Death of a Coupon Queen by Jenna Harte
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Jenna Harte reminded me how much I really love romantic, suspenseful mysteries! Death of a Coupon Queen was an absolute page turner. I couldn’t stop reading it and it had such an awesome ending!! Can’t give this book enough stars! Well done!
Remember My Name by Laurencia Hoffman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I enjoyed this book. Its the first book I read that involve gay men. The storyline kept me turning pages, cant wait to see whats next. It does have some violence so for certain people it might be a trigger.
Houses of Deception by Cynthia Hamilton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Having read and enjoyed the previous five books in this series I was looking forward to Hamilton’s latest novel and was definitely not disappointed. ‘Houses of Deception’ is the sixth instalment in the Madeline Dawkins series and it was great to be back with our heroine Madeline and her now husband Mike. The pair make a great private investigating team and in this story they have their hands full juggling two cases with three missing people involved. The first case sees the couple teaming up with Russell Barnett their former nemesis, but they agree to work together as the missing person is Dylan Latham, the son of Burt who lost his life saving Madeline’s. Not only is Dylan missing but also his girlfriend Paige and they appear to have disappeared without a trace. Then when a women is kidnapped and a ransom is asked for, her husband reaches out to the MDPI team. As the team start investigating knowing they have no time to waste they uncover secrets, lies and shameful pasts whilst having to navigate ransom drops, stolen art, and extortion schemes. Soon they start to wonder if the missing people are actually innocent victims after all.
As usual I was drawn into Madeline and Mike’s world and was hooked from page one. The exciting and complex storyline had me gripped and the plot twists kept me guessing until the last page. Madeline and Mike continue to be a great team who I feel I am working alongside to solve the cases with them as the author makes them come alive. I enjoy the banter between them which makes them seem like a realistic couple and also makes them feel very relatable. Although it can be read as a standalone story the characters and storylines do crossover and I would recommend reading the rest of the series as each book is better than the last.
A Cold Day in Hell by Naomi Valkyrie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Hadassah Engel is a fallen angel, well, maybe not fallen, but she is on probation from the heaven realm, she dared to lend her powers to her brother Malakhi and she is now powerless and stuck in the human realm with him and that is the last place she wants to be, she misses the perfection of her home and her life, she is in her own hell on earth and she is not pleased in the slightest, although she is happy that she took the risk to help Malakhi, now she only has to bide her time. She has been invited by Malakhi to live with him and his adopted family in Juniper Lake, but she doesn’t really want to interact much with any of them, she prefers her own company after all and would much prefer to stay in her room and read, but as time passes, Malakhi is getting fed up of her attitude and insists that she starts to take the time to get to know the others she is living with, but why would she want to make friends with demons and other supernatural beings?
As Malakhi becomes more annoyed with her attitude and her housemates are being increasingly prickly, she decides to try out talking to one of Malakhi’s friends who seems to be more quiet than the others and keep herself to herself, this is more in line with herself as well, so one day she goes to see Jezebel, the dog shifter who lives down by the lake in a small cabin, but she bites a bit more off than she can chew when Jezebel plays her at her own game and starts to push back with an attitude of her own, this isn’t something Hadassah is comfortable with, but she is polite for Malakhi’s sake, however, eventually, she is pushed too far and calls it quits for the night. A few hours later she sees Jezebel coming out of the woods again, however, Jezebel is full of tension and Hadassah knows something is wrong, it seems that she is right and that Jezebel has sensed something from her past and it completely terrifies her, it is someone whom it turns out she has been hiding from and has no intentions of returning to, so as Jezebel packs a bag with enough clothes in for herself, she tells Hadassah that she is taking the truck and leaving Juniper Lake, knowing that Malakhi would kill her if she let Jezebel go alone, Hadassah is determined to go along with her and no matter how Jezebel tries to fend her off, she is unsuccessful.
As the two take off on their impromptu trip, they try to stay as incognito as they can, but as it progresses, they snipe at each other as usual, but they open up to each other as well when they become more comfortable spending time in the same space as each other, but will Jezebel’s past catch up with them, or will they end up being on the run forever, what will Malakhi do when he finds that they have gone without telling him? This is another great book in this series where life and death struggle to come out on top and a makeshift family comes together to help solve a problem which has been hidden away and ignored for years.
Reviewed by roxsannel
Houses of Deception by Cynthia Hamilton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Houses of Deception (The Madeline Dawkins Mystery Series Book 6) by Cynthia Hamilton is totally a book you could read without having read the first five books in the series. The novel itself is fast-paced and draws you in from the first page. The characters are compelling, and it was very easy to fall right into their world and believe it. The chemistry of Madeline and Mike is intriguing and makes the story captivating. If you are into mysteries with tons of action, this is definitely a good one. I was held ransom by the suspense and found myself trying to solve each case. This is the first book I’ve read by this author, and you can bet I’m going to go back and read the previous five. I give this book four stars!
