Category Archives: Fantasy

#Review – Book 2: Zodiac Academy: Ruthless Fae by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti

They tried to break us.
They almost did.
But we’re not going anywhere.

The Celestial Heirs think the stars are on their side. But they don’t know what’s coming. We have to be smart. Fighting them one on one isn’t an option so we have to be stealthy. Remaining under the radar won’t be easy, but if we pull it off, they’ll never suspect our involvement when their lives start falling apart.

Besides, they’ve already taken us to the brink of hell, what more can they really do?

I finished this book in 24 hours. I completely devoured it and I have to say that I haven’t been this invested in a series in a long time. I’m so glad the whole series is published because there is no way I could have waited patiently between books.

So the story continues with Tory and Darcy fighting for their rightful place within Zodiac Academy. While the Heirs are a little nicer to them, they still can’t be trusted. Tory and Darcy get their revenge and I haven’t laughed out loud while reading in such a long time. It was amazing and so funny. Once you get to the pitball chapters, I couldn’t read fast enough.

This book had action, suspense, lust and the spice is definitely increasing. I have to stop myself from googling spoilers. Clearly I am not patient when it comes to slow burns/enemies to lovers.

I can’t wait to see what happens next with but I am so rooting for Darcy and Orion. Their little moment was hot AF. Then you get Tory and…well, I’ll let you read the book to find out who she ends up with.

Can be read in Kindle Unlimited: https://amzn.to/4bXpJmn

#Review – Book 1: Zodiac Academy: The Awakening by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti

Amazon.com and Wall Street Journal #1 bestselling dark fantasy romance series from authors Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti – a Booktok sensation!

I’m a Gemini. Impulsive. Curious. Headstrong. A twin. Heir to a throne I know nothing about. And it turns out, I’m Fae.

But of course there’s a catch – all I have to do to claim my birth right is prove that I’m the most powerful supernatural in the whole of Solaria. And sure, technically that’s true as I’m the daughter of the Savage King. But the bit they didn’t put in the brochure was that every single Fae in this Kingdom would claim my throne if they could.

The school they’ve sent me to is both dangerous as sh*t and one helluva party. Vampires bite weaker students in the corridors, the Werewolf pack has orgies in the Wailing Wood at every full moon and don’t even get me started on the dark and twisted ways the Sirens use their powers on people’s emotions, or how my sinfully tempting Cardinal Magic teacher hosts detentions that leave people needing therapy.

Classes are totally interesting if you manage to live through them. And that Gemini star sign I mentioned? It now determines my elemental magic and affects my destiny, so learning astrology is essential if I’m going to beat down my classmates – which is actively encouraged by the way.

My biggest problem is the drool worthy Dragon shifter who has his eyes on my throne. He and his three psycho friends are determined to make my time here hell.

All I’ve got to do is survive. But fate might have other ideas.

Dammit, why couldn’t I have gotten a letter to Hogwarts?

***This is a enemies to lovers romantasy – don’t go expecting a sweet school for magic with friends around every corner. Fae fight for everything they own and Zodiac Academy is a cutthroat school for students aged 18+ where only the strongest prevail. There’s no Dumbledore here to save anyone’s ass and Lionel Acrux will give Voldemort a run for his money in the evil dictator category. So hold onto your stardust (broomsticks not required) and get ready for a bumpy ride***

Oh boy where do I even begin? So first off, if bullying isn’t your jam, you will wanna skip this series. I know it’s a bit older but if you’re like me and just checking it out for the first time, please be warned that the bullying isn’t subtle. Now I’m not usually one for the bully trope but I kept seeing this series every where. After reading Rebecca Yarros’s fantasy world, I needed more. So I decided to check this out and I devoured book 1. Like absolutely devoured. It’s an easy read and I really enjoyed the world building. I even downloaded a horoscope app because of this series. lol

So we meet Darcy and Tory, who are twins and are super down on their luck. After turning 18, they find out that they’re actually Fae and from another world. No more cold windy Chicago for these girls.

The girls find out that they’re heiresses to the throne but 4 other heirs will have none of that.

