Category Archives: Novella

Holiday Book/Novella, Novella

#WOTR26 #Novella #Holiday – Pumpkin to Talk About by Allie Sambert

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Mike Page fled Ironwood Flats, Texas the moment he tossed his high school cap in the air and never looked back. But when his little sister, Annie, is suddenly left raising two kids on her own, one desperate call brings him right back to the one place he swore he’d never return. Now, stuck playing uncle, Mike’s in for more than he bargained for, especially since it means surviving the town’s infamous Halloween celebrations—his personal nightmare.

Belle Allen has always been a bit eclectic. As Ironwood Elementary’s quirky part-time librarian by day and bartender by night, she has finally found her rhythm. That is, until Mike, her high school nemesis, walks into the bar bringing painful memories back with him.

Old wounds run deep, but so do new sparks when they keep bumping into each other. As they’re pulled together by chance encounters and unexpected chemistry, Mike and Belle realize they’re not the same people they were in high school. But just as they start falling harder than autumn leaves, reality hits—Mike’s heading back to Indiana after Halloween.

Can they admit they’re bewitched with each other? Or will the spell of their romance be broken?

Review by Twinsie Angie

I purchased this book.

I was looking for a short and quick read.  It was getting close to fall so I grabbed this audio.  The narration did a great job for me when listening to it.

The story was a short enemies to lovers book.  Belle is not about to fall for the hot shot who left town and is now back.  She is unhappy when she needs his help to help the kids in the school.

Mike is stunned that Belle is still as beautiful and cant believe that an idiot he was in high school.  He was so worried about being important he messed up.  Now he is helping her he will make sure not to repeat the past mistakes.

Amazon

Allie Samberts is a romance writer, book lover, and high school English teacher. She was voted funniest teacher of the year for 2023 by her students, which is probably her highest honor to date. She is also a runner, and enjoys knitting and sewing. She lives in the Chicago suburbs with her husband, two kids, and a very loud beagle. You can follow her on Instagram @alliesambertswrites, read her blog at alliesamberts.substack.com, and get other updates at www.alliesamberts.com.

Holiday Book/Novella, Horror, Kindle Unlimited, Novella

#Promo – She Waits: A Tiny Terrible Tale by Sarah Jules

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SHE WAITS is a cosmic, creepy, sleep-with-the-lights-on horror short story.

The New Year’s Eve tradition of ‘first footing’ is supposed to bring luck and prosperity.
For Tamsin, it brings only terror.

Looking for some holiday themed horror?
Want to plummet into a sea of existential dread?
Haven’t quite met your reading goal?
SHE WAITS is the story for you!

TINY TERRIBLE TALES is a series of standalone, one-sitting horror shorts from indie horror author Sarah Jules.
SHE WAITS is the third release.*

These bite-sized horror stories will sink their teeth into you and refuse to let go.

With regular new releases, there’s always something terrible waiting around the corner.

*They can be read in any order and are not interlinked.

PRAISE FOR TINY TERRIBLE TALES:

“Masterfully chilling with a gut-wrenching kick. Sarah Jules knows how to take your fears and use them against you.” – Elizabeth J. Brown, author of The Laughing Policeman.

“Sarah Jules has already established herself as one of the top authors for all things creepy! Yet another fantastic story from the Tiny Terrible Tales series… How the author manages to fit so much dread and horror into such a short story is truly amazing!” – Justin Boote, author of Soul Searchers.

“For such a short story, this was richly plotted and full of enough backstory to make it feel incredibly well-rounded and realised. It was also full of some sumptuous and scary writing... had my skin crawling.” – Dave Musson, author of One More Around the Sun, and owner of the ‘Dave Reads King’ YouTube channel.

“Did somebody say NEW HORROR SHORT by the inimitable Sarah Jules?!” – Leigh Kenny, author of Hush, My Darling.

“A gripping little short horror story, I really enjoy Sarah’s writing it has a way of being gripping, vivid and enjoyable while feeling accessible… A fun chilling little read and I will forever recommend Sarah’s writing.” – Wyatt Creed Reads.

This was short and dark but a lot of fun! I was left with wanting to read more.

Tamsin hates the holidays, especially New Years Eve. Her family celebrates the new year with traditions while Tamsin tries not to see her. The other version of her.

This little tale is creepy but I enjoyed it a lot. If you’re looking for bite sized reads, definitely check out this author and this little series.

Can be read in KU – https://amzn.to/3NnHfYR

Dark, Dark Romance, Kindle Unlimited, Novella, Part of a Series, why choose

#Review – Curvy Thirteen: A Why Choose, Dark Romance Novella (The Curvy Thirteen Playlist Book 1) by Nicci Harris

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He calls me pup,
and wants me to play fetch.

