Guardian Queen by Dana Marton

 

3.5 Star

Tera and Batumar are back on their island. They are need to liberate their people and take out their enemies. This is their final fight and they need to do whatever they need to do. Will they be able to take back their island without losing everything?

For me this part was a little bit on the slow side just like book 2 was. It does conclude the story nicely and I like how it ends and I did like the writing of the author. I just wish it'd been more concise and more compact between book 2 and book 3. Overall really good series to read loved this series would read it again in a heartbeat makes me wish that the author had more books out that are paranormal fantasy type versus suspense romance.

Book 3 Hardstrom Saga

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Werewolf Nanny by Amanda Milo

 

3.5 Star

Susan is a struggling single mom. She's looking dependable babysitter when her boss brings her Deek. He's a submissive in the pack und would never mistreat anyone. The only concern Susan has is that he's a werewolf. However, the longer Deek is with them the less she wants to see him leave. Will they find there HEA?

I enjoyed this one. It was funny a different kind of shifter. The love interest isn't the alpha it's the submissive of the pack and he just wants to show his love to Susan and her kids. I loved seeing the interactions with the kids, and seeing Deek come out of his shell. It was a quick, easy, for read.

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Claimed by the Warlord by Maddie Taylor

 

3.5 / 4 stars

Princess Aurelia has been kidnapped and they plan on selling her off. She is rescued by Lord Darios from the Fire Planet. They are enemies but he plans on returning her to her family. What he doesn’t plan on is falling for her. Will they figure out who arranged her kidnapping and keep her safe?

There were many times I wanted to shake both Aurelia and Darios. Darios didn’t want her in danger even though if he had just taken her the problems with the other world would have been resolved as shown by her disobeying him and showing up to explain what happened. Once everything was straightened out between them, they got down to finding the bad guy. Overall, I enjoyed the story and wouldn’t mind more books in this world.

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Kit by Brenda Rothert

 

3.5 Star

Molly is asked to do an in-depth article on Kit Carter. She is used to doing hard hitting articles with deep dive into the subject matter. Kit wasn’t expecting this when he was asked to sit down with a reporter. Molly surprises him in many other ways and he wants her to keep. Will she be able to get out of her own head and see what she would be missing if she walks away?

I loved these two. The struggle they both had with having a good and healthy adult relationship after everything they both have been through was an interesting read. Kit was a shy and reserved player who didn’t want the spotlight and it was fun to see how he handled this aspect and having to give an interview. Molly had her own issues. She was very OCD about things and felt she had to have control over everything and that led to problems with Kit. There were some issues that were brought up in the story that weren’t resolved and that was a bit frustrating. The couple ends up together and were a super sweet couple but would have liked some things to be wrapped up more. Overall it was a solid story just missing somethings.

Book 8 Chicago Blaze Hockey

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Better Homes & Haunting by Harper

 

3.5 stars

Nina is hired to landscape a private island off the coast of New England. She was surprised to get the bid as she’s been unable to get a job due to her previous partner. Who cares that it’s on an island that is haunted and there have been mysterious happenings and people being injured.

The story started out very slow. I’ve tried to read this book several times and put it down every time. I started it on audio and that got me over the hump to the good part. It also took me time to get used to the Deacon / Nina, Jake / Cindy, Dotty POV plus all the ghosts POV. Once I figured it out, I really enjoyed the story and the couples. I did have the ending figured out well before the end. Overall, it was worth reading and it fit Molly Harper’s style.

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Dark Horse by Kel Carpenter and Aurelia Jane

 

3.5/4 Star

Her husband killed her and now Fury is stuck torturing souls in the afterlife. She could get mad about it but instead she decided to take hold of it and make the best. Eventually she will be able to buy her way into the afterlife. When an opportunity comes up that will give her the funds to finally retire, she takes it but she’s not happy about it. She’s asked to take on 3 souls on earth that others have tried to punish, and no one has been successful. The powers that be think she can. Will she?

This was an interesting new take on supernatural books. I enjoyed most of it up until the very end and then it got weird. It also ended on a cliffhanger. I loved Fury, Roman, Ezra, and Dorian but I think Ezra is the best of them. We will see if book 2 is just as good.