The stuff these poor girls go through is unreal. I had issues in highschool but man, I am so glad I am not these girls.

Most of the characters I absolutely loathe but the one guy, Orion, is actually coming around. I can’t wait to see his relationship with Darcy grow. If they even end up together. I have no idea and I’m trying not to read spoilers but it’s killing me. This is why I tend to stay away from the slow burn enemies to lovers thing because I want the spice right away.

Anyway, if you want a fun ride with 4 beyond grumpy guys who would stop at nothing to claim their throne and two girls who refuse to back down, this is for you.

Available in KU – https://amzn.to/4isLywH

#Review #GhostShip – Hull and Fire (The Wards of Minera Book 1) by James W. Cutter


Levy Tren-Ulitese—Lor of the Land and gentleman of high society—is awoken in the early hours of the morning for an emergency: his father’s ship, missing for nine years now, has reappeared near the mouth of its home harbour entirely bereft of its crew. The expedition to the New World, a place they call ‘Minera’, apparently ended in tragedy. But how did the ship sail itself home? What happened to the crew? And what is the strange, dark artifact found aboard her?

Pushed by internal divisions and outside political forces, Levy and his sister are forced to refit the ship and flee the only city they’ve ever called home. Declared fugitives by their father’s old allies, they assemble a strange crew of the desperate and depraved; a turncoat imperial marine, a man that can manipulate the spirit-lines of the world, a war-hero famed for his supernatural accuracy with the musket, and a mute stow-away with mysterious powers. Together, they will follow in the wake of Levy’s father.

Together they will find a new home on the shores of Minera!

Goodreads

Amazon

Review by Twinsie Kelly

I enjoy finding stories that are truly different. When I read the blurb, I wasn’t exactly sure what I was getting myself into, but I am happy to say that I was completely engrossed by the story from start to finish. As a matter of fact, I finished the book and didn’t realize I finished the book, and that was the point I realized I needed to read more. (Boy that was a mouthful, lol)

There is a LOT going on in Hull and Fire with many complex characters and with pretty elaborate world building going on. One of my only real issues with the story itself is that there are many POVs that this story is told from. It was a little tough trying to keep everyone straight at first. But once I got into a groove, I couldn’t put the book down.

There are mysterious forces at work. A lot of lies and a lot of omissions happening at the same time. When everyone starts to turn on Levy and his kind, he takes things into his own hands. Instead of trying to change the people’s minds and face what can certainly be an awful outcome for his family, he defies the odds and moves on to a new world. It’s a compelling story that had me absolutely captivated. I look forward to finding out what happens next!

Pssst, the ghost ship is only going to be the beginning. It has to be. It was an incredible twist at the end to tie in one of the current characters with Levy’s father, the captain of the ghost ship! Kudos to the author!

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

James W. Cutter profile image

James W. Cutter began writing at a young age, with a craft that was forged in the snows of Northern Ontario, quenched in the swells of the Pacific, and tempered by the misty rainforests of British Columbia.

James interrupts his writing habit with a day job. He writes from an undisclosed, cougar-free location on Vancouver Island, Canada.

#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 – A Christmas Tail (The Northwoods Guardians) By Claudia Blood


A mysterious thief is stealing all things gold in Notely, MN, and Laura and her team are on the case! But as they dig deeper, she discovers a playful dragon, a mischievous pixie, and a hidden sanctuary. With her trusty sidekick Span missing, Laura must race against time to solve the mystery, rescue her dog, and save Christmas. Join the adventure in this heartwarming, humorous, and enchanting holiday tale.

Goodreads

Amazon

Review by Twinsie Kelly

I was looking for a quick, cute and funny Christmas story and ran across this golden gem! Laura and her team are presented with a case to find the thief of all things gold. Everything that is gold is missing…oh, and PIES! And some memories, too! It was rather humorous following her team to figure out who the culprit was. There is a bit of everything in such a quick read; it was funny, witty, heartwarming and super cute! However, there is a LOT going on in this story. I found myself getting a bit confused at times because the story is told from several points of view, and I have not read any part of this series. I am not sure if the author meant for this to be a standalone or not. However, I am intrigued by these characters that I plan to check out The Northwoods Guardians and give it another go.

