authentic reviews and insightful interviews for inquisitive readers
Title: Phantom Pearl Author: Monica McCabe Series: Jewel Intrigue #3 Wasn’t what I thought it would be I would like to thank Monica McCabe, Lyrical Press, and Kensington Books for allowing me to read an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I didn’t finish reading this book, and I’m not proud of it. I tried for two weeks to get myself to finish it, but for some reason I just couldn’t justify taking the time. My attention and interest …
Title: The Ultimatum Author: Karen Robards Series: The Guardian #1 The end is worth the beginning Publicly, Bianca St. Ives runs a successful security firm with her father. Privately, she’s part of her father’s team of thieves, stealing back money or other goods from the thieves that had stolen them first. The operation involving two hundred million dollars in a secret safe beneath the palace of an Arabic prince is merely par for the course—until Bianca discovers the money gone. …
Title: A Shadow Bright and Burning Author: Jessica Cluess Series: Kingdom of Fire #1 Rich mythos, complicated characters, a great debut novel A rare breed of magic ability, Henrietta Howel must find her place in a society full of prejudice and a world ravaged by war. Beyond that one sentence, I don’t dare try to summarize everything that goes on in this book; there are too many facets and subplots that I believe I wouldn’t do it justice. That might …
Title: Some Kind of Hero Author: Suzanne Brockmann Series: Troubleshooters #17? Reluctant Heroes #2? Don’t think about it too hard… I would like to thank Suzanne Brockmann, Ballantine/Random House Publishing Group, and NetGalley for allowing me to read an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Lieutenant Peter Greene’s daughter, Maddie, goes missing, and Shayla Whitman offers to help him find her. Over the next few days, they use every resource available to them to track her down, but Maddie …
Title: Come Sundown Author: Nora Roberts Series: n/a This path has already been heavily tread *sigh* This is a Nora Roberts, so of course I bought and read it—or tried to. Many people I’m sure do the same, and that’s why Roberts can afford to toss out this kind of crap. Brand recognition is priceless in marketing. Roberts wrote this story years ago, except it was titled Montana Sky, and it was so much better. Let me tell you what …
Title: Crazy in Love Author: Annabelle Costa Series: n/a Pleasantly surprised I would like to thank Annabelle Costa, who requested my honest review of her work and kindly sent me a copy to read. Anna Flint doesn’t care that her coworkers call her Crazy Anna. Her trusty can of Lysol has kept her healthy for years, and how is collecting canned goods any different than collecting stamps or coins? She’s more intelligent than the lot of them, so let them …
Title: Wilde Horses Author: Jannine Gallant Series: Born to be Wilde #4 Mature characters, steady pace, and well-crafted plot I would like to thank Jannine Gallant, Lyrical Press, Kensington Publishing Corp., and NetGalley for allowing me to read an ARC in exchange for an honest review. When Hollywood invades Eden Wilde’s peaceful existence on her family’s ranch in Wyoming, she grits her teeth and gathers all the patience in her possession. The director’s a selfish ass, the crew makes a …
Title: Once Upon a Summer Night Author: Nancy Scanlon Series: Mists of Fate #3 a wonderful mix of staid modernism and fanciful notions I would like to thank Nancy Scanlon, Diversion Books, and NetGalley for allowing me to read an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Colin O’Rourke aims to expand his matchmaking business to the UK, but Miss Winifred Emsworth, a popular gossip columnist, is not a fan. She holds a lot of sway with the public, and …
Title: To Seduce a Stranger Author: Susanna Craig Series: Runaway Desires #3 Detailed, well-structured, impressive I would like to thank Susanna Craig, Kensington Books, Lyrical Press, and NetGalley for allowing me to read an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Charlotte Blakemore, Dowager Duchess of Langerton, is grieving the loss of not only her recently past husband, but the loss of the only person who’d ever cared about her. Her stepson is more concerned with gaining the assets the …
Title: America’s Next Reality Star Author: Laura Heffernan Series: Reality Stars #1 Awkward… I would like to thank Laura Heffernan, who requested my honest review of her work and kindly sent me a copy to read. In quick succession, Jennifer Reid broke up with her long-term boyfriend, lost her job, and received an eviction notice. No better time to audition for a reality show, right? She had nothing to lose, and she needed the prize money to get her life …