Book Review: Widow's Lace by Lelita Baldock

     Ellie made her thesis on a poem, The Fall, by Edward Barrington. A deep, sorrowful poem written by a man who married an older woman in London before they left together to Australia. Once there he forged a new life before me mysteriously disappeared. It was her father's favorite before he died, but now her drive has waned. That is until a body is discovered on the property where Edward and Rosalind Barrington lived. A forced trip leads Ellie on a path to discovery where she just may learn more than she bargained for. 

    I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. I have had this book for over a year and feel bad about how long it has taken me to get to it, but better late than never. This book is by an indie author and when I began it had no memory of what the book was about. I quickly realized it was a death mystery about a poet and was skeptical. 

    After all anyone who has read my review policy knows that I don't enjoy poetry and will turn down any and all review requests about poetry. There was poetry in this book and I fully admit that I read none of it. Each time there was lines after the chapter began I just skipped it. I also didn't read The Fall which was included at the end of the book. 

    That being said, if you don't enjoy poetry and you skip it, as I did, the book is interesting. I frequently struggle to enjoy period books since I'm not much for meek and mild females, but this book wasn't like that. It jumped back and forth between then and now, but I didn't feel like the female characters were beneath anyone else. 

    While I can't say I had a favorite character I did enjoy the characters. Ellie was a bit lost at the beginning of the book, but as the story progressed we learned more about her background. With that progression she was able to find purpose. Edward was a simple man at the beginning of the story. Met a woman who was going through a divorce and was much older than her. Fell in love and decided to marry her even though it would be social suicide at that time. Even ended up moving them to Australia so she could live. Rosalind was an older woman who was sick and told she would never get what she wanted most. Clara was a young woman seeking the affections of her childhood friend and making the most of tough situations. Then there was Archie. Young man who wanted to make a name for himself by solving the mystery behind the Barrington disappearance and finally get the widow to talk. Each of these characters are well-rounded and developed. 

    With each person there were things that I both expected and didn't that developed. I expected the development with Ellie, Clara, and Archie. Rosalind and Edward were a bit of a surprise. The type of surprise I will leave to you. 

    This book is available on Amazon for $2.99 by clicking here. This is available on Kindle Unlimited. 

Book Review: Going Dark by Monica McCarty (The Lost Platoon Book 1)

 

    When Dan's platoon is blown up on a recon mission in Russia he and what is left of his squad must go underground in an attempt to find who betrayed them. While scouting for Russian subs in Scotland with a fake identity he finds himself with eco-terrorists. One of which is a leggy brunette, Annie. Annie had travelled to the western isles with her boyfriend she thought they were doing a sit in on the oil tanker she instead finds bombs. Telling the captain, Dan, they disable the attempted terrorists only to find themselves wanted for murder. With what remains of SEAL team 9's life on the line Dan has to escape scrutiny, however, he can't leave the beautiful little American with her life on the line. However, can he defy a direct order and deny their growing passion. 

    I read this book on the Libby app. This is a military romance with smut and nefarious plots. 

    When I started this book it was because I have always had a soft spot for military romances. I've dated a few military men and the smut that comes from military romances are amazing. That is until now. This book wasn't bad. I enjoyed the overall plot of the book, but I think I've outgrown them. Which is unfortunate. But c'est la vie. Let's focus on the positives since my negatives aren't against the book itself, more of a personal thing that I didn't realize before beginning. 

    Dan was a huge wall of muscle who fought against others feelings of military men being little more than a machine. I can't say I blame him. They're not and have to deal with a lot on a daily basis. Following orders in an attempt to keep those in the homeland safe doesn't make anyone in the military a machine. Then there is Annie. She is a sweet little beauty who had a bad experience with the military and now hopes to spend her future saving the world. In her own way. A safe way. Stopping oil spills and saving animals is her way. 

    I liked both characters and the smut was enjoyable. A bit back and forth, but I get it. This book does end on a cliffhanger. Some things were solved but the main issue was barely even addressed. Who betrayed them? Was there a betrayal at all? Who knows. The reader definitely doesn't. While I have to admit that I am curious what happened I don't think I will be reading any more of these. 

    This book is available on Amazon for $7.99 by clicking here.

Book Review: Collision by Sofia Aves (Blue Blooded Brothers Book 1)

 

    Cal has been trying to catch Logan for the last 5 years. He almost lost his job after a reckless attempt at the beginning of his career, but since then Logan has become his obsession. All of his time was dominated by something Wade related, be it the man himself or his daughter, Ashley. That is until he literally runs into Mila with his car. This amazing woman is plagued by the previous trauma that Logan has inflicted and now that she is on Cal's radar she is back on his as well. Will Cal be able to keep his girls safe or will his obsession be their downfall? 

