Category Archives: Coming of Age

Coming of Age, Dark, Psychological Thriller, Review, Standalone, Suspense, Teen & Young Adult Contemporary

#Review – Allegedly by Tiffany D. Jackson

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Allegedly

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?

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Kelly

Whoa! Holy what the heck did I just read?! I have the worst (best) book hangover! A friend of mine read this and immediately recommended the book to everyone. She said the best way to go in was completely blind. Okay, I’ll bite. I purchase the book without reading the blurb on the back, I have no clue who this author is, and did not check out any of the reviews. I highly suggest doing the same, you won’t regret it. Now, if you refuse to go in blind, please continue on and I’ll tell you a little about the story.

This story is about Mary, who is now 16, but at age 9 was convicted of murdering an infant. The story dives deep into the life she has led leading up to this point. In jail, mostly in solitaire because no one knew what to do with such a young murder. She experienced mental and physical abuse…this will make you cringe. She is trying to survive. She is now in a group home and ends up getting pregnant by Ted. He is another group home convict. Mary is truly trying to make something for herself and with some help she starts advocating for herself. She is smart and wants to keep her baby, but she also must literally watch out for her life while living in the group home. A necessary evil. Some of the people in her life are incredibly terrible, but some are really genuine. The hardest part is trying to figure out exactly who you can trust. I went through most of this story just knowing that she was going to win but then you start to feel the doom and gloom. Then, all of a sudden, this crazy curve ball comes flying from out in left field and I sat here like, I can’t believe that just happened. But then the end actually happens, and I just sat there trying to comprehend what I just read. Like, did that just happen? Yeah, that did just happen…OMG! The twist at the end made my head spin!

Author Logo

Tiffany D. Jackson is a TV professional by day, novelist by night, awkward black girl 24/7. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Film from Howard University and her Master of Arts in Media Studies from The New School University. A Brooklyn native, she is a lover of naps, cookie dough, and beaches, currently residing in the borough she loves most likely multitasking.

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

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

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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

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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

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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

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

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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.

Apocalyptic, Coming of Age, Review

#Review – Nuclear Dawn: The Post Apocalyptic Box Set by Kyla Stone (Kindle and Audible)

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Nuclear Dawn: The Post-Apocalyptic Box Set: The Complete Apocalyptic Survival Thriller Series by [Kyla Stone]

A nuclear terrorist attack. American cities devastated. Chaos erupts as the fallout descends…
Dakota Sloane, a tough-as-nails former foster kid, has spent her life running from the past. A man haunted by secrets, Logan Garcia has only one goal: to drink himself into oblivion.

They’re two strangers in a bar, until the news reports nuclear detonations in New York City and D.C. Before they can escape Miami, everything explodes.

As buildings collapse, anarchy erupts. Dakota knows of a place to ride out the storm: a safe house deep in the Everglades.

But her little sister is still trapped in the radioactive ruins of the city. Dakota needs Logan’s help, but can she trust him? And how far is she willing to go to save the only family she has left?

The radiation isn’t the only threat. At every turn, deadly foes are determined to stop them. And in the background, a formidable enemy rears its head…

Featuring high-octane action and compelling characters, the acclaimed Nuclear Dawn apocalyptic survival series follows the struggle of ordinary people desperate to survive after a coordinated nuclear attack on the United States.

Perfect for fans of Bobby Akart, Harley Tate, Jack Hunt, and Boyd Craven. Grab all five full-length thrillers at 70% off and start binge reading the series reviewers are calling “Masterful,” “Thrilling,” and the “Best apocalyptic series I’ve ever read!”

The complete series is also available on audiobook! Get started with the three-book bundle here: amazon.com/dp/B081S78LTX

*Rated PG-13 for mild language and moderate violence.*

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Kelly

I am so happy I had the entire box set! Kyla Stone is a first-time author for me and now has a fan for life! I had this series on Audible and Kindle which worked out perfectly because I never missed a beat with the story. The narrator was awesome and kept you engaged, but at the same time, while reading the story you were still right in the middle of it all. This series had me on the edge of my seat the ENTIRE time. I was completely engrossed. This story has everything. It has action, craziness, insanity, and anarchy. BUT, it has an intense show of loyalty and love. It even has crazies in a cult! The most exciting part of this story is that it could actually happen. The entire story keeps you engaged from start to finish. You won’t be able to help yourself and will have to continue to turn the pages. It is so real that you can actually picture yourself in the middle of the chaos and it will have you thinking about how you would react in the same situation. On top of it, the action never stops. The story is told in a very vivid way that puts you right in the middle. And as the story escalates, it never falls flat. Very well done and I look forward to reading more by Kyla Stone.

