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Tink (Devil’s Handmaidens MC: Timber-Ghost Montana) by D. M. Earl – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

Tink (Devil's Handmaidens MC-Book One)Tink by D.M. Earl
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Maggie, or “Tink” as she is known is the President of the Devil’s Handmaidens MC and she takes pride in her position, but it isn’t easy trying to run an all female MC as well as legitimate businesses so that she can follow her passion and help those in need on the side, but she is not alone in her endeavours, she has the rest of the members and prospects at her side, as well as her parents and all the members of her fathers MC as well. Ellington is an ex Navy SEAL with a lot of baggage in his past, but he takes the opportunity to start afresh in the middle of nowhere in Montana where he helps a friend to set up a ranch, but what he doesn’t realise is that a feisty woman is about to enter his life and it will throw him off his game.

Maggie and Ellington have run into each other a few times and after a not so subtle push from her best friend, she gives him her phone number and they decide to see where it takes them and it soon becomes a little hot and heavy between them, but with all her responsibilities, Maggie is a little reluctant to let him in, but soon she doesn’t have a choice when she welcomes the latest group she is helping to her ranch settle in. One day, the firecracker that is Maggie rides into his life asking for some help, as security has been breached and trouble has come calling, so Ellington lets the others know and speeds to her and help, but what he finds when he gets there makes him realise just what Maggie does and he will do anything to help.

Maggie is shocked at what she finds and now has to deal with even more being piled on her plate and this time it is personal, ghosts from her past are coming back to haunt her and her family and she doesn’t know what to do, so she calls in for some help from her family and sisters in the MC and they all agree, even if they don’t know the whole story, but she knows she has to get it all out and the truth in some ways sets her free and in others brings everyone else into danger with her. What she doesn’t expect is Ellington being with her every step of the way and helping her sort out the mess from her past, but can he keep her sanity from unravelling and away from harm, or will he lose out on the one thing which is helping him with his demons as well? This is a fabulous MC romance full of spicy action, profanity and action, as well as badass women and how the bonds which go deeper than blood come together in this whirlwind of a suspenseful race against time.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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The truth about myths by Giovanna Siniscalchi – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

The Truth About Myths (The Winemakers)The Truth About Myths by Giovanna Siniscalchi
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Princess Isabel is the sister of the King of Portugal, they have been close throughout their lives while facing whatever came their families way, but the way they coped with all of that was complete opposites on the spectrum. The King became a lad about town, with a group of friends who were the scourge of the men folk on their area of the world, while Isabel went the way of modesty, fidelity and duty and tried to promote these values in her ladies in waiting as well. One day, she is summoned to see her brother where he tells her that he has received an invitation for Isabel to visit a relative in Spain for the summer and as much as she loved her cousin, she does not relish the idea of the company she keeps, so she politely declines, that is until her brother insists that it is more a diplomatic mission than a holiday and this is where duty wins out and Isabel reluctantly agrees.

Meanwhile, one of the Kings group of friends, Henrique, the Viscount of Panafiel, a scientist is about to embark on a journey to England to take a position at one of their top universities, but at the last minute, he is called upon to escort the Princess to Spain and watch over her and albeit he really does not want to go, he is won over by being the only one the King entrusts with the role, so he also reluctantly agrees. When the two meet at the carriages they are to travel in, the two realise that they have been misled by their nearest and dearest as to whom they will be accompanying and this just makes the journey even more unpredictable and in some ways uncomfortable for them both.

As the journey to Spain goes on, the two find themselves drawn to each other and opening up in ways they thought impossible and even though their personalities clash, they enjoy tormenting the other with sharp tongues and sharper wit, but as soon as they reach their hosts, thinks begin to heat up and each finds new experiences and challenges in the other. This however, was not to last when Prince Alfonso of Spain enters the picture and comes in between the two opinionated young aristocrats and this is where things become messy as it appears that the Princesses ideals and sense of duty are used in such a manner that anything which was blooming between her and her escort are threatened and Henrique will do anything to save his Princess and his country, but will he lose everything he is trying to save in the process? This is a historical fiction set in the Mediterranean where emotions run high and politics reign, in this royal romance where appearances can be deceiving and sifting the truth and the lies is almost impossible as you wonder who will triumph in the end.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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Oscar and Emmy Lose A Friend: A Story About Pet Loss And Saying Goodbye To A Furry Friend by Terri Sabol – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

Oscar and Emmy Lose a Friend: A story about pet loss and saying goodbye to a furry friend. Ages 5-11 and kindergarten through grade 5.Oscar and Emmy Lose a Friend: A story about pet loss and saying goodbye to a furry friend. Ages 5-11 and kindergarten through grade 5. by Terri Sabol
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oscar and Emmy are two feline siblings and since they made friends with a local stray car, Shadow, they have built a new routine around her visits when they play peekaboo through the window and meow at each other through the door at feeding time, but over time, they realise that something is wrong with Shadow.

At this point, they made sure their humans knew something was wrong and they decided to take her to the vet and see what is wrong, unfortunately, Shadow is very ill, and they have to have a talk about what to do and what is best for Shadow, but how will Oscar and Emmy feel about it and what will they all decide to do?

This is a very touching story which talks about a difficult and extremely sad topic in such a way that it encourages conversation, understanding and ways to cope when this happens in real life and one, I would highly recommend.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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Rocketship Made Of Stars: Naming Of Constellations (I Am An Alien #2) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

Rocketship Made of Stars: Naming Constellations (I am an Alien)Rocketship Made of Stars: Naming Constellations by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Shirl is a young girl who has made friends with an alien called Eee-ah who lives quite far away and she has decided to visit Earth and Shirl, but she still needed to give some directions. When Eee-ah arrived Shirl was very excited and asks to stay in her flying saucer with her, Eee-ah agreed but only if Shirl agreed to take her to school the next day.

