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Sanctuary by Bree M. Lewandowski – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

SanctuarySanctuary by Bree M. Lewandowski
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Inside the walls of The Cloistered City, a young girl waits to be inspected, she is one of a group, all the same age and gender, all waiting to be admitted as servants and find their calling within the city walls, but this particular girl will do anything to achieve her dream, this girl is Petra Ondise. Petra has a goal in mind and she will do anything to achieve it, she wants to know what happened to her brother who was a courier in the City, but his death didn’t ring true with her and she is determined to find out the truth, by any means she can, including working her way up to being a courier herself.

As expected, Petra passed the inspection and began working as a washer girl in the city laundry, but unlike the other girls, she keeps to herself and just listens to the others around her, that is until an injustice is served and she helps another girl, even though it means she is punished too. One evening when she can’t settle, Petra decides to go for a walk near the orchards and she comes across a situation which will forward her goals and she grasps this opportunity with both hands and inserts herself into a courier’s life.

As she slips into another’s shoes, she encounters one of the Knights of Shivalry, the highest ranked warriors with almost supernatural abilities and almost becomes another statistic, however, one particular Shiv takes pity on her and she has a close escape. One day, her deception caught up with her, she knew it would happen, she explained the situation and accordingly accepted her second punishment, however, this one was much more severe and when she delivers her scroll, she collapses, it just happens to be the same Shiv as before and he takes care of her, but this isn’t the last she will see of him.

As she heads out on a personal delivery, he yet again saves her from a discretion and this is where things begin to get interesting as it turns out he also knew her brother and the truth suddenly opens up before her, but it isn’t the only one and suddenly she is thrust into the centre of a sacred mystery which the Cloistered City tried to hide behind rumours and fabrications, but what will happen when the Sacred and the Sacrifice come together? This is a fantasy romance where nothing is as it seems, the smallest mistake can cost you your life and secrets are currency, where this world will suck you in and keep its grasp firmly on you, as you discover what lies beneath the Cloistered City.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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Hi Little Brother, I Love You: A Sweet Gift Keepsake Book Welcoming a New Baby Brother to the Family by Deniese Dennis – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

Hi Little Brother, I Love You: A Sweet Gift Keepsake Book Welcoming a New Baby Brother to the Family.Hi Little Brother, I Love You: A Sweet Gift Keepsake Book Welcoming a New Baby Brother to the Family. by Deniese Dennis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is an introduction for all big brothers to be, it shows some things that they will have to do, silich as play peekaboo and teach them all that they learned as a little one.

It shows how to be protective, loving, gentle and how to share both people and things, how life will change and all the exciting things to look forward to in the future.

It is charming, easy to understand and made from the child’s perspective, which makes it adaptable and inclusive of all, a must have for all big brothers to be!

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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Sarge: Going Deep by Stuart Ledwith PhD – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

Sarge: Going DeepSarge: Going Deep by PhD Ledwith
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sarge is a man with a mission, he is a part of the Celestial Guardians, a government agency who keeps positive relations between humans and extraterrestrial races, but today he is back after hearing about something strange happening and a message nobody can understand, apart from the feeling of fear behind it.

This is the kind of situation where Sarge is in his element and so he dives right in, but his usual second in command is on holiday, so he calls upon her daughter Dr Liv Manginaro, she has a special interest in translation and is more than happy to jump in at the deep end, especially when on further investigation, it turns out that this will not just be a regular mission with extraterrestrials, it will be a rescue mission as well.

Unfortunately, things don’t go quite to plan and Dr Liv has to take the lead with rescuing the individuals, helping a completely new extraterrestrial race and all the while, learning about and working with the US Navy, using skills and determination she never knew she had to solve every problem this unusual situation is throwing her way, plus gaining the moniker of “Agent Scully”.

Will Dr Liv and Sarge be able to jump all the hurdles and complete a successful rescue mission, or will everything collapse around them? This is an action packed adventure with exciting characters facing intriguing challenges within a challenging environment which will hook you in and keep you there until the end.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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War Bunny: Book 1 of the War Bunny Chronicles by Christopher St. John – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

War Bunny: Book 1 of the War Bunny ChroniclesWar Bunny: Book 1 of the War Bunny Chronicles by Christopher St. John
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Anastasia is a young rabbit who lives in a post apocalyptic world where humans have been wiped out and the animals rule, she lives with her family in a warren which is safe from harm, that is until she goes out of the protected area and is chased by a fox, this nearly sends her into a fugue state, but she fights off the sensation and makes it back to her burrow. Unfortunately for Anastasia, it isn’t her only unconforming behaviour, there are other aspects where she falls short, at least in others eyes, especially when she questions the rules and why they live the way they do, and so she is exiled from her uncomfortable life and becomes one of the Unwarrened.

