The Mountain by Matthew C. Lucas

May 12, 2022 By Leave a Comment


The Mountain by Matthew C. Lucas
Publisher: Montag Press
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Chamomile

In the mountain…

Lillia Tanner’s dream of becoming a commissar has turned into a nightmare. Voices in the darkness whisper rebellion against the Commonwealth she is sworn to serve. And Lillia feels compelled to heed their call.

King Elon has found a new faith for his dying people. But the old gods are still cherished. The cult of his heretic goddess is beckoning him to a crusade in the dark of the Mountain and a civil war in his realm.

Judge Jonathan Acacia keeps a semblance of order in the workers’ quarter. Caught between his family’s political intrigues, the cruel laws he must administer, and a demon of addiction, the darkness he contends against will either embrace Jonathan or devour him.

The dark is coming to life. War is coming with it.

And there is nowhere to hide in the Mountain.

Rich in detail, filled with intriguing lore and world-building, The Mountain by Matthew C. Lucas is an unforgettable and imaginative Fantasy lover’s dream!

This is one of those that remind me of the classics while still bringing something unique and original to the fantasy world. The Mountain has a wonderful balance of complex and morally grey characters who all have their own hopes and desires that get wonderfully messy as things begin to tangle and unravel in unexpected ways!

From the start, we see the depth of detail that makes this genre really come to life, and I loved how easy this one was to picture and how delightfully dark the theme was while still maintaining a good sense of purpose and plot throughout.

Definitely an unforgettable read and one I highly recommend! I loved meeting these characters and seeing out things turned out in this incredible story!

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Omnis 1: Beginnings – Comienzos by Nelda Bedford Gaydou

May 11, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Omnis 1: Beginnings – Comienzos by Nelda Bedford Gaydou
Publisher: Progressive Rising Phoenix Press
Genre: Middle Grade (8 – 12 y.o.), Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Contemporary
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

A graphic bicultural and bilingual experience.

In mid-pandemic, the Martins move from one continent to another, and the four siblings face challenges and obstacles, especially at their new school. See them receive very unexpected help and undergo an amazing transformation.

A little kindness goes a long way.

All four of the Martin siblings were memorable characters. I enjoyed learning about their interests, from books to fashion to painting and so much more. The author didn’t have a great deal of time to spend introducing them, but she used every moment of it to her advantage. I felt like I got to know these characters as well as I should have in their introduction to the world, although I’m also looking forward to seeing how they grow if or when their adventures continue.

It would have been helpful to have more information about the origins of the superpower mentioned in this graphic novel, especially since it could be interpreted in multiple ways. I’m saying this as someone who loved the concepts it described to the audience and is excited to read more. They were simply a little bit too abstract for the age group they were written for in my opinion. If the fantasy portions of the storyline had been developed more clearly, I would have happily chosen a higher rating.

One of my favorite portions had to do with the message it sent about how we should treat others. It’s difficult to move to a new school, especially when that school is located in another country and a kid must leave behind nearly everything that’s familiar to them in the process. I can’t say much else about this without giving away spoilers, but I appreciated the points the author made about how everyone has the ability to make their little corner of the world a better place.

While being bilingual is definitely not a requirement to enjoy this tale, I speak some Spanish and had a wonderful time picking out the words and phrases I understood in the Spanish portions of the text. I recommend doing the same if you know any amount of this language at all.

Omnis 1: Beginnings – Comienzos was a heartwarming read.

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The Wrong Mate by Jade Marshall

May 11, 2022 By Leave a Comment


The Wrong Mate by Jade Marshall
Publisher: Evernight Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, Paranormal
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Fern

Finding your mate should be the happiest time in any wolf shifter’s life. But what if your mate is the wrong mate?

Raine is finally old enough to find her mate, and she couldn’t be happier. Being in love with Max since the first time she met him, he is the only male that she has ever wanted. Now she has to convince Max that they’re meant to be together. Getting Max to accept their mating bond is the least of Raine’s problems, especially with the hunters closing in again.

