All posts by Jo-Anna W

#Review – White Ibis (Florida Gothic) by Wendy Dalrymple

April 19, 2023 Jo-Anna W Leave a comment

“Truly terrifying” – Jenna Dietzer, author of “The Lovebugs”
“Creepy as hell” – Sheri L. Williams, author of “Forest of Blood’

Obsession. Lies. Greed.

Chelsea is vain, self-absorbed, and driven in life only by want and her obsession with being the best. Even though she is desperate to portray an outwardly perfect image, things are far from perfect at home.

One day at yoga class, Chelsea meets a woman named Damaris who is exactly like her; beautiful, confident, and reaching high to be her best self. Damaris and Chelsea become instant best friends and bond over healthy eating, fitness, and their love of luxury items. As Chelsea’s heart hardens toward her boyfriend, her obsession with the enigmatic Damaris only blossoms.

As one bad decision turns into another, Chelsea begins to think she is being followed by a white bird. Her new best friend Damaris suggests a girls’ weekend in New Orleans to get away from it all and Chelsea readily agrees. Unfortunately for Chelsea, it soon becomes clear that she can’t run away from her problems and instead finds herself tumbling head-first into a downward spiral

Content Warning: Mentions of suicide and eating disorders.

I just want to start this out by saying that I really have no idea what I just read. But at the same time, I couldn’t stop reading because I had to know what was going on and how this story would end.

Let me preface this by saying that I’m new to reading horror – huge fan of horror movies – but reading horror, hits differently, ya know?

I’ve recently fallen down the horror side of TikTok and after a friend introduced me to horror novellas, I’m quickly becoming obsessed. They are quick little reads, perfect for a busy schedule when you don’t have time to read a ginormous book but still want to get some books added to your reading goal on Goodreads or to just get some words read.

Enough of my rambling. Let’s review:

Chelsea is a thirty-something year old woman who has a deadend job and is also in a deadend relationship. She ends up befriending Damaris, this beautiful woman, who almost seems to good to be true. I didn’t overly trust her. Too many times she hardly ever gave any insight into herself. It felt like she was holding a lot of secrets.

As their friendship grows, which is more like obsession on Chelsea’s part, they decide to take a trip to New Orleans and that’s when the crazy starts. Something is up about the women Chelsea hangs out with that weekend. When she gets home, I read the rest of the book with wide eyes and was like “OMG”.

Something happens to both Chelsea and her boyfriend and obviously I don’t want to give it away but it does leave room for questions. A lot of questions. A part of me wished we could have gotten more answers BUT the horror loving part of me, absolutely loved the open ended ending.

All in all, this was a perfect little read by a new to me author.

Erotica, Horror, Standalone

#Review – It’s Me, Charlie by C.M. Guidroz

April 18, 2023 Jo-Anna W Leave a comment

I know everything about her, I’ve been her “book bestie” for over a year now. I’ve read every book she has ever published. The books that tell me every fantasy she has, the books that tell me exactly what she wants. She doesn’t know who I am behind the screen, but I don’t’ think she will care much once I show her that I am the perfect man for her. Women have rejected me in the past, but I’ve studied Jessie so much there is no way I could get it wrong this time.

What happens when the person you thought was just an online friend turns out to be an obsessive monster. You never know who is truly behind the screen when you are engaging with people online. Especially, things like “bookstagram” where the community is so welcoming. What happens when your “book bestie” falls in love with you and will stop at nothing to show you just how deep that love is.

Charlie has been posing as a woman in the book community to gain the trust and friendship of the woman he has been obsessing over, Jessie. Jessie is a self-published author of smutty or erotic, books who is just trying to get her books out there in a massive genre. What Jessie doesn’t know is that her biggest fan has been waiting for the perfect time to meet her and make all of her fantasies come true.

Are you ready to meet Charlie?

