Category Archives: Review

Review, Sci Fi, Steampunk

#Review – The Bloodless Assassin: Quirky Steampunk Fantasy (The Viper and the Urchin Book 1) by Celine Jeanjean

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Blackmail an assassin? Who would do such a thing?

Someone pretty desperate, that’s who. Which is exactly the position Rory finds herself in.

As a scrawny, dreadlocked pickpocket who grew up on the street, life hasn’t given her a ton of options. On top of which, her partner in crime has screwed her over for all her money, so she can no longer pay for the sword master who was supposed to train her—her ticket to a new life.

She’s not prepared to give up on her dream of becoming a great sword fighter, though. Which is why when she stumbles across an assassin’s secret, she immediately sniffs an opportunity. Blackmail can be a pretty effective strategy, after all. If he trains her, she’ll keep her mouth shut.

The risks in blackmailing an assassin are pretty high, but if she can pull it off, she might finally be able to realise her dream.
That is until she realises that the assassin’s she’s blackmailing is nothing like what she thought, and she’s landed herself into far more trouble than she bargained for.

Delve into The Bloodless Assassin, book 1 of a complete 9 book series that’s packed with adventure, banter, and quirky characters, all set in a richly imagined tropical world.

Other books in the series:

#1 The Bloodless Assassin
#2 The Black Orchid
#3 The Slave City
#4 The Doll Maker
#5 The White Hornet
#6 The Shadow Palace
#7 The Opium Smuggler
#8 The Veiled War
#9 The Rising Rooks

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Review by Twinsie Kelly

This was nothing like what I expected…at all. Rory is a street urchin who has lead a tough life, but lifting purses and pillaging for coins is how she gets by. Her partner in crime, ends up turning on her and she is left to her own devices. Longinus, aka The Viper, is an assassin that ultimately is afraid of blood. He doesn’t care to actually fight for a kill but would rather it be an elaborate thing using poison. Longinus is an alchemist and longs for notoriety. I understood Rory’s character completely. However, Longinus took me longer as we had to really get to know him. The chemistry between the characters is very dynamic and I truly enjoyed them, and their stories. The story had some curvy plot twists and nothing was predictable, which I very much appreciated! I don’t think that I would characterize the book as “steampunk” but definitely more along the lines of sci-fi. Even though it wasn’t what I expected, I enjoyed the story. This is a good book if you are looking for something different to read that can be read as a standalone OR with the series. It wrapped up quite nicely!

Celine Jeanjean profile image

Celine is a nomadic writer who roams the world laptop in hand, having adventures and then telling stories inspired by those adventures. Kind of like a digital storytelling wanderer.

Her stories feature complex but flawed characters, lots of quirkiness, snappy banter, and richly imagined worlds.

If you’re ready to escape to new worlds and make new book friends, go to http://celinejeanjean.com/freebook/ to grab yourself some exclusive, free novellas.

Fantasy Romance, Review, Romantic Suspense, Vampire, Writers on the River Attending Author

#WOTR24 #Review Immortal Enemies: A STANDALONE Vampire Romance by Jessie Lane

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More than a thousand years ago, their love burned brighter than the sun. Now, the only thing that burns is his hatred for the woman he once sacrificed his life to save… and his skin in the daylight. Arne Eriksson grew up in a time when Vikings ruled the seas. He’d longed for the day he would earn his entrance to Valhalla. A treasured afterlife he’d never see since being turned into a vampire. The person responsible for making him a monster—the woman he’d once wanted to marry. Liv Nornsdottir was the outcast of the Viking era. The daughter of the mystical Norns, she hid from the world around her. All except for one… a boy who grew into the man she came to love. When he sacrificed himself to protect her, she did the only thing she could think of to save him—she had him turned into a vampire. Something so taboo she knew it would cost her Arne’s affections for all eternity. In the moment, she didn’t think, she reacted. She’s been running from him ever since. Lovers turned to immortal enemies. The problem is… he’s found her. And Arne is none to happy to learn the woman who damned him to an eternity without glory is also his mate.

