Four stars
I’ve previously read this book from Suen and loved it so was very excited to get my ears on the audio version. The narrator did a fantastic job bringing this book to life and pulling the reader in. Very engaging and very moving. Here’s hoping the rest of the series will come to audio soon as well!
Four stars
Shandwick is a fairly new author to me and this book – wow. I really appreciated the way the narrator brought the characters to life. I was riveted from the beginning and had to finish it in one sitting. An excellent listen and one I will gladly recommend.
Four stars
McKinley writes a beautiful book and I love how the narrator brought it to life. If you’ve already loved the written version, I promise you’ll want to listen to this and enjoy it in a brand new way. If you love a good romance, you need to add this to your library immediately.
Myths & Legends by Laura Greenwood
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I read Dragon’s Heart by Carrie Austin-Malone, featured in Myths and Legends: An Indie Love Anthology. This is the first work I’ve read by this author, and my interest has been piqued. Dragon’s Heart is a fast read, but it contains a lot of details that are both steamy and witty. Main character Mary’s dreams are vivid and intense which makes the imagery in this story really pop off the page, and definitely stimulates the senses. I really appreciated the author’s use of color in her description of the dragons. There is a LOT packed into this shorter story, and I feel like making it longer would do it more justice. All in all, I feel this is a great read when you need an escape, and will be looking into more by this author! 4 out of 5 stars.
Date Night by K.M. Lowe
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I loved this book first of all! I really loved the main female character Hannah, she had a rough time with love and with the time frame of the book being valentines day it really added to it,
Feeling down and that love isnt on your side is no fun for sure…but throw in a bachelor named Kyle who is basically everything not expected or even ready for of what Hannah wants
Hannah wanted love and Kyle was so against it! But read on and see how it plays and oh I must say I enjoyed the heart pouding steamy romantic moments and aspects of the book very much,
I really enjpyed this treat. Im a die hard romantic myself and this was like a good box of chocolates..with the chapters you cant just stop at one!
I highly reccommend, you will not be dissapointed 🙂
Murder at Honeybee Lake by Jessica Aiken-Hall
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
What happens when you find a body under your property but in the end all the leads come straight back to you for the murder.
Randy is living his dream life with Ben now, but after his horrendous past can he finally put the past behind him and move on to the next step with Ben. It is coming up to the couples first anniversary and Randy is ready to take that commitment but will one night change that forever.
This is the second book in this series and follows the relationship and life of Randy, we get to see a glance into their world in the first book but this book explores more of their relationship and the way the story twists whether Randy can convince people he is not mad and did not do anything. When Randy finds the body to the investigation you feel for him as in the end, he feels no-one believes that he was not involved in anything.
With hints of the paranormal and the secondary characters with the story this makes for a compelling read. The story is well written and draws you further into the story as it goes on, can they discover the reason why this is happening and can their love for each other help them through to uncover the secrets which lie within the story.
This is a great mystery story and I believe you will be just as hooked as I was.
.
Reviewed by Angela Shirley
Love by Design by Effie Kammenou
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Love by Design (The Meraki Series # 2) by Effie Kammenou
5-stars
This incredible author has completely blown me away once again! I always have high hopes when it comes to this author and Love by Design far exceeded those expectations. It was sweet, romantic, touching, unexpected, heart wrenching and truly captivating. As this is the second book of the series, I would suggest reading book 1 first, this could be read as a standalone but it will be better enjoyed in order.
I read this story in one sitting as I couldn’t bring myself to stop reading, I was so invested in Mia and her story that I didn’t want this book to end. This author amazes me with each new release, experiencing a roller coaster ride of emotions with each new chapter and connecting with the characters on a level I never thought possible. For that reason, I will always recommend this author and all of her work. This is a series you do not want to miss.
This is the fifth book in this series which I enjoyed listening to. This is an easy, engaging story to listen to. The narrator’s voice made the story fun and entertaining. It was easy to listen to and understand. It has twists and turns that keep you wanting to know what will happen next. Logan makes a great character and always finds herself in the middle of something. In this story she finds herself in the middle of two murders. Things turn and safe harbor is needed but will they all find it? Will someone be left out? I really enjoyed listening to this story. I highly recommend this audio.