Author Note: 18+ WARNING! This short story is considered EXTREME HORROR, there are GRAPHIC SITUATIONS! This book is disgusting, and you probably shouldn’t read it. But if you are still interested in meeting Charlie, please be aware that you were warned. YOU WERE WARNED.

Um…what the heck did I just read?

When Angie shared the link for this book with me, I checked it out and saw a throwing up emoji in a review and instantly one-clicked. I hadn’t even read the blurb at that point, so I went into this story completely blind and boy, am I glad I ever did.

This short story takes the book/movie “Misery” to a whole other level.

It’s depraved, sick and twisted.

Charlie is obsessed with an author and does everything he can to make her his. He “loves” her. Wants to spend the rest of his life with her and wants to show her that they are perfect for each other. When he captures her and brings her back to his place, a place they’re supposed to share together and in his mind, she’ll be happy about it, the…um…icky things start happening.

I have a strong stomach but when it comes to mucus and anything slimey…that’s a huge hard limit for me. Spit I can handle but…in this case…not so much. That’s all I’m going to say on that…

If you have triggers, please be warned: THIS IS NOT A ROMANCE BOOK.

As a romance author myself, it was easy to put myself in Jessie’s shoes and I think that’s what makes this book even more terrifying. Because you wonder, what if?

This story, although short, is quite the ride and leaves you wondering, what would you do?

Dark, Mystery, Promo, Review, Standalone, Thriller

#Review – Allegedly by Tiffany D. Jackson

March 4, 2023 Jo-Anna W Leave a comment

4 starred reviews!

Orange Is the New Black meets Walter Dean Myer’s Monster in this gritty, twisty, and haunting debut by Tiffany D. Jackson about a girl convicted of murder seeking the truth while surviving life in a group home.

Mary B. Addison killed a baby.

Allegedly. She didn’t say much in that first interview with detectives, and the media filled in the only blanks that mattered: a white baby had died while under the care of a churchgoing black woman and her nine-year-old daughter. The public convicted Mary and the jury made it official. But did she do it?

There wasn’t a point to setting the record straight before, but now she’s got Ted—and their unborn child—to think about. When the state threatens to take her baby, Mary’s fate now lies in the hands of the one person she distrusts the most: her Momma. No one knows the real Momma. But does anyone know the real Mary?

I was looking on TikTok about a week ago, for some disturbing books. I couldn’t find anything that struck my fancy, so I went on Pinterest and came across a pin about this book, along with a few others. So of course, I bought it.

First, I 100% suggest going in blind – if you can of course. I know a lot of us need to read the blurb but with this book, it was so much more fun, going in with no information at all.

Now I will preface this by saying that this is NOT a romance, while there are some romantic elements in it. It’s YA and packs quite the punch. It’s like Orange Is The New Black but with younger characters. Also, the main premise of this book is that the lead character “killed a baby”, so if that’s a trigger, please read with caution.

This book is raw and gritty in the best of ways. It’s dark, written well and kept me engaged from the first few chapters in to the end. I will be honest and say that it did take me about 3 chapters to get fully invested in this story but once I did, wow. Just wow.

Mary…oh Mary. I really couldn’t predict the outcome of this book. I was a mixture of feelings when it came to this girl. And I say “girl” because she is just a kid.

Mary was accused of killing a baby and this book recounts what actually happened. It’s a “did Mary actually kill this baby?” kind of story. We don’t even know exactly who Mary is until the very end of the book. Now I did glance at some reviews saying that they lowered their star rating based on the last chapter but I honestly thought it ended perfectly. I was left in shock and I sat there for a few minutes after turning that last page and thinking “wow.” Now that’s a job well done on the author part.

I won’t give much away because like I said, I do suggest going in not knowing much about this book at all.

So if you like stories filled with grit, mystery, family drama, and “who dunnit” moments, I highly reccommend reading this one!

