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The Sisterhood of Secrets (The Gods’ Scion Book 4) by Winnifred Tataw – Review by Shannen Kern

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The Sisterhood of SecretsThe Sisterhood of Secrets by Winnifred Tataw
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a really good YA fantasy to fill my downtime with. I’ve read other books by this author and always seem to enjoy myself, so I didn’t hesitate to pick this one up. I liked the relatable characters and the detail throughout this story. I would recommend picking up the previous books in the series as they build upon each other, and you risk not fully capturing the essence of the book without them. The author expertly crafts a world that is full of secrets and seems to expand with each chapter. The flow of the story felt a little odd at times and it snapped me out of the adventure a bit, but overall, I really enjoyed myself. I plan on following this author’s work in the future!

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The Finding (Berrycreek Heights Series Book 1) by A. M. Porto – Review by Shannen Kern

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The Finding (Berrycreek Heights, #1)The Finding by A.M. Porto
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

WOW. This was an incredibly captivating read! I was wrapped up in a matter of minutes listening to Victoria and Login describe their past and present back and forth. I always enjoy multiple points of view, so this was right up my alley. There are some less than loveable characters here and a few difficult scenes, but they do add depth to the story. I became so invested in both Vic and Lo quickly and felt their emotions as my own. The author did a great job writing a gripping storyline. The flow can feel a little unnatural during a couple scenes of the book, but overall, it was a gripping thriller that had me on the edge of my seat. I don’t want to give away any of the twists and turns, so just pick it up and give it a go!

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Hole in the Rock by Rebecca Bischoff – Review by Shannen Kern

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Hole in the RockHole in the Rock by Rebecca Bischoff
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I think the author did an absolutely marvelous job capturing the middle-schooler mentality. My daughter is 11 years old, and she really related to Lizzie! Even though it was written with her age in mind, I definitely enjoyed it as well. I loved Lizzie’s fiery and passionate personality as well as her dedication to the animals she feels so strongly about. At times I thought, “What are these parents even doing?” but I feel that really ties into the mentality of a middle schooler. Again, I think the author did a spectacular job bringing that through process out for this age group. I highly recommend picking it up and giving it a go with the young one in your life!

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Forbidden Blood (The Shadow Chronicles Book 4) by CR Robertson – Review by Shannen Kern

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

I loved every single bit of the previous three books in this series, so when I found out there was a fourth installment, I was over the MOON excited! The previous focused on Tasha and Levi, so this one was a nice expansion of Kimber and Fabian. Kimber is Tasha’s little sister who has always felt like an outcast. Fabian is a dreamboat in her eyes. I really enjoyed seeing them grow alongside each other as the action-packed storyline took us on a crazy adventure. Though you may be able to enjoy this as a standalone, I HIGHLY recommend picking up the previous books as they do build upon each other. This author has quickly become one of my very favorites and I bet you’ll feel the same. She has a way of pulling you in with her captivating writing style, and never lets go as the flow of the story just takes you away. I cannot wait to see where we go from here!

Reviewed by @shannlynn

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Forbidden Moon (The Shadow Chronicles Book 3) by CR Robertson – Review by Shannen Kern

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Forbidden MoonForbidden Moon by C.R. Robertson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This has become my favorite paranormal series, bar none. I found myself reading as quickly as I could to see what happens, and then going back to read slower to really soak in Tasha and Levi’s adventures. If you’ve found this book first somehow, please pick up the first two because the story is definitely a progression through each read. You won’t regret picking them up either because they are simply fantastic. If you thought you could pin down every paranormal romance, this author will prove you wrong QUICKLY. I absolutely loved the action-packed scenes combined with the magnificent chemistry that jumps straight off the pages. I highly recommend picking this series up if you love paranormal romance, but even if you don’t I beg that you give it a chance!

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Forbidden Mate (The Shadow Chronicles Book 2) by CR Robertson – Review by Shannen Kern

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Forbidden MateForbidden Mate by C.R. Robertson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Most of the time a second book will make or break a series, and this continuation has blown me AWAY! It picks up the story like no time has passed and I dove in headfirst. I read this in one sitting because I couldn’t pull myself away! I love how this author has such a way of writing that you just can’t predict where the story is heading next. I can’t get enough of Tasha and Levi. The flow of the book is absolutely flawless and never felt a lull. Buckle in because we are amping up the adventure in this installment. I cannot wait to grab up the next book in this series to find out what happens next with our lovely MCs. I highly recommend this series so far!

