Book Review: Bewitched by Kelly Moran (Fated Trilogy Book One)

     Kaida has dreamt of a mysterious man her entire life. He is her best friend and her secret crush. Secret because a man that perfect can't possibly exist in the real world. After receiving a letter from her biological mom she jumps at the chance to discover who she is. Turns out the anomalies that have plagued her throughout her life are the least surprising thing. She and her two, newly discovered, sisters must break a centuries long curse bringing two families together or both losing the ability to love long-term forever. Can she and her mystery man unlock the key and complete the first task? 

    I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. She sent this book, book two in the fated trilogy (which I am currently on chapter 3 of), and a three book series called Phantom. I do not currently have book three in this particular set, but as I have not completed book two yet, it isn't a current concern. As you have probably already surmised based on the simple fact that I have already started book two in this series I loved this book. 

    I have a soft spot and a half for paranormal romances. I could contentedly read them every day and not get tired of them. Normally this means shifter romances. In this case we get witches! Hello witches your die is cast. You must love and past a test deemed so by your ancestor to break the curse she set. His ancestors killed yours and are witch hunters! Can generations of hate be spared by three Meath brothers who don't follow in their families footsteps? 

    Love, loss, pain, and betrayal all cozied together under one cover. I wanted more as soon as book one was over, but I waited a whole month before started book two. Let's just say it isn't disappointing so far! Marks have been gained and it's on to the hard part. Still, in book one the romance between Kaida and Brady was a foregone conclusion. They had known each other their entire lives, albeit in dreams,  and already loved each other. However, discovering and completing the task proved it's own challenges. A challenge that almost ended both the Meath and Galloway's chance at happiness forever. 

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

Books by this author: 

Charmed (Fated Trilogy Book 2)

A Ghost of a Promise (Phantoms Book 1)

Give up the Ghost (Phantoms Book 2)

Ghost of You (Phantoms Book 3)

Book Review: The Oath and Blood Price: Part One by Peter-Shaun Tyrell

     Thalkin has been an orphan as long as he can remember. But, in Duria it is required that the inhabitants of a town care for their orphans. As such, he has been bounced around from house to house doing whatever that house tasks him with in exchange for what food and shelter they choose to provide him. Without the ability to get a normal education Thalkin does tasks for others in the town in exchange for learning skills that he hopes to use to one day leave this town. When Thalkin comes to his newest home instead of the normal abuse and starvation faced he meets compassion, caring, and opportunity. There is more than one option laid out for the young man with the arrival of a sword wielding woman. Will be maintain his oath or pay a blood price? 

    I received a paperback copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. The book starts out a bit slow before picking up once Thalkin finds his interest. I can't say the blood price was the one I expected, but it's generally something you wish could be avoided. It would be a rough thing to live with, although he didn't seem inclined to believe the same chain of events it seemed to me. 

    There is plenty of action and a bit of fantasy to be found within these pages, making for a great read. The characters are well rounded and you can feel both care and disdain. Not only from the main character but background characters as well. It's hard to tell much more about this book without giving everything away because it is ultimately Thalkin trying to find what suits him best with the skills he is able to acquire and the choices he must make. 

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

Book Review: The Journalist by John Reid Young

     After deciding not the re-enlist in the British Army Jamie goes home to propose to his childhood sweetheart. However, when he gets there things have changed in the sleepy islands of his youth. She has moved on with her father's blessing leaving Jamie adrift and regretting his decision to leave the military. Intent to see what other options his life may take he sets off, meeting a beautiful young teacher who convinces him to travel with a boater who tells of his partner's sickness and need for a translator. Instead, Jamie soon finds himself wrapped within a dangerous trafficking. Can he expose those behind this and get the small vessel to the British before he loses his life for this cause? 

    I received a physical copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. At one point I actually messaged the author, in response to his message, offering to return the book. It left a sour taste in my mouth at the prospect of reading the book, but I did and I can't say I hated it as much as that interaction which I wont go into any further. I already complained about it in detail at the time it happened. Without names of course. Moving on. 

    The book starts off very slow and the statement about doing ones duty is pounded into your head within these pages. Once the book picks up it is quite enjoyable. We have a small yacht that has a certain past being used by a Spaniard and a Scot to transport and then make a sell. After the unfortunate "illness" of the Spaniard the Scot needs a new translator, lucking upon the travelling Jamie, who agrees after some prompting from his girlfriend. The two travel in relative peace until the truth is discovered and Jamie must play along or join his new partner in order to stay alive. 

    The only real thing that bothered me about this book is the fact that Jamie never wanted to leave the military. Not really. He did it for his girl. Okay, sure. Believable. He didn't re-up and went home. But it is stated over and over and over that you can't re-enlist once you have left the British forces. Now, I know for a fact that isn't the case here in America and it seemed a bit ridiculous that it would be in other nations. Especially if the officer was climbing the ranks and left in good standing. So, I looked it up. You can absolutely re-enlist. They LOVE it when that happens. So....a large premise of this book is not rooted in fact. I know authors get embellishment rights, but come on. Fiction should be based in fact. 