One-click now: Amazon

Standalone, Teen & Young Adult Contemporary, YA

#YABook #Review – Monday’s Not Coming by Tiffany D. Jackson

March 2, 2023 Jo-Anna W Leave a comment

“Jackson’s characters and their heart-wrenching story linger long after the final page, urging readers to advocate for those who are disenfranchised and forgotten by society and the system.” (Publishers Weekly, “An Anti-Racist Children’s and YA Reading List”)

From the critically acclaimed author of Allegedly, Tiffany D. Jackson, comes a gripping novel about the mystery of one teenage girl’s disappearance and the traumatic effects of the truth.

Monday Charles is missing, and only Claudia seems to notice. Claudia and Monday have always been inseparable—more sisters than friends. So when Monday doesn’t turn up for the first day of school, Claudia’s worried.

When she doesn’t show for the second day, or second week, Claudia knows that something is wrong. Monday wouldn’t just leave her to endure tests and bullies alone. Not after last year’s rumors and not with her grades on the line. Now Claudia needs her best—and only—friend more than ever. But Monday’s mother refuses to give Claudia a straight answer, and Monday’s sister April is even less help.

As Claudia digs deeper into her friend’s disappearance, she discovers that no one seems to remember the last time they saw Monday. How can a teenage girl just vanish without anyone noticing that she’s gone?

I had absolutely no idea what this book was about. Like most books anymore, I like to go in blind and not read the blurb. I find it more exciting that way. But this book…man. Just…wow.

Claudia and Monday are not just best friends. They’re more like soul sisters. Monday is the only friend that Claudia truly has. They spend every minute they can together. They go to the same school, are in the same grade, have known each other for years. Even Claudia’s parents love Monday. Claudia can’t picture her life without her best friend. They even planned on going to the same high school. So when Monday goes missing…

…no one seems to notice. Not like Claudia does.

Claudia starts asking questions. Gets herself into trouble quite a few times. You know, the typical way one gets into trouble when your best friend suddenly disappears.

When questions start getting answered, Claudia’s world is turned upside down. Or right side up. Depending on how you look at it.

I 100% recommend going into this story without reading the blurb.

This book was captivating from the start. Although it’s more age appropriate for teens, it wasn’t written that way. I also wish that I could have read this author back when I was in highschool.

Just like Allegedly, this author weaves a story of teen troubles, a teeny bit of romance, family drama and more.

Kudos to the author because I am obsessed!

I think I’ve found my favourite genre for 2023.

Part of a Series, Poetry

#BookPromo #Poetry – The Witch Doesn’t Burn In This One by Amanda Lovelace

February 24, 2023 Jo-Anna W Leave a comment

The witch: supernaturally powerful, inscrutably independent, and now—indestructible. These moving, relatable poems encourage resilience and embolden women to take control of their own stories. Enemies try to judge, oppress, and marginalize her, but the witch doesn’t burn in this one.

Erotica, Holiday Book/Novella, Novella, Part of a Series, Romantic Comedy

#BookPromo – Tangled in Tinsel: a holida novella (a holidates series) by Trilina Pucci

February 22, 2023 Jo-Anna W Leave a comment

Imagine being snowed in with four hot successful men.
P.S. they’ve all played the hero in too many of your naughtiest dreams.
Problem is, you work for them, and that makes them off-limits.
Except now they’re looking at you like you’re Santa’s cookies.

And they definitely want to take a bite.

Talk about making you reconsider your life choices.
These four are aiming for Santa’s naughty list, and I’m pretty sure I’m getting:

Jace
Reed
Alec
…and Cole
for Christmas.

It might’ve started as a decorating job.
But it ended Tangled in Tinsel.

I haven’t read this yet but I keep seeing it everywhere. A book with one female and four males? Yes please!

BDSM, Erotica, Kindle Unlimited, Part of a Series, Promo, Writers on the River Attending Author

#WOTR23 #PromoPost – The Torn Series by J.M. Walker

January 28, 2023 Jo-Anna W Leave a comment

Binge The Torn Series now!

