Book Review: 21 Dares by Stephen Barnard

     When a teacher retires due to the "bullying" of 4 teenage boys the punishment is for them to clean out his classroom hoarders closet. Inside they find a game of 21 dares stretching back into the towns dark history. If anyone completes the 21 dares they will bring back the loathsome serial killer, Black Jack McKenzie, and allow him to finish his spree. Can these 4 boys complete these increasingly disturbing and destructive pranks or will one be willing to throw in the towel?

    I got this book around Halloween last year and surprisingly enough read it shortly thereafter. A plausible horror novel that includes an autistic kid, a rich kid with serious psychotic tendencies, and two "bad boys". Each must put in something that they deeply care about and whoever completed the last task wins and keeps everything unless the dares are all completed.  

    I enjoyed how deep the speculation went as to the mystery behind the game as well as the progression of pranks. These are all things that could have been executed, although I don't suggest it. Then there was Black Jack which the power of suggestion. Love all of that. I will say that the book takes a minute to get into. It starts out with the dares pretty quickly, but it took me a while to actually get interested. 

    I liked the fact that all of the pranks had to be done at school during school hours, although the fact that the school didn't have cameras for most of the book seemed a bit of a stretch. That being said they couldn't have achieved most of this if they had. 

    This book is available on Kindle Unlimited or buy it on Amazon for $3.79 by clicking here. 

Book Review: All About the Bear by Bianca D'Arc (Grizzly Cove Book 1)

     Nell and her two sisters moved to a sleepy town called Grizzly Cove, Washington and started their business. Everything was going great until she abruptly realized that they were the only humans in a town of shifters. Now, the sheriff who she has had a thing for since she moved in is pursuing her and no longer has a reason to hold back. Can she keep the secret and possibly gain so much more? 

    This is a book I downloaded for free during a promo and I am glad I did. It is a cute, fast paced, little read. Emphasis on little. The entire story is 80 pages long. As cute as the story is it isn't long enough or exciting enough to justify a $5 price tag. Free worked well as a snippet into the series. I really liked the characters and the setting. I am trying not to give everything within the book away as it is very short. 

    Brody has wanted Nell since she first came to town, but since she was a human there was nothing that could be done. Until a drunk came to town and shifted right in front of her. Now that the secret is out she is fair game. As long as she can keep the secret that is. But Brody has no doubts that she can keep their secret and hopefully his bed warm. 

    I am sure Nell's sisters will be getting their own books in this series and that would also be a fun read. I am hoping for a bit more girth to them, however. And maybe a bigger arc than if she's going to accept him or not. 

    This book is available on Amazon for $4.99 by clicking here. 

Book Review: The Coven by Harper L Woods (Coven of Bones Book 1)

     Willow has been raised her entire life to join the coven and tear it down from the inside. Her father made sure of it. Male witches must choose between keeping their powers and reproducing, but since he was hidden by his sister instead of being reported to the council he lived. She however, never survived the academy. Willow is the only product of two powered witches and she must keep that heritage a secret if she is to fulfil her goal. Protect her own little brother and destroy the Coven. But, Alaric is throwing a wrench in her plans. 

    This book was in one of my smut groups as a "hey I could not finish this book because of all the satanic elements". Well that resulted in me needing to read it and downloading it immediately as my TBR mourned the loss of actually being touched. I regret nothing. 

    Reading this book quickly spiraled into downloading and reading book 2 because this book ends on one hell of a cliff-hanger. I loved it. All of the main elements were wrapped up and then bam. Right in your face with something that you needed to keep reading. I loved Willow and I loved Alaric. I have to say that if you told me who he was at the very beginning of the book I wouldn't have believed it, but by midway through? Absolutely. 

    After the initial forest scene I was beyond hooked on this book and it's sassy main character. I made my best work friend and aunt both download it. Well Tina technically bought the physical copy, but I think that was solely for the purpose of annoying her very Christian wife. I love that about and for her. They both also absolutely adored this book and I have yet to hear anything from Tina's wife about me being a bad influence over it so I think I'm safe. 

    This is action, adventure, smut, and so many feels. He is the epitome of morally grey and you have no idea just how much until book 2. I genuinely hated one of the characters in this book, Iban. Second book did not disappoint in that regard, but you'll have to read that yourself after you finish this book. Although, literally anyone on the Council is also fair game for that title. 

    I can't say for certain which type of power Willow had that I loved the most, although it is probably the Earth magic just because of the aforementioned forest scene and she is pretty amazing at it. Then there is Alaric Throne. Gods I love a touch her and die book and I already cannot wait till book 3 comes out. I will be adding these books to my shelves as they are amazing, and have sprayed edges. 

    This book is available on Kindle Unlimited or buy it on Amazon for $12.99 by clicking here. 

Book Review: Psycho Shifters by Jasmine Mas (Cruel Shifterverse Book 1)

     Sadie is a null in a land of shifters. Actually, she is less than that. She is a null servant. The barkeeper that has "raised" her and her younger sister has beat her every day until she is covered in scars, but his name is literally Dick so what did she expect? At least he wasn't hurting her sister. When her sister was away at school for the semester Sadie's psychotic "numb" kicked in and told her just what to do to kill Dick. She would have too if some cloaked guy hadn't shown up, demanded she get tested, and dragged her away. She woke up in a barracks being told she is an Alpha and has to fight in a war. She has 3 roommates that are the Sun God's gift to women, but she will never survive being their roommates let alone the queen's attacks. 

    I found this book in my smut group and I am going to do my absolute best to stick with only what happened in this book because I am on book 6 of this series now. I am afraid my life will end when this series does. I love this book so much that I cannot put it into words. I am convinced my best friend received 90% worth of this book in screenshots and highlights while I was reading it and every book since of this series. 

