The North Wind Descends by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This time period has quickly become one of my favorites as N.L. Holmes writes a gripping and suspense thrill of a read. This is a layered story that is quite pleasing.
Hula Girl by Lara Ward Cosio
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Hula Girl by Lara Ward Cosio was sweet and romantic read. I would give this book a five out of five stars. I loved Ava, she was brilliant and hilarious to read! I loved the twists and turns throughout the story. I felt myself in Ava’s shoes and really felt like I experienced her journey too. I did enjoy getting Ford’s point of view too! He was a great read.
~ ♦ ~ ♦ ~ ♦ ~ ♦ ~ BOOK SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE ~ ♦ ~ ♦ ~ ♦ ~ ♦ ~
Jax Marlin – To Catch A Marlin by T.K. Toppin
Buy Now – https://amzn.to/31LzbUl
#jaxmarlin #tktoppin #vigilantefiction #detectivefiction
Hosted by Itsy Bitsy Book Bits
Genre – Science Fiction Adventure, Mystery, Suspense, Thriller
Page Count – 204 pages
Cover Designer – Tomomi Ink
Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33986102-jax-marlin—to-catch-a-marlin
In the tail end of the 24th Century, Special Inspector Michael Pedroni pursues Jax Marlin, a beautiful and elusive vigilante. It’s a wild cat and mouse chase that will take him from Earth to the Bacchus Dome and beyond.
Jax Marlin is not your average criminal. She seeks out evil-doers and law-breakers, doling out justice in whatever way she sees fit. But lately, she finds she’s been gift-wrapping criminals specially for her favorite copper.
Four of the world’s leading criminals are lining up to form an alliance. Jax is determined to stop them. Hot on her heels, Inspector Pedroni finds himself questioning the difference, if any, between her justice and his. More than that, he wonders why, when he’d had her in his grasps, he was unable to slap on the restraints and bring her in.
T.K. Toppin is a published author of Speculative Fiction/Science Fiction and SFR (Science Fiction Romance) novels and short stories. The Lancaster Rule Trilogy, her debut books, were previously contracted by Champagne Books Group/BURST Books. She was also previously published by Ring of Fire Publishing to release the Jax Marlin – To Catch A Marlin novel and short stories.
T.K. was born, raised and lives in Barbados where she spends most of her time either writing, painting, or procrastinating…not in that order, though she will say otherwise.
Misplaced: Joined: Book Two by Mara Gan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Misplaced was a great 5 star read, I was pulled in right from the beginning.
We start with Meda waking up on the beach, the only thing she can remember is her name. We then jump ahead two months. She has discovered the past couple of months that she has certain skills that others may not understand. Meda also discovers that she can heal people. She surrounds herself with some great characters that want to help people right along with her. I really liked Kako.
Will Meda get her memory back and find out who she is?
Overall I really enjoyed this read. There is so much in this story, you won’t want to stop reading until your done. We get mystery, romance, action and so much more. We also end with a lead into the next book. This is a great fantasy read and I look forward to the next book in the series. I also enjoyed the historical notes after the story.
Reviewed by @mab54615
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Running In Snow: A Holiday Novella by Renee Regent
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Running In Snow: A Holiday Novella by Renee Regent
5-Stars
Running In Snow: A Holiday Novella by Renee Regent was a light romantic holiday read. I lost myself in this short collection and read it in one sitting. Noelle and Eve were amazing characters. I loved Noelle’s story the most and how she overcame her holiday trauma. It was such a sweet read. I enjoyed how despite her issues with Christmas, she pushed through for love. That story had a happy ending that had me bubbling over with joy. I really enjoyed this book and loved that it took me away from some personal holiday craziness. I highly recommend it!
Found in the Lost by Tarina Deaton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Found in the Lost is the first book in Tarina Deaton’s Leonidas Corporation series. I had read her Combat Heart series so I thought that I knew what to expect and she absolutely did live up to my expectations and gave us an action packed romantic read that pulls you in from page one with the suspicious man at the airport followed by an attempted attack by bandits….
