Category Archives: Review

Apocalyptic, Cyborg, Fantasy Romance, Review, Sci Fi, Suspense

#Review – Tin Toy (Silver Cyborg Book 2) by Ava Cuvay

Leave a comment

Tin Toy (Silver Cyborg Book 2) by [Ava Cuvay]

Betty Hayworth is hiding from her life. She endured cybernetic enhancements to serve her country as an international spy, but infiltrated top-secret information from her own government as a high-end escort instead. So, she ran away to a small Indiana neighborhood where she works as a librarian and fears her handler will track her down or her cyborg status will be exposed to a society that abhors them. None of which helps her find the kind of love and happiness she reads about in her romance novels.

Everett Dean is running for his life. As founder and CEO of the premier cybernetic design company, someone is trying to destroy him. His life, his company, his legacy. He needs to discover the truth and expose whoever is behind the recent attempts on his life, before they try again. This search leads him to an unassuming library where he meets an enigmatic woman who looks like a pin-up model, fights like a trained assassin, and kisses like an angel. All of which inspire him to reassess his life’s priorities.

Their mutual attraction is a risk neither can afford. But as complications from their secrets arise, they must learn to trust each other if they hope to survive.

Book Two of the Silver Cyborg Series trilogy. This story has a romantic happy ending and a storyline continuing to book three.

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Kelly

What do you do when you realize God is just a man and that man is your maker? Betty is a librarian but she is so much more than just a librarian. This woman is a beautiful bad@ss. She was used and abused but is trying to just live and come out on top. This woman has an insanely crazy past. She sold her soul to the devil himself and became a cyborg. She left that life trying to just live and be normal when one day, the man that was behind giving humans a second chance as cyborgs, quite literally lands in her lap. Everett is on the run and he has no clue why! He is a millionaire with crazy intelligence and a great government contract, aaaaand then he was no longer. He becomes a vagabond and ends up in Betty’s library trying to look for answers. Their worlds collide and Pandora’s Box explodes open. These two are both trying to distinguish between the good guys and bad guys all while having something vital in common: secrets. What would the neighbors think? This book is seriously intense but has all of my favorite things like snark, angst, secrets, sarcasm, fighting, serious sexy time, and an ending that will keep you wanting more!

Ava Cuvay

Ava Cuvay writes out of this world romance featuring sassy heroines, often-alien-but-always-sexy heroes, and an alcoholic beverage or two… Set in a galaxy far, far away. She resides in central Indiana, USA with her own scruffy-looking nerfherder, kiddos who are growing up without her permission, and two kitties that make her laugh. She believes life is too short to bother with negative people, everything is better with Champagne, and Han Solo shot first. When not writing, Ava is thinking about writing. Or wine. And she’s always thinking about bacon.

Coming of Age, M/M, Paranormal, Part of a Series, Review, Romantic Suspense, Suspense

#Review – The End of August: Part Three by Rue Volley

Leave a comment

The End of August : Part Three by [Rue Volley]

It’s 1985.
Leaves are falling.
The pumpkins are lit.
Bedroom walls are filled with posters of Teen Wolf, Fright Night, and A Nightmare on Elm Street.

But for August East and his small band of unlikely friends, it’s all about defeating a demon that’s ruled the town of Whynot, Ohio, for half a century, all while hosting a killer party on Halloween.

You know. Normal stuff.

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Kelly

Just WOW! I have no words. I have been sitting here for two days trying to figure out exactly how to describe this book. I have been left speechless and this does not happen very often. I am a bundle of all sorts of feels. There is an incredibly strong pull between East and Keller and you get all the deets on why! I love the bond within their circle of friends. Shy, Evie and Vincent absolutely make this story. They are the glue that really held this entire series together. The relationships between all of the characters is written in a very real way. So much so that when part three ended, I was completely wrecked. And I can’t even get started with the Halloween party and the demon that needs defeated. I did NOT expect the ending, at all!  I had a horrible book hangover, LOL! This series has gotten better and better with each book…..and I seriously am hoping for a spinoff or continuation because, dayum! I NEED MORE! The story is absolutely unforgettable! I feel like the characters are begging for more!! I highly recommend this series!!