Claudia Blood profile image

Award-winning author Claudia Blood writes in a range of genres, including cozy fantasy, dystopian fantasy, and science fantasy. She loves to write twisty tales of underdogs defying authority, defeating demons, and discovering their destined family amidst the chaos. Her background as a research scientist serves her well in creating mystical realms and futuristic worlds. Claudia lives in Wisconsin with her husband, kids, and pets.

Twinsie Dee’s Top 5 reads July- December 2024

Blurb- In an attempt to get away from her family, Meg and her boyfriend go to a tiny island off the coast of Maine. What could have been a romantic getaway slowly turns into disaster.

Once there, they are marooned by a hurricane and that is only the beginning of their problems. Meg and her boyfriend arrive at the house only to discover that Meg’s parents and siblings, along with their spouses are all there. When a murder takes place, Meg realizes that she and her boyfriend can no longer sit by a cozy fireplace, but must instead tramp around the muddy island to keep try and clear her father who is the chief suspect.

Goodreads- https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/615410.Murder_With_Puffins

Amazon- https://amzn.to/3KUVDmC

Review- i bought this book here is my honest review

Meg and Michael wanted some time alone with Michael house sitting for different coworkers, and Meg being at her parent house there was no time for just them. Well one rough ferry ride to Meg’s aunts’ cabin is just what they needed. A tropical storm, being surprised by Meg’s entire family at the cabin they were all trapped together still not alone, stuck on an island with a bunch of bird watchers, a grumpy unwelcomed homeowner, and a dead body what else could go wrong. Sometimes wanting to get away can be a bigger pain then staying put. also, who spots the most puffins on the island. this was such a interesting and hilarious read the birders just make it that much funnier.


Blurb- I’m an adrenaline junky.
I run into burning buildings, put everything on the line and thrive on the high it triggers.
It’s how I live my life. It’s how I’ve always lived my life.
I love the fast pace. A new adventure every day.
So why can’t I shake my brunette neighbor?
Why when I see her do I feel like everything around me stops?

Goodreads- https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/214538830-grayson

Amazon- https://amzn.to/3RqekSU

Review- i was given this book by the author for an honest review

holy moly where do i begin, there are a few fires that defiantly needed to be put out while reading this book. Grayson a very good-looking firefighter in Nashville is bachelor living his best life and is a well-known manwhore in the station. but he fights fires, saves as many lives as he and his brothers can, so why he has one-night stands with no strings attached. one morning he had a knock on his door from his neighbors very blunt younger sister telling him how big of an ass he really is. and since that very moment he got a good look at his neighbor he hasn’t been the same. Skye was a single mom to her teenage sister when she got guarding ship of her after their parents died in a car accident. that night changed both of their lives forever and as much as she can’t take it most days, she wouldn’t trade it for the world. now she’s doing hair in a solan with her new gal pals, and she’s actually happy, but one thing Skye didn’t want to feel was something for her manwhore of a neighbor. will Grayson be able to control his hose, and rumor has it magical tongue to let Skye in or will Skye just have to continue to listen to his life saving skills through the walls of their apartments. OMG this book was amazing, I flew through this book and i haven’t done that in a long time I can’t wait to meet the rest of these smoking hot fireman from station 47.


Blurb- Cooper

By day I’m fighting fires and saving lives with my brothers at the station, and by night I’m slinging drinks at our family bar with my blood brothers.
I was happy, but I couldn’t help wanting more.
When I stumble across the stunning redhead and her little boy, it’s like everything I was searching for just appeared in front of me.
When an apartment fire takes everything she’s ever worked for, I can’t help offering my home to her and that chubby faced toddler.
Soon enough, they’re not just living in my home, but now they’re permanent residents of my heart.
And if I have it my way, they’ll never go anywhere for the rest of our lives.

Haley

I never planned to be a single mom, but Roman is the absolute love of my life and the best thing that ever happened to me.
When I moved to Nashville for a fresh start, I never could have dreamed what was heading our way.
When the firefighter with a heart of gold steps in to help me and my boy, I vow to find some way to repay him.
I just never imagined I would end up giving him my heart.
I soon find myself imagining a life I never saw for us… a happily ever after.
But after years of never being enough or wanted by someone, can I trust that he really wants us forever?

