politics, it didn’t occur to me until farther in that many of the aspects of this book were incredibly introspective about American Politics. It gives a sense of how truly bad the world is and can get.

Following each story of the people of Warrentown and the militia members gets you more and more invested in their lives. The craziness they brought and that they get into changes perspective, especially following the older generation throughout the book. The personalities of the town aren’t completely clear all the time, and some of them feel like they mix together. But Koerber brings a really unique experience with this book! It is a must read!!
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Caught by Him by Tammy Mannersly – Review by Karen (Melody) Marsh

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Caught by HimCaught by Him by Tammy Mannersly
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Caught By Him by Tammy Mannersly was a well written short story with a quick romance. It was an easy read, but I have to say I am so sad that it was a short story! With Mannersly easy writing style and well put together thoughts, this could have been a whole novel easily!

Following the couple was so much fun, and from the second Carmody’s name is mentioned we know we hate her! Introducing Hayden makes us want to punch him too! While this was quick and to the point, Mannersly makes sure we feel all the emotions.

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TAINTED by Marsha R. West – Review by Karen (Melody) Marsh

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TaintedTainted by Marsha R West
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book was very mature in both writing style and plot. As a recently acclaimed adult (20 as of a few weeks ago) I found this book to be hard to connect to until a little farther in. The writing style is exactly what I look for! But talking about divorce and having adult children and fund-raising projects, made it a little less connectable for me, but after the plot got going, I did not care! I was up until 2 a.m. so I could finish!

Liz was having such a hard time between her friends and her ex-husband that visiting the little summer town of Red River was exactly what she needed. But it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows for a while. But Matt, his daughter Sarah, and Liz’s daughter Lauran make it as enjoyable as they can for her. It warmed my heart everytime they would crack a joke or mention Charley. Marsha R. West certainly has a way with words that allows even people with few life experiences begin to connect with her characters!

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Ride For Me (The North Shore Crew Book 1) by Vi Summers – Review by Melody (Karen) Marsh

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Ride For Me (North Shore Crew Series, Book 1)Ride For Me by Vi Summers
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ride for Me by Vi Summers was a good book. It was fast paced following the crew while focusing on Gage and Lil. It is very well written and has great detail, however, personally I find this writing style harder to read. I normally look for books with a lot of dialogue AND descriptive detail that make you pause to think of the place. But there are so many people who will love the writing style of this book because it flows really well, honestly this is the style that I read while trying to get back into reading.

Despite not having my preferred style of writing, this story has a beautiful plot! Gage and Lil give us heart attack after heart attack trying to force themselves apart. But they are just so drawn to each other that we keep screaming at them to finally get over themselves! AHH It was a wonderfully thought-out plot making me want to throw my kindle at the wall multiple times!!

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Jake the Growling Dog Shares His Trail (Jake the Growling Dog Book 3) by Samantha Shannon – Review by Karen (Melody) Marsh

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Jake the Growling Dog Shares His TrailJake the Growling Dog Shares His Trail by Samantha Shannon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Jake the Growling Dog Shares His Trail by Samantha Shannon was wonderful! I personally don’t have kids, but I babysit a lot and have friends with kids so we try to keep books in the house for when they stop by or spend the night. The illustrations were perfect to keep the attention of kids, the message was heart- warming and kind, and the words weren’t the pee-wee words in some kids books.

Samantha uses words like mayhem and churning, which is one of the things I absolutely look for in books for kids! But she also tackles disability in an accepting way. But this book 100% rates 15 out of 5 because of the breakdown they give at the end! She walks us through steps to help lessen while still accepting our fears. Great book! Especially for new parents!!
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Sweet Nightmares (The Dream World Chronicles Book 1) by Chynna Pace – Review by Melody (Karen) Marsh

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Sweet Nightmares (The Dream World Chronicles #1)Sweet Nightmares by Chynna Pace
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a great young adult novel! It has been a little while since I picked up a young adult novel because I wasn’t sure it could capture my attention as well. Sweet Nightmares by Chynna Pace had no problem pulling me in! I finished this book in under a day!!

Following the emotional trail that Alex leaves dealing with her mom’s death and having a rude Grandma and trying to care for her sister and learning truly shocking pieces of herself and her heritage, it leaves you a little raw after reading. Chynna Pace spares no word while feeding you emotions to match Alex’s and sometimes Zoey’s. Their story is just starting and by the end of the book, they know it too. This is such a great setup to book 2, but if you don’t plan on reading book 2, you will after the ending!

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