Hello, beautiful readers! I am ready for summer vacation! Just one more week, and I get to turn off my alarm. This has been a great month of reading. Here are the reviews for the books I enjoyed this month.
Genre: Biography & Memoir Short Reads
Pages: 88
Book Blurb:
Written with great attention to detail, putting the reader solidly in John’s shoes.
Cleverly Written, Dynamic Story Telling
John survived Vietnam, but first, he survived Detroit.
This collection of short-stories depicts growing up in 1960s Detroit, capturing the author's childhood adventures—alone or with friends—often marked by both fear and excitement. Vivid descriptions bring his experiences to life, revealing the innocence of boys who chase adventure despite the consequences. Readers may recall their own childhood moments, especially those spent running from danger in the dark.
Cleverly Written, Dynamic Story Telling
John survived Vietnam, but first, he survived Detroit.
This collection of short-stories depicts growing up in 1960s Detroit, capturing the author's childhood adventures—alone or with friends—often marked by both fear and excitement. Vivid descriptions bring his experiences to life, revealing the innocence of boys who chase adventure despite the consequences. Readers may recall their own childhood moments, especially those spent running from danger in the dark.
My Review:
This was a great collection of anecdotes of the author's childhood. Each story focused on a moment of pure fear in the author's early and teen years. While the author truly experienced frightful moments, I couldn't help but laugh at the crazy situations he found himself in. Each story was relatable in some way, and many reminded me of my own childhood adventures. It's a short book filled with short stories, but it's definitely worth the read. :-)
Genre: Historical Fantasy
Pages: 313
Book Blurb:
When an apprentice from the Mapmakers' Guild goes missing, Matt and India are employed to find him. Going undercover as a married couple, they discover that not everyone at the guild is what they seem, and the lad's unearthly maps caused jealousy, suspicion and fear.
With one of the apprentice's magic maps in their possession, India and Matt must use their wits and India's fledgling, untried magic to find him. But the more they investigate, the more sinister plots they uncover, including a link between the Mapmakers' and Watchmakers' Guilds, and an ancient magical treasure buried beneath the streets of London.
As the net of suspicion widens and enemies draw closer, it's not just the apprentice's life that's in danger, but Matt's too. Someone will go to great lengths to prevent him discovering the name of the man who can fix the watch keeping him alive. Great lengths indeed.
With one of the apprentice's magic maps in their possession, India and Matt must use their wits and India's fledgling, untried magic to find him. But the more they investigate, the more sinister plots they uncover, including a link between the Mapmakers' and Watchmakers' Guilds, and an ancient magical treasure buried beneath the streets of London.
As the net of suspicion widens and enemies draw closer, it's not just the apprentice's life that's in danger, but Matt's too. Someone will go to great lengths to prevent him discovering the name of the man who can fix the watch keeping him alive. Great lengths indeed.
My Review:
I'm really enjoying this series. It's nothing like what I usually read, but the characters are so endearing that I can't help but enjoy it. Matt and India are doing everything to pretend that they don't have feelings for each other, but it's so obvious. Still, society's rules keep each of them quiet about their feelings. I can't wait for them to finally admit how they feel.
This story focused on Matt and India trying to find a missing magical mapmaker. Every lead they found led them into more danger all while Matt's aunt kept trying to set him up with a future wife. The plot moved smoothly and kept me entertained. I am already looking forward to the next story. :-)
Genre: Kindle Singles: Science-Fiction and Fantasy
Pages: 59
Book Blurb:
Be proud of Life’s battle scars, it means you were stronger than whatever hurt you, and you didn't die—and Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter and U.S. Marshal will be the first to show you hers in this sweet and sexy story of celebration and connection from #1 New York Times bestselling author Laurell K. Hamilton.
Anita attends the wedding of her close friend but finds that even on the happiest of days there are wounds that need healing. She and the wereleopards Micah and Nathaniel are asked to talk to the bride’s thirteen-year-old brother, Tomas, who is struggling to recover from a recent gunshot wound. Depressed and demoralized, Tomas isn’t doing his physical therapy and could spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair...
How can Anita, Micah, and Nathaniel convince Tomas that he can heal when he's given up? They tell him about their own scars and how they took back their own lives after they were wounded. And Anita will realize how lucky they are to have not only survived their pasts, but to now be able to make their own formal commitment to each other— and the vampire in her life...
