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Weep, Woman, Weep: A Gothic Fairytale about Ancestral Hauntings by Maria DeBlassie – Review by Stephanie Seeber

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Weep, Woman, WeepWeep, Woman, Weep by Maria DeBlassie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

La Llorona is a Mexican and Latin American folklore about a woman who is said to have drowned her children and haunts rivers and any bodies of waters wailing loudly for her children. This is a twist on the story with “marked” women being doomed to a lifetime of sorrow. Mercy and her best friend Sherry do what they can to not be another statistic, but when Sherry is pulled in and Mercy almost is their lives change for good. Their friendship goes separate ways as Sherry is doomed to an unfulfilled life. Mercy goes through hardship after hardship, but pushes through. Around town she is called many disturbing names, but years later the name that she is called that takes her awhile to hear that seems to define her the best. This novella is a great way to show the strength of a woman when everything is set against her. Will she be able to live out her life and find her way through it all or will she be another victim of the “Weeping Woman”?

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Divine Vintage by Sandra L. Young – Review by Stephanie Seeber

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Divine VintageDivine Vintage by Sandra L. Young
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Divine Vintage has a little bit of everything wrapped into one. There is a love story and a mystery taking place in this interesting story. A vintage store owner, Tess, finds herself drawn to Trey after having visions of an event from a century before that were ignited by touching the vintage clothing of Treys family. A murder suicide was the official story, but is that really what happened? They dive into these visions together to find out what actually happened all those years ago. This story is different from anything I have read and I would recommend to any who love a good mystery!

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The Mesmerist by Claire Luana – Review by Stephanie Seeber

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The MesmeristThe Mesmerist by Claire Luana
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Adrijana a girl from a local village is dragged into the royal court after discovering a secret her father kept from her. She begins training with one of the royal Mesmers while she is at court and has to determine who she can trust while she is accused of many things while there.

This story will keep you on your toes and the author does a fantastic job bringing you into this world. You are drawn to the suspense of who is targeting the royal family and can Adrijana figure out what is happening.

I would definitely recommend this to Young Adult Fantasy readers! It was a great read and I hope to see more books in this world in the future.

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Imperfectly Yours (Titans of Manhattan Book 2) by Anise Storm – Review by Stephanie Seeber

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Imperfectly Yours (Titans of Manhattan #2)Imperfectly Yours by Anise Storm
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This story follows Elsa and Anton as they go through some of the most difficult times of their life and how they navigate it. Decisions and mistakes are made that lead to heartbreak after they seem to lose everything will they find their way back to each other?

This story is heavy. It will keep you engaged and hoping for a happy ending. There are so many things that Elsa and Anton go through that are relatable and utterly heartbreaking. There are triggers before you read this book and it could be a hard read if you have gone to some of the similar things that Elsa goes through. It was emotionally charged and excellently written.

I would recommend this to anyone who wants to read a book about overcoming some of the darkest times in your life and how even though all feels lost there will always be another day and it can get better.

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No Names to Be Given by Julia Brewer Daily – Review by Stephanie Seeber

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No Names to Be GivenNo Names to Be Given by Julia Brewer Daily
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is the story of three women who meet after they all get pregnant out of wedlock and go through their pregnancies in a maternity home. This book is emotional and covers so many topics going through the 60s to early 2000s and all of the events of the times. From interracial relationships, rape, and abuse. Sandy, Becca, and Faith all go through different walks of life, but bond as they are going through one of the toughest things in their life. The story continues the story after the birth of their children and how it effects them each over the years and what happens with their children afterwards.

I loved this book. It was emotional and beautifully written. I had a hard time putting it down. I wanted to keep reading it and would love to read more by her. There are so many incredible stories woven through this book. This had everything; tragedy, romance, heartbreak, happy moments, and at times very intense.

I would recommend this to anyone who wants to be in their feels. This will give you that. Events such as the ones portrayed in this book are relatable and were happening throughout the years.

