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Lights, Camera, Action (Paranormal Talent Agency Book 1) by Heather Silvio – Review by Naomi McDonald

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Lights, Camera, Action (Paranormal Talent Agency, #1)Lights, Camera, Action by Heather Silvio
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Lights, Camera, Action is the first book in the Paranormal Talent Agency series. It can be read as a standalone, even though there is a piece of the story that isn’t completely wrapped up.

I wasn’t sure what to expect with this book, but it turned out to be an amusing read. Even though there is a murderer on the loose, the way the story is written makes it a bit lighter than you would expect. I adored the Alex character. I think I would have made him stew a little bit more than Catherine did though, lol. I mean, boundaries, man. And the councilwoman, she’s an interesting character to follow.

Some colorful characters, a little romance, a little mystery…great way to pass an afternoon.

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Garrett (Dark Water Security book 2) By Madison Quinn – Review by Naomi McDonald

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

Garrett is the second book in the Dark Water Security Series. It can be read as a standalone.

I really enjoyed this story. It kept up a pretty good pace and the characters were easy to connect with. I did find that the ending was a little anticlimactic, I was really thinking there was going to be more to the whole lifestyle scenario with Mr. Meyer’s brother. That piece seemed like a loose end after the conversation that is overheard. I had a little chuckle at Hope’s first encounter with her boss’ lifestyle choices. If you’re not familiar with it, it can be a bit shocking, lol.

Overall, I found it a good way to entertain your imagination on a rainy day.

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Hell On Heels (PJ Santini Series Book One) by Lynne Russell – Review by Naomi McDonald

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Hell On Heels (PJ Santini Series Book 1)Hell On Heels by Lynne Russell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Hell on Heels is the first book in the PJ Santini series.

It took me about the first quarter of the book to get into it. The writing style was challenging for me as it seems like there is an over abundance of detail to get through. Once I got into the groove of it though, it turned out to be entertaining. There are a lot of colorful characters and variety of personalities to keep things interesting. My personal favorite is Daly. I will also say that I wasn’t really connecting to the main character right away but she grew on me over time. Hell on Heels keeps up a good pace so there is no chance of getting bored with it.

All-in-all I’d say, despite my bumpy start with it, Hell on Heels turned out to be a good read.

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Turning the Tide (Eastern Shore Swingers #5) by Phoebe Alexander – Review by Naomi McDonald

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Turning the Tide (Eastern Shore Swingers Book 5)Turning the Tide by Phoebe Alexander
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Turning the Tide is the fifth book in the Eastern Shore Swingers series. It can be read as a standalone.

Having read the previous books in this series, I’d say this one is different in that it is less about the swinger lifestyle and more about Luke and Connie as a couple. The previous books were more about how the swinger lifestyle affected and influenced the relationships, this one is more about how it facilitates the initial meeting of Luke and Connie. I liked the BDSM aspects of this book, but I found myself conflicted about the book in general. I can’t really get into any further detail about that or I’ll ruin the story line. Overall it was an entertaining read. The story moved along at a nice pace and there were a couple of unexpected twists. I don’t feel like this story was a strong as some others in the series, but it has some juicy moments.

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Vantage Point (A Gray Ghost Novel, book 4) by Amy McKinley – Review by Naomi McDonald

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Vantage Point (Gray Ghost #4)Vantage Point by Amy McKinley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Vantage Point is the fourth book in the Gray Ghost series. It can be read as a standalone. If you want to find out more about the other characters in the book, read the previous stories, especially the prequel. It will give Vantage Point a little more depth for you regarding the bond between them.

This story moves along at a good pace and keeps you engaged. Stella has a lot more patience than I would with what she has to deal with. A lot of people create their own chaos, but Stella has to deal with the fallout from the bad decisions of her brother. We finally get to learn more about Hawk and his life experience in this story as he tries to keep Stella safe. When his past comes into the spotlight, will Stella feel differently about him?

Danger. Romance. A treasure hunt…great adventure!

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An Appointment (Summer in New York Book 4) by Lindsay Marie Miller – Review by Naomi McDonald

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An Appointment (Summer in New York, #4)An Appointment by Lindsay Marie Miller
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An Appointment is the fourth book in the Summer in New York series. It can be read as a standalone.

This book takes you through a variety of emotions as you follow Savannah and Preston through the story. Both have had their hearts broken by previous relationships so building trust is challenging. Savannah lives for her son, but has to deal with her ex because of custody arrangements. This creates some complications that could strain the budding relationship with Preston. Can both of them traverse the challenges to build a new life together?

