Book of the Month Poll ~ Which book do you think is best based on the review?
A Kiss Under the Northern Lights by Susan Carlisle
A Kiss Under the Northern Lights by Susan Carlisle
Publisher: Harlequin
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by NymphaeaA CONNECTION TO STAY FOR?
When Dr. Trice moves to the far north of Iceland, she’s looking forward to immersing herself in her job and getting away from her painful past. She’s nervous, but her temporary colleague Dr. Drake Stevansson is happy to show her the ropes. Drake has the looks of a real-life Viking, and a way of making Trice feel safer than she ever has before. Their snow-melting desire is undeniable, but Drake is leaving. So what happens when stolen glances turn to fiery kisses that threaten to derail both of their plans?
Two doctors who deserve a happy ending surrounded by gorgeous vistas.
I love the work of Susan Carlisle. She’s one of my favorite authors and I can’t wait for her next book. When I see a new one’s out, I jump. This one was definitely worth the wait.
Dr. Trice and Dr. Drake are a good combination. I loved them from the beginning and rooted for them to get together. They’re developed and well-rounded characters. I could see them as I read the book and got emotionally involved with them. I didn’t want the story to end. It’s a feel good plot and one I want to revisit often.
If you’re looking for a great book for a chilly night, then this one is the one for you.
Vow of Revenge by P Rayne
Vow of Revenge by P Rayne
Publisher: Avon Books
Genre: Romance, Contemporary, Dark Mafia Romance
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by NymphaeaMirabella La Rosa
When my father arranged for me to marry the heir to the Costa crime family, I swore I’d do anything to escape that fate. I have more to offer than being some man’s arm candy and producing heirs. Marcelo Costa might be my fiancé, but he’ll never be my husband.So when he and his father are killed in a car bombing, I consider myself lucky. No longer will I have to go from being a mafia princess to becoming a mafia wife, I can now attend the Sicuro Academy—a private college created for mafia children like me.
But all my plans come to a screeching halt when Marcelo shows up on campus alive and well, seeking revenge on those that crossed him.
Marcelo Costa
The look of shock on my fiancée’s face when I walked into the classroom pleases me more than it should. Mirabella made it clear she didn’t want to marry me, but at the moment I have a bigger issue on my hands—revenge on whoever killed my father. Once I mete out my own particular brand of justice, I’ll remove Mirabella from campus and make her my wife.
And no amount of pleading on her part will change my mind.
Two opposites who shouldn’t attract, but do.
Mirabella and Marcelo are two people who shouldn’t get together because she isn’t interested in being his wife. Until she has no choice. She heads off to college and wants to move forward with her life after the death of her father. She doesn’t want to be a mafia wife. He can’t see her as anything else.
I liked the combination of the two characters. She’s just as strong-willed as he is and determined to not be with him as much as he’s determined to have her. I liked that they were thrown together, but I wasn’t a fan of the almost insta love aspect. It’s not my favorite, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a great story. Others will absolutely love it. I also had a hard time with her being so young–fresh off to college–and in such a position with Marcelo. She had moments of such maturity, then it switched. This story wasn’t as dark as I’d expected, either. Those looking for a dark romance might want to keep that in mind. If you’re new to dark romance, this is a good one to dip one’s toes into.
If you’re looking for two characters that aren’t what they seem and show growth throughout, then this might be the story for you.
Cross My Heart by Roxy Sloane
Cross My Heart by Roxy Sloane
Publisher: Avon Books
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea“Oxford, England. The city of dreaming spires, dark secrets… And desire.”
Anthony St. Clair. The future Duke of Ashford. A reckless enigma… and my greatest temptation.
I’ve come here, to Oxford University, on a mission—to uncover the truth about what happened to my sister—no matter the cost. Until I meet him…
Saint is my passport to a sensual world of wealth and privilege, but something wicked is lurking behind these ivy covered walls. Secrets these people will kill to protect.
Loyalty is everything to them… but will it be my ruin?
Full of twists and turns!
