Category Archives: Part of a Series

#Review #AudioBook – Compound 26 (The Makanza Series Book 1) by Krista Street

A deadly virus. A brilliant, young researcher. And an infected survivor who threatens to steal her heart.

In a society ruled by sanctions and curfews, Dr. Meghan Forester emerges as the youngest and most promising scientist to join the fight against Makanza—the deadly virus that’s ravaged the world.

Inside Compound 26, a giant government-controlled research facility, Meghan’s new job involves studying the Kazzies, the rare survivors who carry the virus and now exhibit supernatural powers. But as her work unfolds, Meghan’s horrified at the brutal and unethical practices the Kazzies are subjected to.

And most surprisingly, she falls in love with one.

Faced with growing conflict over helping the Kazzies versus following the Compound’s strict policies, Meghan must choose: obey the government’s unethical practices or risk everything to save the only man she’s ever loved.

 

The Makanza Series is a complete series in which fantastical powers collide with modern science. Dive into this imaginative and romantic series today. Download now!

 

Goodreads

 

Amazon

 

Kelly’s Review

I picked this up on a promotion for free and gave it a try. This is during a time that is beyond infection. Infecteds have been rounded up and locked away, for “science.” Meghan has worked extremely hard to understand the virus become a scientist to join the fight against the virus. As she starts work at the facility, she realizes that the Kazzies are being tested against their will. They are being tortured, and she is in waaay over her head. I listened to the audio book and the narrator did very well. However, the story itself moved rather slow and seemed to repeat itself, or rather the scenarios repeated themselves a bit. There really wasn’t a big climax either. I felt like there should have been more action or more of a romance going on but I couldn’t really get invested in the story because it took a bit too long to get there. I am interested in what happens next but I am not sure if I will be continuing this series. It’s a 3.5 stars for me. We will see what happens.

 

Krista Street profile image

Krista Street loves writing fantasy and paranormal romance books. She’s a Minnesota native but has lived throughout the U.S. and in another country or two. She loves to travel, read, and spend time in the great outdoors. When not writing, Krista is either chasing her children, spending time with her husband and friends, sipping a cup of tea, or enjoying the hidden gems of beauty that Minnesota has to offer.

#Review #AudioBook – Cupcakes, Trinkets, and Other Deadly Magic (Dowser Series Book 1) by Meghan Ciana Doidge

If you’d asked me a week ago, I would have told you that the best cupcakes were dark chocolate with chocolate cream cheese icing, that dancing in a crowd of magic wielders — the Adept — was better than sex, and that my life was peaceful and uneventful. Just the way I liked it. That’s what twenty-three years in the magical backwater of Vancouver will get you — a completely skewed sense of reality. Because when the dead werewolves started showing up, it all unraveled … except for the cupcake part. That’s a universal truth.

Cupcakes, Trinkets, and Other Deadly Magic is the first book in the Dowser series, which is set in the same universe as the Oracle, Reconstructionist, Amplifier, Archivist, and Misfits of the Adept Universe series. While it is not necessary to read all the series, in order to avoid spoilers the ideal reading order of the Adept Universe begins with Cupcakes, Trinkets, and Other Deadly Magic (Dowser 1).

 

Goodreads

 

Amazon

 

Kelly’s Review

This book! Listen to it, trust me, you will be hooked!

In my opinion, a narrator can make or break a story for me. The narrator did a fantastic job of capturing the main character, Jade, but was also able to take on the other characters as well. The narrator hooked me! There are times when it takes me a while to finish an audio book because I am just not that invested in them. I found myself making time to listen. I was like, I NEED MORE!

The characters and world building were well developed. Jade and Sienna bickered and bantered like most siblings which would bring a smile to your face because you can imagine doing this with your own sibling(s). The vampires and wolves….Let me tell you something. There is a death that I did not see coming and completely threw me off my game. For that, I applaud the author because it is hard to surprise me with something like this and I love a twist like this! (claps loudly)

This series is so much different than the normal paranormal vamps, werewolves, and witches. It is so much more. It is fun to listen to with its witty banty and mystery. Highly recommend!

