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The Mesmerist by Claire Luana – Review by Tia Martel

The MesmeristThe Mesmerist by Claire Luana
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Queen has been murdered!

When the Adrjissian royal family is being murdered one by one, the only thing that’s changed is Adrijana has come to the capitol. Determined to clear herself from the crimes, she agrees to stay and enlists the help of a charming royal Mesmerist, Dragan Vulpe, one of the magicians who can read and manipulate the thoughts and emotions of people around him.

But if the murders aren’t enough, the Vruk army is closing in on the borders around the capitol and it looks like the Vruk ambassadors are the biggest suspects in the deaths. As Adrijana investigates she finds evidence leading toward a Mesmer being involved and wonders who and what she can trust about those around her and herself. She’s going to have to find the killer before it’s too late.

The Mesmerist was a truly enchanting tale about a young girl trying to find her way in the world. The first few chapters felt a little slow for me but by Chapter 9 I didn’t want to put it down. It was fun, upbeat and you really feel for Adrijana as she struggles through finding herself and a killer in a palace where she thought she could find friendship.

This book has twists and turns and definitely kept me wondering what we were going to uncover next. If you enjoy magic and intrigue, you’ll love The Mesmerist.

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A Hundred Wishes (Band of Sisters) by Marianne Rice – Review by Toni Sellers

A Hundred Wishes (Band of Sisters)A Hundred Wishes by Marianne Rice
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this book. It was my first time reading a book by Marianne Rice and I was not disappointed. I immediately fell in love with Gina and Bryce. This book is part of a series but can definitely be read as a standalone as I did. I can’t wait to read more of the series. It’s such a heartwarming story. It kept me engaged the whole time.

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Nite Fire: Flash Point by C. L. Schneider – Review by Santana Hicks

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

This book was really interesting to immerse myself in. I used to love dragons when I was younger. This is the first dragon themed book I have read in years and I was not disappointed.

The main character, Dahlia Nite, is a half human half dragon shifter. She left her home on Drimera almost 100 years ago, taking up residence on Earth. Taking it upon herself to protect the humans from species like herself while also covering the tracks of the creatures, she works alongside the police as a consultant.

These newest cases are harder to cover up since the creatures are no longer trying to hide. Dahlia is working in overdrive to try to cover it up from the humans as a few detectives have too many questions about the circumstances that these humans are in. Burnt to a crisp.

Dahlia uses her dragon powers to solve crimes. She has the power of empathy which allows her to see pain and sorrow which the dead produce a lot of. More and more creatures are appearing on Earth and Dahlia is trying to find out why all while hiding who she truly is.

The concept was very interesting. This power is unique all in it’s own. Which made me intrigued right from the beginning to the end.

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Daire’s Devils (Daire’s Devils Series Book 1) by Danielle Ackley-McPhail – Review by Erica Fish

Daire's DevilsDaire’s Devils by Danielle Ackley-McPhail
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is my first book by Danielle Ackley-McPhail. I was not sure what I was getting myself into. The cover looked like a comic book cover type. I found myself immersed in the storyline. The story had so much detail so that the mind’s eye could visualize what the author wanted me to see. The characters were interesting and developed. There was a lot of action, almost too much. The adventure did seem like it was rushed, but it was still a great story. This story has some military tones to the story but the action and adventure is what kept this moving right along. I do caution that maybe times you read fast but watch out because you may have overlooked a detail. I highly recommend this book. It is a great read to get lost in to leave the world behind for a short time.

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The Mesmerist by Claire Luana – Review by Francis O’Sullivan

The MesmeristThe Mesmerist by Claire Luana
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Mesmerist is a stunning fantasy mystery, set in a royal court. It’s a stand-alone story packed with rich details and intriguing secrets that will draw readers in. A real treat for young adult readers!
I was intrigued from the start, with so many questions I was desperate to get answers to. Why was Adrijana’s father so worried about taking her to the city? What would it be like – would it live up to her expectations?
The setting is great! There’s a bit of magic, and it’s heavily tied in to power and politics. The Mesmers can see people’s thoughts and emotions, but there are those who are immune to their abilities, who are also the kinds of people you can’t accuse lightly. So Adrijana and Dragan, the royal Mesmer, have to tread carefully as they try to uncover the truth and deliver justice. At the same time, there’s all the glitz and glamour of a royal court, and the exciting melting pot of different cultures.
This book gets five stars from me! I would recommend it to fantasy lovers who enjoy stories with a royal setting, such as the Tortall books. I would love to read more, and in a way it’s a shame it’s a stand-alone, but the author has written plenty more that you can enjoy once you’ve savoured The Mesmerist.