Reviewed by @shannlynn

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Forbidden Wolf (The Shadow Chronicles Book 1) by CR Robertson – Review by Shannen Kern

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Forbidden WolfForbidden Wolf by C.R. Robertson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

If you pass this book up because you judge it by its cover/synopsis (you know better!) you will miss out terribly! While this genre is a very popular one with most of the books having somewhat of a cookie cutter approach, this book stands out in the paranormal romance crowd. The author does such a fantastic job pulling you into the world of lycans and vampires. I felt like I was experiencing the story instead of reading it, which is incredibly hard to accomplish with paranormal books in my opinion. I’m already on my way to pick up the second book in the series!

Reviewed by @shannlynn

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Love, Only Better (Bold Journeys Book 1) by Paulette Stout – Review by Shannen Kern

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Love, Only BetterLove, Only Better by Paulette Stout
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was my first book from this author, but I’m looking forward to more from her. While it can feel a little slow in the beginning, you’ll be smart to keep going as it tells such a beautifully relatable story for women everywhere. Rebecca has been made to feel that she’s unworthy or even worse, that she’s somehow a failure as a woman. As you can imagine, that takes such an unbelievable toll on your psyche. She somehow keeps some sort of motivation which rewards her with a drool-worthy neighbor, and this is where I started to swoon as it turned into a nice romance. This book takes you on a rollercoaster of emotions and is well worth the read. I can’t wait to see what comes next in this series!

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Oathbreakers Anonymous by Scott Warren – Review by Shannen Kern

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

I’m really not sure how I haven’t read anything by this author before, but I am SO glad that part of my life is over! I stayed up reading this book because I couldn’t put it down to do anything (sorry chores) and I don’t regret one bit of it. The way they pull you into the story is subtle but irreversible. The humor throughout this book will have you laughing out loud and disturbing your family members. The world is so beautifully crafted and vivid that I felt like I was on the adventure with Marluck and the Oathbreakers myself. Even if this doesn’t seem like your type of book, do yourself a favor and pick it up. You will find yourself enjoying it before you know what happened, so say goodbye to your to-do list for the day. I’m off to find more of this author’s books!

Reviewed by @shannlynn

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The Secret Humankind (The Discoveries of Julia Xero Book 1) by Gloria Oliver – Review by Shannen Kern

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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: 5 of 5 stars

What a magnificent start to the series! I absolutely love our main character, Julia, as she is a strong, no-nonsense female lead. She has endured many hardships in her life, but she never lets that stop her. I was pulled in from the very first chapter and couldn’t read fast enough to see what would happen next! I feel like the characters meshed perfectly and the flow of the story read so naturally. I can’t wait to continue this series as this author has already proved that they know exactly what their audiences wants. I highly recommend picking this up and giving it a chance, especially if you like sci-fi/supernatural thrillers!

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Sleeping with the Enemy (Astoria Royals Book 3) by Deborah Garland – Review by Shannen Kern

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Sleeping with the Enemy (Astoria Royals, #3)Sleeping with the Enemy by Deborah Garland
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I always love this author’s books, and this dark romance is no different. You jump immediately into a tense situation in the very beginning, and it only gets more interesting from there. You can feel the chemistry between Riordan and Priscilla which gets steamier by the second. I was on the edge of my seat throughout this whole book with the drama, violence, and heated scenes full of passion. This author has such a way of writing that will hold your attention from the very first page to the very last. She knows exactly how to keep you engaged, not to mention creating a perfect story flow. I found myself completely invested in these characters just mere minutes after being introduced to them. If you love dark mafia romances, don’t pass on this on or you’ll definitely regret it!

