Kingston and the Echoes of Magic by Rucker Moses and Theo Gangi

January 6, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Kingston and the Echoes of Magic by Rucker Moses and Theo Gangi
Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Middle Grade (8 – 12 y.o.)
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Snowdrop

In this duology’s finale, Kingston travels back in time and uses his growing magic to save the world.

Kingston might have saved Echo City but the victory is bittersweet without his pops by his side. The holidays are approaching and if Kingston could have one wish, it would be to have his father, who is trapped in the Realm, come home. But as new problems arise and blackouts blanket the city, Kingston begins to have a persistent feeling of déjà vu, as if he’s lived this same day before—and he has. Echo City living up to its name, is caught in a repeating time loop.

Maestro, his father’s old rival, has found a way to overwrite reality with an alternate timeline where he rules over all. It will be up to Kingston, Too Tall, and V to find a way to enter the Realm and travel back through time to stop him. But with a magic he still barely understands, Kingston will needs his friends’ smarts and their collective courage to figure out the mystery and find Maestro before Brooklyn as they know it is erased for good.

Kingston and the Echoes of Magic is Book 2 or a sequel to the first book, Kingston and the Magician’s Lost and Found. It’s as fast-paced and as easy a read as the first book. It might be a little quirkier, but I mean that in a good way. Kingston, his cousin V, and their friend Too Tall are stuck in a world that goes round and round. A sort of time warp that repeats the same day. Sometimes it’s good to know what will happen tomorrow and sometimes not. None of that will help Kingston find his pops.

There is plenty of magic or fantasy here and once again a cast of characters that most any young person can identify with. Winston and his pals are left with puzzle after puzzle to solve. It makes this book enjoyable to read but keeps the reader on his or her toes. There’s lots of fun here too. I enjoyed the plucky dialog and the interaction between the characters. I read Book 1 earlier. While either book can stand alone, I’m glad I read them in order. I think it gave me a better chance to know the characters and to understand the pace and flow of the story.

This was a good read. I was disappointed when it was over and wish there was a 3rd book on the way.

Filed Under: Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , ,

Coloring the Zodiac by Christina Haberkern

January 5, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Coloring the Zodiac by Christina Haberkern
Publisher: Plume
Genre: Non-Fiction, Young Adult (14 – 18 y.o.)
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Cholla

There are twelve signs in the zodiac and twelve ways to celebrate the radiance of the stars, as well as the incredible history and symbolism behind each sign. Illustrator Christina Haberkern shares beautiful, intricate, fun-to-color pages influenced by the latest trends in fonts, design, and pop culture, with more than forty pages to color. The symbol, character, and constellation of each sign will be featured, along with pages of pure celestial, decorative, and pattern designs.

Are you a fan of astrology? Do you sit down and check your horoscope daily? If so, then this is a great coloring book for you. Even if you’re only a casual student of astrology or simply randomly curious, you can still enjoy this fabulous book celebrating all twelve sun signs. There’s something for everyone inside these pages, no matter your artistic abilities.

Coloring the Zodiac gives you a lot of options when deciding what to choose first. For each sign you get several pages with different aspects of the signs. Symbols, images, affirmations, and even quotes from some famous reps for your sign abound in this book. The illustrations are easy enough to color but detailed enough to make your artwork really stand out when it’s complete. The artist does an excellent job of capturing what is truly representative of each sign with her drawings.

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I picked up this book. Adult coloring books can be very hit or miss at times. However, I was very pleasantly surprised by what I found in this one. All the drawings called to me, not just those for my sign. I could relate to the pages dedicated to my sign and see my family and friends in the others. Another bonus is that it’d be suitable for younger audiences as well, teens and tweens would have fun coloring in the designs as well as adults. The next time you’re feeling a bit stressed or restless, grab your colored pencils and this book and have fun. I know that’s how I plan to spend some time in the very near future – it’s written in the stars.

