Tag: book 2

Stepbrother with Benefits (The Masons: Book 2) by Hazel Kelly

Stepbrother With Benefits: An Opposites Attract Romance (Mason Family Book 2) by [Kelly, Hazel]

4 Stars

Publisher:

Date of publication: February 3rd, 2020

Genre: Romance

Series: The Masons

My Best Friend’s Sister—Book 1 (review here)

Stepbrother with Benefits—Book 2

Where you can find Stepbrother with Benefits: Amazon

Book Synopsis:

The first time I laid eyes on James Mason, the world stood still.

Unfortunately, the tether ball I’d just spiked didn’t, and when it ploughed into the back of my distracted head, I bit my tongue so hard I tasted blood.

I don’t know why I was so dumbstruck. All he did was ride up on his skateboard and call my best friend’s name.

Perhaps it was his confidence that roused me. Or the funny cowlick at the front of his dirty-blond hair. Or the way his jeans sagged on his hips… Not that I’d ever noticed the way a boy’s jeans fit before.

But it wasn’t my name he called that day, and it never will be.

Because guys like James Mason don’t fall for bookworms like me. And even if they did, that farfetched dream died the day he became the stepbrother I never wanted.

Not that I don’t want him.

I love the idea of him wrestling me to the floor and pinning me down with the weight of his body. But there’s nothing familial about the way I wish he would pull my hair, the way I wish he would pull me close.

I’ll be taking that secret to the grave, though, because our families have been through enough.

Besides, he doesn’t see me that way.

So I keep biting my tongue. As hard as it takes to keep my secret.

And only when I’m alone do I ever imagine that it’s him.

First Line:

The first time I laid eyes on James Mason, the world stood still.

Stepbrother with Benefits by Hazel Kelly

My Review:

Stepbrother with Benefits is book 2 in The Masons Series. I keep going back and forth if you can read this book as a standalone. In some sense, yes, you can. But if you want to understand the dynamics of James and Brie’s combined family, then I would highly recommend reading book one first. It explains the backstory to the series better than this book does.

I am going to throw up a trigger warning. A professor sexually assaults Brie in the middle of the book. It wasn’t rape but a combination of grabbing (breast and genitals) and threats made against Brie. It was a direct reference to the #MeToo moment. If this triggers you, I suggest picking up another book to read. The author did a fantastic job of showing how raw Brie was after that and how she dealt with it.

Brie and James had some serious chemistry going on in this book. Even before they had sex, their encounters were sexually charged. When they had sex, it was flipping amazeballs. One of the best sex scenes I have read to date. Even I was left feeling fulfilled by reading it!!

I didn’t get the “Ewww” factor with Brie and James being stepbrother and sister. One reason: They weren’t blood-related. Another reason: They weren’t raised to think of themselves as siblings. Brie was Maddy’s friend way before James’s father, and Brie’s mother got married. So they knew each other. If anything, I thought that it was a sweet romance. It was evident that James loved Brie. I guessed that right from the beginning.

I liked Brie, and I had an instant connection with her. She was quiet and didn’t bother anyone. She was loyal to her best friend, to the point where she backed off when she thought her friend was interested in James. But, she was also a fighter and a survivor.

I loved James in this book. He had come across as uptight and controlling in Maddy and Quinn’s story. So to see him unbend in this book was excellent. What I loved is that he acknowledged his feelings for Brie reasonably early in the book, and he spent most of the book trying to win her over. The most telling scene was when he went after the professor but refused to do anything. I had tears streaming down my face. If only all men (and women) could act like that when a loved one had been harmed. I loved that he also fought for her. He started reading Harry Potter, and that scene in the ice cream store was sweet.

I will say that both Brie and James dealt with the backlash about their relationship fantastically. I loved how James put various people in their places.

The end of Stepbrother with Benefits was terrific. Not only did it set up Maeve’s story perfectly, but the way it ended with James and Brie was perfect. Put it this way, they both deserved the HEA that they got.

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

I would reread Stepbrother with Benefits. I would recommend it to family and friends.