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The Mesmerist by Claire Luana – Review by Chrissy Spulak

The MesmeristThe Mesmerist by Claire Luana
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the first book I have picked up by this author, and it will not be the last. Once again, I am late to the party, but I will not be leaving any time soon! This book is the perfect adventure to fall into. There is a little something for everyone and, not to mention, great characters to sweep you away into the world of murder, lies, deceit, and so much more. Fantastic read and I HIGHLY recommend this book!

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Rebecca Steele Living the Dream (Rebecca Steele series Book 3) by Joanne Patterson – Review by Veronica Lee

Rebecca Steele Living The Dream (The Rebecca Steele series Book 3)Rebecca Steele Living The Dream by Joanne Patterson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Becky has returned for the third and final installment of the Rebecca Steele Saga. Her journey is not one without obstacles.
Becky is a very strong character who you just can’t help take notice of. She is a woman that if she was real you would want her to have by your side through anything.
I found this book very hard to put down. Joanne Patterson has saved the best for last and this book does not disappoint.

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Etched in this Moment (Etched Series Book 1) by Calla Zae – Review by Dawn Daughenbaugh

Etched in this Moment (Etched, #1)Etched in this Moment by Calla Zae
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

5 Stars
Etched in this Moment (Etched Series Book 1) by Calla Zae

Etched in this Moment is a fast paced Contemporary Romance that I absolutely loved reading. I’m going to be honest there was a few parts of the story that felt a bit rushed and a few other parts I wish she gave us more but other than that I loved it. This is a fairly new author to me and I’m definitely going to check out what other books she has written. This story is well developed other than a few spots and the characters are relatable and fully developed. This may be a trigger as there is mention of some abuse but its not to bad. This is Tia ( Sophia) and Theo’s story . She has a secret that no one knows about but her she’s had to move away from her family and friends to be safe from an ex. Her new life is going well until an anonymous text sends her running right into Theo who she doesn’t know it yet but he’s her saving grace. Theo is a detective who is on light duty after being injured on the job. These two from the first moment have a feeling like they’ve never felt before. The more they get to know each other the more she opens up about her past and her non trust in police officers. Can Theo protect her? Can he keep her safe from dangerous ex? You guys I highly recommend reading this book. You will find yourself lost in the pages. I read it in one sitting. It was a perfect snow day read. I look forward to reading more from this Author.

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Etched in this Moment (Etched Series Book 1) by Calla Zae – Review by Beverly Finnie

Etched in this Moment (Etched, #1)Etched in this Moment by Calla Zae
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Etched in This Moment is more realistic than people realize at times. It’s definitely a trigger warning for anyone who’s ever been in an abusive relationship. Besides that I liked it. The great book premise was there, might’ve been a little rushed in the timeline but the story still worked and it was good.
Tia aka Sofia is trying to hide in plain sight from ex-boyfriend Dane(who happens to be a cop.) Until he finds her! What he doesn’t know is that when he does contact to say he has, it changes Tia’s life for the better. She literally/figuratively runs into her future in Theo.
Theo, a detective, wants to do everything in his power to keep Tia safe.
Does Dane get to her?
Why is Theo so enthralled with a stranger?
What happens to Tia/Sofia?
All that and more can be found out by jumping into this story. Just heed the warning at the beginning if that’s you. If not jump in, it’s worth the read!

@placexba

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A Hundred Wishes (Band of Sisters) by Marianne Rice – Review by Kerry Baker

A Hundred Wishes (Band of Sisters)A Hundred Wishes by Marianne Rice
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I thought this was a wonderful story, so well written and easy to read. It took no time at all to get lost in the story and the journey the characters go through. I thought they were such engaging and well rounded characters. They added so much to the overall story. This is an author that is still relatively new to me and I thought this book were a great example of what she could do. I loved the ebb and flow of the story. This c were a great book to read and I am looking forward to the rest of the series.

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The Mesmerist by Claire Luana – Reviewed by Dr. Anya Schultz

The MesmeristThe Mesmerist by Claire Luana
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow this book will keep you guessing! The Mesmerist is an adult fantasy mystery book about a girl named Adrijana, who comes to visit her friend who is one of the new guards for the princess. As a girl with much wonder about the world around her, she ends up staying for a royal party. However, this is also when her life will completely change. She finds out she is something that many fear, but at the same time someone is also killing off the royal family. Adrijana is trying to accept this new life and figure out, not only who is killing the royals, but who is trustworthy and who isn’t.

