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Dainty Damsels by J.N. Sheats – Review by Rayne East

Dainty Damsels: Halloween Collection 2022Dainty Damsels: Halloween Collection 2022 by J.N. Sheats
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Crafty, cute and creative
This is a delightful colouring book that would appeal to all ages. The characters and scenes are cute but mature and imaginative. The pictures are drawn to allow for creativity with different mediums, colour and lines. I really like the addition of the check page at the start to ensure that colours don’t bleed through to other pages. A book that will inspire hours of fun.

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We Blend (Falling for the Rockstar’s Daughter Book 1) by Willa Drew – Review by Rayne East

WE Blend (Falling for the Rockstar's Daughter Series #1)WE Blend by Willa Drew
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Secrets, music and a budding romance
This was an engaging read and had me staying up way into the night as I could not put it down. The whole way along we are treated to an insight into El’s life as a child of a rockstar and Will’s complex life lined with secrets. I love the dual POV as it gives the story so much depth. The layering of the story is brilliantly executed and there is the right balance of tension and tender moments. Warning there is a cliffhanger at the end leaving the perfect opening to book 2.

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The Crown of Stones: Magic-Scars (The Crown of Stones Book 2) by C.L. Schneider – Review by Rayne East

Magic-Scars (The Crown of Stones, #2)Magic-Scars by C.L. Schneider
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Gripping and highly emotive
This starts off a few years after book 1. We find Ian Troy in prison and left for dead. It was only a matter of time though before someone needed him. I found the connection to Troy different this time with his magic suppressed and amnesia we get to see the person underneath.
There is so much between the pages of this book and the author interweaves the connections flawlessly and brings the reader to a world that is as beautiful as it is broken. Characters that I came to love in the first book are back and the action, dialogue and the wide range of emotions kept me glued from start to finish. The storyline just keeps getting stronger and as much as questions are being answered, more things are being discovered. The stakes are high and there is still one more book to go. Highly recommend to fantasy fans – you won’t be disappointed.

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From Brick & Darkness by J.L. Sullivan – Review by Rayne East

From Brick & DarknessFrom Brick & Darkness by J.L. Sullivan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Creative adventure
This was a thrilling original fantasy adventure. There’s action, drama and a teen whose curiosity bites him in the butt. Bax has his share of teen troubles but all that takes a turn when he finds a ring and brings into the world more than he bargained for.
I loved the writing and it would appeal to a wide range of audiences. It is a multilayered clean novel and covers the awkwardness that comes with navigating the high school scene balanced with the fantasy aspect. Totally recommend.

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Rebel of Fire (The Vigilant Book 3) by LM Preston – Review by Rayne East

Rebel of Fire (Vigilant, #3)Rebel of Fire by L.M. Preston
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The adventure continues
The Vigilant Series is a brilliantly written paranormal adventure that just gets better with each book. The author does a great job at developing the world a bit at a time and ties it all in with a mix of reality and fantasy.
Book 3 is Rei’s story within the Vigilant series, her sister and older brother have each played a role in previous books and Rei has found herself unsuspectingly dragged in through tying herself to Megan. Now bound in contract, and on a quest to free her father, Rei must rely on Asher and that is just another dilemma.
I recommend reading the previous books, especially the novellas, to get the backstory and interwoven threads. Looking forward to Reece’s story next.

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Kara, Shieldmaiden of Eire (Forerunner Series Book 4) by Jay Veloso Batista – Review by Rayne East

Kara Shieldmaiden of Eire (Forerunner book 4)Kara Shieldmaiden of Eire by Jay Veloso Batista
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Adventurous tale
This is the first book I have read from this author and the fourth book in The Forerunner Series. Thankfully there was some backstory provided so I didn’t feel lost at all. If anything, I now feel the need to go back and read from the first book. This is an historical adventure, set in the era of Vikings and has lots of action and battles. The imagery is amazing and it’s very easy to like Thorfinn and Kara.
Love a good fantasy adventure and this did not disappoint.

