Category Archives: Coming of Age

#Review #GoddessofDeath – Morana by Piper Laksari-Minenco


My name is Morana. The humans call me Death.

Forget all you thought you knew about myth and folklore. This is an unheard story; the story of death.

A new spin on mythology, told through the perspective of one of the most hated goddesses of them all.

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Amazon

Review by Twinsie Kelly

I am a lover of all things mythology so when I seen Morana, I knew that I had to read it. Morana is definitely an interesting and unique spin on the gods and goddesses that we have all come to know. Some we love and some we love to hate. This is a coming-of-age story about Morana, who ultimately becomes the Goddess of Death. Morana is struggling with the gift that the sprits are going to bestow upon her as she fears that she will be hated by everyone.

There is a LOT going on with Morana and the additional characters. The family dynamic is very tense but she makes every effort not to clash with them. She has a schoolmate, Athena, who is the “cool kid” that everyone loves but she constantly locks horns with on the daily. And then there is her girlfriend, Devana. She is so sweet and understanding.

The overall story is really good but there is so much potential for this to be really great! This is a short story and as you got closer to the end, it felt like there were longer breaks in between events. With the jump in between events, I felt like I lost a bit of a connection with the other characters and even Morana while she may have processed what she went through. Overall, the story is very intriguing and is definitely a page turner. I do wish it was a bit longer so that we could discover a bit more about Morana…there is so much more, I just know it!

This is a new author for me, and I didn’t realize she was a young author, but I am extremely impressed! I look forward to reading other works by this author.

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

Piper Laksari-Minenco profile image

I’m a young writer who is super passionate about my craft, and who loves to weave a little exploration of mental health themes into my work. When I’m not penning my newest work, you can find me cuddling up under my fabulous periodic table blanket with a book in my hands, surrounded by my anatomy posters and whatnot. Passionate about the power of storytelling, I truly cherish the feeling of bringing hope or light to someone through a good book. I hope you’ll tag along and give my work a try!

#Review – Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson

An instant New York Times bestseller! “Grown exposes the underbelly of a tough conversation, providing a searing examination of misogynoir, rape culture, and the vulnerability of young black girls. Groundbreaking, heart-wrenching, and essential reading for all in the #MeToo era.” —Dhonielle Clayton, New York Times bestselling author of The Belles 

Award-winning author Tiffany D. Jackson delivers another riveting, ripped-from-the-headlines mystery that exposes horrific secrets hiding behind the limelight and embraces the power of a young woman’s voice.

When legendary R&B artist Korey Fields spots Enchanted Jones at an audition, her dreams of being a famous singer take flight. Until Enchanted wakes up with blood on her hands and zero memory of the previous night. Who killed Korey Fields?

Before there was a dead body, Enchanted’s dreams had turned into a nightmare. Because behind Korey’s charm and star power was a controlling dark side. Now he’s dead, the police are at the door, and all signs point to Enchanted.

“Never have I read a story that so flawlessly hits the highest high and lowest low notes of Black girlhood in pursuit of the American Dream.” —Nic Stone, New York Times bestselling author of Dear Martin and Jackpot

This book was chef’s kiss in the best of ways. Now I’ll start by saying that as a white woman, I liked being educated as to what black women face when they need help from authorities. It definitely helped open my eyes, so thank you to the author for helping with that.

Now this book…first, it has several triggers. I never thought I had triggers. I read extreme horror. I should be immune right? Well, I was wrong. I told a friend who read this book at the same time I did, that it bothers me because I would have been the exact same way if I was in Enchanted’s shoes. I’m beyond thankful I met my husband when I did.

Okay now for the review. Enchanted wants to be a singer and she has the voice for it. She goes to an audition at the help of her friend and catches the eye of Korey Fields. He grooms her into being someone she isn’t and it all goes down hill from there.

From their very first interaction, my hackles rose and I instantly didn’t like him. I think I was infuriated for most of the book. So kudos to the author for bringing that out in me.

This book is fast paced, action packed, filled with drama, a strong female lead and more. I absolutely loved it and it fits right up there with my love for Allegedly.

If only people listened to the first girl. Maybe then it wouldn’t have taken over 16 to get something done.

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

#Review #Apocalyptic – Killshot: Icarus Series Book 1 by Aria Michaels


After the death of their parents, seventeen year old Liv Larson and her younger brother are separated by the foster care system. Her grades slip, her friends drift away, and she gives up on her plans for college. The only thing that matters is keeping the promise to get back to her brother. After months of solitude and anti-social behavior, Liv’s best friend Riley drags her to their high school’s rooftop solar flare party. Despite the beautiful lights dancing in the sky, Liv finds herself captivated by Zander, a mysterious boy with a crooked smile. For a few hours, she allows herself to feel normal again.