Book 1 A Demon’s Guide to the Afterlife

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Beguiled by Darynda Jones

 

3.5 Star

Defiance is trying to figure out what it means to be a witch while fending off advances from one neighbor and another trying to sell her house out from under her. She decides she needs to figure out who killed her grandma, teach her BFF how to use her magic, and figure out her relationship with the shapeshifter in the basement.

This series started off so well, but it is very frustrating that the characters act like teenagers. They also seem too miraculously find some new magic to solve the problem in this book. Defiance also frustrated me so much. She had too many too stupid to live moments. I am going to give the series one more chance before I quit.

Audio: 5 star I loved Traci Odom narrating this book. She did a good job giving each character their own voice.

Book 3 Betwixt and Between

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Bewitched by Darynda Jones

 

3.5 Star

Defiance has woken from a six-month coma after overusing her magic and shocking secret being revealed. There are more secrets to come and more evil needing to be vanquished with her friends and family.

There’s not a lot of growth from the last book through this book. The back and forth between Defiance and her BFF made them seem a lot younger than they are. Overall, I liked the first but not so much this one. Still good enough to read the next one but slowly losing interest.

Audio: 5 star

Book 2 Betwixt and Between

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Princess's chosen by Kathryn Moon

 

 3.5 Star

Princess Bryony and her chosen have settled in the North has been interrupted by a visit from her grandmother and sister. Camellia. Camellia is even worse to her chosen Then before. Bryony finally wins her grandmother over before everything implodes. The council wants Bryony out as they can't control her. Her men are helping her learn more about her hunger and how to use it to help her people. With more chaos around her will they be able to find all the plots and keep everyone safe.

All the world building out of the way with book 1 made this book even better. Bryony does collect more men in this book. I am curious if she will get any more in the last book. I enjoyed seeing the growth of Bryony and her men. Having her grandmother finally except her was awesome to see. Seeing Bryony come into her own and learn more about who she is and who she wants to be also made the book good. The main points of the book are concluded but it ends with a cliffhanger esq ending where you're going to want to start the next one right away.

Book 2 Inheritance of Hunger

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Riley Thorn and the Dead Guy Next Door by Lucy Score

 

3.5 Star

Humiliated and left broke by her divorce Riley is trying to ignore her hallucinations. Until she things she’s seen start coming true. When a hot PI, Nick, shows up on her step asking questions about her neighbor she gets drawn into an investigation. She has a vision of the neighbor dying she tries to prevent it but doesn’t. Now she is being accused of murdering him. With the help of Nick will she be able to clear her name?

This was an interesting cozy mystery. By the end I liked it but the beginning was confusing and I nearly stopped reading it. It seemed like she didn’t believe in her psychic abilities but then later in the book she talks about the family heritage of psychic powers. I liked Riley and Nick together. He had more faith in her abilities then she did. I also loved all the old people Riley lived with. The ending was a nice twist. Overall, the good outweighed the bad and I will check out book two.

Book 1 Riley Thorn

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Summer Affair by Marina Adair

 

3.5 Stars

The day Jillian caught her husband cheating was the day she gave up on men. She decides to focus only on her son. To help survive she rents out her inherited home to others. When she’s asked to rent to her BFF’s Brother-in-Law she agrees. She was not expecting it to be Clay Easton or for him to see her skinny dipping on his first night. He’s trying to recover from his NFL injury that might prevent him from ever playing again. He was not planning on falling for his new landlord. Will they find a way to get their HEA?

I liked this story a lot, but the ending was very abrupt. I really enjoyed the story and seeing Jillian and Clay come together. I wanted more information on Jillian’s ex as in the description it was talked about but other than that you know she's divorced, and her ex is a dick. This is book 3 but it can be read as a standalone well. Overall, I blew through the book & liked it until the end when it just kind of ends. I wanted more. I am looking to forward to the next one.