The next day, Shirl arrives with Eee-ah and her friends are also excited and ask lots of questions, but before there were any answers, the school bell rang. This is where Eee-ah answered questions about where she lived, so she answered by drawing dots and joined them into images and this is where everyone learned about constellations!

This is a charming and informative story which talks about the differences between how we each see the world and how just because people aren’t all the same, does not mean that it is a bad thing, a must read for all little and large ones alike.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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Amaleigha Makes A New Friend by Janice Pratt – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

Amaleigha Makes a New FriendAmaleigha Makes a New Friend by Janice Pratt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Amaleigha is a young girl in 3rd grade and one day her teacher, Mr Bowles, announces that they are going to be getting a pen pal and writing to students of a school in Ukraine and everyone is excited about this opportunity, so they cannot wait to see who is going to be their pen pal. Amaleigha is paired with a girl called Vova, she is given a card with some details about Vova and she writes her first letter asking some questions and showing her interest about learning about Vova’s life and soon the class’s letters are ready and sent off.

As the class are waiting for their letters, they start to learn more about Ukraine and its traditions, culture and life in general and this helps them to write their letters, that is until one day when their letters spoke about something other than excitement to learn more about each other, the possibility of a war with Russia.

What does this mean for Amaleigha and Vova’s friendship through letters and how will this war impact them both? This is a book which talks about current events in a way that is fun, but also serious at the same time and is a wonderful way to show how to handle the emotions that go along with them, it is brilliant for all ages and well worth a read.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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Rogue Wolf (Protector Wolf Shifter Series Book 3) by Lilliana Rose – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

Rogue Wolf (Protector Wolf Shifter Series Book 3)Rogue Wolf by Lilliana Rose
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Tamaska and Kodiak are back and are still recovering from the latest vampire attack where the pack was reduced and that grief still floods the space as they deal with their losses and bury their dead. Another thing which is flooding the space is blood, both vampire and wolf shifter, it is everywhere and that isn’t priority number one, Kodiak being sworn in as alpha is, but he is challenged and that leads to him having to fight one of his own, it is something he hates, but knows it is also something he needs to do.

After the fight and no further issues, security is upgraded so the pack can stay safe while all of them pull together so that clean up goes more quickly in case of unexpected visitors. Tamaska insists on helping out, but when she asks to go and get something to help the process along, Kodiak is reluctant, they know the vampires are still out there and that they want Tamaska for her blood, but she eventually convinces him and heads out, but her next decision is one that will endanger everyone, she decides to go back home and pick up some belonging and that is where danger calls in, someone is waiting there for her.

Meanwhile, one of the other pack members is researching Tamaska’s ancestry, the jewel they are all fighting over, as well as how to turn a human, what risks there are and whether it can be done at all, this has been demanded of Kodiak because Tamaska wants to be a shifter and a full member of the pack, especially when Kodiak chooses her as his mate over the other pack members. Although Tamaska is trying her best, it seems that she just isn’t doing anything right and being kept in the dark about everything isn’t helping her, but when another attack happens, the worst imaginable scenario happens, the vampires capture Kodiak and want to trade Tamaska for him, neither can think of being without the other, but they also both know how stubborn the other is, but why is Tamaska so important and how will she be able to convince the rest of the pack what she needs to do?

Can the pack figure out the answers to all these questions while still trying to stay together as a pack, or will Kodiak’ choices splinter the pack more thoroughly than any vampire attack could and will Tamaska be able to become a full member? This is another action packed book in this series where danger lies around every corner and secrets, trust and acceptance are woven into a web so tangled, you will have to read until the end to find out where it starts and ends.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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The Secrets of Arkaim (The Reeds Of West Hills Book 2) by B E Padgett – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

The Secrets of Arkaim (The Reeds of West Hills #2)The Secrets of Arkaim by B.E. Padgett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Jon and Frank are back and it is their first summer at home since finding out that they were gifted and they have missed their family a lot, but they are also excited to be going to a convention as well, the best thing is that their families can go too. So as they get ready to introduce their family to the friends who are there, they are also excited to experience what it will be like with other gifted people around them, it is also nerve wracking, especially for Frank.

When they arrive there, they all settle in and are shown round by their friend Mira, before having dinner and some well earned rest before the real excitement begins. Unfortunately, there isn’t a gift specific group for Jon organised, not that he is surprised, but he is annoyed, so when one of the guest speakers speaks to him without fear, he is happy and agrees to stay in touch, meanwhile Frank has caught the eye of one of the other speakers and I’m interested in what they have to show him. After it is all over, the boys return to school and this is where the fun really begins, they are back where they feel comfortable and also find out that there are to be something called the Zodiac Games, a skill based competition where the houses are all pitted against each other until one wins. This excites all the students and gives them an opportunity to showcase their skills, so when the first challenge is announce, training begins, but the judges decide to throw a spanner in the works and change the rules at the last minute and the students are not happy, but it does mean that Jon and Frank are in with a chance of competing.

While this competition heats up, Jon is continuing his gifts class and it is there he discusses the dreams he is having of a shadow which speaks to him and shows him glimpses of situations he is unsure of and it is causing another load of sleep disturbances to his brother and roommates, but he doesn’t feel like he can talk to his brother about it and Frank is having worries of his own when one of his classmates becomes sick. As the weeks pass and the Zodiac Games competition heats up, other students start to become sick, but there is an undeniable pattern which causes concern, especially when the twins seem to be in the middle of it all again and Frank is terrified that he is going to be next. Can Jon and Frank use their skills to work out what is causing the sickness and who the shadow figure in Jon’s dreams are before something else happens and someone else gets hurt, or will it be too late and the danger surrounding them all become too much to overcome and what will happen with the Zodiac Games, something the whole school is enjoying, will they have a chance to complete them before things become too dangerous? This is a fantasy adventure where adversity is all around and secrets, lies and challenges will throw the balance off, causing magical mayhem throughout in this middle grade story which will entrance all ages and reading abilities.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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The Magic Carousel (The Brass Ring Book 1) by K. L. Small – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

The Magic Carousel (The Brass Ring #1)The Magic Carousel by K.L. Small
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Russel is a young boy in fifth grade and over the last year, a lot has happened to him, but the main thing was having to move his room into the basement so that his ageing grandpa could move in with them, this has led Russel to have new responsibilities which include taking his grandpa to the local park to ride on the carousel. He is also failing at school because of this upheaval, as well as being bullied by another of the boys in his class, there is name calling and pushing and Russel doesn’t know how to deal with it, so he just hopes that he isn’t seen with his grandpa because that could become something else he is teased for and finally, his dad drinks, a lot and he always shouts at Russel when he drinks, so this has also been affecting his schoolwork and he is worried that his dream to become a firefighter is slipping away.