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Goldilocks and the Six Simple Machines (Science Folktales) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Shannen Kern

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

My kiddos always love it when I bring home a book by this author because they are always so fun! This one is a fun retelling of a classic children’s story with a nice change in character for Goldilocks. Instead of coming in and haphazardly going through the three bears’ house, she fixes items in their house! It is an interesting focus on STEM which we love in our house. The illustrations were simple and seemed almost like watercolors which was refreshing as they weren’t overwhelming with too many details. I also liked that the font would sometimes change to describe the words which I hadn’t seen before. We really enjoyed this book, and it sparked some creative ideas for both of my kids to see what they could ‘fix’ around the house with simple machines!

Reviewed by @shannlynn

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Tempting Fate (Black Shamrocks MC: Australia Book 1) by Bella Faust – Review by Shannen Kern

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Tempting Fate: a dark and angsty love triangle romance (Black Shamrocks MC: Australia Book 1)Tempting Fate: a dark and angsty love triangle romance by Bella Faust
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I didn’t realize there was a prequel to this book, so I doubled back and read it quickly. The sleep I lost while staying up reading these books was well worth it, and I would do it again in a heartbeat! My emotions didn’t know which way to go as I was pulled in every direction the entire time. It is intense, dangerous, romantic, steamy, and traumatic. I’ve never experienced such all encompassing emotions throughout one book and was completely taken by surprise multiple times. I am so fully invested in these characters, and I cannot wait to read the next book in the series!

Reviewed by @shannlynn

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The Book of Hours (Coin/Hours Duology Book 2) by Maria Elena Alonso-Sierra – Review by Shannen Kern

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The Book of Hours (Coin/Hours Cycle 2)The Book of Hours by Maria Elena Alonso-Sierra
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is an absolutely suspenseful romance that is 100% worth the read! I couldn’t put it down and read it in one sitting. The beginning is a little bit slow, but the overall flow of the story is still magnificent. Don’t let the slow start fool you as it will have you turning pages as quickly as you can shortly after. The love story of Gabriela and Richard is intense, passionate, and full of surprises! I don’t want to give an inkling of anything away (you’ll thank me later) therefore I will just give a strong recommendation to give this book a chance so you can fall in love with it too!

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Broken. (Green St. Girls Series) by N.D. Jackson – Review by Shannen Kern

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Broken. (Green St. Girls #2)Broken. by N.D. Jackson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I knew that having loved the first book in the series that it was going to be a challenge to follow it up, but N.D. Jackson knows EXACTLY what they’re doing here! The author provided such a perfect second installment with vivid imagery and beautifully written descriptions of scenes, so much so that I felt transported to this world. I was completely captivated once again and fell in love with Indigo and Gideon. I highly recommend picking up the first book before reading this one just to gain some of the depth you’d miss without it. You won’t regret either choice because these books are absolutely fantastic. I can’t wait for the next book to drop!

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Bared. (A Green St. Girls Romance) by N.D. Jackson – Review by Shannen Kern

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Bared. (Green St. Girls #1)Bared. by N.D. Jackson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I definitely couldn’t pace myself with this story…I read it all in one go! I had to find out what would happen as the author drew me in with such finesse that I didn’t realize until I had finished half the book. The synopsis gripped me, and I knew I had to give Bared a chance. Thank goodness I did! I fell in love with the Green Street Girls quickly and found myself fully invested in each of the characters right away. I am so excited by this book that I’ve already picked up the next one to see what the author has in store!

Reviewed by @shannlynn

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Ladies of the Links (Ladies of the Links Book 2) by Haley Rhoades – Review by Shannen Kern

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Ladies of the Links #2Ladies of the Links #2 by Haley Rhoades
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this as a stand-alone and felt pretty comfortable right away, though this author held my attention from the first page so I’m sure I’ll be going back to the first book now! I enjoyed the small-town feel of this book with the added sports, drama, and steam to make it extra interesting. Though there were a couple of moments the story kind of stalled out for me, I enjoyed it overall and will be continuing the series. I will definitely be on the lookout for this author more in the future. Give it a chance and you’ll fall in love with the characters!

Reviewed by @shannlynn

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Fetching Dreams by Mary Bleckwehl – Review by Shannen Kern

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Fetching DreamsFetching Dreams by Mary Evanson Bleckwehl
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

While Fetching Dreams is aimed more towards middle-schoolers, I found it to be quite moving myself. I read this one with my soon to be 6th grader, and she loved it as well. It sparked a very deep conversation between us about remaining hopeful in the toughest of times. We also spoke about how, even though Neyah and Abby are living in almost completely opposite worlds, how empathetic they were towards each other. I found this story inspiring and really liked the determination of these young ladies. Even if you don’t have a middle-schooler in your life, I highly recommend picking this up and giving it a chance.