Goodreads- https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/215789318-cooper?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=7ZCbjoYA7T&rank=55

Amazon- https://amzn.to/4bxWepa

Review- i was given this book by the author for an honest review

Haley is a single mama to a cute little boy, living on her own after just moving to Nashville after finding herself pregnant and her parents kicking her out of the house. the only person she ever had in her corner was her older brother Jensen, who is in the military to do anything he can to help his sister and his nephew with anything they might need. When Roman is getting his molars and can’t get any form of relief, Haley is exhausted and while he’s screaming in the store while trying to get a few items Haley finds a tall good-looking stranger coming up behind her asking if he could try to help her little guy. Cooper grabbed some frozen waffles, and it was the best sound Haley ever heard Roman was finally calming down. When Cooper turned that corner at the store he was hit by a ton of bricks, and he was needing to get to know this woman and her son, he can’t stop thinking about them at all. When the Station gets a fire call at Haley’s apartment complex, Cooper is now in a panic until he sees them and knows they are safe, but they are now going to be staying together while Haley gets back on her feet, but once that happens will Haley or Roman want to leave the comfort of Coopers house, or will he chip away at all the walls that she has put up to protect her heart so what happens in her past didn’t affect her life now. OMG these dang firemen are smoking, hawt and ugh I’m needing this station too be real. another great story and I need the next one. but these cliffhangers are torture in the best way.


Blurb- Enter the brutal and elite world of a war college for dragon riders…

Twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail was supposed to enter the Scribe Quadrant, living a quiet life among books and history. Now, the commanding general—also known as her tough-as-talons mother—has ordered Violet to join the hundreds of candidates striving to become the elite of Navarre: dragon riders.

But when you’re smaller than everyone else and your body is brittle, death is only a heartbeat away…because dragons don’t bond to “fragile” humans. They incinerate them.

With fewer dragons willing to bond than cadets, most would kill Violet to better their own chances of success. The rest would kill her just for being her mother’s daughter—like Xaden Riorson, the most powerful and ruthless wingleader in the Riders Quadrant.

She’ll need every edge her wits can give her just to see the next sunrise.

Yet, with every day that passes, the war outside grows more deadly, the kingdom’s protective wards are failing, and the death toll continues to rise. Even worse, Violet begins to suspect leadership is hiding a terrible secret.

Friends, enemies, lovers. Everyone at Basgiath War College has an agenda—because once you enter, there are only two ways out: graduate or die

Goodreads- https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61431922-fourth-wing

Amazon- https://amzn.to/4dYMA0u

Review- i bought this book here is my honest review

OMG so idk how much I can explain how great this book is. so, trust me if you weren’t sure about reading this book and don’t want to fall into the hype of this world DO IT. Violet wanted to go into the scribe quadrant and that’s what she had taught her whole life her dad helped her. but with her dad dead, her brother dead, her mother is the general of the rider’s wing. She has no choice and goes to the riders’ class at the beginning of the new year. So much happens that you just get sucked in, Violet isn’t in the shape to be a rider but she isn’t going to give up, she uses her brain to help take out the rivals that are out to kill her. Dragons, swords, violence, and oranges. this book is gripping from the start.

Blurb- Meet Cecilia Chevalier, teen witch. Well, she doesn’t know she’s a witch. But when her powers develop on Halloween night, she does what any teenager who just discovered she has magic would her History grade, because that C- just can’t happen. Get revenge on her cheating ex. Make a table in the cafe disappear Okay, maybe that last one wasn’t on purpose. And the ones before it don’t exactly go according to plan. But learning to control magic is hard! When it’s only a snap snap away, Cecilia’s impulses are harder to control than ever.

Her life gets even more complicated when her best friend Ezra does some research on his family tree, and finds out that his and Cecilia’s families are oddly connected through witch ancestors.