 

Meghan Ciana Doidge profile image

Meghan Ciana Doidge writes tales of true love conquering all, even death. Though sometimes the love is elusive, the vampires and werewolves come out to play in the daylight, and bloody mayhem ensues.

#Review #AudioBook – Getting Lucky: Tempered Steel – Vegas, by Maggie Adams

Lawrence “Lucky” Coalson is on the track of the arsonist that torched his older brother’s construction company. The clues have led him to the Mississippi Flame Casino, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Taking a job as a bouncer there, he hopes to find a connection to the vandalism or even the arsonist. What he finds is a blonde bombshell in a bit of trouble, so like the alpha male he is, Lucky comes to the rescue. But like a magician’s trick, not everything is as it appears.
Can Lucky discern the difference between lust and love when what happens in Vegas doesn’t stay in Vegas? And is the Coalson family prepared to face the consequences of his actions?

 

Goodreads

 

Amazon

 

Kelly’s Review

Just not that Lucky.

1st disclaimer, I wasn’t aware that this was part of a series when I started this book.

2nd disclaimer, I listened to the audiobook and had earbuds in and unable to stop the book (hands were busy), so I tried to keep an open mind while listening to the book.

Lucky goes to Vegas and is looking for a connection to the trouble that has befallen his family. While there he falls in love with Claudia. Ok, so we have the boy meets girl and of course she is part of the problem or at least bound up in it somehow. Now we bring in the BDSM club and things get really weird for me. I am not an expert by any means but nothing that happens in this club is very believable…at least to me. In my opinion, the narrator wasn’t that great for the story either. He wasn’t the guy for Lucky. Then the cliffhanger was huge! I just don’t know if I have it in me to explore this series any further but if I do, I will be reading it, not listening to it.

 

Maggie Adams profile image

International bestselling author Maggie Adams lives in St. Louis, Missouri with her husband, four kids, and four of the sweetest, smartest, and most talented grandchildren ever to grace God’s green earth. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on creative writing of poetry, short stories, and comics. It wasn’t until she read her first historical romance novel at the age of fourteen that she found the romance genre gave wings to her writing soul. She finds humor in everyday life, as her books often reflect, and believes in happy ever afters, no matter what the circumstances.

Her first novel, Whistlin’ Dixie, debuted in the top 100 of several book lists and made the tiny town of Grafton, Illinois, a reader’s romantic escape. There are five more books available in the series: Leather and Lace, Something’s Gotta Give, Love, Marriage & Mayhem, Forged in Fire, and Cold as Ice. She also released a companion cookbook featuring the recipes from the series as well as tried and true comfort food from generations past entitled, The Coalson Cookbook of Memories.

In addition to the Tempered Steel series, she is the author of the spinoff paranormal romance series, Legends. The first novel, Legends: Catori, garnered her recognition in the USA Today’s Happily Ever After section of Lifestyles. Legends: Kermode, followed in 2019 and Legends: Piasa is coming in 2021 along with the final book, Legends: Amarok, is coming 2022.

In 2019, Maggie also began releasing her over-forty series, Hell on Heels. The first two books in the series, Minx and Jinxed are widely available. Look for Sphynx, the next book in the series, to be released in Fall of 2022.

She has collaborated on several charitable anthologies and has enriched older stories into stand-alone novels, including her women’s erotica bundle, Lustful Legacy.

You can sign up for her FREE newsletter to keep in touch, find events and signings for the year and get exclusive sneak peeks into works in progress! www.maggieadamsbooks.com

She’s also been known to gift books randomly. Feel free to stalk her at these sites!

http://www.maggieadamsbooks.com – website

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/maggie-adams

https://www.facebook.com/maggieadamsbooks – book page

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9867300.Maggie_Adams – goodreads

https://twitter.com/AuthrMaggieAdms – twitter

https://www.pinterest.com/maggiesminxes/- Pinterest

https://www.instagram.com/maggieadamsbooks/ – Instagram

https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggie-adams-006a8b142/ – LinkedIn

#Review – Earth Spells Are Easy (Grimoires of a Middle-aged Witch Book 1) by Renee George

As a forty-three-year-old, newly divorced, single mom, I know two things for certain, starting over sucks, and magic isn’t real. At least that’s what I thought. I mean, starting over really does stink, but when it comes to magic, I have to rethink everything.