Kyla Stone

Coming of Age, Fantasy, NA, Writers on the River Attending Author

#WOTR22 #Review – Analissa, Guardians of the Origin by Miranda Shanklin

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Analissa: Guardians of the Origin by [Miranda Shanklin]

Everybody always knew that Analissa would be the new Leader of the Guardians of the Origin. She took it for granted that she would take over for her mother with her best friends by her side. It didn’t exactly work out the way that she thought it would. Now, she has to take on the new responsibility while her best friends moved on to something else, without her, while she tries to deal with her insecurities. When she finally meets her soul mate those insecurities are doubled. She knew she was not good enough for him. Ozias knew that he was not the type to find one person and settle down with her. He had yet to meet a woman that could hold his attention for even a first date. When he first saw Analissa all of his beliefs were put into question. Now, he is expected to walk away from his realm and take on responsibilities he didn’t ask for while trying to decide if he has been wrong about himself and what he believes. He is certain she would never want to be with him if she knew how he had treated women in the past. This is a new adult spin off the Soul Series and is intended for an older reader. This does contain some adult content and is not intended for young adult.

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Kelly

This is an intriguing read full of emotion but most of all it is about overcoming the crazy obstacles life gives us. Analissa and her family, including aunts, uncles, and cousins, all live in the same home near the origin. The Origin has tasked the adults as the Guardians of the Origin. She always knew that she would become the leader but wasn’t ready for what was in store for her. Having your life determined for you before you were even born makes you question a lot about life. She found here soul mate, from another realm no less. Other species have not been together in the past and this tosses a curveball into the already crazy mess of emotions that she is going through. She is often questioning whether she actually wants to be with Ozias or if she is just supposed to be with him. On the other hand, he questions the same thing. They both go through what I call “normal” relationship issues with insecurities and what not but they do make it through. And it is a sweet love story.

“You were meant to help each other and be there for each other. Neither one of you is stuck with the other. Your souls were created to complete each other. You’re a part of each other.”

I really enjoyed the story. However, I was hoping for a bit more information regarding the Origin itself and possibly more action. They are the Guardians of the Origin, so I assumed that there were be some crazy fight that ensues. There is one, but it was more of a skirmish. I do look forward to reading the rest of these because I feel like there is so much more to unfold.

 

Miranda Shanklin

 

 



Coming of Age, Contemp. Romance, Fighters, Part of a Spin off series, Review

#Review – Rebellious and Reckless by Michelle A. Valentine

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Rebellious and Reckless (Campus Hotshots #1)

He’s Rebellious in the ring and Reckless in Love.

Sky Cold knows exactly what she wants, and it’s Luke Finnegan, the college campus star quarterback. The only problem is she’s not even a blip on his radar. In order to get noticed by her crush, she’s willing to exchange the extra bedroom in her apartment to Luke’s tattooed, older brother to find a way into his social circle.

Baker Finnegan is determined to get out of his father’s shadow and do things his way. When he falls on hard times, and the sexy, slightly nerdy co-ed Sky offers him a place to live in exchange for a fake friendship, he can’t pass up the opportunity. But when Baker quickly realizes the only match he wants to make for Sky is one with himself, he has to convince her to look past his reckless ways.

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Kelly

Sweet torture and a glutton for punishment. Life isn’t perfect and we don’t always get what we think we need. Think, being the key word. Things never seem to go the way you want but in the end it just works. The story is a bit on the cliche’ side because ultimately we have a nerdy type of girl who essentially has a makeover and then gets the attention of the hot guy. Only in this story, she has the attention of two brothers…both are hot in their own ways. Sky gets Baker to agree to help her get a date with his brother, Luke. Then the fun starts! Baker moves in with Sky as part of the deal. But then they start to get close. Both of them have secrets…and both involve part of their family. These secrets are most definitely not cliche’. You seriously need to read this.  As things continue to unfold they can’t deny the pull that they have between each other but Sky still can’t decide if she wants Luke or if she is falling in love with Baker. 

“Do you have your Finnegans confused?” This is one of my favorite lines because this sums Sky up completely!

We have the hot jock, the rebel fighter, and the sweet librarian. All of the makings of a romantic comedy that will keep you turning the pages. Even though some of the story is cliche’, it is still a fun read with its own twist. And that makes it a must read!

Michelle A. Valentine

New York Times Best Selling author Michelle A. Valentine is a Central Ohio nurse turned author of erotic and New Adult romance. Her love of hard-rock music, tattoos and sexy musicians inspires her naughty characters. She loves connecting with her readers in “Valentine’s Vixens.”
Book teasers and excepts can be found on her website: http://www.michelleavalentine.com

Coming of Age, NA, Paranormal, Standalone, Suspense, Writers on the River Attending Author

#WOTR2020 – #Review – Dead Girls: A New Adult Paranormal Romance by Krystle Able and R.L. Weeks

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Dead Girls: A New Adult Paranormal Romance

Fans of Beautiful Creatures and Vampire Diaries will love this book.

