Category: book review

Evie and the Upside-Down World of Nevermore by Birgitte Margen

Evie and the Upside-Down World of Nevermore (A Twisted Fairy Tale: A Young Adult Fantasy) by [Märgen, Birgitte]

4 Stars

Publisher:

Date of publication: January 4th, 2019

Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult

Where you can find Evie and the Upside-Down World of Nevermore: Amazon

Book Synopsis:

A trailer park Alice. A hole that traps souls. The white rabbit’s a tricky hare. And the world is upside down. This fairy tale just got twisty . . .

Rule One: Don’t eat or drink.
Rule Two: Never, ever tell anyone your name.
If ya do – your soul will be lost there forever.

How do I know? I been there myself. This is my story.

There was a full moon brimmin’ that night, and that meant strange things could happen. As I walked through the woods, I reckon I shoulda known by the way my hair stood up on end like Uncle Red’s toupee —that I shoulda coulda stayed home. I call it the willies, but grandpappy calls it premonition. One thing I can tell ya as a girl from the wrong side of the tracks: If you’re fix’n to wander way over yonder —it’s important to know the right direction.

What direction ya ask? Well, ya have to read the story to find that one out.

* * *

AFTER FALLING INTO a dark hole when she was running through the forest, Evie finds herself trapped in a strange new world that mirrors our own. Her only guide is a compass stick given to her by an angry gnome who lives in an ancient knobby tree. As she travels through the lands of this upside-down world she happens upon creatures that are twisted versions of fairytale folklore. A place where fairies bite, unicorns charge, mermaids are menacing, and nightmares are more than dreams. A world where the souls of those who could not follow the unspoken rules are trapped forever.

As a southern girl born on the wrong side of the tracks, Evie relies on the wisdom passed down by her grandpappy and the haunting memories of her mama to teach her perseverance of the soul. She learns that things are rarely what they seem as her world is turned upside down.

First Line:

It was a peculiarly frigid October night, and a nippy chill was in the air.

Evie and the Upside-Down World of Nevermore

My Review:

Evie and the Upside-Down World of Nevermore is the story about Evie and the journey she takes through the world of Nevermore. Evie was at a bonfire with her best friend and three boys, one which is Evie’s crush. Towards the end of the fire, Evie hears her best friend and crush talking about her in a hurtful way. That upset Evie, and she takes off running through the woods. Tripping on a root, Evie hits her head and wakes up in a small cave. Seeing light, Evie digs until she falls through the hole she made. She ends up in Nevermore, a place where everything good is evil, and everything evil is good. With a compass stick, the warning of a friend, and the wisdom of her Grandpappy to guide her, Evie needs to navigate this dangerous world. Will she escape?

I didn’t know what to think when I started reading Evie and the Upside-Down World of Nevermore. I did see the comparison of Alice and Wonderland from the beginning. But, the deeper I got into the book, the more I started to like it. It was so much like Alice in Wonderland, but at the same time, there were such glaring differences. It was those differences that I loved and made the book for me.

The flow of Evie and the Upside-Down World of Nevermore was alright. I say alright because there were several times where I felt that it was interrupted by Evie’s flashbacks. Evie’s flashback to her Grandpappy’s words of wisdom was essential to the book. I believe that it could have been done a little better.

There are no dropped storylines in Evie and the Upside-Down World of Nevermore. There were several storylines that I wish had more clarification (like the goat boy). Other than that, I was happy with it. Dropped storylines ruin the storyline for me.

The majority of the book takes place in the world of Nevermore. Nevermore was an unusual and scary place to read about. What I loved about it is that things were flipped. People/objects that are considered to be good were evil (the mermaids, the fairies). On the flip side, people/objects that are considered to be evil were good (the dragon, the goat boy). It made for an enjoyable read.

I liked how the world was broken up. To get to the next section, Evie had to go through the first one. She needed to use the compass stick to get through different areas. I loved it. By doing that, the author allowed me, as a reader, to get the full scope of what Nevermore was like.

I liked Evie. She adjusted to being in Nevermore better than I would have. I would have freaked out. Instead, she set out to find her way home. She used her mind to get herself out of situations. I did feel bad for her too. She didn’t have the best life back at home. She was looked down upon for living in a trailer; her father wasn’t around and other things. I wanted to hug her. Mainly for reasons revealed later on in the book.

I didn’t care for Evie’s “friends.” Her best friend was a witch with a b for talking about her like that. And her crush was a tool.

The characters in Nevermore were interesting. The hedgehog that kept showing up was cute. I was also intrigued by the white and black rabbits. I was surprised at what they meant and what they turned into. Talk about interesting!!

Evie and the Upside-Down World of Evermore fit in perfectly in the middle-grade category. I could see my tween and early teenager (12 and 14) reading this book and enjoying it.

My attention was held by the book while reading it. If it could hold a middle-aged woman’s attention, I have no issue believing that it would hold a tween/teen’s attention.

I enjoyed reading Evie and the Upside-Down World of Nevermore. At first, I was afraid that it was too much like Alice in Wonderland. But, as I got into the book, my fears were put to rest.

Evie’s storyline was resolved in the book. I was surprised at how her storyline was resolved. It was magical!!

There are triggers in Evie and the Upside-Down World of Nevermore. There are a cutting scene and talk of suicide.

Evie’s character did evolve throughout the book. Each section of the world she was in showed her exactly what she was capable of and what she can overcome. By the end of the book, she was a strong young woman who knew she was going to be alright. I wish the author had written about the inevitable confrontation she was going to her with her “bestie.” Absolutely. But I am glad that it wasn’t written.

I would give Evie and the Upside-Down World of Nevermore an Older teen rating. There is no sex. There is mild language. There is mild violence. I would recommend that no one under the age of 16 read this book.