It is a fast paced read that takes you the long forgotten Mayan ruins for a hunt for long lost treasures. It also gives us Kinley who is on her first archaeological dig and the former Navy SEAL Shane who happens to be wondering round in Guatemalan jungle and who happens to be in the right place right time or … wrong place right time … it gives us friendly banter, camaraderie and the deep bond that Shane has with his friends and team. So if you like suspenseful adventure stories with some romance peppered through it then this book is for you AND I promise you that you will finish it in one sitting! I wonder what comes OR who comes next …
Hula Girl by Lara Ward Cosio
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was such a great book! Ava Ruiz is a perfectionist. She is an attorney who regularly works 16 hour days 6 days a week. She has worked hard to get where she is and constantly has to prove herself in a world where women are generally at a disadvantage. She makes one little mistake at work and is forced into a (much needed but not wanted) vacation. She is in Maui going stir crazy wanting to check on things at work and decides to drive into town to pick up a laptop. On the way a crazy stray chicken runs her off the road. That’s when she meets the hot as hell beach bum Ford. Ava forgets all about work and decides to take Ford up on his invitation to meet up later that day. And so the vacation fling begins!
What happens in Maui stays in Maui…until it doesn’t! While you will fall in love with Ava and Ford while they are in Maui, just wait until you get to the twists and turns that have them face to face again in the real world! This is an emotionally charged, super fun, super hot read that will make you jealous as can be! I definitely found a new book boyfriend in Ford! I recommend this 5-star read! It’s one you’ll want to read over and over again!
Reviewed by @chellek44
Magic-Borne by C.L. Schneider
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The Crown of Stones: Magic-Bourne by C.L. Schneider is the final instalment in this amazing trilogy. You do need to have read the other books first as the story follows on.
This book was an absolutely brilliant conclusion to what has been an amazing series. For most of the way through I really couldn’t decide how I thought it might end and that kept me on the edge of my seat!
By the time I started this book I was so emotionally invested in the characters and their lives. At time’s I was a wreck through this story and yet I loved every minute of it.
The author has created such an amazing world this series is definitely worth reading. Everyone should pick up book 1 today!!
BURNING GREED: a gripping murder mystery, full of suspense by Diane M Dickson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Burning Greed by Diane M. Dickson
4 Stars!!!!
I have to admit that this is way out of my comfort zone. I don’t really go for murder mysteries but I have to admit that this book was an on your edge of your seat page turner. I like how the author draws out the drama and has the reader glued to the book as you want to see who done it. I also have to admit that I appreciated the fact that it wasn’t an obvious outcome.
I found that I felt as though I was right alongside the detectives as they investigated the case. I also found that I could relate to DI Tayna Miller. I also found it very interesting and unique how the author wove the family drama into the book and how it added to the suspense. I found that there was a really good mix of emotions playing in this book and a lot of drama with underlying drama. This made this book a good read. I do look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
Reviewed by @caraleeloonat
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Lost in Carmel by Terri Lee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Lost In Carmel
By Terri Lee
☆☆☆☆☆
Natalie Hampton had it all. Movies, Magazines, and Hollywood. Until she lost it all, to gossip mixed with envy. Searching for friends was far and away. She needed someone on her side. When she had to leave behind everything, to find peace. She makes the best move she could think of. Can she find the peace she is looking for? Who will come to her rescue, and calm her sea of life.
Terri Lee has written this page turning story. A real look into the life of a star, behind what we see in magazines and movies. It may look like fun and fantasy. Do we really know what Natalie Hamptons really going through? This story is an eye opener, filled with tears. I love the characters in this book. Mostly the friends who stand behind Natalie. Well done Terri Lee! I want more though, looking forward to reading more from you.
Review@Cinful
Misplaced: Joined: Book Two by Mara Gan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Misplaced by Mara Gan a four-star read that you won’t want to misplace. This is number two in the Joined series and I would recommend you read them in order as you do get the most of it them that way. This has been a solid fantasy romance series, and the author does a great job of keeping you hooked. Meda is strong and stubborn, but strong for others and always willing to put herself out for others anything to help and heal them. As you go through the story and find who is Meda? You will enjoy discovering her story and finding her grow into herself. I don’t want to reveal anything about what happens as you do need t read the story to find out the glorious details of this story.
Review by @saraoxo
Summer Break: A Joe Football Novella by Autumn Sand
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Summer Break by Autumn Sand a super five-star read. This is a novella in the Joe Football series, it could be read as stand-alone but I would recommend you read Joe Football first, to get the most out of the story, or else you would want to go back and read it and you would have major spoilers. Favor, Favor, Favor what are we to do with you, you break my heart every time. (not just because she gets to snuggle up next to Brice at night) These characters will make you care about them even in such a short amount of pages, you would be sorry to miss this novella as it does a great job of bringing a great and complex story together in a short amount of pages and still making it hookable.