I’m Vallie, but BookTok knows me as @CurvyandBooked.

Dark Romance is my jam, peanut butter, and marmalade.

Mafia. Bully. Why Choose. You name it, and I want to sit in my beanbag with my battery-operated boyfriend and read it.

Look, if I don’t need a chöochie ice bath after a romance, was it even a love story?

If someone didn’t bleed for looking at her, was the hero really that into her?

But it’s just fiction.

Until it’s not.

So, when I find a masked man in my living room skimming my favourite romance novel, all my dark desires become very real nightmares.

And he is not alone. He has a mentally deranged brother who wants to play house with me.

Soon, I’m torn between right and wrong, good and bad, and who needs saving from whom…
.
DISCLAIMER: Nicci never thought she would want to use a pen name until she wrote this absolute insanity. From this book, she has created her Nicci Harris, Black Label, brand. This is pure filth, with minimal plot, and features unhinged male main characters with mummy issues. Caution: the leading characters engage in questionable consent, and the narrative includes. It ends on a hfn/cliff

First, please check out the trigger warnings on Nicci’s sight. Not every sexual act in this book is consensual and there are topics that may be triggering for you. Your mental health matters first and foremost.

So I gave myself a reading challenge this year: Read a novella each week. Plus read all the other books I want to read but if I can at least read a novella, it’ll get some books read and it’s a good way to check out new to me authors as well.

I was in the mood for dark romance because I don’t actually read them a lot even though I write them and love them. I came across this series and am so glad I gave it a chance.

Vallie is a social media influencer and let her fantasies be known to the public. Well…that kind of backfired on her.

Her masked intruder was no longer a fantasy and became very very real but he has a request and she doesn’t really have a choice either but to go along with it.

I have to say that Tyler’s situation breaks my heart. I have a soft spot for the broken MMCs and I just want to give him a hug. I hope we find out more about his past.

Also, I can’t wait to meet Dexter. The older brother to Tyler and Donnie. Should be fun.

I really don’t think Vallie knows what she’s in for and I have a feeling that Dexter is far worse than Donnie.

I can’t wait to read the rest of the series.

Can be read in KU – https://amzn.to/49i6a8z

Contemp. Romance, Holiday Book/Novella, Kindle Unlimited, Novella, Romantic Comedy

#Review- The One Night by Meghan Quinn

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From USA Today bestselling author Meghan Quinn comes a romantic comedy novella about the magic and misadventures of a one-night stand.

Recently divorced Cooper Chance knows he’s officially in a rut when his parents take him barhopping in the hope of resuscitating his love life. At first, he’s skeptical. How could a gritty dive bar possibly solve his problems? But then he runs into Nora McHale.

Nora isn’t at the bar looking for love. She’s there to unwind after yet another exhausting day at her bakery. And even if she were hoping to meet someone, it sure wouldn’t be Cooper—her best friend’s ex-husband.

According to the unwritten rules of romance, Cooper and Nora are completely off limits to each other. But after a fun, flirty night at the bar, they can’t ignore the wild attraction between them.

Is this the beginning of something real, or will their passionate night together be their one and only?

I haven’t read a contemporary romance book in years and any romance I have read lately, has been romantasy. We can thank Fourth Wing for that. I’ve given myself a challenge this year: To read 1 novella a week for the whole year. I’m so glad I started off with this one because it was so entertaining.

Cooper’s parents are adorable and had me laughing. They were simply the cutest. They’re trying to find a nice lady for him but he never expects to run into Nora. His ex’s best friend. But you can’t stop fate and what it has in store for you no matter how hard you try.

Cooper and Nora are a perfect match. They’re banter is so fun! I definitely wanted more from them. You can read more about these characters in later books.

If you want a quick holiday read that’s funny and sexy, then check this one out. It was definitely the palate cleanser I needed after all the horror books I’ve consumed in the last year. Also, this book had me actually laughing out loud. I can’t even tell you when the last time that happened was.

Can be read in KU – https://amzn.to/4q1xIVz

Audio Book, Comedy, Novella, Review, Romantic Comedy

#Review #AudioBook – Like It’s 1999: a Boston Classics novella by Karen Grey

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Love ‘em and Leave ‘em Alice Kim and “Hot” Steve Lowell are perfect for each other. It’ll only take them ten years to figure that out.

Just because they throw the most bodacious wedding party ever…

Just because they’re perfect partners in pranks…

Just because they love all the same boss movies…

Just because they share one totally bangin’ night of sex together…

Does not mean they’ll break the One Time Rule.

Even if they do… they don’t do relationships.

And they’re never getting married.

Like, ever.

