Category: Books and Book Reviews

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

Holiday Heat: Dark Universe Holiday Stories by Donna Grant

5 Stars

Stories from Donna Grant’s Dark Universe

This is a collection of 4 stories that have previously been published but are now in one book.  In this you will find Warriors, Reapers, and Dragons, with each touching on the lives of the characters of each of the series.  Dark Alpha’s Silent Night is the Reaper story, which I gave 4 stars when I originally read it.  My Fiery Valentine is set at Dregan with the Dragons, with one couple in particular.  5 stars on this one.  Shards of Hope is only 2 chapters, and features Ulrik and Eillish.  I feel that this needs to be made longer, just because there should be more for us to enjoy. And the last is A Warrior for Christmas which features each couple and their celebration of the Solstice and Christmas.  A bonus feature of this story is the recipes that each couple enjoy.  I gave this one 5 stars.                                                                          

My overall rating for this book is 5 stars, and if you’ve read any of the books in Donna Grant’s Dark Universe you will enjoy this look at what has happened since their books were published.  The writing is excellent, and the stories are in keeping with the characters.  I am hoping that Ms. Grant will continue to add these slice of life stories; fans love the series and love to revisit them.

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

Dragon Arisen (Dragon Kings #6) by Donna Grant **Release Day!**

DRAGON ARISEN BLURB

In the latest story in the scintillating Dragon King series, Donna Grant, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, unites a sexy, determined Dragon King and an enigmatic woman who holds him enthralled.

You have to burn before you can rise.

Handsome. Commanding. Powerful. Alasdair isn’t a Dragon King to sit and wait. His carefully laid plans dissolve when he comes upon an enchanting woman. Lotti’s beauty beguiles him, her spirit intrigues him. The longer he’s with her, the more mysteries he uncovers. And the more his passion grows. He never expects she will lead him into the heart of Stonemore —while ensnaring his at the same time. With their enemies closing in, Alasdair will do anything to protect the woman he’s destined to love.

If there’s one thing Lotti knows, it’s that she’s a danger to others. She keeps her distance. Always. But all that changes when she lands in a difficult situation…with a gorgeous, seductive man. Every choice somehow leads her straight back to Alasdair. She can’t ignore his sexual magnetism or the undeniable desire between them. Their journey unravels everything she knew about herself to reveal a carefully constructed fallacy. Yet, she discovers an inner strength she didn’t know she had. But is her yearning for Alasdair worth the risk for them both?

BUY LINKS:

✦SIGNED PRINT→ https://dgrant.co/3mdflS5

✦SIGNED HARDCOVER→ https://dgrant.co/3ovNcX6

✦Amazon→ https://amzn.to/3SCnTvY

✦BN→ https://dgrant.co/43mzHZg

✦Kindle→ https://amzn.to/3SCnTvY

✦Nook→ https://dgrant.co/3zduS7u

✦Apple→ https://dgrant.co/3Dyf5Ti

✦Kobo→ https://dgrant.co/3zejbxs

✦Google→ https://dgrant.co/3nMe3hO

✦Audible→ https://dgrant.co/3OjLjHU

✦Tantor→ https://dgrant.co/41KUHbP

✦Audiobooks→ https://dgrant.co/3ZoU31Z

✦Nook Audio→ https://dgrant.co/41Nm70z

✦Apple Audio → https://dgrant.co/42c3KS4

✦Kobo Audio → https://dgrant.co/3JxLNGy

✦Google Audio → https://dgrant.co/3JxLNGy

✦Chirp→ https://dgrant.co/42jG91V

Dragon Arisen (Dragon Kings #6) by Donna Grant

5 Stars

What a story!