    Sadie is a spirit animal. She is an absolute beast...in her other form. As a human....well she is pathetic, but she is very loved. By me. She can eviscerate giant spiders, but can't run to save her life. And the mouth on that woman. Moon Goddess help us. 

    In this book we get to meet Archer, Jax, and Cobra and find out all the fun little things on Sadie's past. Oh and we meet Aran. He is pretty great too in a best friend kinda way. Big love for that character. Cobra's murdery ass is my favorite. I am not joking. He is a homicidal maniac, but it is part of his charm. Jax is the teddy bear and Archer....well he is a little unhinged. I ended this book with feels about Archer, but you get to learn all about that on your own. 

    Book 1 in this series is VERY low spice. I am talking 1 oral scene in 700 pages.  I promise this series gets spicier. Until the spice soak up that plot, because there is so much that happens and you are going to love every single second of it. 700 pages seems like a lot until you are reading this book then BEGGING for more when it is over. I have never downloaded a book 2 as fast as I did Psycho Fae. That review will be coming at some point soon because I loved that book as well. Like I said completely on book 6 and over halfway through it. 

    Seriously though this is my favorite series that I have come across in a very long time. There is spice, action, and so much attitude. There is a lot of polytheism and realms in the book and it is very firmly in the paranormal category of smut between the shifters, fae, and everything else you will meet later. I will warn you that there are an absolute ton of remarks about death to the patriarchy and that theme will continue. Very pro women. And pro sluttiness. Which is more of a goal than a truth considering she is a virgin, but whatever. 

    Every single book in this series will be being bought and added to my physical shelf for shelf trophies that I will be reading again and again when I am in a slump. I will also force it upon my friends. This will be a hostage situation. My husband has already been held hostage on it multiple times, but he will live. 

    This book is 100% available on Kindle Unlimited or BUY it on Amazon for $2.99 by clicking here. 

Book Review: I've Found Her by Joy Mullett (The Found Series Book 1)

    Bella just got out of a bad relationship and decided it was time for a change. She put in for a job at a salon in a hotel in London and actually got it. Now that she has gotten there she is determined to make a great life for herself.  Damien was just making a stop into one of his hotels when he sees her. Now she seems to be everywhere and she is soon like an addiction. 

    This is another book I impulse downloaded because of one of my smut groups. Those groups get me into a lot of trouble with my TBR, but their suggestions are always so great. This book is no exception to that rule. 

    This is a touch her and die contemporary billionaire romance. Lots of tropes, but all ones I love. It is absolutely open door, another plus on my side, and the characters are wonderful. All of them from those in the foreground to those in the background.

    I loved Damien as he tries to keep his feelings out of it until that is no longer an option for him. Meanwhile, Bella is cautious because of the relationship she just got out of. Then her ex starts stalking her and things just get worse. This book ends on a bit of a cliff-hanger, but not enough where you absolutely have to read the next book in order to get closure. I likely will end up reading the next book just because I liked this one so much. 

    I hope for great things for Damien and Bella in the next book as well as hopefully Bella's best friend. I hope this series is one of the ones where it grabs characters from the last book for at least one character for the next book. Keeps them interconnected and gives little updates on the other characters. 

    This book is available on Kindle Unlimited or buy it on Amazon for $3.88 by clicking here. 

Book Review: No Way Back by Santana Knox (Darkling, Beloved Book 2)

     Halloween has become my favorite holiday. It is our anniversary and after what happened last Halloween nothing can top it. But, when we are set to spend the night in an active prison I am determined to have my fun. The only thing that may keep me in some sort of check is my best friend will be there and she doesn't know this new dark side of me, but he will be. We fuel each other's madness. 

    I found this book in one of my groups. Someone was posting about it being too much for them and a DNF because of the very descriptive scenes. I took one look at the trigger warnings list and was in love. I did not start by reading book one, but trust me when I say it is on my TBR. Sure, there were some spoilers in this book about what went down then,  but I want to experience it first-hand. 

    In case you haven't already realized I loved this book. My biggest warnings is it is DARK. I have suggested it to multiple people. Those who have read it, like my aunt, questioned if I was okay when it reached the slight necro section. I am and I loved that one just as much as every blood splatter. This book is unhinged in the best way and this author has 100% been added to the list of those I will read anything by. 

    I genuinely hope that the end of this book for the characters is not the end for them. I am thinking of bloody and sexually charged patient activities. Oh the fun they could have in this location. Trying my damndest to be vague here. 

    This book is non-stop action in one form or another from her getting railed by her professor boyfriend in chapter one while he takes a phone call to every vulgar and defiling act they complete along the way. I loved every single second of this book and only wondered if I should be upping my therapy sessions once because of enjoying it so much. 

    Amazing read, but please for the love of all read the trigger warnings. If you have problems with things I guarantee it will be on that list and just don't read it. If you don't have trigger warnings or consider them to be a delightful all you can eat buffet read it and prepare to question your life choices in the best way. 

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

Book Review: 12,775 Days by Samantha Parish

     Emily Lucy Wallace has had the "perfect" life. Her father died at a young age, but she always had her grandmother. Until she died while Emily was off at school. Her mother tried, but she lost a part of herself when her husband died. Emily didn't hold it against her, not really. She went on to marry a man with a good paying job who liked her to stay at home with their perfect daughter, Rachel. Except, Emily has been having dreams her entire life about being a girl named Lucy who has a drug addiction and Emily's perfect husband isn't so perfect with her not so perfect best friend. When Emily is hit in a car crash her glimpses into Lucy's life may have just become a permanent transfer. 

    This book was an impulse download and I almost didn't read it. I don't read addiction books since I had to deal with it too often growing up as the child of someone always high. Still, I gave it a shot since it was possible it wasn't about addiction. While it has addiction in it, it isn't overwhelming and didn't detract from the story. The author was able to stick to the struggles both Emily and Lucy were going through and display Lucy's issues without it being an overwhelming focal point. 