One of the things I loved most about this book was all the mystery. There are twists and turns in each chapter and I loved trying to figure out who is behind all of these weird and tragic mishaps. The clues will pull you back and forth thinking one thing one minute and then another just a sentence later. Adrijana presents strong character development and intuition as the mystery unfolds. So, if you are looking for a fantasy style book with lots of mystery, this is the book for you!!

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The Mesmerist by Claire Luana – Review by Trish Ann

The MesmeristThe Mesmerist by Claire Luana
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book was good and different than my usual reads. It was a bid lagging and slow in terms of plot for me because some parts were information overload. I was captivated by Adrijana’s quest for innocence. She also was a character you connect with because we all have doubts and second-guess ourselves. I like when stories have me keep guessing.

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Nite Fire: Smoke & Mirrors by C. L. Schneider – Review by Desiree Ottinger

Smoke & Mirrors (Nite Fire #3)Smoke & Mirrors by C.L. Schneider
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Dahlia Nite has been keeping her partner Alex Creed in the dark about who she really is and what she knows about all the strange cases that they have been catching. However, it starts to become impossible to keep all the secrets as parts and pieces of multiple species -not of earth- are found in Sentinel City. As she shares some, but not all, of what is really going on, the lies become harder, and she struggles to keep everyone safe. Can she continue on this path and keep everyone in the dark without any fall out? Or will she need to share it all to solve this latest case and keep everyone safe?

I am enjoying this series. I feel the author does an excellent job of conveying how Dahlia feels disconnected with her dragon side and more in tune with her human side, as well as her empathy for humans. Her relationships are fraught with secrets and when she realizes just how much her friends mean to her, she starts to share more of herself. She is a lost person looking for where she belongs and what her purpose is. This book starts to show how she is finally finding her place, gives a bigger glimpse as to what her purpose is, but doesn’t give it all away. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series!

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Born in Darkness (Mafia Elite Book 3) by Amy McKinley – Review by Megan Conley

Born in Darkness (Mafia Elite, #3)Born in Darkness by Amy McKinley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This series just keeps getting better with each book! As always, I absolutely love McKinley’s character development, especially with the female characters. Her consistency in keeping the female characters strong, independent, and badass is something I really appreciate. I’m also enjoying how we are getting to see the male characters more in-depth. McKinley’s character development is something that I’ve appreciated since the first book and will, hopefully, continue to appreciate in the next two books of the series. I also enjoy the fact that McKinley keeps characters from the previous books as integral aspects, but continues to move the storyline along.

Stefano and Emiliana’s relationship has been building since they were teenagers when they were forced to keep their attraction to one another secret. Stefano took a risk to help save Emiliana when she was previously abducted but it was worth it to both of them. Since then, Stefano has allowed Em the space she needs to heal, but he is always there when she needs him. We also get to see how Stefano was raised and how that has shaped him into the man he is now. It’s truly heartbreaking to see why he is so quiet and pensive, but it has made him into a strong man who knows what he wants and will stop at nothing to get it.

I definitely recommend reading the books in order since there are two significant relationships that have come from the previous books. In this book, questions are starting to be answered from the previous two books and we are starting to see how the Five Families are beginning to transition into a new generation of mafia bosses. I cannot wait for the fourth installment of this series.

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Exiled South by Harriet Cannon Review by Heather Knalls

Exiled SouthExiled South by Harriet Cannon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Lizbeth Gordon thought she had the normal happy married life with kids but boy was she wrong. Her husband Dan of 20 years was actually a gambling man that had put them into financial ruin which Lizbeth did not find out about until his accident. This sent Lizbeth spiraling trying to find her way back up. That’s when she started digging more into her family history and the things she found were amazing and difficult at the same time. After taking a job in Rio De Janeiro she finds family an extended family she never knew was out there.

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The Mesmerist by Claire Luana – Review by Dawn Daughenbaugh

The MesmeristThe Mesmerist by Claire Luana
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

5 Stars
The Mesmerist by Claire Luana

The Mesmerist is a Fantasy/Romance that I absolutely loved reading. I was captivated from the beginning and had a terrible time putting it down. The cover is amazing and I found myself staring at it for several minutes. Something about it is just relaxing. I’m a huge fan of this author and she continues to blow me away with her ability to make you feel as if you are a part of the story. Wow what an adventure, the characters are great and the twists and turns had me turning the pages to see what was going to happen next. I could go on and on but I won’t. I can’t recommend this author or this book enough. I assure you that you won’t be disappointed. This has just landed on my favorites list by this author and I will definitely be re-reading several times in the future. I look forward to seeing what she brings us next.