Bake Believe by Cori Cooper
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Bake Believe is a super imaginative and original book. The recipes included after each chapter is a neat feature and had me wanting to try them. The characters are very realistic and detailed. Cat and her family all had different quirks that made them seem real. This book would be enjoyable for both pre-teens and adults. The ending left me wanting more!
Blood Mug by W.F. Ranew
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I enjoyed this mystery. This is the fourth book in this series by this author which I enjoyed just as much as the previous books. This is a well developed story that brings action and mystery. I enjoyed how the characters brought the story to life on each page. Their twists and turns left me turning pages fast just to see what would happen next. I was pulled into the story by them and they kept the story engaging. PI Red Farlow is back in another mystery. What happens when he goes to a meeting only to find the chairman with a knife in the back? His investigation reveals more murders and a real estate scheme. Will he solve this mystery before it is too late? I enjoy PI Red’s character. He just adds to the enjoyment of the story. He made me feel as if I was right there in the story with him. I highly recommend this book.
Review by @bjwagner
Chameleon by Zoe Kalo
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I enjoyed this supernatural thriller. This is my first book by this author and I look forward to reading more from her. This is a well written story that made me feel as if I was right there with the characters. The characters are relatable and made the story engaging. I enjoyed being pulled into the story which kept me turning pages to the end. I found this book to be fast paced and entertaining to read. This is a story about Paloma and a seance to contact her dead father but what happens is not what she was expecting. When she holds a second seance she awakens a spirit that wants to keep its secret, just that secret. The twists and turns left me turning pages fast. This was a great morning read and I highly recommend it.
Review by @bjwagner
Cursed Whispers by A.J. Renee
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I enjoyed this paranormal story. This is the third book in this series which I highly suggest reading the previous books as they are just as good. This is an author that I never hesitate to pick up her books. They pull me into the story from the beginning and I have a hard time putting it down. This book is no different. I enjoyed being pulled into a story of shifting and romance. A veterinarian has rescued a wolf only to realize there is more to her than just being beautiful. The problem is, she has a past. This is where the story takes off. Can overcoming a past or has life just dealt her too much to accept? These are great characters that made the story fun and entertaining to read. They brought life to the story and kept it engaging to the end. They really made the story for me. I highly recommend this book and this author.
Review by @bjwagner
Murder at Honeybee Lake by Jessica Aiken-Hall
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
So, after reading the first book in this series I had to pick up this one to continue. And it didn’t disappoint. I will say I do highly recommend you reading the first one before this if you haven’t. Just as with the first book, the author continued to have me reading as fast as I could to see what happened next. She has a way with words that keeps you enthralled in the story. Not only is this a paranormal mystery, but there is a love story intwined that will keep you on the edge of your seat and tear at your emotional heartstrings. Personally, these characters made the entire story come to life. And as with any good mystery you will find yourself pointing fingers at certain individuals but watch out who you blame because people may be destroyed in the process. Read it to find out if your suspicions are correct.
The Earl and the Peahen by Jean Wilde
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The Earl and the Peahen by Jean Wilde
Five Stars
The Earl and the Peahen is the fifth book in the Scarlet Salon series by Jean Wilde. This book can be read as a standalone, as this is the first book I have read by Jean Wilde. Historical Romance is not one of my go to genres, but I like to change my reading up every once in a while. I made a great choice with this book. The storyline was fun and easy to follow. The characters were relatable and the dialogue was full of funny whit. Jane and Alexander had great chemistry. I have to say, I may go on a Historical binge and read the first four books in this series. I definitely look forward to reading more books by Jean Wilde.
Review by @sunbarn
Myths & Legends by Laura Greenwood
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
3 ½ Stars
Myths & Legends: An Indie Love Anthology is a collection of seven original stories all based on well-known myths and legends. From Egyptian Gods to Robin Hood, Arthurian Legends, Hades and Persephone, Greek mythology, and more….there is a lot to choose from.
The stories range from fantasy to paranormal romance- with F/F romance, forbidden love, second chances, self-discovery, finding love unexpectedly, crime and investigation, covert military units, dragon shifters, magic, and much more.