In this friends-to-lovers, marriage-pact novella spanning the last decade of the 20th century, life forces a playboy and a playgirl grow up—and grow apart—before giving them a chance to create a happy-ever-after they can actually be happy about.

 

Goodreads

 

Amazon

 

Where are all my Gen-X’ers and Xennials?!?! This book has it all for us! All of our slang, excellent movie quotes, rad pranks, all the boombox holding nostalgia with an epic love story! EVERYTHING!!!! I listened to this book and having two narrators, one for Love ‘em and Leave ‘em Alice and Hot Steve, was ON POINT!

Alice and Steve end up being bridesmaids to their best friend. Yes, this will be an unconventional wedding as guys and girls will be on both sides. The best part is that Alice and Steve are the perfect partners in crime for the wedding. Actually, they are very similar in most aspects of their lives. As their story continues and we get to know them, they end up learning things about themselves that they aren’t really happy about. After the party they make a pact for the 10-year anniversary. But what happens in the middle and leading up to the 10-year anniversary is…well, a lot. I can’t call it a page turner because I listened to it, LOL! It was gripping and I couldn’t stop listening because I JUST HAD TO KNOW!

This was so nostalgic, plus the story just had a touch of everything! I highly recommend it! Just read it or listen to it already!

 

Karen Grey profile image

KAREN GREY is a USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of vintage romantic comedies with smart heroines and hunky heroes. Drawing on a long career as a performer, her retro 80’s and 90’s romances are populated with characters working both on- and off-stage in theater, TV and film.

She’s a lifelong omnivorous reader (including 20 years as an audiobook narrator). When not reading or writing, she’s lounging at the beach or hiking in the mountains. Or dreaming about both with an IPA in hand and a dog or a cat nearby.

To get the latest news, join her VIP club at followkarengrey.com.

cult horror, Extreme Horror, Horror, Horror Erotica, Kindle Unlimited, Novella, Standalone

#Review -The Sixth Hour by Mique Watson

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Erin Shepherd runs away from home, certain she’s escaped the worst kind of monster.

Despite her homelessness, she believes the pain and torment is behind her when a kind stranger offers her food, safety, and a ride out of town.

She is wrong.

Now a prisoner, her life unravels into a waking nightmare of captivity, cruelty, and whispered promises of something waiting beyond pain.

Surrounded by horrifying atrocities and dark mystery, Erin begins to wonder if she is running from her fate or becoming it.

I’m going to start this by saying that I’ve read all of Mique Watson’s books. Even the ones he wrote for anthologies. So I went into this new one completely blind.

We meet Erin who was taken and thrown into a world of debauchery. She ends up down a dangerous path but as she’s learning the ropes of her new lifestyle, she quickly realizes that things aren’t exactly as they seem and she doesn’t know who she can trust.

Just when I thought that this book isn’t as bad as Mique’s other stuff or that it’s not as extreme or gross as I expected…um…yeah I was wrong. The things someone does for survival. I kept thinking to myself, nope, there is no way but at the same time, I’ve never had to deal with this sort of situation. So who actually knows how they’d react or what they would do given the circumstances. I’d like to think I’m strong and would also do anything to survive but I’m not actually sure.

I have to say that as someone with a uterus, one of the last scenes….holy crap on a cracker. What a way to go. It reminded me of Art from the Terrifier movies and what he liked to do to his victims. Wow. Mique, you upped your game with this one. I’m going to think of this scene every time I go for a physical now.

The ending of this book was NOT what I was expecting at all but like I’ve said many times in previous reviews for other books, Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.

Like always, I suggest going into this book completely blind. It’s more fun that way. But I will tell you that if you like cult horror or anything remotely having to do with cults, then this may be for you. While this book isn’t as gory as some of Mique’s other work, it’s definitely just as gruesome.

Can be read in KU – https://amzn.to/4oqH6Rg

Extreme Horror, Horror, Novella

#Review – The Bug Collector by Wrath James White

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Joey has a very unique paraphilia that has ruined his health, destroyed his once handsome looks, and made him an outcast, a pariah. Now, this horrifying fetish threatens his very life, placing him in the hands of a profoundly disturbed and angry woman with a serious grudge.

From the twisted imagination of Wrath James White comes a tale of extreme horror, extreme violence, and revenge taken well beyond the extreme.

I’m not sure what it says about me exactly but I really liked this book. Even though for most of it, I read with my eyes wide.

We meet Joey who likes to collect things. Diseases in fact. But not just any diseases. Sexually transmitted ones.

As we get further into the book, you kind of feel sorry for him. We also meet Tina who has her own agenda when it comes to our beloved Joey.

I don’t want to give too much away but this book is gross, disgusting, super detailed and beyond vile but I liked it a lot.

