Category Archives: Review

Apocalyptic, Part of a Series, Review, Writers on the River Attending Author, Zombie

#WOTR21 – #Review #Zombies- Lost Undead (Stay Dead Book 2) by L.C. Mortimer aka Sophie Stern

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Book cover for Lost Undead (Stay Dead, #2) by L.C. Mortimer

Zombies never stay dead.

They made it to the island. They managed to find a way to escape the burning cruise ship where they’d been trapped, and now they’re facing a new problem.

The zombies didn’t go down with the ship.

They’re here.

They’re everywhere.

Winter and her friends need to find a new way to escape, a new way to keep fighting.

If only the dead would stay that way.

Goodreads

Review by Kelly

I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

I LOVE GRETA!! She is the perfect grandma and so many people underestimate her. The trio have finally decided that they need to get off this island, but they did not expect what happened next. Another lifeboat with survivors lands on their tiny island, which puts a kink in their plan. Something just isn’t right. Greta, Winter, and Isaiah all have a bad feeling. Next thing you know chaos erupts and they are scrambling to survive once again. Nothing can stay chaotic forever…everything will look better in the morning. Riiiight. Oh I want talk about what happened and about the really bad things and the badassery that Greta is….ooooohhhhhh how I want to tell you all about it, but I can’t! I refuse to give it all away. What I am saying is that there is so much going on in this story, I literally read it in one sitting, I was consumed by it! I am on pins and needles waiting to read the 3rd installment. I need to know what happens next!

L. C. Mortimer

L.C. Mortimer likes zombies, shifters, and things that go bump in the night. When she’s not busy dreaming up her next story, Mortimer can be found dancing, traveling, or curled up with a cozy mystery.

Contemp. Romance, Friends to Lovers, Review

#Review – The Double D Ranch: A Friends to Lovers Novel (A Fortuna, Texas Novel Book 1) by Rochelle Bradley

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The Double D Ranch: A Friends to Lovers Novel (A Fortuna, Texas Novel Book 1)

Welcome to Fortuna, Texas where the men read romance novels. This spicy, heartwarming friends to lovers romance is set in the small town of Fortuna and is the first in the Fortuna, Texas series.

Longhorns and lingerie…

Much to the chagrin of foreman Josiah, Jessie Davidson wants a romance reduction. But the Double D Ranch hides a secret. Since inheriting the property, Jessie kept her grandmother’s hoard concealed, but now she’s found the courage to purge the unwanted items: steamy novels, thousands of them. Romance has to go! Donating the books is a good thing, right? Not when coupled with a dare.

The dare spirals out of control. The ante is upped when caches of the spicy books, left in barber shops, pool halls, and pubs, challenge others to join the fad. A perverted prankster runs amok playing on the town’s fantasies. Book clubs are formed. Plots acted out. In a town saturated with romance, Jessie finds her love life underdeveloped.

Keep Jessie safe. It’s the promise Josiah Barnes made to Jessie’s dying grandmother. He aims to honor it, even if it means protecting Jessie from himself. Failing her in the past has him on high alert when the Double D becomes ground zero for the arousal avalanche sweeping the town. As a full-support, silent partner, Josiah will do anything to augment the Double D. But when Jessie starts selling handmade lingerie, keeping his hands to himself is easier said than done…

Will she shelve happily ever after like a rejected novel, or open her heart and start a new chapter?

Goodreads

Review by Kelly

The Double D Ranch is where the arousal avalanche started with the discovery of the provocative hoard of romance novels. Now all the big bad men are in book clubs learning the art of magic mouths while the women wait to be experimented on. LMAO! This is not all! There is a wonderful story about Jessie who inherited the Double D Ranch when her grandparents passed away. She is slowly but surely going through all their things when she happens upon the hoard of romance novels. And I use the term hoard very loosely. A bet is made and next thing you know the whole town is hooked on the romance novels! She uncovers a past about her grandparents that she didn’t know and realizes that her grandmother was a little feistier than she ever would have thought. I LOVE her grandmother’s story and the fact that her friend is still around to add fuel to the fire. Actually, there are a lot of things that go on in this story. I will be brief so not to give too much away but there is a town prankster, lingerie, an incredibly slow burn love story, crazy characters, and an intense backstory of Jessie’s. I must be honest that the slow burn part was killing me. There were times that I was like “just get it on already”! However, the crazy names, funny situations, the plethora of sexual innuendos and the witty banter had me literally laughing out loud! There is a great story, though a bit sweet and corny at times, kept me turning the page. This is a new author for me, but I definitely needed the tongue-in-cheek story. If you need something light-hearted and a bit on the slapstick comedy side, I’d recommend!