I would like to have read longer versions of these stories, because a few of them felt really rushed and underdeveloped. I love the premise of most of them- but a few were let down by a rushed story and lack of development.
The collection contains:
–Mistress of Sky and Stars (Forgotten Gods: Origins) By: Laura Greenwood
This is a forbidden love story based on an Egyptian creation myth.
–Queens of the Underworld By: Arizona Tape
This is an original take on Hades and Persephone’s story, but with a twist- it’s a F/F romance.
–Frost and Flame By: R.J Truman
This is a paranormal fantasy- with Phoenix’s, magic, fire & Ice, second chances, discovery, drama, and more. While I loved the concept of this story and thought it could have been quite a stellar read if only it had been longer- to allow for more depth and development. It felt really rushed.
–In Search of Ghosts By: Paula Acton
This is based on the Arthurian legend of the Lady in the Lake. A fantasy fully of paranormal elements, magic, drama, and fate. Again, this story was fun- but I felt it needed to be a little longer to allow the story to really shine.
–Cursed to Love By: Erin O’Kane
This is my favourite of the collection. Based on Greek mythology with Gorgons, curses, betrayal, magic, drama, and more. This was such a great little read- I would love to read a loner version of this story as I wanted to linger longer with the character/s, cos I’m greedy like that lol. The story leaves room for more at the end, so I am hoping to get more in the near future (hint, hint Ms O’Kane 😊)
–I Do It For You By: Louisa Line
This is the modern retelling of the classic, “Robin Hood”- and is about finding love unexpectedly, with a little crime and investigation thrown in to keep things interesting.
–Dragon’s Heart By: Carrie Austin Malone
Who doesn’t love dragon shifter stories? I know I do. A story full of action, magic, danger, fated mates, romance, covert military units, hunters, hidden agendas, and a secret society….. need I say more 😊
Thank you to all the contributing authors!
Reviewed by @angelahayes
On Viking Seas by Jay Veloso Batista
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I have been in need of a good Viking tale, and this book exceeded expectations! I wasn’t sure what I was going to encounter when I started the book, but I was surprised throughout the entirety of it. It was a bit of a slow burn at first, but I was excited to find that it picked up speed pretty quickly. I can’t wait to read the rest of the forerunner series!
My Sweet GI by T.L. Wainwright
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
First I want to applaud the narrator, Rooke did a superb job with the narration of this book. The switch between characters and accents is some of the best I’ve heard. Excellent work.
Now time to give praise to T.L Wainwright for this amazing story. I would never have imagined that such a sweet and sexy story could take part during World War two. Love is the last thing you associate with World War two.
Wainwright’s characters come to life and I found that while listening to the book the scenes played out in my imagination like a film. Especially Jenny, her innocence comes across strong in the beginning of the book and she definitely grew into a perfect MC.
Great book!!!!
Our Wicked Lies by Glede Browne Kabongo
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Our Wicked Lies by Gledè Browne Kabongo a suspenseful story that had me flipping the pages to discover how it all played out.
I would class it as a bit of a psychological thriller- there’s also plenty of emotion, secrets, mystery, deception, intrigue, lies, betrayal, discovery, and tension.
Although the story was a little slow in the beginning, it didn’t take too long before it had me devouring the pages and following along intently as everything unfolded.
Well worth the read!
Thank you, Gledè Browne Kabongo!
Reviewed by @angelahayes
My Lips Are Sealed by Carmen Richter
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
3 Stars
My Lips Are Sealed is the first book in the Sealed With A Kiss series by Carmen Richter. This is my first read by Ms. Richter, so I really didn’t know what to expect going into this book, but as it was recommended to me I took a chance and snapped up a copy to read.
I’m going to be honest here- I struggled with this story, I really did. I think I had a preconceived idea of what I was getting into and may have had my expectations set too high.
That’s not to say that the story was bad, it was ok- but I really struggled with the ages of the characters. I think I would have enjoyed this more, and related more to the character/s, if Zoe had been of college age, say 18/19/20- instead of her 16 years. But, that’s just me- there are probably heaps of people that wouldn’t be bothered by her age, but I was for some reason.