Be aware that some of the subject matter in this story may be a trigger for some readers.

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Seraphina’s Revolution (The Seraphina Series Book 4) by Sheena Hutchinson – Review by Naomi McDonald

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Seraphina's Revolution (Seraphina #4)Seraphina’s Revolution by Sheena Hutchinson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Seraphina’s Revolution is the fourth book in the Seraphina series. I recommend reading the previous books in this series before starting this one so you know what is going on and what has led up to this point in the story.

All I can say is wow! This story is full of twists and turns. With the weight of being the one who is destined to save the world resting heavily on her shoulders, Seraphina has to navigate the new challenges thrown her way. As things heat up, Seraphina must make alliances, but she doesn’t know who to trust. Placing her trust in the wrong person could mean the end of everything, literally. And side note—why are there always demon spiders, lol??? *shudders*

This is the final book in this series, but if you read the epilogue, you have to wonder if another series could come out of it. I mean, why?????? Why would you leave it like that, lol!!!!!

I absolutely loved reading this series.

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Age of Saints: Druid’s Brooch Series: #7 by Christy Nicholas – Review by Naomi McDonald

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Age of Saints (Druid's Brooch #7)Age of Saints by Christy Nicholas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Age of Saints is the seventh book in the Druid’s Brooch series.

Yet another wonderfully woven tale full of magic. The story makes you feel as if you are there living it. The characters are intriguing and make you feel as if you know them right away. I love the closeness of Conall and his sister, how they lean on each other to make it through trying times. Ammatan is an interesting and colorful character, many facets to him. There are a couple of parts of this story that could go over into another book.

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Yearning Young (Burning Britely Book 2) by Deidre Huesmann – Review by Naomi McDonald

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Yearning Young (Burning Britely #2)Yearning Young by Deidre Huesmann
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Yearning Young is the second book in the Burning Britely series. You really need to read the first book in order to understand the history of the characters. Yearning Young wraps things up so the story could end here, but I seriously hope there is another one because there could definitely be more.

OMG! I know in my review of the first book I said I wanted to know what happens in their future, but I was not expecting this book. When I read the synopsis, part of me wanted to walk away from reading this story because there were so many ways it could have gone and I wanted to maintain my illusion from the ending of the first book. (If there is another book, I’m just going to get it and not even read the synopsis, lol). But I had to satisfy my curiosity so I spent my day thoroughly lost in the world of Jeff and Braeden. I laughed. I cried. Basically, I had all the feels in a very short period of time. This book tore my heart to pieces and then put it back together. So, so good!!!!

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Misfortune of Song: Druid’s Brooch Series: #5 by Christy Nicholas – Review by Naomi McDonald

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Misfortune of Song (Druid's Brooch #5)Misfortune of Song by Christy Nicholas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Misfortune of Song is the fifth book in the Druid’s Brooch series. It can be read as a standalone.

The author has done a superb job of weaving an enchanting story. The characters come alive on the pages and the plot sucks you in. I loved the strength and sassiness of the main character, Orlagh, even though she does show her youth by making some rash decisions. There are many twists and turns to the story and everything may not be as it seems.

Misfortune of Song is a great tale of young love, heartbreak, betrayal, magic, and adventure.

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Everyday Enchantments: Musings on Ordinary Magic and Daily Conjuring by Maria F. DeBlassie – Review by Naomi McDonald

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Everyday EnchantmentsEveryday Enchantments by Maria F. DeBlassie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Everyday Enchantments is a collection of essays that remind the reader how to experience connection to life in everyday moments. I love the way the author has woven the words in this book, definitely a lot of magic in there! A few of my favorite essays from the book are: On Synchronicity, On Dreaming Deeply, Descending into the Underworld, and A Conversation with Coyote. This would make a great daily devotional type of book. My first reading of this book was on the Kindle, but I am definitely going to get a hard copy!!!!!

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Blade’s Edge (Satan’s Devils MC #10) by Manda Mellett – Review by Naomi McDonald

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Blade's Edge (Satan's Devils MC #10)Blade’s Edge by Manda Mellett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Blade’s Edge is the tenth book in the Satan’s Devils MC series. It can be read as a standalone as Tash and Blade’s story is completed. The epilogue does provide a lead in to a story involving another character. If you want more background info on other characters mentioned in the story, read the previous books in the series. Although, I would recommend that anyway because this series is freaking awesome!

Once again, I have been taken in by this author. Her stories are captivating and this one is no exception. The characters come to life on the page (or Kindle screen in this case) and the story engages a wide array of emotions.
I love the strength of Tash’s character and how it is the perfect match to challenge Blade’s beliefs about life and about women.