Includes an excerpt of the new Anita Blake hardcover, Crimson Death.
Anita attends the wedding of her close friend but finds that even on the happiest of days there are wounds that need healing. She and the wereleopards Micah and Nathaniel are asked to talk to the bride’s thirteen-year-old brother, Tomas, who is struggling to recover from a recent gunshot wound. Depressed and demoralized, Tomas isn’t doing his physical therapy and could spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair...
How can Anita, Micah, and Nathaniel convince Tomas that he can heal when he's given up? They tell him about their own scars and how they took back their own lives after they were wounded. And Anita will realize how lucky they are to have not only survived their pasts, but to now be able to make their own formal commitment to each other— and the vampire in her life...
Includes an excerpt of the new Anita Blake hardcover, Crimson Death.
My Review:
I love Anita Blake's world, so it was a no brainer to read this short story. This story takes place between two of her novels, so you really shouldn't read it unless you've read Dead Ice. This story focuses on a wedding that Anita and her main loves attend. While there, they help someone deal with an injury he received when he got shot. It was nice to see Anita reconnect with the men in her life without her life being in danger. This was a sweet story, and I'm happy I read it. :-)
Genre: Romantic Erotica
Pages: 88
Book Blurb:
My c*ck has an appetite.
A huge and very particular appetite: Blonde, curvy, and preferably not a liar... (Although, that's a story for another day.) As a high profile lawyer, I don't have time to waste on relationships, so I fulfill my needs by anonymously chatting and sleeping with women I meet online.
My rules are simple: One dinner. One night. No repeats.
This is only casual sex. Nothing more. Nothing less.
At least it was, until Alyssa...
She was supposed to be a 27-year-old lawyer, a book hoarder, and completely unattractive. She was supposed to be someone I shared law advice with late at night, someone I could trust with details of my weekly escapades.
But then she came into my firm for an interview—a college-intern interview, and everything changed...
My Review:
For a short story, this packed a delicious punch! It's part one of three, and I've already downloaded the other two. It was that good! Andrew preferred his relations to be that of a one-nighter...no strings attached. When his online friend crashes into his real world, he doesn't know how to handle it. She destroys his perfect plan, and he has every intention of making her pay for it. Lol! I loved the banter between the two of them as well as the sexual tension. I definitely recommend it. :-)
Genre: Romantic Erotica
Pages: 77
Book Blurb:
She lied to me...
She betrayed the one rule that I'm most adamant about: Honesty.
I really wish she was someone else—someone who didn't have the ability to make me feel, someone I could easily discard like the hundreds of women before her.
She isn't.
I'm drawn to her like I've never been drawn to a woman before—completely captivated by the very sight of her.
But unfortunately, with my past slowly re-surfacing for all of the world to see, I'll have to find a way to let her go.
She can never be mine.
She betrayed the one rule that I'm most adamant about: Honesty.
I really wish she was someone else—someone who didn't have the ability to make me feel, someone I could easily discard like the hundreds of women before her.
She isn't.
I'm drawn to her like I've never been drawn to a woman before—completely captivated by the very sight of her.
But unfortunately, with my past slowly re-surfacing for all of the world to see, I'll have to find a way to let her go.
She can never be mine.
My Review:
This book was just as good as volume one. I love this author's style of writing. The voice she gives to each character is captivating, and I love the chemistry between them. No matter how much Andrew wants to stay away from Aubrey, he can't. Their desire for each other must be quenched, but Andrew's past keeps rearing its ugly head, making it impossible for him to be happy. I loved this story. The ending was an awesome twist, and I'm diving right into volume three! :-)
Genre: Romantic Erotica
Pages: 193
Book Blurb:
I hate him.
I hate that I fell in love with him, I hate that he didn’t love me back, and I hate the fact that I just made a life-altering decision just so I could get the hell away from him.
He’d always said that he was unchangeable, heartless, and cold.
I really should’ve believed him…
I hate that I fell in love with him, I hate that he didn’t love me back, and I hate the fact that I just made a life-altering decision just so I could get the hell away from him.
He’d always said that he was unchangeable, heartless, and cold.