Zoe has endured so much heartbreak for someone so young, she has struggled to find her way back from her grief. Pouring her heart out into her music, she decides to perform at an open mic night and sing about her loss. It’s there she meets Elijah, who sparks something in her for the first time since her loss. She feels a small spark of her former life start to kindle within her, and for the first time in months she feels a little hope. Something promising blossoms between them- so imagine her surprise at school the next day when Elijah turns out to be her new drama teacher. They should just walk away- but instead decide to keep what they have a secret. What happens when secrets are revealed? Will this only lead to more heartbreak for Zoe? Well, you will just have to read the story for yourself to discover how everything unfolds.
The story is full of teen angst, friendship, love, loss, heartache, chemistry, secrets, and more.
Thank you, Carmen Richter.
Reviewed by @angelahayes
Walker Pride by Bernadette Marie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
3 ½ Stars
Walker Pride is the first book in The Walker Family series by Bernadette Marie. It is a western romance- it’s a sweet and touching second chances story, with insta-love, new beginnings, family, emotion, and enough dramatic developments to keep things interesting.
I enjoyed this story and liked the characters- they were well-developed with their own personalities, quirks and flaws.
Looking forward to the rest of the series.
Thank you, Bernadette Marie.
Reviewed by @angelahayes
Date Night by K.M. Lowe
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
3 Stars
“What about if we just have a date night. No relationships, No ties. No strings. If we have some fun in the process, then so be it. We’re two consenting adults, right?”
She bites the side of her lip and bats her eyelids at me. I’m nervous, wondering what she’s going to come out of her beautiful mouth, because if she says no then I won’t know what to do. I’ll just have to try and convince her some other way.
“Just a date night.”
“Just a date night.” I repeat.
She shakes her head. “Okay. I can’t believe I’m agreeing to this…”
Date Night by K.M Lowe is a slow burn romance about finding love unexpectedly. It is a quick and easy read that I finished in just over an hour.
I have read a few of K.M Lowe’s other books before, so I had a fairly good idea of what to expect- but for some reason I can’t quite pinpoint, I found these characters and their story quite hard to connect with. I really wanted to love this story- but the characters felt a little ‘flat’ to me, and some of the scenes felt rushed or forced.
I will revisit this book in a few weeks for a reread, just in case I was having an ‘off’ reading day this time around.
Thank you, K.M Lowe!
Reviewed by @angelahayes
My Sweet GI by T.L. Wainwright
Narrated by Rook Kingston
Four Stars
My Sweet GI is a beautiful historical romance by T.L. Wainwright. This is the first book I have read/listened to by this author, but it definitely won’t be the last. This book features Jenny and Teddy, and their story in England during World War II. This book is a little bit sweet with a little bit sassy. I listened to this book in one sitting because I just couldn’t stop until it was finished. It was well worth my time.
This book is narrated by Rooke Kingston. This was the first book I have listened to by this narrator, and I just fell in love with her voice. I look forward to listening to more books narrated by Rooke in the future.
Review by @sunbarn
Key West Dead by Mark Nolan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Key West Dead (Jake Wolfe Book 6) by Mark Nolan is another excellent read. I really like these Jake Wolfe books. They are good whodunit novels, mystery, intrigue, plenty of action, and just the right amount of love. I have to say, in view of the way this story plays out, I’m really worried about that snake. One of the things I like best about Mark Nolan’s books is that not everything is made up. Even though some of it sounds science fictiony he always takes the time and trouble to tell you about his research on the things that he adds to the story. I really like that, I think you will too.
Bovine Tricks by Seelie Kay
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Bovine Tricks by Seelie Kay turned out to be quite an original and engrossing romantic suspense. It has lots of intrigue, drama, romance, and an unusual investigation that leads our character/s on quite an eye opening adventure. The book had my curiosity piqued right from the beginning, what with the title and the blurb- colour me intrigued.
MISix agent Tillie Spenser is Tasked with finding a missing member of the British aristocracy- but this missing person case gets a whole lot more complicated than she could ever have imagined- leading to an investigation she won’t soon forget, that’s for sure.
An original and fun read…
Thank you, Seelie Kay!