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The Crown of Stones: Magic-Price by C. L. Schneider – Review by Stephanie Seeber

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Magic-Price (The Crown of Stones, #1)Magic-Price by C.L. Schneider
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Ian Troy, a Shinree, was born and raised to protect the Rellan people. The Shinree have been enslaved for a long time by using a drug to suppress the ability to use magic. The Shinree people would become addicted to using magic and became a threat to others by pulling the life force (friend and foe alike) out of everything around them while using their magic. As the Rellan army and the future of Rella seems lost Ian finds the Crown of Stones amidst the battle and against the orders of the Rellan queen, he uses it to end the war killing everyone around him, including the queen and all of the Rellan soldiers. Ian hides the Crown of Stones to prevent him or anyone else using the power of the Crown. Ten Years later he is still trying to cope with that decision by isolating himself. He is forced to use magic again when he runs into an unlikely assassin and they Crown has been taken and the lands he has tried for so long to protect is in danger once again.

I really wanted to enjoy this book. The thought of it was intriguing and I was interested in where the story would take. However, I had a really hard time being engaged in this book. It wasn’t that nothing was happening because there definitely was a lot of things going on throughout the book, but I struggled to not fall asleep every time I started reading this book. It didn’t really start engaging me until the last few chapters. This is the first in this series and I will probably not continue which is kind of disappointing.

I am sure there are a group of people that would enjoy reading this book. I read a lot of books and different genres and this one just was not for me. It took me much longer than normal to read. It took well over a week which is very unusual for me even being 500 pages.

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Conveniently Yours (Titans Of Manhattan BOOK 1) by Anise Storm – Review by Stephanie Seeber

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Conveniently Yours (Titans Of Manhattan #1)Conveniently Yours by Anise Storm
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When childhood friends reunite after many years apart they find they can both benefit from time together. Paisley is drowning in bills and trying to get her comatose mother the best care she can. She is hopeful that she will eventually wake up if she can get her better care. However, she is barely getting by and is struggling to pay for things. Caspian finds out his uncle who raised him after a rough childhood is dying and instead of leaving the company in the hands of Caspian who has been running it and is married to his job he put in a stipulation that Caspian must marry someone. He wants him to have more to life than just a career. Caspian and Paisley run into each other at the hospital and after some other events leave Paisley with no other choice that she can see, she agrees to marry him for a year and a day so that he can fulfill his obligation to his uncle and he agrees to pay for the best care for her mother. They go into it as a business deal, but will they come out in love or go their separate ways when the agreement comes to an end?

This was a really cute story of two people finding each other when they needed it the most. I really enjoyed the build up of the characters and going to an in depth view of how each of them got to where they are. This author is great with world building and character development. I would love to read more in the future. It was a really easy read that kept me reading and had me rooting for both of the main characters throughout.

I would definitely recommend this to anyone who likes contemporary romance with substance. This definitely had that. You had more than just a sappy love story. This will give you so much more. They both have obstacles and find they need each other for more than one reason.

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A Sweet Christmas: A Sweet Confections Novella by Nicole Richards – Review by Stephanie Seeber

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A Sweet ChristmasA Sweet Christmas by Nicole Richard
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When a complete stranger steps into Thea’s bakery she is thrown into a whirlwind romance. Ben is a smooth talking charmer and it makes you wonder if it’s too good to be true. Thea and Ben spend the time around the holidays getting closer and finding that the things that they are looking for could be right in front of them.

I really enjoyed this book. It was a sweet love story (see what I did there), but it also was a refreshing spicy book as well. The characters were relatable and liked and it left me wanting more. I did have questions while reading like wanting to know more about her brother and where that will go. Also, wanting more to the story of her friend Jules and what came of her? Why had she started acting out of character. While I could make my own conclusions, I’m curious to see if there will be more to this or another novella coming! I am left with a little hole of unanswered questions.

Even with the unanswered questions I still highly recommend this book for anyone who would like a moderately steamy Christmas love story. This is a perfect book for you! I kept flipping the pages craving more and think anyone else would be too!

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A Spell of Rowans by Byrd Nash – Review by Stephanie Seeber

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A Spell of RowansA Spell of Rowans by Byrd Nash
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A story of what comes of three adults who suffered a childhood of abuse in many different forms, by their mother. Turns out their mother was not only torturing them and making their lives miserable. When the death of their mother brings the middle child Vic back to Grimsby more mysteries blossom through the town. Each of the children possess a special talent that makes them a force to be reckoned with. Will the death of their abusive, narcissistic mother bring the siblings back together?

I really enjoyed this book. I read it quickly and couldn’t put it down most of the time. There was always a mystery to be solved in it. Byrd Nash has a way of writing her characters and describing everything that has you picturing everything as you go. I do like how she kept you wondering what more could possibly happen and how deep did the corruption in this odd town go. Definitely glad I read it and I would read more by Byrd Nash!