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Review by Twinsie Kelly

I am a sucker for vampires, but when I read the blurb, I was immediately drawn in because we now have a Viking Vampire! Yes please! Arne is a true Viking and looks forward to raiding, protecting his family and earning his entrance to Valhalla. He is absolutely enamored by Liv. He spends much of his time more or less stalking her because he just can’t get enough. He is drawn to her by something unknown. When he and Liv finally become friends, things blossom between these two. They grow up together but have to keep their friendship hidden. It is an incredibly slow burn. Liv is very mysterious and just “knows things.” She knows, and fears, the fact that she has seen that Arne hates her for what she has to do. She can’t speak of it, but she knows. When the worst thing imaginable happens, she has to have him turned into a vampire so she won’t lose him.

The journey of these two getting to know each other, falling in love, and going through a thousand years before they crash together again was a great story. The Viking background was one of my favorite things about this story.

Jessie Lane profile image

Jessie Lane is an Amazon, Barnes & Noble and iBooks Top 100 best-selling author. She writes Paranormal and Contemporary Romance that might make you laugh, cry or do both at the same time! A sometimes shy, sometimes hyper, but often snarky chick who’s addicted to books, caffeine & hot fictional men. She lives in Kentucky with her two crazy ass grown kids, her dad and her overprotective alpha husband that she’s pretty sure is a latent grizzly bear shifter. Jessie has a passionate love for reading and writing romance, cliff hanging suspense, and out-of-this-world characters that demand your attention or threaten to slap you around until you pay attention to them. So, you’re going to pay attention now, right? *winks*

Paranormal, Review, Sci Fi, Urban Fantasy/Urban Fiction, Writers on the River Attending Author

#WOTR24 #Review – The Risen: Reapers Book 2 by Tara Vasser

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As a newly branded Reaper, my first mission was to Sanctuary Academy, a magical school for kids, to fight zombies. I mean Risen. Apparently the supernatural are quite sensitive when it comes to the categorization of the undead. And, okay, I wasn’t actually, technically, supposed to be there. But it turns out I have a knack for defeating the undead, so nobody complained too loudly about me tagging along.
My partner Gunnar and I figured it was a trap, courtesy of the Necromancer who has been dogging my steps from the moment I stumbled into this supernatural world. It was a trap, of course. But I wasn’t the intended prey as we suspected.
Stranded at the school, courtesy of a monster blizzard, I explore hidden passages and unlock new facets of my magical abilities in the process. I just hope I can unearth the secrets of Sanctuary Academy in time to rescue Gunnar from whatever grisly fate the Necromancer has planned.
As a newly branded Reaper, my first mission was to Sanctuary Academy, a magical school for kids, to fight zombies. I mean Risen. Apparently the supernatural are quite sensitive when it comes to the categorization of the undead. And, okay, I wasn’t actually, technically, supposed to be there. But it turns out I have a knack for defeating the undead, so nobody complained too loudly about me tagging along.
My partner Gunnar and I figured it was a trap, courtesy of the Necromancer who has been dogging my steps from the moment I stumbled into this supernatural world. It was a trap, of course. But I wasn’t the intended prey as we suspected.
Stranded at the school, courtesy of a monster blizzard, I explore hidden passages and unlock new facets of my magical abilities in the process. I just hope I can unearth the secrets of Sanctuary Academy in time to rescue Gunnar from whatever grisly fate the Necromancer has planned.