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

Scot Under the Covers (Wild Wicked Highlanders: Book 2) by Suzanne Enoch

Scot Under the Covers: The Wild Wicked Highlanders by [Enoch, Suzanne]

4 Stars

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

Date of publication: January 28th, 2019

Genre: Romance

Series: Wild, Wicked Highlanders

It’s Getting Scot in Here—Book 1 (Review Here)

Scot Under the Covers—Book 2

Where you can find Scot Under the Covers: Barnes and Noble | Amazon | BookBub

Book Synopsis:

When a resourceful English lady and a hot-blooded Highlander join forces to trick a scoundrel, every rule will be broken!

Miranda Harris is known for her charm, wit, and ability to solve any problem she encounters. But when her brother lands neck-deep in gambling debt to a crafty villain and Miranda is subsequently blackmailed into marrying him, she must enlist the help of the devil himself to save the family honor―and herself.

Devilishly handsome Highlander Aden MacTaggert knows next to nothing about the ways of the ton, but he most certainly knows his way around gaming halls and womens’ hearts. Still, Aden is not sure how he’ll manage to find a Sassenach bride in time to save his family’s inheritance. When his almost sister-in-law Miranda comes to him for assistance, he proposes a partnership: She will help him navigate London society and he’ll teach her everything about wagering…and winning back her freedom. The beautiful, clever lass intrigues Aden―but is she playing her own game, or are the sparks between them real? He is accustomed to risking his pocket. But betting on Miranda’s love is a game he can’t afford to lose. . .

First Line:

“I said he was in the doorway,” Aden MacTaggert stated, eyeing his older brother on the great black Friesian warhorse Coll rode.

Scot Under the Covers by Suzanne Enoch

My Review:

I am a massive fan of historical romances. I am also a massive fan of historical romances that involve Highlanders. So, when I saw that Scot Under the Covers was up for review, I knew that I needed to read it.

Scot Under the Covers is the 2nd book in the Wild, Wicked Highlanders series. This book can be read as a standalone book, but I would highly recommend reading book 1. That way, you can get a feel for the boys’ relationship with their mother and her demand that brought them to London. It is explained in this book but gets more in-depth in book 1.

Scot Under the Cover got off to a slow start. I did appreciate the slow start. The author chose to lay the groundwork for Miranda’s storyline. She also decided to let the reader get a good feel for what type of person Aden was. The book did pick up in pace after that first couple of chapters, and it kept a steady pace throughout the book.

I loved Miranda’s character growth in this book. She was introduced as a shy, sheltered debutante. She was sharp, and she knew how to defend herself verbally. Her character growth came when she was forced into an engagement to Captain Robert Vale. She was forced to depend on her wits to outwit him, and when that didn’t work, she turned to Aden. By the end of the book, she was an amazing woman, and she was worthy of Aden.

I had liked Aden in the previous book. The small glimpse that was given of him showed him to be a man who took risks, in and out of the gaming hells. If I liked him in the previous books, I loved him in this one. He knew something was going on with Miranda. Once he found out what was going on, he was going to do anything and everything to help her. What I liked is that not everything is what it seems with him. He had layers upon layers. It was interesting to see what was going to be revealed once one of his layers were peeled back.

I never do this, but I loved the villain in this book. Captain Robert Vale was indeed an evil man. Each one of his interactions with Miranda gave me chills. How he got to Miranda gave me chills. Everything about him gave me chills. I was surprised that he was juggling more than one ball, though. When that was revealed, I did have hope for Miranda after that.

Aden and Miranda’s romance got off to a slow start. She was attracted to him (and him to her), but she was too focused on trying to shake Captain Robert Vale to acknowledge it. It was when Aden found out what was going on that their romance sparked. Then it was all downhill. Aden knew that he was going to marry Miranda reasonably early in the book. It took Miranda much longer to come to that realization.

This is not a clean romance. There is sex. Now how the sex scene came about is interesting. Miranda didn’t want Captain Robert Vale to take her virginity. She asks Aden, who is more than happy to help. The sex scenes were tastefully written and were hot.

I was a little annoyed (actually a lot) with Miranda’s brother and his role in everything. How she could keep talking to him after that baffled me. I also don’t understand how Aden kept his temper too.