    I feel the author did a great job of keeping things within the realm of believability with each girl's life as long as you suspend belief on the multiple lives and glimpses into each things. Emily's life was plausible as was Lucy's and you were able to understand and relate to each girl as the story played out. I love everything that happened to Emily's husband and "best friend", but I don't want to give anything away. Just know if you are petty you will enjoy that part as well. 

    This book is available on Kindle Unlimited or buy it on Amazon for $5.99 by clicking here. 

Book Review: The Keeper's Runes by Lyra Forger (The Originals of Grimm Academy Book 0)

     Nikky has always been an outcast. She has a habit of finding trouble and has never been one to back down. So, when she finally snapped, breaking a law, the last thing she expected was to be taken to the most prestigious house within the academy. Vampires, Fae, and shifters abound, but she is without runes and without power. What chance does she have against these people? But, there is something in the forbidden corridor that is calling to her. 

    This book was an impulse purchase found on one of my book pages or another. I genuinely don't know which one or when it happened, but I flicked through my owned books on my kindle and stopped on this one. It is a YA fantasy book that has the potential to turn spicy. There is a male with a claim, but there hasn't been any outright sexual acts so far. Either way is fine with me, but some people like the warning. 

    This is a prequal to a series that I haven't read so I don't know how important it is to start with this book versus book one. I will say that this book is absolutely packed with important information that I am not sure how a series would be able to start without. It shows how three characters meet and relationships are developed of both friendship and more. It shows how powers are gained as well as a dip into one of the character's pasts. These things may be addressed in book one, but I am not sure. 

    The story has a bit of mystery to it starting with what is in the forbidden wing to who is keeping the hidden item hidden, what the item is, and who is killing students. The author does a great job of casting blame around to keep who is behind things a secret, but I was able to guess correctly, which pleases me. I am curious how this series will turn out since the book, obviously, end with a lot of strings. 

    This book is available for FREE on Amazon by clicking here. 

Book Review: With You at Last by KM Ryan (Forget Me Not Book 3)

     Kate and John were best friends with benefits until they weren't. He ghosted her 10 years ago, but running into her at the grocery store has him convinced not to let him out of his life again so easily. Coming back to her home he soon discovers a secret that could shorten their time together, permanently. Is he willing to fight at her side this time? 

    I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. I have read quite a few books by this author and I have always enjoyed them. The author does a great job of hitting on difficult subjects while still giving the characters dealing with these very real issues a chance at love. I completely enjoyed the book, but it took me a while to get through it. Absolutely nothing against the author or the book, I just happened to receive it directly after my grandfather died of cancer and this book really had me in my feels. 

    This is a contemporary romance with a real issue that so many people face on the daily. I actually just lost a very good friend of mine this week to breast cancer. Not the cancer in this book, but it is something a lot of people consider taboo or don't write them a happily ever after when the chances of that aren't always the longest. 

    The book is a sweet, fast read, and completely believable. I will say that I haven't read the first two books in this series, but they don't seem inter-connected or like they have to be read in any particular order. I didn't feel like I was missing out on anything by not happening to have started with book 1. 

    The reasons behind them walking away before was also believable. It was a lack of communication and John being an idiot. Got to love it. But, it wasn't anything over-done. It is something we have all been guilty of at one point in time or another. Not what happened per-say, but the not communicating something well enough with someone we care for and things going wrong as a result. 

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

Books by this author: 

The Reunion (What If Book 1)

The Meeting (What If Book 2)

The Encounter (What If Book 3)

The Confrontation (What If Book 4)

Save Me (In the Moment Book 1)

Book Review: The Tigress by Anna Mocikat (Behind Blue Eyes Book 5)

     Metatron was given an impossible choice. Send Nephilim into an enemy country with the leader of the wasps on her own or lose all the plans they have built over the years. Making the choice for him Nephilim travels to Asia and meets with The Tigress. She must prove her abilities and learn about herself along the way. 

    I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. Before you read any further in this review please note. This is book 5 in a series that is in no way stand-alone. If you have not read books 1-4 please skip down to the links at the bottom of this page and start with book 1 in BBE. There will be spoilers in this review if you haven't read anything in this series. 

    As with every one of the other Anna Mocikat books I have read, which have been all of them, I loved this book. There is action and adventure. We still get to jump perspectives from all of our favorite characters from the other books, but the primary focus is on Nephilim and The Tigress. We get to learn more about Nephilim's mother in this book as well as how Jake is doing. Jake is still my favorite and I am forever hoping for good things for the man. 

    I love the trust and plan that is being set into motion between the wasps and angels. For the entire series they have been the enemy and now we get more of an idea into what is going on beyond the corporation's politics. Then there is The Tigress. She is amazing and surprising. I don't want to give too much away, but she was a worthy opponent and I look forward to how Nephilim handles the task she has been given by her. 

    This book is available on Kindle Unlimited or buy it on Amazon for $5.99 by clicking here. 

Books by this author: 

Behind Blue Eyes (Behind Blue Eyes Book 1)

Fallen Angel (Behind Blue Eyes Book 2)

War Games (Behind Blue Eyes Book 3) 

Last Stand (Behind Blue Eyes Book 4)

Shadow City (Shadow City Book 1)

Dark City (Shadow City Book 2)

Level 1 (Cyber Squad Book 1)

Level 2 (Cyber Squad Book 2)

Level 3 (Cyber Squad Book 3)

Nephilim Volume 1 (Nephilim Prequal Volume 1)

Nephilim Volume 2 (Nephilim Prequal Volume 2)

Nephilim Volume 3 (Nephilim Prequal Volume 3)

Space Punks (Space Punks Book 1)

Nightengale's Song (Space Punks Book 2)

Neon Nights (Neon Nights Book 1)

Neon Dreams (Neon Nights Book 2)

Book Review: The Harvest by Sara Clancy (The Bell Witch Book 1)

     A group of families has been cursed by a witch for decades. Each year she chooses one of the family members who are then gifted a box. She will do everything in her power to break them. Nothing will satisfy her but total extinction. Each of the chosen must travel to a small town in Tennessee where it all began, enter the forest where the witch was killed, and collect the keys to their boxes. If they survive they get to live another year and, hopefully, not be chosen again. Although the group enters, some with skepticism, will they all make it out alive or be claimed by the witches harvest? 

