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The Vassal of Magic (The Virus of Beauty Book 3) By C. B. Lyall- Review by Stephanie Driskill

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The Vassal of Magic (Virus of Beauty, #3)The Vassal of Magic by C.B. Lyall
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Teenage Wilf only wants to be a teenager, live a normal life in Hong Kong, and play soccer but gets thrust suddenly into the world of magic. He is on the adventure of a lifetime when he is called upon to use his magic. Witches and wizards are along for the ride as he finds himself in the realm of magic which was once divided between the two and now everyone are Mages. Traveling through dark and foggy forests to save his love Katryna and the other witches, he meets many other incredible characters along the way. I love how all the characters have distinct personalities and come to life off the pages, but my favorite must be the cranky witch Ermentrude. The adventures that Wilf takes are incredible through the three books in this series and I highly recommend reading them from the beginning. Who doesn’t want to be a magical being and have fairy tale adventures. The book is well written and easy to read and full of fun. The settings are so well written that I can almost feel the fog swirling around my legs and the damp and drafty air of the old workshops and buildings. I can hear the Watchers as they come crashing in the dark and can totally see myself fighting to do the right thing just like Wilf himself. Definitely a must read for those YA readers who love magic, adventure, and a hero that you can get behind and cheer for!

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Noah’s Not So Super Summer (A Super Series Book-Book 1) By Brittany Tucker- Review by Stephanie Driskill

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Noah's Not So Super SummerNoah’s Not So Super Summer by Brittany Tucker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Noah a typical normal kid is looking forward to spending his summer in The Super Youths Program which would give him popularity, respect, and maybe days without being bullied., but after an incident involving mutant rats, he is doomed to work all summer with his dad in maintenance or clean-up of these types of accidents. What a total bummer! He is rescued from a bully by the girl he so desperately loves and in turn finds out that she is a Super but nobody knows but him. Noah begins his investigation into this world of mutants and with the help of his new super friends, they learn the secret of the mutants and take it on themselves to stop the destruction of Lincoln City. Such a great book full of fun, mystery, and a few mutants that have invaded the city causing havoc for Noah and the super summer he had planned. Great characters and well developed plot with twists and turns made this book a pleasurable reading experience and I highly recommend it to all tweens and teens looking for a read that shows we are not as simple or normal as we think we are!

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Return to Hoodoo (Boudin, Bourbon, and Barbeque, Book 1) by Reggi Dupree- Review by Stephanie Driskill

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Return to Hoodoo: A Paranormal Women's Fiction Novel (Boudin, Barbecue, and Hoodoo Book 1)Return to Hoodoo: A Paranormal Women’s Fiction Novel by Reggi Dupree
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Gwen Carter is asked to return to Hoodoo Texas to claim her inheritance, however it involved more than signing papers during an overnight trip but rather her staying in the family house. It is bad enough that she can see ghosts and communicate with the dead especially at the most inopportune times, but now she has another gift that she must get accustomed to using. Hoodoo is not the typical friendly down home Texas town, Oh No! It is filled with paranormal creatures and witches that run the entire town. How can Gwen even think about returning to her hometown after being driven away for a crime she did not commit? Are the deaths that are currently taking place in town related to the crime in the past she was accused of? Will she learn more about her past and grow into her gifts or throw her hands up and walk away? Wonderful main character so full of sass and fire! I just adore Gwen as she moves headstrong into her inheritance and cannot wait for more! The story was easy to read and kept me turning pages as fast as I could. The excitement doesn’t give up from page one to the end and is such a fun read. It was so easy to visualize the characters and the town. A definite must read!

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A Dress to Remember: A Fairy Tale by K. L. Small- Review by Stephanie Driskill

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A Dress To Remember: A Fairy TaleA Dress To Remember: A Fairy Tale by K.L. Small
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What little girl doesn’t want a magical dress? Princess Zarina wants a special dress: so special that everyone will remember her and her beautiful dress. With all the dress makers in the kingdom being busy for the Royal Advancement Ceremony combined with a gala so grand with visiting kingdoms, Zarina is taken to a special dress maker outside of the kingdom walls.
Zarina takes off on her own to go pick up her dress and it is not the dress she had envisioned. It wasn’t gold and ruffly, and pretty but instead black with gemstones and fire fairies dancing across the skirt. She was very mad and disappointed but when trying to take the dress off, she realized she was stuck in the dress and not just stuck but magically stuck in the dress! After giving the dressmaker the horses and carriage as promised, Zarina must now find her way back to her castle alone but the kingdom has been invaded and Princess Zarina must now avoid capture while being stuck in the dress. And to make matters worse, the common folk do not like her family or anyone who is a part of the ruling government! No one wants to help her or be seen helping her along her journey home. Will this dress be a help or hindrance in Zarina making it home safely and defeat the invaders? Can she save her kingdom, or will she be captured like the others? A great read with lots of magic and fun and a bit of intrigue thrown into the mix. I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants a touch of magic in their life. I definitely recommend the book for preteens and for girls to read and learn that they too can make a difference in the world they live in. Zarina grows in ways that she never thought possible. A true hero’s journey!