First, I want to say that you will get the most enjoyment from this book if you have read the prior books in the series.  But, if you haven’t, you’ll still be able to enjoy reading Dragon Arisen.  Our two main characters are Alasdair, a Dragon King, and Lotti, who might or might not be human or magical.  While a little slow to start, the story picks up and becomes a thrill ride for the reader.  Donna Grant gives us a story to spark our curiosity and imagination.  No spoilers, but readers, you can’t begin to imagine all the ways that this book will grab you and make you want the next book right away.  Well written, with great characterizations, Donna puts more into this book than the previous five.  And she gives us hints as to the upcoming developments that will affect not just Zora, but Earth also.  This book reminds me of the earlier Dragon King books and is very welcome to those of us who’ve been reading this very extensive series.  Grab this book and enjoy the rollercoaster!  I was given an ARC of the book from the author through BookFunnel and this is my honest opinion. 

Four Weddings and a Duke by Michelle McLean

4 Stars

Unexpected connection

Our story starts with the two main characters Alexander Reddington, second son and now the Duke of Beaubrooke and Lady Lavinia Wynnburn, the socially inexperienced middle daughter of the Earl of Abberforth.  Alex, never expecting to become the Duke of Beaubrooke has spent his life studying botany, and his goal is to create a hybrid plant that can help people.  Lady Lavinia, Livy, feels that she has been outshone by her two sisters’ beauty and talents, so she has devoted her time to reading, and fading into the background.  An accurate description for one, and a shield for the other. Michelle McLean takes the story she’s set up and gone where her readers might not expect.  Well written, with characters developing throughout the book, with good side characters.  Of the two main characters Livy is the one I felt did not really grow through her life with Alex.  She becomes a totally different person to the people around her, while her inner self is still stuck as who she was before she met Alex.  I enjoyed the book, and by the end of it saw that both Alex and Livy deserved the lives they wanted. The only thing that threw me was the title, which I still am not sure about.   I was given an ARC of the book through NetGalley and Entangled Publishing and this is my honest opinion. 

Two Scandals and a Scot (Duchess Society Book 5) by Tracy Sumner

5 Stars

More Duchess Society fun

This book is fun, but not nearly as compelling as the prior books.  Our story starts out with Theodosia Astley, who is the Duke of Leighton’s (from Book 2) sister.  She’s about to marry, when she finds out the bridegroom isn’t what she wants.  She runs, but not too far, into a waiting coach.  The coach belongs to Dashiell Campbell, a self-made man and former pickpocket and current card sharp, author, and friend and partner in the gaming hell of Xander Macauley (from Book 3).  Though the book is well written, it doesn’t have the sharpness and details of the prior books.  Both of the characters could have been more developed, and the overall plotting is not as detailed as in the other books.  Still, it is a very enjoyable book that I enjoyed reading.  I’m looking forward to additional books in the Duchess Society.  I was given and ARC of the book through BookSirens and this is my honest opinion. 

Ruin (Kindred: The Fated #2) by Donna Grant

5 Stars

A wider field for evil

In this, book 2, we meet two new characters, Asa, a witch from the Viking homelands and Rory Sutherland who is the banished 3rd son of the Laird of Sutherland of Scotland.  He has been tasked by Asa’s sister in Norway to find her and warn her of an impending crisis.  Traveling from Norway Rory is dying from his wounds after being attacked while hunting Asa.  He finds her in Scotland, and collapses after only telling her she must run.  Asa has been meandering after having lost everyone who has meant something in her life.  She left her home in Norway and now finds herself trying to help this man who is dying on the ground in front of her….  And so, Donna Grant starts weaving another compelling tale in her Kindred universe.  An exciting storyline will keep you reading and invested in the main characters, along with new evil in the wilds of Scotland where the Kindred stories are set.  Enjoyed this book, with the turns and reappearance of others who are fighting this new evil.  I received this ARC from the author through BookFunnel and this is my honest opinion.   

