authentic reviews and insightful interviews for inquisitive readers
Title: We Three Kings Author: Kristen Bailey Series: n/a Much thanks to Kristen Bailey, Dreamscape Select, and NetGalley for allowing me to listen to a free eaudio ARC in exchange for an honest review. This was a wonderful, heartwarming Christmas novel. I adored Maggie and her IT kings. Maggie was sweet and kind and open-minded, but not meek or a pushover. Just a good person. A great lead character. Some might say she shouldn’t be in lead positions if she …
Title: Darling Girls Author: Sally Hepworth Series: n/a an argument for nurture Thank you to Sally Hepworth, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for allowing me to listen to a free eaudio ARC in exchange for an honest review. First a disclaimer: I have no experience or personal knowledge of the foster care system, much less that of Australia, so I won’t be commenting on it. I have no idea if this novel perpetuates false and/or negative stereotypes or perceptions regarding foster …
Title: Hannah Tate, Beyond Repair Author: Laura Piper Lee Series: n/a it’s okay to fuck up your kid Much thanks to Laura Piper Lee, Dreamscape Media, and NetGalley for allowing me to listen to a free eaudio ARC in exchange for an honest review. Hmm. Well, one thing I can say for sure is that conservatives probably won’t like this book much. It should have the subtitle “a WOKE novel.” Did you just cringe? Me too. Though, blanket disclaimer, I …
Title: Inheritance Author: Nora Roberts Series: The Lost Bride Trilogy #1 No self-contained plot, protag too perfect Much thanks to Nora Roberts, St. Martin’s Press, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for allowing me to both read and listen to free ARCs of the ebook and audiobook in exchange for an honest review. The premise checked a lot of boxes for me, as it did for Nora when she was brainstorming her next trilogy. Old haunted mansion, ghosts, spooks, a family curse, …
Title: The Witches of Moonshyne Manor Author: Bianca Marais Series: n/a Social Justice Warrior: The Novel I would like to thank Bianca Marais, Harper Audio, and NetGalley for allowing me to listen to a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. Also HUGE thanks to Emer Flounders for inviting me on the blog tour and providing me with an audio version. On one hand, I respect what Marais did here, and it was executed better than it might have …
Article and Interview by Elise Cooper When It Falls Apart by Catherine Bybee has her venturing into a new genre. Instead of suspense this one is a relationship story. Anyone who has an elderly parent will be able to relate to this novel. As parents get older their children must deal with the emotional and physical illnesses. But as with this story, what if the parent was not the supportive or caring type? This plot is loosely based on Bybee’s …
Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Unbridled Cowboy and The Lost and Found Girl by Maisey Yates are filled with an emotional punch, heartbreak, warmth, and overcoming the past. With Unbridled Cowboy Yates shows why she is the champion writer of cowboys with no one doing it better. Unbridled Cowboy begins with a tradition done years ago whether in the Old West or with religious sects, a set-up marriage. Sawyer Garrett has a huge ranch and is financially well off. …
Title: The Secret of Snow Author: Viola Shipman Series: n/a Questionable lead, unimpressive writing, melodramatic I would like to thank Viola Shipman, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. Also thanks to Sophie James for inviting me on the blog tour. When Palm Springs meteorologist Sonny Dunes is fired and replaced with a sexy robot, she gets drunk and lets the world know how she feels about the …
Title: Legacy Author: Nora Roberts Series: n/a Rambling, predictable, and annoying lead I would like to thank Nora Roberts, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book had three huge marks against it: the narrative rambled, I knew who the culprits would be the moment they were mentioned in the first chapter, and I seriously disliked Adrian, the main character/heroine. The romance took too long to develop …
Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Firefly Lane and its sequel Fly Away, by Kristin Hannah, were written over a decade ago. But they have come back into relevance after Netflix adapted these novels for a TV series. Although the Netflix series is good, those who have not read Hannah’s books are missing the essence of the stories. Hannah has a knack for a descriptive writing style that draws out the characters through a storyline that is heart-warming and heart-wrenching. …