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Notebook Mysteries – Suspicions (Notebook Mysteries Book 5) by Kimberly Mullins – Review by Stephanie Driskill

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Notebook Mysteries ~ Suspicions (Notebook Mysteries book #5)Notebook Mysteries ~ Suspicions by Kimberly Mullins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Emma is at it again but this time it is to save the children that have been kidnapped! With the constant support and help of her family and her boyfriend Jeremy, Emma and the Pinkerton’s are able to locate and rescue the children including the niece of a local law enforcement officer. The mystery and intrigue do not stop there by any means! Emma and Jeremy are given a vacation by an unknown source for a week at a beach house and they are very excited and enjoyed the time away from such a terrible case involving the children. Who would send them on such a lovely vacation for free and anonymously? That I will not reveal! After vacation, Jeremy continues to wrap up the work on the kidnapped children, identifying them, and getting them home to her parents and Emma is summoned by a past acquaintance to come visit as she needs the help. Emma goes to her and helps her out along with two other women and their daughters. In the end, a debt was paid off from an unlikely source, a man was put behind bars, and Emma was successful at helping the women escape their marriages and difficult lives.
One of my favorite book characters is Emma. She is an extremely wise and insightful character and a total bada$$!! I love how the books by Mullins has strong female leads and a bit of history weaved in for a great read full of adventure, mystery, and a dash of romance. The setting in historical Chicago is wonderful as the scenes of traveling always take me away as I ride along whether by train, horse and buggy, or just riding a bike. I cannot recommend this book more highly. In fact, read the entire line of books by Mullins that have Emma as the heroine! You will not be disappointed!

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The Man in Black by L.R. Liverpool – review by Stephanie Driskill

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The Man In BlackThe Man In Black by L.R. Liverpool
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Fenimore James leads an idyllic life with his family on the farm but has big dreams of running away in search for adventure. He has read all about the famous outlaws in the newspapers, books, and wanted posters. The life of an outlaw is a glamour job for him so away he runs to find a group of outlaws to get in with and live their wild and lawless lifestyle. First, he must ride away on Messy from his small hometown, so away he goes. Fenimore decides that he needs to change his name as well and becomes Simon Shaw. Shaw buys new clothes and finds a meal. He quietly asks around as to where the Red Evans gang can be found so as “not to run into them” but reality is that is exactly who he is looking for! The life of an outlaw is not all the glamour that he thought it would be as one by one, gang members are being killed and clues left on their bodies. On top of that bit of stress, Simon is having feelings that he cannot understand for a fellow gang member, another male and not the typical floozie that he would engage in sex with. What is going on? He is haunted by dreams of a man in black and now his boss or gang leader is starting to suspect one of their own of killing! Will this end and will Fenimore return home? Great cast of characters and the setting is done very well. I can picture myself in some of these old western towns decrepit or rich and even find myself a bit saddle sore after reading about their time in the saddle. Great book!! It was a bit on the long side but definitely worth the time to read!

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Straight For the Kill (Benoit and Dayne Mystery Book 3) by Winter Austin- Review by Stephanie Driskill

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Straight for the Kill (Benoit and Dayne Mystery, #3)Straight for the Kill by Winter Austin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sheriff Elizabeth Benoit is recovering from emergency surgery and is at home trying to recoup but life does not stand still in a small town that is shrouded with secrets. As she sits at home, murder and kidnapping are taking place just like the one that happened 25 years ago to her best friend. The similarities are uncanny! Not only is she trying to solve the 25 year old case but now this new one as well. Secret calls, a camp in the woods, and the Good Ol’ Boys Club is not helping to make things any easier. Deputy detective Lila Dayne who is an outsider to the town is hitting brick walls with every turn and needs the help of the locals who don’t want to hash up old crimes or feelings. Prominent members of the small town begin to disappear and then Elizabeth’s sister has gone missing. Will they be able to find her in time or just her dead body at the end of the day? Packed with mystery and intrigue this is such a great book. Strong female leads and a bit of romance and sizzle add to the story that kept me on the edge of my seat! The setting is so like a small town and the locals behave just like those in my town hiding the truth to keep their own noses out of trouble! A definite must read!