I would reread Evie and the Upside-Down World of Nevermore. I would recommend it to family and friends.

**I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book**

Death Among Us: An Anthology of Murder Mystery Short Stories by Stephen Bentley, Greg Alldredge, Kelly Artieri, L. Lee Kane, Michael Spinelli, Robbie Cheadle, Kay Castaneda, Justin Bauer, Aly Locatelli @StephenBentley8 @Shalini_G26

Death Among Us: An Anthology of Murder Mystery Short Stories by [Bentley, Stephen, Alldredge, Greg, Artieri, Kelly, Kane, L. Lee, Spinelli, Michael, Cheadle, Robbie, Castaneda, Kay, Bauer, Justin, Locatelli, Aly]

4 Stars

Publisher: Hendry Publishing

Date of publication: July 7th, 2019

Genre: horror, anthology

Where you can find Death Among Us: Amazon | BookBub

Book Synopsis:

Who knew death could be so eclectic? Relish this mesmerizing murder mystery mash-up of short stories.

The stories include the 2019 SIA Award-Winning Murder Mystery Short Story ‘The Rose Slayer.’

Murder and mystery have been the staple of literature and films for years. This anthology of short stories will thrill and entertain you. Some will also make you laugh out loud. Others will stop and make you think.

Think of this murder mystery short story anthology as a book version of appetizers or starters, hors d’oeuvre, meze, or antipasti. It can be read as fillers between books or, as is the case in some countries, as a bookish meze – in its own right.

These stories come from an international cast of authors; some with bestselling books, others are emerging or new talents. Their roots, cultures, and life experiences are as diverse as their writing styles.

But one thing binds them together: they know how to tell a story.

There’s murder mystery styles and locations to suit all tastes: detective fiction, serial killers, scifi, histfic, LA, England, The Great Lakes, Las Vegas, the Nevada desert and more in an exquisite exposition of the art of short story telling.

The ten authors who have contributed to the anthology are:

Stephen Bentley
Greg Alldredge
Kelly Artieri
Robbie Cheadle
Michael Spinelli
L. Lee Kane
Kay Castaneda
Aly Locatelli
Justin Bauer
& ‘G’ Posthumously

Each author introduces his or her stories and the theme that lies behind them.By the time you finish the book, you will agree the result is a mesmerizing murder mystery mash-up.

Get it now.

First Line (from The Rose Slayer by Stephen Bentley):

Six murders.

Death Among Us: An Anthology of Murder Mystery Short Stories by various authors

My Review:

I usually do not review anthologies. I find it hard to review a book that is made up of short stories. But I like reading them. Whenever I get the request to review an anthology, I have an internal tug of war. 9 out of 10 times, I decline. But in this case, because I like murder mysteries, I accepted. I am glad that I did because this book had some fantastic stories.

I thought it was appropriate that I read Death Among Us a couple of nights before Halloween. I was enthralled with the stories. I loved that I got a thrill when reading them.

Usually, in my other reviews, I give details on what I liked about the plotlines and the characters. But because this is an anthology, I can’t do that. But I will do something a little different. I will give you what I liked about each group of stories.

The Rose Slayer, Eleanor Rigby, Diva:

I enjoy reading these short stories. What I loved is that they were interconnected. I didn’t get that at first. It took me rereading the end of The Rose Slayer and the beginning of Eleanor Rigby to understand that. I loved it!!!

Hello World, Goodbye World:

AI has always freaked me out. Reading these two books got me even more freaked out about them. They were well written, and the author was able to suck me into the stories.

First Comes Lightning, Bad Bones, Red Solo Cup,,That’s What Best Friends Do:

I didn’t like these stories as much as the first five stories. But they were still good. Again, the author was able to interconnect each story. The connections were subtle, but they were there.

Justice is Never Served, An Eye For an Eye, The Murder of the Monk:

This group of stories all takes place in England. What I enjoyed about these is that they were based on actual events. The author, who is new to horror, was able to take these events and add her spin to them. Again, there was a subtle connection with the three stories, which I enjoyed.

No Man’s Land and Monitaur:

These were different stories by the same author. The first story, No Man’s Land, creeped me out. I got the chills reading it. Monitaur, though, terrified me. Mainly because I have had run-ins with a baby monitor making weird noises.

A Deadly Lady and Stop Me If You Can:

Another set of stories that chilled me. I agreed with the main character in this set of stories. Men who beat their wives/girlfriends and men (and women) who traffic people need to be taken care of. What gave me chills was how she did it and what the cop said at the end of the last story.

Something About the Gift of Beauty, Unknown, The Thoughts of Emily Morales in Old Age:

These were interesting stories. I liked that the three stories centered around one main character at different stages of her life.

The Neighbors:

I liked this story. The characters were relatable (even if one of them was unlikable). What happened was interesting.

Sales Meeting, Canceled:

I liked these stories. Talk about getting payback…lol. All I could think after I read the stories was that they deserved it.

White Rose of Rapture and Next:

Both were well-written books. The first story did freak me out. I have a fear of dentists, and well, this story didn’t do anything to erase my fear. The second story amused me (as weird as that sounds). The last line made me giggle.

I would give Death Among Us an Adult rating. There is sex. There is language. There is violence. I would recommend that no one under the age of 21 read this book.

I would reread Death Among Us. I would recommend it to family and friends.