Max loves Raine, but she can’t be his mate. He isn’t worthy. He can’t offer her the life that she deserves, so he leaves. Now he only has to convince his wolf to stay away because he knows he will never be able to refuse her. But when Raine is in danger, will he really have a choice?

There might be a ten-year difference between Max and Raine, but they’ve been best friends for a very long time and Max is not looking forward to the fact now Raine is about to turn eighteen her fated mate will likely claim her, and their friendship will be at an end. When Max meets Raine to give her the present he bought for her birthday, he discovers to his shock it’s he who is her fated mate. Certain this must be a mistake, can Max and Raine retain their friendship but still be what the other needs in a mate?

This is a very steamy and short shifter romance. While the plot was certainly little cliched to my mind, I still found this was an enjoyable read. Max needed to fight his own lack of self-confidence and realize that he and Raine were very well suited. Raine, for her part, was a modern woman – and confident enough in herself to know what she wanted. I enjoyed this balance of power and felt it added a good amount of conflict to the plot.

I was pleased the author added an interesting secondary plot once Max and Raine finally started to come together and work on their intimacy and their relationship began to grow. Rather than have the second half of the book just be purely sex-based I felt this really added a welcome depth and complexity to the short story that helped make it stand out amongst the other man paranormal shifter types of books out there. With a number of strong secondary characters and an interesting shifter world I feel this could be an interesting place for this author to set more future stories about other members of the pack.

With interesting characters, a bunch of steaminess and an interesting plot this was a great, albeit quick read. I’d definitely read more by this author.

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Dance of Love by Sandra Carmel

May 10, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Dance of Love by Sandra Carmel
Intertwined Love, Book 3
Publisher: Evernight Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

An unexpected dance into virgin territory…

Jeb, a hot, late-twenties virgin is plagued with guilt and a history of heartache. Issy, his passionate physio patient is the first woman he’s fallen for in forever but she’s travelling overseas in a month to advance her dancing career. So why does he still want her so bad? After what he’s endured, he must be crazy. Although he shouldn’t pursue her, he can’t ignore his heart’s desire.

Issy has craved Jeb for months and plans to proposition him following her farewell drinks. But instead of flirting back, he wants to chat. What straight, hot-blooded man refused guaranteed sex? Surprised and intrigued, she indulges him and he relays his heartbreaking story. Touched by Jeb’s admission, combined with her incredible attraction to the guy, she offers to teach him how to be a great lover before she leaves. With their feelings deepening each day, can they work out a way to stay together before time runs out?

They weren’t supposed to happen, but what if they do? Would that be so wrong?

This is my first story by Sandra Carmel, but it won’t be my last. This book stayed with me long after the last page and had me thinking about the characters. I liked the way the author allowed them to be relatable and fun, but heartbreaking, too. I read this in a matter of an afternoon and it was time well spent.

Issy is sweet, but she knows what she wants–Jeb. She wants him so much, but when he puts her off a bit, she’s got a choice to make. Help him become better in the bedroom or leave him alone. I liked how she handled the problem and how the book seemed to unfold rather like a TV movie–I could see what was happening and felt like I was there. Jeb is so sweet, too. He feels like he’s the last of the virgin men. I liked his fumbling and his confusion. I also liked his interactions with Issy. So good.

This book is part of a series, but I wasn’t lost. Not at all. I’ll read the others, but if one picked up this book without reading the others, it’s not a bad thing.

This book has steam, heart and I can’t wait to read the others in this series. If you’re looking for something hot for the afternoon, then this might be good. It’ll sear your ereader!

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Nelican’s Lemons by Riya Aarini

May 9, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Nelican’s Lemons by Riya Aarini
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Children’s (0 – 6 y.o.), Contemporary
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Nelican is a happy island pelican. One morning, he stumbles upon a crate of lemons. He tries to share, but none of his neighbors want his bitter fruit! Will Nelican find a clever solution for his sour lemons? Find out in this charmingly illustrated picture book featuring rollicking rhymes that are sure to entertain!

Sharing isn’t always as easy as it may seem.