One of the things I appreciate about this series as a whole is that the real-life issues the characters experience is well researched and thought out. That is part of what sets this series apart from other MC related books.

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There Be Demons (Andor Demon Wars, #1) by M.K. Theodoratus – Review by Naomi McDonald

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There Be DemonsThere Be Demons by M.K. Theodoratus
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

There Be Demons is the first book in the Andor Demon Wars series. It can be read as a standalone.

I have to say this book was challenging to get into at first. The first third of the book felt like it was dragging on. I’d definitely say it is a slow burn story. However, once you get toward the middle, it starts to pick up. I will also say that I really did not like the main character at first. Britt comes across as a petulant brat. Although, to be fair, teens are full of angst, especially when their world feels out of control. Overall, I’d say it was an interesting read. The characters have a lot of dimension and the premise of the story is intriguing.

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Trouble’s Wedding Caper (Familiar Legacy, #8) by Jen Talty – Review by Naomi McDonald

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Trouble's Wedding CaperTrouble’s Wedding Caper by Jen Talty
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Trouble’s Wedding Caper is the eighth book in the Familiar Legacy series. It can be read as a standalone.

This was my first time reading a book by this author. Cozy mysteries are not my usual read, but I had a great experience with this one. The cat’s perspective is amusing and the human characters are really well written. Overall it was a fun read and I’d suggest this book to people who are looking for a fairly clean romance with their mystery. And also, mystery solving cat…I think that speaks for itself, lol.

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Caught in Make-Believe (The Caught Series Book 3) by Sharleen Scott – Review by Naomi McDonald

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Caught in Make-Believe (The Caught Series Book 3)Caught in Make-Believe by Sharleen Scott
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Caught in Make Believe is the third book in the Caught series. It can be read as a standalone. If you want to get more background info on some of the characters mentioned, to bring things together for you a bit more, I recommend reading the first two books.

I really fell in love with this book. I think it actually might be my favorite out of the three that I’ve read. I loved the complexity of Jace’s character and the resilience of Sam’s character. The overall story line was well done. A little romance, a little suspense, a little mystery, a little adventure…makes for a great getaway from reality. I was so into it that I finished it in a day!

Reviewed by @valkyrie

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Rules of Engagement: A Single Dad Romance (Platonically Complicated, #3) by Mika Jolie – Review by Naomi McDonald

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Rules of EngagementRules of Engagement by Mika Jolie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Rules of Engagement is the third Platonically Complicated book. It can be read as a standalone.

I really liked the way the interactions between the main characters played out. It was well written and even though the story took its time, it kept you reading. I liked Katherine’s character a lot. She’s intelligent, witty, and extremely frank. I also loved the narration from Lucas’s point of view. It was engaging and humorous in many places.

Stellar reading experience!

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CLAIMED (The Torzial Affair Book 3) by Via Mari – Review by Naomi McDonald

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CLAIMED (The Torzial Affair Book 3)CLAIMED by Via Mari
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Claimed is the third book in the Torzial Affair series. This book does not end in a cliffhanger, but there are a couple of openings in the way the story is written for other characters to have their own stories. In order for this book to make complete sense, you need to read the two previous books. After getting through all three books, I’d say reading them back-to-back would probably be the best reading experience.

I like Brian better in this book than in the last one. Sasha story line *shakes head* did not see that coming, which is saying something because I can usually spot how a book is going to play out.

While the individual books had their bumpy reading moments for me, as a series it is pretty well done.

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Luke (Dark Water Security #1) by Madison Quinn – Review by Naomi McDonald

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Luke (Dark Water Security #1)Luke by Madison Quinn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Luke is the first book in the Dark Water Security series. This book can be read as a standalone. There is some subject matter that may be a trigger for some readers.

I got hooked from the beginning. Even though the story is a bit predictable, it is still entertaining; and I read it in a couple of hours because I couldn’t put it down. The characters are well written and you really find yourself empathizing with Luke’s character. After everything he goes through, he still finds a way to be the person for others that he needed when he was young.

The only thing that could have made this even better was a bit of a stronger ending.

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Infamy (Feisty Lawyers, #2) by Seelie Kay – Review by Naomi McDonald

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Infamy (Feisty Lawyers, #2)Infamy by Seelie Kay
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Infamy is the second book in the Feisty Lawyers series. It isn’t specifically a cliffhanger but some of the story line is left open to continue in another book. If you want to get a deeper background on the characters, read book one, although you don’t necessarily have to in order to appreciate this book.