The end of the book was nothing short of amazing. But, I was a little put off by how Miranda and Captain Robert Vale’s storyline ended. I was left unfulfilled and feeling a little irritated. But, other than that, amazing and a real HEA!!!

I would give Scot Under the Covers an Adult rating. There are sexual situations. There is language. There is violence. I would recommend that no one under the age of 21 read this book.

I would reread Scot Under the Covers. I would recommend it to family and friends.

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

No Mercy (Ellery Hathaway: Book 2) by Joanna Schaffhausen

No Mercy: A Mystery (Ellery Hathaway Book 2) by [Schaffhausen, Joanna]

4 Stars

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books

Date of publication: January 15th, 2019

Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Suspense

Series: Ellery Hathaway

The Vanishing Season—Book 1 (Review Here)

No Mercy—Book 2

All the Best Lies—Book 3 (expected publication date: February 11th, 2020)

Where you can find No Mercy: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | BookBub

Book Synopsis:

Police officer Ellery Hathaway and FBI profiler Reed Markham take on two difficult new cases in this stunning follow-up to The Vanishing Season.

No Mercy is award-winning author Joanna Schaffhausen’s heart-pounding second novel.

Police officer Ellery Hathaway is on involuntary leave from her job because she shot a murderer in cold blood and refuses to apologize for it. Forced into group therapy for victims of violent crime, Ellery immediately finds higher priorities than “getting in touch with her feelings.”

For one, she suspects a fellow group member may have helped to convict the wrong man for a deadly arson incident years ago. For another, Ellery finds herself in the desperate clutches of a woman who survived a brutal rape. He is still out there, this man with the Spider-Man-like ability to climb through bedroom windows, and his victim beseeches Ellery for help in capturing her attacker.

Ellery seeks advice from her friend, FBI profiler Reed Markham, who liberated her from a killer’s closet when she was a child. Reed remains drawn to this unpredictable woman, the one he rescued but couldn’t quite save. The trouble is, Reed is up for a potential big promotion, and his boss has just one condition for the new job—stay away from Ellery. Ellery ignores all the warnings. Instead, she starts digging around in everyone’s past but her own—a move that, at best, could put her out of work permanently, and at worst, could put her in the city morgue.

First Line:

You kill one guy, one time, and suddenly everyone thinks you need therapy, Ellery Hathaway thought as she stood in the biting wind of the subway T platform overlooking the icy Charles River.

My Review:

No Mercy’s plotline was simple. Ellery is on involuntary leave after killing the person who had kidnapped four people and killed them. She is also forced into group therapy for people who have survived violent crimes. Figuring that all she needs to do is show up, Ellery is soon drawn into two different crimes. One involves a woman who survived a brutal rape and is desperate for the rapist to be found. The other crime consists of a woman who lost her son in a fire set by an arsonist, 25 years ago. The man convicted for the crime has been paroled, and Ellery isn’t sure if he did it. Instead, she thinks that someone close to the family set the fire. So, what does Ellery do? She calls Reed and asks him for his help. Will Ellery be able to help the rape victim? And will she get to the bottom of the arson?

When I started reading No Mercy, I didn’t know what to expect, plotwise. Because it is book 2, I was expecting this to be more of a filler book. I was expecting the pacing of this book to be slower than The Vanishing Season. Then I started reading it, and all of those preconceived expectations were blown away. This book was not a filler book. The pacing of No Mercy was as fast as The Vanishing Season, if not faster. I did not expect that and loved it!!!

I loved Ellery in No Mercy. She was the same wiseass woman, but there was more of an edge to her. She didn’t hide who she was or what had happened to her. That did cause some minor issues in the book. What amazed me about her was her character growth during the book. Instead of holding people at arm’s length, she started slowly letting them in. She showed empathy towards Wendy. It was beautiful to watch, knowing that her past hindered her. I hope that in the next book, there is even more character growth.

I liked Reed in this book. I liked that the author made his character flawed. There were some parts of the book where I didn’t feel bad for him, though. Like when he made promises that he couldn’t keep (taking his daughter to Disney World) or when he kept missing visitations with her. Because he was with Ellery, helping her with those two cases. But, at the same time, it was evident that he loved his daughter. He did help Ellery with her two cases. His insights lead to some significant breaks in those cases.