Goodreads

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Review by Twinsie Kelly

Being part of Death’s entourage and doing his bidding has not sat well with Chloe. She is a newly branded Reaper and still doesn’t understand fully what exactly she is. She is under Gunnar’s care and is supposed to be staying with Maude to continue her “education.” Since she wasn’t born into the supernatural world, she is very behind. Gunnar allows her to go with him to Sanctuary Academy to fight “the risen,” or in other words, zombies. Only these are unlike any zombies that the others have fought. It turns into a trap, Gunnar is kidnapped, and she is ordered by Death to stay at the school. Of course, Chloe can’t do what she is told as she is now just feeling like she can be useful. However, this turns into a mess too! As she is moonlighting as an Indiana Jones wannabe, she befriends one of the students, almost kills herself, learns new powers, and uncovers exactly what the kidnapping necromancer wants. Chloe just wants to do what’s right but can’t seem to get anyone to trust her to help. However, she did find some breadcrumbs that take her to Gunnar, but she now has even more questions as questions about her past and soul are triggered.

This story has a very intriguing and unique world. The characters can be very intense but are also witty and sincere. I am completely hooked and cannot wait to continue this series. I need to know what happens next!

Tara Vasser profile image

Tara is a writer who lives in the frozen north in Minnesota with her wonderful husband and two rambunctious little dudes. She is an engineer during the day, a crazy mom in the afternoon and a writer at night. She enjoys spending her time playing in the dirt when her gardens aren’t covered in snow and listening to a wide variety of music that inspires her writing – sometimes doing both at the same time.

Be sure to visit Tara’s web page and sign up for her newsletter for updates on works in progress and upcoming new releases! www.authortaravasser.com

Part of a Series, Review, Small Town Romance, Standalone

#review #newrelease #partofaseries Rugged Southern Charmers (Magnolia Grove 4) by Fabiola Francisco

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A childhood friends to lovers, small town romance

I never imagined I’d be back in my hometown, unemployed, and feeling like a failure. Getting involved with someone at work is a huge mistake, especially when he’s a famous football player, and I’m just a therapist they can easily replace.

The silver lining is reconnecting with my best friend…even if he is hot now. I can ignore that detail, right? I hope so because Dean’s helping me fix my grandma’s old cabin so I have a place to stay, and between seeing him shirtless and working with his hands, I might just give in to temptation.

Crossing that line should be awkward, but when he kisses me on a dare, I feel like he’s sparked life into me.

My time in Magnolia Grove is temporary while I figure out my next steps, and falling for Dean is not a part of my plans.

But sometimes challenges lead us back to where we’re meant to be.

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/201814207-rugged-southern-charmer

Amazon https://amzn.to/3NnBLdu

Review by Twinsie Dee

i was given this book by the author for an honest review.

RaeLynn moved back home after getting fired from her personal trainer job with the NFL, but most people think she’s home to help her sister-in-law whose doctor has made a point to tell her to destress and relax for at home for the rest of her pregnancy. So RaeLynn is now running her niece to school and in charge of her sister-in-law’s flower shop. but soon she will run into well more like yell at her former friend from high school Dean she didn’t even realize it was him at first. Not one memory from her past doesn’t involve Dean in one way or another. But now that they are older and Rae isn’t just the tomboy hanging out with the guys or just a member of the football team, she’s a grown woman and Dean is just as good looking as he was in high school just more muscles. But they both don’t know that each other is starting to have feelings that are more than friends. Will they give in to these feelings and possibly ruin their friendship or keep their feelings buried deep down to keep what they already have.

Fabiola Francisco traded her flip flops for boots when she moved to Spain to live out her small town dreams. She loves the escape books offer. She writes contemporary romance, mostly small town romances with swoony book boyfriends and strong and sassy heroines.

Writing has always been a part of her life, penning her own life struggles as a form of therapy through poetry. Now, she writes novels that will capture your heart and make feel a range of emotions.

She is continuously creating stories as she daydreams. She also enjoys country music, exploring the outdoors, and reading.

Fabiola is represented by Two Daisy Media Literary Agency.

Kidnapping, Mystery, Review, short story, Suspense

#review #shortstory #short #mystery Red X (Run on Red short) by Noelle W. Ihli

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A short story from RUN ON RED by Noelle W. Ihli.

Learn what happened to Ava Robles.