Snowflakes and Holly: A Small Town Christmas Romance by Jae Dawson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
What is my absolute favourite thing….. CHRISTMAS!! I could read Christmas romance all year round. This had me so excited just from the front cover. A great cheesy happy Christmas romance, I was laughing throughout. Holly and Will cannot stand each other when they first meet although you can just sense the seriousl chemistry scorching between them. They soon come to realise that they may just be what one another needs to move on from their struggles to have a great Christmas. Another great installment from this series 🙂
Houses of Deception by Cynthia Hamilton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Houses Of Deception by Cynthia Hamilton is the sixth book in the fantastic Madeline Dawkins series. Each book in the series has been exciting and a thrill to read and this book certainly carries on that tradition. This whole book was detailed and complex. The story twisted this way and that and really kept you in your toes the whole wait through. I really love diving back into this series. It never takes me long to become fully invested in the characters again. This is a really strong series that keeps getting better and better. I am looking forward to whatever is next.
Remember His Name by Laurencia Hoffman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Wren Stafford is an empath, he has known this from a young age, but has never been accepted by others because of it, he lives with his parents, but they don’t get on as well as they probably should do and because of his ability to feel the emotions around him in an amplified manner, it often times overwhelms him, not to mention that if he touches someone, the experience is even more unsettling as he has images thrown at him from the persons past. All Wren wants to do is live a normal life and help others, but this is not going to be an easy thing to do, but as soon as he can leave home, he does, but things change completely when he meets someone at his workplace and finds the love that he has always wanted and the knowledge that they love him too, despite being the way he is and Henry is that person .
Wren still finds it hard to imagine that his one true love has found him and sometimes that plays on his mind, but the more he begins to accept it, the more he flourishes as a person and grows into his abilities and his confidence in every day life and when Henry proposes to him, he tearfully agrees to marry him, the next chapter in his life rushes by him in a whirl of wedding planning, work and love, that is until what should be the happiest day of his life arrives and he has a horrifying vision as he takes his vows. His vision is of his husband being murdered, he tries to tell Henry what he has seen, but he isn’t believed, this is the beginning of an anxious downwards spiral for Wren as he tries desperately to make Henry realise that it is true, but as the vision begins to play in his nightmares and more detail is forced into his dreams, Henry finds it more and more difficult to accept, until the day it actually happens and Wren is too late to stop it.
As the investigations starts, Wren is the prime suspect because of his knowledge of what was going to happen and him being found at the scene of the crime itself and despite the fact that he was attacked and injured himself, nobody believes his innocence and the small life they had been building falls apart around him as people turn on him and pint their accusatory fingers and words in his direction as well, in the end, Wren stops going out, he distances himself from work and closes himself off from the world outside. However, what they don’t know is that Wren is now having visions of his own death and they are just as gruesome, if not worse that Henry’s, again, his nightmare play out the scene, but this time, it is different, this time, he can see certain things he couldn’t see before, could these things lead him to the real killer? Will Wren be able to figure out the puzzle being laid before him, or will he run out of time and become the next victim before he can prove his innocence at last? This is a thrilling mystery with a thread of romance weaved throughout and will keep you guessing the who, where and what all the way until the end as the tangled mess of flashes is unravelled.
Reviewed by @roxsannel
A Cold Day in Hell by Naomi Valkyrie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is the fifth book in this series by this author and I knew after reading the previous books I had to read this one as well. I couldn’t wait for the release. And I absolutely loved it. Just as good, if not better than, its predecessors. I love how this author can mix so many genres into one beautifully woven story and this one was no different. Her ability to describe the worlds and characters is remarkable. I really wish that someone would make this series into a television show or set of movies because I can already imagine it in my head. I will say that if you haven’t read the previous books then do so before reading this one. They really do need to be read in order so you will understand what is really going on and what has happened previously. But I do recommend that you read this book, especially if you are into the paranormal romance genre.
Bittersweep by Wareeze Woodson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Bittersweep is a great historical romance novel from Wareeze Woodson. I have recently read a few books from this author and I’m becoming a big fan of her writing. I am more of a contemporary romance fan but Wareeze Woodson is giving me a love for historical romance.
Moving back to her hometown of Bittersweep after 15 years away, and under a different name, schoolteacher Elizabeth Campbell is determined to find out what happened to her family.