This is not a long book, I finished it in about 2.5 hours. I felt like the story line was a little rushed, but ultimately entertaining. The first couple of chapters were great and I felt like I was actually getting into the characters, but then toward the middle they moved back to more of a superficial connection. Maybe too much speculative dialog? I’m not exactly sure what made the difference.

Overall a decent way to pass some time.

REviewed by @valkyrie

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Bound (The Torzial Affair Book 2) by Via Mari – Review by Naomi McDonald

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Bound (The Torzial Affair Book 2)Bound by Via Mari
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Bound is the second book in the Torzial Affair series. You should read the previous book first to get the full picture. It ends in a cliffhanger.

Where the previous book focuses more on the budding relationship between Jenny and Brian, this book focuses on the danger elements surrounding Jenny. I found this story very…busy, I guess is the best way to describe it. There is a lot going on and at times it seems like a little too much. I kept up with the story line, but it seems like there was a bunch of action crammed into a small time frame.

I also found Brian to be a bit of a jerk in this story. He talks about trust, but the way he handles some of the stuff with Jenny, well, he’s expecting a lot at certain points in the story. But it is fiction so…

Bound has plenty of action and steamy scenes. A good few hours of entertainment.

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The Light at Dawn by K.L. Montgomery – Review by Naomi McDonald

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The Light at DawnThe Light at Dawn by K.L. Montgomery
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The first thing you need to know is, have the tissues close by. The subject matter of this book will have you in tears frequently. This story may be a difficult read for some people as it deals with tragic events similar to things that have happened in real life and have been high profile in the news in recent years.

Even though this book does discuss politics to some degree, I am glad that the overall story did not focus on that. The story really is focused on two people who have experienced overwhelming loss and how life brings them together. Their grief is very real, you feel it as you read.

Intensely emotional. Superbly written.

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Caught in the Spin by Sharleen Scott – Review by Naomi McDonald

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Caught in the SpinCaught in the Spin by Sharleen Scott
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Caught in the Spin is the second book in the Caught series. It can be read as a standalone.

I can’t put my finger on why exactly, but I liked this book better than the first one. I was hooked into the story from the first chapter and the story moved at a good pace. The characters were engaging and the way the story develops really gets your emotions involved.

This story is a good mix of drama, family, and romance. There were several places in the story where I teared up a bit. Overall, it was really well done! Excellent way to relax after a long day.

Reviewed by @valkyrie

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Shattered (The Torzial Affair Book 1) by Via Mari – Review by Naomi McDonald

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Shattered (The Torzial Affair Book 1)Shattered by Via Mari
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Shattered is the first book in the Torzial Affair series. It ends in a cliffhanger.

While this is the first book in this particular series, not having read the previous series (Prestian series), I felt like something was missing. The author does a good job of working in elements from events I assume are present in the previous series, so it isn’t like you can’t pick up what is going on; I just feel like it would have a more complete feel if I had more of a connection to the supporting characters. For anyone new to this author, I definitely suggest reading the other series first.

Shattered contains sensitive material that may trigger some readers. The author does have a preface in the book regarding this, which is very thoughtful. I liked that the author did not downplay the affects of Jenny’s hardship experience on her mental health.

This book was a quick read for me and overall was a good escape from reality for a bit.

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Less You Know: Gripping Psychological Suspense (Ashes to Ashes #2) by Rowena Holloway – Review by Naomi McDonald

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Less You Know (Ashes to Ashes #2)Less You Know by Rowena Holloway
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Less You Know is the second book in the Ashes to Ashes series. It is left open for the story to continue. I recommend reading the first book to get a solid background on the characters and the events that led up to the second book.

Less You Know is all over the place, and not in a bad way. The author has written the story in such a way that it keeps you guessing. Characters coming at you from all sides and misdirection (or is it?) keeps you hooked.

If you read the first book you will understand why I say this: at one point while reading Less You Know, I wanted to smack Charlotte and ask her what she was thinking. I mean, seriously. Oi vey! But that is part of the entertainment, watching the characters do both expected and unexpected things. After the developments in this book, I find myself liking Garner a little bit more. And Piers…what an (insert a colorful expletive here). Of course, with the way these stories are written, who knows how things will play out. I might end up changing my mind about any or all of the characters.

Intense. Suspense. Drama. Unanswered questions. Must have answers! Looking forward to the next book. (There better be a next book, lol)!