    This is a great book that jumps right into the action. We immediately start following the main characters as they are chosen and face their fears. I grew up on the Kentucky Tennessee border so the Bell Witch was something we all heard about. It was told again and again, yet I loved this rendition of it. It kept to the major backstory of the Bell Witch and her supposed abilities and the results of her harvest being just that, a good harvest. 

    I feel the characters, while some were a bit young, displayed a diverse background and varying opinions. It was great to see the skeptic have to slowly concede as the story progressed. Also, I loved the final forest. It was dark as anything, but that's the main reason I loved it. Each of their fears were played with in an attempt to break them and for them to die. 

    This is a book that you can absolutely read as a stand-alone without feeling like you are missing out on the plot. The story continues, I'm sure, with the tails left at the end of this book. However, if you decide not to read the end of this book covers all main plot points that developed throughout the story. 

    I really enjoyed the book and would likely read more by this author or in this series in the future. 

    This book is available on Amazon for FREE by clicking here. 

Book Review: Why Don't You Make Me by Rae Knight (Why Don't You? Book 1)

     Victoria was tortured by the Iron Triad in High School and they ruined her life. If the bullying wasn't enough Blaze "forgetting" drugs in his jacket pocket that he gave her after they stole her clothes stole any chance of her getting into her dream college. Intent on putting the past behind her she has stayed away from anywhere the boys may frequent until Thorne shows up at the coffee shop where she works with her ex-best friend. From there the boys are unescapable. They've captured her, keeping her prisoner in their home. But, they are succeeding where so many others have failed in the past. 

    This book was posted in one of my smut groups on Facebook by the author with an excerpt about a man named Kyle fucking about with her thigh verses her clit until she fake orgasmed. Yes, I also highlighted that section of the book. And so many others because yes. When I started it I didn't know it was a Why Choose. Do I care? Absolutely not. It is a theme in A LOT of books I have been reading recently, and I am here for it. 

    I love each of the guys for a different reason, but they are all amazing. Even if they did torment her for years. I enjoyed her attitude and spice through-out, but I wasn't sure I would be continuing on until the last chapter. The amount of bloodshed and psychotic in that chapter had me immediately downloading the next book. I cannot wait to see what hell these men will bring down to get her back. All of the yes. And the spoon scene? I showed my husband and he probably thinks there's something wrong with me. Don't care. Loved it. Can't wait to read the next book. 

    Do NOT let the fact that the title is messed up on the kindle store deter you from reading this possessive alpha-hole why choose. It's sexy, funny, and everything we all need in our lives. 

    This book is absolutely available on Kindle Unlimited or buy it on Amazon for $4.99 by clicking here. 

Book Review: Error Code: Love by Lex Thale

     Rhys hasn't trusted a machine since a processing time caused the life of his partner. Now returned to work his punishment is to have a new Syn unit as his full time partner. He doesn't trust her, but she has saved him a couple times without the previous models processing issue. Now, murders are cropping up around town as robots believe they are feeling things for their humans and are being rejected. 

    I ran across this book being posted in one of my book groups and thought it would be a cute read. I read the entire thing, but I have some problems with it. My biggest issue with the book is it is very obviously AI written. I do not ever want to read anything written by AI again and they REALLY need to be required to state it is somewhere on the Amazon page. Preferably in bold. I have went over the page a couple times and nowhere does it state that this book is anything other than written by a human. Trust, it's not. 

    If we ignore that glaring fact it isn't a bad book. I have read a few books that were actually written about robots gaining enough sentience to have feelings. Not generally murder in them, but it was a solid idea. I can't really get behind the child ones, but to each their own. It was syn child versus human so it wasn't an automatic no for me like is typical in my readings. 

    Honestly, if someone were to take the same concept and actually write it I wouldn't have been complaining about the book. As it is, read it if you want. 

    This "book" is available on Kindle Unlimited or buy it on Amazon for $4.49 by clicking here. 

Book Review: The Waiting Booth by Brinda Berry (Whispering Woods Book 1)

     Mia has lived in Whispering Woods her entire life and has never had any desire to go anywhere else. The only thing even remotely exciting that has ever happened to her was when her brother disappeared one day and she would do anything to get him back. A year later while conducting a science experiment on the feeding habits of local animals she spots 2 men in her woods. Her shock increases when these same two show up at her house telling her of portals to other dimensions and things trying to get into this world. Who should she believe or turn to? 

    I got this book forever ago and started it at one point before getting bored after a chapter. I really should have read beyond the first chapter. Although it is a slow start once it starts it is an exciting story. This is very much so a beginning book. We meet the characters and get a grasp on backstories. We know why the IIA want Mia and what things are allowed and what aren't. There is definitive options in partners for a romance aspect as well. For most of the book it could have gone any of three ways, but it narrows down at one point. 

    I really liked this book once I actually gave it a real chance. Dimension shifters of a sort that are still of human origin with an agency protecting the inhabitants of Earth from potentially fatal tampering. There is quite a bit of action and I will give the disclaimer that the only thing I didn't like about this book is one instance of infant death. It is very quickly brushed over and we didn't "see" it happen, but there is that possible trigger warning. 