Chairman of the school board JP is taken by the new school teacher wants to find out more about her but she’s determined not to let him close.
I really enjoyed this book. I loved the relationship between Elizabeth and JP. Both are characters that I really liked and could read about for hours.
There is so much more to the story line than just the relationship between these two. I was really drawn in by the story and did not want to put this book down. It is very entertaining and keeps you drawn into the story right up to the very end.
I definitely recommend this book and look forward to reading more of Wareeze Woodson’s work.
Alterations by Jane Suen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
What would you do if someone offered you a way to lose weight quickly and easily with no surgery and no side effects? How about if they offered to treat a chronic illness that you have? Or maybe help you overcome bitterness and anger towards an ex? Would you do it? In Alterations, find out what three women will choose to do and what the consequences are in their lives. This was a very fast read, and I loved the concept and story. The only thing I didn’t like was that it felt very incomplete due to being the first book in a series. I recommend reading this story as well as the rest of the series!
Caim by T.S. Simons
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Caim is the fourth book in T.S. Simons’ Antipodes series. If you haven’t already, it’s definitely worth starting at the beginning of the series (Antipodes) to get the full story!
The series is a post-apocalyptic sci-fi story. With an impending international crisis, a carefully chosen group of people are placed in safe communities where they will be safe and can rebuild and repopulate the world. There seems to be a vision of a perfect society, with social and environmental harmony, but there are many challenges and the characters begin to realise that things aren’t as perfect as they seem.
In Caim, Freyja receives some shocking news and sets out with Cam, Illy and Luca to seek the truth and set things right. They are hesitant about leaving their children, but determined to do what’s right.
What I particularly like about this series is the way it explores many interesting and topical ethical issues. There’s a conflict between individual and collective needs and the extreme situations increase the stakes.
For me, this is another five-star read! I’d recommend the series to young adult and new adult readers concerned about the environment and how to build a better world.
Boy on Hold by J.D. Spero
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Boy on Hold
A must – read psychological thriller
By J.D. Spero
☆☆☆☆☆
This is a fully engrossing thriller. I could not put it down. This starts with elevated murder and the rollercoaster ride begins. Great story for YA and adults alike.
Little 7 year old Hen knows what really happened. But will the adults take the time to listen to him? As Tyler is saying nothing to prove his innocence, many people have thought of their own ideas as to the truth. Will Tyler find a way out of this trouble? Who really did this and Why? Take a chance with this thriller. It is sure to keep you reading.
J.D Spero is an excellent writer. I have read many of her books and have enjoyed each and everyone. This story will not disappoint! The characters hold the secrets and only the truth will prevail. I can hardly wait for book 2. I am sure it will be as intense as this o e. Well Done J.D. Spero! Well Done!
Review@Cinful
The Heart of Baker Bay by Danielle Jacks
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I adored this. My heart connected with Jody more than I wanted to admit. She felt like the family screw up and wasn’t sure what chance she had. It was a city girl meets a small town boy with sparks flying. He didn’t think she belonged there and she didn’t know where she belonged at all. Though, Jody found out she was way more capable than she felt. I loved this story. I adore Jody and Adam’s love even more. I was laughing, tearing up, and cheering for them.
I can not recommend this more!
Alterations by Jane Suen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Alterations is the first book in the alterations trilogy by Jane Suen. This is the story of three women desperate to change their lives and Dr. Kite who has an implant for the job. I loved this book and it also terrified me. It’s so frightening to think of the things technology can do or will be able to do in the future, and this book takes you to a world where technology can change everything. I got lost in the words of this book and into this world and before I knew it the book was over. Thankfully though there are two more books.
A Cold Day in Hell by Naomi Valkyrie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is the 5th book in the Life is Hell series and is a Paranormal Romance. This story follows Haddie, an Angel, as she endures hell on Earth. She ended up on Earth as punishment for sharing her power with her brother and now all she wants to do is go home. Enter Jezebel, her brothers friend. Jezebel is a shifter who has been running from her past and Haddie feels it necessary to go on the run with her, only because her brother would never forgive her if she let her go alone. All she wanted to do was stay out of trouble and serve her time so she can go home.
Sex on Fire: A Quickie Read by Ashley Bostock
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was a quick read, but even though it isn’t long you still get to know the characters fairly well, and are pulled into their potential relationship.
Turner and Poppy are neighbours, and she is the only female that hasn’t thrown herself at him, instead they become good friends. Turner has finally had enough and wants to entice Poppy out of her introvert world and invites her to a bbq, only it doesn’t quite go to plan and he risks losing her completely.