Rochelle Bradley

Rochelle puts an artistic spin on everything she does but there are two things she fails at miserably:

1. Cooking (seriously, she can burn water)

2. Sewing (buttons immediately fall back off)

But she loves baking and makes a mean BTS (Better than Sex) cake. When in observation mode she is quiet, however, her mouth is usually open with an encouraging glass-is-half-full pun or, quite possibly, her foot.

She is a Bearcat, a Buckeye, an interior decorator, and fluent in sarcasm.

In 2008 she decided to get the stories out of her head. Midway through her first novel, hurricane Ike (yes, a hurricane in Ohio) rendered the laptop useless with a nine-day power outage. She didn’t give up, but continued to pursue her dream.

Every November Rochelle takes on the challenge of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo.org) where she endeavors to write 50,000 words in thirty days. You can often hear her cheering the Dayton, Ohio area Wrimos (those who join her in this crazy pursuit).

Rochelle shares her home with a big black cat, an itty-bitty orange tiger kitty, her daughter, her son, and her Prince.

She loves to connect with readers. You can find her on Facebook (search for Author Rochelle Bradley), Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.

Visit Rochelle’s website to sign up for her newsletter to keep up to date about future novels and book signings (RochelleBradley.com).

Fantasy, Paranormal, Review, Shifters

#Review Harpy’s Mission (Supernatural Retrieval Agency 1) by Laura Greenwood

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Harpy's Mission (Supernatural Retrieval Agency, #1)

Harper has wanted to join the Agency for as long as she can remember, but even she never expected to be thrown in the deep end on her first day.

After she helps uncover a secret crime ring within the city, she’s sent on a rescue mission to get a vital witness to safety. But when the plan goes sideways, Harper and her partner have to work out why, and how they can fix it.

Can this harpy complete her mission?
–
Harpy’s Mission is book one in the urban fantasy Supernatural Retrieval Agency Series, which includes a romantic m/f sub-plot.

Goodreads

Review by Kelly

I love all things supernatural and am a sucker for the lesser-known supernatural beings. With that being said, I was completely drawn in by the Harpy.  This is an action-packed quick read where the police force and the supernatural work together to take down the baddies. Harpies are a rare breed and there aren’t too many around. Once someone finds out what she is they always have something to say and want to see her shift. She is rather annoyed by this, but her wit and snark keep everyone on their toes. It’s Harper’s first day on the job and she is already going out on a job. Things go awry but they are able to obtain other information that take them to an even bigger crime ring. When things seem too easy, something is usually wrong. Well, the team soon finds the chink in the armor and things go crazy! I wish there was more back story for Harper and her boss, Elias (I am hoping for more in the next books). Some of the story felt a bit rushed. I do sense an underlying love story happening between Harper and Elias, so YAY! I love that a member of their team ended up being a cupid because we never hear about them in the supernatural community. This is a new author for me, but this story definitely has me intrigued.

Laura Greenwood

Laura is a USA Today Bestselling Author of paranormal, fantasy, urban fantasy, and contemporary romance. When she’s not writing, she drinks a lot of tea, tries to resist French macarons, and works towards a diploma in Egyptology. She lives in the UK, where most of her books are set. Laura specialises in quick reads, whether you’re looking for a swoonworthy romance for the bath, or an action-packed adventure for your latest journey, you’ll find the perfect match amongst her books!

You can check out Laura’s Website here:

www.authorlauragreenwood.co.uk

Join her mailing list here:

www.authorlauragreenwood.co.uk/p/mailing-list-sign-up.html

Or join her Facebook Group:

www.facebook.com/groups/theparanormalcouncil

For a full book list, please see here:

www.authorlauragreenwood.co.uk/p/book-list.html

For a full audio list, please see here:

www.authorlauragreenwood.co.uk/p/audio.html

Fairy Tales, Fantasy Romance, Review, Witches

#Review The Witch’s Lair by Jennifer Daniels

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The Witch's Lair by [Jennifer Daniels]

Greta Lieder was amazing in the bakery. She excelled at it and her success was almost her downfall. Thinking she had it all including her own business and her hunky boyfriend, life had gone to her head. Who better to knock you down a peg than your boyfriend’s wife?

In a blink in an eye Greta’s life is turned upside down. She maybe cocky but she was not a homewrecker. But try telling that to a distraught witch who was hell bent on getting revenge.

The witch took the one thing Greta absolutely loved, her baking. She made a mockery of her house and turned it into a gingerbread house. For six years Greta has lived her life as authentically as she could until a handsome new logging contractor shows up into town and starts up his own business. Axe is taken with Greta from the first time he laid eyes on her.