One day, when his mum asks him to take his grandpa to the park again, his grandpa is riding on one of the outside horses and things seem to be going Russel’s way for once, the bullies haven’t seen him and his grandpa isn’t being too embarrassing, but just as he is hoping they can leave, his fears come to pass and the bullies turn up and when they leave, his grandpa asks him to join him for a ride. Russel is really reluctant because he is already embarrassed and annoyed, especially when his grandpa wants him to hold his hand as well, but eventually Russel agrees and settles onto the horse that his grandpa points to, but when he does, it does not go as he expects.

When he rides, he is magically transported to another place and time, but surely it can’t be real, they were just on the carousel and this is not it, so what has happened and why has this rude turned into an adventure of a lifetime? This is a brilliant book which takes something familiar and puts a new magical spin on it, with plenty of adventures, danger and magic, this is a wonderful little adventure where important lessons are learned and fun is had while doing it, it is also a book you will not want to put down.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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Lilly Tames Her Worries by Carole Heaney – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

Lilly Tames Her WorriesLilly Tames Her Worries by Carole Heaney
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Lilly is a young girls who has a best friend called Hun Bun, it is her childhood toy and has been everywhere and done everything with Lilly and Hun Bun helps her when she gets worried and the heebie jeebies start, but one day she is in such a rush to go to school that she forgets Hun Bun.

She realises that she can’t go home and get him, but she worries that she won’t be able to get rid of her heebie jeebies and the feelings that make her heart pound and her pals sweat, but tries her best on the bus ride to keep calm, but when she is in the classroom she asks to leave because she doesn’t feel well and so she goes to see the school nurse who it turns out has a lot to teach her.

Will Lilly be able to learn how to control her heebie jeebies without Hun Bun, or will they win? This is a book all about learning to control your own heebie jeebies, or worries without your favourite security item and is done in a very charming and informative way which is easy to learn for all ages.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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Oscar and Emmy Gain a Friend: A Story About Trap-Neuter-Return by Terri Sabol – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

Oscar and Emmy Gain a Friend: A Story About Trap-Neuter-ReturnOscar and Emmy Gain a Friend: A Story About Trap-Neuter-Return by Terri Sabol
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oscar and Emmy are two children with two pet cats who they love, but one day another cat appears outside their back door, at first they shoo it away, but it keeps coming back, so they are told by their mother to try feeding it and this is when the cat started interacting with theirs through the window.

When their mother calls the vet for advice, they are told about the Trap-Neuter-Return programme and they decide to help these cats by getting them into the programme.

This is a story which teaches a valuable lesson about caring for animals and how important this is, not just for pets, but for those without a home as well.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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Marked Wolf (Protector Wolf Shifter Series) by Lilliana Rose – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

Marked Wolf (Protector Wolf Shifter Series Book 2)Marked Wolf by Lilliana Rose
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Tamaska has just had the fright of her life, the man who she feels a connection with has lied to he and worse is what he lied to her about, being a wolf, so with the shock of her worst nightmares coming through, Tamaska turns and runs away, it is too much to process, as well as reeling from the vampire attack, she doesn’t know what to do, or where to turn, so she decides that the one thing she can do is go after the jewel which started this madness off, the Blood Opal, so she heads alone, shocked and angry back to where she saw it last. Kodiak has broken one of the main rules of his pack, not to reveal themselves to humans, but he just did and it backfired, Tamaska has rejected him in the most absolute way, because of fear, but he is determined to keep her safe, but first he has to report what has happened to his pack and fulfil his duty to them, but he is torn in two and doesn’t know what to do about it, so as his minds swirls with his thoughts, he returns to his home to face whatever his alpha has to say.

The Blood Opal is on everyone’s minds and is the key to the mystery of why the vampires want it and so Tamaska heads into the vampires night club, but it is not as inviting as it was the last time she visited, in fact it looks abandoned, but Tamaska has a feeling it isn’t, but as the memories of her last encounter there surface, she pushes them to one side and carries on with her search. Meanwhile, Kodiak is facing his pack and trying to work out how he can have both his pack and Tamaska, but they are not making it easy for him and the internal struggles between him and his pack are straining, as is his connection to Tamaska, but he cannot allow the insanity to rule, he has to do his best for both and once he has met with his team and alpha, he heads back out and follows Tamaska’s trail, while hoping it doesn’t head where he thinks it will.