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Twisted Oath (Bound By Blood Book 1) by A. S. Roberts – Review by Shannen Kern

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Twisted Oath (Bound By Blood Book 1)Twisted Oath by A. S. Roberts
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was drawn into Twisted Oath when I read the very first page and pleasantly surprised that it was just as engaging throughout the rest of the story! Some series can take a bit to get into, but this one is absolutely riveting. It is a dark romance with the undertones of mafia, suspense, steamy chemistry, and angst all through this read. To say the twists took me by surprise was an understatement. I enjoyed every bit of this dark and thrilling romance with Serafina and Salvatore, though you might find yourself yelling at the book like I did at points. If you enjoy dark mafia romances, go ahead and give this a chance so that when the second Bound By Blood book comes out, you’ll be ready!

Reviewed by @shannlynn

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A Match Made in Montana (The Millers of Marietta Book 2) by Elsa Winckler – Review by Shannen Kern

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A Match Made in Montana (The Millers of Marietta, #2)A Match Made in Montana by Elsa Winckler
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I can’t imagine what the loss of your parents would bring, but impulsive decisions sound probable. Add on the fact that you’re losing your supposed ‘til death partner before you tie the knot and you’ve got a storm of DEEP emotions. Annie moves after her tragic loss and sets up a B&B with little to no thought. I loved every bit of Annie. Her courage, her strength, and her willpower are all so admirable. I enjoyed the seamless flow of the story as we moved through each tragic loss and brave new start. I didn’t realize that I missed the first book, so I’m heading back to pick that up and get more of this author’s writing style. If you love second-chance romances with that tug at your emotions, then this one is definitely for you!

Reviewed by @shannlynn

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Rise of the Hunter (Blood Prophecy Series) by Barb Jones – Review by Shannen Kern

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

What a great supernatural book! I had read the first in this series but somehow skipped the next two. After reading this one, I’m definitely going to go back and enjoy the rest of the series. Even though I did miss what I’m sure will be amazing books, I didn’t feel confused as far as the plot. The Tall Dark Man was definitely fearsome and made me think that maybe I shouldn’t have read this at night. I always enjoy stories with multiple points of view, but this one did bog me down a little as it switched in odd places which interrupted my flow a bit. That’s really my only minor issue with this book. Otherwise, I feel like the author is continuing an incredibly supernatural horror series that I’m looking forward to reading in the future!

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Brutal Nights (Hidden Valley Elite Book 4) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Shannen Kern

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Brutal Nights (Hidden Valley Elite #4)Brutal Nights by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This series continues to be my favorite of the year! It picks up right where Brutal Days left us and I am HERE for it. I’m not sure how this author creates such a captivating world that engages you from the very beginning. Even though it’s a quick read, there is plenty of depth to sink into. The chemistry between the characters is phenomenal, and the emotions will take you on a rollercoaster of feeling like you MUST find out what happens immediately! You’ll be invested in each character as they twist and turn throughout the story. Plenty of steam, romance, suspense, and angst, you’ll love this read and beg for more. I can’t wait to see what the future holds!

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Grand Slam (Ground Rule Book 3) by Bree Kraemer – Review by Shannen Kern

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Grand Slam (Ground Rule Book 3)Grand Slam by Bree Kraemer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I LOVE Heath and Grace so much! It shouldn’t come as a surprise to me since I love this author, but this was such a cute sports romance. I was immediately pulled into the story and relating to the characters even though I’m far from athletic. Heath seems like the nice, respectful young man who lets Grace knows his feelings but doesn’t pressure her into making any decisions right away. You’ll feel the chemistry jump right off the pages. This is the third book in the series, and although it can be read as a standalone without confusion, you’ll be running back to grab the previous books anyways! I highly recommend reading Grand Slam even if sports aren’t your thing because this author knows how to pull you in.