Rue Volley

Rue Volley is a USA Today Bestselling Author and award-winning screenwriter who is best known for creating compelling storylines with a multitude of twists and turns that leave her readers virtually speechless.

She specializes in paranormal romances that include otherworldly characters who, regardless of their supernatural abilities, feel oddly familiar, or in other words, human. This, coupled with her easy reading style, a wicked sense of humor, and excellent world-building skills, has garnered her a fiercely loyal fan base over the past decade who support her regardless of what genre she chooses to write in.

Some of her best works include Hemlock, The Dead Boy’s Club, 13 Ways to Midnight, Hellhound, The Devil’s Gate, and A Vampires Tale of Blood and Light. All of which utilize her skill at piecing together compelling dramas that highlight her love for vampires, witches, angels, and demons across many genres, including young adult, new adult, urban fantasy, and erotic romance.

Rue Volley’s work seems to be synonymous with one phrase in the publishing world.

Thoroughly addictive.

She is accredited with two award-winning screenplays for film, Hellhound (original script, 2014) and Awakening (contributing screenwriter, 2015). IMDb: imdb.com/name/nm7043310/

Connect with Rue:

Website: http://www.ruevolley.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ruevolley/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/rue-volley

Twitter: @RueVolley

FB: https://www.facebook.com/Rue-Volley-146299465525490/?fref=ts

Coming of Age, Fantasy, M/M, Mystery, Paranormal, Part of a Series, Review, Thriller, YA

#Review The End of August, Part Two by Rue Volley

Leave a comment

The End of August: Part Two by [Rue Volley]

It’s 1985.

Jelly bracelets are on every wrist.

Beaded friendship pins are on every shoelace.

Cellphones are not a thing.

Slumber parties, roller skating rinks, and arcades are all the rage.

Every kid has a key to their home and knows how to babysit themselves.

And Molly Ringwald is everyone’s fantasy girl.

But for fifteen-year-old August East, his world revolves around his new house, his new friends, and a boy by the name of Keller West, that has stolen his heart.

Not to mention that whole haunted victorian home, the mysterious death of the last owner, and, oh yeah, the empty mausoleum in his backyard.

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Kelly

This story has me all messed up! I am literally all over the place with this, but in the best possible way! Part one ended in a cliff hanger and this one is no different, but WHOA! I DID NOT SEE THAT COMING! I mean, I am strolling along reading the story, and we take a sharp right turn into a place I had no idea we were going, then ALL of the feels exploded! I audibly gasped and had to stop for a moment to catch my breath, and then I just couldn’t stop reading. I had to know everything. I NEEDED to know what was going to happen next. I am on the edge of my seat because I know the next collision is going to happen, but when it doesn’t happen right away because there is a different plot twist…..well, I am just beside myself. Please excuse me for keeping this review short, but I need to start Part Three. I literally can’t wait any longer. Ms. Volley, you have a new stalker because you have me hooked!

Rue Volley

Connect with Rue:

Website: http://www.ruevolley.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ruevolley/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/rue-volley

Twitter: @RueVolley

FB: https://www.facebook.com/Rue-Volley-146299465525490/?fref=ts

Coming of Age, Contemp. Romance, Fantasy, M/M, Paranormal, Review, Suspense, Thriller, YA

#Review – The End of August, Part One by Rue Volley

Leave a comment

The End of August: Part One by [Rue Volley]

Heartstopper meets Stranger Things!