How will Greta explain to him that she was cursed by a witch. Yup, that would earn her a one-way ticket to a padded room in no time. What a great first impression.

Goodreads

Review by Kelly

I am a sucker for fairytale retellings. This is a super cute twist on Hansel and Gretel. Greta was living life to the fullest, was very confident in a vain sort of way when one day, her boyfriend’s wife cast a spell on her. She went through all sorts of emotions and really tamped down her high opinion of herself. She works on her business and keeps everyone at arm’s length ensuring to not get too close to anyone, because boy oh boy, that spell is a doozy! Her business is booming, she has a wonderful best friend and a new boyfriend that she is completely smitten with. She has to tread lightly because she cares deeply for this people and doesn’t want them to think she needs to be committed, it’s kind of hard to bake while wearing a straight jacket, haha! As the story progresses some secrets unfold, and people aren’t always who you think they are. The story is witty but with some very sweet moments. This is a quick sweet story that will put a smile on your face.

Jennifer Daniels

Hello! I’m Jennifer Daniels, I live in Upstate NY with my husband and son. I’m a nurse by trade but, my arthritis does not allow to do my nursing anymore. My arthritis is called Ankylosing Spondylitis, it is a autoimmune disease with no cure. Anyways, one day I just started to write and then I went to the Writer’s on the River book signing. It was absolutely amazing and inspiring. So, a year later my debut book Opalla was released. My little family loves to be outdoors fishing, camping and going to the lake.

Review, Writers on the River Attending Author, Zombie

#Review #WOTR21 Wild Undead (Stay Dead Book 1) by L.C. Mortimer

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Wild Undead (Stay Dead Book 1) by [L.C. Mortimer]

Zombies never stay dead.

Winter Hawk is on day three of a five-day cruise when the zombie infection decides to make its appearance.

She’s seen her share of bad days, but nothing compares to the fact that the people around Winter are dying and coming back to life in droves.

Winter has to get off of the cruise ship and away from the infection, no matter what it takes. Armed with a first aid kit, a couple of water bottles, and a few unlikely companions, she embarks on a journey that will change everything.

If she can manage to survive.

Goodreads

Review by  Kelly

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

WILD! This is a zombie book that you definitely want to read. This story sucks you in from the very start and holds tight right to the very end. It is consuming. Winter is sort of a loner, but with friends. Even though this is a quick read, her back story pulls at your heart strings. You see her relaxing and trying to have fun when all hell breaks loose. She starts hearing stories and then the unthinkable happens when she, and many others, witness a madman eating the bartender! She knows she needs to start preparing for the worst. There are others that are in the same boat as her (no pun intended, lol) and this is how she meets Greta and Isaiah. As they start the race for their lives, they form an unlikely alliance and embark on a journey of survival. This is absolutely a wild ride and stuck with me long after the book ended. I have a feeling that the trio are going to come upon some crazy obstacles, but where their story goes….I have no clue. I am on pins and needles for the next installment. L.C. Mortimer is a new author for me, but bravo because you have a new fan!

L. C. Mortimer

AKA Sophie Stern

L.C. Mortimer likes zombies, shifters, and things that go bump in the night. When she’s not busy dreaming up her next story, Mortimer can be found dancing, traveling, or curled up with a cozy mystery.

Apocalyptic, Review, Sci Fi, Standalone, Suspense, Writers on the River Attending Author, Zombie

#WOTR21 – #Review – Outbreak: A Zombie Novel by L.C. Mortimer aka Sophie Stern

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Outbreak: A Zombie Novel

Emily thought she could survive the apocalypse and save her sister from hordes of undead. She was wrong. By the time she found her sister, it was too late. All hope was shattered. Heartbroken and disillusioned, Emily returns home. There’s just one problem: her haven is no longer empty. Someone has moved in.

Neil was a leader long enough to know when to cut his losses. Surviving in the city was one major loss. He gathered his friends and hoofed it to the forest. He knew there would be abandoned farmhouses and plenty of land. The fewer inhabitants before the apocalypse struck, the fewer zombies to deal with after.

The house they find is incredible. It’s isolated, well stocked with food, and Neil even finds a few loaded guns. Soon it becomes obvious that the home isn’t as empty as they originally thought, however. When the owner returns, she demands that Neil and his friends move out. She seems to have no problem with the idea of tossing them out on their asses, but there’s a major problem.

A storm is coming, and it carries with it a greater threat than just zombies.