**I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book**

Fever (Dark Kings: Book 16) by Donna Grant

Fever: A Dark Kings Novel by [Grant, Donna]

4 Stars

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press, St. Martin’s Paperbacks

Date of publication: October 29th, 2019

Genre: Romance, Science Fiction, Fantasy

Series: Dark Kings

Dark Craving—Book 0.1

Night’s Awakening—Book 0.2

Dawn’s Desire—Book 0.3

Passion’s Claim—Book 0.4

Darkest Flame—Book 1

Fire Rising—Book 2

Burning Desire—Book 3

Hot Blooded—Book 4

Night’s Blaze—Book 5

Soul Scorched—Book 6

Dragon King—Book 6.5

Passion Ignites—Book 7

Smoldering Hunger—Book 8

Smoke and Fire—Book 9

Dragon Fever—Book 9.5

Firestorm—Book 10

Blaze—Book 11

Dragon Burn—Book 11.5

Constantine: A History—Book 11.6

Heat—Book 12 (Review Here)

Torched—Book 13

Dragon Night—Book 13.5

Dragonfire—Book 14 (Review Here)

Dragon Claimed—Book 14.5

Ignite—Book 15 (Review Here)

Fever—Book 16

Where you can find Fever: Barnes and Noble | Amazon | BookBub

Book Synopsis:

His kiss was fire and passion. She shivered, wondering how he knew just how to touch her, to send her spiraling into an abyss of pleasure…

For centuries, the Dragon Kings have lived among mortals, forsaking their true selves. But for Kelton, hiding in the realm of shadows—and existing only in the world of dreams—is no longer an option. A human woman claims to know that he, like other dark warriors of his kind, is real. That the legends about these powerful, seductive men with hearts ablaze are true. And that, with just one embrace, Kelton could destroy her…or love her until the end of time.

Bernadette Davies is an anthropologist who knows better than to fall into the arms of a Dragon King. But how can she resist Kelton when he’s so willing to share his secrets and bear his soul? He hasn’t met a beautiful, trustworthy woman like Bernadette in…forever. But once they give into their mutual desire, their worlds will never be the same. Soon Bernadette must face her dilemma: Should she expose the truth about Kelton in the name of science? Or join him in his battle with the dark forces—in the name of love?

First Line:

Dragons are real.

Fever by Donna Grant

My Review:

When I finished Ignite, I was curious about who the next book was going to be about. I knew it wasn’t Con, because Ub*tch had him, so I figured it was Kelton. As for the woman, that was left up in the air. So, I wasn’t surprised when Kelton was the first person mentioned. I was surprised at who his mate was and how he met her.

Fever was an exciting book to read. I was expecting more of a filler book, like Ignite. To my surprise, Fever ended up being so much more. Not only was it Kelton/Bernadette’s romance, but there was a progression with all the major storylines – Con/Ub*tch storyline, the storyline with Rhi, the Dark Fae storyline and the storyline with The Others.

I wasn’t too sure about Bernadette. Like the Dragon Kings, I thought that she was getting her information from someone. I figured it was a disgruntled someone. But I wasn’t expecting it to be Ub*tch. Her sudden decision to go to Dreagan also raised my red flags, as did her immediate attraction to Kelton. But after her heart to heart with him and seeing exactly how Ub*tch destroyed Bernadette’s life made any reservations I had towards her go away. What Ub*tch did to her in this book was awful. Which lead me to wonder, exactly what did Ub*tch know about Bernadette? I also wanted to know why Rhi was so drawn to her. I have a feeling I know why, but I don’t want to spoil it for anyone. All I will say that if I am right, that is a HUGE bombshell!!

I loved Kelton. He was willing to do whatever it took to find out who was leaking Bernadette. But when Bernadette showed up at Dreagan, he decided to be honest with her. He didn’t expect to fall in love. I loved how honest he was about his struggle with Con’s decision to send the dragons home. Once he determined that Ub*tch was using Bernadette, he was going to do anything to protect her, which included sending her back to that conniving evil witch. I did get a laugh over his complete denial of his feelings for Bernadette. Typical alpha male right there.

Bernadette and Kelton had major sexual chemistry and sexual attraction from the beginning. That translated into some seriously hot sex scenes. I did feel let down when they figured out that Ub*tch spelled Bernadette to attract a Dragon King (ie, Kelton). I had a brief moment of panic that those impressive sex scenes I read were magically induced. Thankfully, the author cleared that up fast.

I am glad that Rhi made more of an appearance in Fever. Like I said above, I have a theory of why she was so drawn to Bernadette. Also, her struggle with the dark was so much more pronounced in Fever. I felt terrible for her.

I couldn’t stand Ub*tch. What she did to Bernadette (the blood spell) was wrong. What she was doing Xanth was wrong also. That poor man. She tortured him!! What happened at the end of the book was terrific, but I wish there were closure!!!

I didn’t understand why Death and the Reapers weren’t getting involved with what was going on in Fever. I started to get irritated because Death made such a big deal about Ub*tch being taken down. But, there was a scene towards the end of the book that made me go “Hrrrmmmm.” Made me wonder what the author has in store for that storyline!!

The Dark Fae storyline (with Balladyn) surprised me. I was NOT expecting what happened to happen. I put the book down and said: “Holy crap, that just DIDN’T happen!!!”

The storyline with Con and Ub*tch had me going. I didn’t know what to think about what was going on. All I could think was that it wasn’t good.

The storyline with Henry and Melisse fascinated me. Precisely who is Melisse, and what does she want with Henry? I cannot wait to read the next book.

I would give Fever an Adult rating. There is sex. There is language. There is violence. I would recommend that no one under the age of 21 read this book.

I would reread Fever. I would recommend it to family and friends.

**I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book**

Let It Be Me (Amarillo Sour: Book 2) by Laura Chapman

This is my stop during the book blitz for Let It Be Me by Laura Chapman. This book blitz is organized by Lola’s Blog Tours. The book blitz runs from 21 till 27 October. See the tour schedule here: http://www.lolasblogtours.net/book-blitz-let-it-be-me-by-laura-chapman 

4 Stars

Let It Be Me (Amarillo Sour #2)

By Laura Chapman

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Age category: Adult

Release Date: September 30, 2019

Goodreads

Who says history is boring?