Filed Under: Non-Fiction, Other, Reviews, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , ,

Wolf in the Woods by N.J. Walters

January 5, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Wolf in the Woods by N.J. Walters
Publisher: Evernight Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, Paranormal, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Moonflower

Not wanting to be forced to mate to an eligible male in her pack who won’t take no for an answer, Addie Fuller is on the run.

Billy Gallagher might be human, but he understands werewolf culture all too well after being raised in the Salvation Pack.

When their paths cross, he helps her, even knowing it will likely mean his death. He’s no match for a full-blooded male wolf. A short, brutal fight leaves him near death and Addie fighting to save his life.

He recovers, but he’s not the same man he was. The one thing he does know for sure—he and Addie are meant to be together. All he has to do is convince her of that and deal with the threat looming over them.

Forced mating? No, thank you!

Addie goes out for a run with her packmates when she realizes things aren’t quite as they seem. What should have been a ‘fun run’ turns into a fight with a human who wants to protect her.

This is the first book in the Salvation Pack: The Next Generation, a spin-off from Salvation Pack. I haven’t read any of those but didn’t find it necessary to get the enjoyment from this one. Billy, although human to begin with, is the stronger of the two main characters, owing to his upbringing as part of a healthy Pack. Although a wolf, Addie is the one with the internal monologue as she worries about everything. The rest of the characters were written in the way you would expect from their designation as ‘good’ or ‘bad’. I would like to know more about Ryan, the alpha of Addie’s Pack, as he didn’t seem a bad sort, just not interested in any dealings with Salvation.

This was a smooth, well-paced story that didn’t hold any surprises but was a thoroughly enjoyable read that kept my interest from beginning to end. There is some steam, but it is all part of the story and doesn’t take the front seat in every situation.

A great paranormal read that I have no hesitation in recommending.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Nowhere To Run by Andrew Grey

January 5, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Nowhere To Run by Andrew Grey
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary, LGBTQ, Erotic Romance
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Fern

Roy Unger is greenhorn running from his past. He’s gotten a ranch job and works hard to prove himself every day. Since leaving home in a hurry, he’s come to realize that this job is the only thing standing between him and starvation. He isn’t going to mess it up, no matter how much Brad might drive him to distraction.

Brad has been around the block more than once. He’s a cowboy through and through, complete with a failed rodeo career and a love life that could only be described as hopeless. He’s worked hard and kept his head down. Roy makes him want more, but Brad has come to realize that what he wants isn’t what he gets.

Brad knows what desperation feels like and how important it is to fit in. When he decides to help Roy get over his fear of horses, the two men spend more time together, leading Roy to share confidences about his troubled past. Listening builds trust, which shifts into so much more. But before they can have any sort of future, they need to deal with Roy’s past, which could ruin everything.

I found this to be a wonderful slow-paced cowboy romance. While the world and ranch have been set up in the two previous books in this series this actual story and the two heroes totally stand alone and so I strongly feel this story can be picked up and read by itself. I really enjoyed how both Brad and Roy’s characters were multi-faceted. This helped me feel like they were more realistic. I thought the author did an awesome job making both Brad and Roy feel fresh, relatable but also new to me and I loved this.

I’m not keen to delve too deeply into Roy’s past and his troubles, as I found they were different enough it was quite a pleasant surprise when I worked them out while reading the book and I’d hate to spoil that for other readers. Mostly I feel I want to commend the author for making what could have been very tried-and-true, almost trope-like problems turn very slightly and actually end up being something quite different and fresh. I also really appreciated the patience and understanding Brad had for these problems. Instead of just pushing Roy or guilting him into “fixing” everything, Brad slowly coaxed Roy into explaining everything in greater detail and then Brad supported Roy and helped him help himself. I found that really lovely and a good way for the men to become friends and slowly grow something deeper between them.