The one thing that I wasn’t crazy about in this book was the romance scenes between Ellery and Reed. While it did add to Ellery’s recovery (remember she was sexually assaulted), I didn’t think it had a place in the book. I could have done without it.

The plotline with Wendy, the rape victim, was heartbreaking. To see a woman beaten down the way she was broke my heart. When she reached out to Ellery, she was nearing rock bottom. I did like how the author kept that storyline going without it intertwining with the main storyline. I do wish that there was a better ending. But, unfortunately, that ending of that plotline was all too realistic.

The plotline with Mayra and the fire was interesting. There were so many twists and turns that I genuinely didn’t know how it was going to turn out. The author had me choosing between 3 people as to who set the fire and guess what; it was neither!! I did like how she wrapped that plotline up.

No Mercy cannot be read as a standalone book. It would be best if you read The Vanishing Season before reading this book. I can’t stress this enough.

The end of No Mercy was exciting. There was a small secondary storyline about Reed and his biological mother that was intertwined with one about a family DNA test, what Reed finds out at the end of the book set up for book three perfectly. I can’t wait to read it!!

I would give No Mercy an Adult rating. There are sexual situations. There is language. There is violence. I would recommend that no one under the age of 21 read this book.

I would reread No Mercy. I would recommend it to family and friends.

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

Small Town Family (Door County: Book 2) by Margaret Watson

Small-Town Family (Door County Book 2) by [Watson, Margaret]

4 Stars

Publisher: Dragonfly Press

Date of publication: 2019

Genre: Romance

Series: Door County

Small-Town Secrets—Book 1 (review here)

Small Town Family—Book 2

Stranger in a Small Town—Book 3

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

Book Synopsis:

Reporter Dylan Smith comes to Sturgeon Falls to find his father. He has only one lead – charter boat captain Charlotte Burns.

After a rocky childhood and disastrous marriage, Charlotte is wary and guarded. The charming reporter sets off all her alarms, but she can’t resist him.

His questions point to Gus, who was like a father to Charlotte. Knowing this could destroy Gus’s marriage, Charlotte’s caught between her loyalty to Gus and her growing feelings for Dylan.

Families come in all shapes and forms. Can Dylan and Charlotte create the bonds that make a family? Or will secrets tear them apart?

First Line:

“What do you think you’re doing?”

Small-Town Family by Margaret Watson

My Review:

As I was reading Small-Town Family, I realized, it has been a while since I have read any romance. Which is crazy since they are the books I like to read the most. I was super excited to start reading Small-Town Family.

Another reason why I was so excited to read this book was that I kept pushing it to the back burner, which I try not to do. When indie authors contact me, I try to make their book a priority. But, sometimes, life gets in the way – which is what happened here. When I rewrote my reading schedule (something I do 2-3 times a year), I made sure that all indie authors were first.

The plotline for Small-Town Family was surprisingly fast-moving. I wasn’t expecting this book to have a fast-moving plotline. I was expecting it to be slower. But, it was a pleasant surprise and fit with the storyline. There were no dropped characters or storylines, either. That made for a great read.

I thought that the main characters in Small-Town Family were well written. I liked that they weren’t “perfect.” Charlotte had issues with trust, and she had a temper. Dylan was secretive to the point that it interfered with his and Charlotte’s relationship. I liked that the author wrote those characters like that. It made for an exciting read.

The main storyline, Dylan’s search for his father, was well written. I did figure out early on in the book who Dylan’s father was. I was suspicious at first because, hey, it was too convenient. It wasn’t until Charlotte was talking to a specific character that my internal radar went “ding, ding, ding.”

The secondary storyline about the marina was exciting, but honestly, I was not too fond of it. I get why the author put it in the book. There needed to be a common ground for Charlotte and Dylan to bond over. I figured out what was going on the minute Charlotte’s boat was chartered. I wasn’t surprised when the bad guys were revealed.