    While there is a romance aspect to this book there are no spicy scenes. 

    This book is available on Amazon for FREE by clicking here. 

Book Review: Time to Lie by Phil Taylor (Landon Bridges' Book 1)

     Landon has always wanted to be a scientist and no matter what life has thrown at him he has retained that goal. After his dad died and his mother largely shut down Landon moved in with his Aunt and Uncle. They treated him as their own and helped him get into college. Now here he is intent on becoming the mentee under Dr. Kuroda. The old professor claims that time travel is possible, but layers everything in Karate Kid references. Could he be onto something and if so what does that mean? 

    I received a physical copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. It had been a long time since I read anything on this book and had forgotten what it was about. For the first half of the first chapter I thought this might be a vampire book. There was blood on the cover and he was vague, so it was possible. It isn't mind you. This is a sci-fi book through and through. Not complaining as I enjoy sci-fi. 

    I will say this book is a little different than most others on the concept of time travel. In this book you stay away from all interference signals and people then think about a point in your own history and you will arrive. I enjoyed this deviation from the norm. The story ends on a cliffhanger, but the main objective in this book was accomplished. I felt the characters were well-developed and the story largely enjoyable. 

    Personally the perspective in the book wasn't my favorite. While it was done properly and there is nothing wrong with a first person book this is written like Landon is narrating to the audience, even talking to them at some points in the story. Some people enjoy that, I'm sure, but for me it took me out of the story for a moment. 

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

Book Review: Dogs by Mike Sullivan

     Tom had been gone for too long. After his mother's accident he just hadn't been able to come back home. Once in the last 5 years, but a text from his dad letting him know she was gone changed all that. He drove through the night getting home to a dark house. Once inside, something was going on. A message left on his mother's talking machine began a precursor to his worst day: Something is wrong with the dogs. 

    I received a physical copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. This is a horror/thriller short story. I wouldn't consider it a book and it is hard to give an honest review without spoiling everything that happens. The dogs have went insane, killing seemingly everyone. We follow a man as he arrives in an area, is attacked, watches other attacks, and attempts to get some children to safety while forming hypothesis' along the way. 

    This story definitively had the thriller aspect and was great at drawing the reader in. I will say I absolutely almost stopped reading it. I will not under any circumstances read child death/murder, but we were good in this case.

    I don't know if this is a precursor to a bigger story by this author that is still in the works, but I would absolutely read something else by them that had more substance to it. 

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

Book Review: Mastering the Defiant Miss Ramano by Maryse Dawson (The Moretti Family Book 1)

     When Gabriella's family died ten years ago mysteriously in a car crash she vowed to take vengeance against the Moretti family. They are a powerful family with connections that could have paid off the police who investigated, but she had no proof. Undercover as a server for an event she sneaks away into the family head's office, only to be discovered by Vincento Moretti the eldest son. Vincento takes an instant liking to the young woman, but her ways are in need of correction. 

    This book popped up in one of my smut groups on Facebook and I immediately downloaded it. Read the entire thing in less than a day because I enjoyed it so much. Mafia, spankings, and murder. All the best things. Vincento is tall, dark, sexy as sin, and knows how to punish a girl just right. He was absolutely book boyfriend of choice for a while after reading this book and will definitely read more by this author in the future. 

    The characters in the story are wonderful, the scenes are sexy, and there is plenty of plot to keep you entertained as well. I love that we get little peaks into her friends budding altercation with Vincento's bodyguard. Here's to hoping that gets it's own story later on, or maybe it already has. I haven't looked up the author's other books. 

    The fact that Gabriella not only finds information about her parents, but that she pursues it after knowing what will happen if she's caught made me love her. Gotta love the rebellious and independent streaks. I have zero complaints about this book or things that I would change. 

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

Book Review: Beautiful Pleasure by Lucia Gordon (Best Friend Book 1)

     Lily, Kyle, and Travis have always been close. They have been best friends and have stuck by each others side even when they were in relationships and their partners hated it. For some reason Lily has started to see her long-time friends in a different light and they may just feel the same.     

    I am terrible about reading blurbs on books before I start them. Sometimes this works out well for me. Other times it bites me in the ass. For the longest I was a stickler that I absolutely will not read any multiple partner books. The thought of it just wasn't for me and I wasn't going to do it. It felt like cheating. Nothing in this title prepared me that it would be a MFM. My brain didn't even go that way as I began reading until it did almost at the end. What all of this rambling amounts to is this book is what made me change my review guidelines, removing multiple partners as an exemption. Could not be happier about that fact, so thank you. 

    I completely loved this book. It was hot, spicy, and sexy. It does end on a cliffhanger, and is a very short read. I don't want to give too much away, but it largely includes 2 settings in the book then it is over. I would love to read more about this couple and potentially get a real story out of it versus a snippet. This book feels like a prequal versus a full story. We are basically just meeting the characters and seeing if they will cross a line. Still, the cliffhanger it ends on gives enough that it could spark a real book instead. 

    This book is available on Amazon for FREE by clicking here. 

Books by this author: 

Thrill 

Book Review: Crew of Exiles by Neal Holtschulte

     Beryl was a transcendent being and had long since moved beyond the insignificance of Earth. After committing the ultimate crime, assisted suicide of another transcendent being, he is being punished to live the next 1,000 years as a mortal. No leaving Earth and in a body. Countless memories were dumped to fit his consciousness into the fleshy prison his own brother made for him, but his anger remained. When he arrives on Earth it is devoid of all human life until he happens across another in VR. Together they form a party, Beryl quite unwillingly, to save themselves. 

    I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed this book. It is a Sci-Fi with VR points that follows a pompous ass, a peppy gamer girl, a ship worker, and another transcendent being's sentient creation. We discover more and more about Beryl as the book goes along, but he is definitely one of those characters you love to hate. 