An American in Scotland (A Scottish Isle Mystery) by Lucy Connelly

5 Stars

Hopefully the first book

This is my first book by Lucy Connelly and she gives us a really fun and intriguing story with our main character an American named Dr. Emilla McRoy.  Having spent years as an Emergency Room doctor, and had a recent death in her family, she takes a doctor position on a small island off the coast of Scotland to hopefully move past the trauma she’s endured.  She was hired by Ewan Campbell, who is the Deputy Chief Constable, Mayor, and Laird of Sea Isle.  She settles into her new living quarters/office which is located in an old church.  And she is also the Coroner for the island.  Her first night on the Isle, as she’s heading back to the church, she’s caught in a rainstorm and takes shelter in an outbuilding on the church grounds.  And that’s where she finds a dead man.  I really enjoyed the characters in this book, Lucy Connelly has done a great job of describing the island and developed both her main and secondary characters well.  The ensuing mystery is well written-any one of the characters could be the murderer as each has motive and opportunity.  Even Ewan, who could become/is becoming Em’s romantic interest, crosses her mind as a suspect.    I wanted to read this book because the title and blurb caught my interest and I’m very glad I did.  I want to know more about the people and the places on Sea Isle and hope for a second book in this series.  I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley and this is my honest opinion. 

Shoulder the Skye (Skye Druids #2) by Donna Grant

4 Stars

Enemies to friends

Picking up from book 1, we meet Bronwyn Stewart a Druid who has become drough (dark) and has chosen to use Blood Magic to strengthen her magic.  She draws the attention of Elias MacLean while leaving a small shop.  They have a connection dating back to when they were children on Skye, before Elias made the choice to leave.  He has since joined a group of Druids calling themselves Knights who are trying to find out who and why are killing Druids worldwide.  Donna Grant has woven several plotlines into this story, not just the one between Bronwyn and Elias.  While we do find out a little more about what is happening on Skye there is a much broader picture being painted.  It’s best if you’ve read the previous book, Iron Ember, before this one.  Donna Grant has also brought in characters who were introduced in her Reapers series.  All of these, plus her other Dark World/Universe books are exceptional reading and worth the time.  If you love to read a complete book that is part of a larger series, you can’t go wrong with Ms. Grant’s works.  I was given an ARC by the author through BookFunnel and this is my honest opinion. 

Shoulder the Skye by Donna Grant. Passion will test the boundaries of life and death.

Releasing 4 April 2023

In her sexiest Skye Druid novel yet, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Donna Grant weaves an intricate tapestry of magic, secrecy, and ultimate desire.

Bronwyn Stewart knows heartache. Death and danger have haunted her every step, but she’s prepared for what’s hunting her. Or as prepared as she can be. There’s only one outcome—and she’s ready for it. But a wickedly handsome Druid from her past returns and refuses to let her face the oncoming battle alone. He stirs something long buried within her. For the first time in years, a spark ignites within her that soon turns into a blaze that can’t be extinguished.

Forced to leave his beloved isle years ago to protect his family, Elias MacLean fears he’ll never see his home again. But Fate has other ideas. When a mission leads him back to Skye to investigate a rash of Druid murders, he finds another mystery to unravel—that of a gorgeous, reclusive drough. With foes lurking around every corner and an undeniable hunger that grows with every kiss, Elias risks it all for the woman he’s fallen for. Together they unleash an all-consuming passion that won’t be denied.

BUY LINKS

✦SIGNED PRINT→ https://dgrant.co/3lUFK6z

✦Amazon→ coming soon

✦BN→ coming soon

✦Kindle→ https://amzn.to/3LkRdFi

✦Nook→ https://dgrant.co/3DkHCw9

✦Apple→ https://dgrant.co/3B7FOnu

✦Kobo→ https://dgrant.co/3QJaZeo

✦Google→ coming soon

✦Tantor→ https://dgrant.co/3YUsyxa

✦Audible→ coming soon

✦Audiobooks→ https://dgrant.co/3ZdVfES

The Plus One by Mazey Eddings

3 Stars

Well written, but …

This book is well written story of Indira and Jude who haven’t gotten along.  I had a difficult time reading this, the characters didn’t mesh with other characters nor made me want to know what was going to happen between them.  The book seemed to go on and on even though it’s just over 300 pages.  I found out after reading it that it is the third book in a series, so maybe that’s why I really didn’t enjoy it.  I didn’t find it romantic but more realistic in how all the characters are.  If you’ve read Mazey Eddings other books and enjoyed them, you’ll probably enjoy this one, but for me there were too many things going on that had me questioning the main characters.  I was given and ARC of the book through NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.