authentic reviews and insightful interviews for inquisitive readers
Title: The Glass Queen Author: Gena Showalter Series: Forest of Good and Evil #2 Loved it more than book one I would like to thank Justine Sha for inviting me to read a free ARC, as well as Gena Showalter, Inkyard Press, and NetGalley for allowing me to read it in exchange for an honest review. When I received an email inviting me to read this book, I was interested, but starting in the middle of a series makes my …
Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Hidden by Laura Griffin is the first in a new series. The story is intense, suspenseful, with some romance. The plot begins with a woman murdered on a hiking trail. At first, investigators think it is a mugging gone wrong. But there are some clues, which stand out, that have crime reporter, Bailey Rhoads, suspecting there is more to the story. Why would the body be stabbed numerous times, moved, and then dumped in …
Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Paw and Order by V. M. Burns is a fun cozy mystery. She has found her rhythm with engaging characters and enthralling plots. The humans and four-legged animals only enhance the story. The story has Lilly Echosby convincing an eccentric poodle-loving billionaire Archibald Lowry to sponsor a fundraiser for the Eastern Tennessee Poodle Rescue. Unfortunately, he is murdered at the event, leaving his puppy poodle an orphan. Lilly’s best friend Scarlett “Dixie” Jefferson, a …
Title: Where Dreams Descend Author: Janella Angeles Series: Kingdom of Cards #1 Had potential, but ultimately a disappointing drag I would like to thank Meghan Harrington for inviting me to join the blog tour, and also Janella Angeles, Wednesday Books/St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. Every time I tried to read this, I either spaced off or fell asleep. I wasted so much time over the last …
Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Isolated Threat and Badlands Beware by Nicole Helm continue the Badlands Cops series. As the series progresses so does the storyline, with each book better than the previous one. This is not to say the first is not spellbound and riveting. Isolated Threat brings to life Brady Wyatt who agrees to help Cecilia Mills Knight rescue a child. Her good friend had postpartum depression and after a suicide attempt the state agency plans on …
Article and Interview by Elise Cooper The Bad Boy of Redemption Ranch and The Hero of Hope Springs show why author Maisey Yates is the queen of the cowboy stories. In both stories the characters are searching to find their place in the world. They are stories of hope, acceptance, love, and family with a small-town romance. The Bad Boy of Redemption Ranch has the heroine as someone who enforces the rules, butting heads with the hero who likes to …
Article and Interview by Elise Cooper K-9 Defense by Elizabeth Heiter puts readers continuously on edge. The three main characters, Colter Hayes, Rebel, and Kensie Morgan are engaging. The human characters, Colter and Kensie are damaged and vulnerable, both suffering from survivor’s guilt after losing their loved ones. Rebel, the canine-tracker dog, is protective and supportive for the main characters. Those who enjoy stories involving man’s best friend get an added bonus. There are two books in one with a …
Title: Call It Magic Author: Janet Chapman Series: Spellbound Falls #7 Started out somewhat promising…then tanked I would like to thank the late Janet Chapman, Berkley, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. I feel like I’m sacrilegiously speaking ill of the dead—rest in peace, Ms. Chapman—but that’s not going to stop me from giving an honest review. I wanted this book to be good so that it would honor Chapman’s …
Title: All Fired Up Author: Lori Foster Series: Road to Love #3 Meh Thanks to Justine Sha for inviting me to participate in the blog tour, and thanks to Lori Foster, Harlequin, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. This was a cute story. Not riveting but not terrible either. My overall feeling was an amicable “meh.” A little too cheesy for my taste. Mitch was a nice guy if rather …
Title: Death Comes to Dartmoor Author: Vivian Conroy Series: Merriweather and Royston Mystery #2 rather convoluted and written blandly I would like to thank Vivian Conroy, Crooked Lane Books, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. Lord Raven Royston and Miss Merula Merriweather journey to Dartmoor in an effort to escape the scandal they’ve recently been involved in in London. Expecting to relax with some peace and quiet, they are dismayed …