Professor James Mitchell has a rock star reputation. With a waitlist for all his classes, a best-selling book, and the requisite leather jacket, the university and publisher are eager to capitalize on this British sensation. But after his girlfriend leaves him for another man, James goes from rising scholar to spiraling bad boy. Forget contracts and tenure, James wants out—of his job, his book deal, and, better still, the country. He’s well on his way when his boss’s daughter walks into his favorite bar . . . 

Aspiring filmmaker Ali Ferguson-Day doesn’t scare easily. She’s been given the means to make a film of her own—on the condition she tames the professor. As the daughter of a famed documentarian and a renowned historian, she’s more than ready to step out of her parents’ shadows and shine on her own. She won’t let anyone—not even an unexpected charmer—get in her way.

James and Ali butt heads from the start, but it isn’t long before their sparring gives way to attraction. There’s the promise of even more, if they can get past the fear of history repeating itself to let love in . . . 

Giveaway:

Giveaway ends October 30th.

The grand prize is:

  • $20 Amazon gift card

https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/1000e4f1328/

Purchase Links:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Kobo

Google Play

iTunes

BookBub

Check out book 1 in this series: Counting on You

Is love worth the risk?

Laura Chapman is the award-winning and Amazon best-selling author of sweet and sexy romantic comedies. A born and raised Nebraska girl, she loves watching football, traveling, crafting, and baking. When she isn’t writing her next story, she is probably working at a museum by day and binge-watching Netflix with her cats Jane and Bingley at night. So, basically, she’s living large.

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First Line

James Mitchell didn’t need a PhD to figure out why he’d been called into the department chair’s office.

Let It Be Me by Laura Chapman

My Review:

I wasn’t sure if I was going to like Let It Be Me after reading the first few chapters. James was a hot mess. Ali wanted a docuseries so bad that she would do anything to finance it. It made for an awkward few first chapters. But once everything was ironed out, the book became enjoyable to read.

Let It Be Me’s plotline was medium paced. The characters were fleshed out and had a depth to them. I loved how relatable the characters were. Their issues were something that anyone could relate to. I also liked how the book flowed. There were no dropped plotlines or characters. There was no lag. All these made for a book that was easy to read.

Like I mentioned above, James was a hot mess. I didn’t blame him for being a hot mess. His ex-girlfriend had shattered his heart. All he wanted was to go back to England and lick his wounds. I did find his attempts to get fired funny. I also thought that the ways he was trying to get rid of Ali were funny. I did like his character growth throughout the book. I do contribute much of it to Ali. She helped him heal and realize what he was doing wasn’t exactly the best.

I loved Ali. She had her work cut out for her with James. But, she knew that going into it. I didn’t like that her mother had to bribe her to work with him. Want to do your series? Get that book written. She had a great sense of humor (which she needed, dealing with James). I love the inventive ways she used to get him to write. Before this book, I haven’t heard of an editing drinking game. Now I have, and I loved it!! I also LOVED how she handled Becca and her husband. Talk about putting someone in their place.

Ali and James’s romance was realistic. What I liked is that their feelings didn’t burn bright and fast. Instead, the author chose to build them up slowly. Don’t get me wrong; I love an Instalove romance as much as the next person. But I also like realistic romances.

Sex was not a massive factor in Let It Be Me. Yes, Ali and James end up having sex. But the author did not get into it. Other than that, sly thought James had when talking to Ali’s mother; it wasn’t there. I loved it.

Let It Be Me is the second book in the Amarillo Sour series. It can be read as a stand-alone book. Which further endeared the book to me. There was a mention of the first book’s couple, but that was it, a mention. The author kept the focus of Let It Be Me on Ali and James.

The end of Let It Be Me was sweet. I loved how everything ended up for everyone. And the epilogue was perfect!!! I am curious about who the next book is going to be about. I couldn’t tell you.

I would give Let It Be Me an Adult rating. There is mention of sex. There is mild language. There is mild violence. I would recommend that no one under the age of 21 read this book.

I would reread Let It Be Me. I would recommend it to family and friends.

**I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book**

Snowfall of Cedar Trail (Sweetwater Springs: Book 3) by Annie Rains

Snowfall on Cedar Trail: Two full books for the price of one (Sweetwater Springs Book 3) by [Rains, Annie]

4 Stars

Publisher: Forever (Grand Central Publishing), Forever

Date of publication: September 24th, 2019

Genre: Romance

Series: Sweetwater Springs

Christmas on Mistletoe Lane—Book 1 (review here)

A Wedding on Lavender Hill—Book 1.5

Springtime at Hope Cottage—Book 2 (review here)

Kiss Me in Sweetwater Springs—Book 2.5

Snowfall on Cedar Trail—Book 3

Starting Over at Blueberry Creek—Book 4 (expected publication date February 2020)

Where you can find Snowfall on Cedar Trail: Barnes and Noble | Amazon | BookBub

Book Synopsis:

From a USA Today bestselling author comes a heartwarming holiday romance between the a small-town florist and the handsome chief of police. Includes a bonus novel by Miranda Liasson!

Last Christmas was tough for Halona Locklear and her seven-year-old son Theo, who hasn’t spoken a word since his father’s death. This year, Halona wants nothing more than to give him a good holiday and to hear his sweet voice again. Enrolling him in the Mentor Match program might help, but when Theo gets matched with Sweetwater Springs Chief of Police, Alex Baker, Halona realizes that the handsome hero might know secrets about her past that she is determined to keep buried.