Sisters, Pierce and Jackson, leave their luxurious lives in Manhattan behind them after their parents’ suicides, and move to a rainy town in Washington with their bitter Grandmother and her old, creepy mansion.
Level-headed and sensible Pierce is changing, and fiery Jackson must take the place of adult whilst their lives are turned upside down.
A serial killer is hunting red-heads, and with Pierce being the last girl in town to fit the profile, she’s on curfew. However, she keeps disappearing with a mystery man into the woods, coming back at night, covered in dirt with no memories and, holding a key to the only door in the mansion that’s off limits.
Things aren’t as the seem in the small town of Ridgeview. The monsters of stories could well be inside the walls of their home as well as outside.
No one is safe, no can be trusted.
Sometimes, the most beautiful smiles hide the darkest secrets…


Goodreads


Amazon

The most beautiful smiles hide the darkest secrets but sometimes the most disgusting scowls hide those same secrets. This entire book is based on secrets. Great secrets. Secrets that will keep you on the edge of your seat trying to figure out what the secret is and who we can trust. An intense and intriguing read. I could not put this book down until the very end. And the ending! It was an unforgettable ending that I was not anticipating. I finished this book with my heart pounding! Yes! It’s that good!

The first secret, right from jump, is the death of the two sister’s parents. They are uprooted from a lavish life in NYC where they want for nothing and moved to Ridgeview, Washington with a grandmother that clearly doesn’t want them. As they are trying to adjust, there are girls coming up missing and Pierce, the oldest sister, fits the profile of the next victim. Jackie, the younger sister, is incredibly worried and not sure how to handle the situation. And on top of it their grandmother doesn’t want either of them. She is a crazy old bat! 

You don’t experience the paranormal aspect of the story until you are well into it but you just know it’s there. Once you stumble upon it, many questions arise and loyalties are questioned. This is one of those stories that you just can’t quite figure out and keeps you guessing up until the very end. It’s beautifully written and will keep you on the edge of your seat. Bravo!

#WOTR2020 Attending Author Krystle Able

Krystle Able

R.L. Weeks
R. L. Weeks
Coming of Age, Fairy Tales, Fantasy, Part of a Series, Reverse Harem, Review, Writers on the River Attending Author, YA

#WOTR2020 – #Review – Storybook Academy: The Keeper by Kylie Marcus

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Storybook Academy: The Keeper

One Chance. Five Stubborn Prince Charmings. How’s a Girl Supposed to Save the World?

After my grandfather died, he left me one thing: a magical book. Now I’m enrolling at an Academy for fairy tale characters and it’s up to me to put their stories back together.

There are just a couple problems:

1. Last time I read a bedtime story, I was six.
2. It’s not like people are walking around introducing themselves as Prince Charming.
3. And speaking of princes – the princes I do meet aren’t interested in their princesses – but they’re only interested in kissing me!

My grandfather’s letter said the fate of both this world and my own rests on my rewriting the fairy tales. That’s a lot for a seventeen-year-old to deal with let alone throwing in some villains who only want to see me fail.

Happily ever after as we know it, will never be the same.

Disclaimer: This is a Why Choose?/Reverse Harem story where the heroine falls for many heroes and does not pick just one.


Goodreads


Amazon

BookBub

This is a fun YA, twisted fairytale, reverse harem story. The world as we know it is slowly forgetting about fairytales and we find out that they are fading away. Serina is in a world where using her imagination is forbidden. Her grandfather passes away and leaves her a storybook. Not just a storybook but THE storybook. She finds out that after his passing she has been deemed the next keeper of the Storybook Realm. When she is whisked away to the Storybook Realm she finds herself at the academy. Since all the stories are fading away she has to rewrite them. But in the Storybook Realm she has to rewrite them by getting the fairytales to play out. Unfortunately she has all the princes falling for her. She ends up in the middle of a story and has to find a way to rewrite the character she replaced into another story. Serina is just a teenage girl and has been given a huge job of keeping the fairytales alive and well. Part of the problem is she is loving being at the Academy instead of at home. At the Academy she is treated like she mattered and would be missed if she ever disappeared. She’s having an issue with “not mixing business with pleasure”, haha! Reader beware, this ends with a cliffhanger but by the end of the book I was more aware of the bad guys but trying to figure out who we can trust. I look forward to continuing this series and seeing if the Storybook Realm can be saved.

Kylie Marcus

Kylie Marcus still believes in magic and fantasy. She has always cultivated the magic inside of her, using her words to bring it to life on the pages of her stories for readers. After meeting the love of her life while ghost hunting in England, she believes in happily ever afters and hopes to convince readers of them too.

Now happily married, they live in Canada with their little man and two weenie dogs. Her fairy tale has only just started and she can’t wait to see how it ends.

To find out more about Kylie and her books, go to http://bit.ly/kmfindoutmore