Being as young as she is, this leaves her extremely vulnerable to the Blessed and their vicious ways, but she does what she can to survive, the first of which is to dig a new burrow, but she has to do it in such a way so as not to attract attention to herself. When she has settled in, she begins to find others who have been cast out and exiled for being weak, sick, abandoned or just lost and she takes them in and builds a safe place for them.

As Anastasia continues to create this safe space, it isn’t without its challenges, especially when she rebels against those who would prey upon her and instead question everything she believed, but will she be able to keep herself and the rest of the warren safe, or will the danger surrounding her lead her to her demise? This is a coming of age tale with a dystopian twist which will keep you hooked as this new world develops.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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The Crown Of Stones Complete Trilogy by C. L. Schneider – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

The Crown of Stones Complete TrilogyThe Crown of Stones Complete Trilogy by C.L. Schneider
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Magic Price.

Ian Troy is a Shinree, a race of magic addicts whom have been taken into slavery, drugged and made to forget their history, identities and their addictions, but Ian was brought up differently, he was brought up to be a soldier for Rella, a kingdom in a perpetual war, but underneath is an innate talent for wielding magic which he wishes he could use more, but the Queen forbids it, until one day, in the midst of the latest battle, there is an earthly upheaval and during the throes of it, Ian starts to feel the vibrations of magic nearby. As he searches for the item, Ian is unaware of the power he is about to unleash, so when he finds the Crown of Stones, all he can feel is the magic within it, the pleasure and the pain combine and block out all sense and all he wants to find is peace, so he casts using the magic he has found, however, it isn’t until afterwards that he realises the price that he has just paid to achieve that wish.

As the years pass, Ian is devoted to another addiction, regret, his regret for what happened and the losses he still feels, so he tries to drown the pain and the need to cast with wine, women and bounty hunting, but as he is chasing his latest target, he is confronted with something entirely different. He has been chasing this particular woman for what seems an age, however, when she finally confronts him, nothing is as it seems and he is thrown back into that seamless addiction he had ten years before, but this time, Ian is not sure that he can control, or curb it again, but that is not the only thing that has him worried, this encounter has made Ian sure that the Crown of Stones is being sought by another.

As he makes his way back across the realms to Rella, he encounters more than he bargains for in both the people and the places he travels through, but deception surrounds him, as does magic and that is the one thing that he does not want. Will Ian be able to get to the Crown of Stones before anyone else has the chance to use it with nefarious intent, or will the danger and his addiction prevail?

Magic Scars.

Ian Troy is back and he is numb, everything has been taken from him, his memories, his magic, his will and his freedom, as well as the freedom of his friends. As everything slowly and painfully returns he is recruited into a desperate rebellion against the High King Draken, a long time enemy of Ian’s.

He is tasked with the job of retrieving and repairing the Crown Of Stones, an object he has used in the past which creates the magic scars which cover his body, it is an artefact of his people which is now lost again, but which is needed to overthrow the High King. Ian is reluctant to use it again and put himself in the path of addiction his use of magic causes, but he knows he doesn’t really have a choice in the matter if he is to save his scattered friends.

What he cannot understand is why his scars are multiplying even though he is not using his magic, this is where he learns about his ancestry and the secrets which have been buried in the past, but can Ian reconcile the man he was, the man he is now and the man everyone needs his to be?

Magic Borne.

Ian Troy returns and he has more magic scars than ever, but when his spells show him something he was not prepared for, he has to think about his past, present and future and base his decisions on the uncertainty surrounding him. He is still a fugitive, thanks to his past castings, but he is now wanted in multiple lands, as well as by his father, but he still tries to make the world around him a better place, even though as usual, it doesn’t always go to plan for him, or those close to him.

While he is casting spells to find out what his father has planned, he journeys to different times and places, but not all the answers he seeks are available to him and while on one of these journeys, he experiences a bleak future where everything he has worked towards has been thwarted. The resistance he has been routed, the tenuous relationships within it destroyed and nearly everyone he knows is dead and all hope that was there is now gone, so when Ian returns to the present, he is determined to stop this future in its path, so he uses the knowledge he gained while there to do this.

Meanwhile, tensions build between the lands of Mirra’Kelan as peace treaties are stretched to breaking point and political posturing is showing people’s true colours and is leading the armies closer to the return to the brink of war between the lands. Ian is also realising his increasingly apparent transformation his casting is causing, so he tries to stave off from casting in an attempt to buy himself some time, but as he searches the past for a way to defeat his father, bring peace to the lands around him and break the transformation the Crown of Stones is causing, he has to battle his inner demons too.

How far can Ian go before he breaks and how big a sacrifice will he be willing to make in order to reach his goals and will he be able to pay the price demanded?