Fair warning: This short story contains spoilers for RUN ON RED.

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123892935-red-x

Amazon https://amzn.to/3T0qnaR   (buy run on red and get this short story at the end)

Review by Twinsie Dee

i bought this book and here is my honest review

if you read Run on Red you will know that the girls found the body of the missing girl Ava Robles, they solved the crime but now we get to find out how and why she got in the crawlspace the way she did. Ava was a new recruit to a sorority on campus and at a crazy college bonfire when she takes a breather before leaving one of her new sisters car she was met by a sister’s brother, they start talking and he takes her back to his truck they are drinking and making out, he’s got to be safe right I mean she knows his sister, but Ava couldn’t be more off on her gut feeling.

Noelle’s two great passions are murder and horses (separately, never together).

She lives in Idaho with her husband, two sons, and two cats. When she’s not plotting her next thriller, she’s scaring herself with true-crime documentaries or going for a trail ride in the foothills (with her trusty pepper spray).

Dark, Kidnapping, Mystery, Psychological Thriller, Review, Standalone, Thriller

#review #thriller #standalone Run on Red by Noelle W. Ihli

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A rural country road. No cell signal for miles. A terrifying game of cat-and-mouse.

By the time Laura and Olivia notice the headlights tailing them through the hills, it’s too late. What seems, at first, like a case of road rage quickly unfolds into a heart-pounding chase—and a battle for survival.

Who are the men in the truck? What do they want? And can Laura and Olivia outrun—and outsmart—them long enough to call for help, even if it means taking their chances in the hills on foot?

As their situation grows more perilous, the girls realize that the real terror has only just begun. But flight won’t save them from their pursuers. If they’re going to make it home alive, they’ll have to fight.

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61381555-run-on-red

Amazon  https://amzn.to/3HDUQVA

Review by Twinsie Dee

i bought this book and here is my honest review

Olivia and Laura were on their way to a bonfire out in the middle of nowhere going on backroads, twist, turns and hills. Olivia was getting car sick in the old beat-up Volvo that Laura’s sister let them take for the night. Olivia noticed a truck following super close to them and was able to grab the plate number and text it to her bestie you know to be safe in her true crime mind you can’t be careful enough in a time like this, well this wasn’t because they were in the middle of nowhere she did it all the time so they didn’t think too much of it but she wanted them to have a lead just in case something bad were to happen to her. next thing the truck passes them and sits in wait blocking them from their path and now the girls were in their very own Dateline episode that they didn’t want to be in, with 2 mask men coming towards their car what happens next you will never see coming. What do these guys want to hurt them, or possibly kill them, what did they do. So many twists, turns, and gut retching pain that will have you on the edge of your seat till the last page.

Noelle’s two great passions are murder and horses (separately, never together).

She lives in Idaho with her husband, two sons, and two cats. When she’s not plotting her next thriller, she’s scaring herself with true-crime documentaries or going for a trail ride in the foothills (with her trusty pepper spray).

Audio Book, Contemp. Romance, Opposites Attract, Part of a Series, Review, Writers on the River Attending Author

#wotr #attendingauthor #seriesstarter #audiobook Foundation (Brady Family 1) by Lainey Davis Narrated by Tom Taylorson and Carly Robins

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Meet the Brady family. They’re brilliant, brooding, and barreling into relationships whether they like it or not.

Zack Brady doesn’t do relationships. He does calculations.

When his family engineering firm sends him to investigate a sinkhole at a client’s house, Zack feels a tremor in the foundation of his carefully calculated world.

Her name is Nicole Kennedy. She’s loud and crass and has no time for nonsense. She certainly doesn’t have time for a mysterious trench swallowing her yard. To make matters worse, the grouchy engineer who shows up to fix it is the same jerk she’s forced to run beside during the corporate relay race her boss insisted she run.

Somewhere between jogging and poring over geotechnical engineering plans, Nicole and Zack feel the earth move. Can they overcome their past to build something meaningful?