    At the beginning he is all pomp, attitude, and ego. However, as we learn more about him he becomes more relatable and you no longer dislike his instances. Given, we don't know everything he lost by becoming mortal, but he ends up doing a decent job of it by the end even with the pieces of himself he has left. 

    Fife is easily my favorite. Yes, she is the peppy gamer. She has spent her entire life (however long that may be as humans can now be bred to be essentially immortal) in VR knowing that she will eventually be the heir to some kind of major corporation. She has played and beat hundreds if not thousands of games and is a great leader. Now, she has to take these skills into the real world where there is no respawn if she messes up with someone who doesn't want to be there.    

    I feel this book wrapped up nicely and while I don't know if it is part of a series or not it has the potential to lead to more adventures down the road with how it closed. I definitely wouldn't be against more from them. 

    This book is available on Kindle Unlimited or buy it on Amazon for $5.99 by clicking here.  

Book Review: Shifter's Redemption by Angelique Anderson (The Immortal Opus Book 1)

    Hope has lived in her small village her entire life. It isn't much, but she loves her father and her fiancé. However, they have been keeping something from her. A darkness is swiftly approaching their home which kills everyone but her. For some reason Lucian allows her to leave, but when she wakes up she is no longer human. Somehow, she gained the ability to shift. Staying in that form was easy for a long time, but when another shifter appears in her land Hope decides it is time for vengeance against her lost home. 

    This is a book that sets up the story. We learn how the group met and about their backstories, but nothing of import was really discussed. The book was mildly entertaining with a few exciting scenes, but it didn't hold my attention enough to want to read on. I will say that the setting of this book was very well done. 

    The descriptors in the book allowed the reader to be able to see everything the characters did and seen. This was something I loved and allowed me to enjoy most aspects of the book. Even the overall plot line was good. Girl who doesn't know she is a shifter shifts after another shifter lays waste to her home killing everyone she knows. After years of exile she bands together with friendly shifters with the goal of vengeance with the in person support of their gods. 

    The premise is there. But. I genuinely hated Hope. It is hard to hate a main character so much and still remain invested in the book. I don't mean a character you love to hate, but that you actually can't stand. She goes from weak and pathetic to a swooning hoe. In the course of the book (which is a monogamy book, not a poly. Otherwise I wouldn't care) she goes from her fiancé dying to falling for the first man who she sees afterwards then swooning all over the guy who literally killed everyone she loved. Then back to the other guy. Just all the no. Meanwhile he is like yeah, Lucian just killed my pregnant wife, but you're great and we're definitely going to end up together. Just no. Maybe this series straightens out, unfortunately it's not one for me. 

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

Book Review: 1 Night by Bethany Lopez (Time for Love book .5)

     As a stripper in Vegas most of Simone's nights tended to blend together. But for once something stood out and was memorable. A man came into the club drunk and lost his friends. One of the girls took pity on this pup and sent him with her to have her help him to his room, wherever that may be. 

    I read the first couple books in the Time for Love series years ago. And I mean like 2017/2018 years ago. I always wondered how Cal who was obviously obsessed with his wife could ever cheat. I am so glad I stumbled across this prequal that tells us about that night. I really don't want to give anything away, but if you have read the Time for Love series, even just book 1, then you need to read this book. It makes you feel worlds better about everything. Also. I hope for wonderful things for Simone in the future. 

    That is all I am going to say on it. It is a prequal so it is a very short read and much more will tell you everything. By the way, if you happen to click the links at the bottom and read my reviews of the other two books I apologize. I was just starting reviews and they are...different compared to now. 

    This book is available for FREE on Amazon by clicking here. 

Books By this Author: 

8 Weeks (Time for Love Book 1)

21 Days (Time for Love Book 2)

Book Review: 10,000 Things I Hate About You by Lili Valente (The Virgin Playbook)

     Harlow has had a crush on Derrick forever. He was her best friend's brother and so off limits. Besides, it's not like he had ever looked at her like that anyways. She was just the annoying kid sister. Nothing even worth paying attention to unless she was getting herself in some kind of trouble. All that was changing tonight though. She was officially 18 and he was home for the weekend and was actually attending the field meetup with everyone else. 

    I am going to try really hard not to be too judgy on this. I have zero issues with the premise of this book, but it feels unfinished. I am hoping against hope that it is a prequal and their entire story takes place in another book. That this is just some inner angst. Because I don't like books that start and then don't finish their thoughts. And I really don't want to stop reading this author. I have read another by them before and I know I have more in my never-ending TBR. 

    Based on what I seen on Amazon it is like a prequal, but it also doesn't state that this is book .5 so I genuinely don't know. What bit of the book there was I enjoyed it and I really want to see what happens with the couple in the future. So fingers crossed and we will see. I can't tell you too much about the book other than what I put in the first paragraph without giving away absolutely everything that happens in this. 

    This prequal is available on Amazon for FREE by clicking here. 

Books by this author: 

Snowed in with the Boss (Master Me Book 2)

Book Review: Haunted: Perron Manor by Lee Mountford (Haunted Book 1)

 

    Sarah and Chloe inherit a house that is so far beyond anything they could ever had imagined owning. A sprawling manor that they hope to turn into a bed and breakfast, however the house has a dark past. Determined not to let the ghost stories, murders, or cult activities impact their dream the pair move in with Chloe's husband and young child in tow. Everything is going great until their boiler is set to be replaced and with it the minor activities in the house spiral. 

    I found this book from a Facebook ad. It suggested it, I was mildly interested, then I proceeded to see it every time I opened my app for the next week. So, I downloaded it. There were zero regrets. I will say I started to have some regrets towards the end of the book, but my concern didn't come to fruition, so it was fine. I draw a very hard line at child death and would have DNF'd it. But, all was well. 