The romance between Dylan and Charlotte was sweet, but man, it seemed to take forever to get there. Charlotte’s instant distrust of Dylan was a big drawback. But, once Charlotte decided to let Dylan in, my cup runneth over. I liked that Charlotte was the one who chose to let things move forward. That led to some pretty hot sex scenes.

The end of Small-Town Family was satisfying. I wasn’t sure if I liked how Dylan’s father was revealed or the anger that went along with it. I also think that what was asked of Charlotte was wrong. But it did work out in the end. Both storylines were wrapped up in a way that made me smile and do a fist pump.

I would give Small-Town Family 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 Small-Town Family. I would recommend it to family and friends.

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

Jesse, Jake & The Return of Antheia (Jesse and Jake: Book 2) by Ken John

Jesse, Jake & The Return of Antheia (Jesse & Jake Book 2) by [John, Ken]

4 Stars

Publisher:

Date of publication: August 11th, 2019

Genre: Middle Grade

Series: Jesse Winkler

Jesse & The Thinkers—Book 1 (review here)

Jesse, Jake, & The Return of Antheia—Book 2

Where you can find Jesse, Jake & The Return of Antheia: Amazon | BookBub

Book Synopsis:

In this second instalment of the book series, Jake has earned his way onto the title, and rightly so. Jesse and Jake continue on their journey to save Thinkland from Zar’s invasion.

Some may wonder why they have taken it upon themselves to go up against Zar? But if they sit back and watch him invade Thinkland, Earthland will be next.

Will bravery be enough to take on the mighty Zar? Or will they fall deeper into his web?

The plot thickens as we follow Jesse and Jake on their extraordinary journey into the unknown.

First Line:

“My god, Mysterious, what have they done to you?”

Jesse, Jake, & The Return of Antheia by Ken John

My Review:

I was looking forward to reading Jesse, Jake, & The Return of Antheia. I wanted to read more about the adventures of Jake, Jesse, and the friends that they meet along the way. I was not disappointed in this book.

The plotline for Jesse, Jake, & The Return of Antheia was medium paced. There were some sections that I felt could have been trimmed (Zenden’s time with Ajahn is one). But overall, it was well written.

The characters in Jesse, Jake, & The Return of Antheia were well written. I loved seeing Jake get more attention in this book. I felt that Jake got pushed to the background in the first book. So, it was nice to see Jake made a focal point in this book. I got a better feel for his character and the decisions that he made. What I didn’t understand, and hopefully it will be explained in the next book is why Zar was so focused on him.

Speaking of Zar, I was torn about how I felt about him. I went into this book, thinking one thing. But, I came out on the other side, wondering how bad he was. He did make several good points about Thinkland and its issues (the highlanders and the lowlanders). And the way he treated Jake raised all sorts of questions. His interactions with Abyzou was interesting also. Again, it raised more questions than answers and hopefully will be answered in the next book.

There were some adult themes that the author did try to bring to a middle-grade level. Abyzou’s daughter’s death was a huge one. The author did a great job of explaining of how she died. My heart broke for Abyzou. Her world was shattered when her daughter was killed. There is a surprising connection between Abyzou, her daughter, and a friend of Jesse and Jake. I didn’t get it until Jesse relived Huli jing’s worst memory. Then it all made sense to me.

The plotline involving Antheia was woven into the plotline of Jesse and Jake searching for Zar. The author did take me by surprise at who Antheia was. I had a “Wait a minute” moment and had to reread that paragraph.

The end of Jesse, Jake, and the Return of Antheia was exciting. While Antheia’s plotline was ended, the main plotline was not. Instead, more questions were raised. I hope that they will be answered in Book 3!!

I would give Jesse, Jake, & the Return of Antheia a Tween rating. There is no sex. There is no language. There is mild violence. I would recommend that no one under the age of 10 read this book.

I would reread Jesse, Jake, & the Return of Antheia. I would recommend it to family and friends.

