Posts

Death & Mirrors (All Things Dark & Deadly Book 1) by SF Benson – Review by Vanessa Watts

/0 Comments/in /by

Death & Mirrors: All Things Dark & Deadly, Book OneDeath & Mirrors: All Things Dark & Deadly, Book One by S.F. Benson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When I started this book it seemed it might be another one of those just taking up space on my bookshelves kind of books. But as the story unfolds and each layer is peeled back you get a rather fascinating gem that made me gasp when it was over because I am dying to know what happens next.

Evaline just wants to be able to study the subjects she wants and to one day be a detective. Unfortunately, that all goes away after tragedy strikes her family. Now, her father, who doesn’t want her to practice her skills or become a detective, insists she learn more ladylike pursuits and marry the neighbor who is far too old to Evaline. Then a stranger approaches her father asking for help only he refuses but Evaline isn’t willing to let go without a fight especially with a bigger mystery on the horizon. Sucked into a different dimension to battle a deadly doctor and secure an artifact can’t be that difficult. However, no one seems forthcoming and everyone has their own agenda. They are all pawns in someone else’s game but just who will come out on top? Can Evaline solve the mystery in the mirror dimension and return to London?

This book is reminiscent of a history romance in how females are expected to behave and portray themselves. Overall it was a slow build up until the action unfolds and then it draws you in until the very last page. If you like quirky female characters solving mysteries and dealing in magic then this is for you. It reminded me of the Netflix movie Enola Holmes and I could picture that character in this novel for sure.

View all my reviews

Castor’s Kiss (Soul Bonded in the Stars Book 2) by Tai James – Review by Vanessa Watts

/0 Comments/in /by

Castor's Kiss (Soul Bonded in the Stars # 2)Castor’s Kiss by Tai James
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was an amazing book that left me on the edge of my seat needing to know what happens next. I laughed, I was brought to tears, I became angry at what they had to endure, pretty much I was a hot mess for this entire book but I would recommend it to everyone!

Mia, our female main character/champion if you will, has not had an easy time of things. After being tortured, left for dead, then found and forced to fight other beings to earn credits and glory for her captor. Trust doesn;t come easy, she is bitter and unaffected just fighting to stay alive until partnered with someone she can’t sit idly by and watch die. This may turn out to be her saving grace after all her future is unpredictable. Enter Castor who makes a deal with Throl to earn Mia’s freedom, but what Throl has in mind ensures little chance of survival for either of them. As they must now fight as a team, feelings build and they learn they are soul mates not yet bonded but the more they are together the stronger the bond becomes. Can Mia learn to trust Castor when all past experiences have led to heartache and pain? Can they work through their own pasts and beliefs to not only make it out of these trials alive but potentially build a future? Lastly, can they make it out alive to even have a chance at a future?

This book is a must read to answer all these questions and more. There are so many twists and turns in this book including characters you hate and then something changes and you might hate them a little less. If you like romance novels with a hunger game-like twist then this book is right up your alley. It doesn’t even seem like five stars could ever be enough for this good of a book, I am in awe of what this author produced and now must venture out to see what other gems they have produced.

View all my reviews

Paige and the Reluctant Artist by Darci Garcia – Review by Vanessa Watts

/0 Comments/in /by

Paige and the Reluctant ArtistPaige and the Reluctant Artist by Darci Garcia
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a completely new author to me and while looking for a beach read I stumbled across this book which sounded interesting. Albeit if you’re looking for a good beach read romance novel then definitely give this one a try.

We begin by meeting Paige, an art curator, constantly on the hunt for new artists and pieces for her art exhibit. This is when she stumbles upon a painting that absolutely blows her away and she knows she must have more from this artist. I mean how hard could it be convincing someone to paint for her gallery? This is where Mark enters the story, he is a ranch owner, horse rescuer, and artist. Unfortunately Paige didn’t plan on Mark not wanting to paint more for her gallery nor the sparks that fly between them. Can Paige convince Mark to give her more paintings? What about the sparks between them can Mark move past the tragedy from his past to embrace a future with Paige? If these questions leave you intrigued you should definitely pick up this book to find out just what happens.

While I loved this cutesy romance I would have liked to have a dual perspective a little more to add more depth to the characters. It was a great read and if you like romance mixed with sexy cowboys and animals then this book is right up your alley!

View all my reviews

Blood & Vengeance (The Casket Girls Book 2) by A.D. Brazeau – Review by Vanessa Watts

/0 Comments/in /by

Blood & Vengeance (The Casket Girls #2)Blood & Vengeance by A.D. Brazeau
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

After having read the first book in this series and falling in love with the characters I knew I just had to read this one as well. Boy was I right in picking up this book. It was amazing from cover to cover. The story builds nicely off the first book in the series and we meet a new potential couple, as long as the cards fall right.