I really should’ve believed him…
My Review:
I absolutely loved this story! And I love this author's writing style. Aubrey finally found the courage to pursue her dreams and preserve her dignity. Andrew had to come to terms with his past or let it forever destroy his present and future. The storyline couldn't have flowed more perfectly. And the ending...just wonderful! I would definitely recommend this story to others! :-)
Genre: Historical Fantasy
Pages: 310
Book Blurb:
When a newspaper report of a medical miracle catches Matt's eye, he and India go in search of Dr. Hale in the hope he is more magical doctor than miracle worker and can lead them to Chronos. But Hale turns out to be an apothecary magician keen to educate the public about magic.
Their disappointment at not finding Chronos is soon forgotten when Hale is murdered, and Matt becomes a suspect. With Matt's nemesis Sheriff Payne influencing the investigating detective, India and Matt know they must find the real killer, or risk his freedom, and ultimately his life. Time is running out as they hunt for a killer capable of turning medicine into poison with a magic spell, as well as continue the search for Chronos. A search that must end in success before Matt's malfunctioning watch stops altogether.
Their disappointment at not finding Chronos is soon forgotten when Hale is murdered, and Matt becomes a suspect. With Matt's nemesis Sheriff Payne influencing the investigating detective, India and Matt know they must find the real killer, or risk his freedom, and ultimately his life. Time is running out as they hunt for a killer capable of turning medicine into poison with a magic spell, as well as continue the search for Chronos. A search that must end in success before Matt's malfunctioning watch stops altogether.
My Review:
This was another great addition to the series. Matt and India are now trying to solve the murder of a magical apothecary to prove Matt is innocent. As they get closer to solving the problem, Matt and India's lives are put in danger. When India is badly injured, Matt drops all his defenses and finally kisses her! I've been waiting for that since book one! Lol! Unfortunately, as much as India wants him, she realizes that her status in society would never be accepted and pushes him away. Ugh!
This book was wonderful! I love all the characters. I enjoy the slow progression of the story because it allows the characters to continue to grow. The author does a wonderful job dropping just the right hints to keep the reader guessing as to who is the bad guy. I'm looking forward to the next book. :-)
Genre: Short Story
Pages: 90
Book Blurb:
It’s been a year, and Laci Marks still hasn’t gotten over her break up with Del Keegan. She attends a New Year’s Eve party hoping to snap out of her ever-present funk, but the frivolity only upsets her more. Unable to navigate the crowd and retreat to the sanctuary of home, she slips out onto the balcony to avoid watching all the couples kiss when the ball drops.
But her private moment is ruined by someone joining her outside—Del.
Laci wants nothing more than to escape, but Del has other things in mind. Soft words and softer lips convince her to stay. And to try again. Thus begins a tumultuous twelve months of love and laughter, fear and failure. They still have the passion, but they also still have all the same problems.
Twelve months from their reconciliation and nothing is resolved. If anything, Laci feels worse than ever. How many chances can she give their relationship before just giving up? And how many chances is Del willing to take on her?
But her private moment is ruined by someone joining her outside—Del.
Laci wants nothing more than to escape, but Del has other things in mind. Soft words and softer lips convince her to stay. And to try again. Thus begins a tumultuous twelve months of love and laughter, fear and failure. They still have the passion, but they also still have all the same problems.
Twelve months from their reconciliation and nothing is resolved. If anything, Laci feels worse than ever. How many chances can she give their relationship before just giving up? And how many chances is Del willing to take on her?
My Review:
I loved this short story. Laci and Del reunite after being broken up for a year over miscommunication and a misunderstanding. As they rebuild their relationship, the past situation hits them head on again, leaving Laci to experience the heartbreak all over. But Del has no intention of allowing the same mistakes to happen twice.
This was a great story. Each chapter focused on a moment in each month of the calendar year. I enjoyed each snippet into their lives and easily connected with both characters. The author did a wonderful job making me invest in their relationship and making me root for a happy ending. I definitely recommend this story! :-)
Genre: Coming of Age Fantasy
Pages: 306
Book Blurb:
The shadowy folds of Mo capture both souls and secrets.
Catron’s father intended to scare her with his words. After all, her mother traveled far from home, losing herself to both the shadows and her wayward spirit. But instead of heeding his warning, Catron longs for more than her life as a glass blower’s apprentice. When Dawkin, a member of the King of Mo’s illustrious guard, offers her a place at the Vradian Academy, she willingly accepts.