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The White Knight Cowboy (The Studs of Clear Creek County) by Stacy-Deanne – Review by Stephanie Driskill

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The White Knight Cowboy Stacy-DeanneThe White Knight Cowboy Stacy-Deanne by Stacy-Deanne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lovely Jo is hiding in the stables that belong to Dusty. She explains to Dusty that she is hiding from the law as she is accused of killing her boss but is innocent. Lovely Jo offers him her body as a way to pay for Dusty to keep her in hiding and her secret that she is still in Clear Creek County. There is a reward offered for her capture and Dusty sure could use the money to rebuild his ranch and get him out of debt and yet he cannot seem to be able to turn her over to the sheriff. Lovely Jo knows that despite Dusty being a grouchy mean man, she can trust him with her life and that the love she feels for Dusty will be returned in favor. In the end, Lovely Jo is found to be innocent and Dusty and Lovely can begin the relationship that Lovely Jo knew was always waiting for them to have. Great characters and such a quick easy read. Dusty even though he is a rough and tough cowboy refuses to take Lovely’s virtue until all the hurdles have been cleared and a relationship can begin. The scenery jumps off the page and I feel as if I am in the wagon with the two people in the Old West. The dialogue between the two is real and the tension jumps off the page and hits you in the feels!

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Chatroom With A View by Glenn Maynard- Review by Stephanie Driskill

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Chatroom With A ViewChatroom With A View by Glenn Maynard
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Chatroom With a View is a very dark and at times disturbing read. The book begins with Troy finding his mother dead in her own pool of spreading blood and he has beat the crap out of his father to the point of his father being immobilized and helpless! What a way to kick off this dark book! Troy, who is the main character of the story is not the nicest guy nor the brightest color in the crayon box, but he knows how to play dirty! Troy’s life is going okay between work and tending to his immobilized father until Veronica, a few night stand that he met through a chatroom and met up for some fun a few times, has contacted him and told him she is pregnant with his child! What a major upheaval in his already jacked up life. The waitresses that he works with are basic run of the mill bitches who like to play games with those in the chatroom so Troy decides to dish out his own sweet revenge for him and all the other guys that the waitresses have screwed over and played with. Very dark story but entertaining if you enjoy suspense and thrillers and being inside the mind of twisted people! The characters are very well written and definitely a very original book which is quite refreshing since most stories seem to be rewritten or updated versions! I must say that this was a very good read and I cannot give enough praise for such an original book! BRAVO!!!

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Saving the Bellydancer (Green Brotherhood: SEAL Team XII Book 3) by Debra Parmley- Review by Stephanie Driskill

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Saving the Bellydancer (Green Brotherhood: SEAL Team XII Book 3)Saving the Bellydancer by Debra Parmley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Tony “Cutter” Cuttino is a SEAL and has a great appreciation for strippers but for their abilities and strong athletic bodies not for the reason you think. He wants to find a stripper that he can take home to meet his Grandma but is that even possible? Will he find the one to meet his requirements and be satisfactory to meet Grandma? Poor Cutter only seems to find the slutty ones who would never meet her approval. That is until Zarifah comes along. His friend invited him to go to a Belly dance showcase and he spots the woman of his dreams: fit, athletic, and beautiful. Zarifah has just experienced a major break-up with a very abusive boyfriend and is still hurting from the abuse. Their budding relationship is in jeopardy when Zarifah’s ex shows up at a performance and causes all kinds of trouble. Can Cutter save the day and his new- found love? Great story and a quick and easy read. The characters are well-developed and very easy to empathize with. I was in an abusive relationship and I can see my thoughts and feelings in Zarifah. Spot on! I highly recommend this book to all.

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Talisman (The Talisman Series Book 1) by Tam DeRudder Jackson – Review by Stephanie Driskill

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Talisman (The Talisman, #1)Talisman by Tam DeRudder Jackson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Talisman is the beginning of a series of books that involve warriors, talismans, Celtic folklore, and powerful paranormal powers and a bit of steamy sex! How could this get any better? Rowan is a warrior and as such must find his talisman before his 28th birthday and with only a few months to go, the hope is looking dim. But then a woman walks into his business seeking protection and a sense of security at her house and that’s where our story begins of how Rowan found his talisman in Alyssa and how they prepared for the goddesses return. Poor Alyssa had no idea of the protection spells, charms, and amulets that kept her safe and she definitely did not know who or what she was. Along comes Rowan and turns her world upside down. Does she have what it takes to be a talisman for her warrior? Such a great diverse cast of characters with very strong personalities and the sex scenes were steamy! I absolutely loved this book and the Celtic lore and legend written into the story is fantastic! I want to find my warrior now!!!