This series is a race against time in a fantasy land where good versus evil and all the grey areas in between, as a reluctant hero faces the past and future in order to save a world which he struggles to merge with. A world where apartheid rules, magic is both life, death and currency and those who wield it are both saviours and destroyers. An epic aventure where one man has to face his demons head on in order to find the peace he truly desires, is what you will only be able to find by reading this addictive, roller-coaster of emotions until its conclusion.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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A Tale of Two Crushes by Cori Cooper

A Tale of Two CrushesA Tale of Two Crushes by Cori Cooper
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Holland Morriss is a young woman whose family has just had to move midway through the school year so that they can care for her grandmother, so she is super nervous on her first day at school. As usual, she is her usual klutzy self and trips up before she has even gotten to the front door and unfortunately, the most gorgeous guy sees and offers to help her find her way. It turns out that he is an assistant in the front office and can help her with everything she needs, she also finds out she has a class with him, but when he invites her to have lunch with his friends, they make her feel at home straight away.

As she is mulling her first day over in her mind, she gets to her locker and finds that she can’t open it, just another embarrassment to add to her collection, however, the most perfect looking, male model type guy walks up as she is venting all her fury and helps her to open it. However, when he asks her out, she is stunned and stutters a yes, but the problem is that his friends are there as well, it’s a home movie night and although he is holding her hand, his friends make her feel uncomfortable and so she leaves early.

These two events lead to confusion and mixed emotions as she finds that the two crushes she has are not only gorgeous, but they know each other, well! Now she has to make the choice between them, but will she choose the hotter than possible, or the smart one who is only ever so slightly less hot? This is a sweet coming of age story where nothing is as complicated as first crushes and hormones collide in this comedy romance of the high school variety.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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Luca Magoo, Don’t Eat The Glue: A back-to-school tale that encourages positive classroom behavior and creative expression. by Megan Delgado – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

Luca Magoo, Don't Eat The Glue: A back-to-school tale that encourages positive classroom behavior and creative expression.Luca Magoo, Don’t Eat The Glue: A back-to-school tale that encourages positive classroom behavior and creative expression. by Megan Delgado
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Luca Magoo loves school and everything he learns there, but his favourite subject is by far, art! So when his teacher shouts “Art” and invites them all to get creative and use their imagination, Luca cannot wait to get started.

So he gathers his materials and when he is ready, he picks up the bottle of glue and thinks about what it would be like if he had a taste, just a tiny drop of this gooey substance, but his teacher stops him before he can.

This is where his imagination goes wild and he thinks about what would happen if he did eat it, but what does the future look like if he eats the glue? This story is a great lesson for children to learn about how every action has consequences and how important it is to make wise choices when faced with a new situation and all done in an easy to understand way for all ages.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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A Pig and A Poke by Tricia Gardella – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

A Pig and A PokeA Pig and A Poke by Tricia Gardella
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

One day in a barn, a small pig was running around in the mud and sawdust when a group of children entered the barn and started to chase it around. This was not a random event though, whoever caught the pig could keep it!

Angela is one of those children, but there was also the town bully called Bruce and he wanted the pig too, so as one by one the children give up and leave the barn covered in mud and sawdust, only Bruce and Angela are left and they start to chase the pig in earnest, even when Angela gets poked on the eye.

Will Angela be able to use her persistence and determination to catch the pig and stand up to Bruce, or will the poke in her eye stop her winning? This is a fun filled story of a contest between the bully and bullied in a way which shows that kindness and determination can take you a long way in life.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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To be a Fae Rogue (Realm Chronicles) by Tricia Copeland – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

To be a Fae Rogue (Realm Chronicles Book 4)To be a Fae Rogue by Tricia Copeland
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Titania is back, but she is no longer the Queen of the Fae, that title died with her the day she fought the dragons and Sonia and the whole kingdom is still in mourning, but she has her cabin in the woods and the one Fae whose love is still true to her, to keep her company. Unfortunately for Titania, a simple life tending animals and fixing up her cabin is not enough and she decides that she must find a way to help her Kingdom.

She is still worried about Sonia and when she finds out that everything she went through and lost to fight her still may have all been for naught as she finds that Sonia left a parting message with the witches that the upper realm of the humans is still in grave danger and that she is more powerful than anyone could ever imagine. Titania knows that she needs to help stop her before she turns on the Fae realm, knowing that most likely the only thing stopping that is the fact that she is dead, to Sonia at least.

This is where Titania has to make a decision, try and save both her Kingdom and the upper realm from the shadows and continue to help the witches stop Sonia and deal with the ramifications, or stay under cover in secrecy and live a simple life with her love? This is another whirlwind adventure while unraveling a mystery and holding on to love, faith and hope in the darkest of times.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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Lapidius (A Nation Found Book 1) by Matthew Runals – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

Lapidius (A Nation Found Book 1)Lapidius by Matthew Runals
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Joey is a young boy of thirteen who lives at home with his mother and sisters, it isn’t an easy life, but it is the one he has been given, but fortunately he has good friends, that is until one day he is sent off by his mother for a better life at Lapidius. Lapidius is a school, but other than that, Joey has no idea of what to expect when he gets there, but the fact that his friends are going with him helps the transition.