It’s 1985.
Everyone is wearing a Swatch Watch and carrying a Trapper Keeper.
Goonies, Back to the Future, and The Breakfast Club are killing it at the theaters.
Super Mario Brothers is a lifestyle.
Posters of Duran Duran and Madonna are on every bedroom wall.
But for fifteen-year-old, August East, the biggest news is the move his family made to the odd little town of Whynot, Ohio, a cute boy named Keller West, and, of course, that whole murder thing.
*This is a DUAL POV*

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Kelly

“I’ve seen this movie and it turns out bad. Like really bad.” There’s a haunted house and all the makings of a classic horror movie! Ok, so it’s not a movie but I LOVE that this is set in 1985 with none of the tech-y stuff teens have now. This is a great YA, coming of age book with a spooky backdrop. People are always hiding things, wearing masks, and things are no different with the team of teens in this story. Each character is struggling or working through something. August is new to Whynot and has a bit of a difficult past but gets befriended immediately by the spooky Evie (OMG, she’s a ghosthunter!). Very soon after, he has quite a few friends that just need to see the house he is moving into. Why? Because it is a funeral home, complete with the cremation burner! There are some spooky, and not so spooky but still very scary, things (emotionally and physically) happening to the group. I do need to add that MM romance isn’t really a go to for me, but this just worked. There are very real feelings happening that will keep you hooked to the story. August and Keller, they are falling in love, or at least falling in like, with each other. The rest of the characters really round the story out and help put some perception into what and how the boys and others are feeling. The only con to the book is that since this is told in a dual POV, there are several chapters that basically repeat themselves so that you can get the thoughts and feelings of both characters that happened within the same conversation/scene. Those parts were a little redundant for me. However, the storyline is great and there is much more to come. The cliffhanger has made me immediately want to dive right into Part Two because, I NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS NEXT!!

Rue Volley

Connect with Rue:

Website: http://www.ruevolley.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ruevolley/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/rue-volley

Twitter: @RueVolley

FB: https://www.facebook.com/Rue-Volley-146299465525490/?fref=ts

Paranormal, Review, Suspense, Thriller, Vampire, Witches

#Review – Cursed by a Vampire (Immortal Hearts of San Francisco #7) by Susan Griscom

Leave a comment

Cursed by a Vampire (Immortal Hearts of San Francisco Book 7) by [Susan Griscom]

Living with the DeMarco vampires has been a lifesaver for Ari. However, as a human, he’s always felt inferior; has always wanted to be turned, while his vampire friends have refused his one wish.

And then he meets Abella, and suddenly he isn’t sure what he wants anymore.

Abella is also human, although she too is familiar with vampires. Her grandfather is one. The half-witch who cursed her is a vampire. She’s learned to live with both her grandfather and the curse; was content with her life.

Until she meets Ari.

Now she’s living a nightmare, because falling in love could lead to Ari’s death, thanks to her curse.
What will these two ill-fated humans do?

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Kelly

Cursed by a Vampire, a tale you want to get lost in…

When you are a human and death is inevitable, what do you do? What path do you take?

Ari is one of the DeMarco family but is only human.

Abella lives with her vampire grandfather, but like Ari, she is only human.

These two cross paths and then fireworks explode! At first, they hate each other but are incredibly attracted to each other. There is a gentle, and sometimes not so gentle, push and pull between these two that is more than just your typical love story. Keep it casual?! Yeah right! I mean, I have followed Ari through this entire series and even I know that I wouldn’t be able to resist Ari!

I swear that each time I read one in this series, I think to myself that this is my favorite. Well, this is no different. I really do think Cursed by a Vampire is my favorite. There were several times that I felt like we were coming to the peak of the story and things were going to start wrapping up, and I would feel sort of let down. But in true Susan Griscom fashion, she threw us a curveball and I was like, “holy hell, I did not see that coming!” I said this on several occasions. I just love it when the twists keep coming and then wraps up with an incredible surprise!

Yes, this one…this one right here is my absolute favorite in the Immortal Hearts of San Francisco series! A must read!

Susan Griscom

Sign up for Susan Griscom’s newsletter: http://www.susangriscom.com/newsletter.html

Susan’s Website: http://susangriscom.com

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/susan-griscom

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SMGriscom

Twitter: http://twitter.com/SusanGriscom

Coming of Age, Fantasy Romance, Instant Love, NA, Paranormal, Review, Shifters, Standalone, Teen & Young Adult Contemporary, Witches, Wolves, Writers on the River Attending Author

#WOTR23 – #Review – Between the Pines by Jennifer Daniels

Leave a comment

Between the Pines by [Jennifer Daniels]

On her eighteenth birthday, Sloan Remson thought it would be just like any other day. She went to school, was excused early to get her driver’s permit, then was taken out for a nice lunch by her mother.