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Operation Blackbird (Brass Compass Series Book 2) by Ellen Butler – Review by Stephanie Driskill

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Operation BlackbirdOperation Blackbird by Ellen Butler
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Miriam Becker is in Argentina in October 1952 where she is trying to decompress after her last mission. But as she is sitting in the café, she sees someone from her past. Miriam is forced into another job when her longtime friend and fellow operative, Jake Devlin, approaches her to be a part of his team for a dangerous mission. Working with a few handpicked agents, Miriam is to help a rocket scientist and his family defect into America, but it is not an easy job and one in which she finds her life and that of Devlin is on the line. The team plans to rescue the scientist and his family but of course, not all goes to plan, and Miriam must rely on those outside of the agency to help her. She must also save the life of Devlin and leave no man behind.
Such a great book! Very well-written characters set into the historic Germany of 1952 when tensions are still high after WW11. Amazing read that kept me on the edge of my seat the entire novel. The characters just leap off the page and I couldn’t help but to feel the rush and danger as if I was Miriam getting shot at or diving into the cold water. Definitely a must read! Do they get the family put of Germany? Does Devlin get left behind or will Miriam’s determination and prowess get them all out safely?

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My Pearl Heart by J. N. Sheats – review by Stephanie Driskill

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My Pearl HeartMy Pearl Heart by J.N. Sheats
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Jasmine finds herself in love with her best friend’s fiancé. While there are many problems with just that statement alone, the two women run a successful, at one time, party planning business. So, while trying to keep the company afloat, Jasmine is having to plan an engagement party and wedding for the man she loves and Cadence. her best friend! But there are many twists and turns in the book and since I don’t give out spoilers, you will have to read it for yourself. Does Jasmine keep her boyfriend of three years, or does she end up with James, the man she truly loves?
This book had me hooked from the very first page. It is a great quick read and enjoyable. I could not put it down as I was invested in finding the truth and learning how Jasmine will find true. The characters are so perfect. The descriptions of them are wonderful and they just jumped off the page and came to life for me. Definitely a must-read book if you like clean cute romance stories.

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Married Blind (Kings of Screen Book 2) by Morgana Bevan – Review by Stephanie Driskill

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Married Blind (Kings of Screen, #2)Married Blind by Morgana Bevan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Could you imagine that your first date with a fellow is your actual wedding date to him? We all have our reasons for getting married- love, money, happiness, position in life but what is yours? For Abi, she married for the money to pay off her sister’s incredible medical bill from cancer treatment. Finn married to rehab his reputation. Will these two find romance or are they strictly married for their personal reasons? Not only being married but being married on a Hollywood production and having almost every moment of their lives filmed, critiqued, and questioned?
Such a great read and so intriguing! No spoilers here of course but I love both of the main characters with all their flaws, reasoning, and baggage that follows them into their marriage. The story is told from both of their perspectives and it’s very interesting to be able to hear their inner thoughts on the matter. The characters are well developed and so it is easy to fall in love and then fall out of love with these two. Can I just say that some parts of the book had me yelling at Finn and Abi for the dumb way they handled things or for making such crazy decisions. A must read if you like romance. And the steamy scenes are definitely steamy!

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Delicious Death (Madame Chalamet Ghost Mysteries Book 2) by Byrd Nash- Review by- Stephanie Driskill

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Delicious Death (Madame Chalamet Ghost Mysteries #2)Delicious Death by Byrd Nash
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Madame Chalamet is such a fantastic character! And her friend, the coroner in charge of the city morgue, Dr. Charlotte LaRue, is my favorite and so atypical of a female in the setting of this story! Back to Chalamet though. Chalamet is a trained medium who can see and speak to ghosts. She lives in a beautiful hotel and often helps Chef Pedersen with his dead boyfriend that creates quite the uproar in the kitchen. She was invited to the Winter Revels in Vouvant to be a guest during the food competition and tries to enjoy her vacation unfortunately it turns into work for her. The king has been poisoned and it’s up to her and the Duke to find the accused culprit while trying to rid a quest of the dead husband who cannot seem to leave the plane of the living. So much is going on and so much more happens in this great masterpiece of storytelling and mystery! No spoilers here so you must read the book!
I am such a huge fan of Madame Chalamet from just this one book! The writing is elegant and flows off the page! Easy to read and to find one’s self engaged with all the quirky characters. The storyline is well written and is so easy to just get lost in the times and events of the story. Definitely a must read as we follow along and solve the mystery behind the culprit who poisoned the king, how the dead husband storyline turns out and why did Chalamet bother to save a young woman from a lecherous man. Never a dull moment and one book you will be disappointed when it ends. I now have to read the other 5 books to follow along with Chalamet and her story!