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Burn (Elemental Warriors Book 1) by Joanna Morgan – Review by Rayne East

Burn (Elemental Warriors, #1)Burn by Joanna Morgan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Immersive and thought provoking
Absolutely love me and Elemental based paranormal book and this one did not disappoint. I was totally hooked from the first page and the whole world and concept presented was so original I wanted to know more.
Based in the mortal world there are Elementals, pretty much an alien species. Then there are Sleepers hidden amongst the mortals and then there is the Chaolt- pretty much the mortal enemy. I’m not going to say much more as I don’t want to add spoilers but it is all exciting stuff. And yes there is definitely romance – so check out this great first book in the Elemental Warriors Series.

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Notebook Mysteries ~ Emma (Notebook Mysteries Book 1) by Kimberly Mullins – Review by Rayne East

Emma (Notebook Mysteries, #1)Emma by Kimberly Mullins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The start of something good
I have loved every book in this series. Unfortunately I read all the others before this one but that just means I will have to read them all again – lol!
It was so great to see where it all began. Emma is a brilliant character – strong willed, full of inspiration and desire to help others. The book has suspense, drama and mysteries to be solved and 16 year old Emma is right at the forefront ready to do some sleuthing. The world building is excellent with the imagery of the township and townspeople so vividly depicted. Even though each book is a new mystery I highly recommend that the series be read in order as there are ongoing threads that develop throughout the series.

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Break The Darkness (The Vigilant Book 2.5) by LM Preston – Review by Rayne East

Break The Darkness (Vigilant, #2.5)Break The Darkness by L.M. Preston
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Enjoyable novella
This is a great instalment in The Vigilant series. This is between book 2 and 3 and we get to know Rei and how she ended up working with Megan. There are events that occur that need the perspective from reading previous books in the series so it is best to read from book 1. With mystery, action, a little bit of romance and secrets uncovered, this is an exciting treat. Looking forward to see where this story goes.

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Tropical Date (Postscript Island Book 3) by R.S. Jonesee – Review by Rayne East

Tropical Date (Postscript Island, #2)Tropical Date by R.S. Jonesee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Friends to lovers and second chances
I really enjoyed this tropical romance, with childhood sweethearts finding their way together again. This was no straightforward HEA either. With drama and mysteries following in their wake Marissa and Weston have their work cut out for them. The characters, the island setting and the condom puns had me laughing and feeling all the feels. The author has hit all the right spots for a great rom-com escape. This is definitely a recommend.

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Felines and Fatalities (A Kitty Beret Cafe Mystery Book 2) by Ruth J. Hartman – Review by Rayne East

Felines and Fatalities (A Kitty Beret Cafe Mystery, Book 2)Felines and Fatalities by Ruth J. Hartman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Kitties, Kafe and Kat-astrophes
Book 2 of A Kitty Beret Cafe Mystery series has Ellie hosting a cat show for the rescue kitties. As with the first book in the series this was a cute cozy mystery with fun banter and a zany story that has a pinch of romance. Detective Dare is right there along with the feisty feline Templeton. Loving this series and can’t wait to see what the crew gets up to next.

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The Prisoner of Paradise (Painted Souls Book 1) by Rob Samborn – Review by Rayne East

The Prisoner of Paradise (Painted Souls, #1)The Prisoner of Paradise by Rob Samborn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Intriguing
This dual timeline thriller had me engaged from the start. It is a multi-layered story, centred on soul mates and discovering events from the past. I loved the descriptiveness, the imagery of Venice and the pacing of the adventure. The relationship between Nick and Julia was not overly done and felt a bit forced at times but that could be due to the contrast to the soul mate connection. This is book 1 and it will be interesting to see where book 2 goes.

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I Loved You Yesterday (Trading Heartbeats Trilogy Book 1) by Julie Navickas – Review by Rayne East

I Loved You Yesterday: Book One in the Trading Heartbeats TrilogyI Loved You Yesterday: Book One in the Trading Heartbeats Trilogy by Julie Navickas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Secrets and a love triangle
I loved you yesterday is an intriguing contemporary romance with twists and turns as long buried secrets had a way of surfacing. With angst, drama, emotional heartache and betrayal this book unfolds in a realistic way. This is the first book I have read by this author and I really enjoyed the writing. The characters are very well developed and easy to connect with. I am happy to see there is another book coming.