Reviewed by @angelahayes
Love by Design by Effie Kammenou
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
He’s the boss. She’s infatuated. Mia Andarakis and Nicholas Aristedis are more than drawn to one another. However, in many respects in this love/hate story Mia and Nicholas have everything working against them. Not only due to the fact that Mia’s job as Nicholas’s assistant is a new one, one that cannot be upset by revealing the very strong feelings she has for him, the fact that they come from two different worlds bears serious consideration.
Love By Design
is a wonderful read, and follows Love Is What You Bake of it.
These are delightful stories rich with warm characters and who find love despite difficult obstacles. The trope in this book does not come without merit and I loved finding out what baggage Mia and Nicholas were holding onto and what it took for them to be able to work things out. The setting in this book is added a special touch, especially due to the fact that the characters are Greek, also the family owns a café and the fact that delectable recipes are included made the book even better.
I love that Mia had such a strong crush from the start and I truly enjoyed watching Nicholas come around. This story was sensitive, warm and definitely made me smile. Watching the pair navigate their professional and personal lives all while trying to learn how to deal with their feelings was a joy to read. I am already eager for the third book in this series.
Many thanks to Effie Kammenou for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
The Earl and the Peahen by Jean Wilde
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The Earl and the Peahen (The Scarlet Salon Book 5) by Jean Wilde was another great read in this series! This book can be read as a stand alone, or at least I take it to be read that way. This one I think was more entertaining to me than the fourth book I read. I’ve only read this book and the fourth one as of yet. This one was entertaining, and steamy, and grabbed me from the very beginning. I enjoyed reading Jane’s tale in this book. I can’t wait to read more from this author and I hope there’s more installments to this series as well!
A Gentleman’s Stipulation by Jean Wilde
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
A Gentleman’s Stipulation (The Scarlet Salon Book 4) by Jean Wilde was a really good read! This book is part of a series, but if there were any past events that contributed to the storyline I didn’t notice or couldn’t tell so I would say this book can be read as a stand-alone novel. I loved the storyline of this novel, and the characters and events that transpired. I was instantly taken with this novel, regardless of not reading the previous installments. My only complaint were character names. I wish there was more clarification on the characters or an index of some sort. I stayed lost with the names for half of the book. Other than that I really enjoyed reading this novel and can’t wait to read more.
Murder at Honeybee Lake by Jessica Aiken-Hall
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Murder at Honeybee Lake (Shadow of a Doubt Book 2) by Jessica Aiken-Hall – Review by Krista Vaughan
Randy and Ben are living the quiet life at the lake until something surfaces and puts Randy’s past right in their way. Randy is accused of murder and no one can see how to get him free. All evidence points to him! This story touches on the difficulties of same-sex relationships, abusive relationships, bullying, suicide, mental health and murder. Such a complex tale showing how love and faith in each other can get you through anything.
Love by Design by Effie Kammenou
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Love by Design is the second book in the Meraki Series by Effie Kammenou. I highly recommend reading the first book to get the most enjoyment of the series. This is a contemporary romance story. It is a story that I found myself in with the characters. The characters are fully developed and complicated. Mia has found her dream job but she has to work with Nicholas, her crush. They are on an adventure of a new publication. Both Mia and Nicholas have a past that has been a bit rough. They must find some healing before they can start a relationship. Can they find peace and healing from their past? I highly recommend this book to find out what happens to Mia and Nicholas.
Bovine Tricks by Seelie Kay
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Bovine Tricks by Seelie Kay
5 out of 5stars
Bovine Tricks written by Ms. Kay was different and great at the same time. This is the second book that I have read by this author and of course it won’t be the last. The characters are amazing and I love how they play off of each other.
Mathilda Honoria Spencer (aka Tillie) struggles with on her latest assignment but she thinks to herself is this real or fantasy. Tillie is tasked with discovering the whereabouts of Lady Annabelle Trask, and now Tillie is thrust into a world of Hucows and other human animals. We are in a world that raises serious questions about sexual fetishes, intentional physical enhancements, and even, pornography, but in the end, Tillie has only one mission to rescue and return Lady Annabelle to the Queen.
Luckily, Tillie has her partner Agent Abdul Ali, he is her work partner and her life partner and they work great together. While struggling with their feeling they must work hard on this case.
Will they be able to over come their issues or will they walk away from each other to follow different paths?
I highly recommend this book…
Tracy
