Category: Books and Book Reviews

these could be my own book reviews, or information on authors and books.

Candle Me With Care by Mandy M. Roth

4 Stars

More from Hedgewitch Cove

Set in the southern town of Hedgewitch Cove, where all kinds of supernatural beings have made homes for themselves, this is the story of Beatrice Caillat and Samuel Gentry.  Bea and Sam were together years ago, but Sam left her…for no reason that she was aware of.  Now he’s back and avoiding her.  Mandy M. Roth takes these basic facts and writes another fun romance in this short story.  Other characters from prior books make appearances which only adds to this world that she’s built. This is one story from the Anthology “Witching the Night Away”.  Looking forward to more from Hedgewitch Cove.  I was given an ARC of this story by the author, and this is my honest opinion. 

The Grumpy Count (It’s Raining Royals Book 4) (What the Royals Want: Book 1) by Alix Nichols

4 Stars

Interesting take on a play

This book is part of a larger series where members of a Royal family of a very small country are trying to find keys that will, when all 9 are found, save the country from being absorbed by France.  We meet Count Jonas d’Alenq and his young son Matteo.  He’s providing the location for an audience participation play of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice and because of this, he is now Mr. Darcy in it. One of the secondary characters in the play is Caroline Bingley who is played by a somewhat feminist name Margot Nolan.  Both are good actors even though Jonas is performing for the first time.  But the two don’t see eye to eye, and there are some negative feelings between the two.                                                                                                 

  If you’ve read the other books in the It’s Raining Royals series, you’ll know that one of the family is seen in a vision as the next to search for the key needed by the family, and that is Jonas.  He doesn’t trust anyone, especially Margot.  But his inner feelings keep pushing him toward her.  In comparing the prior books to this one, they have much more action and mystery happening but in The Grumpy Count, this isn’t the case.  It’s a change but not for the worse, the story is enjoyable, and the circumstances seem plausible.  Alix Nichols has done a great job of defining and fleshing out her main characters, and the reader cannot help but root for them.  Well written, with no grammatical errors, and a satisfying conclusion.  I am looking forward to reading the next book.  I was given and ARC by the publisher and BookSirens and this is my honest opinion. 

The Prospector’s Only Prospect by Dani Collins

5 Stars

Ready for a second book.

This is the first book I’ve read by Dani Collins, and I really enjoyed it.  The two main characters, Marigold Davis and Virgil Gardner are both well developed and have a likability that made this book such fun.  Marigold is a divorcee which is almost unheard of in 1859.  Her life since her husband divorced her has been horrible so she decides to leave St. Louis and accept being a mail order bride (replacing her sister) in Denver City in the Territory of Kansas.  The intended husband is Virgil who has just found out he has to take the 3 children from his now deceased wife.  Neither of them really want to marry, and so when they finally meet both decide to have Marigold be the housekeeper/nanny.  After the days Marigold has spent on a stagecoach to reach Denver City, Virgil takes her even further into the wilderness.  The story that progresses from there is well written, with plausible situations occurring.  The mining camp makes for an interesting backdrop, along with the “home” that has been built for Virgil and the 3 kids.  There is quite a bit of tension, along with a continuing series of choices for both Marigold and Virgil.  If you enjoy romances, this book is a winner.  Hoping Dani Collins continues with the many characters that are in the background in this one.  I was given an ARC of the book by the publisher through NetGalley, and this is my honest opinion. 

A Vampire’s Spooktacular Wedding (Misfits of New Orleans: Book 2) by Valerie Twombly

4 Stars

Short but cute.

Book 2 in the Misfits of New Orleans gives us Sabrina and Christoph having a baby and getting married.  This book allows vampires a lot more leeway than other authors have given them, which makes this book interesting.  With a number of side characters, this story gives us everyone from Satin to an ex-girlfriend.  A fun quick read, looking forward to the next book.  I was given an ARC thorough BookSirens and this is my honest opinion. 

Witching the Night Away Anthology-A Potion for Your Thoughts by Michelle M. Pillow

4 Stars

How lucky is Lucky Valley?

This is part of an anthology series called Witching the Night Away which has 12 different author’s short stories.

Michelle M. Pillow has written other stories set in (Un)Lucky Valley, and this short story gives us Jessamine (Jessie) Goode as our main character.  She is being forced to go to Lucky Valley to refuse an inheritance.  Her aunt and sister both are living there, so she is staying with them.  And she has a handsome hot half-Elf trying to help her with everything that is going sideways for her.  I enjoyed this 3rd installment of the (Un)Lucky Valley series and look forward to more tales of the strangeness that happens there.  I was given an ARC through BookSprout, and this is my honest opinion.