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

Forever My Duke (Unlikely Duchesses: Book 2) by Olivia Drake

Forever My Duke: Unlikely Duchesses by [Drake, Olivia]

3 Stars

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

Date of publication: December 31st, 2019

Genre: Romance

Series: Unlikely Duchesses

The Duke I Once Knew—Book 1 (Review Here)

Forever My Duke—Book 2

Where you can find Forever My Duke: Barnes and Noble | Amazon | BookBub

Book Synopsis:

“I find Miss Fanshawe to be quite charming—for an American.”—The Prince Regent

Hadrian Ames, the Duke of Clayton, needs a bride. He even has the perfect one picked out. That is, until he meets the lovely, free-spirited Natalie Fanshawe. She’s the opposite of what a man of his high rank should desire in a wife—an outspoken American who has never even set foot in a London ballroom.

But Natalie doesn’t have time to be swept off her feet by a handsome duke who must be a spoiled scoundrel like every other British lord. And she couldn’t care less about Hadrian’s title. After all, it’s not as if he actually worked to attain his wealth and status. He surely can’t understand what it’s like to be a busy woman, planning to open a school while trying to reunite a six-year-old orphan with his English relatives. Nevertheless, Hadrian launches his campaign to win her heart. Can the utterly delightful American beauty ever find a way to love him…despite his being a duke?

First Line:

Hadrian Ames, the eighth Duke of Clayton, shut the door against the noise of the taproom.

Forever My Duke by Olivia Drake

My Review:

Regency-era romances have always been a favorite of mine to read. I love immersing myself in those types of novels. So, when I saw that Forever My Duke was up for review, I jumped on it. I couldn’t wait to read about the American who captures the Duke. While I enjoyed the book, the female main character got on my nerves. I wasn’t a fan of how the six-year-old was treated by the Earl and his family.

Forever My Duke is the second book in the Unlikely Duchesses series. It can be read as a stand-alone. I did enjoy that. I am not a fan of picking up a book mid-series and then realizing I have to read the previous books. But, at the same time, I wish that there was more of a tie in to the first book. There was no mention of Abby and Max in this book. So, yeah, complete opposite reactions from me.

I did like Natalie. She had gone through a lot before arriving in England. My heart broke for her when she revealed what happened on the day of the massacre. What she did to protect the children. My pity for her did wane a little when she opened her mouth. She was abrasive and defensive. Her opinions on England’s hierarchy, while right, made her even harsh. There were points in the book where I wanted to reach in there and shake her. It got that bad. Plus, she wasn’t a perfect childminder. Leo disappeared several times while in her care. Drove me nuts.

I had to agree with a comment made during the book about Hadrian being uptight. He was very uptight. I loved seeing him gradually unbend. He became an interesting person to read about because of that. I did think it was creepy that he wanted to a) marry his 2nd cousin and b) marry her knowing she was barely 17. I know that is how it was done back then, but it didn’t lessen the ick factor for me. I loved how gentle he was with Natalie and Leo. Made my heart swoon. Of course, I never doubted his feelings for Natalie (who did). His actions at the end of the book with Leo spoke volumes.

I LOVED Leo. For a child who had undergone an extremely traumatic experience, he didn’t act like it. He acted like a typical six-year-old boy. I loved it. I loved that the author didn’t try and make him act like a miniature adult. Instead, he got into situations that a child his age would typically get into. Well, except for the end, with his uncle. But how that ended was flipping hilarious.

I didn’t get a romantic connection between Natalie and Hadrian until halfway through the book. Hadrian was focused on wooing his cousin (which resulted in an amusing secondary storyline). The romance didn’t start until they were at his house in London. Even then, I wouldn’t describe it as an immediate thing. It took some time for Hadrian and Natalie even to acknowledge their feeling. But once they did, it took off.

There were several intertwined storylines in Forever My Duke. The main storyline, Natalie delivering Leo to his maternal grandfather, was intertwined with Hadrian and Natalie’s romance. Intertwined with both storylines was the secondary storyline with Leo’s uncle and Natalie’s mysterious parentage. All of these storylines did make for an engaging read.

The end of Forever My Duke was one of the best I have read to date. Leo was hilarious. I liked that Natalie made amends with certain people from her past. I do wonder who the next book will be about.

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

I would reread Forever My Duke. I would recommend it to family and friends.