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Kelly

I received this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Zombies! Need I say more? This is a standalone novel that gives you a bit of everything. There are so many emotions that are part of this journey, and everyone has their own story with their own demons to fight. This story brought a rag tag group of travelers together and they almost made it work. You know that saying “When it rains, it pours”? Well, just when this group seems to catch a break, the sh!! hits the fan. The characters are very relatable. They are regular people like you and me who were trying to figure life out. Then, BAM! They are forced to survive. Each character’s back story will humble you. It’ll really make you wonder what would really happen and how would you handle it. Each had their vices and crazy as it may seem, they even had some happy times during the Z apocalypse. This story will make you laugh, will give you the warm and fuzzies, and some of it can be a bit gory. Best of all, you will NOT see what is coming and are definitely not ready for the end. I swear that when I finished this book, I had one of these moments that just made me sit there, like wow, that happened. I had a book hangover! I am still going over this in my head going, how could that have happened? Seriously, you need to read this!

L. C. Mortimer

L.C. Mortimer likes zombies, shifters, and things that go bump in the night. When she’s not busy dreaming up her next story, Mortimer can be found dancing, traveling, or curled up with a cozy mystery.

2nd Chance, MC, Part of a Serial, Review

#review #partofaseries After Us (TNG 6) by J.M. Walker

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Jaron-

She was mine.

Her heart.

Her body.

All of her.

Piper Michaels and I had been through so much together in such a short amount of time. I wasn’t sure how we would get through it but we had to. It wasn’t just us we were looking out for anymore.

Being away from my family for more than a year, messed with my head. I had to do things to survive. To make it back to her. To both of them.

She used to be vibrant and filled with life but ever since I ended up in jail, the light no longer existed in Piper and it was instead covered by a darkness. But I vowed to help her find the light.

No matter the cost.

-Piper-

He was back.

In my life.

For good.

Forever.

Jaron Mercer rescued me. But after spending more than a year in jail, he came back a different person. No longer was he the man I had fallen in love with but a shell of himself instead. Now we would have to work even harder to be together.

Even though he was taken from me, he left me a gift in return. I was constantly reminded of his love. For me. For her.

While we tried reconnecting and finding us all over again, there was a plan behind the scenes to make him pay for what he’d done.

For good

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54823668-after-us?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=PMy7e6j0j0&rank=38

Amazon  https://amzn.to/3hZcdDb

Review by Twinsie Dee

I was given this book by the author and this is my honest opinion

Where do I even begin. Jaron went to jail after killing the mayors son for trying to rape Piper, and now he was finally getting out and to met his daughter and be reunited with his girl. Piper had all the feelings when it came time for Jaron to finally come home ad be with them again, she was happy to have him back in her arms, but scared that it wouldn’t last. Weeks went by and things were getting to be normal as they could be when Jaron was threaded by the scumbag of a mayor and threated Piper and Brynn. Well when threats are thrown at his girls Jaron and the club take actions into their own hands or will hey wait till something bad happens to get even. Do they have what it takes to keep their love strong when everything keeps pulling at them and shit really hits the fan. Omg i just loved their story although I’m not a fan of the moments that almost made me cry it was just the way the story had to go and J.M. Does a wonderful job to continue to pull you in and make you fall harder and harder for this family.

J.M. Walker is an Amazon bestselling author who hit USA Today with Wanted: An Outlaw Anthology. She loves all things books, pigs and lip gloss. She is happily married to the man who inspires all of her Heroes and continues to make her weak in the knees every single day.

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

Contemp. Romance, Review, Suspense

#Review – Finally Us (Next Generation Book 5) by J.M. Walker

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Finally Us (Next Generation, #5)

-Vince-
She was perfect.
Her heart.
Her soul.
Everything.
I had been in love with Gigi Rodriguez for as long as I could remember. I had never been shy about my feelings toward her. Everyone knew how I felt. Except for the person who mattered most.
I needed her like I needed my next breath. Our souls called out to each other, entwining together to form a bond I had never felt with another person.
She was passionate.
Strong.
Mine.
Just when I thought I had her in my arms for good, an unknown force threatened to take away the only thing I had ever wanted…

-Gigi-
He was stubborn.
Obsessed.
Dominating.
Vincent Stone Junior was the very reason I danced. Every time I moved, I moved for him. He just didn’t know it yet.
It all started the night of his eighteenth birthday, but school got in the way and I didn’t see much of him for the next three years.
When he came home for good, I knew that he had one mission: To crack down the walls I had built.
I didn’t want to love him.
I didn’t want to need him.
But losing a piece of myself made me realize that I did in fact want those things. He taught me to love myself first and that he would be there, ready and waiting…
For me.