    I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. You may remember that I talked about having read Politics and Paperwork earlier this month. I loved that book and this one is no different. I am a bit upset at myself that I didn't read them in the correct order, but that is on me and no one else. 

    I absolutely adored Mila. She dealt with the trauma caused by the bank robbery and moved on to become a successful painter. I do have a large question. Pray tell. How did she inherit her grandmothers house when she passed when she changed her name in order to not be found? Wouldn't that be beyond obvious? Other than that she was great, especially since that wasn't really anything on her. Instead it was something that felt like a plot hole. 

    Cal was sweet and I can't say that I was surprised by any aspect of him. My favorite character in the book was either Mila or Black. Not sure which. Black was beyond adorable in a burly older brother kind of way. Not that I can relate, never had an older brother. Just a younger one. 

    This was a great contemporary romance with a bit of mystery thrown in just for fun. As I felt at the end of book 1.5 I still would enjoy reading the rest of the series at some point. 

    This book is available on Amazon for $3.99 by clicking here. This is available on Kindle Unlimited. 

Books by this Author: 

Politics and Paperwork

Book Review: Highland Flame by Mary Wine (Highland Weddings Book 4)

    Jane was the fourth daughter of an English Noble. So, to say her marriage prospects were limited was putting it lightly. However, she was married to a travelling wine salesman who was killed in Scotland when he couldn't pay her gambling debts. The inn owner stripped her down to her chemise and sent her out into the cold when she refused to pay her husband's debts bodily. Jane, intent on walking back to her fathers in England set off. Only to be rescued by Laird Gordan. He is in need of a head of house and the attraction between them is instant. However, marriage wasn't pleasant for her the first time and the Laird wants the woman he is with to choose him. Can the pair find a middle ground or will she be married off to another poor match of her father's choosing come Spring? 

    I have been avoiding the audiobooks sent to me by authors recently as none of them are romances and sticking with Libby instead. Love the Libby app. It is amazing and I cannot sing it's praises loudly enough. 

    Highland romances have long been my favorite. Not sure why. Maybe I just have a type. Tall, broad males who are gruff and dominant...yum. Hell, I married one so I'd wager that suits me just fine. Ancestry is from Scotland too, although I can't picture my husband in a kilt. I actually mentioned it to him earlier and he told me he wouldn't be caught dead in a skirt. Of course I was amused. 

    On to the book. My favorite character in the book was the captain and I hope that he gets his own book later on. He was adorable and he needs a happily ever after. I will definitely read more by this author if I happen to stumble across them, but I don't know that I will actively seek them out. The book was by no means bad. I enjoyed it, even if I struggle with period pieces. I'm a very outspoken female, so the prim and proper women who are "yes, dear's" as my husband refers to them don't do it for me. I know it was the time and that was par for the course. I just like my women to have a bit more of a backbone. Jane grew well into her role after everything stopped being about religion for her. Which is good. I can't imagine living in that time frame. Would definitely been in trouble at all turns. 

    I have said it before and I will say it again. Highlanders are sexy. The accents. Their gruff and dominant nature is just yummy. And every woman who speaks her mind needs a man who can one up her and be in control as well. Takes a special kind of male to do that. To know when to stand behind his woman, when to stand in front, and when to stand beside. Every highlander book I have read checks all of these boxes and this one is no exception. I completely suggest this book. 

    Just a warning. This is Book 4 in a series. Did not know that until I just went to pull the information from Amazon. But, I enjoyed this book without prior knowledge of the others. So, you can read it as a stand-alone if that is your desire. I always love series that you have the option of only reading one in. Makes it more enjoyable. 

    Highland Flame is available on Amazon for $5.03 by clicking here.

Book Review: Politics and Paperwork by Sofia Aves (Blue Blooded Brothers Book 1.5)

 

    Selena has stood by Liam's side ever since they met. Her best friend. She seen him go off to war and come back a different person. Never once did it progress past friends, no matter how much the desire was there. Now, with Liam on force LOA from work she has to make sure he is taking care of himself which seems to be sending some new sparks into their relationship. Could they finally progress to more or will Logan have found a new way to get a member of the team chasing him the last 5 years? 

    I received this book and Collision from the author in exchange for an honest review. I didn't realize until after I had finished this book and started on Collision that this book takes place after Collision ends. It doesn't detract from the book I am now reading, just little things are given away in Politics and Paperwork that I wouldn't have known had I read them in the correct order. 

    Moving on. When I received this request I was skeptical. I hate all things politics and almost denied the request without even reading the synopsis on the title alone. But, when I voiced my hesitation to the author they assured me that there wasn't actually politics in the book and I relented. They were, of course, correct. There isn't so the title should not be a deterrent. 