Readers looking for something intensely erotic or really fast-paced probably won’t find this romance suits their needs, but I personally felt the slower pace really matched both the character’s needs and the situation they were in. A hot and torrid affair wouldn’t have had either man end up happy and so I loved watching them really build something special between them. I’m also curious as to whether one of the other strong secondary characters (Jessup) might end up being the main character in one of the upcoming stories as he certainly seemed to be interesting and complicated enough that I feel perhaps the author was gently foreshadowing something with that brief snippet of storyline.

With a lovely pace, multi-layered and complicated characters and a lovely slow burn to the romance this was a great story and one I thoroughly enjoyed. I’m eagerly waiting in hope for future installments.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

Can’t Go Back by Debra Webb

January 4, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Can’t Go Back by Debra Webb
Devlin & Falco Book 3
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Ginger

Birmingham detectives Kerri Devlin and Luke Falco arrive at the scene of a double homicide to discover that nothing makes sense. A woman and her child are dead, and though the husband says he killed them, the evidence says otherwise. Why would a man confess to unspeakable murders he didn’t commit?

What starts as an open-and-shut case explodes into a web of new leads. Devlin and Falco get to work tracking down every single one—including a disturbing connection between the murders and Falco’s dark past.

Falco knows the incident from eight years ago will jeopardize the partnership he’s built with Devlin, both on and off the job. If he could go back, he would—but what happened happened, and there’s a murderer on the loose. Devlin and Falco must slog through the pain to get to the truth; and so far the only truth they know is that everyone is lying.

Can’t Go Back is an unpredictable suspense with a fast-moving plot that kept my attention. It includes strong, well-developed characters, good and bad guys, romance, police cover ups, obsession, family drama and murder. It’s a balance that gives the readers an authentic story. Book #3 in the Devlin & Falco Series can be read as a stand-alone. I haven’t read the first two books and followed the story and characters with no problem.

There’s a lot of story going on, however the author delivers it with her special skill and talent for entertaining and telling a story. The book opens with a woman and her child found dead from a house fire and the husband admitting to the crime. Detective Luke Falco is still dealing with the incident from eight years ago and it could ruin the current relationship with his partner Kerri Devlin. There are family issues, but the author puts everything in its place and gives the characters life by adding in such vibrant personal details.

The story is told from various characters’ points of view. The author fills the plot with action, heartache from loss and two qualified detectives that are working hard to solve the double murder of the mother and daughter.

The ending revealed a skillful unique twist that I didn’t see coming. I wanted justice for the families and the author delivered that and so much more. It was upsetting that everyone appeared to be withholding information and everyone looked guilty but as it turns out that’s exactly how the author devised it. I’m sure readers will continuously question whodunnit as they continue to read to see what happens next in the case.

A good read that I would highly recommend to readers that enjoy a well-developed murder suspense that doesn’t end in a cliff-hanger.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

Bound by Fear by Jayce Carter

January 4, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Bound by Fear by Jayce Carter
Publisher: Totally Bound
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Moonflower

One night of submission to prove she doesn’t crave it, and three sexy Dominants eager to call her bluff.

Sunny has come a long way in the years since escaping the abusive Dom who made her life hell. Still, when Sunny can’t shake a frighteningly strong need inside her, she decides one night at a local BDSM club, Sanctuary, will prove she doesn’t want that in her life anymore.

Instead, she meets three masked men there who give her pleasure she couldn’t have imagined and twist everything she thought she knew about BDSM. Rather than the proof she thought she’d get, that the lifestyle wasn’t for her, Sunny is further drawn to what had nearly destroyed her before.

When fears that her ex-Dom could be after her again occur, Sunny and the men are forced to confront the dangers of her past and the scars it left behind. Can Sunny risk everything for the men she’s fallen for, or will she let her fears rob them all of a future?

What do you do when your big idea of realizing you don’t like something backfires, and you realise it’s exactly what you need?

Sunny has come a long way in five years, but not enough to completely be free of her past. So, she decides to confront it head-on. Only she finds three people who treat her in a way she’s never experienced. Although she is unnerved, she finds she likes it.