    The child in question in the book, Emily, was on track for her age in some aspects and severely behind in others. At least in what I have seen with my 3 children as well as the other children I have been around at this age. Still, it was a minor detractor from the book, and didn't play a part in the actual plot. 

    As for the plot I loved it. One of my favorite books and movies will always be The Shining and this book does a great job of a haunted manor. Sprawling floorplan, cult room, ghosts, and a demon. Who couldn't love this. It's like someone took Rose Red, The Shining, and Thirteen Ghosts and decided they would make a great mashup. I have absolutely zero complaints about this book's plot and will definitely read more from this author. 

    I will say that this is book 1 of 9 in a series called Haunted. Personally, I think everything in this book wrapped up nicely, even with there being a technical reason to return to the house. If we are moving on to another place and even all new characters I would read on in the series. Sticking with the characters in this book as they complete their new vengeance doesn't hold a lot of personal appeal, though. 

    This book is available on Kindle Unlimited or buy it on Amazon for  $4.99 by clicking here. 

Book Review: Dimension Shifter BY T. M. Neilson (Dimension Saga Book 1)

     The dimensions are in chaos. Magic is illegal, realm jumping is only for the elite, and water is a rarity. Kyrin has been on the run most of her life. Sold to the emperor at the age of three it was discovered she was a magic user and tortured frequently thereafter until she escaped. Once she fled she discovered the ability to see portal markers and jump to a new dimension. With the help of the priestess of a God she is able to learn skills to keep her alive and somewhat safe. However, her God is not a forgiving God and the lord in her newest realm is intent in freeing her from his tortures. Even if she is considered a potential evil. 

    From start to finish this book was an exciting ride. We follow a young woman who has had to fight for her life for it's entirety. She is very beautiful, but hates her looks and finds solace in each new scar she accrues as they hide her more. Beauty gets you noticed which gets you in trouble. While escaping the Shadowmere, yet again, she finds herself in a new dimension where water is so plentiful it lays in frozen piles surrounding her entry point. 

    When she is saved by the Lord of this land she owes him a debt she insists must be repaid. Lord Alric is amused by this young girl and her insistence, taking her into his home as a maid. She quickly makes herself useful, displaying her skills in fighting as well as in unintentionally discovering a deception in his castle. Feelings slowly begin to build, no matter how one-sided it may seem. Alric's God, Sithis, wants to know more about this young woman while her God wants to know more about this world. 

    The characters in the book are wonderful. We all know I am a huge fan of any polytheistic religion and this book is strife with Gods, Goddesses, and battles on the human plane. These Gods have a very active hand in their people's lives and make no qualms about it. Alric was my favorite, although he was a bit naïve. Kyrin is naïve in the ways of inter-personal relationships, but Alric has more puppy tendencies. Adorable though. 

    I absolutely enjoyed this book and will likely look to read the next in the series eventually. It is book one in a series, however all major plot points in this book were resolved while leaving plenty open to keep the reader interested in moving on. The book has magic, dimensions, ogres, and all sorts of other fantastical elements. 

    This book is available on Amazon for FREE by clicking here. 

Book Review: My Cowboy by Sierra Rose (A Cowboy to Love Book 1)

     Jesse is about to lose his ranch so his brothers convince him to call the only lawyer they know, who just so happens to be his previous best friend. Mia left home for the big city leaving their sleepy little town behind her when she went to college and had never been back. But, regaining her lost morals has left her with plenty of free time to help out an old friend. However, there is more than paperwork and history between these two and things may take a different turn. 

    For the most part I loved this book. I loved the characters. The buildup. All of that. However. This is one of those terrible books that just stops mid story. I would love to continue this book. I really would. But, I have a rule against it when it is one story broken up over multiple books. Either put it all in one book or at least finish the plot point before stopping the book. I don't care if romance stretches over multiple books. That is more than fine. But for the love of everything finish your thought! 

    Basically in this book the main characters talk on the phone. We get a bit of backstory. There is romantic tension. She touches the paperwork from the pending trial. That is it. I really wanted to enjoy this story, and if it was complete I am sure I would have. Read if you want to get multiple books just to finish one actual book. 

    This "book" is available on Amazon for FREE by clicking here. 

Book Review: Ghost Unleashed by Charmaine Ross (Demon Cursed Book 1)

     Mom has had a curse her entire life. She sees dead people, but my sister and I have never seen anything. I work in the hospital and try to save as many people as possible while my sister would love to have the sight. She is a paranormal journalist. Mom has hidden herself away with dad as far away from people as possible, but when I mysteriously lose a patient and am not notified until the following morning and wind up hitting my head I start seeing people as well. People who shouldn't be there. Like my dead patient and a very handsome ghost detective. I need to help for them to move on, but I also don't want to go crazy like Mom....

    I went down a rabbit hole for ghost stories for a hot minute there. Not really sure why. And honestly this one has the ability to turn into a paranormal romance. Sort of. It's weird in that regard, although not the weirdest thing I've read and it was far from a no from me. Basically able to touch the ghost while astral projecting. Anyways. 

    This is a murder mystery type book, which I am all for. However, I will say that the antagonist was painfully obvious. Like from the first interaction with the character I had no doubts what happened. Wasn't sure on the why until later but the how and who was plain. It didn't take away from the story and getting to the bottom of things was fun. 

    This book wraps up the goal of the story nicely of helping her patient while leaving enough strings unattached to want to continue reading. Mostly to find out what happened with Elliott (her ghost detective). It could be a cute series. I really liked all of the characters involved. Well, aside from those we weren't meant to like. 

    Biggest detractor from me was the throwing in of religion. Yes, yes. Most people are religious and this would be a plus for them. I know that. Just stating my opinion. At least the writing and everything outside of that one aspect was enjoyable. Especially Elliott. 