Waking up the next morning was an entirely different story. Shivering and in the middle of the clearing up the road and being warmed by a wolf should have scared Sloan stupid. Instead the beautiful snow-white wolf was calming and gave her peace.

Jump seven years into the future, and after several beers with her BFF Mary, once again Sloan finds herself alone in the middle of a clearing. But this time with the handsome Fletcher Remington watching over her. They were friends throughout school and she’d had a secret crush on him for as long as she could remember. Within a few minutes of catching up, secrets are revealed. After a quick mind-dive from Mary, who also happens to be a witch, Sloan finds out Fletcher is a wolf and that he is her mate.

How can Sloan be anyone’s mate when she can’t even shift into the one thing she should be able to? She is a supernatural dud who is in love with a snow-white wolf. Let the adventures begin.

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Kelly

One can really start questioning their self, especially when they sleepwalk and wake up in the clearing between the pines…with a wolf. However, the second time this happens, she wakes up with Fletcher watching over her. These two have been friends since they were little, but nothing ever came of it. Ultimately, the more these two are together, the stronger the pull is between the two.

Between the Pines was a really sweet, YA/NA fated mates story that did have a sweet happily ever after. The relationship evolving between Sloan and Fletcher is very cute and the fact that they are learning with each other is super adorable. Chivalry is not dead, folks!

I feel that some parts of the book were rushed and not enough explanation in some areas. There was a sort of restlessness that I felt waiting for some turbulence to happen that would really push our MC, but it wasn’t quite as grand as I expected. I wish it was a bit longer so that we could learn more about the other characters’ pasts and to possibly give the antagonist a bigger part. Overall, this was a cute read.

**********Spoiler Alert***************

There are a few things that I felt needed more explanation and the reason why I am giving this 4 stars, instead of 5. A lot of familial secrets are uncovered and Sloan finds out that her father is a wolf. This was kept from her for her entire life. I was a little confused by this because she knew of her mother and her BFF being witches, so I am not really sure why her father being a wolf, and a high-ranking wolf at that, was being kept from her. Sloan really just sort of “went with it”. She questioned things to herself but there were never any real explanations. So, the entire time I waited for something really crazy to happen so that this would eventually be uncovered, but it never did. Additionally, when Sloan and Fletcher bonded, it was discovered that they are the King and Queen of all the wolves. Things were then very rushed and I think some of the “meat and potatoes” of the story were missed.

An image posted by the author.

Contemp. Romance, Review, Suspense, Thriller

#Review – Resolute Justice by Leslie Marshman

Leave a comment

Resolute Justice by [Leslie Marshman]

Will a stand-up sheriff toss the rule book in order to deliver justice?

Between hunting human traffickers and solving her father’s murder, Sheriff Cassie Reed’s hands are full. So, despite her attraction to Tyler Bishop, finding his runaway missing niece isn’t a priority. Besides, the charming PI’s penchant for bending rules exasperates the by-the-book cop. But when a leak in her department brings Cassie under suspicion, joining forces with the tantalizing rebel is her only option.

From Harlequin Intrigue: Seek thrills. Solve crimes. Justice served.

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Kelly

Team MEAT AND BEER!

Small town with big problems…The book starts out with quite the punch. We get to see how Tyler’s tale weaves himself into the small town of Resolute. While Tyler starts the hunt for his missing niece, he and Sheriff Cassie bump heads. The Sheriff has a lot on her plate and Tyler comes walking into town wanting her to break the rules. Um, NOPE! Not our Sheriff Cassie. While she is stubborn and headstrong, she starts to struggle thinking with her head instead of her heart. There are quite a few bumps in the road when the Texas Rangers pop in and throw a stick in their operation. Cassie and Tyler, who are opposites in ever way possible, work together to find these missing girls and put the bad guys to bed.