After a few days in the wagon travelling to Lapidius, Joey is anxious to get out and see where he is and what his future will look like and at first glance, all he can see is the majesty of the building and the beautiful smells coming from a nearby group of buildings, however, he soon realises that is this is no ordinary school, it is a military one as he sees the officers and cadets who are lining the pathway to the school who are intimidating to the highest degree, not to mention the barracks where he will be staying and the introductory processing he experiences.

This is where anything commonplace disappears and Joey soon discovers that nothing is what it seems and what can only describe as being magic is being used and this terrifies him, especially when horns blare out in the middle of their first night and a cry of “Monsters” goes up in the halls. After everything has settled down and sleep claims him, Joey is awoken early for inspection and his first day of drills, exercise, lessons and chores and his routine for the next few weeks until he discovers which house he will be placed into.

He quickly realises that what he has been taught in school before was seriously lacking and his new lessons are revealing information which he never dreamed could be possible and when he realises that it is the truth, his life changes forever, but will he be able to survive this new world and the monsters within it, or will he fall at the first hurdle? This is a great beginning to an adventure series full of military training and dangerous escapades which will keep you wanting to know what happens next.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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Miss Georgiana Darcy’s Quest For Love: A Pride And Prejudice Variation Novelette by T. L. Clark – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

Miss Georgiana Darcy’s Quest For Love: A Pride And Prejudice Variation Novelette (Love Through The Ages; stand-alone historical books by TL Clark)Miss Georgiana Darcy’s Quest For Love: A Pride And Prejudice Variation Novelette by T.L. Clark
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Miss Georgiana Darcy is a young woman of very quiet temperament who is besotted with her family, especially her nieces and nephews and seeing them all so happily married and settled with children has given her the same dream and now she is ready to ask for it.

Once the subject is broached with her brother, a house party is arranged where family, friends and possible suitors are invited to make merry with the debutante and whittle down the prospective young men, however there is one thing which Miss Darcy is anxious of.

When the choices are narrowed down, will Miss Georgiana be able to find the courage to accept someone after what befell her at the hands of the dastardly Mr Wickham, or will she remain the wallflower she has become because of it? This is a charming and sweet historical romance of hopes, dreams and emotions with a little gently steamy content at the end for those who wish to indulge in the spicier aspects of life.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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Midnight Falls by John Evans – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

Midnight FallsMidnight Falls by John (ronin) Evans
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Josh Blevins had high hopes and big dreams of being a writer, however, when he took his adorable husky and headed off to college at NYU, things didn’t quite go as planned and because of this and other bad luck, he had to head back home. Unfortunately for Josh, he cannot stay with his parents forever and instead ups sticks again and moves to Midnight Falls, another small town to settle into a less busy life.

At first, everything seems to be going well, he finds a job writing for the local paper and makes friends with his neighbours, all while fixing up his rental and meeting a young woman who makes him feel safe. Unfortunately, not everyone is happy to make his acquaintance and he soon becomes caught in the gaze of the local Sheriff and not in a good way. He seems to be the recipient of pranks, side eyes and whispers whenever he visits one of the local premises and gets the feeling that he is being constantly watched, but things soon escalate and secrets which were long buried bubble to the surface.

The town has the usual lack of appreciation of those who are not local, those who are different and those who don’t conform to the norm of a mid-western small town, but these secrets are bloody and dangerous, haunting and beastly and as he becomes more of an outsider than any local should be, the mask starts to slip and Josh begins to see what lies beneath, but what will happen when the town finds out that he suspects what the dark secrets truly are and will he survive long enough to reconcile with it? This is a fantasy horror which leads you down the rabbit hole of small town life and attitudes into the warren of secrets and lies which lie beneath it in this fast paced and gripping tale.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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The Secret Aftermath: An Urban Fantasy Thriller (The Discoveries of Julia Xero) by Gloria Oliver – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

The Secret Aftermath: An Urban Fantasy Thriller (The Discoveries of Julia Xero Book 2)The Secret Aftermath: An Urban Fantasy Thriller by Gloria Oliver
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Julia Xero is back and after surviving the confrontation with Jake and learning something about her past, she has no time to process this when she is summoned to appear before the Council of Progress, the Secret Humankind council who make the decisions on how to protect themselves and the humans they share their cities with, but apparently not everyone is happy with living side by side with them.