I’ve spent the last year since my ex left me going through the motions. Get up. Work. Care for a grumpy teenager. Cook dinner. Go to bed. Wash. Rinse. Repeat.

Nothing changes… Until it does.

After bidding on a box of old books at an estate auction, I’m experiencing changes.

And I’m not talking about menopause.

My garden gnome Linda has come to life. No, really. Her name is Linda, and she never shuts up. A chonky cat with a few secrets of his own has adopted me. And a gorgeous professor of the occult tells me I’m a witch.

Right now, I’m not sure who’s crazier—me, Linda or the hottie professor.

If this is my new reality, it’s nature’s cruel midlife trick. I’m learning fast that earth spells might be easy, but they aren’t cheap. All magic exacts a toll, and if I don’t master the elements, the elements will be the death of me.

Literally.

***A Paranormal Women’s Fiction Novel***

 

Goodreads

 

Amazon

 

Kelly’s Review

I read this blurb and as a “middle-aged” woman myself, I knew I had to read this book, like right now! Iris is newly divorced and just when she thinks things are going to get somewhat normal, or that she will finally be able to find a new normal for her, she has no idea of what normal is going to end up being. Life literally gets flipped upside down. Her sister tries to set her up with an occult professor, her garden gnome comes to life, and all of a sudden magic starts to happen! Silly magic, weird magic, big magic and all at a cost. She is trying to learn but also trying to keep it under wraps from her family, especially the teenager.

The story is a quick and easy read. It has plenty of witty banter with all the nonsense that runs through our middle-aged brains but also deals with the real life things too. There is divorce, being a single parent, just trying to survive and start over when life gets upended. While there were some things that felt a little rushed, overall, this was a great read and I look forward to checking out more by this author.

 

Visit Renee George Store on Amazon

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About Renee:

USA Today Bestselling author Renee George writes paranormal mysteries and romances because she loves all things whodunit, Otherworldly, and weird. Also, she wishes her pittie, the adorable Kona, could talk. Or at least be more like Scooby-Doo and help her unmask villains at the haunted house up the street.

When she’s not writing about mystery-solving werecougars or the adventures of a hapless psychic living among shapeshifters, she is preyed upon by stray kittens who end up living in her house because she can’t say no to those sweet, furry faces. (Someone stop telling them where she lives!)

She resides in Mid-Missouri with her family and spends her non-writing time doing really cool stuff…like watching TV and cleaning up dog poop.

 

Connect with Renee George!

Join Renee’s Rebel Readers (Facebook Group): https://www.facebook.com/groups/reneesunusualsuspects/

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Website: http://www.renee-george.com

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Author Note: For readers who have enjoyed reading my books and taken the time to share their love in reviews, thank you so much! I can’t tell you how much it means to me to know my work is valued.

Hugs,

Renee George

#WOTR26 #Review – Unhinged (Necessary Evils Book 1) by Onley James

Adam Mulvaney lives a double life. By day, he’s the spoiled youngest son of an eccentric billionaire. By night, he’s an unrepentant killer, one of seven psychopaths raised to right the wrongs of a justice system that keeps failing.

Noah Holt has spent years dreaming of vengeance for the death of his father, but when faced with his killer, he learns a daunting truth he can’t escape. His father was a monster.

Unable to ignore his own surfacing memories, Noah embarks on a quest to find the truth about his childhood with the help of an unlikely ally: the very person who murdered his father. Since their confrontation, Adam is obsessed with Noah, and he wants to help him uncover the answers he seeks, however dark they may be.

The two share a mutual attraction, but, deep down, Noah knows Adam’s not like other boys. Adam can’t love. He wasn’t born that way. But he refuses to let Noah go, and Noah’s not sure he wants him to.

Can Adam prove to Noah that passion, power, and protection are just as good as love?