I loved how Turner knew how to encourage Poppy and how thoughtful he was with her. She doesn’t believe that someone like Turner could possibly want her, but he is so sweet and patient.
Reviewed by @MrsR
Houses of Deception by Cynthia Hamilton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is the sixth book in the Madeline Dawkins series and I don’t know how but Cynthia Hamilton keeps making them better than the last.
In this story we are reunited with our strong and fearless heroine in Madeline along with her now husband Mike. Together then make up a great investigative team and each case they gets is always never as it seems. And the cases in this book are no exception.
The first case involves a couple who are already Madeline’s clients. Well clients of her other business of party organising. Troy and Tara. At the couples 5th wedding anniversary everything seems perfect in their life, however when Tara is kidnapped and her life threatened Troy reaches out to Madeline and Mike to find and rescue her. However what they find as they start investigating is that things aren’t what they first seemed and someone is hiding things.
The second case they have is to find a missing man called Dylan Latham. Dylan is the son of Burt Latham( Burt was responsible for helping Madeline and saving her life). When Dylan is reported to them as missing Madeline starts the hunt and again things soon take a twist. Not only is Dylan missing but also his girlfriend Paige. Could this just be a case of a young couple running away together? Or has something more sinister happend? Is it connected to the help Burt gave Madeline or has Dylan’s girlfriend uncovered something that has placed them in danger?
Houses of Deception by Cynthia Hamilton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Houses of Deception (The Madeline Dawkins Series Book 6)
By Cynthia Hamilton
4-stars
This was a truly phenomenal suspense read from start to finish! This was my first book by this author so I can honestly say that this book can be read as a standalone as I hadn’t read any previous books of the series and I had no issues jumping in and piecing together all of the details.
From the very beginning I was intrigued; the author managed to captivate me and keep me guessing the whole way through. I loved all of the twist and turns, added surprise elements and of course all the mystery.
I look forward to reading more from this author in the near future!
Snowflakes and Holly: A Small Town Christmas Romance by Jae Dawson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Loved this one! Each of these characters is unique in their thoughts and abilities. These two definitely called each other out on their issues but in a good way. Their professional and personal lives bounce and slam together like they are jumping on a trampoline.
Blake’s story in Chapter 2 just about killed me! I am surprised he has such an upbeat personality with all that he has endured. The way he met Finn and how their friendship grew was wonderful. It made me realize there are still good people in the world. I really enjoyed a lot about Blake and the way he looks at the world and definitely looks at Holly. Especially what he calls her “murder eyebrow” that he secretly loves when she brings it out to show she means business.
Holly is a wonderful character. She has demons in her past that make her a super physical therapist but struggle with the rest of her life. She has RBF and isn’t afraid to use it. I liked that she was open to a relationship with Blake which shows she can change. I also liked how she “pretended” to hate Blake’s song picks but didn’t really.
…OH I forgot to mention Finn! He impressed me from the beginning (with his love of potato chips in sandwiches) and that held until the end. His caring, kindness and thoughtfulness makes me hope he gets his own story.
Overall this is a great story! The characters are all delightful and the story easily kept me turning pages. Usually I like the lead male as a favorite of the book. This time there is a three way tie..Holly, Blake and Finn. There is a lot to like, love and enjoy in here. I am eagerly awaiting the next in the series!
Houses of Deception by Cynthia Hamilton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Houses of Deception (The Madeline Dawkins Mystery Series Book 6) by Cynthia Hamilton. This is the 6th book in the Madeline Dawkins Series and can be read as a standalone but is much better if you read them in order. Its the continuing story of the MDPI team who consists of Mike and Madeline Delaney. After they attend a party given by Tara & Troy Richardson they get a call the next morning that Tara is missing. They have been given the message that if the police are called they will kill Tara so they hire Mike and Madeline. At the same time they have another missing person case come up and they are trying to give them both equal attention. Will they be able to find the victims before its too late? Will the missing people be as innocent as they seem? Read this page turning mystery to find out!
Houses of Deception by Cynthia Hamilton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is a series I have enjoyed from the first book. This author has done such a great job with the mystery and suspense aspects of this story. I enjoyed being pulled into the story from the beginning and kept engaged to the end. This is a fast paced story that is full of action and one of my favorite characters Madeline Dawson. There is much going on in this book but the author did a great job of keeping the details straight so I didn’t get lost. Madline is back in another mystery of missing people and two cases are anything but what it looks like and of course you can’t forget about Mike who is also back in this mystery story. I enjoyed the twists and turns and how they kept me turning pages. This is truly a great story that I highly recommend.