Book 3 Easton

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https://www.amazon.com/Summer-Affair-Hilarious-Friends-Romantic-ebook/dp/B098N5QJHM/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=summer+affair+marina+adair&qid=1643483571&sprefix=summer+affair%2Caps%2C121&sr=8-1

Healing of the Wolf by Cherise Sinclair

 

3.5 Star

After being rescued from Scythe Margery was happy. That was until the village she was sent to kept her without resources. She was expected to heal all who needed without any compensation which left her reliant on them for everything. She meets a new friend who she asks for a ride somewhere else. When she gets out of town, she refuses to go back no matter what. Tynan is finally home and happy to be away from humans. He’s ready to find a mate and settle down with his littermate Donal. Tynan is very interested in Margery but Donal believing rumors about her banfasa habits wants her as far from them as possible. When Donal finally figures out the rumors aren’t true will they be able to win Margery over?

These are my new favorite group. Donal, I both loved and hated him. He’s an idiot throughout the book but he does make it up to Margery and Tynan. I loved seeing Margery come out of her shell and hold her own against everyone. Plus, she helps out Donal and Tynan work through their issues. We finally get to see a smackdown on the humans who have been after the supernaturals. When this one ended, I wanted another one.

Book 5 Wild Hunt Legacy

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Eventide of the Bear by Cherise Sinclair

 

3.5 Star

Emma has always looked for someone to love her. When her old home banished her, she spent years as a bear in the woods until a hellhound attacked humans and she stepped in to save the kids. When the coshair and his warriors catch her breaking shifter law they heal her and welcome her in. Ben offers up his home for her to heal in since he’s all alone since his brother Ryder abandoned him for a woman. Ben is tempted by Emma, but a wrench is thrown into his plans when Ryder shows up with a little girl. Ryder once gave up everything for a woman who was all an allusion, and he wasn’t going to fall for it a second time. Until one night and one act that proves not all woman are the same. Will they be able to find their happy ending?

All the feels with this one. I think Emma, Ben, and Ryder are my favorite group so far. They each have their own role in the relationship. I loved how Emma and Ben were willing to give up everything to protect Ryder’s child. The best part of the book was the end when the coshair makes the decision on who gets Ryder’s child. Loved this book.

Book 3 Wild Hunt Legacy

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Finding Kenna by Susan Stoker

3.5 Star

Since their first meeting Marshall “Aleck” has wanted to learn everything about waitress Kenna. Kenna is mortified over jumping on the back of a SEALs back thinking he was in danger and wants to make it up to him. When he shows up at her restaurant to ask her out, she’s not sure about dating a SEAL but she is willing to give it a shot. When there is a dangerous situation pops up will they both make it out alive?

I was not a huge fan of Kenna. She was very judgmental person and doesn’t really change. She was a waitress and hated anyone with money and it got old fast. I wanted to like Kenna and Marshall as a couple as they had a really “meet cute” story but I just didn’t. This is the third book in the Hawaii series, and I’ve not really liked any of them. The women have all kind of sucked. I don’t even think I finished book two as I figured out how it would go. I still love Susan Stoker’s books just not so much this series.

Book 3 SEAL TEAM Hawaii

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Scorching the Earth by Elise Faber

 

3.5 Stars

Hannah can't do love. She needs to focus on finding the traitor not how much she wants Lily. When She finally realties love isn't a bad thing will it be too late?

So happy to see the conclusion of the series. You do need to read the previous books to read this one and understand what was going on. My one big criticism was this was a f/f story, and they only really did heavy petting. With all the other books the sex scenes were vastly different. It could be Elise Faber wasn't sure how to write one well and so she skipped but it was a disappointment.

Book 4 KTS

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Reaper Untamed by Debbie Cassidy

 

3.5 Star

With the death of her former friend Lucas Fee is in danger. They can’t prove his death was not her fault and done under duress. The only sanctuary she has is with the pack but that comes with other perils. She won’t be able to ignore all her responsibilities anymore.

Fee being wishy washy in this book frustrated me. She never thinks through her actions to see what will happen if she does something. She accidentally mates a man she hates and doesn’t remember doing it. She is now stuck with him forever and doesn’t handle it well. She’s pissed and storms away from her protection and shock of all shocks ends up in even more danger. Overall, this has been my least favorite book of the series.