Review by @saraoxo
Misplaced: Joined: Book Two by Mara Gan
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I am sorry but I just didn’t like where this book went. I absolutely ADORED the first book so I was curious what would happen next. It had been a while since I read Joined (book 1) so I reread the last couple chapters get back up to speed. I really didn’t need to do that. This story can be read as a stand alone since there isn’t much connection to Joined until very late in the book. Even then it was confusing to me. This seems like a different story. Now as a stand alone story it is fine. Different world, different characters (to an extent) and different story.
This is the second book in this series and my second by this author. I am not sure I would continue with more. This one was too confusing to me. I keep looking for a connection between books/characters but not much was there. Once it showed up I had already moved on with the new characters. I seemed to find a lot of problems that were sewed up in the last 15% of the book. Sorry Not a fan.
Hula Girl by Lara Ward Cosio
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
“My gorgeous stranger soon mounts his board and rides a glassine wave with ease, though. He navigates the rocky shoreline as if by instinct, dropping off the board before he gets too close to danger. I spend the next twenty minutes transfixed by his grace in the water, enjoying what appears to be his natural talent for surfing.
But then he looks up and spots me. He’s straddling his board, in a lull between waves. I can see his grin even from this distance, and I’m mortified to have been caught watching him. He, however, seems amused as he raises a hand and flashes the hang loose sign.
I finally turn away, wondering what I was doing staring at this surfer boy.”
Hula Girl by Lara Ward Cosio was such a fun book to read. I love the ‘Rogue’ series, but this is a little bit different, and I wasn’t sure I was going to like it as much as the previous books- but HOW WRONG I was. This has turned out to be my favourite read of hers, ever!!!! (well so far, anyway)
It was a little slow to get going, for me- but not too far in the pace picked up and things started to get very interesting. I ended up staying up well past bedtime, just so I could finish the story and know how it all played out. I really needed to know if Surfer Boy gets his Hula Girl!
The story is a sweet vacation fling with a bit of a twist- it is flirty, fun, and romantic- with just enough drama and angst to keep things interesting. The chemistry between Ava and Ford was enough to steam up the screen on my kindle- and made for some sizzling reading. It is set against the picturesque backdrop of Hawaii, as well as the taking us to the concrete jungle of LA.
I loved Ford and Ava and I was rooting for them right from the moment they laid eyes on one- another. They really were so perfect for each other, even though them seemed such opposites to begin with. I loved their story- and Hula Girl will be hard to beat. So now I am looking forward to seeing what Ms. Ward Cosio comes up with next, just to see if she can top this!
Happy Reading!
Thank you, Ms. Ward Cosio!
Reviewed by @angelahayes
Summer Break: A Joe Football Novella by Autumn Sand
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Summer Break by Autumn Sand is a Joe Football Novella. This book is a standalone novella. If you want more backstory on Brice and Favor, I suggest reading Joe Football first. You won’t miss anything if you don’t though.
Brice and Favor’s friend Egon is in New York City recording an album with his band. Favor decided that it would be a great idea for their whole group to spend the summer in New York City together and have some fun! What does the summer hold for Brice and Favor? What about the rest of the group? One things for sure, they will make some memories.
This was such a good book to read. It was a quick read but didn’t make you feel like it was missing anything. I really enjoyed this book!
Testament of Feats: Book of Judgment, by K.H. Jones
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Testament of Feats: Book of Judgment by K.H. Jones, review by Sam Sheerin
4 stars
So let’s get this started. This is my first ever read from a Male author who has written a fantasy novel. The blurb had you hooked from the very start and the detailed description of the prolonged and first chapter definitely continued that hold.
Jones has an epic plot and the discovery of this along the way is amazing and I cant wait to see where he takes the characters and the rest of the tale in book 2
Hula Girl by Lara Ward Cosio
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book was great! I loved this romance and i kept turning page after page intrigued on what would happen next. The characters in Hula Girl were great! I found myself very invested in them and waiting and hoping for their HEA. They are strong and likeable and the chemistry between them was HOT! Who knew going on vacation could change someone’s life so much. If you like awesome Romances then this one is an awesome read and I would recommend reading it asap!
Happy Reading!
Lost in Carmel by Terri Lee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Lost in Carmel by Terri Lee was an emotional read. I would give this book five out of five stars. I truly felt pulled into Natalie’s life and I did not want out. She was such a raw character to read. I relates to her flaws and the backdrops to this story were magical. Who wouldn’t break if they thought their life was a lie? Definitely an empowering read.