Book 1 https://www.aboutjmwalker.com/possessed-by-you

Book 2 https://www.aboutjmwalker.com/revealed-by-you

Book 3 https://www.aboutjmwalker.com/perfected-by-you

Book 4 https://www.aboutjmwalker.com/bound-by-you

Brett MacLean Duet https://www.aboutjmwalker.com/brett-maclean-duet

Rich/broken hero

Grumpy/Sunshine

Lots of

Mild BDSM

Blurbs:

-POSSESSED BY YOU-

Releasing control is relief…

I was warned about men like Brett Maclean.

He was dark and thrilling, intense and controlling. And he captivated me from the very start. He unleashed something inside of me like no other. His bad rep and troubled past drew me to him like gasoline feeding a flame.

With just one taste, I felt the danger in him, the uncontrollable power that left me breathless. The passion consumed me. Fast and hard.

Temptation couldn’t guard my heart. I should have known a man of such raw and wild desires came with competition.

-REVEALED BY YOU-

The sharp edge of love…

Brett MacLean was possessive. Even more since I became his. He was my desire…my ultimate pleasure…he was mine.

As each day passed, he revealed a part of himself that had lain dormant. A broken childhood. A troubled man. One I was determined to help.

After months together, I thought I knew him. But soon realized I was wrong. His dark secrets were only the beginning. The past was more disturbing than I ever could have fathomed.

His deep seeded need for me came with a price that could have consequences. I needed him just as much. Because of this, we would be tested. My greatest fear was that it would take us beyond the limits of our love.

-PERFECTED BY YOU-

An all-consuming need…

Evvie Neal was my addiction. The love I felt for her

controlled me and it brought me to my knees.

She was my one. My only.

Destroyed as a boy, healed as a man, she was my saving grace. The first person who knew the real me. Because of her, I became stronger. Whole.

A true warrior in my own personal Hell.

As time went on, demons from my past haunted me,

threatening to ruin what I had worked so hard to become. Strong.

The ultimate sacrifice was giving up a piece of myself to be perfect. For her.

-BOUND BY YOU-

Bound by a love stronger than us…

Years have passed since I married him. Brett MacLean. My one. My only.

We became comfortable. Our lives a form of habit. But something was missing.

That connection. That undying want. That need for each other. It was gone.

While he asked me to trust him, he was keeping a secret.

I didn’t know how long it would last before I gave up. On us.

-REFLECTED BY YOU-

Just when you thought you had it all…… It can be ripped from you in the most devastating way. Will you be prepared to fight?

It started without trust. Passion. Lust. An all-consuming need; that was all we had in the beginning.

Lies. Betrayal. Deceit. We moved past it all and fell in love anyway.

Over ten years later, with a family of our own, our little world was perfect. Happy.

But then that happiness faded away when she came into our lives.

No control. No power. Just heartbreak and unwanted submission.

We were forced to our knees at the sight of her. The words falling from her lips were like nails digging at our soul because we knew.

We would have to go through hell to get out of this.

And even then, I wasn’t sure if it would be enough.

Possessed is Possessed by You written in Brett’s POV

https://www.aboutjmwalker.com/torn-series-boxed-set

*AVAILABLE IN KINDLE UNLIMITED*

Part of a Series, Poem, Self-Care

#BookPromo #Poem #SelfCare – The Princess Saves Herself In This One (Women Are Some Kind of Magic) by Amanda Lovelace

January 22, 2023 Jo-Anna W Leave a comment

Winner of the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Poetry (2016), the princess saves herself in this one is a collection of poetry about resilience. It is about writing your own ending.

From Amanda Lovelace, a poetry collection in four parts: the princess, the damsel, the queen, and you. The first three sections piece together the life of the author while the final section serves as a note to the reader. This moving book explores love, loss, grief, healing, empowerment, and inspiration.

the princess saves herself in this one is the first book in the “women are some kind of magic” series.

Twinsie Talk Book Reviews