Books and Book Reviews – Page 2 – This, that, and the other-my thoughts

True Dreams (True Men: Book 2) by Tracy Sumner

5 Stars

A photograph of a dream.

Campbell True is the second brother in this series. He left Promise, South Carolina as soon as he could, and now is a successful photographer. Home base for him is Atlanta, Georgia and he travels the world shooting landscapes. Now, however, he is retuning back to Promise to help his grandfather and half-brother since his stepmother has died. He plans on moving them to Atlanta so he can forget all the hurts that are centered in Promise.

Fontana Quinn has landed back in Promise as she and her sister are running for their safety. Fontana hopes that returning back to her hometown is a good move and that they won’t be found there after all the time they’ve been gone.

Our two main characters meet up for the first time since high school on Campbell’s drive back to the family home. Neither one is impressed with the other, but Tracy Sumner does a wonderful job of telling a story of past hurts, scars, and finally understanding between them.

I’ve been a fan of Ms. Sumner’s Victorian romances, enjoying each well written, complex, and smile-inducing book. This series, True Men, gives her a chance to write more contemporary novels, and these first two start off with a bang. I am looking forward to more writing from her.

I received and ARC of the book through BookSirens and the author and this is my honest opinion.

True Fate (True Men: Book 1) by Tracy Sumner

5 Stars

Small town romance.

Set in the small town of Promise, South Carolina our main female character Lainey Prescott is returning after being gone for over 10 years. She left to give her boyfriend, Justin True, the chance to follow his dreams rather than stay with her. Now both are back in their hometown with many hurts, both mental and emotional facing them. What are they going to do when they meet again after all this time? You’ll have to read this short novella to find out. This is the first book in a new series by Tracy Sumner who is more known for her well written Victorian romances. Though short, this story is satisfying with wonderful character development. I enjoyed this as much as her other romances and am looking forward to the other books in series.

I was given an ARC by the author through BookSirens, and this is my honest opinion.

Dragon Forged: A Dragon Kings Novel Book 10 by Donna Grant

5 Stars

What a Story!

This is a part of a very large Dark Universe that Donna Grant has created. With this, the 10^th book in the Dragon Kings series set mostly on Zora (an Earth like planet) we meet Hector, Dragon King of the Sea Greens. He is helping clean up a partially destroyed underground city, and inadeptly touches an artifact which sends him to another place he’s never seen before. A woman comes in, sees him, and tell him to follow her. She is Emillia who has magic that allows her to see limited visions of the future. She leads Hector to a door, and when he opens it, he is back to unfamiliar land but feels familiar. This is the beginning of an interesting and entertaining book that gives the reader a little more information about how the planet Zora works. Very well written, with interesting characters, I enjoyed it very much. Donna Grant has developed an intricate universe for all the different kinds of beings who populate her worlds. If you are a new reader, to get the full experience of the intertwined books, start with the Warriors. Follow Donna’s recommended reading order and you’ll be devouring these wonderful, exciting, imaginative, and heroic characters. I don’t know how Ms. Grant continues to write these excellent books, but I hope she continues for a long, long time.

I was given an ARC of this book by the author through BookFunnel, and this is my honest opinion.

Dragon Forged: A Dragon Kings Novel Book 10 by Donna Grant

Relaeasing 8 July 2025

He is fire and fury. I am forbidden to want him. But some fates refuse to be denied.

I have seen the war that will tear our realm apart. As a seer, it is my duty to stop it, and the path to peace is clear—until him.

The Dragon King is dominance and destruction, a force of nature my gift didn’t foretell… and one I cannot escape.

He is dangerous—untamed, possessive. And the one man I cannot afford to want.

Yet every glance, every searing touch, threatens to unravel the future I’m fighting to protect.

Loving him could mean my ruin.

Wanting him could mean the end of everything.

But when betrayals rise and destiny shifts, one truth becomes clear: I saw the war. I never saw him.