A Song to Remember: A Crescent City Wolf Pack Novella by Carrie Pulkinen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I enjoy almost anything with werewolves and witches. This was very well written and fun to read. It had a well organized plot and thoughtful details. I enjoyed these characters immensely and can’t wait to read their next adventure. Very good job. 4 stars.
Forbidden Love: Written by Lisa Jones Gentry as Told by Their Son Joe Steele by Lisa Jones Gentry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Forbidden Love: Written by Lisa Jones Gentry: As Told by Their Son Joe Steele is a romance story that tells of two people who gave their vows to God but found love with each other in the process. The story is told in the son’s POV and is a tale of love and hate, a tale of people from completely different backgrounds and ethnicity and a son who struggled in the world. It is an emotional read as everyone struggles with the lives, they find themselves in. The book shows that love does not discriminate between anyone when you find it. It shows that no matter what, it does prevail and then sometimes it doesn’t. Love is not meant to hurt and if you are a religious person you will probably shun these people for something that everyone deserves no matter who they are.
It is an interesting and unique read and I recommend you give it ago.
Reviewed by @jennadb
Winds of Fear by Glede Browne Kabongo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Winds of Fear: A gripping psychological thriller (Fearless Series) by Gledé Browne Kabongo and as the title states it is certainly a thrilling read. I have not read anything by this author before and I must say I am impressed with her work. This story is enthralling and intriguing. It is full of suspense and definitely leaves you with goose bumps, your heart pounding and sitting on the edge of your seat.
When the new neighbours visit, one thing Abbie Rambally is certain of is that something is not as it should be, call it mother’s intuition Their interest in her eldest son is not normal. When things don’t add up and their sitters go missing and their son is kidnapped all the pieces start to fall in place. Will they ever find them in time to get their son back?
This thrilling journey is a must read and I look forward to going back to the beginning, but I also look forward to more from Glede.
Reviewed by @jennadb
Found in the Lost by Tarina Deaton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Found in the Lost (Special Forces: Operation Alpha)(The Leonidas Corporation Book 1) by Tarina Deaton
5 stars
This was such a great book. It had the romance, it had the steamy scenes, it had the heart pounding action and a great story!
Kinley is traveling and from the get go has issues, she runs into Shane, literally and here our story takes off. I loved these two, she is strong in her own way but also not a run and hide type of heroine which I love . Shane was great and I really loved his friends too (i need to have their stories now).
This looks like it will be a great series and I cant wait to read them all.
Hula Girl by Lara Ward Cosio
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Hula Girl by Lara Ward Cosio was my first book by this author and it won’t be my last. Ford and Ava’s story started as a Vacation Romance full of steamy licking tequila turned into Fake Engagement that was a page-turner wanting to know what was going to happen next.
Lara’s writing was so detailed that you would have thought the island of Maui was a character. Every character in this book was easy to love or hate and get very attached to what was going on with them. I was ready to book a trip just so I could meet a sexy surfer boy and be his hula girl.
Reviewed by @jbruno26
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Misplaced: Joined: Book Two by Mara Gan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
5 Star
Misplaced (Joined Book Two) by Mara Gan is the second Book in the Joined series and my absolute favorite yet. Misplaced is a fantasy romance that pulled me in from the beginning and doesn’t let go till the end. I simply couldn’t put it down I had to know what was going to happen next. This is a story about a young woman who wakes up on a beach but can’t remember how she got there , why she’s there but she remembers her name is Meda . She has the power to heal people by just touch, problem is she doesn’t know how she has this power. Who is she really? What does her future look like? Will she get her memory back? All I can say is this is a must read. I can’t recommend this book or this series enough. I can’t wait to read more from this Author.
Magic-Scars by C.L. Schneider
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The Crown of Stone: Magic Scars by C.L. Schneider is the second book in a fantastic series. This book does need to be read in order as it follows on from the events in book one.
As soon as I started reading this book I found myself pulled straight back in to the story and the characters. It took no time at all to find myself hooked with everything going on. I was right back on the journey with them and could not wait to find out what was going to happen.
The author has created a fantastic and unique world with this series and it is on that makes it exciting to read about. Having read the first two books I know I absolutely cannot wait to read the next book and to discover more work by this author.