I’ve been a fan of Ms. Aarini’s work for a few years now. One of the things I’ve consistently enjoyed about it the most was how whimsical it is. This tale continued that trend in all sorts of delightful ways. It amazes me how the author can consistently create such playful and creative characters no matter which age group she’s writing for or what’s happening in her settings. This sort of storytelling works well for kids of all ages, and many of us adults love it, too! I couldn’t stop smiling as Nelican tried to figure out how to use up the lemons he discovered, especially once he came up with an idea that seemed like it might be a winner.

There was one thing that I wish had been described in better detail, and it had to do with how the other pelicans responded to Nelican when he first offered them some of his lemons. They all said no without giving a reason why or a chance to try the fruit. It would have been nice for them to explain their decisions, especially since I was never quite clear as to whether these animals had previous exposure to lemons. This is a minor criticism of something I otherwise thought was well done.

Generosity was woven into every scene of this short story. The narrator didn’t need to directly tell the audience about why Nelican was behaving this way or why it’s a kind thing to do. Instead, we were left to come up with our own theories about these topics which made their conclusions even more powerful. It makes me happy to see storytellers trust their audiences like this, and it’s yet another reason why Ms. Aarini is on my must-read list!

Nelican’s Lemons was a sweet and thoughtful read.

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

Across Everlasting by Beth D Carter

May 5, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Across Everlasting by Beth D Carter
Publisher: Evernight Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Erotic Romance, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Kellen Tavist has had the same dream most of her life. A dream of battle. Of war. Of loss. During a Halloween séance, she and her friends try to conjure the spirit of a departed loved one. Instead, they conjure a ghost from Kellen’s past life.

Unnerved, Kellen’s life soon begins to unravel. Not only are her dreams growing stronger, but someone seems to want her dead. She turns to freelance journalist Raney Williams to help her figure out what she saw that warrants her silence.

The past and present are intertwined, and she can only have a future if she can figure out the conflicting feelings that have come across everlasting time.

Spooky, suspenseful and hot!

I love the work of Beth D Carter. Her writing flows well. It drew me right in and made me want to know what would happen next. This story was no exception. I flew through this story in an afternoon and only wish the story had been longer.

I liked the characters of Raney and Kellen. They’re hot together and the descriptions of them made them pretty much leap off the page. I liked the suspense in this story. The spookiness of the story helped, too. I also loved that Kellen is a strong heroine. She might be in it up to her eyeballs, but she can take care of herself.

The thread of reincarnation and understanding the past is a great addition to the story. I’m glad I picked up this novella.

If you want something that’s sexy, a little spooky, suspenseful and smooth reading, then this is the book for you.

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Love and Lavender Ice Cream by Sara Freeze

May 4, 2022 By 1 Comment


Love and Lavender Ice Cream by Sara Freeze
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Romance, Historical
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

A sudden summer storm drives Miss Sophia Selkirk into a confectioner’s shop filled with the delicious scents of ice cream and candies. Just as she settled in with her glass dish of delectable ice cream, a shadow falls over the table: the fiancé she jilted without explanation two weeks before has appeared. Can she trust him enough to reveal the secret that sent her fleeing from the only man she has ever loved?

Simon Warren’s entire life was jolted the night before their wedding when Sophia sent a brief note informing him she could not marry him. Now, he has tracked her down to this small confectioner’s shop, where over two dishes of ice cream, they will grapple with a secret scandal from the past and discover whether their love can overcome all obstacles.

Ice cream can’t fix everything, but it might be a good place to start.

Great chemistry is crucial for the romance genre. Luckily, Simon and Sophia had plenty of it! It was delightful to see how many different methods the author came up with for showing why these two people deserved to end up together. Ms. Freeze gave the audience plenty of information to work with, and she trusted us readers to put some of the pieces together for ourselves. It’s always neat when that happens.

I would have liked to see more character development. Of course, one can’t generally expect as much of that in a short story as in something that has a few hundred pages to work with, but I did find myself wishing for more detailed explanations of why both of these characters behaved the way they did. This was especially noticeable when it came to their discussions of how their pasts might impact the happy life they’d one dreamed of sharing together. Do note that this was a minor criticism of a tale I otherwise thought was nicely done.