Fivlon would rather gouge both of his eyes out with an iron stick than attend the Vradian Academy. Messing around with his friends is a lot more fun than attending school with a bunch of stuck-up future leaders. Following in his father’s footsteps as the head of Ferox isn’t a priority. Until one of his friends disappears.
Now at school, Catron and Fivlon face a much larger task than their ethics homework. As students and staff disappear from the academy, they must figure out who is behind it before they become the next victims.
The Vradian Academyis the prequel series for Kindt's Eternal Artifacts series.
Catron’s father intended to scare her with his words. After all, her mother traveled far from home, losing herself to both the shadows and her wayward spirit. But instead of heeding his warning, Catron longs for more than her life as a glass blower’s apprentice. When Dawkin, a member of the King of Mo’s illustrious guard, offers her a place at the Vradian Academy, she willingly accepts.
Fivlon would rather gouge both of his eyes out with an iron stick than attend the Vradian Academy. Messing around with his friends is a lot more fun than attending school with a bunch of stuck-up future leaders. Following in his father’s footsteps as the head of Ferox isn’t a priority. Until one of his friends disappears.
Now at school, Catron and Fivlon face a much larger task than their ethics homework. As students and staff disappear from the academy, they must figure out who is behind it before they become the next victims.
The Vradian Academyis the prequel series for Kindt's Eternal Artifacts series.
My Review:
I've read other stories from this author and loved them, and this one did not disappoint. Catron is focused on following in her father's footsteps as a glass blower until a member of the Red Shadow lures her to the Vradian Academy with the opportunity of joining its prestigious league. Not able to give up the chance to rise above her status, Catron heads to the academy hoping to prove her worth. When a siren starts killing people and her heart pulls her away from her goal, Catron finds herself in trouble in multiple ways.
This was a great story. Each character's unique personality kept the story interesting and moving smoothly throughout the plot. I loved how the different powers played off one another and how they needed to work together to solve the mystery and to save one another. Each character is hiding a secret (or two) of his/her own, and when they all come to the surface, all hell will break loose. Lol! And Catron is proving to be more than she even know she is! The book ends with the characters venturing off to save a friend. I'm looking forward to reading book two. :-)
Genre: Short Story
Pages: 32
Book Blurb:
Dylan doesn’t want a permanent relationship and Jamie has sworn off romance. With an unspoken agreement that their friendship is platonic, the two become inseparable. But a kiss changes everything. Their ecstasy is short-lived, however, when Jamie tells Dylan the truth about her past. Confusion, anger, and misunderstanding rock their world and send them in different directions. Will time apart bring them back together or cement their separation? Is it possible to ignore the past? Can anyone choose who they love? Is love enough?
My Review:
This was a sweet short story about a couple whose relationship is testing when Jamie reveals her secret. Without giving too much away, it touches upon a very sensitive topic that many struggle with. The author handled the situational very well, and I enjoyed the story. :-)
Genre: Contemporary Romance Fiction
Pages: 117
Book Blurb:
Today is officially the worst day of my life…
I woke up five hours late after a reckless one-night stand with the sexiest, cockiest, and most arrogant man I’ve ever met. This asshole actually left a note that said, “I think you were lying to me last night about being ‘experienced.’ You orgasmed three times, and that was before we made it to your bedroom. I also find it hard to believe you ‘usually wear silk lingerie’ when your drawers are full of cotton granny panties. Sincerely, The best man you’ve ever fucked…”
My top two clients at my PR company went to my number one competitor, my roommate “accidentally” bleached my favorite suit, and my favorite coffee shop was shut down for “health concerns.”
Still, none of those things dimmed my excitement for what was supposed to be the best four o’clock signing session of my career. I was on the verge of signing the highest paying client in my company’s history, taking on a so-called “impossible” job that no publicist had been able to handle.
But at four o’clock, there was no athlete, television personality, or celebrity. Instead, that sexy, arrogant one-night stand stepped into my office with a familiar smirk and introduced himself as my new cocky client…
My Review:
This was another great story from this author. Her ability to create sexual tension and witty banter is fantastic. I enjoyed every minute of it and only wish it had lasted longer. I would definitely recommend this story! :-)
Did you read any great books this month? I'd love to hear from you. :-)
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