Hennessey on the Rocks by Monica DeSimone
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Hennessey on the Rocks
By Monica DeSimone
5 out of 5 stars
The story Hennessey on the Rocks by Monica DeSimone is a contemporary romance book. It is a story that pulled me in from the beginning and didn’t let me go until I had read the final page. It is a story that had my emotions going up and down with the characters. I enjoyed reading about the characters of Charlie and Jonathan. Charlie is a successful chief. She is independent, intelligent, and strong. She has found herself back in Camden, Maine looking to recharge herself and figure out what she wants. Jonathan is an award-winning author. He finds himself on the doorstep of the one woman that he has ever loved. There have been secrets and intense feelings which include disappointment and anger. What will happen when one more secret is revealed? What does the future hold for Charlie and Jonathan? Read this book to find out. Both Charlie and Jonathan are characters that I grew to care about and wanted them to find happiness. This story has heartbreaking and heartwarming moments. The author does a wonderful job of telling the story from both Charlie and Jonathan’s POV. Don’t miss out on a story that will have you with misty eyes as well as laughing out loud. I highly recommend reading it.
Hula Girl by Lara Ward Cosio
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Hula Girl by Lara Ward Cosio is another fantastic book by an amazing author. If you haven’t read anything by Lara before then you need to rectify that immediately and this book is perfect to do it with.
I loved these characters from the moment I started reading about them. At first glance it really seemed like they had nothing in common however once you delved into them a bit deeper you started to see such a strong connection.
The author has done an amazing job of creating a deep and interesting book. Her writing style always captivates me and hooks my attention. This is definitely a must read book.
Misplaced: Joined: Book Two by Mara Gan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I give Misplaced: Joined: Book Two by Mara Gan, 4 stars.
This was such a good book! It starts out with Meda waking up on a beach, with no recollection who she is or why she is there. She only remembers her name. But it is quickly evident that she is not like the others here.
The character building in this book is fantastic. Meda, along with her friends, are such good characters. Each one is unique, but they strive to help people as best they can. They aren’t perfect, but they try to be the best they can.
The story itself is also wonderful. I was drawn into the story immediately and did not want to stop reading. The author keeps you turning pages until the end — even then you want more!
This is fantasy/science fiction at it’s best. There is love, there is action, but there so much more too. If you are a fan of great fantasy/science fiction, I highly recommend this book.
Review by @erinwolf79
Summer Break: A Joe Football Novella by Autumn Sand
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Summer Break is a novella which is part of the Joe Football series. Although part of this series it can be read as a novella. I have read a lot of Autumn Sand’s work but had not read Brice and Favor’s story, which I now need to remedy, but the author does a great job in filling in any necessary info needed to understand what’s going on.
I really loved this novella. Brice & Favor and the group of friends they are on their break with seem like a great bunch of people with so many stories to be told. I really want to know what’s going to happen with Jana and Wayne. There is definitely a great story to be told and I’m sure Autumn Sand will do a fantastic job.
Every book of her I’ve read has fantastic characters and also storylines that really grasp you and leave you unable to put the book down and this novella was no different. She really does know how to bring great characters to life and give them a damn good story to hook the reader.
I loved this novella and really must go and read Brice and Favor’s story as, judging by the little snippets of their past we are given, it looks like one hell of a story.
Hula Girl by Lara Ward Cosio
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Ava is the typical workaholic, married to her career type. She doesn’t ever think about vacations, taking time off or doing anything except work. That is until she’s forced into a time out and is at odds with herself. Since she’s being forced into it, why not go to where the sand is warm, the sun is hot and the water is the perfect temperature and head off to Hawaii.
Ford is the classic surfer dude, easy going, enjoys the waves, gets lost easily into his days while on vacation. His love of music and teaching is set aside for a quick vacation to recharge. What a better place to do that all, catch some sick waves and embrace the spirit of vacation and just relax than Hawaii?
Their chance meeting sucks them both in. Ava learns to go with the flow, finds a connection with Ford on many levels but knows this has to stay what it is and that’s a vacation fling. Together their agreement turns into some hot and heavy activities that will leave them with memories of a lifetime. What they don’t expect is when they go back to their regular lives, finding each other again (there goes that thing called fate!) and suddenly a predicament. Even though their relationship is “fake” it turns into something way more. Do they go with it and make it work or call it all off?
This book has it all, sexy surfer hottie, gorgeous lawyer beauty, a crazy chicken, engagements, chance meetings all started on the backdrop of one of the most beautiful sceneries in the world. I absolutely loved the emotional pull that the author captures between the two. it’s not hard to fall in love with their story and want so much more for them. It’s an exceptional read that will have you wanting more!