That is until what should have been a small flare erupts into a massive solar storm. Cut off from the rest of the world with no sign of rescue, fear and paranoia begin to take their toll on the group. Battle lines are drawn and their ranks are divided. Soon, those left behind must embark on a perilous journey to save one of their own…but, something sinister awaits them in the shadows and it’s undeniably connected to Liv.

Can she keep her promise to reunite with her brother? What are Liv and her friends willing to do to survive? Will their bravery and determination be enough to save them all from a rogue military unit, a terrifying virus, and the things that go bump in the night?

Or was Icarus really the KILLSHOT?

Goodreads

Amazon

Review by Twinsie Kelly

It is not often that I have a difficult time writing a review because it left me speechless. I have had this book living in my TBR pile on my kindle for longer than I like to admit. I decided to go waaaay back and find something that caught my attention and wow, am I glad that I did. This book, just wow. I cannot find the words. If you like post apoc, conspiracy theories, military, teenagers overcoming obstacles, Sci-Fi, just some overall unexplainable craziness, (I am sure I am missing things) then I recommend Killshot.

Icarus is supposed to be a solar flare event but turns into so much more. We experience life just before and for the three days after Icarus. That’s right folks, this book gives us just before the solar flare and for three days after. So much happens and we get to experience is through Liv’s eyes. It is tough, emotional, frightening, mysterious, and overall…just WOW!

“Change is the only thing in this life that is ever guaranteed.”

There are things that people should never be exposed to but after a wicked event like Icarus, it has brought out the worst, but sometimes the best in people. Even if the best, hurts some of those people. It’s a strange combination but one that you won’t understand until you are put in those situations. Liv and her friends, well, experience it throughout this book.

I am now on my way to the next book. Not waiting around for this one!

 

Aria Michaels profile image

Aria Michaels is the author of The Icarus Series, a bestselling young adult dystopian saga as well as a contributor to ATZ’s Chronology of the Apocalypse. Aria is an avid reader, die-hard zombie fan, and enthusiastic lover of bonfires and red wine. When she is not glued to her computer pouring out the voices in her head, this busy single mom can be found playing in the dirt with her boys, painting, or binge-watching The Walking Dead. Aria is currently hard at work on the next installment of the Icarus Series and reveling in her role as instigator of literary mayhem and stealth assassin of fictional characters.

“You are never more than one chapter away from a different future.” –Aria Michaels

 



#Review – Late To The Game by Brian Anthony Ziroli


High School football is as important as religion in states like Texas, Alabama, and Georgia. Not in a little town on the North Carolina shore. No, there it’s more important than religion. A story that takes place in 1985 and is told by its star quarterback, Johnny Pelligrino, this is the best chance for the West Pennington Pirates to win that elusive state championship. What can stop them?

Where do we begin?

Johnny is trying to deal with the pressures and struggles of high school, his first love, an overbearing father, and the entire town depending on him and the Pirates to win the school’s first state championship. He could not have imagined what he’d experience in this senior year. One night, at the County Fair, something happens to one of the
seniors, and a friend of Johnny’s. What happened? Who did it? How does Johnny get so involved? How will this impact their season? Johnny will eventually find out that his head coach holds many old secrets, let alone being the most powerful figure in the entire community. Who can Johnny trust? His friends? His coaches? His family? Anyone?

A story that is filled with drama, love, lost relationships, and twists and turns along this very important season in West Pennington history. How will it end?

Goodreads

Amazon

Review by Twinsie Kelly

First things first, high school in the 80’s! What a different time it was. It will definitely remind you how different things are today. Johnny, the star quarterback in small town North Carolina and a lot is riding on him taking the team to the championship. It’s his senior year with lots of classes, girls, and lots of pressure trying to lead the team and be who everyone expects him to be. It’s a LOT of pressure. Things are going good, really good. Things go from great to bad in about 3 seconds flat. Johnny walks away but it eats at him. One thing leads to another and an unexpected party brings out the truth. With the turmoil and the guilt eating at Johnny, he finds out that some people, even the ones you really trust, are not trustworthy at all. Tons of secrets are coming out and he really struggles with what and how he should handle things. He was learning at a young age that you really could not trust anyone and to be careful who you hold out as heroes. When everyone is telling you to “do the right thing” but they are not taking their own advice, how do you really know what the right thing is?

I have to tell you that Late to the Game was like going back in time. It was very refreshing to go back to the 80s and hang out. The author does a great job at the world building and giving the characters some depth. While there are some very heavy parts of the story, there is a lot of wit and banter that will have you laugh out loud (or LOL as we say nowadays)! It is a great coming of age story that will throw a few curveballs your way (I know this is baseball, not football, but I couldn’t think of a better way to say it), but it keeps you on your toes right to the very end. Then BAM! PLOT TWIST!

Give it a try, you won’t regret it, even if you are late to the game!

#Review – Allegedly by Tiffany D. Jackson

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.

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

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 WolfFright 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

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

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 partiesroller 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

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

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.
GooniesBack 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

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

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.

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

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