    Selena is smart, sexy, and an older woman and Liam isn't much different. It isn't common that we see a romance for a generation older than their 20s, so this was interesting. Maybe because I am in my mid 20s now and I am reading more mature books. Teenage romances hold none of the appeal they once had for me. Most of the time I analyze them from a parental standpoint versus a reader one. I will say that I am curious about Liam's background. Did he leave the military because he didn't want to reup? Emotional trauma? Physical? Didn't really go into a lot of details. Considering the author has an entire series of these Blue Bloods I am sure the answer will be given at some point in time or another. 

    This is a cute, fast romance that leaves me curious about other books in the series. As I am now reading Collision I can tell some differences. In fact, Politics and Paperwork reads more like a quick novella. Which it may be. Not sure, didn't look too far into it. Either way there are threats, mystery, and barely leashed lust. Oh my. 

    This book is available on Amazon for $0.99 by clicking here. Remember this is book 1.5...maybe 2. Not sure how the author would label it considering Amazon does not. Upon further inspection on Amazon and the 5 books in this series I have decided it is book 1.5. This book is available on Kindle Unlimited. 

Books by this author: 

Collision

Book Review: Red Moon by Sein Ares (Arcana of the Crimson Book 1)

     With people going missing clan leader, Elizabeth Raven, is determined to save who she can. Even if it means raiding the Emperor's son's camp against the approval of her council. When they arrive, with a stowaway toddler, the rescue is both a success and a failure. Now to get home with the remains, her uncle has taken charge and decided to route them through the forest. What meets them, however, is members of the Forest Clan attacking them. With both sides claiming the fault of the other will either survive? 

    I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. I was very interested in this book at the beginning. 

    The rescue mission was great and I was really enjoying the start. Even the first half of the battle between the Raven clan and the Forest was entertaining to read. From there there was a lot of skimming and simply waiting for it to be done. One battle raged on for a third of the book. I just wanted the seemingly endless battle to end. Then the author put themselves into the book. Using the name Sein Ares. I get it. A lot of authors mold a character using their characteristics. But Sein Ares is a deity in the book. Cringe-worthy to say the least. 

    If you ignore how long the fight scenes last and the Sein Ares in the book it is a good read and I liked the artwork scattered throughout. It is rare to see artwork within indie author books, so it was a nice change. Broke up the story a bit and allowed you to see the characters as the author intended, even in anime style. 

    I don't really have a favorite character. It was hard to get attached to the characters in this book. That being said, I really liked the world building in the book. Especially the Forest Clan's tree. You'll find out for yourself, I promise it is worth the read just for that. The picture seems like it belongs on a mana card in MTG. No complaints at all on that. This book is the first in a series and does end on a cliffhanger. I don't think that I will personally be reading any of the others in the series, but others I am sure will want to continue on.

    There is action, adventure, a Who Done It aspect, and even romance in this book. Plus the world building. Have to give props where it is due. 

    If you'd like to read this book it is available on Amazon for $3.99 by clicking here.

The BillionWere by Ellie Valentina

     Malinda just got dumped by her boyfriend and if she wants to stay in the big city she will need a job that pays decently. Just when she had given up and was about to head back to her moms in Oklahoma she reads an ad for a live-in nanny position. She shows up at a McMansion and meets Mr. Millieur and his 10 year old son. Garrett has a rule where young Brandon isn't allowed out of the house due to a wolf-shifter, Raul, who wants to revenge for his mate being killed. With things heating up between Malinda and Garrett it seems there may be more for Raul to take now.

    I listened to this book on Kindle Unlimited on impulse. Been reading a lot of fantasy books recently and just needed a break. Best way to do that is a good romance novel and I am never one to pass up a shifter book. 

    I hate to admit it, but I was wrong in this book. I was convinced for the first half of the book that Garrett was a werewolf. But the author is great at manipulation, it seems, and I was surprised. I won't tell you what kind of shifter he is, but I didn't expect it. On an unrelated topic, I have to say this is the first time that I have heard of a rat shifter. Very unique, but I suppose there are shifters of all kinds. I'm just more used to wolves, panthers, jaguars, bears, and the like. 

    My favorite character in this book was Malinda. Little bit of back and forth, falls for a man she barely knew pretty quickly, and plenty of attitude. A mix of typical for a romance and things I personally enjoy in a main character. This isn't your typical shifter book, however. Other than the less than normal shifters in the book there is the how people became shifters in the first place. I don't have any complaints about this book, but I rarely do on paranormal romances. We do have a sassy woman who has dreams and isn't afraid to go after what she wanted. 

    This book is available on Amazon for $2.99 by clicking here. This book is available on Kindle Unlimited. 

Books by this author: 

Hot Wolf