As Tamaska explores, she realises just what is at stake and is horrified by her discoveries, but just as she thinks she has seen the worst of it all, she finds that it is far from it, fortunately, as she is about to be surrounded by attacking vampires, Kodiak appears as if by magic and comes to the rescue again, but as the danger increases and they have to take measures to keep her safe. This doesn’t last and just as Tamaska and Kodiak begin to trust each other things come to a head and the choice between pack and a mate has to be made, but what will Kodak decide and will he even have time to be able to make that decision while keeping up with his duty to his pack and keeping Tamaska safe? This is a whirlwind of suspense as two factions battle for superiority and action is never far away in this rollercoaster of danger and emotions which will pull you along to see how it ends.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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Master Campania: Dark Vampire Romance (Masters of the Consulate) by Sylvia Black – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

Master Campania: Dark Vampire Romance (Masters of the Consulate Book 7)Master Campania: Dark Vampire Romance by Sylvia Black
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Master Campania is the Master who looks after and rules in the south of Italy and he know everything and everyone who resides there, be them friend, enemy, or hum and neutral, he trusts the other vampires who work for him and he knows that if any of them betray him, they would not live to see another night, so when he is tasked with finding a group of witches who have teamed up with the traitorous vampires and rogue shifters, he jumps at the chance. Willow is a young witch who is desperate for her freedom, she and her friends have left the magical academy where they were studying their craft in order to experience what life is like outside of the strict rules and endless lessons which were filled with hatred for the vampire race, so the small group leave the academy and strike out on their own where they end up in a town run by vampires.

Master Campania starts his hunt as soon as he can and is driven through the towns and villages in his area so that he can find a witch and get the information which Overmaster Descallia has requested and he soon comes across a group who just happen to be in one of the nightclubs he owns, so he goes in to find out exactly what he wants to. Willow has been enjoying the peace she has found while her friends are out, but soon she has to get ready for a girls night out, so she gets ready and pops over to where they are due to have dinner and drinks, but just as they are all starting to enjoy themselves, in strides a vampire like he owns the place and she desperately tries not to lock eyes with him over the heads of the clientele between them, this however, doesn’t work that well and so she sends her friends away as he joins her at their table.

There is immediately an animosity between the two, but all Master Campania wants is information and he makes that abundantly clear from the beginning, but Willow is very reluctant to give him the information he wants, but she also cannot deny the attraction she feels for him either and it is extremely frustrating, so putting her sassiest attitude on, she gives him something purely so he will leave. Meanwhile Master Campania is trying to figure out this little enchantress and whether she is telling the truth, so when he threatens that he will find her again if her information is wrong, he knows by her reaction that that idea terrifies her, but he also can’t deny that she is a sassy, as well as very sexy enchantress and he doesn’t quite know how to react to this at all.

Willow and her friends decide to call it an early night, especially after she informs them of the contents of her previous conversation, so in a panic they decide that to cut and run is in their best interest, but as they are doing this, Master Campania is acting on her information, however, as soon as he realises that it is a false lead he keeps true to his threat and finds her again, but this time he doesn’t play nice and ensure her further cooperation. As soon as she is in a word, tamed, she is again asked for the information, but this time, she has to go along as well, but when the vampires find the witches, they will not go quietly and neither will the shifters accompanying them, so another bloody battle in the centuries long war commences and Master Campania cannot help but protect the little witch and even more so when she sees that something is happening to Master Descallia and aids him to protect him, but things don’t go smoothly and Willow ends up learning more about the secrets of his world than she should.

When sparks fly between the two, neither can resist the temptation of the other and Master Campania has to make a decision about Willow, keep her with him or lose her forever, but with it being against both their kinds rules, will they be able to work out the answer before danger comes creeping around, or will it be taken out of their hands before anything can be acted upon? This is a dark paranormal romance full of passion, magic, darkness and light which will pull you along on a dangerous rip tide of action and adventure with some steamy scenes included for good measure.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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Love Bites More by T.L. Clark – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

Love Bites MoreLove Bites More by T.L. Clark
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Pryderi, Elan and Arwyn have known each other their whole lives, they have grown up together and become Watchers together and keep their clan safe together, they also made an oath in their youth which at the time seemed the right thing to do, but as they have grown up, their feelings towards each other are no longer the same. Pryderi has found his soul mate and after coming back from his honeymoon, the three find that things aren’t the same between them, but they try and put that right by having a guys night in, complete with the illicit food, drink and music they have to keep hidden away, thanks to the clan not appreciating it.

Although they are both happy for Pryderi, Elan and Arwyn are struggling with their feelings for each other, they feel things which they shouldn’t and know it, but still they can’t bring themselves to do anything about it and risk hurting the other or their friendship, it is what they value above all else, but that is becoming harder to maintain and it is causing both of them to become antsy and withdrawn, this leads their friends to worry about them.

Meanwhile, Pryderi’s mate has travelled to another clan and has brought someone back with her, a new male from a widely different life and when he is introduced to theirs, it is a bit of a culture shock to say the least, not to mention that he has been used to hiding himself away in more ways than one. Elan is chosen to show him the ropes and slowly help him integrate into clan life, but neither can deny that they are attracted to the other and Arwyn is feeling a little left out, so he decides to spend some time with the exotic new male and again, the two cannot deny their attraction to each other and this complicates things.

Will Elan, Arwyn and this new spicy male finally bring down the barriers and allow them to experience the things they long for the most, or will those barriers break down and destroy the lives they have built for themselves forever? This is a fantasy romance with foul language and spicy content throughout which will leave you breathless as the thoughts and feelings whirling around these Elinefae and their way of life and leave you wanting to find out what happens next.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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Flowers of Evil (Hani’s Daughter Mysteries Book 1) by N.L. Holmes – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

Flowers of Evil (Hani's Daughter Mysteries Book 1)Flowers of Evil by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Neferet and Bener-ib are two young ladies with a very unusual occupation, they are medical professionals and is Egypt, this is practically unheard of, they have trained for half their lives so that they could open up their own practice, the only issue is that people are very wary of them and tend to steer clear. This infuriates Neferet, but Bener-ib just becomes disheartened, neither of them however, are going to give up on their dream, so Neferet takes matters into her own hands and looks for the reason why they are not receiving any patients.

Neferet is stubborn and once she has her mind set on something, nothing will sway her from the path she has decided to take and this path is no other, she has decided to pay a visit to the other medical professional in the area and see if they can’t come to some kind of arrangement. It soon becomes clear that this will be an impossibility as soon as she speaks to them, the terms of endearment used and the manner of which she is spoken to raises her hackles and she soon decides that it isn’t worth any more of her time, so she heads back to the practice.