With Ezra looking into the past, especially Cecilia’s mother who left her when she was born, and her magic malfunctioning, what else will go wrong?

Goodreads- https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/219632347-a-snap-of-magic

Amazon- https://www.amazon.com/Snap-Magic-Danielle-Keil-ebook/dp/B0DJ1SFGRT?ref_=ast_author_dp&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.YcQRtHta-Cof0yI18HquSpzgiv5kecT3QG5W81q2BPpqrAY8E7ib5EQnQ8XC8h5OH6ts1t1YOyUXTePYY6GYa2UQTq-ks6Px55XGX_QPzS35H_Yeul_kBGn7kAz2P-0xLZsPUurCzet1eBCs6jQeYeiL_gT5uDeweQwLTvwNEl0-ztbJirR9U8kfdFtk4V_0fP-jvT_6yzKKvYimgxQr3TDsJNsF6Zj9Mo6Fozp6XYA.xMYkabBXxJ5iUt9vtJqT0MU_gYDrtVGeavQCDtERS2A&dib_tag=AUTHOR

Review- i bought this book and here is my honest review

Oh Snap, CC was just your normal high school girl, and loved everything Halloween, the whole town did actually think of it as Halloweentown they went all out carnival the school put on and so much more. Just when she thought it was a normal night CC was having some strange things happening her pool for the duck pond at the carnival one minute it was empty because it fell over and the next its full, she wanted to raise her grade and one snap and the toughest teacher made a mistake on the classes’ grades, and much more. CC was just wanting her bad luck to stop but she got so much more with the help of her bestie Erza, CC was going to get a snap snap reality check. ugh this was so cute and perfect cozy read for spooky season.

#review #fantasy #dragons Fourth Wing (The Empyrean 1) by Rebecca Yarros


Enter the brutal and elite world of a war college for dragon riders…

Twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail was supposed to enter the Scribe Quadrant, living a quiet life among books and history. Now, the commanding general—also known as her tough-as-talons mother—has ordered Violet to join the hundreds of candidates striving to become the elite of Navarre: dragon riders.

But when you’re smaller than everyone else and your body is brittle, death is only a heartbeat away…because dragons don’t bond to “fragile” humans. They incinerate them.

With fewer dragons willing to bond than cadets, most would kill Violet to better their own chances of success. The rest would kill her just for being her mother’s daughter—like Xaden Riorson, the most powerful and ruthless wingleader in the Riders Quadrant.

She’ll need every edge her wits can give her just to see the next sunrise.

Yet, with every day that passes, the war outside grows more deadly, the kingdom’s protective wards are failing, and the death toll continues to rise. Even worse, Violet begins to suspect leadership is hiding a terrible secret.

Friends, enemies, lovers. Everyone at Basgiath War College has an agenda—because once you enter, there are only two ways out: graduate or die

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61431922-fourth-wing

Amazon https://amzn.to/4dYMA0u

Review by Twinsie Dee

i bought this book here is my honest review

OMG so idk how much I can explain how great this book is. so, trust me if you weren’t sure about reading this book and don’t want to fall into the hype of this world DO IT. Violet wanted to go into the scribe quadrant and that’s what she had taught her whole life her dad helped her. but with her dad dead, her brother dead, her mother is the general of the rider’s wing. She has no choice and goes to the riders’ class at the beginning of the new year. So much happens that you just get sucked in, Violet isn’t in the shape to be a rider but she isn’t going to give up, she uses her brain to help take out the rivals that are out to kill her. Dragons, swords, violence, and oranges. this book is gripping from the start.

Rebecca is a #1 New York Times, USA Today, Sunday Times, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of over fifteen novels, including FOURTH WING, and is always ready to bring on the emotions. She’s also the recipient of the Colorado Romance Writer’s Award of Excellence in New Adult for Eyes Turned Skyward from her Flight and Glory series.

She loves military heroes and has been blissfully married to hers for twenty-one years. She’s the mother of six children and lives in Colorado with her family, their stubborn English bulldog, feisty chinchillas, and Maine Coon cat who rules them all. Having fostered then adopted their youngest daughter, Rebecca is passionate about helping children in the foster system through her nonprofit, One October.