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Kelly

There are some books that just stay with you. Vince and Gigi’s story is one of those. They are childhood friends but with a little age gap. Vince was basically everyone’s little brother. Both have “secretly” had the hots for each other, but as they have become adults, Vince knows that he must make Gigi his. And boy does he! Funny part to this is that everyone knows that these two need to be together.   Now, if you have read any of JM Walker’s books, you know that she can weave a very heart wrenching and extremely hawt tale. Well, let me tell ya, Finally Us is deeply passionate and full of emotion…like I said earlier, this one will stay with you. Vince and Gigi are completely relatable characters, almost as if they are real people that you actually know. You will feel for both of them and root for them right to the very end. It is a slow burn at first, but the wait is totally worth it because when they collide…whew! They truly ignite!

J.M. Walker

J.M. Walker is an Amazon bestselling author who hit USA Today with Wanted: An Outlaw Anthology. She loves all things books, pigs and lip gloss. She is happily married to the man who inspires all of her Heroes and continues to make her weak in the knees every single day.

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

Find me: https://linktr.ee/authorjmwalker

Paranormal, Review, Sci Fi, Shifters, Vampire, Witches, Writers on the River Attending Author

#WOTR21 – #Review – The Only Sorceress by Anya Breton

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Self-proclaimed sorceress Kora Walsh knows exactly how to use her shiny new MBA. She’ll open a new age shop in a colony of the country’s most powerful witches. But the town rife with bigots doesn’t want her or her sleek shop tainting their perfect community.

Kora would leave if she had any choice in the matter. She’s trained from childhood for her true task—infiltrating coven leadership as her mother’s mole. Failure to do her familial duty is not an option, not when her childhood nemesis is assured her failed soul for an eternity of torture.

And thanks to the colony’s loudest supporter, the beautiful Desmond Marino, failure is a very real danger.

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Kelly

I absolutely love this story! Kora is the daughter of the goddess of magic, but she is half human. What does that mean for her? Yep, she must live topside with all of us humans….and shifters, witches, and vampires, oh my! Since she is half human and has to live with all of us mere humans, she has to work and make a living. On top of that, she has to do “odd” jobs for her mother that include being dropped in strange places to stop rogue witches from doing crazy things. Her most recent mission is to infiltrate the leaders of Wipuk, a secret society of supernaturals. She is up against the odds with all sorts of different creatures all while trying to open her very own “Rarities” store. Kora is an awesome and quirky character who gets put in the middle of some really strange and bizarre situations. But how she handles these is epic. She is sarcastic and witty. It is these characteristics that keep everyone around her on their toes all while keeping you engrossed in the story. Kora’s story is exciting and engaging. I cannot wait to continue this journey.

Anya Breton

Anya Breton is a web monkey with an obsession for nail polish and rubber chickens. Her fears include Peeps and people who hate clowns. Her genres include erotic romance, urban fantasy, and young adult–all with a little quirk. She lives in the Midwest where land is cheap and corn is cheaper.

Part of a Series, Review, Standalone

#review #standalone #partofaseries Perfect Escape (Mason Creek 6) by Cary Hart

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Charlee was looking for a place to nurse her broken heart, and Mason Creek was the picture-perfect escape. Small town life was just a temporary Band-Aid, until sexy single dad Grady gave her a reason to stay… and a second chance at happiness.



Goodreads  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57280527-perfect-escape

Amazon  https://amzn.to/2SEO8Jc

Review by Twinsie Dee

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

Charlee had the worst thing you could ever imagine happen to her she found her on to be husband banging her cousin who was a bridemaid on their wedding day. So her best friends and sister helped her escape and break the news to a church full of people that there wasn’t going too be a wedding that day while Charlee was on her way to the airport to go off the Mason Creek, Montana. After some drinks the girls were at a hot spring on the neighbors property were they got caught by the sexy cowboy and it all started from there. Grady the single dad was hook from the moment he caught Charlee in the spring and his world was flipped upside down and backwards but not only did he have his heart to protect but he also had his 4 year old daughters to protect to. Will they all get their happiness the deserve or will the past, karma and gossip of a small town tear them apart. Omg i loved this book and anytime a kid is involved its the best type of story if you ask me. I want to travel to Mason Creek to find a cowboy now lol.

 

Cary Hart hails from the Midwest. A sassy, coffee drinking, sometimes sailor swearing, Spotify addict, lover of all things books!

When not pushing women down the stairs in the fictional world, Cary has her hands full. Soccer mom in all sense of the word to two wild and crazy, spoiled kiddos, and wife to the most supportive husband. In addition to writing full time, she enjoys binge watching Netflix, laying around in her hammock and baking up cookies for her family and friends.