Chief of Police, Alex Baker, re-opens his father’s hit-and-run cold case every December, hoping to finally solve it. This year, his plate is full with being a Mentor Match to a young seven-year-old boy as well. His biggest obstacle, however, is fighting his attraction to the boy’s mother, Halona. As Alex gets close to solving his father’s cold case, he learns that those closest to him may be in danger — including Halona. Alex has already lost one of the most important people in his life; he isn’t about to lose her too, even if it means walking away to keep her safe.

First Line:

Something crashed in the kitchen

Snowfall on Cedar Trails by Annie Rains

My Review:

I love romance novels set around Thanksgiving/Christmas. I always get in the holiday mood while reading them. So, when I saw the Annie Rains had another book set around Thanksgiving/Christmas, I knew that I had to read it. I am glad that I did!! Because of this book, I was in the holiday mood for days.

The plotline for Snowfall on Cedar Trail was medium paced. The medium pace of the plotline worked for me. If the book had been faster-paced, an essential part of the plotline would have been glossed over.

I liked Halona. She was doing everything she could to run her business and get her son the help he needed. There was no place in her life for romance, which I understand. I thought her crush on Alex was cute. But she was wary of getting involved with him. I thought it was because of Theo’s issues, but then there was another reason why. That reason broke my heart when it was revealed. It also reinforced, in my eyes, how strong she was and had to be.

I loved Alex. He took his job as police chief seriously. When the book started, he was trying to help a battered woman leave her husband. He had also reopened his father’s cold case, trying to see if there were any new clues about his death. Then, while checking on the battered woman, he takes an abused puppy from her husband. On top of that, he had agreed to become a mentor to a child in need. It was a lot. His interactions with Halona, Theo, the town folk, and Officer Chew (the puppy and I LOVED the name!!) made the book.

Halona and Alex’s romance was a slow burn. I loved that they had been crushing on each other since, well, forever. They did have their ups and down, though. A significant down with their relationship was Halona’s ex-husband and how he treated her. But, they did get past it. When they did, their romance went into high gear.

Theo’s selective mutism was a significant part of the storyline. It was the reason that Theo was placed in the mentor program and in turn, got paired with Alex. I did feel bad for Theo. He saw his father doing something horrible to his mother. It affected him so much that he stopped talking. It broke my heart. But, I was glad to see that Alex was able to help Theo. But, I didn’t buy the end of that storyline. It seemed to me almost too perfect.

Another storyline that ended almost too perfectly was Alex’s father’s cold case and the battered woman’s storyline. I wasn’t a fan of Halona giving Tony advice about how to win his wife BACK. I mean, he beat his wife and a puppy. I also didn’t like how the cold case ended up. It left me with more questions, which drove me nuts.

The end of Snowfall of Cedar Trail was cute but seemed a little rushed. I couldn’t figure out who the next book will be about.

I would give Snowfall on Cedar Trail an Adult rating. There is sex. There is mild language. There is mild violence. I would recommend that no one under the age of 21 read this book.

I would reread Snowfall on Cedar Trail. I would recommend it to family and friends.

**I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book**

Small-Town Secrets (Door County: Book 1) by Margaret Watson

Small-Town Secrets (Door County Book 1) by [Watson, Margaret]

4 Stars

Publisher: Dragonfly Press

Date of Publication: October 7th, 2019

Genre: Romance

Series: Door Country

Small-Town Secrets—Book 1

Small-Town Family—Book 2

Where you can find Small-Town Secrets: Barnes and Noble | Amazon | BookBub

Book Synopsis:

Although she doesn’t realize it, Kendall is drowning in secrets. About her husband Carter, who died in a car crash. About Gabe, who was driving the night Carter died. About her brother George’s girlfriend. Gabe’s return to Sturgeon Falls brings the secrets bubbling to the surface.

Since Carter’s death, Kendall’s been too busy running a B&B, managing a cherry orchard and raising two girls to think about Gabe. But when he shows up at her B&B, memories come rushing back – including the crush she’d had on him.

Can Kendall and Gabe face the past and find forgiveness? Or will the secrets bury them?

First Line:

He’d thought he was ready for this.

Small-Town Secrets by Margaret Watson

My Review:

I needed to read Small-Town Secrets. Not only because it is a romance but because I needed to read a book that had a simple plot. I needed a book where I didn’t have to keep intricate notes. I got that in Small-Town Secrets.

Small-Town Secrets is a book about reconciling the past with the present. It also shows what the power of forgiveness does. I liked that it showed that what is shown to the public isn’t what goes on in private.

There are one main storyline and two prominent secondary storylines. They were all well written. The pacing of the storylines seesawed between slow and medium. I didn’t mind that. Considering what Gabe and Kendall were working through, it was needed. The secondary plotlines were woven into that plotline with skill.

I liked Kendall, and I sympathized with her. She was a single mother raising two girls and running two businesses (a B&B and an orchard). I did think that she was harsh on Gabe at the beginning of the book. But, considering what happened, I would have been the same way. I felt she took Amy’s secret well and handled the fall out gracefully. I don’t know if I would have been as understanding (or kind) as she was.

Gabe was terrific in Small-Town Secrets. He straightened his life out after the car accident. Gabe didn’t hide his feelings for Kendall and did his best to protect her. From the intruder to the mysterious guest, he was there for her. Gabe did have secrets, but he didn’t come back to disturb lives. He came back to honor Carter and reconnect with Kendall.

Amy’s secret was a doozy. When it was revealed (early in the book), I was surprised. What I wasn’t expecting was George’s reaction and what he said to Amy. I was stunned by his response. “Holy crap, son, calm down,” went through my mind. I did think that Kendall dealt well with Amy’s secret. I mean, what else could she do?

The romance between Kendall and Gabe seemed to happen overnight. I do want to point out that it wasn’t Instalove, though. The feelings that Kendall and Gabe had for each other had been simmering for years. All that simmering came to a boiling point and exploded.