This was not to be a peaceful morning because there is a frantic banging on the gate and frenzied shouts for aid, do they spring into action and see the patient, however, they ultimately realise that they will not be able to save him and offer their condolences to his wife when he does pass. As the story of the injuries unfolds, it becomes clear that this was a murder and of a high class person at that, it turns out that they were the head florist at the temple of the Aten and therefore, not someone with many enemies, this is something the two ladies ponder as the clean up the building ready for lunch.

This lunch turns out to be a family gathering of the most joyful sort, but they have an ulterior motive, they want to speak to Neferet’s father about the murder and see if they can get any pointers as how to go about solving it, but they are warned away from for good reason, especially when the danger starts to follow them. Will the two medical professionals be able to solve the crime with the help of their family, or will they be stopped before they can? This is a historical mystery where danger lies in the shadows and discoveries are made which could make or break fates and lives as this tangled web is sorted through.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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Fortune’s Favorite (Soulbound Journeys) by C.L. Schneider – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

Fortune's Favorite (Soulbound Journeys #2)Fortune’s Favorite by C.L. Schneider
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Time has passed on the seas for Ian Troy and Jarryd Kane after a harrowing experience on their first port of call, it has been a leisurely break just being able to sail and hunt on truly deserted islands and they finally feel rested again, however, Jarryd has heard tales of their next port, a harbour city called Maldarehm where everything is colourful and alive, at least on the surface anyhow, but Ian can feel the stares of the inhabitants of this bustling city and he hasn’t even left the boat yet, Jarryd meanwhile is talking about what he has heard of the place and is more than ready to go exploring. Ian decides to go the long way round and give his horse a break from being on the sea and go along the lesser used path and encourages Jarryd to go and see the sights of the city, but warns him to be careful and not to let his guard down.

As usual, things don’t quite go to plan when Ian ends up somewhere he shouldn’t and meet people who he can’t believe exist, or their attitudes to life, but at least they are his kind, however, they are not what they seem and Ian gets frustrated and annoyed with them, but they seem intent on him and why he is there, but when they grow tired of him, they send him on his way. While all this is happening, Jarryd has made his way to the centrepiece of this town, the local tavern and gambling den which has been recommended to him, however, not all is as it seems and when Jarryd is persuaded to join in the games, he instantly regrets his decision, especially when he realises the stakes.

As Jarryd and Ian follow their individual paths and discover exactly what lies at the heart of Maldarehm and those living there, they end up at the same destination with the same intentions, but will they be able to win when the odds stacked against them are so high, or will they lose everything and surrender the things which are most dear to them again? This is another rip roaring whirlwind of a ride where there are more twists and turns than a maze and more magic and mayhem throughout, which will suck you in and keep you hooked until the end.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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The Wandering Isles: A Crown of Stones Novella (Soulbound Journeys Book 1) by C.L. Schneider – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

The Wandering Isles (The Crown of Stones)The Wandering Isles by C.L. Schneider
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ian Troy and Jarryd Kane have left the land of Mirra-kelan, a land finally at peace after centuries of war and disputes and Ian in his usual brave, but rash way has had a bog and in it and in the process taken on a burden for all of his race and after this deed, he is wanting a fresh start and so he and Jarryd head out to see to retrace the steps of Ian’s Shinree ancestors, the first port of call are the Wandering Isles, a place renowned for strong spirits, but although they have a direction to head in, they have no idea where the Isles are, or if they will find them, what they will find there. So after months at sea, something unexpected happens and both Ian and Jarryd find themselves separated and unable to find each other, on what appears to be a series of deserted and very rocky islands, there also appears to be no life there either, instead it is abandoned.

As the two friends try to navigate this seemingly endless expanse of land, they encounter and unknowingly enter a trade with those who do reside there, it appears that these islands were not as abandoned as first believed and so they pair enter into trials the like they have never seen or experienced before and Jarryd becomes lost in them, however, Ian is extremely wary and suspicious of the beings he encounters and what their end goal is. While completing these trials, Ian comes up against his past, present and possible futures as magic, memories and sinister motives come together to bring endless tortures and scenarios together in a creatively devastating way.

As these trials are worked through and the different torments pass, Ian comes to the realisation that the only way off of these islands is to play this despicable game and find Jarryd in the process, but will these beings allow him to do that, or will he lose this game and everything he is playing for? This is a feast of magic, mayhem and mind games where it is a race against time to see who can win when and what the cost will be, because magic always has a price, but you will have to read until the end to find out what this one is.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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The Ring Of Eagna (The Cross of Ciaran) by Andrea Matthews – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

The Ring of Eagna (The Cross of Ciaran #4)The Ring of Eagna by Andrea Matthews
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ciarán and Aodhán are back and spending some well earned quality times with their families, but soon Ciarán is off on another adventure and it is back to Ireland to visit the rest of his family and celebrate another union between two dear friends, so he tempers his fear and gets back on an aeroplane with his children helping him out along the way. When they arrive it is to insurmountable joy to be back on land and back with familiar faces on home turf, but his brother Aodhán has something exciting he wants to talk to Ciarán about and it cannot wait until they get to where they are staying.

Aodhán has found a book which he suspects was written in the tenth century, but the tales contained within speak of something from their time of the fifth century and the priesthood they left behind, but whether it is true or not, now that is another question. Ciarán decides to have a look at the book and as soon as he sees it, he realises that his brother is right and it is about the ancient artefacts of their order and a way to retrieve them, but he is reluctant to get more involved because he doesn’t want to face the wrath of his wife, or Aodhán’s either. In the end, Ciarán agrees to help his brother out and agrees to try and find the keys mentioned, but it just so happens that they already have two of them, the rings they were given as young initiates, so all they need now is a third and they know where they might find them, but it means revisiting the recent past.