Grot: A Monster Romance (Backyard Goblin Gods: Book 3) by Roxy Collins

4 Stars

Continuing the series with Book 3

Readers need to read the first two books of this series to completely understand and follow the events.  This book features Grottu, called Grot by most of the characters, who has come through the crust to find his fated one.  Here, waiting by the opening in the crust are sisters of a “Chosen Family” who are hoping to be the one the goblin finds.  Except the one sister, Jessica, called Jess, Capulet is a nursing student who wants to finish her studies.  But her offering, thrown into the opening in the crust, is the one that Grot knows marks his fated mate.  And along for this ride is Grot’s brother Glintu, called Glint, who also claims Jess is his fated one.  The author, Roxy Collins, takes us on a winding journey to a satisfying conclusion for our main characters.  The writing is good, with no obvious errors or grammar problems. Characters are well developed, and the story moves along at a steady pace.  Looking forward to reading the next book in the series.  I was given an ARC of the book by the author through BookSirens and this is my honest opinion.

Dark Alpha’s Fury (Reapers #16) by Donna Grant

5 Stars

What a finish!

Wow!  For this last book in the Reapers series, Donna Grant has given us the final Reaper, Aisling, who has been following the Fae Xanath for several books.  This gives us the ending of a story arc that has covered numerous books, going back to when Usaeil was Queen of the Light Fae. With the evil that is trying to destroy the Reapers, and take over Earth, we get to enjoy appearances from other Reapers, Death, and some Dragon Kings.  Well written, with an exciting plotline, I enjoyed this book as much as Balladyn’s.  The authors blub for this book hints that even though this series is complete, we will probably still see some of them in her new series, the Skye Druids, which is also a part of her larger Dark World.  A fitting finale for the Reapers, I look forward to continue reading books set in this expansive world.  I was given an ARC of the book by the author through BookFunnel, and this is my honest opinion. 

Dark Alpha’s Fury (Reapers #16) by Donna Grant Releasing Tomorrow!

From New York Times bestselling author Donna Grant comes another gripping story in her Reaper series featuring a brotherhood of elite assassins who wage war on the Fae at Death’s behest—and the women who dare to love them.

There is no escaping the Reapers—or me. If you succumb to evil, you will be judged. And we will come for you…

I’ve known the torment of being trapped, of battling monsters—both outside and within. But I’ve also known the peace and completeness of holding the one I was meant for in my arms. Unfortunately, she’s not intended for me. I am destined for one thing and one thing only: eradicating the evil that plagues our world. Once I deal with my nemesis, maybe I can finally rest. Even if it means my soul being reaped by the strong, beautiful, and utterly captivating woman who makes my heart beat like no other. But I’m not sure even that is possible. Because I am no longer merely a Fae. I am something else altogether.

DARK ALPHA’S FURY: https://dgrant.co/3IhvjB5

✦SIGNED PRINT→ https://dgrant.co/3RZOVyC

✦Amazon→ https://amzn.to/3rNQi7J

✦BN→ https://dgrant.co/3vJKZXV

✦Kindle→ https://amzn.to/3rNQi7J

✦Nook→ https://dgrant.co/3vJKZXV

✦Apple→ https://dgrant.co/3rST7V1

✦Kobo→ https://dgrant.co/3LlHe1E

✦Google→ https://dgrant.co/3K75qa5

✦Audible→ https://dgrant.co/3YPZSVD

✦Tantor→ https://dgrant.co/3Ywb5L9

Take the Lead: A Dance Off Novel by Alexis Daria

4 Stars

Is this really how this works?

If you’ve read the other reviews, you’ll know this is the author’s version of a TV reality show like Dancing with the Stars.  Stone Nielson has been in his family’s realty show set in the Alaskan wilderness (not too wild) for years and plays his part in it as a strong, quiet, survivalist.  He’s roped into another realty show called The Dance Off and partnered with a 4-year veteran of the show who’s never won named Gina Morales who is Puerto Rican via New York City.  The show’s producers want them to fake a budding romance during the series.  The writing of the book follows the course of the show with good descriptions of what goes into making a realty series.  I’m not a fan of most reality-based shows, so I can’t say how accurate the book is, but the author knows how to make this read like it is how everything works.  At 362 pages, it dragged for me, but I did enjoy the mechanics of both The Dance Off and Living Wild.  Alexis Daria does a great job of giving both characters interesting personalities, who do grow as the story progresses.  If you’re a fan of any reality show you will enjoy the story.  I was given an ARC of the book by NetGalley, and this is my honest opinion.

Not Your Ex’s Hex’s (Supernatural Singles #2) by April Asher

5 Stars

Not the Prima

This story is Rose Maxwell’s, who is a former Prima Apparent.  She lost the position to her “magicless” sister when her magic finally manifested.  Rose isn’t sad about this, she’s happy to be able to just be herself.  The other main character is Damian Adams, half-demon, who is a trained Veterinarian running an animal sanctuary.  Rose has been a little wild since she’s no longer the Heir and has been sentenced to community service at the animal rescue.    This is a fun read, furthering the story started in book 1, Not the Witch You Wed.  A lot more action in this story, which keeps things interesting.  Rose is one of a set of triplets, so I’m looking forward to book 3 which will be Violet’s story.  If you are considering reading this, read book 1 first.  But a reader can start with this book and still enjoy it.  Well written with great characters and story, I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.