The end of Small-Town Secrets was satisfying. I liked how Kendall and Gabe’s storyline ended. I was “eh” about Amy’s storyline. George rubbed me the wrong way. The author did leave another storyline (the one with the guest) open. I am curious to see what that goes.

I would give Small-Town Secrets an Adult rating. There is sex. There is mild language. There is mild violence. I would recommend that no one under the age of 21 read this book.

I would reread Small-Town Secrets. I would recommend it to family and friends.

**I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book**

Pirate’s Curse: Division 1 (The Berkano Vampire Collection) by Leigh Anderson and Rebecca Hamilton

Pirate’s Curse: Division 1 
by Leigh Anderson & Rebecca Hamilton 
(The Berkano Vampire Collection) 
Publication date: October 22nd 2017
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal

Goodreads

Book Synopsis:

Once upon a time, a vampire and a witch fell in love, and that love fractured the world. Now divided into sixteen isolated Divisions, the world is an unstable and dangerous place.

In the Division of NOLA, Catheryn Beauregard fears her burgeoning magical powers. Hiding as just another slave in the home of the Hoodoo Queen, Catheryn hopes her simplistic powers will simply go unnoticed. And her plan seems to be working…until the Hoodoo House is attacked by a ruthless band of vampire pirates.

Captain Rainier Dulocke and his crew need humans to feed on. In an act of desperation, they beset the Hoodoo House and take ten slaves to sustain them. Rainier takes a girl named Catheryn for himself, but her blood is giving him terrible side effects. Still, he refuses to give her up. Even when the Hoodoo Queen demands her return.

The NOLA Division is in danger. The waters are rising. Food is running out. And the Hoodoo Queen is about to destroy everything that’s left if the pirates don’t meet her request. Now Catheryn must choose who will die: the humans who sold her, the witches who bought her, or the vampires who stole her. If she fails to decide, everyone could die.

PIRATE’S CURSE is a standalone contribution to The Berkano Vampire collection. Stories can be read in any order. To learn more, visit FallenSorcery.com

Excerpt:

Rainier nodded. “Things tend to only happen when you are threatened,” he said. “Like the doors when you were chased or the beam when you were cornered.”

“Yes,” she said. “I noticed that as well. Which is why I think the powers are only latent. I cannot control them, but they take on a life of their own to protect me.”

“Yet they allowed you to be captured by me,” he said, wiggling his eyebrows. “Perhaps your powers knew I was not a threat to you.”

“Or they just weren’t quite strong enough yet to fight you off, but it’s only a matter of time,” she said with a teasing smirk.

“Well, we will have to see what other surprises you have in store for me, Catheryn Beauregard,” he said. 

He smiled as they rowed back to the ship. He wanted to believe what she had told him. He didn’t have a reason not to believe her, except that she hadn’t been completely honest with him before. More like lying by omission. But she didn’t trust him before. Why should she? At least now they seemed to have turned a corner. 

But the truth of what she was still gnawed at him. It should be safe for him to feed off a lesser witch. They were usually close enough to human that there should be no side effects from feeding off one. Yet every time he fed from Catheryn, he had those strange visions. And he wasn’t feeling energized the way he should afterward. 

There was still something about Catheryn that didn’t make sense.

 Giveaway:

Giveaway ends October 31st.

The grand prize is:

  • $25 Amazon gift card

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/d04251233349/

Purchase Links:

Amazon

New York Times bestselling author Rebecca Hamilton writes urban fantasy and paranormal romance for Harlequin, Baste Lübbe, and Evershade. A book addict, registered bone marrow donor, and indian food enthusiast, she often takes to fictional worlds to see what perilous situations her characters will find themselves in next. 

Represented by Rossano Trentin of TZLA, Rebecca has been published internationally, in three languages: English, German, and Hungarian.

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LEIGH ANDERSON loves all things Gothic and paranormal. Her master’s thesis was on vampire imagery in Gothic novels and she met her husband while assuming the role of a vampire online. She currently teaches writing at several universities and has a rather impressive collection of tiny hats. She lives in a small town in the mountains with her husband, human child, and two fur-children. She is currently working on too many writing projects, and yet not enough.

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Cilka’s Journey (The Tattooist of Auschwitz: Book 2) by Heather Morris

Cilka's Journey: A Novel (Tattooist of Auschwitz Book 2) by [Morris, Heather]

4 Stars

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

Date of publication: October 1st, 2019

Genre: Women’s Fiction, Historical Fiction

Series: The Tattooist of Auschwitz

The Tattooist of Auschwitz—Book 1

Cilka’s Journey—Book 2

Where you can find Cilka’s Journey: Barnes and Noble | Amazon | BookBub

Book Synopsis:

From the author of the multi-million copy bestseller, The Tattooist of Auschwitz, comes the new novel based on an incredible true story of love and resilience.

Her beauty saved her life – and condemned her.

Cilka is just sixteen years old when she is taken to Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp, in 1942. The Commandant at Birkenau, Schwarzhuber, notices her long beautiful hair, and forces her separation from the other women prisoners. Cilka learns quickly that power, even unwillingly given, equals survival.

After liberation, Cilka is charged as a collaborator for sleeping with the enemy and sent to Siberia. But what choice did she have? And where did the lines of morality lie for Cilka, who was sent to Auschwitz when still a child?

In a Siberian prison camp, Cilka faces challenges both new and horribly familiar, including the unwanted attention of the guards. But when she makes an impression on a woman doctor, Cilka is taken under her wing. Cilka begins to tend to the ill in the camp, struggling to care for them under brutal conditions.

Cilka finds endless resources within herself as she daily confronts death and faces terror. And when she nurses a man called Ivan, Cilka finds that despite everything that has happened to her, there is room in her heart for love. 