Fortunately, she isn’t alone during the meeting and her boss, who also happens to be the local Guardian, goes with her, but what she learns while there about her past opens up a whole new can of worms, especially when one of the Councillors decides to take the matter into his own hands and try to kill her using the implant given to her when she started working at the company which cleans up after the dead and by chance, the best job she has ever had.

Unfortunately this isn’t the end of things when Julia is remanded into the custody of the Guardian and given strict conditions to her future, but this doesn’t stop her from going back to the office and continuing trying to figure out who is behind the plot of which Jake was involved. What she doesn’t expect is the welcome she receives from the others around her and the warmth she is, for the first time, experiencing, of having people care about her, who she cares for in return.

Things begin to get serious when events show that someone really doesn’t want Julia to continue existing and this starts putting her new found friends in danger and that is something Julia just cannot abide, so amidst the chaos, Julia’s survival instincts kick in and she does everything she can to keep herself and those around her safe, but will she be able to do that and uncover more about the two secrets she has begun to uncover before it is too late? This sequel is a web of secrets in which a deadly spider reigns where every step is dangerous and nothing is what it seems as you follow along trying to uncover the mysteries lying within.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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Driving into the Night by Amanda Kay – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

Driving into the NightDriving into the Night by Amanda Kay
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Two youths, a Hunter and a Demon Angel who are miles apart despite being in the same class at school were beginning to develop a tenuous friendship when one of them inherits a ring, but this is no ordinary ring, this is one which gives commands, it is as old as time and has its own agenda, keep the chaos and destroy any chance to avert society from crumbling and when the Hunter wears it, he has to ignore the voice within it.

All his life the Demon Angel has known that the bearer of the ring must kill him and his family have insisted on telling him this from the day he could understand them and it has destroyed his confidence, meanwhile, the other family have kept the Hunter in the dark, only telling him what he needs to know at that moment and to work out the rest for himself.

One evening when they have both been invited to a party at one of their fellow students houses when a game of spin the bottle begins and one’s dare is to kiss the other, but it is not the expected peck, it is passionate, this confuses them both, but not for the same reasons.

As time passes, the Demon Angel becomes more and more frustrated with the Hunter for denying him his purpose until he decides to take a chance with destiny, but what happens when they start driving into the night and uncovering secrets long buried? This is a novella with heart, hope and despair throughout which will take you on a rollercoaster of emotions as you fly through the pages wondering what will happen next.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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Porter and Midge: Paws and Pastries: A Kid’s Guide to Homemade Dog Treats (Porter and Midge Children’s Book Series) by Giselle Nevada and Jennie Chen – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

Porter and Midge: Paws and Pastries: A Kid's Guide to Homemade Dog Treats (Porter and Midge Children’s Book Series)Porter and Midge: Paws and Pastries: A Kid’s Guide to Homemade Dog Treats by Giselle Nevada
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Porter and Midge are back and today they and their owners are stuck indoors and what better way to spend the day is by baking!

This, however is no ordinary baking day, it’s a day for baking dog treats and there are a lot to choose from, but will Porter and Midge like them and how do you use treats with dogs, how many is too many?

This is a great way to involve children in learning about pet care and kitchen safety all in one go, especially with the recipes included, this is a great book for everyone.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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The Human Mating Site, Complete Series : A Steamy, Dating Humour Romance by B. L. Wilde. – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

The Human Mating Site, Complete Series : A Steamy, Dating Humour RomanceThe Human Mating Site, Complete Series : A Steamy, Dating Humour Romance by B.L. Wilde
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is definitely only for those over 18 due to the many scenes of an adult nature, including some which could be classed as triggering.

Bella is a woman on a mission, she has just found her husband cheating on her and now she is on the road to a divorce, but being in her thirties, Bella is not sure about how to even date in this modern world. She does however, have a circle of best friends who have a bit of experience and so she dives head first into the world of online dating and everything that comes with it.

Here is where we meet the 12 Mr Right Now’s and the steamy reawakening that Bella discovers with each of them from the boring, to the nice and to the kinky, there is a man for every taste she may have while she figured herself out. The ride is not a smooth one though and some of the most enlightening moments aren’t exactly the best ones, but you have to take the good with the bad right?

This is a very steamy set of romance novellas where one woman finds herself through a journey of self discovery and all the highs and lows associated with it, so prepare yourself for a wild ride and a lot of spice!

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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Back in the Ring (The Predator Series, #4) By Brooke May. – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

Back in the Ring (The Predator #4)Back in the Ring by Brooke May
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Bijou Augustine is a woman who is struggling to keep her life and business together which has become harder each year since she lost the love of her life, but now she is reaching breaking point. As the youth centre she has poured her heart and soul into becomes more of a burden than a blessing, she has to endure the embarrassment of cold calling for donations and suffer the rejection which people dish out without a care for the person on the other end of the phone.