And now, I don’t know if I can stop what’s coming… or if I even want to.

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Donna Grant delivers a riveting tale of desire, danger, and passion in the next installment of the Dragon King series.

BUY LINKS:

✦ DG SIGNED HC → https://dgrant.co/3HhTBi3

✦ DG SIGNED PB → https://dgrant.co/DForged

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✦ Kindle → https://amzn.to/4aiGbNk

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✦ Nook Audio → https://dgrant.co/3RobPQR

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An Irish Summer: A Novel by Alexandra Paige

5 Stars

A study in stubbornness

Our female main character is Chelsea, who is Jewish (which isn’t necessary to know for the story), who was working at a B & B in Boston hoping to be promoted. She finds out the owners of the Bed and Breakfast are closing it in one month, but the woman owner has family member in Galway, Ireland who is running a hostel and is willing to give Chelsea a summer job. After much denial about taking the job, she does, and then constantly moans about going back to Boston to “live” her life while traveling to Galway and then getting to the hostel. She meets the staff which includes the male main character Collin who is like a guide for the guests. Besides all the “I am going back to Boston as soon as I can” that is repeated over and over by Chelsea, the main part of the story is where she and Collin spend time together seeing the Ireland that surrounds her. I felt that the middle of the book was too long and seemed to take longer than the beginning or the ending. But the ending of the story was worth it. Other reviewers have given a synopsis of the story, so I will say that the book is well written, with the two main characters being developed as you would expect. Neither is completely likable at the start, but they do grow on you. Chelsea is very stubborn and doesn’t want to see that she has the opportunity to grow and learn. That takes the entire book to happen. I loved the setting of Galway and the looks at other parts of Ireland- we just returned from two weeks there and the descriptions were accurate. I look forward to seeing if the author will give some of the other characters in the book stories of their own.

I was given an ARC of this book through NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

Tackled by Trouble: An Enemies-to-Lovers Rugby Romance (Scottish Rugby Rebels Book 1) by Beatrice Bradshaw

5 Stars

Stirling Rebels Rugby

Our two main characters, both 26, are Charlie Harrington, head of a new sports management company and Brodie MacRae, professional Rugby player with a gambling problem. Charlie has left her father’s firm after finding her former boyfriend cheating on her and her father defending him and his actions to Charlie. She has as her first client Brodie, whom the former boyfriend has accused of betting against his former team. Now traded to a new team in the league, he needs an improved image. These two get along like oil and water, with Brodie doing everything wrong.

With this the setup for the start of the book, the author Beatrice Bradshaw takes us through the workings of both a professional rugby team and a startup sports management company. This proved very helpful as most US readers might understand the management part of the book, but rugby play isn’t well known or understood here. Her care of the two main characters is detailed and insightful and helps the reader understand the challenges both are facing. I felt the story slowed down a bit in the middle of the book but overall was an enjoyable read. Well written with extremely well-developed characters and a storyline that kept my attention, Tackled by Trouble deserves 5 Stars. Looking forward to the next book in the series.

I was given an ARC by the author, and this is my honest opinion.

Storm Wood (Elven Kingdoms #3) by Donna Grant

5 Stars

Slow start, great finish

As several other readers have said, I also had a difficult time with the first quarter to third of this book. Neither of the two main characters, Farah, a Wood Elf, or Rohan, a human, impressed me. Neither one was likeable. In the background there are other characters who were more interesting having been in the prior Elven Kingdom books. But I continued to read, and little by little Farah and Rohan developed into characters who had more depth. The story was more action/adventure than romance which caught my attention and got me interested in what was happening. The romance was more behind what was happening around with Farah and Rohan. It does come into full focus at the end of the book which is different than how Donna Grant’s other books go. Different, not bad. I did enjoy Storm Wood, and how the author features a different Elf race in each, keeping a hold on the larger plot line that ties all the Elven Kingdom books together. I am ready to read the next installment in the series.