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Delicious Death (Madame Chalamet Ghost Mysteries Book 2) by Byrd Nash – Review by Stephanie Driskill

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Delicious Death (Madame Chalamet Ghost Mysteries #2)Delicious Death by Byrd Nash
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Madame Chalamet is such a fantastic character! And her friend, the coroner in charge of the city morgue, Dr. Charlotte LaRue, is my favorite and so atypical of a female in the setting of this story! Back to Chalamet though. Chalamet is a trained medium who can see and speak to ghosts. She lives in a beautiful hotel and often helps Chef Pedersen with his dead boyfriend that creates quite the uproar in the kitchen. She was invited to the Winter Revels in Vouvant to be a guest during the food competition and tries to enjoy her vacation unfortunately it turns into work for her. The king has been poisoned and it’s up to her and the Duke to find the accused culprit while trying to rid a quest of the dead husband who cannot seem to leave the plane of the living. So much is going on and so much more happens in this great masterpiece of storytelling and mystery! No spoilers here so you must read the book!
I am such a huge fan of Madame Chalamet from just this one book! The writing is elegant and flows off the page! Easy to read and to find one’s self engaged with all the quirky characters. The storyline is well written and is so easy to just get lost in the times and events of the story. Definitely a must read as we follow along and solve the mystery behind the culprit who poisoned the king, how the dead husband storyline turns out and why did Chalamet bother to save a young woman from a lecherous man. Never a dull moment and one book you will be disappointed when it ends. I now have to read the other 5 books to follow along with Chalamet and her story!

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Knight In The Museum (Jorja Knight Private Investigator Mystery Series Book 5) by Alicia Bienia- Review by Stephanie Driskill

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Knight In The Museum ( Jorja Knight Mystery -Book 5)Knight In The Museum by Alice Bienia
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Jorja Knight is a bada$$ of a character. She is strong, independent, and takes no crap! I love this character! She is asked by a daughter of a former police officer to investigate his mysterious death and boy does she open up a can of worms! Who knew that three deaths were all tied to an ancient and possibly cursed statue? Jorja does not appreciate the way the cops have investigated the deaths, so she finds herself knee deep in her own deadly and dangerous investigation. From a rich eccentric’s museum to a black tie affair at an art gallery, the people involved will shock and amaze you as well as the police corruption that seems to be running rampant. Such a fantastic read and while this is my first Jorja Knight book you better believe that I am going to read each one in the series. What a strong female character that follows her morals and stays with her intuition to solve the deaths until the very end, including when her life is in danger! Fantastic book!!!!!

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Knight In The Museum (Jorja Knight Private Investigator Mystery Series Book 5) by Alicia Bienia- Review by Stephanie Driskill

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Knight In The Museum ( Jorja Knight Mystery -Book 5)Knight In The Museum by Alice Bienia
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Jorja Knight is a bada$$ of a character. She is strong, independent, and takes no crap! I love this character! She is asked by a daughter of a former police officer to investigate his mysterious death and boy does she open up a can of worms! Who knew that three deaths were all tied to an ancient and possibly cursed statue? Jorja does not appreciate the way the cops have investigated the deaths, so she finds herself knee deep in her own deadly and dangerous investigation. From a rich eccentric’s museum to a black tie affair at an art gallery, the people involved will shock and amaze you as well as the police corruption that seems to be running rampant. Such a fantastic read and while this is my first Jorja Knight book you better believe that I am going to read each one in the series. What a strong female character that follows her morals and stays with her intuition to solve the deaths until the very end, including when her life is in danger! Fantastic book!!!!!

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Return to Gallanvaig (A Quirk of Destiny Book 2) by Catherine Greenall- Review by Stephanie Driskill

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Return to Gallanvaig: Beyond A Quirk of DestinyReturn to Gallanvaig: Beyond A Quirk of Destiny by Catherine Greenall
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

We find our group of survivors living in Gallanvaig and doing well for themselves and their community. Living a good life without GM foods and the trappings of the past in order to have simple but comfortable life full of community and love for those around them. Keeping each other safe and continuing in their quest to improve on organic lifestyles, trouble begins to brew for Calum and The World Alliance party. The Genies are back and have increased paranormal powers and another political party has thrown its hat into the ring. This new part, World Democratic Party, is all about the past and the way of life living to excess, money, wealth, transportation, food. The colony at Gallanvaig is in trouble as well as those around the world when women are kidnapped by the Genies, pregnant women! Can Calum save his family and those other women taken? Will the World Alliance party win and why in the world were nuclear missiles used to decimate America? No spoilers!! You must read it for yourself, Another great book by Greenall and one for those who are enlightened or want to be. Reading about scary epigenetics and how they can be damaging to bodies and crops. If you aren’t a vegetarian now only eating organic non-gmo foods, you will think twice about your next bite of food and where it comes from. Bravo!!