While she is dealing with this, her teenage daughter is full of the joys of puberty including mood swings and arguments, but there are beams of light when she sometimes says the odd nice thing or comes up with a good idea. Fortunately for Bijou, her daughter finally takes some initiative and this helps more than she could ever expect when a phone call comes through with a deep, rumbling voice at the other end who just so happens to also be a repair man.

This one phone call could be the answer to her prayers, especially when she meets this mountain of a man for the first time and is immediately put at ease by his agreement to help out with fixing up the youth centre. The only issue is that he doesn’t want any money for it, this is compounded by the fact that he is the first man that Bijou has even found attractive since her husband passed, but she is awkward and can sense that he is healing too.

Will Bijou be able to save her centre and figure out how she feels about her tall, dark and extremely handsome repair man, all while trying to come up with a plan to save her and her husband’s life’s work? This is a sweet romance with a little spice thrown in where secrets come into light as prayers for the end of struggles are made, all while hope blossoms in this story of finding love after loss.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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Oscar and Emmy Visit Grandma: A travel adventure story about when Grandma watches the pets! Ages 3-8 kindergarten to 2nd grade by Terri Sabol – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

Oscar and Emmy Visit GrandmaOscar and Emmy Visit Grandma by Terri Sabol

Oscar and Emmy’s family are going on a cruise, but what will happen to Oscar and Emmy while they are away, what if they are left on their own the whole time? These are the questions being asked, but lucky for Oscar and Emmy, they are going to stay with Grandma!

So off they go in their crate to visit somewhere new, they are both a little scared and so they hide until they feel comfortable, but then the adventures start for both them and Grandma too!

This is a wonderful story which talks about the serious job of pet sitting from the viewpoint of a family member who can’t wait to spoil their new visitors. It is educational in a very fun way which anyone will be able to enjoy and understand.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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Oscar and Emmy Visit the Vet: A book to explain how visiting the vet with your pets can be fun! by Terri Sabol – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

Oscar and Emmy Visit the Vet: A book to explain how visiting the vet with your pets can be fun!Oscar and Emmy Visit the Vet: A book to explain how visiting the vet with your pets can be fun! by Terri Sabol
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oscar and Emmy are about to set off on a new adventure, it is time to go to the vets for their yearly check up, but they do not want to go in the carriers and keep escaping!

When they get to the vet, they are signed in by the receptionist and then they go into the room with the actual vet, but now they don’t want to get out of the carriers!

However, the vet is really good and goes through all of their checks, but is it as scary as they thought and what will the vet be checking? This is a wonderful way to introduce children to the importance of vet visits and how to keep their cats healthy in an easily understandable way.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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G is for Gossamer: A Children’s SMART & SOPHISTICATED ABC’s Book by Miss Whitaker – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

G is for Gossamer: A Children's SMART & SOPHISTICATED ABC's BookG is for Gossamer: A Children’s SMART & SOPHISTICATED ABC’s Book by Miss Whitaker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is an ABC book, but not as you know it, the pictures are whimsical and full of details, while the words themselves are more advanced and eclectic, but still exciting to learn.

Both adults and children will gain from reading this book, and with the definitions being given at the back as well, it is a great all rounder.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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Word Play by Tricia Gardella – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

Word PlayWord Play by Tricia Gardella
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Joe is starting school, so to start his day, he is having his alphabet cereal and today, the letters he picks spell out his name J – O – E!

When he gets to his kindergarten class, he is so excited to learn how to read, but when they start to learn other things, Joe is confused and so he decides to find somewhere he can read.

This is where his adventure begins, but will he find a place where he can read, or will he be disappointed in it all? This is a charming story with some life lessons contained within which is suitable for all ages.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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Wildfire Knockout (The Predator Series) by Brooke May – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

Wildfire Knockout: Alternate Cover (The Predator Series)Wildfire Knockout: Alternate Cover by Brooke May
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Beth “Wildfire” Martin is a young woman with a bright future after a traumatic past which has left her reeling and hiding behind a protective wall of her own making so that her heart can remain safe. Scott Franks is the trainer that brought his best friend up the ranks in the boxing ring and now he has a new trainee and she is more than he bargained for.

As the two hit the road for Beth’s inaugural tour in the boxing leagues, they train hard and fight harder, especially when the places they stay sometimes mess up the reservations and Scott cannot stop himself from trying his hardest to win her over as she burrows deeper into his skin and soul. However, when they have downtime, Beth opens up to her best friend about her past, she is still desperately trying to deny her attraction to Scott, so she is equally frustrated and appreciative of him, especially when she decides to change her appearance after meeting a fan.