#WOTR24 #Review – A Bargain With The Shadow Prince by Genevieve Jack

It takes a monster to stop a monster.

Light the candle.
Stand naked before the symbol.
Offer your blood.

The advocate will come.
🌹

I left my abusive crime boss husband expecting to start over from nothing. After all, the prenup I signed when I married him is ironclad. But when Tony uses a loophole in the law to go after my ancestral family home—the one I’m currently living in and my grandmother is dying in—I’m desperate to stop him.

My witch best friend Maeve offers a solution. She lends me a family spell to call a supernatural advocate to deal with Tony. After all, it takes a monster to stop a monster.

But when I follow her instructions, I’m not expecting the darkly handsome Damien to form from the shadows, or to learn that he’s been a prisoner of Maeve’s family for centuries. From the moment he accepts my bargain and drinks my blood, he awakens a passion in me, one charged with latent magic. Magic formidable enough to restore my true self. Magic that holds the promise of Damien’s freedom.

Goodreads

Amazon

Review by Twinsie Kelly

6 stars!!!! Grief, turmoil, secrets, vampires, witches, magic, love, and a million other things are within these pages!

Eloise has been left in quite the position. She left her abusive husband and her grams is dying. Everything she thought she knew about her soon-to-be ex-husband is false, everything she thought she knew about her best friend is false, and the world as she knows it is about to turn completely upside down.

Eloise is a pure spirit and soul. She just wants things to be made right. Unfortunately, she has been looking at things through rose colored glasses. When she calls on the advocate for help, she doesn’t realize exactly what she bargained for. Everything within her being tells her the situation is wrong, but it feels all so right.

The story took just a tad bit to really get going but I think that is necessary for the beginning of a series to ensure that the character and world building are solid. Then when I got to the point of no return, I could not put this book down! This is a unique spin on the supernatural and I am excitedly looking forward to the next!

Visit Genevieve Jack Store on Amazon

USA Today bestselling and multi-award winning author Genevieve Jack writes wild, witty, and wicked-hot paranormal romance and romantic fantasy. She believes there’s magic in every breath we take and probably something supernatural living in most dark basements. You can summon her with coffee, wine, and books, but she sticks around for dogs and chocolate. Her novels feature badass heroines, fiercely loyal heroes, and fantasy elements that will fill you with wonder. Learn more at www.genevievejack.com.

Get a free book at http://www.freeparanormalromancebook.com/

#WOTR24 #Review – Lost Soul : A Reapers Novella by Tara Vasser

A trip with my girlfriends to Salem in October was meant to be the ultimate bucket list adventure, filled with witchy shops, Hocus Pocus tours, and mysterious nightclubs. The adventure began typically enough with each overpriced shop identical to the next, until we stepped into Lost Treasures. In the otherworldly confines of the antique shop, an enchanting green and black glass paperweight catches my eye.

From the moment I laid eyes on that glass orb, things started to take a dark turn, plunging me into a dangerous and unfamiliar world filled with creatures I had only heard about in stories and never fully believed. The supernatural revealed its existence with a Vampire attack in a club full of people. If not for the mysterious man emerging from the shadows to rescue me, I don’t know that I would have made it out alive.

Goodreads

Amazon

Review by Twinsie Kelly

For Romy, a girl’s trip to Salem in October is supposed to be fun, touristy, and full of witchy stuff but ends up turning into a living, breathing, real life supernatural story. You will debate which is the lesser of two evils; keeping the lights on so that you can see the monsters when they come for you or remaining blissfully oblivious to what is lurking in the shadows behind you. For Romy, she wants to keep the lights on.

Romy finds herself entranced by a glass orb. She is drawn to it. What she doesn’t know is that vampires want to get their hands on this soul. Romy is thrown headfirst into a world she had only heard of in stories, and now she is part of the story. She receives help from an unexpected new friend and decides to continue on the with the new adventure.