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A Hundred Wishes (Band of Sisters) by Marianne Rice – Review by Helani Kihe

A Hundred Wishes (Band of Sisters)A Hundred Wishes by Marianne Rice
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A Hundred Wishes was equally heartwarming, funny, sad and steamy. I loved that even though this book was part of a little series of books you could read it all by itself.
I fell in love with the characters. They were real. No fairytale romace here. Both of the main characters had issues that cause bumps and curves in their relationship together. Though they did work through a lot of the issues, the issues themselves didn’t magically disappear. By the end of the story they both still had stuff they need to workout but had learned how to better work them and cope. That made this story much more relatable and such a great read.

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The Mesmerist by Claire Luana – Review by Ashley Johnson

The MesmeristThe Mesmerist by Claire Luana
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I absolutely devoured this book! I finished it in one setting and did not get any sleep! I loved the characters and it had great world building. This story had you second guessing yourself. I thought I had it figured out many times but boy was I wrong! I can’t wait to read more from this author!

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The Clockwork Solution (The Clockwork Chronicles Book 2) by Michelle D. Sonnier – Review by Piper Foster

The Clockwork Solution (The Clockwork Chronicles Book 2)The Clockwork Solution by Michelle D. Sonnier
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I feel the author got a better chance in this book. Arebella comes more alive in this book. It flows better as well and you feel more invested in the characters and story.

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Wildcat: A Steamy Firefighter Romance by Carina Alyce – Review by Ashleyann Sanabria

Wildcat: A Steamy Firefighter RomanceWildcat: A Steamy Firefighter Romance by alyce
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When I grow up, I want to be half as strong as Leslie McClunis. The things that she deals with and pushes through is a testament to how under-rated many women are. She goes for what she wants, she will fight with her last breath to get it, and I feel bad for whoever gets in her way.

Trevor is laser focused on his game, which makes Leslie’s appearance in his life totally unexpected. A small, red head, spit fire that would chew him up and spit him out if he let her. Too bad for her, he is after so much more than she’s willing to give. Will true love win out?

The book is told in multiple perspectives, one of which in the form of journal entries. I enjoyed the glimpse of the future at the start. Enough information to give you something to root for, but vague enough that it still had you guessing at the details. I didn’t totally understand the significance of the POV told in journal entries, but it did add and air of mystery and intrigue, so I didn’t mind it. All in all, this book was quite steamy! The plot was enjoyable and the characters were easy to root for. I read this book in a day, and enjoyed the entire ride. If you are looking for something steamy, romantic, and intriguing, definitely give this book a shot! I definitely intend to pick up the next!

Reviewed by @asanabr1

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Nite Fire: Smoke & Mirrors by C. L. Schneider – Review by Leeann custins

Smoke & Mirrors (Nite Fire #3)Smoke & Mirrors by C.L. Schneider
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Third book in and The series just keeps getting better. Can’t get enough. Highly recommend

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Daire’s Devils (Daire’s Devils Series Book 1) by Danielle Ackley-McPhail – Review by Shadel Ayerbe

Daire's DevilsDaire’s Devils by Danielle Ackley-McPhail
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book has sci-fi and action. It is a military story.

Give ’em a good thrashing! Allied Forces—including the 142nd Mobile Special Ops Team, often known as Daire’s Devils—stand poised to protect the disputed colony planet Demeter against military invasion and corporate exploitation at the furthest reaches of the cosmos. When those seeking to steal the top-secret plans of AeroCom’s new prototype flagship, the Cromwell, infiltrate the ranks, Corporal Katrion Alexander, the Devils’ newest member, finds herself up against an unexpected threat: synthetic operatives indistinguishable from live people. She and the Devils must stop this new menace, but how can they do it when the opponent has a familiar face?

I loved this story. I loved every page of it. Every chapter was exciting. This is my first book from this author and I can’t wait to read the rest of her books.

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BLOOD OATH (MAFIA ELITE BOOK 2) BY AMY MCKINLEY REVIEWED BY CARLIE DEL GALLO

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

This is the second book that I have read by this author, and I was entranced! From the first page I was hooked and wanted to do nothing more than read this book all day long. Enzo and Sophias story though out this book has numerous twists and turns that had me on pins and needles every second! Sohpia and Enzo’s story start when they are eight years old, and they have been fighting attraction for one another every step of the way. I cannot wait to see what happens next in the series with them as well as he next set of people. I could not put this book down. Their story was absolutely amazing, and I cannot wait to see what the next story has in store!