Unfortunately, someone has beaten them to it and this discovery leads to the realisation that they are not alone in their search, but who is behind it and why is a mystery, there are too many suspects and too little information to go on, however, when someone breaks in, they decide to put their rings away for safekeeping. Can the brothers find the third ring before the other parties create more havoc and turn this treasure hunt into a deadly race, or will they falter at the first hurdle and give their adversaries exactly what they want? This is a fast paced rollercoaster of an adventure where the ancient past and dangerous presents collide to create a treasure hunt across the Irish hills and lakes in the ruins of an ancient religion which you will puzzle over and solve with the main characters up until the end.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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Sage Advice by Cori Cooper – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

Sage AdviceSage Advice by Cori Cooper
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Pyper Lewis is a young lady on a mission, a mission to cancel (in her opinion) the worst event on the social and educational calendar, an event which is a tradition for every school leaver to attend and one which has a hold on her memories which she cannot shake. PROM!!! Pyper thought she was not alone in hating this celebration of coming of age, however, when she requests that the school council cancels it, everyone votes against it, including the boys, but it gets even worse when she finds out that she has to now organise it instead!

At least she has her best friends she can turn to for help cheering herself up and it just so happens that one of them is having a dilemma all of her own and this is something that Pyper cannot resist, giving advice and helping those around her. This is when her determination to succeed eclipses everything else and despite that four-letter event looming in the future, she decides to make the rest of the senior year up to it the best one ever for herself and her friends and nothing can stop her once she has made her mind up.

As the year passes and the dreaded prom moves closer, Pyper’s best laid plans to avoid prom at all costs start to unravel bit by bit, but can she overcome her fear and the memories this event invokes in her, or will she miss out on what could be a great time with her friends? This is a fun coming of age story which deals with strong emotions in a fun and playful way, while also not minimising the impact that these emotions have on the person, it is witty and a must read for anyone who is a fan of imperfect teens and the mayhem they cause.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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How to Catch Little Boys and Eat Them by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

How to Catch Little Boys and Eat ThemHow to Catch Little Boys and Eat Them by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What do giants and little boys have in common? They both need to eat and a giants favourite thing is little boys, but not when they are scared, so this giant hatches a plan to catch his favourite meal.

He is so confident in how well his plan works, that he makes an infomercial for any other giants to follow, this is of course after he tries it our for himself and his first victim is Jack.

First he sells some magic beans, then he let’s Jack steal a goose which lays golden eggs and a golden harp, so when Jack comes back the third time, it is time to show him the cooking pot.

Will Jack fall victim to this giants plan, or will be able to escape? This is a fun retelling of a favourite childhood tale which any age will enjoy from beginning to end.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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Notebook Mysteries ~ Parisian Intrigue by Kimberly Mullins – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

Parisian Intrigue (Notebook Mysteries #6)Parisian Intrigue by Kimberly Mullins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It is 1889 when Emma and family return and this time they have been given an all expenses paid trip to Paris, so as they prepare for the very short notice excursion, they wonder who is behind it. It is out of the blue, but it is something none of them want to miss out on, especially when they find out that there will be a special exposition on at the same time.

The trip involves a few trains and a boat across the ocean, so Emma is excited that she isn’t on her own this time and that Jeremy, Dora and Tim can enjoy the experience with her. The first night, all four find new people to get to know and so they split the journey between new found friends and family, but they don’t mix together and that puts Emma on edge.

When they get to Paris, they are surprised with their hotel, it is much nicer than expected and bigger too, settle in and make a plan for what they want to see at the exposition over the next few days. As they explore the sights and sounds of the halls, their new friends seem to appear everywhere they do and unusual things start happening to and around them.

They think they can finally have some peace and quiet until a young girl arrives on their doorstep looking for Emma and collapses, when she wakes up, there are more questions than answers for the dynamic duo. Meanwhile, Dora and Tim become privy to a secret they wished they had never found out, but can they solve the intrigue surrounding it by themselves?

This is another thrilling mystery on a beautiful setting as secrets, lies and technology mix to form a dangerous and twisted web around the four intrepid investigators until all the loose ends are ties up in this race to uncover dangerous plots and marvellous discoveries.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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Ten Little Starfish: A Counting Book by Kim Ann – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

Ten Little Starfish: A Counting BookTen Little Starfish: A Counting Book by Kim Ann
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ten little starfish is a brilliant little counting book where you can learn all about the numbers one to ten, while also learning about life under the sea, as you explore the world of ten colourful and cute little starfish.

You will dance under the waves, explore the tidepools, watch as the starfish play with their friends, all while counting their legs, looking at all the beautiful colours and spotting the other sea creatures who live around them.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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Forbidden Blood (The Shadow Chronicles Book) by C.R. Robertson – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

Forbidden Blood (The Shadow Chronicles Book 4)Forbidden Blood by C.R. Robertson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Kimber is a young vampire with a damaged past, she has been used by others for their gain for most of her life and her gifts have now become more of a curse to her, but because of this, she is treated like a fragile ornament and her family do everything that they can to protect her, but all Kimber wants is to be left alone. From being a youngster, her gifts have been hidden away from fear of what their discovery might mean, but it just meant that when she was conscripted into the vampire military, she had no experience of controlling them and her family’s worst fear became a reality when her coven leader used it to his advantage.

Fabian is a Watcher, a shaman entrusted with keeping the balance between the worlds and documenting all the comings and goings of both the human and supernatural beings within it, but all that changes when he comes across a vulnerable, pink haired young woman. For generations his kind have lived hidden from the world and drawn deeply from the magical wells of their realm, they have witnessed creation, separation and destruction during that time and vowed not to interfere in the Earth realm, however, the boundaries they have been protecting are crumbling and the problem is worse than they feared, they now have to make a decision about whether they can remain on the side lines.