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Eight Steps to Alpha by Taylor Sullivan – Review by Naomi McDonald

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Eight Steps to Alpha (Nerdy by Nature, #1)Eight Steps to Alpha by Taylor Sullivan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Eight Steps is a sweet story. There were times that I wanted to strangle both Elliot and Fe, but then that is part of life; we all make colossal relationship blunders at some point. Maybe I loved this story a bit more than most of the contemporary romance novels I’ve read because Elliot reminds me a lot of my husband, especially the whole glasses-to-contacts thing. That literally was the first thing that made me notice the man I eventually married.

I loved the way the characters were written overall, and the ease of the friendship that paved the way for romantic relationship potential. This book illustrates the need for clear communication when it comes to emotional involvement. It also illuminates the futility of mind games in relationships and trying to alter who a person is at a fundamental level.

Easy read. Entertaining. Delightfully humorous moments. And if you relate to characters empathetically, you’ll need some tissues toward the end.

Reviewed by @valkyrie

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Beneath the Surface (A Gray Ghost Series #3) by Amy McKinley – Review by Naomi McDonald

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Beneath the Surface (Gray Ghost #3)Beneath the Surface by Amy McKinley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Beneath the Surface is the third book in the Gray Ghost series. It can be read as a standalone. This book didn’t hook me quite as quickly as the first two did, but it was still a good read overall. I liked that Hannah’s strength and ability was not overshadowed by Jack. I found the switches between Hannah’s past and the present well done. It was easy to follow and added depth to her character. Although I had pretty much figured out the mystery by the middle of the book, it still played out in an entertaining way.

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Nite Fire: Chain Reaction by C.L. Schneider – Review by Naomi McDonald

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Chain Reaction (Nite Fire, Book 2)Chain Reaction by C.L. Schneider
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Nite Fire: Chain Reaction is the second book in the Nite Fire series. Even though you can pick up on the story pretty well in this book, I would still suggest reading the first book (plus, it is just freaking awesome). The overall mystery story arc is left open in this book, but the main part of the book gets wrapped up.

The Nite Fire series is a fascinating adventure. I loved this book just as much as the first one. Chain Reaction is full of action, adventure, a splash of romance, snarky humor, and a brilliantly written villain. Of course, having a strong female lead character is one of the great things about this series! I also love Evans, Coen, and Creed. Each one brings a new layer of intrigue to Dahlia’s life.

One of my favorite lines from this book is, “And friends don’t let friends get eaten by dragons.”
I cannot wait to continue this adventure in the next book!

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Caught in Cross Seas (The Caught Series #1) by Sharleen Scott – Review by Naomi McDonald

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Caught in Cross SeasCaught in Cross Seas by Sharleen Scott
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Caught in Cross Seas is the first book in the Caught series. It can be read as a standalone.

It took a few chapters for me to get into the story, but once more layers started showing up, it became entertaining. At times the story is a bit predictable, but the drama keeps you reading. It is essentially the sweet-girl-with-a-past-meets-famous-person-who-can-fix-everything tale. The last third of the book is intense and probably the best part of the story. And I won’t lie, I may have needed some tissues near the end. Not a bad diversion from reality for a few hours.

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Bad Things Happen (Ashes to Ashes, #1) by Rowena Holloway – Review by Naomi McDonald

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Bad Things Happen (Ashes to Ashes, #1)Bad Things Happen by Rowena Holloway
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Bad Things Happen is the first book in the Ashes to Ashes series. This story is left open to pick up in book two.

I have to say, I’m not a huge fan of sports so I was a little concerned that I wouldn’t like this book, but it actually had me sucked in from the beginning. It isn’t sports heavy and focuses more on the mystery and intrigue aspects. I found the first-person story line for Joey an interesting choice considering what happens to him. One thing I found interesting is that a lot of the characters you kind of have a love/hate relationship with. They’ve all got something that makes you cringe a little bit, but also parts of them that make you love them in some way or other, at least most of them. There were a couple characters that were just…evil. I am interested to see how things play out in the next book.

Reviewed by @valkyrie

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Written in the Stars (Fallen Eagles MC Book 2) by T. Birmingham – Review by Naomi McDonald

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Written in the Stars (Fallen Eagles MC Book 2)Written in the Stars by T. Birmingham
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Written in the Stars is the second book in the Fallen Eagles MC series. It can be read as a standalone, however it does make references to events that happened in the first book. If you want to find out the details of those events, go back and read the previous story.

I think in some ways, I like this book better than the first one, and the first one was good. I really related to Winter’s character, the “otherness” and her particular brand of sensitivity. This book does deal with some serious events involving murder, the process the murderer uses, and other issues that may trigger some readers.

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