Book 3 Deadside Reapers

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Reaper Uninvited by Debbie Cassidy

 

3.5/4 Star

Fee is working with Grayson and the Regency Pack to try and find missing people. She hates and lusts after the alpha. When he is taken by the vampires, she will get him back no matter what.

This book starts right where the last one ended. Once again Debbie Cassidy ends her book on a cliff hanger ending and it is very frustrating. This one ends with a very violent death of a character and that was hard to read. It was interesting to see some of Fee’s men avoiding her and continuing relationships with others considering how they felt about it. They weren’t with Fee yet, so it didn’t bother me as they were trying to prevent a relationship. I was also right about Mal/Conah/Az. Thank all the gods the whole series is out, and I can just continue with the next book. I am sure they will all end on a cliffhanger.

Book 2 Deadside Reapers

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The Torid Affair by Laurann Dohner

 

3.5 Star

The crew on the Defcon Red are called on to help calm the riots on the planet Torid. Research Specialist Jessa Brick is pressed into service to help those who are injured. She is shocked by the inequality on the planet and is furious when she is pressed to help certain people over others by the governor. Veslor Medic Maith has always been annoyed by Jessa but seeing her work and her dedication changes his opinion of her. When things get dicey Maith is ordered to protect Jessa at all costs. This means they spend all their time together. As more information is discovered on what led to the riot the more danger Jessa is in. Will they be able to make it out unscathed?

I enjoyed this story. I particularly like seeing how Jessa got out of her forced servitude by the earth forces. The reason for the lower rating was the book seemed rushed at the end. It was a flow issue of the story was moving along nicely and then either we hit some wall and Dohner felt she needed to conclude the story right now and rushed the ending. It was a good read up until Jessa and Maith got back to the ship. When they were on the planet it was moving along nicely. I also didn’t feel they wrapped up the stuff going on planet side well because they were rushing the relationship. Overall, it was an enjoyable read and fit the rest of the series.

Book 5 Veslor Mates

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A Deal with the Elf King by Elise Kova

 

3.5 Star

Humans were hunted by the elves for centuries until a deal was struck that one specific woman would be selected to be queen. The queen was there to help the elf king. For the woman it is a death sentence. Luella is glad she isn’t this woman and spends her days learning herbology and how to take care of the towns people. Until one day it is discovered that she was the one marked to be queen. Taken from all she’s known and just wanting to go home she is very confused by her new role. She plans on finding some way to get out of Midscape and go home to her people. Will the elf king Eldas be able to help Luella get everything she wants?

This book is listed as a YA book, but it doesn’t read as a YA. It very much reads as a fantasy book for an adult. The only thing that might label it as a YA would be Luella being 19. There is a lot of adult content in the book. It is a riff off of Hades and Persephone. Eldas being Hades coming and taking Luella away from her life. Luella eventually falls for Eldas and doesn’t want to leave him just like in the myth. Overall, the story was interesting take on the myth, and it was enjoyable.

Book 1 Married to Magic

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The Witch and the Dead by Heather Blake

 

3.5 Star

Now that Darcy has a new home, she needs to clean out the garage to move all her stuff over. What she wasn’t planning on was finding Miles Babbage her Aunt Ve’s second husband. Ve didn’t know he was dead, and she really doesn’t know why he was in her garage. Darcy will investigate to clear her aunt but it will bring a lot of secrets to light that some people don’t want brought out.

I figured out who the bad guy was pretty quickly.  I also didn’t like some of the main people in this book.  In addition to all of that I also lost a lot of respect for Marcus (Harper’s boyfriend). It would give too many spoilers if I explained why. Overall, Darcy grew as a character and the book ends on a positive note for her but others in her life have theirs ending in chaos.

Audio

I wasn’t sure if I would like Coleen Marlo but she does an amazing job with each of these characters. I enjoyed how she gave each character their own voice. Even listening to it faster didn’t take away from the story.

Book 7 A Wishcraft Mystery

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