    Other than that oversight, or intentional change (not sure which), the book is believable and largely enjoyable. The characters aren't two dimensional and the scenes are well described. All in all it was a decent book that lived up to it's thriller name. Just go in with eyes open to take the "facts" with a grain of salt. 

    This book is available on Kindle Unlimited or buy it on Amazon for $0.99 by clicking here. 

Book Reivew: The Expat Wife by Courtney Hargrove

     After a whirlwind romance Rose moves with her new husband Wesley to his new job in Switzerland where things quickly begin to sour. As she is on a spouse visa she is unable to work in the country, making her give up her journalism career and be a stay at home wife. While she knew this going in, she was under the assumption that finances would be split without her having to basically beg to make any purchases. Although there is this minor bump in their relationship which is not unheard of with newlyweds their relationship is mostly perfect. Then one of the woman in her new circle of friends goes missing. No one else seems concerned, but it is like an itch she just can't scratch, and must keep looking. Can she find out what happened to Jacqueline or will she be next? 

    I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. I genuinely loved this book. From start to finish. It has action, adventure, new scenery, and plenty of mystery to go around. Is Jacqueline dead or did she just go home? If she is dead who did it? Why does no one talk about the others that have left The Company in the past? The further Rose digs the more questions you will have. Can you figure out who is behind everything? Or is it all just Rose's sleep deprived brain making connections where there are none? 

    The scenery depicted is wonderful. The characters are great, even my least favorite character. I can't say who he is because it will give things away. But you shall see what I mean. Just the sheer amount of manipulation. It is so hard to believe that the other girls within the group simply didn't care that their friend was gone, but with pictures it's hard to dispute. 

    Join Rose as she battles herself and others to discover what is happening in Lucerne, Switzerland. 

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

Book Review: The Cabin that Shaped my Summer by Rich Rubin

     Tim came home for the summer to a surprise. Not only did their best female friends from high school also come home for the summer, but Steve's brother built a cabin in the woods behind his house giving them free reign to use it as much as they want. The more time the group spends the more the group dynamic changes. How will their relationships last the summer? Will their friendships last these changes? 

    I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. It is a laid back book about a group of high school friends coming home from their first year of college and facing the new dynamic. While the group immediately seems to go back to pre-college the longer they are around each other the more changes happen. The biggest test to their friendship will be one couple in the group and how others treat them. 

    I enjoyed this book. There isn't a lot happening, but it is a slow and relaxed read. It was cute. Honestly, I can't say much more about the book than this without giving everything about the story away. 

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

Book Review: Allegory of the End by A. R. Mirabal

     Zayko and Jidd met as teens when Zayko crashed his hoverbike and brought it into the shop where Jidd works. In exchange Zayko invites Jidd and his best friend along to his birthday party that afternoon. With the help of some truth cookies the new group of friends discover that everyone in town is being replaced with clones. Skip forward twenty years and the two now have their own ideas of how these clones should be treated. Just how far are the two willing to go for their views and where will the line be drawn? 

    I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. This book bounces back and forth between the past and the present. The past section ends almost at the end of the book so you constantly feel like you are missing information until the book is over. While the book was interesting, I personally would have preferred for the timeline to have remained linear. 

    This book leaves you with a lot of questions. This could be because of it being book one in a series, but I don't think I'll be searching out anymore. I'm all for sci-fi books, in fact you'll see from my reviews it is one of my most commonly reviewed genres. In this case though, although there are aliens and clones and a lot of new and interesting tech I don't have a whole lot more to say on it. After finishing the book I don't know what happened between the two to drive a wedge between them. I don't know a lot of things. Just wasn't for me at the end. 

    If you'd like to read the entire series you might get all of your questions answered. I can't say one way or the other since this is where I will be stopping. If you do/have read the entire series feel free to let me know if everything gets tied up eventually. 

    This book is available on Kindle Unlimited or buy it on Amazon for $4.87 by clicking here. 

Book Review: Opera by Julie Anderson

     Cassandra asked to meet with her old boss only to arrive at a grizzly murder scene. It seems her previous boss has a task for her to undertake from beyond the grave. A task that will shed light on her own removal from the previous institution. Can she find the truth before either this treasonous murderer or a dethroned crime lord from her past kill her first?

    I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. Going into the book I did not know it was not book one. While I feel like I am missing a large piece of Cassandra's past involving the crime lord and all that happened at GCHQ I was able to receive the gist of it in this book and was thereby not completely lost. While this book could be read as a stand-alone, if you don't mind some knowledge gaps, if you plan on reading the others in this series it is probably best to start at the beginning. Personally, now that I have read this one I wouldn't want to read the others because I already know how they play out. While that is fine with romances, it takes something away from mysteries. 

    Other than this one detail I enjoyed this book. The blame is constantly shifted around to various parties as should be done during a murder mystery. Even if you suspect the murderer, which I did, there are better candidates. You'll see what I mean. The book is fast paced and you don't feel like you are having to work your way through the dialog portions just to get to the action. 

    I'm also not saying there is only one character in this book you will love to hate. Because the person I hated most in this book wasn't even the killer. Big surprise there. But, he deserved what he got. 

    Still, this book was exciting and a fun read. I look forward to more from this author, just not in this series since I know how the first books would end now. 

    This book is available on Amazon for $4.96 by clicking here.