Also, like my husband always says, Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.

One-click – https://amzn.to/43fRWSk

Horror, Kindle Unlimited, Novella, Uncategorized

#Review – MIRROR: A short horror story of how desire can become deadly… by Pawan Singh

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Mia always blended into the background… until a mysterious potion transforms her into someone irresistible. Suddenly, Ryan notices her. So does the rest of the campus. She has beauty, charm, and power. Everything she ever wanted.

But the potion comes with a horrifying secret: every week, she needs it… and she must take a soul to feed the creator of the potion.

Desire turns into obsession, charm into danger.

Mia is unstoppable. And the darkness will not release her.

I really liked this book. It was my first time reading this author and she did not disappoint. It also had me wondering what I would do in this situation. I was like Mia back when I was in high school. Unpopular, craving attention, insecure and so on.

Mia is lonely, craves attention but is completely invisible to everyone around her. Even to her parents.

She comes across a site that offers her a potion that would change her life completely. She thinks it’s a scam but tries it out anyway. But the potion works. It works way more than she ever thought it would. The power it has over her is unyielding and it will stop at nothing to get what it wants. That includes Mia herself.

There was just something about this little story that captured me right away. Maybe it’s because I can put myself in Mia’s shoes. The writing pulled me in, the story was engaging and if you’re new to horror but not sure what to read, give this one a try. It’s not scary but it definitely makes you think, what would I do?

Can be read in KU – https://amzn.to/43OJklN

Extreme Horror, Horror, Kindle Unlimited, Novella

#Review – Puppet (The Dollhouse Book 2) by R.J. Powell

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Miss Teacher hates children, but loves them all the same. Especially boys. Especially Charlie.
Until Puppet is ready to play.

***
Other works by the Author include Madness in Tandem, Thrice the Madness, Dollface, Puppet, Eight Cases of Jane, Vasectomy, and her newest palate cleanser, Feeler Deep.

These books are so much fun. They’re gross, nasty and absolutely vile and disgusting but dolls come to life and take out predators.

Miss Teacher is a pedophile and one kid, Charlie, has a doll that comes to life. They take out their revenge on Miss Teacher together in an absolutely gruesome way. The things they do had me wincing.

If you like quick reads that leaves nothing to the imagination, this may just be for you.

Can be read in KU – https://amzn.to/4nx4HPv

Box Set, Fantasy, Fantasy Romance, Mermaids, Novella, Paranormal, Review, Sweet Romance

#Review #LittleMermaidEasterEggs – Fathoms Below (Short Story Bundle) by Ava Cuvay

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FATHOMS BELOW – A Short Story Bundle Drenched with Romance
Under the sea, Atlantia’s mer-creatures are devoting full time to floating… and falling in love.

– BETTER WHERE IT’S WETTER
Ariel LaRue assumes the sexy merman pictured on the lake house is “just art.” Then a violent storm topples her into his arms, and she discovers the ocean isn’t the only thing that gets her wet.

– KISS THE GIRL
Mako, a young Sharkanian General, knows there’s more to life under the sea than hunting for food and waging war with the Atlantians. But he struggles against his own predatory nature until a gentle mermaid calms the savage hunger of his heart and tames his sharp bite.

– POOR UNFORTUNATE SOULS
Ursule has an uncanny knack for problem-solving which has earned him the grim moniker Sea Witch. Unfortunately, it doesn’t prevent pesky merpeople from approaching him with their problems. Until two captivating eel-maids invade his lair, wishing for nothing more than his company. And his talented tentacles.

– PART OF HIS WORLD
Prince Eric wasn’t always royalty. For that matter, he wasn’t always a merman.

 

Goodreads

 

Amazon

 

Twinsie Kelly’s Review

This short story bundle set in Atlantia starts with Ariel housesitting and then being turned into a mermaid. “Be nice to the sharks, pretty mermaid. They’re not mean. They’re misunderstood.” It is Better Where It’s Wetter, I would never argue with that!

We then really get to meet Mako in Kiss the Girl. This is more of a grumpy sunshine type of story. He is the big bad Mako but what he doesn’t realize is that he is really a protector. Pearl brings this out in him. I am in love with Mako!

Next, we meet Ursule. He loathes everyone literally just wants to be left alone. However, when he meets Two Unfortunate Souls and realizes how badly they have been treated and starts empathizing with them as he treated others in the same manner. Ursule thinks he is dying because he starts feeling regret, LOL!

Each story will make you smile, roll your eyes a bit, and comes with a high level of steam that will leave certain areas boiling. Oh, and don’t forget the Little Mermaid Easter Eggs!!!!!

 

Ava Cuvay profile image

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.