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Notebook Mysteries ~ Haunted Christmas by Kimberly Mullins – Review by Rayne East

Notebook Mysteries Haunted ChristmasNotebook Mysteries Haunted Christmas by Kimberly Mullins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Mini Christmas Mystery
The Notebook Mysteries series is brilliant and is even better with this bite-sized Christmas themed novella. This book brings Emma’s crew together to solve a crime based at a haunted house. Even though this is a quick read, it is written with depth and includes suspense, action and adventure. It can be read as a stand-alone but is so much better if read within the series. I have loved every book in this series – absolutely recommend!

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Battling Beckett by T. Christensen – Review by Rayne East

Battling Beckett: A Contemporary Step Brother RomanceBattling Beckett: A Contemporary Step Brother Romance by T. Christensen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Totally great!
Battling Beckett is a contemporary step-brother romance told that runs the high school ‘enemy to lover’ line. Beckett is an interesting character – one that I went through a lot of feelings over – he was not a very nice person. Greer was so strong and went through so much. This was an easy read but I feel that this would have been even better being told in first person and multiple POV allowing for a deeper connection and understanding of the motivations behind the characters. Light on steam and romance but still for mature readers.

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Unearthly Magik (Black Cauldron Detective Agency Book 1) by Matilda Reyes – Review by Rayne East

Unearthly Magik (Black Cauldron Detective Agency Book 1)Unearthly Magik by Matilda Reyes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Magik, elementals and mysteries
This was an unexpected find. I absolutely enjoyed the characters, world building and story line. Ava is one tough chick and her partners in the Black Cauldron Detective Agency are worthy side kicks. I was thoroughly intrigued from start to finish, with magik, action, mystery and even some light comedic relief this was a worthy read. I am looking forward to continuing this series.

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River Witch by Cheryl Burman – Review by Rayne East

River WitchRiver Witch by Cheryl Burman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book takes a more mature approach to fantasy. The writing is easy to follow and the story is multilayered as the adventure unfolds. Unexpected twists left me wanting more and eagerly turning the pages. The characters develop right along with the story and as Hester discovers more about what she wants, Aaron has to come to terms with his past. Hester is an easy to relate to character, her need to stay true to herself is endearing. If you are looking for a fantasy adventure with strong characters and an intriguing storyline, this is the book for you.

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In Plain Sight (Logan McKenna Mystery Series Book 8) by Valerie Davisson – Review by Rayne East

In Plain Sight: A Logan McKenna Mystery Book 8In Plain Sight: A Logan McKenna Mystery Book 8 by Valerie Davisson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Twists and turns
This is the 8th book in the series and it was brilliant. I really like Logan, she is an easy character to connect with and is not too OTT. This book had me intrigued and anxious to find out what was going to happen next. The pacing was well done and the story was layered with mystery, suspense, action and drama. Loved the Raptor Centre setting too. Will definitely be checking out more from this author.

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Jake (Billionaire Blind Dates Book 1) by Toni Denise – Review by Rayne East

Jake (Billionaire Blind Dates Book 1)Jake by Toni Denise
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Interesting spin on dating
This is the first book in the Billionaire Blind Dates series. I really enjoyed the refreshing take that this author took on blind dating. Even though this was a quick read, there is a depth to the writing that drew me in. The characters are well rounded and I was genuinely invested in the outcome. Jake and Lauren are a brilliant couple. I am very keen to find out more about the other billionaires. Highly recommend.

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Master Romano (Masters of the Consulate Book 4) by Sylvia Black – Review by Rayne East

Master RomanoMaster Romano by Sylvia Black
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Enticing and passionate
I have enjoyed every book in this series so far. This is book 4 and I am still captivated by the world this author has created. Romano is one of the Masters in the Consulate and has a played a part in previous books. This is his and Raven’s story. With the witches and vampires on the verge of war Romano and Raven have the odds set against them. Even though each book is dedicated to a different Master, I recommend reading from book 1 to get an understanding of the backstory. And recurring characters. With vampires, witches, fated mates and romance – what’s not to love.

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