Foundation is book one of the Brady Family series. If you love messy family dynamics, unforgettable characters, and sizzling chemistry, you’ll devour this new series by Lainey Davis, creator of the Stag Brothers series.

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53579593-foundation?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=bHSxBlLwjC&rank=3

Amazon https://amzn.to/4bKduca

Review by Twinsie Dee

i bought this audiobook here is my honest review.

When Nicole is just trying to do her job, but her boss is making her participle in the corporate relay race, which is the last thing she wants to do, but her boss is determined to win not that Nicole cares really but guess she’s needs to be a team player while still doing her job. But with all this training now added to her schedule that her boss is making her do, don’t think she’s not going to ask him for a raise because of all of this. Since the rules for the race says they need to have a female representation on each team and Nicole was the lucky winner for her law firm. Zack is talked into being a trainer for this race and luckily gets paired to train Nicole, he isn’t one to flirt or deal with women like Nicole, but he finds himself feeling all these different feelings he’s never had before. These two find themselves working together in more ways in one Zack has to evaluate Nicoles yard when a landslide is happening in her very backyard, and with him being her trainer to the fiery spark has them pulling to each other and sliding in more ways than one. Which runner will cross the finish line first for their law firm and get bragging rights. this was a funny and good story, I laughed too hard in more than one spots, great read.

USA Today bestselling author Lainey Davis lives in Pittsburgh in the USA with her 3 feral sons, 2 rescued rabbits, and 1 tired husband. Her books feature brooding heroes, feisty heroines, steamy love scenes and happily ever afters.

New Release, Part of a Series, Review, Small Town Romance, Standalone

#review #partofaseries Fake Southern Fiancé (Magnola Grove 3) by Brittany Holland

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When you’re a famous wedding planner, planning your own wedding, everyone expects it to be the event of the year.

Just one problem… I don’t actually have a groom.

I did—but then he decided to walk away before I even walked down the aisle.

Now if I want to save my reputation, and my business, I need to find someone willing to play the part of my fake southern fiancé and pull off my small town wedding without a hitch.

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/201803369-fake-southern-fianc?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=JyqLKt0fm9&rank=20

Amazon https://amzn.to/3RozuA2

Review by Twinsie Dee

i was given this book by the author for an honest review

Ever since Lucy was a little girl she has been dreaming and planning her perfect wedding down to the littlest detail. She couldn’t wait to get married, she started her own wedding planning business, and found her groom to be, he proposed through a ring sent to Lucy from FedEx. Yes, you read that right he shipped her a ring and asked her to marry him, this wasn’t how Lucy wanted it to go but it is what it is. the day had finally come where they were going to be featured in a magazine telling the whole world about their crazy happy story. but when he starts to realized Lucy isn’t coming to him, he calls everything off and she is devastated, all the red flags were there she just never seen them. Lucy picks herself up she isn’t going to let Mr. Wrong ruin her perfectly ever after, she has some twist turns and complete stops, but Lucy is determined to find her prince charming. this was a well written story, kind of felt rushed in some spots but overall, still enjoyed the town, characters.

Once upon a time, Author Brittany Holland’s passion for reading and an active imagination inspired her to pursue her dream of writing. A lover of fairytales, folklore and mythology, the hopeless romantic pens a modern twist on happily ever after. Her books range from Contemporary Retellings to New Adult Romantic Fantasy. In her free time, she enjoys traveling with her husband and two children, perfecting her latte making skills at home and binge-reading her never ending TBR.

Fantasy, Paranormal, Review, Shifters, Witches

#review #rh #mystery Some Kind of Monster (Friends with Monsters 2) by Albany Walker

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Naughty girls need love too.

A beautiful monster, that’s what I am. My packaging is just a little nicer than the creatures you hear about dwelling in your closet.

With three baddies for my mates, things are definitely getting interesting. I think I’ve even convinced them not to kill each other.