I thought this was really well-written, with plenty of steamy scenes. Each of the male characters is well-defined and stands alone. They don’t all mingle together in your mind until you can’t remember which one is which. As for Sunny, she is a beguiling mix of strong and confident, and quiet and unsure. I loved how she came out of her shell and the guys were there for her whenever she would accept their attentions and/or help.

Spike though! Ah, man. He was gorgeous! (And yes, he deserves a paragraph of his own!)

The story moved at a steady pace, giving it time to develop without being rushed. I can’t say the confrontation was a surprise, but it needed to happen the way it did, and I was absolutely satisfied with the consequences.

Another winner by this author that is definitely recommended by me.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

The Spanish Daughter by Lorena Hughes

January 3, 2022 By Leave a Comment


The Spanish Daughter by Lorena Hughes
Publisher: Kensington Books
Genre: Historical, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Ginger

Set against the lush backdrop of early twentieth century Ecuador and inspired by the real-life history of the coastal town known as the birthplace of cacao, this captivating #OwnVoices novel from the award-winning author of The Sisters of Alameda Street tells the story of a resourceful young chocolatier who must impersonate a man in order to claim her birthright…

As a child in Spain, Puri always knew her passion for chocolate was inherited from her father. But it’s not until his death that she learns of something else she’s inherited—a cocoa estate in Vinces, Ecuador, a town nicknamed “París Chiquito.” Eager to claim her birthright and filled with hope for a new life after the devastation of World War I, she and her husband Cristóbal set out across the Atlantic Ocean. But it soon becomes clear someone is angered by Puri’s claim to the estate…

When a mercenary sent to murder her aboard the ship accidentally kills Cristóbal instead, Puri dons her husband’s clothes and assumes his identity, hoping to stay safe while she searches for the truth of her father’s legacy in Ecuador. Though freed from the rules that women are expected to follow, Puri confronts other challenges at the estate—newfound siblings, hidden affairs, and her father’s dark secrets. Then there are the dangers awakened by her attraction to an enigmatic man as she tries to learn the identity of an enemy who is still at large, threatening the future she is determined to claim.

Eager to claim her birthright after her father’s passing, Puri Maria Purification de Lafont y Toledo and her husband Cristóbal de Balboa set out across the Atlantic Ocean soon to discover their travels won’t go as smoothly as planned. Has she made a mistake by giving away everything to chase after her father’s dream?

For her safety she disguises herself as Cristobal and tells her siblings that Puri died on the ship. This is a bit far-fetched to me but a good telling on the author’s part. I was wondering how long she would be able to carry out this gender swap of wearing facial hair, sounding like a man all the while maintaining male characteristics. The author explained that Puri has always been naturally thin and tall as well as details on her transformation from female to male.

This is a fresh and unique read of family drama and secrets. The author did a fantastic job creating a storyline that kept me guessing. Three very different sisters united by loss and all wanting their share of their father’s cocoa estate in Vinces, Ecuador. There’s dialogue and backstory from multiple characters that help set the foundation for readers to understand the present scenes in the book.

I must mention with such descriptive writing I was able to picture in my mind vivid images of the surrounding scenes on the ship, Puri horseback riding and also the architectural structures and decor of the homes. I was also captivated by the enchanting setting and history of the cacao plantation.

My favorite character of the book would be Puri. I admire her bravery, passion, smarts, strength and kind heart. She has faced many obstacles and her life didn’t seem to be an easy one compared to her sister’s easy lifestyle. Puri hasn’t seen her father since she was two years of age. My least favorite character would be the father, the one who created this family drama and secrets. Everyone seems to admire and respect Don Armand Lafont but I on the other hand couldn’t help but vocalize while reading that he seems to have been a lady’s man fathering children and then had remorse for leaving Puri all those years ago. The sisters have an interesting story of their own and so does Martin Sabater.

The ending was satisfying but I felt like it could have had more to it. I was able to piece together the ending, but it seems it was abbreviated. The author gave us this full and lively story only to shorten and rush the outcome of what happened to the characters.