She wants to know what happened to her sister. Then she meets Saint. Her world gets turned upside down and it’s spicy.
The characters are developed and interesting. I have to admit, Saint wasn’t what I expected. Then again, the whole story wasn’t one I expected. I’ve never read a book considered dark academia, but I did like the atmosphere evoked. It was heavy and dark, but yet intriguing. Now, back to Saint. I wasn’t sure what I expected—stodgy maybe, but he’s certainly a ladies’ man. I liked his unabashed quality. Tessa, on the other hand, wasn’t my favorite character. I hoped she’d be stronger in many ways. I can’t put my finger on it, but I just thought she could have more backbone. That’s not to say it’s a bad read. It might not be my cuppa, but it could certainly be others. It’s hot and steamy.
One note, it does end on a cliffhanger, so be warned. The other note is that this is the first book in a trilogy, so answers may certainly come from the second and third books. I’m glad for that.
If you’re looking for a sexy read for a cold evening, then this might be the one for you.
The Accidental Sisterhood by Julie Edelman
The Accidental Sisterhood by Julie Edelman
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Women’s Fiction, Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by NymphaeaJules Malone has sworn off love after two failed relationships: one with an abusive fiancé whom she calls her white knight-mare, and the other with a nice-but-boring ex with whom she co-parents their son, Max. But then one fateful Christmas Eve, Jules meets Sean, a twinkly-eyed charmer with a captivating smile and an unexpected invitation. Despite Jules’s efforts to stay guarded, she finds herself irresistibly drawn to him.
As their relationship deepens, so does Sean’s unpredictable behavior. He misses Jules’s calls, changes plans abruptly, and hangs up quickly when she enters the room. One night after returning home from a charity meeting, she finds Sean missing and blood everywhere. Panicked, she’s about to call 911 when she hears a phone ringing on her patio. It is Sean’s. By the time she gets to it, the caller has hung up. Multiple texts follow-as does Jules’s journey of shocking discoveries. The first? That she is one of four women sharing full lives with Sean.
But it is the devastating secret these women uncover together that leads to a resolution none of them could ever have imagined…and to the power of sisterhood.
A woman trying to rebuild her life and finding out that life is more complicated than she ever believed.
I did like that this story involved real life situations. I picked up this book knowing full well there might be trigger warnings. Jules is a woman navigating life after two men that weren’t her dreamy forever man. She’s trying to raise a son and get through life. It’s not easy. But her exes aren’t the half of it. She meets Sean. He’s the one she thinks she’s looking for.
I could identify with her need to slow down with Sean. Been there, done that on my end. I liked that she was relatable in that way. I also liked that she wasn’t perfect. Finally, a few characters that aren’t perfect, but aren’t so flawed it’s hard to get behind them. I liked Jules. I will say Sean’s antics could be a struggle for some readers and might trigger them. He’s not what he could be, and it helps to layer the story, but again, might bother some readers.
That’s not to say this is a book to skip. Far from it. Pick this book up knowing there might be some angles that are difficult, but it’s worth the read. The difficulty makes the story more memorable.
Check it out.
Book of the Month Poll Winner ~ Men in Books Aren’t Better by Amanda Nelson and Lisa-Marie Potter
Men in Books Aren’t Better by Amanda Nelson and Lisa-Marie Potter
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press, Inc.
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by MistflowerPressured by her looming deadline and an unfinished romance manuscript, author Molly Covington applies her immersive research skills and goes all in. She hires a male companion for inspiration during three days of research in Las Vegas. Enter sexy, confident Jared Washington-an extreme sports enthusiast and relationship skeptic who moonlights as a Plus One male companion. Molly’s contract puts him within arm’s reach of buying his own business and making his dreams come true. The chemistry between her and Jared is surprisingly easy. Before their Vegas rendezvous comes to an end, one of them will need to lay all their cards on the table to discover if they’ll be lucky in love.