Will Beth ever be able to let her guard down and let her broken heart heal, or will she push Scott away like she has everyone else before he has the chance to hurt her too? This is a sporting romance where hope, healing and hurt all combine to attempt to create beauty after the wildfire burns through.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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The Rebirth: Part One: Aliens and Royalty (Planet Amazon Book 1) by Crystal Dawn – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

The Rebirth: Part One (Planet Amazon #0)The Rebirth: Part One by Crystal Dawn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It all started with a book about the Amazon society and it’s advanced populace and technological domination, so when a chance to open a door to this almost magical place appeared, there was no other answer than yes, especially when the opportunity came up for actually going through it!

This was not the reality when opening her eyes for the first time after travelling through the doorway, however, a very friendly queen showed her their current society and what made it that way. As some things clicked into place and a new way of life was found, it also left more questions than answers, but at the same time, unconventionally comforting.

One surprise was the physical and emotional reaction to two men in particular, the desire and fate surrounding the inevitable was hard to resist, but will a way home be found and normality resumed, or will this way of life become something loved? This is a sci-fi romance with plenty of action and adventure throughout which will keep you rooted to your seat.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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Wheel of Evil (Hani’s Daughter Mysteries) by N.L. Holmes. – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

Wheel of Evil (Hani's Daughter Mysteries Book 3)Wheel of Evil by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Neferet, Bener’ib and Mut-Tuy are back with another mystery to solve and this time it is closer to home, because Neferet’s Uncle Pipi has gotten involved in a get rich quick scheme, it is a chariot workshop which wants to expand and he is an investor, unfortunately, he is on trouble because the payments keep increasing and he starts to be unable to afford it and is scared.

This is where the other investors start dying and this terrifies Pipi and the rest of the family, especially when it becomes clear that there are some unsavoury characters behind the scheme and things begin to go wrong. As usual, an investigation starts and Neferet becomes embroiled in the scheme herself, but can she and her band of teenage investigators figure out who is behind the chariot workshop pyramid scheme before anyone else is killed, or will this be their last investigation?

This is a historical murder mystery where danger lurks around every corner and emotions run high when money, chariots and two young sunets become involved.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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The Veil by Karli Rush – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

The VeilThe Veil by Karli Rush
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Selene Marley is a woman who owns a small shop in the town of Everton, near the Ozarks where she has a comfortable life and a partner in crime, Rayden Hendrix, the shop has some regular customers who peruse her natural herbal remedies and organic food. She has her future planned out with Rayden and it is everything she could want, security, love and happiness and maybe even a wedding, not to mention good friends and beautiful scenery.

One day, all that changes when a pearlescent veil splits the town into two causing earthquakes and destroying the homes and businesses in their street, but the most terrifying thing is when everyone is separated. All the women are grouped together and the men all disappear, never mind where the children have gone and so when Selene starts to become accustomed to the new life she is having to make, she discovers her resilience.

As the days pass and Selene learns more about the ones around her, she comes across hints of a world not unlike hers, but more progressive and with different flora, fauna and traditions, but just when she has lost hope of seeing Rayden again, he reappeared in a sorry state, beaten and bruised, but they are still grateful to find each other again.

As the ramifications of the veils appearance and their new lives sink in, can Selene and Rayden navigate this new existence while also keeping their sanity in tact? This is a sci-fi adventure where worlds collide and lives intertwine to create a present fraught with danger, in this emotional rollercoaster.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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The Apothecary’s Curse by Barbara Barnett – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

The Apothecary's CurseThe Apothecary’s Curse by Barbara Barnett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Gaelan Erceldoune is an alchemist and is part of the scientific circles of Victorian London in which he meets fellow scientist Simon Bell, so when Simon’s wife falls ill with cancer and no other medical interventions working, he goes to see Gaelan who provides him with a last resort potion, however, it doesn’t work and a distraught Simon drinks what is left in hopes of joining his deceased wife.

Unfortunately for Simon, this doesn’t work and he wakes up a few days later and finds that he is changed and is no longer able to die! Fast forward five years and he hears of a patient in Bedlam, a hospital for the mentally infirm who resembles his own situation, however, when he finds out it is Gaelan, he is determined to ask questions and so he enacts a daring rescue.

As the years pass and the two physicians fall into a cycle of daily life, a pharmaceutical firm, Transdiff Genomics come across some diaries buried in what used to be Bedlam, and they begin to put prices together which should never have been unearthed and so Simon, Gaelan and a disgruntled Transdiff employee who questions their morals Dr Anne Shawe have to work together to stop certain information from landing in the wrong hands.

Can the intrepid trio do this all while Gaelan and Anne try to deny a growing attraction, or will life be changed forever more? This is a historical fiction which has some roots in reality, while creating fantastical elements throughout which will keep you on your toes throughout.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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Glass Houses by Sinister Styx. – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

Glass HousesGlass Houses by Sinister Styx
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a novella only for those over 18, with multiple trigger warnings which isn’t for the faint of heart.