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The Mesmerist by Claire Luana – Review by Kerry Carr

The MesmeristThe Mesmerist by Claire Luana
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this fantasy adventure. The story had me gripped from beginning to end and the twists and turns kept me reading all the way through. The author does an amazing job of building the characters and especially our lead character Jana.

She is a young woman who thinks she is normal but boy is she wrong. When the queen is murdered secrets come out about her abilities that were kept hidden from her.
Now she needs to find a way to learn about who she really is and what her abilities mean.
At the same time someone is killing the royal family. Jana is a suspect so she must try to work hard to prove that she is innocent.
All along she is learning that people aren’t always who they seem to be and that not everybody can be trusted. As the story twists and the plot carries on we can feel the turmoil Jana feels when people she thought she can trust betray her.

Can she prove her innocence? Will she find the murderer and stop the killings?

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The Clockwork Witch (The Clockwork Chronicles Book 1) by Michelle D. Sonnier – Review by Piper Foster

The Clockwork WitchThe Clockwork Witch by Michelle D. Sonnier
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In all honest I wanted to love this book. The premises is brilliant and I was looking forward reading it. I unfortunately couldn’t find connect with the characters and they had little substance to them. I will say the authors descrptive style was canny but would be better with a bit more embraliahment.

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The Mesmerist by Claire Luana – Review by Rayne East

The MesmeristThe Mesmerist by Claire Luana
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Brilliant stand-alone YA fantasy mystery
This was an amazing YA fantasy adventure. The interwoven mystery kept me on the edge of my seat. The world building and depth of characterisation were exceptional. I connected with Jana and was quickly swept along with her journey. This is my first book from this author and it won’t be my last. Intriguing and suspenseful I can’t recommend this book enough.

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The Mesmerist by Claire Luana – Review by Angela Hayes

The MesmeristThe Mesmerist by Claire Luana
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

 

5 Stars

 

I have to say that I didn’t like this story…………..

………… I absolutely LOVED it!!!!!
The Mesmerist by Claire Luana is a spellbinding fantasy that swept me up on quite the adventure. I adore all of Ms. Luana’s books and eagerly await each new release, so I was beyond excited when this new book hit my Kindle. I had very high expectations for this book because all her previous releases have been so stellar, and I am happy to report that Ms. Luana definitely delivered the goods with this wonderful book. I really can’t find the words to do this story the justice it deserves, so I will just say that I can’t recommend this story highly enough and if you are looking at reading it, run and snap up a copy and dive in, you really won’t be disappointed!
Can’t wait to see what she does next!
Happy Reading!

Thank you, Claire Luana!

 

Reviewed by @angelahayes

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Etched in this Moment (Etched Series Book 1) by Calla Zae – Review by Jenni Bishop

Etched in this Moment (Etched, #1)Etched in this Moment by Calla Zae
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a contemporary romance suspense story and the first book I have read by this author. There are plenty of emotions and drama, angst, and suspense, secrets and lies, pain and suffering, fear, heartache and so much more. The story is fast paced and full of chemistry that is off the charts in this insta love story. Throw in some danger and mystery, and a bit of action with a woman living in fear with no trust and a charming alpha male who wants to protect, and you have an emotionally charged story that you can’t put down.

Reviewed by @jennadb

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The Mesmerist by Claire Luana – Review by Jenni Bishop

The MesmeristThe Mesmerist by Claire Luana
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A Young Adult fantasy mystery story where the characters are well developed and there are many plots with twists and turns that keep you intrigued. The world building is rich, and the story is engaging and clever. With lies and deception, bloodshed, and magic, and much more with tangled plots in murder and mayhem. Becoming a Mesmer is going to be hard when she is trying to prove her innocence within a world that is corrupt and evil. This book is darker than the authors previous series, which adds to the mystery and intrigue. The author has left some threads unwoven which will undoubtedly lead to more books in this deadly compelling tale.

Reviewed by @jennadb

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Etched in this Moment (Etched Series Book 1) by Calla Zae – Review by Ember Daley

Etched in this Moment (Etched, #1)Etched in this Moment by Calla Zae
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Well. That escalated quickly! I couldn’t stop reading. I’m sad it was as short as it was, and I personally feel like everything was rushed and that we missed out on so much goodness. BUT it is the first of the series, so I’m not going to harp. My first book by this author, very pleased with her writing style and characters. I’ll be here for book two!

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