Overall, I enjoyed the book. It’s richly woven into an entertaining read that I would recommend to readers that desire something different. It’s historical, and if you enjoy a good family secret and drama mixed with suspense that gives you closure in the end this is the book for you.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

Snowflakes at the Little Christmas Tree Farm by Jaimie Admans

December 17, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Snowflakes at the Little Christmas Tree Farm by Jaimie Admans
Publisher: HQ Digital
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Holiday
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

All she wants for Christmas…

Leah Griffiths has woken up after a few too many glasses of Prosecco with a hangover – and discovers she’s accidentally bought a little Christmas tree farm in Scotland!

At first she’s horrified, but perhaps it’s the perfect way to forget all about her cheating ex.

And when she meets grumpy (but ridiculously gorgeous) pumpkin farmer Noel underneath the mistletoe, Leah begins to believe that at Christmas time, anything can happen…

I’ve heard of drunk dialing but never drunk auctioning. In this case the heroine wins an auction and buys her very own Christmas Tree farm! What could go wrong?

What does happen is a lot of heartwarming moments, awesome pop culture references and jokes (many I got) and a romance that is as adorable as a puppy. Or in this case, a chihuahua named Gizmo. There is so much to like about this novel, I’m not sure where to start.

First, I thought the name of the farm was genius and perfect: Peppermint Branches Christmas Tree Farm. Isn’t that delightful? Thing is, that’s the only thing sweet about the farm itself. Leah, the heroine, is about to change her life’s journey in a big way. You know the saying, when one door closes, another is opened? Leah’s ‘door’ is an enormous gateway into the unknown and it looks like she’s about to fall through it flat on her face. I guarantee you that by the end of the book she’ll have muscles upon muscles. Being a Christmas tree farmer isn’t just the selling of trees; there is a ginormous amount of behind the scenes work and Ms. Admans must have done extensive research to describe in vivid detail the challenges, skill and dedication one has to have in order to succeed. I enjoyed watching the heroine reach deep inside herself for a strength she didn’t realize she was capable of.

The strength doesn’t come only from within. No, the hero, a long-haired hunky Scot with a heart of gold and an endearing propensity to blush called Noel, ends up being the best thing to ever cross Leah’s path. Well, eventually she’ll feel that way. Their initial meeting was unorthodox to say the least. She was more impressed with his dog – although Noel was certainly easy on the eyes. I actually liked the hero. There are many aspects to his personality that are impressive, not to mention HIS muscles. The heroine was especially fond of gazing at his arms while in action. The author did a wonderful job of giving the reader flutters in the tummy just from her descriptions.

The novel is told in first person POV and it works wonderfully. It was smooth, consistent and I felt I got to know Leah quite well as the story progressed. As for knowing Noel, that happens via conversations with his mom, Leah, and the varied and colorful residents of the community called Elffield.

While I was learning along with Leah in how to be a Christmas tree farmer, the romance between her and Noel was mostly sweet, but sometimes sensual (like when they kiss). The sparks between them flittered and fluttered as they were fanned throughout the novel. When those sparks turned to flame and they finally, FINALLY kiss, it was as romantic as I could wish. At one point, I think there was mud involved.

The drama is purely character based and the suspense comes from Mother Nature. I liked the heroic and valiant crusade on Leah’s part to save the charm and beauty of Elffield and its country market. At some points, every one of the heroine’s ideas all seemed to work wonders in one fashion or another, and it felt too perfect or easy, but there is no doubt those same elements provided the story with its charm, optimism, uplifted emotions and joy. Those positive aspects are the reason why I’ll say that this is a novel that embraces the spirit of the Christmas season and is a picture-perfect holiday read.