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

The Die of Death (The Great Devil War: Book 2) by Kenneth B. Andersen

The Die of Death: The Great Devil War II by [Andersen, Kenneth B., Andersen, Kenneth Bøgh]

4 Stars

Publisher:

Date of publication: October 5th, 2018

Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult

Series: The Great Devil War

The Devil’s Apprentice—Book 1 (Review Here)

The Die of Death—Book 2

The Wrongful Death—Book 3

The Angel of Evil—Book 4

The Fallen Angel—Book 5

The Fallen Devil—Book 6

Where you can find The Die of Death: Amazon | BookBub

Book Synopsis:

Philip’s adventures as the Devil’s apprentice have changed him—in a good way. Although he misses his friends in Hell, he has made new friends in life. But when the future of the underworld is threatened once again, Philip’s help is needed. Death’s Die has been stolen and immortality is spreading across the globe. Philip throws himself into the search—and discovers a horrible truth about his own life along the way.

The Die of Death is volume 2 in The Great Devil War-series.

First Line:

“Philip.”

The Die of Death by Kenneth B. Andersen

My Review:

The cover of The Die of Death was the first thing that I noticed about the book. It is one of the more arresting covers that I have seen, ever. It caught my eye and made me wonder what the book was going to be like.

The Die of Death is the 2nd book in The Great Devil War series. You cannot read this as a stand-alone. It will help if you read the previous books to understand what was going on in this book. I can’t stress this enough. You will be lost if you decide to read The Die of Death first.

The Die of Death is billed as a young adult fantasy. Because of the subjects discussed and portrayed, I would suggest that an older teen (16+) read the book.

The Die of Death’s plotline was fast-paced. But, it wasn’t so fast that I had issues following the plotline. The author knew when to slow down enough for critical scenes to be absorbed. Also, there were no dropped storylines or characters. I loved it!!

Philip was different in The Die of Death. His time in Hell had changed him. He stood in a more morally gray area. He was still a “good” boy, but there was an edge to him. I wasn’t surprised when he died again. But I was surprised when he was tasked with finding Mortimer’s dice. With Satina’s help (and I loved how teed off she was with him at the beginning), he started to dig into who had the dice. I did not doubt that he would find the dice. But I was surprised at the twists and turns that the story took to get there. Philip visited Purgatory (which was nothing like I imagined) and spent time at Mortimer’s house. I can’t go much after that because of massive spoilers. All I will say is that I wasn’t expecting Philip’s storyline to turn out the way it did.

I loved that the author took evil historical figures and peppered them throughout the book. I had a deep sense of satisfaction when I saw that Jack the Ripper was being chased by the women he murdered.

Philip and Satina’s developing romantic relationship was cute. There were a few “aww” moments with them during the book. I hope that they stay strong in the next book!!

Lucifer was a considerable presence in the book. I am still trying to wrap my head around him being fatherly to Philip. Not something I would even think to say when I think of the devil. I will say that I didn’t agree with his decision, and yes, it did hasten things up quite a bit.

The storyline involving the dice was interesting. I wasn’t expecting who took it. I did think it was another person, so, yes, I was surprised. But, I was also saddened by why the person took it. The hourglasses also saddened me along with the bargain Philip made with Mortimer.

The end of The Die of Death was bittersweet. I wasn’t surprised at who was in Mortimer’s basement. I also wasn’t surprised at what that person did and attempted to do. He got what was coming to him. There was also a perfect lead in to the next book, which I can’t wait to read!!!

I would give The Die of Death an Older Teen rating. There is no sex. There is mild language. There is violence. I would reccomend that no one under the age of 16 read this book.

I would reread The Die of Death. 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**

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**

Highland Jewel (Royal Highlander: Book 2) by May McGoldrick

Highland Jewel: A Royal Highlander Novel by [McGoldrick, May]

5 Stars

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

Date of publication: September 24th, 2019

Genre: Romance

Series: Royal Highlander

Highland Crown—Book 1 (review here)

Highland Jewel—Book 2

Highland Sword—Book 3 (expected publication date: March 31st 2020)

Where you can find Highland Jewel: Barnes and Noble | Amazon | BookBub

Book Synopsis:

The next book in the new lush Scottish historical series from USA Today bestselling author, May McGoldrick.