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Painter of the Damned (Painted Souls Book 2) by Rob Samborn- review by Stephanie Driskill

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Painter of the Damned (Painted Souls, #2)Painter of the Damned by Rob Samborn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Nick and Julia O’Conner are on the run trying to return home to the United States to put an end to the hell of a vacation that they have experienced: murder, arrest, fights, running from the cops. The O’Conner’s were just about to reach the American consulate when the two are arrested and taken into custody. Julia is released from custody and gets to follow along as Nick is transferred back to Venice where he is detained for murder. Nick tells Julia to go find Carlo, their friend in Venice, and have him help to find an attorney for Nick. Little do they know that Carlo is the new Painter for the Order and warden of the dammed spirits that reside in the painting Paradise. We get flashbacks of Nick’s previous life and find out that he may or may not know the location of a book lost that can bring about world-changing power. Will della Porta find be able to use Nick to find the book? Does Nick remember where the book is? Should Julia just return to the States by herself and not believe this nonsense that her husband speaks of? Read the book because I give no spoilers into the outcome! It is a great read full of thrills and mystery and mayhem! The characters are wonderfully written and I find myself able to quickly fall into step with them and experience what they are. This book had me on the edge of my seat and I highly recommend that one reads it!

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The Final Bite by Naomi Valkyrie- review by Stephanie Driskill

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The Final BiteThe Final Bite by Naomi Valkyrie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Quinnlann Trinity, a vampire who was unjustly killed is brought back to life and given a second chance at life from the gods. Every ten years, a being is chosen to undergo this chance for a new life however, Quinnlan must find a mate in three days, and it doesn’t help that he has been dropped off in the middle of nowhere. Dumped in an abandoned motel far from anything remotely resembling civilization, how the heck is he to find a mate? Quinnlan only has two days left when he finds a guy bleeding because of a pack of wolf shifters, another paranormal set of beings. Does Quinnlan save him by giving him his blood and choosing him as a mate or does he leave him to die? By giving him the blood also means that Quinnlan has chosen him as a mate, but will he be accepted by this man or rejected? You must read the book to find out! It’s a great short story that was easy to read as the story progressed rapidly and naturally. The characters are relatable and easy to empathize with. Pick it up and go for a spin with the sexy Quinnlan and his mate!

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The Virus of Beauty (The Virus of Beauty Book 1) by C. B. Lyall – review by Stephanie Driskill

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The Virus of Beauty (The Virus of Beauty #1)The Virus of Beauty by C.B. Lyall
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Wilf, our main character is a typical teenaged kid who loves soccer and excels at the sport. His whole life would revolve around soccer had it not been for the fact that he is a wizard who refuses to train or use magic. His father, Reginald, “evaporates” and poor Wilf is now smack dab in the middle of a virus that is turning witches beautiful, and his father’s journal holds the key to save the witches. Wilf is visited in his father’s shop by Ermentrude a witch who demands that Wilf locate and open his father’s secret lab so that she can find what she is looking for. The virus that is infecting witches makes them gradually lose their power until they cannot perform magic, and they become “beautiful.” The wizards were the ones to bring this infection onto the witches and it isn’t until Ermentrude’s daughter Katryna becomes infected, that Wilf understands that he MUST get over fearing magic and using magic in order to unlock the secrets of his father’s journal and save his friend.

All the characters are well-developed, and you can’t help but love each one of them. The story is a definite page turner, and I couldn’t wait to finish the page I was on to be able to turn the page and continue with the journey. It’s interesting that beauty is considered a weakness in the book, and I think that it sends a message that our world needs to hear. Great read and even better cast of characters that takes us into the fantasy world and leaves you begging for more! I cannot wait for book 2! A must read for the ages!

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Mis-Spelled (The Stellaluna Chronicles Book 1) by TH Leatherman – Review by Stephanie Driskill

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Mis-Spelled: Book One of the Stellaluna ChroniclesMis-Spelled: Book One of the Stellaluna Chronicles by T.H. Leatherman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Poor Evan! One second, he was being chased in Texas and the next minute after jumping a ravine he ends up in the land of fairytales and all the beings found in fairytales. Who knew that fairies, elves, dragons, and giants existed in another world? Evan is very aware of these creatures now and must complete three tasks as assigned by the Elven Queen in which they become more dangerous by the task. These tasks must be completed so that the Elf Queen will give Evan the spell to return to his home world but if he fails or chooses not to do the tasks, he will be in servitude of her for ten years! The choice is his: three tasks or servitude for 10 years.
So, Evan decides to take on the tasks from the Queen and along the way he makes truly great friends even when others are baffled by his choices. Assassination attempts are made on his life as he completes the quests as they truly are more than a menial task. Trolls, dragons, ogres and more stand in his way of going home. The best part of Stellaluna is that as a human being, Evan can learn any type of magic and finds those to teach him along the way and may I add, he finds a cute little girlfriend as well, even if she is engaged to a pompous ass of an elf! You must read the book to find out if he completes his quests and how he makes out in another world!
Such great characters and so easy to root for and to fall in love with and to wish them well! No spoilers but I like the fact that Evan stays true to himself to the very end. Once you read the book you will understand how important it is to him and how he does it. The storyline was wonderful and engaging! The book was so hard to put down as I just kept wanting more of the tasks and the other creatures of the fairytale world! Looking forward to more stories from Stellaluna Chronicles!