First Line:

Cilka stares at the soldier standing in front of her, part of the army that has entered the camp.

Cilka’s Journey by Heather Morris

My Review:

I usually do not read books that are based on real events. I have found that my knowledge of the event overshadowed the book. I couldn’t help but compare what happened to what was going on in the book. I would almost always end up disappointed in the book. Then I read The Tattooist of Auschwitz, which is the first book in this series. I was taken away by Lale’s story. Cilka was introduced in this book. She was a mysterious and enigmatic character. I wondered what happened to her at the end of the book. What I read in Cilka’s Journey broke my heart.

Cilka was a child when she caught the attention of The Commandant. Which sickened me in the first book. In this book, I was still sickened. What he did to Cilka in those years was heartbreaking. But, it was what happened after Auschwitz was released that broke my heart.

Cilka was found to be a Nazi collaborator because the Russian Army found out that she was sleeping with The Commandant. Instead of earning her freedom, she was sentenced to 15 years of hard labor in Siberia. I was outraged when I read that. She was traumatized at a young age, forced to watch friends and family die/killed, and then, instead of being able to heal, she was retraumatized on top of that.

I know that I am making a big deal about Cilka’s age in this book. She was 16 when she was sent to Auschwitz. She was around 20 when she was sent to Siberia. She suffered trauma after trauma in Auschwitz. So, yes, I was shocked when the Russian Army sent her to Siberia. She was forced to do what she had to survive, which mean becoming a camp wife of a soldier. I can’t tell you how that affected me. The abuse shook me. She suffered in both places. There were points where I wanted to hug her, take her away, and get her therapy.

The prison camp in Siberia was as bad as Auschwitz. But, and stress this, the prisoners could leave, if they survived to the end of the sentences. It was an awful place to live. Disease and violence were rampant. To my knowledge, I don’t think that I have read a book that takes place in one. I have heard of them and have seen them mentioned in books.

Cilka’s Journey was not an easy read. There were times I had to put the book down and walk away because I was that disturbed by it. The emotional impact that it had on me lasted days after I read it.

The end of Cilka’s Journey was informative. The author included a note about Cilka and her life after the prison camp. While the characters portrayed in the prison camp were fictional, the camp itself wasn’t. The author explained what happened to it and when it closed down.

I would give Cilka’s Journey an Adult rating. There is sex. There is mild language. There is graphic violence. I would recommend that no one under the age of 21 read this book.

I would reread Cilka’s Journey. I would recommend it to family and friends.

**I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book**

The Earl of Smuggler’s Cove: Regency Romance: An Exciting Tale of Romance and Smuggling in Cornwall by Kate Carteret

The Earl of Smugglers' Cove: Regency Romance: An Exciting Tale of Romance and Smuggling in Regency Cornwall by [Carteret, Kate]

4 Stars

Publisher: Dashing Dandies Publishing

Date of publication: August 30th, 2019

Genre: Romance

Where you can find The Earl of Smuggler’s Cove: Amazon

Book synopsis:

AN EXCITING TALE OF ROMANCE, MYSTERY, AND SMUGGLING IN REGENCY CORNWALL FROM AMAZON BEST-SELLING AUTHOR KATE CARTERET.

When Sir Edmund Tate dies, he leaves his daughter in the care of his old friend, The Earl of Northcott. He is a kindly guardian, one whom Clarissa grows very fond of. But he’s a man with a secret, and that secret sent his youngest son to live in the house on Smuggler’s Cove.

When the Earl hints at the secret in his last days, Clarissa wonders if she will ever discover the truth behind the rift which made father and son strangers for so many years and turned one brother against the other.

Left in the care of Philip Ravenswood, the successor to the Earldom of Northcott, Clarissa finds herself drawn deeper and deeper into a secret friendship with his handsome but unconventional brother, Felix, visiting the beautiful Smugglers’ Cove more and more. She is a little afraid of his reputation, but cannot stop herself falling for him.

When smugglers return to the old cove, dangerous men determined to keep Cornwall’s old tradition alive, can Clarissa find the truth and stop suspicion falling upon Felix. And can she uncover the biggest secret of them all to lift the veil from the lie the Northcott Estate has sheltered beneath for so long?

A tale of love, excitement, and mystery on the rugged, beautiful, and sometimes unforgiving Cornish Coast.

First Line:

Try to take a little water, Lord Northcott, you must.

The Earl of Smuggler’s Cove by Kate Carteret

My Review:

Man, I needed to read this book. I have read a string of middle-grade books, and I was craving something more adult. So when I saw that The Earl of Smuggler’s Cove was up next on my TBR, I couldn’t wait to read it.

The Earl of Smuggler’s Cove was an exciting mix of mystery and romance. The plotline centers around a young girl, Clarissa, who is the ward of Lord Northcutt. Lord Northcutt is dying and wishes to make amends with his son, who he hasn’t seen in years. Clarissa is forced to sneak Felix in the house so he can say his final farewells. On his deathbed, Lord Northcutt reveals that he has been carrying a secret for years but passes before he could tell what it was. Curious, Clarissa starts looking into it, with the help of Felix . She soon realizes that someone is desperate to keep it from coming out and will do anything to keep it buried. At the same time, Clarissa realizes that she is falling in love with Felix. What is the secret? Will Clarissa and Felix be able to discover it and come out unscathed?

The plot for The Earl of Smuggler’s Cove got off to a slow start. I didn’t mind it, though. The author laid the backstories of Clarissa and Felix in those first few chapters. She also did a fantastic job of beginning the mystery. After those chapters, the book took off. It became a quick read for me. I couldn’t put it down because I needed to know what was going on.