From book one we know Greer, Theron’s love, is in the underworld and until her return Theron has been keeping busy hunting the other vampires in the city. Desiree, who was one of the casket girls, has trained hard to fight alongside him to eliminate the vampires from New Orleans. In walks Jaxon, one of these vampires, who wants to change. He wants Theron to teach him how to control the bloodlust and survive without draining innocents. As they work as a team to kill off the vampires Desiree and Jaxon start catching feelings towards each other. Can they have the same perfect love story that Greer and Theron have? What happens when someone from Jaxon’s past comes back to have him in her life? Can Jaxon and Desiree overcome the mistress to find their own peace?

This book was amazing if not even better than the first book in this series. I love all the new characters that are introduced and how the author weaves them brilliantly into the story. I love how it builds on the previous series while featuring a different couple’s story. If you haven’t read the first definitely do that and then your second item on your to do list should be to read this book too. If you love paranormal romances with some mystery and intrigue then this is the perfect read for you. Though I would avoid reading it late at night as this could cause you to lose valuable hours of sleep.

View all my reviews

The Happily Ever After Bookstore by Bernadette Marie – Review by Vanessa Watts

/0 Comments/in /by

The Happily Ever After BookstoreThe Happily Ever After Bookstore by Bernadette Marie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a book for the romantic at heart for sure. Sometimes it seems as though each pair of characters should have their own book rather than all being done in one book. That would give more time to develop the stories a bit more but instead they are like snapshots of people’s lives as they find the right book and start a new chapter in their lives.

Leona, our bookstore connoisseur, has a knack for finding everyone just the right book and giving a little extra push to find their happily ever after even if they were not necessarily looking. When Sadie comes in looking for the perfect Christmas romance, Leona points her in the right direction where she then bumps into Charlie. After both have found their books they pay and leave only to discover later that Leona switched their bags. Now the hunt is on to find each other and return the books to their rightful owners. However, things do not always go to plan, can Sadie have a Christmas romance all her own with Charlie?

Then there is Fiona who comes to town and runs across Leona. Leona discovers Fiona’s ex Price is also in town and though things didn’t work in the past it is clear there is still something there. Will sparks fly as Fiona and Price meet again with differing happenstance? Or is the past too much to move past?

Leona who has an easy time pointing others in the right direction and with just enough meddling helps them find their happily ever afters just cannot seem to find her own Mr. Right. Add to that problems with the bookstore and it all seems to be too much. Enter Jon, a local handyman available to help put the bookstore back to rights again. They both feel the attraction but Leona is certainly conflicted as Jon comes with two little tagalongs. Is Leona ready to not only manage the bookstore but a romance and a family at the same time?

This is definitely a cutesy romance novel that is simply an enjoyable read. I would have liked this to be a series so we could take a deeper dive into the characters and their lives instead of being little snippets of time. Overall I enjoyed this book and it would make a great beach read for anyone looking for a chance to escape and read about happily ever afters.

View all my reviews

Body Checked (Astoria Bay Thunder Book 2) by CJ Cartwright – Review by Vanessa Watts

/0 Comments/in /by

Body Checked (Astoria Bay Thunder #2)Body Checked by C.J. Cartwright
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

As an avid hockey fan this book is what all my dreams are made of. I mean who doesn’t want a hot hunky hockey player at their beck and call. This series is a must read if you want steamy romances with burly hockey players being brought to their knees by the only woman that can tame them.

Bridger is the playboy hockey hunk whose reputation precedes him, and not in a good way. Even possibly being labeled a liability to the team and one that could cost him the one thing he loves most in this world, playing hockey. He is put in touch with a social media manager to give him a new image even if that means making sacrifices. In walks Tia, who voluntarily is helping with a photo shoot, but she knows Bridger’s type and is not interested. However, they agree to a wild weekend as long as they both follow the rules and leave the strings unattached. Now Bridger will take Tia anyway he can get her even if it is just as friends. When Tia’s past comes into play which could ruin Bridger’s career will he fight to keep Tia in his life? Can Tia move past her past experiences to even see a future with Bridger?

When everything is on the line it is time to play all the cards and see who ends up on top. This is a frenemies to lovers romance that has all the steamy interludes you could want. I can’t wait to be introduced to the rest of the team as this series progresses and see just who turns these hockey players into putty in their hands.

View all my reviews