But I have a new purpose, someone is hurting our kind. Stealing Charmed magic in arcane rituals that leave my friends drained and dead, and I won’t allow it.

It’s time for them to find out why even the Monsters fear me.

I am the bad guy

Companion novel to Friends with the Monster. RH story with adult themes not recommend for those under 18

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53710736-some-kind-of-monster

Amazon https://amzn.to/48h05FR

Review by Twinsie Dee

i was given this book by the author for an honest review.

once again, we are back with our three sexy monsters, and the one woman who could bring them all to their knees. Grim, Calix, Gunner and Dami, are all on the hunt trying to find the witch who is killing all the monsters that they know and don’t know. this is a huge mystery all the signs point to Vanessa, but there is known way she is able to do all this dark magic by herself she might be the face of this, but she isn’t the one pulling the strings. A few road trips, lots of hot and heavy time that gets very steamy, and the 3 guys getting more comfortable in their new house with Dami. Will they be able to crack this mystery before any more charmed creatures get killed or will there be a lot more bloodshed. another great book from Albany, and always leaving me wanting more after the flip of the last page.

Albany lives in Michigan where she’s happily married to her high school sweetheart. She spends most of her time juggling her four children’s extracurricular activities, with her nose stuck in a book. When not reading you can find her writing her very own book boyfriends. Albany’s passion is writing romance with real characters that are far from perfect, but always seem to find their own happily ever after.

Contemp. Romance, Ghosts, Paranormal, Review

#Review – Love at First Haunt: A Ghostly Paranormal Romance (Haunted Ever After Book 1) #Review – Love at First Haunt by Carrie Pulkinen

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A psychic who’s afraid of ghosts…
Is that even a thing?

For medium Allison Gray, it certainly is. She’s seen dead people for as long as she can remember, but a harrowing incident from her past has left her terrified of spirits.

The one in Logan’s house is no exception.

Logan Mitchell is an empath, and while his gift of reading people’s emotions has come in handy in the business world, it’s about to drive him insane. Literally.

If his psychic power doesn’t make him crazy, the ghost that’s haunting him soon will.

He’s given up hope of ever having a normal life, until he meets Allison.

She could be the answer to his prayers, but even if she can overcome her fears, loving Logan will mean risking her life.

If you like steamy romance with a spooky twist, you’ll love this heart-melting ghost story!

One-Click Now!

Previously published as To Catch a Spirit by Carrie Pulkinen

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Amazon

Review by Twinsie Kelly

Mediums, fate, and ghosts…all wrapped up in a steamy happily ever after!

I have to be honest, the moment that I found out that Logan was rich, I almost put the book down. I have read enough of those that they all seem to be the same. However, I powered through because a lot of the story was still based around Allison and am happy I did. Logan is not the billionaire I have come to expect with similar stories. While at Logan’s first party in his new mansion, Allison has a terrible interaction with a ghost, but she has also picked up on some very strong feelings from Logan. Logan is an empath but does not realize it. He believes that his quirks are just that, quirks. Fate puts these two into a tailspin within the story until they literally collide and come together over a female spirit that haunts the mansion who thinks Logan is her husband. Allison and Logan both have a history and are completely broken, but just when you think love is all lost, these two actually complete each other. Super sweet and a great read!

Carrie Pulkinen profile image

USA Today Bestselling Author Carrie Pulkinen (pronounced PULL-kin-in) has always been fascinated with things that go bump in the night. Of course, when you grow up next door to a cemetery, the dead (and the undead) are hard to ignore. Pair that with her passion for writing and her love of a good happily-ever-after, and becoming a paranormal romance author seems like the only logical career choice.

To learn more about Carrie, please visit her website at www.CarriePulkinen.com.

She is also on Facebook and Instagram at @CarriePulkinen

And to stay up-to-date on all her latest news and new releases, sign up for Carrie Pulkinen’s VIP Reader Group here: https://www.carriepulkinen.com/subscribe