The dialogue made me chuckle. I adored the fact that Sophia and Simon were both such witty and quick-thinking characters. Honestly, they could have discussed what to add to their grocery list or how quickly the price of tea was rising and still kept my interest. That was how much I enjoyed reading their banter! They were quite well matched for each other.

This is part of the One Scoop or Two series. It can be read as a standalone work.

Love and Lavender Ice Cream was a sweet treat.

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

Bibi Blundermuss and the Tree Across the Cosmos by Andrew Durkin

May 4, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Bibi Blundermuss and the Tree Across the Cosmos by Andrew Durkin
Publisher: Yellow Bike Press
Genre: Middle Grade (8 – 12 y.o.), Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Action/Adventure, Contemporary
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Twelve-year-old Bibi Blundermuss is terrified of trees. Being around them makes her dizzy and sick to her stomach—even comatose. So, when her only to chance to find her missing parents means climbing a magic tree in the forest near her home, she almost doesn’t take it.

When Bibi grits her teeth and scales the trunk, the tree grows—so violently that she and her cat Eek are catapulted into another world. Here, she befriends a herd of elk, on the run from a pack of vicious white lions. And she discovers, to her amazement, that her mother is a witch who has been protecting the elk with a poison flower spell, which keeps the lions away.

Yet the longer Bibi stays in the world of the elk and lions, the less sure she is that her mother is truly on the elks’ side—or even on Bibi’s side. In the end, a dangerous journey into the lions’ lair and a reunion with both parents uncovers a secret that changes Bibi’s life forever. Drawn into an epic snowbound battle against an army of zombie trees, she must face her greatest fear to discover her greatest power.

Courage makes all sorts of things possible.

Bibi was a well-rounded and likeable main character. Her severe anxiety endeared me to her, especially when she was doing her best to face her fears despite how overwhelming they felt. I also enjoyed seeing how she incorporated her Zulu and Icelandic heritage into her everyday life. She loved both of her cultures and found all sorts of creative ways to honor them. Little details like this were what really made her personality come alive to me.

It would have been nice to see more attention paid to world building. For example, animals can talk in Bibi’s world and phobias don’t work the same way there as they do in our world at all. Both of these things were accepted at face value by all of the characters. I would have found the phobia storyline especially confusing if I were a middle grade reader because of how oddly Bibi’s hylophobia presented itself and how the resolution to that issue was framed. This is something I’m saying as a reader who loves fantasy and can easily suspend my disbelief when magical things happen. There’s nothing wrong with following a different set of rules, but not having clear explanations of why these things happened did prompt me to go with a lower rating than I would have otherwise chosen despite loving everything else about it.

The pacing fit the tone of the storyline well even though it did not always follow the same patterns. Some scenes worked best if they were savored, and others benefited from a quicker explanation of what was happening in them. It isn’t always easy to write a story that can make all of the adjustments necessary for this sort of pacing, so I commend the author for pulling it off here. He did a great job of preparing this reader to slow down and admire the glittery flowers of a magical forest filled with talking elk and then speed up again as pivotal scenes loomed on the horizon.

Bibi Blundermuss and the Tree Across the Cosmos was a wild ride that I’d recommend to anyone who loves adventurous fantasy.

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

The Younger Wife by Sally Hepworth

May 3, 2022 By Leave a Comment


The Younger Wife by Sally Hepworth
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Ginger

THE HUSBAND
A heart surgeon at the top of his field, Stephen Aston is getting married again. But first he must divorce his current wife, even though she can no longer speak for herself.

THE DAUGHTERS
Tully and Rachel Aston look upon their father’s fiancée, Heather, as nothing but an interloper. Heather is younger than both of them. Clearly, she’s after their father’s money.

THE FORMER WIFE
With their mother in a precarious position, Tully and Rachel are determined to get to the
truth about their family’s secrets, the new wife closing in, and who their father really is.