Book of the Month Poll Winner ~ A Celtic Yuletide Carol by Jennifer Ivy Walker
A Celtic Yuletide Carol by Jennifer Ivy Walker
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Historical Romance
Rated: 5 stars
Review by SnapdragonOnce a royal Breton knight, Sir Cardin is now infamously known as Basati, the Basque Wolf. Savage and sullen, he drowns his guilt in raucous taverns, accruing enormous debt and acquiring vengeful enemies.
Ulla, widowed daughter of a Viking chieftain, is a skilled archer who lives as a recluse in a secluded woodland cottage. Rendered mute by trauma, she avoids humans, preferring the company of her wild wolf and falcon as she hunts in the Forest of Brocéliande.
When his mother’s dying wish calls Basati home, he finally meets the son he abandoned at birth and Ulla, the enigmatic priestess who is teaching the boy to hunt. As the holidays approach, Basati finds himself smitten with the beguiling beauty as he bonds with his once forsaken child.
But past enemies plot against him, and Basati is ensnared in darkness.
Can music lure the savage wolf into the light of love?
November Book of the Month Poll Winner ~ The Crossroads Hotel by Karen Avizur
The Crossroads Hotel by Karen Avizur
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Paranormal, Contemporary
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by AstilbeWelcome to the crossroads, where hospitality reigns supreme for the guests who are anything but human.
Marjorie has spent the last two years managing the Crossroads Hotel and Diner, a roadside stop in rural Missouri with a guest list that’s anything but ordinary. The locals are one thing, but it’s the visitors from other dimensions that keep her on her toes. Now, as she trains her new assistant, Josh, he’s quickly learning that dealing with shapeshifters and ageless little girls is just part of the job. But when an unexpected earthquake shakes more than the ground beneath them, Marjorie and Josh discover something far stranger is at play, and it’s no mere anomaly. At a hotel where the bizarre is business as usual, handling the changes might just be the toughest check-in yet.
September Book of the Month Poll Winner ~ Grimwell by Michael Belanger
Grimwell by Michael Belanger
Publisher: Woodhall Press
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Romance, Contemporary
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by AstilbeEmbark on an unforgettable journey into the enchanting realm of Grimwell, where books wield an unexpected power to shape destinies. Meet Derek Winnebaker, a spirited barista with a penchant for literature and a taste for strong coffee. When Derek stumbles upon a novel detailing the whimsical adventures of a fantasy creature known as a grimkin, he finds himself irresistibly drawn into its fantastical world.
Using the book as his guide, Derek bravely navigates through life’s twists and turns, transforming from a downtrodden bystander into a courageous protagonist. From mustering the courage to ask out his crush to standing up to his tyrannical boss, Derek’s journey mirrors the epic saga unfolding within the pages of his newfound literary companion. Yet, just as Derek begins to master his narrative, the whims of fate take a dark turn reminiscent of Kafka’s surreal tales, challenging Derek’s agency in his own story.
In this captivating blend of comedy, romance, and twisted fairy tale, Grimwell prompts readers to ponder the profound influence of literature on our lives. Will Derek seize control of his destiny, or will he remain ensnared in the machinations of an unseen narrator? Prepare to be enthralled and enlightened as Grimwell invites you to reconsider the power of storytelling and the choices that shape our realities.
Book of the Month Poll Winner ~ Waiting For Spring by Sonya Rhen
Waiting For Spring by Sonya Rhen
Jelly Beans and Spring Things Series
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Romance, Contemporary
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by AstilbeReturning to belly dance at the annual Kirkland Crocus Parade with the Habibi Nile Dancers, Shayna vows to forget her breakup after last year’s parade and guard her fragile heart. However, her best friend is just as determined to find her a new love interest. Shayna would rather not think about matters of the heart and just concentrate on entertaining the spectators by dancing with her dignity intact. Which is harder than she thought. As the parade participants march on through Kirkland’s quaint downtown streets, the Easter Bunny, her fearless leader, her best friend, an eye-catching drummer, and a jelly-bean-tossing clown, might give Shayna a reason to open her heart…after all, spring is in the air!