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Euphoric Wonderland by Ryan M Becker-review by Stephanie Driskill

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Euphoric Wonderland: An Eclectic Collection of Psychedelic Poetry to Stimulate the Senses and Open the MindEuphoric Wonderland: An Eclectic Collection of Psychedelic Poetry to Stimulate the Senses and Open the Mind by Ryan M. Becker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What can I say about this beautiful book of poetry? The words and the lilt have taken me back to the 70s where psychedelics were all the rage and the music of the day inspired and ignited a fire within us! The words are raw and oftentimes harsh and cutting but it is truly the journey of one’s inner self and for that I appreciate the honesty and the frankness of his writings. With musical tributes throughout the entire book to the Beatles and Pink Floyd, the nostalgia just continues especially when he mentions vinyl! Oh, the days of pops and crackles when listening to music on vinyl! How I miss those days of youth! I think that every person who reads this wonderland of poetry will find a poem or a thought from the writer that will resonate and make him question his existence or his role on earth. Great book and so welcome to read something so fresh and far from the beaten path!!

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Borrowed Time by Lane Cohen- Review by Stephanie Driskill

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Borrowed TimeBorrowed Time by Lane Cohen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Imagine if you will, a chance to use a time machine to go backward or forward in time. Where would you go and what would you like to see? Is there a monumental event in history that you want to witness or a great injustice that you would change? Would you visit the dinosaurs or check on your kids and grandkids in the future? Would you try to meet your current spouse at an earlier time in life or fast forward to live in the space age? The options are unlimited!
All these questions come into play when an advanced physics professor teams up with his brightest student to create a time machine. Using a power source found by the student Samoset, they attached it to the original movie prop from The Time Machine and away they go on with their adventures, however misguided they may be. Samoset wants to use the machine to correct an injustice to the Native Americans and the Professor wants to go back in time to fix his relationships. Truly, two very different ideas on how to use the time machine. Does it work? Did they make a difference in the past? Was the professor able to fix his relationship and broken heart? How many time streams will they open and become a part of? Will living in the past in a western town be the real answer to finding peace in life or shall they need to be off again on a different path?
My favorite part of the book is all the options that the pair face together and how they work as a team with the dog Uncle Leo to find a suitable place to land and remain for the rest of their lives. I just love the western town that they decided to reside in for a bit. The description of the town and its people is so easy to imagine and picture that it jumps right off the page. Very strong character development makes for a great read and exciting storyline. The saying really is true: You can never go home!

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Lucas the Spy Cat (Jake the Growling Dog) By Samantha Shannon – Review by Stephanie Driskill

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Lucas the Spy CatLucas the Spy Cat by Samantha Shannon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

As a typical cat on a clear night, Lucas the Spy Cat takes off for unknown adventures. But where does he go and what does he do? The owners of Lucas decide to strap a spy camera onto his collar to see what Lucas does when he leaves the house every night. Does he meet up with his forest friends and help solve their dilemmas? Does he party every night after problems have been solved? How in the world does he get the cobwebs stuck in his whiskers and burrs in his fur? That is up to you and your child to decide on this cute book. I love the writing style of this author who inserts many open-ended questions to assist in the creativity of our youth. It allows the reader to pause and reflect on what Lucas the Spy Cat could possibly be doing and allows him to use his imagination to create a new scenario of the forest creatures and the adventures under the twinkling stars. The illustrations are lovely. The follow- up activities are a great way to help children to understand the story and to create their own adventure using their imagination. The stories that Lucas the Spy Cat sparked as I was reading it to my Granddaughter. She had quite the story about the animals in the story and how each one specifically asked Lucas for help with some problem or advice. Love this story!