Unhinged is a fast-paced, roller coaster ride of a romance with an HEA and no cliffhangers. It features a dirty-talking, possessive psychopath and a sweet cinnamon roll of a boy with Daddy issues and a core of steel. There’s gratuitous violence, very dark humor, enough steam to fog up a hundred car windows, and something a lot like love. This is book one in the Necessary Evils series. Each book follows a different couple.

 

Goodreads

 

Amazon 

 

Kelly’s Review

I have no idea why this book had me hooked, but Adam’s father says never ask a question if you can’t handle the answer. So, we aren’t even going to examine that. This story is absolutely intense! I picked this book up because a friend of mine who is a MM fanatic kept talking about how great the writing is and how sick and twisted the story was. Full disclosure, MM is not my jam, but I was so intrigued about the story itself. Then, I started reading….and reading….and then my heart is racing…then I am biting my nails, then I am flipping past some pages…then get back to the crazy plot. I couldn’t stop myself! I went into this downward spiral of page turning and reading.

Adam and Noah are basically an instant attraction or instant love but on a much deeper, almost scary level. However, their trauma explains some of their actions and decisions in their lives. The fact that Adam’s father trained Adam and his brothers to be assassins will run deep within the story. There is literally never a dull moment, clear up to the very end of the book. When you read this, it will stay with you. You must love all things twisted to get through this book. Go ahead, try it! You know you want to!

 

Onley James profile image

Onley James lives in North Carolina with her daughter, her daughter-in-law, son-in-law, and a menagerie of animals, both good and evil. James splits her time between writing m/m romance and mainlining dangerous levels of caffeine and attempting to maintain her ever-slipping sanity.

When not at her desk you can find her whining about how much writing she has to do while avoiding said writing by binge-watching unhealthy amounts of television and doom scrolling on social media. She loves true crime documentaries, anti-heroes, and writing kinky, snarky books about morally gray men who fall in love with other men.

Stay up to date: www.onleyjames.com/newsletter

Find me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OnleysOubliette

Want more: linktr.ee/OnleyJames

WOTR26 #NewRelease #Review – A Blade & Arrow Christmas BY: Gia Cobie

Danger lurks in the most unexpected of places.

It’s nearly Christmas at the Blade and Arrow headquarters, and the team and their partners are getting ready to celebrate the holidays together. It’s been a perfect holiday season so far… until an enemy shows up with sinister intentions. Revisit with the original Blade and Arrow Security team as they work together to survive a threat that could break them apart forever.

This ensemble cast of your favorite B & A characters (and some new faces, as well!) will find plenty of holiday joy and an HEA (plus a very special surprise!)

Highly recommended to read after completing the rest of the original Blade and Arrow Security series.

Amazon

Goodreads

Review by: Twinsie Melinda

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

I love all the characters in this series.  This is a quick read but don’t let that fool you it is packed full of suspense.

The guys are out of town the ladies and kiddos are hunkered down at the headquarters getting things ready for Christmas. When everything goes dark, no lights, no phones, no nothing the generators are not kicking in. Chaos ensues as an enemy has entered the headquarters thinking it was empty as the guys are gone. They do not realize the women and children are there and now become hostages.

So good to be able to see the B&A team and to see once again how strong their families are when they pull together to protect each other and the kids. This story kept me turning the pages needing to know what was going to happen before I could put the book down. Thank you Gia Cobie for getting me in the mindset of Christmas with this.   

Gia Cobie is an Amazon best-selling and award-winning author living in upstate New York with her husband and pets. She loves writing about protective heroes and the strong women they fall in love with.

In her spare time (when she has any!), Gia enjoys reading and spending time in the Adirondacks, and also has a weakness for reality romance shows, wine, and buying way too many books!

Follow Gia for updates on her latest releases!

#Review – Vicious Fae (Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac Book 3) by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti

The King will fall.

While I continue my hunt for the Fae who killed my brother, I have to try to keep my heart away from the vicious boys who could be responsible for his death.

But as my investigation leads me down a dangerous road and answers seem closer than ever before, I’m whisked away to the elite school, Zodiac Academy, with the four Kings, and my heart becomes more vulnerable than ever.