Kimber is desperate to go outside and one day, she just does, she goes running off into the woods and escapes from her suffocating life, but her life changes when she meets another from a magical race she had never heard of rescues her from the hellspawn who attack her and when Fabian does this, he makes a choice which could change everything and everyone involved. Can Fabian bring out the strength he knows lies deep within Kimber so that she can finally use her gifts her own way and do the good she has always dreamed of and will it lead to the magical communities being brought together to fight this unearthly and evil creation? This is a fantasy adventure with a romantic heart, where secrets, revelations and discoveries lead to choices and consequences which lead to a make or break point in a war which has been waging for eons, as this rollercoaster of a ride takes you along all the highs and lows within it.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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Oathbreakers Anonymous by Scott Warren – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

Oathbreakers AnonymousOathbreakers Anonymous by Scott Warren
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Marluck is a paladin of the Goddess of Fate and a good one at that, he was renowned for his strength, abilities and connection to his Goddess, he had fame, money and arrogance, or at least he was, while he was on his last mission to help a village being preyed upon by a God-beast, a mix of godling and wild beast who are more dangerous the older they become and during that battle, Marluck loses his Goddess’s favour, he loses his connection and everything that went along with it. Now, he is scraping by as an Oathbreaker, a fallen paladin who most people tend to avoid like the plague, the lowest of the low, how far he has fallen, but he is not the only one in this predicament, he manages to find others in the same situation, others who have fallen foul of their patrons and become Oathbreakers Guild.

While Marluck settles into life as an Oathbreaker, he becomes close to the others in the Guild as they share stories of their past lives and current woes while drowning their sorrows in cheap booze, but after one of the meetings, he is pulled aside and he is told of rumours about the possibility of redemption and a return to his position and he is more than tempted to do so. After meditating on his choices and deciding that he at least wants to try, he shares his plans with the others and not everyone agrees with him and fewer offer to go with him, in fact most of them deem him a madman, there are however, four others who decide to join him.

Fast forward to a few days later when the unlikely group have done their research about the possible holy sites where they can regain their deities favour, gathered supplies, settled any outstanding affairs and decided on a plan of action, the rag-tag group set off towards their first destination, but will they be able to find the redemption they desire, or will it prove to be a rumour alone and a wasted journey after all? This is a fantasy adventure which is a definite page turner throughout, as friends, enemies and indifferent beings combine into a humorous yet heart-warming journey of self discovery and entertaining mishaps which keep you hooked until the end.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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The Secret Humankind: An Urban Fantasy Thriller (The Discoveries of Julia Xero Book 1) by Gloria Oliver – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

The Secret Humankind: An Urban Fantasy Thriller (The Discoveries of Julia Xero Book 1)The Secret Humankind: An Urban Fantasy Thriller by Gloria Oliver
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Julia Xero is a young woman wanting more from life, she is in a dead end job which pays badly and has the worst boss and coworkers she can imagine, so when a job becomes available with a company which cleans up crime scenes, she immediately applies. While she keeps her fingers crossed that she will get the job, she is still shocked when she does, especially when she sees the building she will be based in and how glamorous it looks, it doesn’t quite fit with the job description.

When she goes through the training, nothing seems to be too amis, apart from seeming too good to be true, she just wants to fade into the background in her usual way, but the people around her are not even close to how introverted she is. When she is out on a job with her partner in cleaning, it looks like it will be a normal shift, that is until a message comes through and the tension in the van goes through the roof.

It is the one thing she had not been trained for and so Julia is thrown into a baptism of fire before she has been deemed as ready when they are called to a decapitated body on a rooftop. While she is waiting for the all clear to come up, something lands beside the van and all Julia can see is a mouth full of sharp, pointy teeth glowing in the street outside her window and it doesn’t look human in any way!

This is where Julia us introduced to the Secret Humankind and the true nature of their job, to clean up after their attacks. This is then followed with the information that when she thought she had fallen asleep in the training videos, it turns out that she had been implanted with a small explosive devise which could kill her if she reveals what she now knows.

This throws Julia for a complete loop and she cannot process what she has just learnt, it is everything she didn’t want to be again, under someone else’s control and without her free will, but will Julia be able to reconcile with this new reality, or will the need to escape override the joy of finally having a job she had always wanted? This is a fantasy adventure which is full of secrets, revelations and supernatural beings galore as one young woman navigates through a web of intrigue to discover the information she needs to survive in this story which will leave you thrilled and wanting more.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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Goldilocks and the Six Simple Machines by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

Goldilocks and the Six Simple MachinesGoldilocks and the Six Simple Machines by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Goldilocks is a smart young girl and she loves to fix things, but when she went on a bicycle ride through the woods, the last thing she expected was to find an unlocked front door. The Three Bears are about to have breakfast, but unfortunately, it was too hot, so they decided to go for a walk, but when they returned, something was different.

Goldilocks discovers that the breakfast left out needs some adjusting, so she uses a machine to fix it, then she uses another one when she accidentally breaks a chair and after all that hard work, she finds a comfortable bed to lie in. Meanwhile the Three Bears find the breakfast, the chair and finally Goldilocks herself, they too use a machine to wake Goldilocks up and ask her if she fixed everything and when she says yes, they ask her to help on a final one, but can she help Baby Bear, or will she fail to find the machine she needs?

This is a charming and ingenius way to retell a family favourite and is something that all ages will be able to understand and enjoy.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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Twisted Eros (Modern Mythica Book 1) by Aria Skylar – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

Twisted Eros (Modern Mythica Book 1)Twisted Eros by Aria Skylar
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Kay is a business woman through and through, she is the rising star of her company and is involved in every decision be it small, or large and she is always thinking ahead, the only thing is that she is so good at her job, she feels that she can’t not be there, she has to be involved or everything will fall apart. This is where she struggles with her life, she is unable to switch off and her sisters are both annoyed by this and worried about her, so when they eventually persuade her to take a break, it isn’t one that is what you would call a stereotypical vacation, they have booked her an “abduction vacation” because that is the only way that she will rest, is if she is forced to do it.