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Shalom Israel by Melissa Lavi – Review by Shannen Kern

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Shalom Israel: A place like no otherShalom Israel: A place like no other by Melissa Lavi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the second book we’ve read by this author, and my kiddos and I loved it so much! They are both bookworms at the ages of 7 and 11, and they loved the illustrations and really enjoyed learning about a culture that differed from their own. I can say that I also learned some things I didn’t know which is always lovely! Both of my kids love to dig deeper into anything they hear about, so this book started a nice conversation that engaged us all. We will definitely be looking for more books by Melissa Lavi!

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The Misery House (The House on the Hill Book 1) by David Kummer – Review by Shannen Kern

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The Misery House (The House on the Hill #1)The Misery House by David Duane Kummer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I hadn’t read anything by this author before, and what a way to introduce themselves! The Misery House is definitely a psychological thriller you won’t want to put down. It twists and turns, making you change what you think the outcome will be (which you’ll never see coming anyway!) I love the flow, the characters, and the fact that it is told from multiple points of view. The only thing I didn’t like about this book was that there wasn’t more to read! But that just means I get to continue the adventure when the next book comes out, and you better believe I’m keeping an eye out for that one. I need to know what happens next!

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Falling Again (Buckeye Falls Book 3) by Libby Kay – Review by Shannen Kern

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Falling AgainFalling Again by Libby Kay
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The third book in the Buckeye Falls series is a beautifully written clean romance. I have loved this author’s writing style and fell in love again with this read. Almost immediately I was fully invested in these characters because they were so relatable. Doesn’t everything look pretty from the outside when you don’t know the blood, sweat, and tears behind the scenes? I enjoyed the flow of this story as the characters try and find their way back to each other and the love that has gotten further away from them over the years. You can read this as a standalone, but I highly recommend reading the entire series in order. You will get more background in each book, and everything ties together quite nicely. If you like sweet and clean romances, this is definitely for you!

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Falling for You (Buckeye Falls Book 2) by Libby Kay – Review by Shannen Kern

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Falling for You (Buckeye Falls, #2)Falling for You by Libby Kay
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was my first read by this author, and I was pleasantly surprised to find a sweet and clean romance with a wonderful storyline. This is also the second book in the Buckeye Falls series, but I happened to miss the first one. I’m sure there are things tied in that I didn’t catch (my own fault) which leads me to recommend reading these in order. After I caught up, I found an emotional and romantic read that made my heart full. If you love grumpy/sunshine romances, please give this a chance. It definitely made me smile more than once.

 

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The Master of Demise by Nadija Mujagic – Review by Shannen Kern

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The Master of DemiseThe Master of Demise by Nadija Mujagic
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is my third book by this author because her writing style is completely addicting. She’s one of the few authors that I would pick up any book without reading the synopsis because I know I’m going to enjoy regardless. I love dark psychological thrillers so this one was right up my alley. We get to get inside the mind of a narcissistic professor, Mitch, which was pretty unsettling, but the mysterious circumstances he finds himself in are unbelievable. Without giving anything away, know that you are on a ride full of twists and turns keeping you on the edge of your seat until the end! It just goes to show that the truth can only be buried for so long.

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A Way Out (Rock Star Book 2) by Tami Lund – Review by Shannen Kern

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A Way Out (Rock Star Book 2)A Way Out by Tami Lund
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A Way Out gripped my attention from the very first chapter to the very last! I enjoyed everything about this book. This author writes characters that you can relate to even if you’ve never been in their situation, which I find rare and intriguing. The story of Maria and Oz is anything but conventional, but I was still fully invested throughout the whole book. I loved their chemistry, and the flow of this story was perfect. It is part of a series (that I will be picking up) but I read as a standalone and didn’t feel lost at all. Pick it up and get lost in this spectacular contemporary romance for the day!

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House of Arsceneaux (Servants of Morrigan: Immortal Creatures) by Caterina Novelliere – Review by Shannen Kern

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

This is my first book by this author, but I love all things paranormal, so I gave it a chance. I always go into a book with an open mind, and I am simply blown away by this one! I definitely stayed up way too late finishing it because I had to know what was going to happen. The level of detail was just the right mixture before becoming overwhelming and the story flowed so well. I highly recommend picking this up and getting lost in the story of Caitlin and Evariste/Gage, you’ll be addicted too!

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