A couple in love fall into traps of suspicion and deception and lose trust in each other, this causes a spiral into violence and blood, but will they be able to reconnect, or will the stones they throw break the glass house they are living in?

This is a dark romance with a sprinkling of fantasy as a couple spiral into darkness and try to find their way out.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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“Absurd,” Said Bird : A Fun Children’s Adventure About a Mouse Who Dreams of Travel (Mouse Traveler) by Tricia Gardella. – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

“ABSURD,” SAID BIRD.: A mouse plans a trip to the moon. by Tricia Gardella
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Mouse is an adventurer and he wants to go to the moon, he has heard it is made of cheese and wants to go and get some.

Mouse has an idea and he asks the other animals on the farm where he lives to help him, he promises them some moon cheese if they will help him to build an aeroplane!

So they all band together to help Mouse, but Bird thinks that Mouse’s plan is absurd, but who will be right, Mouse or Bird? This is a charming story of imagination, determination and perseverance for all ages, while also teaching about teamwork and kindness all at the same time.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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The Queen’s Dance: A Sizzling Slow Burn Fantasy Romance by Nicole E. Kelleher – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

The Queen's Dance: A Sizzling Slow Burn Fantasy Romance (Heart & Hand Series Book 2)The Queen’s Dance: A Sizzling Slow Burn Fantasy Romance by Nicole E. Kelleher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Lady Claire of Chevlain is a young woman who harbours a secret, a curse which impacts heavily on her life and as such, she has struggled to mind a match, however, she does have plenty of options for an arranged marriage. Unfortunately for Claire, her curse is the ability to see the future of those who come into direct contact with her, but the following fatigue and the visions themselves leave her exhausted, especially when they are not the positive kind and so she keeps this ability under wraps.

Trian is a member of the Royal Guard and is very good at his job, but he also harbours a secret, it is Claire, from the first time he met her, he fell hard, even if she has no idea, but he embraces any chance he gets to spend with her. He is also the younger son of a popular family and so needs to pursue his marriage match, especially when it is made clear he has a time limit to convince her to marry him before someone else is arranged for him.

One day, Claire is travelling across the Kingdom to her home of Chevlain and Trian is elated when he is chosen to accompany her as her personal guard and this is where their friendship begins. As they spend more time together, they learn a lot, both factual and familial and the more time that they spend together, the closer they become, especially when Claire discovers that her visions are quiet when he is around and this is a godsend.

Unfortunately for the two, just as they are falling further for each other, their group is attacked and Trian is badly injured, the motive for the attack becomes clear when Claire is kidnapped and taken to the rival land of Nifolhad. As she is kept captive, the only people she can rely on are the women of the Fenhri Temple as they hold information and teachings that Claire is supremely interested in, as well as thoughts of Trian. Will she be able to escape the court intrigue and dangers which surround her in this opposing court to her own, or will she escape and return to her homeland and hopefully her love waiting for her? This is an epic fantasy with a romantic undertone where emotions run high, intrigue abounds and life is complicated as you follow the lives of those within this fantastical tale.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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The Predator: Part Two (The Predator Series Book 2) by Brooke May. – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

The Predator Part TwoThe Predator Part Two by Brooke May
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

K. C. Cunningham has spent the last four years building a life for herself, she has made friends, found family and completed her degree in education, now all she needs is a job in a school to make her life as complete as it can be. Chamberlain Lawrence is just coasting through life and trying hard to forget the girl who got away, he has never stopped searching for her and trying to find her, but he has had no success and so has ploughed everything into his career as “The Predator” within the boxing world instead.

One night, K.C. is dragged out on a rare girl’s night when her best friend gets tickets to a boxing match, something she hasn’t done since she left home and left that night behind, so she begrudgingly goes, all the while hoping that he isn’t there. For Chamberlain it is just another fight on his tour to retain his champion status and it is yet another easy match with another opponent below his level and all he wants is a proper challenge, however, all that changes when he sees her, his girl in the crowd.

As soon as Chamberlain looks round and locks eyes with K.C. she is placed back into the memories of happier times and the time before it all fell apart and it is all too much, so she grabs her friend and runs. Meanwhile Chamberlain is elated that he has finally found her after all this time and sends someone out after her, but they are too late and he knows that he cannot let this chance slip away, so he plans to find her and never let her go.

Soon Chamberlain finds K.C. and convinced her to talk to him, she is distant, all while trying not to fall for him all over again, she is hurt and angry and doesn’t want anything to do with him, but he is persuasive and she agrees to hear him out and nothing more, but will “The Predator” finally capture his prey, or will the past come between them all over again? This is an emotional rollercoaster of a ride which won’t let up all the way until the end in this romantic with elements of suspense and a will they, won’t they trope.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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