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Divided Lives by K. R. Mullins- Review by Stephanie Driskill

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Divided LivesDivided Lives by K.R. Mullins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What an astounding book by K. R. Mullins! Let me just say that if you love her other books from the Notebook Mystery series, then you will totally appreciate reading about the same family but with the main character being Lottie, Emma’s niece. This book is very well-written, and all the feels are in it. The author gives us a bit of background information about the trial of Officer Charles Becker conspiracy trial and sets the stage for a very dramatic story of blackmail, love, crime, family, and betrayal.
Lottie lives in Greenwich village which is known to not follow the mainstream traditions of a big city, but the problem is she is a lawyer for a justice in New York City. So, she must keep her personal life detached or divided from her professional life: so much in fact that while she commutes on her motorbike to work wearing pants but once she arrives at the office she changes into a skirt and adds a clip to her hair so that her short hair is covered and appears to be long hair which was appropriate for women in 1912. From the beginning we see her personal life and her professional life collide as she is blackmailed of pictures with her and her female lover in a compromising situation. Emotions run tense as we find out who is the culprit behind the blackmail and just how many others have been taken advantage of by this lowlife person. With the support of her family and a police officer named Frank, Lottie is saved and can then truly be the person she was meant to be without living a divided life. The characters are easy to love or hate depending on their role in Lottie’s life and the storyline is amazing. The historical information in the book is interesting and really helps set the stage for why a divided life was kept by Lottie and how not all people who wear robes are to be taken at face value. Corruption is in all areas of life and in all sections of the workplace. You must read this book!!!! I just cannot say enough about how wonderful this book really is!!

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Operation Pinpoint (Space Force Rejects Book 1) By Landra Graf- Review by Stephanie Driskill

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Operation PinpointOperation Pinpoint by Landra Graf
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Captain Ravenna Joyner talks her way onto a rescue mission to find out what happened to her lover. She is dedicated to find her that Joyner is willing to give up anything and everything including her work in Space Force to find the woman who changed her life. As part of the mission, Joyner works with the alien Dravos Trax and holds the key to his life in her hands. He lives or dies on her whim. Once the ship is located, the mystery begins as to how and why the occupants died. But wait, the others on the mission are out to rid Joyner and Dravos from ever taking information or evidence back to headquarters. Putting their feelings aside the two work together to find the real reason for the death of the spaceship and how to save the universe along the way finding a forbidden love in each other and finding out how to live with the crazy passion that they feel for each other. Not the typical type of book that I usually read but such a great story that I was not disappointed. The characters are so diverse and unique, and the lead is such a strong female character with a glimpse of softness and emotion. Dravos is such an amazing character who is totally finds himself at the mercy of Joyner in all aspects of his life. I loved this book and found it very easy to read and to get involved in the love affair between Joyner and Dravos. This book was exciting from page one and never let up in the emotion, excitement, or mystery of who killed the spaceship crew. Looking forward to many more stories about Space Force Rejects!

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Notebook Mysteries- Haunted Christmas by Kimberly Mullins- Review by Stephanie Driskill

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Notebook Mysteries Haunted ChristmasNotebook Mysteries Haunted Christmas by Kimberly Mullins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Emma is hired by a fellow co-worker to examine the circumstances around his father’s death. Along the way she is attacked like two other women, but she survived the attack. Now it is time to really solve who is after the family fortune and who is haunting the house. Of course, along the way we are privy to the relationship Emma has with her family and how together they all form a solid unit and help to solve the case of Haunted Christmas. Again, such a great strong lead character in Emma and her love interest is just the sweetest love ever. I love the historical aspect that comes into play and the traditional recipes that are made and given recipes for. Who could ask for more than to sit down with a great book, a cup of coffee, and the thought of yummy recipes to try to make upon finishing the book!? A winner in my eyes!!! I am one of this author’s biggest fans! Such a wholesome read and very well-developed plot and finish.

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

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

NOOOOOOOOOOO!!! Just when I was hoping to read the best things for the Agneson Clan, I am left in a series of cliffhangers for each family member, and I am grieving for the deaths that have occurred. This amazing series takes place in the Viking Era around the year 880 and can I just say is full of history, love, war, mystery, witchcraft and above all historical lore that transports me to the Viking lands every time I pick up the book. Kara achieves rank and becomes a shieldmaiden but finds out that being a warrior is not at all what she thought it would be. Karl does battle with his ship Verdandi Smiles while at war with a greater navy. Sorven meets a young girl at the end of the book and has fallen deeply in love with her. But will all turn pout well for Sorven? Thorfinn meets up with the witches that he physically damaged and they are out for revenge. Will he survive the witches and their eight-legged monster? And Cub? What is going on with Cub? While Cub escaped slavery, what is he up to now? So many unanswered questions and so much adventure and excitement has taken place in this book. I cannot wait for the next book!!!! What about all the mythical creatures that have come to play in this book and the lore of the Vikings that is prevalent on every page?! A must read book!!!

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