When the morning comes for her vacation to start, she is extremely reluctant still and just wants to back out, however, her sisters are having none of it and they make her pack her suitcase and tell her the arrangements for the day, or at least as much as they can anyway, so when she hasn’t even left her apartment, she feels someone’s arm around her and before she can scream a hand is clamped over her mouth. The only thing she knows is that the person will be wearing a mask, will be tall and handsome and will be keeping her company for a whole month, so when they move to their secret hideaway, she is not allowed to see the journey, only feel the sensations of traveling and this is more disorienting than Kay expected and when she is allowed to open her eyes, it isn’t what she expected and neither is the man.

Eros is a man on a mission and his mission is Kay, but she isn’t what he thought at first glance and from the first interaction, he is thrown off balance and over the next couple of weeks, he intends to do the same to her, but when his perception of her shifts and she elves further into her darker desires, he is left reeling, but can this vacation give Kay the rest and relaxation she needs, or will the two twist each other around so much that they have no idea who they are anymore? This is a twisted romance in more ways than one and when hearts are on the line, feelings are raw and true intentions are hidden, inside a dark hideaway revealing more than either is willing to show, in this dark and sexy story.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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Blood Prophecy 4: Rise of the Hunter by Barb Jones – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

Rise of the HunterRise of the Hunter by Barb Jones
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The world is split between good and evil, dark and light and there is a constant battle between the two which most people don’t see, or hear about and it is this battle which is part of the two Prophecies, a person filled with dark magic with try and kill the Queen and her followers and one of these battles has already taken place. The one representing the darkness was thrown into a deep, dark pit by the Queen and her followers, but while they all thought this person was dead, they were actually stealing the life forces of those thrown in with them and using these powers to build a secret demon army, they were employing dark witches to carry out their demands and see to their every need, meanwhile, the Queen was carrying on with her peace, completely unaware of the danger building beneath her feet.

As the months pass and the darkness begins to take hold, the demon army is growing stronger and more numerous and plans are falling into place, but there is a third prophecy which the Queen is unaware of and this is the one which is the darkest and most destructive of all, one where the representative of evil separates the Queen from her followers one by one until all fall under the power of the darkness and serve it unconditionally. A prophecy where a wolf, a witch and an angel are the keys and a hunter, a demon army and dark witches are the locks, it is not an easy path, but one the bringer of darkness is all too happy to follow in order to seek their revenge against the Queen and all that she stands for.

Will the darkness rise along with the hunter, or will good again triumph over evil? This is a twisted tale of the battle between light and darkness, as their representative forces work to either keep the balance, or destroy it. As the supernatural forces in the world decide which side they belong to, secrets, lies, bargains and mysteries mix to create a world where nothing is as it seems and the twists and turns will leave you reeling in this enigmatic story.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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When Magic Calls: A Collection of Modern Fairy Tales by Caitlin Berve- Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

When Magic Calls: A Collection of Modern Fairy TalesWhen Magic Calls: A Collection of Modern Fairy Tales by Caitlin Berve
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Magic surrounds us, it is everywhere you look and in everything that you do, but whether you realise this or not, is another magic all of its own.

In a small town, cursed objects find themselves drawing people to them, but will their curses be survivable, or will the magic prove too strong in the end?

Once upon a time, people learn bout their pasts, presents and futures so that they can make a choice that will lead to either light or darkness, but which way will their choices take them?

Wild creatures roam the woods and for the most part, they keep to themselves, however when they are discovered by humans are they as dangerous as they are made out to be, or can they show us a new way of life?

In this collection of magical tales of mystical people and creatures, all set in a modern day world where you will be shocked, surprised and left wondering if fairy tales really do surround us in between reality and fantasy, where lines can be blurred and fate will find the destiny which stretches through time and space to show the way forward.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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House of Arsceneaux: A Vampire Paranormal Romance Novel (Servants of Morrigan: Immortal Creatures) by Caterina Novelliere – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

House of ArsceneauxHouse of Arsceneaux by Caterina Novelliere
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Caitlin DeDannan is a young woman who is in the prime of her life, but it isn’t all smooth sailing, so when she finds herself swamped with work, nursing a broken heart and burnt out, she finds herself looking forward to some time off to relax and escape it all. Evariste Gage Arsceneaux is a young man in appearance, but he is also a few hundred years older and a vampire, but since losing his wife, he has felt lost, she was the light in his life and without her there, he has thrown himself into work and building up the company he heads.

A couple of days before her well needed trip away, she is called into a meeting with her boss and two clients, this is where a bomb is dropped and she is asked to complete an investigation while she is away, she is not impressed in the slightest and makes it known, but in the end she reluctantly agrees. Evariste has always known that people would want to buy him out of his business and up until now, they have all backed off after the first no, however, the latest annoyance is not being dissuaded, to the point that they have managed to wrangle an inspection and he isn’t in the least impressed and intends to being anywhere but the premises throughout.

When Caitlin arrives at her destination, she is happy with how her visit starts, but as soon as she goes to carry out the inspection, the grumpy workaholic is nowhere to be found, however she is invited to meet him and this is where everything changes. Evaluate, despite his best efforts is forced to meet the investigator, however, as soon as he lays eyes on her, he is ecstatic, it is someone who he has been searching for and someone who could be the answer to his prayers, but can he convince her of all that, or will bring professional win out over the passion brewing between them?

This is a romantic suspense full of action, adventure, twists, turns and of course vampires where you are lead into a world of intrigue and passion and will not be able to put this book down until you have consumed it in its entirety.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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A teachers heart by Melissa Lavi – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

A Teacher's HeartA Teacher’s Heart by Melissa Lavi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Every teacher has a heart and they are always big, they come in all shapes and sizes, they are all different and they are all around.

In this book, the story and illustrations tell you all about teachers and their hearts, while showing that on the outside, even though they are all different, inside they are all the same.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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