There are so many secrets left to uncover, and I sense something terrible is about to come to light.

But I’m in so deep to this dangerous labyrinth, what if this road only ends in blood?

The series continues with Elise trying to find her brother’s killer. Lots of excitement, drama and tension between her and her guys.

BUT we finally get a scene between Ryder, Dante and Elise and holy crap on a cracker. It was what I had been waiting for. I loved every bit of it.

I am sad how the book ended and I hope things change. There’s still two more books, so who knows what’s going to happen. I can’t really say without giving some major spoilers but wow, what a ride.

Can be read in Kindle Unlimited – https://amzn.to/4lU3HVN

#wotr #attendingauthor #YA Dear Stella (Love Notes Season 2 book 6) by Danielle Keil

Everyone at Ryder High knows what it means to have a teal envelope taped to their locker on the first day of the month.

Stella Rivers does everything by the book. As the likely candidate for valedictorian, she doesn’t need distractions. Yet, she gets one in a big way—she finds out she has a secret admirer.

Although she’s a dancer, Stella has terrible stage fright and doesn’t like to be in the spotlight. Thankfully, her friends—and some unlikely heroes—help make sure she gets her privacy while she follows the clues to find out who her secret admirer is.

First, she’s sent a key. Then, she finds a notebook with a lock. Inside? Origami, with a small clue written on it.

Her suspect list grows as she finds each notebook and origami clue.

Can she put the clues together and match them to the perfect suspect, or will she fold under the pressure?

 Goodreads- https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/242252726-dear-stella

Amazon- https://www.amazon.com/Dear-Stella-Love-Notes-Season-ebook/dp/B0FTDXPHVS/ref=sr_1_3?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.mFwBVuDW_TtiSMeBEwfQHO7yscn2FC9fnoO0scNuklojCwXUP6N_ZJte2XuRgR1TkPhe1Gdm_80jEg4ylAe3FjGFMw2kvOzxZDxVTVOrkvlOJmWS0MEIj7veS99gPwmVGRmWOT7KC7iydVhiengq8xtUgDQtSgwFJDkpNJ1FdizOPCma3J80uAydgd2il-XsJnH_sCdTB88UV8gngSofOFON6_U6kBZY69a9bDpDyP0.n5_HLT6uyVI34xwnbRPHCLhx4ngqO27phoE1gCgGEKw&dib_tag=se&keywords=danielle+keil&qid=1760192996&sr=8-3

i bought this book here is my honest review

One thing Stella doesn’t like is being in the spotlight but when she is handed a brown envelope with the famous teal envelope inside, she froze. she didn’t want the attention but after some thinking and asking for the clues to be private, and the people in charge said that was perfectly ok it was game on. the clues are creative and challenging but our girl who has a notebook for every occasion is up for the challenge. every clue comes with a new notebook and a clue inside that has a way deeper meaning then she thought was possible. who could want to be her admirer she didn’t have a clue but now she had a few, Stella had the whole month to try and figure it out on a whim can he do it or will she have to back out.

Danielle Keil grew up and spent the majority of her life in the Chicagoland area. A recent transplant, she is enjoying the Mississippi life, especially the pool in her backyard.
Danielle is happily married for over 10 years, and has two young children, a daughter and a son, who are exact replicas of her and her husband.

Danielle’s love language is gifts, her Ennegram is a 9w1, and she loves everything purple.
The way to her heart is through coffee, chocolate and tacos (extra guac).

 

#wotr26 #partofaseries #YA Dear Autumn (Love Notes Season2 book 5) by Danielle Keil

Everyone at Ryder High knows what it means to have a teal envelope taped to their locker on the first day of the month.

Autumn Avery-Romero is all sorts of confused.

First, her brother asks her to go on a pretend date with his best friend. Autumn owes her brother a favor, so she reluctantly agrees.

The next day, she finds out via the coveted teal envelope that she has a Secret Admirer.

There’s one big problem—she can’t be seen pretending to date someone and have a secret admirer. So she doesn’t tell anyone about the secret admirer. Soon, he’s sending her puzzle boxes to solve to get the clue inside.