The story was very well written and while we all know that these two are going to end up together, it was fun watching these two grow on each other. Their banter back and forth made for some lightheartedness during some really crazy times in the book. I rooted for Cassie and Tyler the entire time and was not disappointed with the outcome. However, I am team MEAT AND BEER! Read it and you will know what I mean, LOL!

An image posted by the author.

Award-winning suspense author Leslie Marshman is (finally) putting her psychology degree to good use, getting inside the heads of her characters and figuring out what makes them tick. She writes novels that feature kick-ass heroines, the heroes who love them, and the bad guys who fear them.

Leslie called Denver home until she married a Texan without reading the fine print. Now she lives halfway between Houston and Galveston and has learned to embrace the humidity. Her household includes two miniature poodles named Harley and Davidson, and a three-legged box turtle named Stumpy. If she’s not at her computer making things up, you’ll probably find her camping at a lake, a fishing pole in one hand and a book in the other.

Fantasy, Paranormal, Part of a Series, Review, Suspense, Vampire, Western Romance, Witches

#Review – Blood Bounty (Charmslinger, Book 1) by Liza Street

Leave a comment

Blood Bounty (Charmslinger Book 1) by [Liza Street]

Gracie Boswell’s got a charmed bullet, a brand new posse, and a pack of outlaw vampires to kill.

The tiny town of Penance has a big vampire problem—and charmslinger Gracie Boswell aims to be the solution. A whole nest of vampires makes for a mighty fine bounty, though, and Gracie is far from the only charmslinger angling for the job. When a charming local layabout and an old competitor elbow their way into Gracie’s posse, she’s forced to at least pretend to play nice…but trust is scarce in the west, and smart bounty hunters always sleep with one eye open.

But Gracie doesn’t have much time to watch her fellow bounty hunters—Penance’s vampire nest is bigger and more organized than anyone suspected, and there’s at least one traitor in the town’s midst. Soon, Gracie finds herself in the unenviable position of leaning on her posse…and at least one of them isn’t what he claims to be.

USA Today best-selling author Liza Street continues to thrill with a brand new western gothic series of outlaw vampires, sinister fae, and good old-fashioned treachery. Pick up Blood Bounty for a wild ride through the dark and dangerous west!

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Kelly

Wild West Vampire Bounty Hunter…what more could you ask for?!

If you are a fan of Westerns and “things that go bump in the night”, you should absolutely give the Charmslinger series a chance. I love the idea of the Old West having Vampires and such. I randomly found a recommendation for this on Facebook and was instantly hooked when I read the blurb. Just like in the olden days, for the most part, bounty hunters were frowned upon because they simply found people for money. It is no different in this story. But add another twist to it because our MC, Gracie Boswell, is a human bounty hunter that slings witch charms. They have helped her more times than not and she just keeps her distance from the people that have nothing better to do than look down on her. She is the one that keeps their little towns and lives safe.

She comes across a wanted poster for a nest of vampires that are wreaking havoc on Penance with a great bounty. Money that could help change her life. She goes to Penance to get more info and to start the hunt but ends up with a posse that is very different than she is. She has worked alone for so long that she has an incredibly difficult time working with the posse but it turns out, she is going to need them.

The story started out a bit slow for me but I think that it needed to in order to get a really good feel for the world and the characters. As you get further into the story and things start to pick up, you will get to the point where you can’t stop turning the pages. This nest is intriguing and these vampires are not similar to the ones that have been used over and over in other stories. This series definitely has my attention and I am looking forward to reading book two to see what other trouble Ms. Boswell can get into.

Liza Street

Liza got her start in romance by sneak-reading her grandma’s paperbacks. It wasn’t long before she started writing her own series. Now she’s a USA Today bestselling author who spends her time writing about shifters with fierce and savage hearts.