THE YOUNGER WIFE
Heather has secrets of her own. Will getting to the truth unleash the most dangerous impulses
in all of them?

Still married to his current wife, heart surgeon Stephen Aston falls for his younger interior designer, Heather. This is definitely a required ingredient if you are looking for a recipe for disaster or maybe even death.

It took me a brief moment to get use to the author’s rhythm with the varying timeline, and each being told from Tully, Rachel or Heather’s point of view.

It’s a quick and entertaining read that tackles several real issues. Some being difficult subject matter such as domestic violence, sexual assault, kleptomania, binge eating and Alzheimer’s disease.

The author is skilled at building tension which lead me to take in each short chapter in a haste. The family drama led the two sisters, Tully and Rachel, to become close, sharing their own personal and somewhat embarrassing secrets. Since both women seemed to have helpless moments where they would lose control both sisters made me question what could cause such dramatic personal traits. I liked both ladies and I easily empathized with them. I enjoyed seeing their growth as individuals and I guess family drama can either cause family to bond or grow apart. I’m glad to say that Tully and Rachel’s bond grew stronger.

It’s not all good for Rachel and Tully though. They are dealing with mixed emotions and feeling betrayed by what they thought was a perfect family. In addition to their feelings of guilt for their mom who has Alzheimer’s. The stress of this dysfunctional family is bringing about more kleptomania and binge eating episodes.

Their mother Pamela has plenty to say against her soon to be ex-husband. Heather, the future young bride is dealing with her own memories of a childhood growing up with an abusive father and keeping a secret from her future husband that her dad is serving life in prison for murder. Stephen has questioned Heather about if she has a problem with alcohol. As I mentioned earlier a recipe for disaster which makes for a suspenseful and entertaining read.

The ending caught me by surprise. It was a clever ending that spoke volumes and gave light to the bonds that were built and where loyalties lie. I was left wondering whether any of their viewpoints were reliable? Could one single voice cause this chain of events?

I rated the book 4 stars because it kept my attention, I couldn’t read it fast enough and the book also made me think. Our memory can be tricky. It can fail us, betray us even. Various influences can affect our perceptions, beliefs and memory.  We see this after Rachel went through her mother’s things, and memories became vague and were questioned.

I can’t complete the review without saying there were several odd parts that stuck out for me, but it didn’t take away from the story, in fact it made the story what it is.  Overall I enjoyed the book. It’s entertaining and one I would recommend.

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

A Time for War, A Time for Peace by Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy

May 2, 2022 By Leave a Comment


A Time for War, A Time for Peace by Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy
Publisher: Evernight Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, Action/Adventure
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Nick is a soldier from Eastern Europe, making a life in America. Tina catches his eye as a customer in the diner that he runs. Attraction leads to love but before they can enjoy their newfound relationship, the fight for freedom in Kosovo draw Nick back to his homeland.

At first, he plans to go alone to protect Tina, but he can’t leave her so she comes with him to face a world fraught with danger, fear, and hardship. When she becomes pregnant, he sends her home and plans to follow. If he survives, if he returns to her, then they have a chance at their happily ever after in the United States.

If they can make it, they’ll be golden, but can they make it?

I’d never read anything by Ms Sontheimer Murphy until this week and I’m glad I rectified that problem. This story flows well. The characters are captivating and I couldn’t put it down. I rooted for the couple to make it and have a happy ending. Boy, I got emotionally involved and that’s a good thing.

Tina and Nick are fascinating characters. He can’t handle the fact that his homeland is in danger. He also can’t leave Tina behind. He’s in a truly rough place, but he’s determined not to give up. That’s what I liked about him. He’s strong, but he’s not so strong he can’t show a sensitive side. Then there’s Tina. She’s strong, too. She is relatable and I could see her as someone I knew. I liked that because it helped me get involved with the story. The heat between them is great, too. I knew they had a connection because I could feel it.

If you’re looking for a read that’s not always easy, but it’s got a lot of heart and heat, then this might be the one for you. Give it a try.

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