If a reader is looking for a solid plot, a sweet and satisfying romance, a story that is happy, and a hero and heroine whose onscreen chemistry are a true delight to witness, then Snowflakes at the Little Christmas Tree Farm is a novel not to miss. I truly enjoyed myself and hope that other readers will feel the same way once they read it, too.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,

A Christmas Love Song by Andee Reilly

December 16, 2021 By Leave a Comment


* A Christmas Love Song by Andee Reilly
Publisher: Champagne Books
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Holiday
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Larkspur

He gave her a song. She gave him Christmas.

Once a huge pop star, Jake Wilder hasn’t written a hit song in over ten years. Stuck playing small-time venues where only his most dedicated fans remember him, a comeback seems improbable. But even those gigs are quickly drying up, and if Jake doesn’t do something soon, he’ll slide into permanent has-been oblivion. In a twist of fate, a record executive with a soft spot for retro artists, holds a competition in search of pop musicians to write a new Christmas classic.

Longing to become a serious and respected journalist, Mackenzie Stone scoffs at her latest assignment to write a profile about a washed-up pop singer. She would prefer to cover hard news rather than light stories assigned by her editor who seems unwilling to give her a chance. Determined to write a noteworthy story and at the same time prove herself, it’s up to Mackenzie to help inspire Jake to compose a Christmas classic.

As Jake struggles to overcome his anxieties and write a great song, Mackenzie digs for a story of substance. Together they find love while also discovering the true meaning of Christmas.

Opposites attract in this heartwarming story. A Christmas Love Song is a light read and is guaranteed to put you in the Christmas spirit. It is a small town, slow burning romance.

When Jake and Mackenzie are first thrown together they are unhappy they are being forced into spending time together. Jake is a singer hoping to make a comeback and Mackenzie is a journalist trying to find the next big story. As they spend time together, they are reluctant to admit they like and admire each other.

I enjoyed this upbeat story and Jake and Mackenzie. Jake is such a nice guy and he is also very talented. He deserves to get a second chance and I was rooting for him. Mackenzie is so fixated on her job she almost misses how wonderful Jake is. I recommend this tender, slow burn story.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,

Let it Snowball by Margot Johnson

December 16, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Let it Snowball by Margot Johnson
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Romance, Holiday, Contemporary
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Divorced, empty nester Merilee is on a roll. Filled with scrumptious cookies and old-fashioned fun, her Christmas bus tours aim to add festive spirit to her hometown and new meaning to her lackluster life. Too bad her reserved driver slams the brakes on fun.

Widowed farmer Ross needs a little joy to combat his December blues. Behind the wheel, he wears a Santa suit but can’t muster a convincing ho-ho-ho. Too many memories block his road to happiness…until irrepressible Merilee sparks a snowstorm of unexpected feelings.

In two weeks of holiday tours, Ross might drive Merilee crazy…or will romance snowball inside their lonely hearts?

Christmas is the perfect time to fall in love.

Merilee’s character development was handled nicely. To be honest, I wasn’t a big fan of her behavior in the beginning due to how opinionated she was about how everyone should celebrate Christmas. Her love of that holiday was so strong that it was difficult for her to understand why someone else might feel depressed or lonely then. I did warm up to her once she began to think about the world from other people’s perspectives, though. As pushy as she sometimes was at first, I was pleased with how her attitude evolved over time. There is definitely something to be said for characters who learn from their mistakes!

I would have liked to see a bit more time spent on developing and resolving the conflicts in this novella. The storyline mentioned several of them so often in the earlier scenes that I was surprised by how quickly they were wrapped up later on. This was especially true for Merilee’s concerns that having a dour Santa on her tour might discourage her guests from recommending her services or returning for another tour. There was more space here to explore those themes, and I would have gone with a full five-star rating if the author had dove more deeply into them.

At first I was a little surprised by how long it took for the romantic subplot to show up, but that was exactly what these characters needed. Both Merilee and Ross had plenty of other things going on in their lives that needed to be balanced out with their growing interest in each other. I appreciated the slow burn of their relationship. It suited them well and left plenty of space to be explored further in the sequel after the final scene.

Let it Snowball was a heartwarming holiday read.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , , ,
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