I loved the setting for The Earl of Smuggler’s Cove. It takes place in Cornwall, England. I can trace my roots back to that area on my father’s side, so I was fascinated by what I read. Especially the smuggling. I had no idea that it was such a huge thing back then. I loved that the author chose to include the local dialect.

I loved Clarissa. I did feel that she was between a rock and a hard place for the first half of the book. But she dealt with everything with grace. The second half of the book showcased how strong she was. She was living with people who were idiots. She dealt with smarmy men trying to woo her. She dealt with them with grace and class that I found admirable. I did think she was headstrong at times (thinking of a particular scene on the beach).

I loved Felix. He felt awful for holding on to his anger at his father. I mean, it was justifiable, considering what his father did to his mother. But he was able to put it aside and make amends before his father died. I liked how he treated Clarissa too. He didn’t treat her like a proper young lady. He went along with her desire to find out what his father’s secret was. And he was able to protect her at the end of the book.

The Earl of Smuggler’s Cove is a clean romance. Plain and simple, that means that there is no sex. There are some kissing scenes, but that is it. Clarissa and Felix’s romance was sweet. I loved it.

There are two mysteries in The Earl of Smuggler’s Cove. One centered around Felix’s father’s secret. I loved how the author executed that. The clues were spaced out. I did guess at what the secret was but, and stress but, I wasn’t expecting the full scope of the mystery. That took me by surprise.

The other mystery is about the smugglers. Again, the author did a fantastic job of making me wonder if there were smugglers in the cove. I wasn’t surprised by what was revealed. But I was surprised at who was involved. Looking back, it made sense.

The end of The Earl of Smuggler’s Cove was explosive. The author did a great job of revealing what the secret was and if there were smugglers. What I enjoyed is that they were told almost simultaneously. It made for an epic ending. I also loved the epilogue. It made my heart go all fluttery when I read it!!

I would give The Earl of Smuggler’s Cove an older Teen rating. There is no sex. There is no language. There is very mild violence. I would recommend that no one under the age of 16 read this book.

I would reread The Earl of Smuggler’s Cove. I would recommend it to family and friends.

**I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book**

The Devil’s Apprentice (The Great Devil War: Book 1) by Kenneth B. Andersen

The Devil's Apprentice: The Great Devil War I by [Andersen, Kenneth B., Andersen, Kenneth Bøgh]

5 Stars

Publisher:

Date of publication: October 8th, 2018

Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult

Series: The Great Devil War

The Devil’s Apprentice—Book 1

The Die of Death—Book 2

The Wrongful Death—Book 3

The Angel of Evil—Book 4

The Fallen Angel—Book 5 (expected publication date: 2020)

The Fallen Devil—Book 6 (expected publication date: 2020)

Where you can find The Devil’s Apprentice: Amazon | BookBub

Book Synopsis:

Philip is a good boy, a really good boy, who accidentally gets sent to Hell to become the Devil’s heir. The Devil, Lucifer, is dying and desperately in need of a successor, but there’s been a mistake and Philip is the wrong boy. Philip is terrible at being bad, but Lucifer has no other choice than to begin the difficult task of training him in the ways of evil. Philip gets both friends and enemies in this odd, gloomy underworld—but who can he trust, when he discovers an evil-minded plot against the dark throne?

The Devil’s Apprentice is volume 1 in The Great Devil War-series.

First Line:

Philip heard him.

The Devil’s Apprentice by Kenneth B. Andersen

My Review:

The Devil’s Apprentice is the story about Philip. Philip is a good boy. So Philip was puzzled when he dies after a car accident, and he goes to Hell. It is after meeting Lucifer that they realize a mistake has been made. The wrong boy died. Lucifer is desperate and he needs an heir because he is dying. So, he makes Philip his heir and is determined to teach him how to become evil.

Meanwhile, Philip is busy making friends (and enemies). He also discovers that what is happening to Lucifer is being done on purpose. Will Philip turn evil? Will he be able to find out what is happening to Lucifer?

The Devil’s Apprentice did get off to a slow start. I understand that the author was doing the character and world-building at the time. The slowness lasted only for a couple of chapters. Once Philip was in Hell, the book sped up. There was zero lag in the plotline. That, along with the nicely moving plotline, made The Devil’s Apprentice a good read for me.

I was a little skeptical about a young adult novel set in Hell. But, the author was able to make Hell approachable. There was a town where the demons lived with the main street called Maim Street. I loved that the author took a place that has been associated with evil and made it into something somewhat normal and relatable. Of course, it had its dark side, and that dark side showed up often.

I liked Philip. I did feel bad for him when he first realized he was in Hell. Talk about shock!! He did acclimate as well as a human could. I mean, he was surrounded by all sorts of devils and demons. I know I wouldn’t have acclimated as well as he did!

I wasn’t too sure about Satina for a good part of the book. I thought that she was using Philip right from the beginning. By the middle of the book, I was divided on how I felt about her. It wasn’t until Philip fought Aziel that my opinion of her turned.

The storyline with Philip trying to figure out why Lucifer was dying was interesting. The author did a great job of keeping why and who was trying to kill Lucifer under wraps. I was surprised when it was revealed at the end of the book.

The other main storyline, Philip being in Hell, was fascinating. I did wonder if he was ever going to go back to Earth. That was my thoughts for the first half of the book. My thoughts on the second half were “No freaking way.” Philip changed so much in that part of the book. Now, I am wondering how that is going to affect him in real life.

The end of The Devil’s Apprentice was satisfying. The author wrapped up some storylines but left other storylines open. I can’t wait to read the next book.

I would give The Devil’s Apprentice a Young Teen rating. There is no sex. There is no language. There is very violence. I would recommend that no one under the age of 13 read this book.

I am on the fence if I would reread The Devil’s Apprentice. I am also on the fence if I would recommend it to family and friends.

**I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book**