I was given an ARC of the book by the author through BooikFunnel and this is my honest opinion.

Storm Wood (Elven Kingdoms #3) by Donna Grant

Releases 13 May 2025

Deepest loyalty. Fiercest defiance.

I never wanted to fall in love. My sister’s disappearance damaged me for such things. I’ve devoted my life finding her—no matter where that leads me.

I could never have imagined it would bring me to him. A human with haunting celadon eyes and a determination that rivals my own. He’s strong, brash, and gorgeous.

Maybe that’s why I was caught off guard when he acknowledged that I was a covert agent. It’s a secret few know, and if word gets out, I’m as good as dead.

Too much rides on my identity remaining hidden. I have no choice but to help him navigate the perilous depths of the Below—and all who reside there.

But the lines that were once so vivid between us slowly begin to blur. We have only each other to survive and trusting him with my life is one thing. With my heart…that’s something I can’t even consider.

Yet, I can’t stop wondering what his lips would feel like against mine. I can’t help the ache I feel to be near him. And I can lie to him, but not myself. I crave his hard body next to me.

I never wanted to fall in love…but he stole my heart before I had a chance to safeguard it.

Now fate is pulling us apart, but I intend to fight for him. For us.

Even if it means my death.

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Donna Grant weaves a captivating story of daring choices, unlikely alliances, and the enduring strength of hope in the thrilling third installment of her acclaimed Elven Kingdoms series.

BUY LINKS:

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✦ Amazon → https://amzn.to/4ildQbw

✦ Kindle → https://amzn.to/3ztgFH8

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Dragon Marked: A Dragon Kings Novel by Donna Grant

5 Stars

Wow, just Wow!

This book is the continuation of Donna Grant’s Dragon Kings series. Our featured dragon Is Merrill, whom we heard talked about in her earlier Dark Kings series. In this story we learn how much Merrill has taken on over the millenniums. But hiding inside he is becoming more and more angry, enough so that he has distanced himself from the other dragons and the Kings. Wandering on Zora, he chances to see a woman who he feels he must meet. The woman is Katia, who help the evil Villette in her quest to destroy all dragons. With this setting up an incredibly interesting story which also brings in other characters that have been featured in prior books.

Dragon Marked is an excellent book, but if you haven’t read at least the prior books in the Dragon Kings series, you may not understand or appreciate all that is happening. But…if the storyline sounds interesting, start reading because every book builds on the ones before. Donna Grant has created and entire Dark Universe encompassing Celtic Warriors, Druids, Fae, Reapers, and Dragons. For the most enjoyment start at the very beginning with her Warriors series. I cannot wait for the next book in any of her series!

I was given an ARC through NetGalley, and this is my honest opinion.

Dragon Marked by Donna Grant

I would sell my dragon soul to possess her…

From the moment I saw her, she held me enthralled. It was more than her beauty. It was in the very way she looked at the world.

The way she looked at me.

She saw me as no one ever had. The scars I tried to bury, the wounds no one else knew about. She saw the worst parts of me—and she didn’t look away.

Together we pursue a shared nemesis. While a terrifying foe stalks us at every turn.

Whatever enemy dares to get close, I will slay. Whatever path she walks, I will be beside her.

For I am hers. Utterly. Completely.

She’s my greatest temptation. The other half of my soul.

My mate.

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Donna Grant delivers a powerful story of redemption, danger, and passion in the next chapter of the Dragon King series.

BUY LINKS:

✦SIGNED HARDCOVER PRINT→ https://dgrant.co/3Pv0xJF

✦SIGNED PRINT→ https://dgrant.co/3C5PhA8

✦Amazon→ https://amzn.to/3QGA2S0

✦BN→ https://dgrant.co/4boKfvS

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✦Nook→ https://dgrant.co/3MWwJnW

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✦Tantor→ https://dgrant.co/4grIXlA

✦Nook Audio→ https://dgrant.co/3AWf9OB