Maisie Murray is the picture of docility, quiet and compliant in the eyes of her family. To her activist friends, however, she’s a fearless crusader for women’s rights. In the wake of the Peterloo Massacre, Maisie and a friend found the Edinburgh Female Reform Society, and she carries the banner for universal suffrage.

Niall Campbell, a hero of the wars, a decorated officer of the Royal Highland Regiment, is battle weary and searching for stability in his life. A fierce warrior by training and a poet at heart, Niall walks away from the shining career that lies ahead of him, to the dismay of his superiors. In saving his sister when a protest turns violent, he meets Maisie. Their relationship begins as one of experience versus idealism, of scars versus hope. Soon, however, he finds in Maisie the heart he longs for.

When Niall’s sister is arrested and disappears, he quickly realizes his life is not his own, for the British authorities have a mission for him to accomplish in exchange for his sister’s freedom. Overnight, Maisie loses Niall, her friend, and her home. And the wake of the riots that sweep through the cities of Scotland, Maisie’s own sister Isabella is branded a traitor to the crown, and the family must flee to the Highlands. Here in the heart of the Highlands, Maisie runs into Niall again. He has a new name and carries a message of hope―but Niall has a task to complete―and their future rests on their ability to overcome the forces that divide them, or―for the future of Scotland―she must stop the man who owns her heart.

First Line:

Caroline stared down at a carriage that had been brought around from the stables.

Highland Jewel by May McGoldrick

My Review:

Highland Jewel has been on my must-read list since I read Highland Crown. I usually don’t get excited for 2nd books in series. They can be used as a filler book, or the characters aren’t as good as book 1. I have very rarely read a series where book two not only keeps up the pace from book one but exceeds it. Highland Jewel did that.

Highland Jewel’s plotline was fast-paced and well fleshed out. There was no lag in the plotline, which surprised me. There was also no dropped storylines, which thrilled me to no end. What I liked is that the author took the storyline back to before the events in Highland Crown. She was able to make a believable storyline for Maisie while keeping true to the events in Highland Crown. I loved it!!!!!

Maisie surprised me. The picture the author painted of her in Highland Crown was turned upside down. I would have never expected her to be a crusader for women’s rights. What stunned me even further was that she was doing this in an era where women had zero rights. Her passion for what she did carried off the pages. I didn’t understand why she didn’t come clean to her sister and her husband with what she was doing. It puzzled me for most of the book. But a crucial scene with Archibald answered that for me.

I loved Niall. I liked how he had an open mind. When he opened up to Maisie and explained that his parents raised him like that, I started to love him. For a man in that time to think as he did was amazing. He might not have agreed with what Maisie and his sister did, but he supported them. I did feel bad that he was pressured to do what he did. But, he ended up getting the last laugh in the end. Loved it!!

The romance between Niall and Maisie was bittersweet. I loved watching them fall in love. That scene in the coffee house was terrific. Just two people talking and getting to know each other. Their forced separation brought tears to my eyes. What Maisie had to endure, and because of what Niall was forced to do, it made their reunion bittersweet.

While Highland Jewel can be read as a stand-alone book, I would advise reading Highland Crown first. That way there is no confusion when the book goes back to eight months previously, right before the events of Highland Crown.

The storyline with Cinaed was continued into this book. It is essential to keep that storyline in mind because everything that happens in the latter half of the book centers around it. Cinaed’s mother is discussed more, and the real reason she sent Cinaed away is revealed.

The storyline involving Fiona was intriguing. She was part of the same feminist movement that Maisie was. I did raise my eyebrows when she was arrested and held. I had a feeling why, and my feeling was right.

The end of Highland Jewel was exciting. I loved how Niall and Maisie’s storyline ended. Talk about giving me a heart attack at one point. I almost hyperventilated!! The storyline with Cinaed and his mother took an exciting turn, as did the storyline with Fiona. The lead into Morrigan’s book was excellent!! I can’t wait to read it.

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

I would reread Highland Jewel. I would recommend it to family and friends.

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