I would definitely recommend this to anyone who likes a good mystery with a magical twist and witches to boot! There are so many things happening throughout this book that you will never be bored. It will keep you turning those pages.

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Cross-Country Christmas (A Silver Buckle Brides Romance) by Laurie Lewis – Review by Stephanie Seeber

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Cross-Country Christmas (Silver Buckle Brides #1)Cross-Country Christmas by Laurie L.C. Lewis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

CC Cippolini takes an opportunity to drive a Tesla from Chicago to Vegas for a client that won it to surprise his wife for Christmas. While heading there to a place her father always wanted to end up she has an accident and crashes into a fence of handsome rancher. He rescues her and as they spend more and more time together they begin seeing changes in themselves and the upcoming Christmas holidays seem much brighter. Will they be able to finally let go of their pasts and be together or will the past come back to haunt them and hold them back?

I felt that this was a super cute book. It almost reminded me of like a Hallmark movie in print. There was good character development and you were rooting for them the whole time. It was a very clean romance and the two main characters bonded over their love of God and their dark pasts that have shaped them into the people they are. He was a former soldier and she was trying to figure out herself after the loss of her father and the departure from her foster mom. There were a few times I was hoping for a little more spice, but that was a personal preference and it wasn’t what this book was.

I would recommend this book for anyone who would enjoy a cute love story with several characters that you would root for. If you like Hallmark movies where characters are trying to overcome their pasts as they are falling in love, then this would be perfect for you!

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Fate, Frankincense & Funerals by Naomi Valkyrie – Review by Stephanie Seeber

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Fate, Frankincense & FuneralsFate, Frankincense & Funerals by Naomi Valkyrie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Fate, Frankincense & Funerals takes place in Kharon the only place safe for Acheron, a Vulture shifter. He goes to spend the last moments with the dying to write their stories and help them be set free after death. He is shunned since he touches the dead and it is dangerous for him to go to Mandara. He makes the journey to the city that he is being pulled to, but is it just to write the last wishes and words of the dying or something more? He’s forbidden from taking a mate so what are his options when he meets Errapel to whom he is drawn to?

I actually really enjoyed this book. Naomi Valkyrie keeps you interested and even with the shortness of this book, you get a good sense of the characters and she even does pretty great with her character development. I did wish there were was more to this book and would have gladly kept reading. I am definitely interested in more of her books in the future!

This is an MM paranormal romance so I would recommend it to anyone who loves books like this! It was a good book and the first MM romance I had read. The writing is great and keeps you wanting more and it is a very quick read!

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Ashes of Aldyr (The Obscured Throne Trilogy Book 1) by Russell Archey – Review by Stephanie Seeber

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Ashes of AldyrAshes of Aldyr by Russell Archey
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A story unlike any other. It takes place in the world of Alda. The book takes you through a journey after “The Rupture” takes place. How those left are struggling to survive. The world seems to be dying along with the once lively aldyr trees that were magical. Everyone is feeling the consequences of this as the Elf-kind are dying off, the dwarves are retreating to the mountains and humans are barely surviving together in run down settlements. You are introduced to beings that are worshipped and each has their own horrific power and influence over the people and the world. Each chapter takes you through a journey with different characters that all play a part in a bigger picture. You are then introduced by a dark cult called the Black Gnarl that is exposing the world to all the dangers it has been hidden away from and something sinister is coming.

This book to me held so much promise. A few of the chapters could have been expanded slightly and been books completely their own. The jumping to different characters each chapter and never having the same ones again made this a frustrating read for me. I would have liked to focus more on the characters and broken up each chapter to get more details and build up the characters more. Once you seemed to be able to connect with the characters then that was over and it was moving on to something else. Although all of these stories are based around one event, sometimes that event was barely mentioned and all in all these were all very separate stories. Separately I actually enjoyed each chapter’s story and wanted more from the characters, but feel like it could have been structured better.

I would recommend this book for anyone who goes in almost looking at it like several short stories that have some connection, but nothing overlapping. There is mystery on what is going on with the aldyr trees and learning about the different god-like beings that are portrayed. Also, wanting to discover what is happening to the world and what exactly caused “The Rupture”. I would not recommend if you want a book where you get emotionally invested in characters and character development continues to be important through the whole book.

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