FREE BOOK! Join Liza’s mailing list to get a copy of Fierce Heartbreaker, as well as more free, exclusive content and updates on sales and new releases! To join the mailing list, copy and paste this link into your browser: https://lizastreetauthor.com/free-book

Fantasy, Paranormal, Part of a Series, Review, Shifters, Suspense, Witches, Writers on the River Attending Author

#WOTR23 – #Review – Don’t Cry Over Spilled Potions (Which Village, Book 3) by L.C. Mortimer aka Sophie Stern

Leave a comment

Don't Cry Over Spilled Potions (Which Village Book 3) by [L.C. Mortimer]

For fans of Buffy, Charmed, and Hocus Pocus comes a story about second chances and new beginnings.

Don’t cry over spilled potions.

Once upon a time, I was in love.

My husband was stolen from me before I was ready, but I found him again.

Now he’s back.

He’s here with me in Which Village, but he has no memory of the past and no idea that the two of us were inseparable.

When a foe from his werewolf days threatens to tear us apart, Stanley and I have a choice to make, and it’s not going to be an easy one.

Don’t Cry Over Spilled Potions is the third book in the WHICH VILLAGE series. This book features female main characters who are middle-aged (or fast approaching it) and who have magical powers.

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Kelly

Excellent finale for the Which Village series! I absolutely love this series and Don’t Cry Over Spilled Potions is no different. Jaden and Stanley’s love story is one that against all odds should continue. Now that Jaden has her husband back we get to experience what exactly Stanley is and has been going through….absolute hell. People are tricky and sneaky, but to find out you are something you are not feels like a curse. It is almost like Jaden and Stanley have to meet again. Neither know much about the other but both feel the connection. Is that connection going to be enough to save them? That’s the question, my friends. “The curse of the werewolves is a nasty one.” Both, Jaden and Stanley, have to deal with their own feelings of self worth and wondering if they are good enough. But when push comes to shove, true colors shine bright! If you are looking for something that is a bit different from the normal witches, werewolves, and things that go bump in the night, you need to read this series!

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.

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

#review #partofaseries #standalone Perfect Pact (Mason Creek 27) by Cary Hart 

Leave a comment

Perfect Pact by Cary Hart

Life hasn’t been easy for Beth, and her sexy new neighbor isn’t making it any easier. 
 
When she inherits a beautiful old barn on the outskirts of Mason Creek, things are looking up—until she meets the stubborn cowboy next door. Turns out, he’s the absentee grandson of the man she was caring for. He got the house; she got the barn. The problem? A single driveway shared between the two. 
 
In order to turn the property into her dream venue, she’ll have to make a deal with the handsome devil standing in her way. Access to the driveway in exchange for a date? Seems like a fair price. 
 
Except all isn’t fair in love and war—not in these parts, anyway. And making a perfect pact with a charming stranger could cost her something she can’t afford to lose… her heart.  

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59735368-perfect-pact

Amazon https://amzn.to/3RBzIT2

Review by Twinsie Dee

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

Beth was a at home caretaker for an elderly man Mr. Jacobs who had lost his wife and getting up there in age himself he need 24-hour care. They became friends and one even out on the porch swing drinking some sweet tea and the beautiful sunset, Mr. Jacob’s was reliving about the sunset the evening his wife had passed. Little did Beth know that would be the last sunset and sweet tea she would share with Mr. Jacob’s he passed that night. Beth was so worried about what she was going to do now, she had no place to live and very little money, well Mr. Jacob’s wasn’t going to let her go without even in death, he had put her in his will and left her the barn on the property, but that day she had to go meet the lawyer to hear the will, she met his son and grandsons, and she didn’t have anything nice about them going on in her mind. Especially since the one grandson Dusty stole her lemon raspberry tart from the coffee shop after she told him it was good little did, she know it was the last one. Well now her and the tart theif were neighbors, and he attraction was flying high on both ends of the driveway but Beth was stubborn and Dusty didn’t give up easily. Will they give in to temptaion and enjoy a gorgous sunset with sweet tea of their own or will they just keep up the bullheadedness and stay away from each other. 

 

Cary Hart hails from the Midwest. A sassy, coffee drinking, sometimes sailor swearing, Spotify addict, lover of all thing’s 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