But pretending to date someone isn’t as easy as she thought. Autumn’s feelings for her brother’s friend soon get as puzzling as the boxes she’s been solving.

She can only pick one—will she quit the game for her pretend boyfriend, or continue on to the last box from her admirer?

Goodreads- https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/241036866-dear-autumn

Amazon- https://www.amazon.com/Dear-Autumn-Love-Notes-Season-ebook/dp/B0FPBW7LFG/ref=sr_1_2?crid=RIT3L1ZZO32S&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.qZ9z_FYxskayXk7LEK5kQ2__A-8D4gunOnxj5Lnd8N6ofSh7aIYnUfSjS7oz4pWPHiaNnkbEW9-ScWE312w0YYJt0-Swgp61cbmHlGsBuDGS2EmwMssf7mNBna4-p2Tei69fJP51GJbBUxDKSf-CNF8N8fEzbw1iNyvqaed1wlKqwf8vuGyBOGXj8fBRidHdWSlBEYP-2YZLnlRVEZUORbiI8Mx71DW8Sv2SgJnyUGs.st-dTYYCnnWZ-2khGU5zkv7-IcQO9XI_cRafO8Ii76M&dib_tag=se&keywords=danielle+keil&qid=1758986871&sprefix=danielle+keil%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-2

i bought this book and here is my honest review

Summer is over, school is back in session, and a new secret admirer has been chosen, but with a twist only the girl, her bestie, the people in charge and the guy know that it’s still happening. when Autumn found the famous teal envelope in her locker, after she told her brother she would do him a favor and go on a few dates with his best friend so that his ex-girlfriend gets the hint that he was in fact over the relationship. So, the secret admirer agreed to the terms and that makes it extra secret for the month, discreate clues, and the guy knowing what he is seeing isn’t actually real. How will everyone react when the cat is out of the bag that the month wasn’t skipped and it was still going on without anyone knowing, and at the end of the month will Autumn have to make a choice between her brothers’ friend if she starts catching feelings or her admirer? this is an interesting month at Ryder High and I’m all for it. I love being back at Ryder High it’s like being home.
Danielle Keil grew up and spent the majority of her life in the Chicagoland area. A recent transplant, she is enjoying the Mississippi life, especially the pool in her backyard.
Danielle is happily married for over 10 years, and has two young children, a daughter and a son, who are exact replicas of her and her husband.

Danielle’s love language is gifts, her Ennegram is a 9w1, and she loves everything purple.
The way to her heart is through coffee, chocolate and tacos (extra guac).

WOTR26 #seriesstarter #Review – Strong Coffee (Coffee Beans & Love Book 1) by J.M. Walker

I only wanted a one-night stand. I didn’t expect to fall for him too.
My best friend is in love with me.
Instead of trying to make things work with him, I decide to have a one-night stand with someone else.
I try making it last for only one night, but my stupid heart gets in the way and I end up falling in love with him.
What makes it worse is that he’s my father’s business partner.

Goodreads

Amazon

Review by Twinsie Kelly

Strong, steamy, and classy novella about finding yourself (#Bramden).

Brady is made by his friends/business partners to take himself out on a date to just unwind and do something good for himself. While out, he and Cam have a “moment” that turns into a “MOMENT” (if you’re picking up what I am putting down *wags eyebrows*).  Well, Brady and Camden, Bramden if you will, cannot keep to themselves. Bramden just keep falling for each other. What started as a “MOMENT” is turning into so much more. Just like every relationship, there are obstacles….age, parents, exes….but hey, the heart wants what the heart wants.

J.M. Walker profile image

J.M. Walker, a Canadian author, writes stories across several different genres. She’s passionate about traveling the world with her husband, reading all the books, training for that next race, coffee, and all things spooky. She can be found with a coffee in one hand and a book in the other.

“Above all, be the HEROINE of your own life…” ~ Nora Ephron

Professional Inquiries:

I am represented by SBR Media. For inquiries regarding foreign rights, audio, and other media outlets, please contact Stephanie Phillips.

stephanie@sbrmedia.com