Review by @bjwagner
Houses of Deception by Cynthia Hamilton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Houses of Deception (The Madeline Dawkins Series Book 6) by Cynthia Hamilton is another great addition to this mystery series. Cynthia knows how to write a good mystery. Her narrative always takes the reader on a journey that is as suspenseful and intriguing as it is mysterious. I love the wonderful and lovable characters she infuses so much heart and soul into. I love the twists and trying to see where Cynthia is taking us, but I usually get it wrong.
I have said it before, and I will say it again I adore both Madeline and Mike as a team and the way they think and solve their mysteries. Nothing is ever as it seems, and this may be the one time they may be in way over their heads.
I highly recommend this series.
Reviewed by @jennadb
The Girl and the Raven by Pauline Gruber
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The Girl and the Raven tells the story of Lucy, a teen who has no idea who she really is…until her mother passes away and she is sent to live with her uncles. When she learns the truth about her family, and herself, Lucy is thrown into a world she never imagined could be real.
This Young Adult novel was great. The writing is superb. I am usually not a reader who enjoys stories that switch between multiple points of view, but this one was done so seamlessly that it never once was an issue. The characters are fantastic and the danger is real–the twists and turns just keep coming! Great first novel for the series and I can’t wait to read more!
An Enduring Love by Wareeze Woodson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
An Enduring Love by Wareeze Woodson is an historical romance story. I have mixed feelings about this book. The premise was good, but boy did I not like the male MC. I have never wanted to do bodily harm so much as I wanted to inflict on him. He was an arrogant SOB with only a care in the world for himself. The angst and fear and horror that his wife went through did not even faze him. I almost gave up but kept going as I have enjoyed other works by Wareeze. My heart broke for and all she had to endure. This was not my idea of an enduring love for me. BUT that does not mean that you will not enjoy it so give it a go.
Reviewed by @jennadb
Alterations by Jane Suen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
WOW! This quick read had my mind reeling from the story of the three women Ms. Suen based her first novel in this series on. I don’t know what I was expecting, but it certainly wasn’t to sit down and finish this book in one sitting, however, there was no way that I was putting it down before I did. I found myself most drawn to Ellen, rather than GiGi and Lilly, being that she had struggled her whole life with self-confidence, her weight, and not feeling ‘right’ in her own skin. The author does a phenomenal job of building the characters up, in a short period of time, so you connect with all four, and really want to know more, and more, and MORE. I am very excited to read ‘Game Changer,’ and see what Dr. Kite has in store for us next time. Would recommend reading this series, for sure!
An Enduring Love by Wareeze Woodson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is an author that I have enjoyed from the first book I have picked up of hers. This is a historical romance story that pulled me in from the beginning. One of the things I enjoy the most with this author is her writing skills and her attention to details. This book is no different and it is one of my favorites yet. This is a story about Rebecca and Rhys. They marry and he has gone home to his father’s death bed. Fast forward four years later, Rebecca and her son go to London only to find out that her husband is about to be betrothed to another woman. What will fate have in store for them? I enjoyed their chemistry and their growth throughout the story. All of the characters are connectable and truly made the story for me. I really enjoyed this book and I highly recommend it
Review by @bjwagner
Snowflakes and Holly: A Small Town Christmas Romance by Jae Dawson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I loved this so much. Holly and blake were made for eachother. A man who cant stop being out on the snow and the women to afraid to be. Holly is determined to see blake recover, but it seems maybe she is the one that needs his help This is a beautiful love story and I can not stop rereading it!! It has everything you could want: humor, love, sexy time, and some tears. It’s so good!! Side note: I need to maks that gingerbread cookie recipe!! Yum!
Alterations by Jane Suen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is a medical game of Russian Roulette with chip implants. Who got the defective ones? Gigi, Ellen and Lily all think Dr. Kite can solve their problems with a magical cure but it seems that everything comes with a price…and maybe not all is as it seems. A quick read but a nice intense read. The characters remind me of a medical drama (which I love) so I personally can’t wait to read more. Dr. Kite is just the right kind of psycho creepy. Don’t mind me ladies, I have an office in most secluded area downtown. I have goosebumps thinking about it. Highly recommend! Must read!
Bittersweep by Wareeze Woodson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I could not put it down!! A must read! The authors ability to turn words into pictures really made me feel as if I was watching a movie rather than reading a book. The dialogue between characters is both interesting and intriguing. The town of Bittersweep is full of mystery leaving you wanting to read more. Do not pick up this book if you are looking for an easy reader that you can put down at will. The story of Elizabeth and JP will have you in its grips to the very end!! Wareeze Woodson is officially on my list of favored authors!!
Reviewed by: Dahnielle Hibbert
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