I am loving the Reapers series! I picked up the first book on a whim and couldn’t put it down. Now we are three books in and this novella and I want more. This particular book, can be read as a standalone but I am happy that I read the others before because it was the cherry on top! Gunnar and Chloe show up in the Lost Soul for a bit but it leads into, what I am hoping, is the next installment in the series. This series, and this particular book, have a lot of great elements. It is witty and funny, a bit on the thrilling and scary side at times, but also sweet and sexy. I would love to see more of Jared and Romy….or perhaps Ronin and Gia 😊

I love these characters and can’t wait for more!

Tara Vasser profile image

Tara is a writer who lives in the frozen north in Minnesota with her wonderful husband and two rambunctious little dudes. She is an engineer during the day, a crazy mom in the afternoon and a writer at night. She enjoys spending her time playing in the dirt when her gardens aren’t covered in snow and listening to a wide variety of music that inspires her writing – sometimes doing both at the same time.

Be sure to visit Tara’s web page and sign up for her newsletter for updates on works in progress and upcoming new releases! www.authortaravasser.com

#WOTR24 #Review – The Glassmaker’s Helper: The Getaway Chronicles by Darie McCoy

In a world of the blessed the unblessed, the Glassmaker proclaims the gifts of those in the realm with their reading of the sparks. They are the only ones with the ability to work the glass and declare the goddess’s blessing.
Generations before Ophelia was born, her birth was prophesied. The Enchantress proclaimed that a blessed girl child would restore honor to the Leander line. However, when she was presented to the Glassmaker to learn of her blessing, she was turned away. Many Winters passed and Ophelia remained unblessed. Until she and her brothers journeyed to Thistledown.
Rylan, the Glassmaker of Thistledown is able to do what none other before him had achieved. He read Ophelia’s blessing in the sparks. The gift from the goddess so rare, Rylan fears for her safety. Knowing the potential danger, he agrees to travel with Ophelia and her brothers on a quest to help her learn to use her blessing to its fullest potential.
The two are drawn together by an inexplicable bond that neither can ignore. As they trek across the realm from his home to hers, they are unable to deny their attraction. While danger lurks, they must reach the Keeper of the Blessings before it’s too late.
Can Ophelia navigate her new blessing and help restore her family’s honor? Can the bond between her and Rylan survive the obstacles before them? Together, can they bring about a change to the realm which hasn’t been seen in centuries?

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Review by Twinsie Kelly

“With every great blessing, evil is always present.” What an amazing story! All the while reading this story, and even more so after I finished it, I have been trying to figure out how to categorize The Glassmaker’s Helper. It is definitely fantasy with a historical feel to it, fated mates, romance with some sexy time, and beings that are blessed and unblessed.

“I don’t question gifts from the goddess. I simply appreciate them.” The world building and character development is fantastic. Being unblessed or without a gift from the goddess isn’t uncommon but when your birth has been prophesied that you will save your family’s line and restore honor, there is no pressure…right? Wrong! Ophelia gets turned away from glassmaker after glassmaker. They cannot read her sparks. Until Rylan (wags eyebrows). Immediately their connection is strong and the need to protect Ophelia is completely instinctual. An unsavory character is now after Ophelia and her very rare blessing. The villain is a collector of sorts. From here, we follow Rylan and Ophelia on a quest that not only brings answers for the prophecy but is enchanting as well.

Highly recommend!

Darie McCoy profile image

Darie McCoy is an independent author of contemporary, interracial, romantic suspense and paranormal/shifter romance books. A reader first, she enjoys reading books across many genres although romance holds a special place in her heart. Her experience working in a STEM field offers her a unique perspective which she uses in each story she pens.

Her first novel, For Real, began as a short story written for a reader competition during an Authors and Readers conference. It was published in November of 2021. In July of 2022, she expanded her writing portfolio to include Kindle Vella serial stories.

When she doesn’t have her nose in a book or her fingers on the keyboard, Darie enjoys working in her vegetable garden. A serial hobbyist, she also enjoys knitting, sewing, baking and canning. One of her favorite treats to make is salted caramel popcorn. Amongst her friends, she’s known to transport the sweet treat in large quantities to share whenever they get together.

Born and raised in the south, Darie stands by the staunchly held southern sentiments that the best tea is sweet tea and college football is life.