    This book is available on Amazon for FREE by clicking here. 

Book Review: Midnight Screams by Sara Clancy (Banshee Book 1)

     For the last few years every time Benton sleeps he is cursed to see someone's death. Sometimes he knows them, other times he only knows a way to contact them once he wakes up. Everyone tells him it isn't real. There is some other explanation and he just needs to take his medicine. When he becomes an outcast after he tells people about his dreams his parents pack them up and move to a new town. It has always been a big city, but this town is so small that everyone knows everyone and he's already seen someone's death.

    This is an intriguing YA horror/thriller. We follow a teenager as he struggles fitting in with others and being unable to sleep. When he does sleep he sees someone die, but that isn't the worst of it. Instead of just seeing a death, which would be traumatic enough, Benton is forced to view things from the killer's perspective. He feels what they feel. When he gets to the new town he causes a car crash, which thankfully everyone is unscathed from. This prompts the meeting with a peppy and excitable girl around Benton's age who quickly becomes a second main character. 

    There is absolutely zero spice in this book nor romantic aspects. That being said, I could see a relationship forming later in the series. I enjoyed trying to figure out what was behind everything with Benton and his new friend along with discovering that there was more to Benton. My biggest complaint is that the name of the series gives away the closest guarded secret within the book. Otherwise, character building is great, as is setting and descriptions. 

    This book is available on Amazon for $6.99 by clicking here. 

Book Review: Wrath by Elle Thorne (Operation Outreach Book 1)

     Smyrna wants one thing: to avenge her best friend even if that means traveling to another planet and pretending to want to get hitched to an alien. Caayn has been just fine on his own until now, but his brother put his name into the wife pool with the Earthlings so he has a plan. Capture the women off the transport ship, drop them off somewhere else, go be a pirate. Simple enough. Except his little female is surprising and a bit enticing. But, she has a mate already, and he will get her to him, even if it means giving her up. 

    Sexy aliens who for once aren't 7 foot, blue, with a vibrating clit stimulator above their shlongs. Not kidding. Ice Planet Barbarians was a whoooleee segway into alien smut books. Anyways. The background for these aliens is that they are humans, but they aren't from Earth. Something about different descendants of the same species going off to make settlements on different worlds and Earth got cut off from communication and technology until the fact that they weren't from there was lost to time. Interesting little backstory that was just randomly dropped into this quick and very sexy book. The spice doesn't spice for most of the book, but when it does. 

    I am not a big fan of the books that start with the characters basically nonstop lying to each other and then it is just accepted like it was nothing, but to each their own. I try not to judge too harshly just because that isn't my thing. Ignoring that the book was good. I liked the characters. The main part of the book was accomplished completely while leaving off on a part that allows the reader to want to continue reading. I would absolutely read more by this author in the future. 

    This book is available on Amazon for FREE by clicking here. 

Book Review: Ghost in the Ring by Jonathan Moeller (Ghost Night Book 1)

     Caina has hung up the mantle as a spy for the Emperor and now wishes to live out her life with her new husband. However, someone seems to have other plans for the pair. On their wedding night they are sucked out of their bed and separated in a largely abandoned castle. What lurks inside is far from friendly. While looking for her husband she stumbles upon a young girl and a powerful ring. Taking the ring is her only option to keep her enemies from getting it, but the undead creatures sent after them as a result may be their undoing. 

    This is a very fast paced book with almost non-stop action. We go from a newly-wed bed to a new castle. The two main characters are cold, naked, and separated with no way of knowing if the other is even in the same place. While looking around they come across foes both known and unknown and potential allies. After reuniting they escape the castle, with a new treasure, and go to the nearest town where another threat becomes apparent before they can attempt to make their way home. 

    For the most part I enjoyed this book. The biggest detractor for me was the fact that the characters that large, elaborate pasts that seems like the reader should already know and be well-versed with before getting into the series. I am not sure if this is a spin-off of another series or if the author just didn't want to write all the actual stories he makes slight reference to in the course of this book, but it wasn't great for me. If I ignore that part and hold out hope that this is like a spin off series or something this is a good book. 

    This book is available on Amazon for FREE by clicking here. 

Book Review: Neon Dreams by Anna Mocikat (Neon Nights Book 2)

     Robots are completely safe for humanity. It has been programmed into each and every one. There has never been a reported robot murder. Until now. A man has been murdered by his own sexbot harem. Eviscerated to the point it is hard to tell how much of what remains is human. It is up to Siro and Spader to find who, or what, is responsible and fast. The victim's father is a retired board member and no one can know. 

    I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. As always I love Anna's books and this one did not disappoint. This book picks up a year after the events in book one. While you could, in theory, read this book without having read book one you are going to be missing a lot of background information if that is the route you choose. Personally I would suggest just starting with book one. And reading the BBE series while you are at it as there is a bit of cross-over. Both are set in the same area and have many of the same characters (ie Siro and Spader). 

    The book is well-written and engaging. We get to see as Siro filters through possible scenarios and the author only lets you know as much information at a given time as she is ready for you to know. I enjoyed the death scene. I am trying very hard to be vague here. Scene in lock-up with the robots. If you've read most (or all) of the author's books it isn't hard to guess what is really transpiring, but for newer readers there is every possibility it could be believed that this was the end for a character. 

    While I wasn't overly surprised by who was behind the murder I enjoyed the process of getting to that resolution and the author did a great job of trying to throw you off along the way. I think the "If you can't tell does it matter?" went a good way towards helping Siro with his own dilemmas surrounding getting cybernetic parts as that was always something he prided himself on not having before it was no longer an option.  

    As always, the main goal of the story was completed but there was still plenty of ability for the series to continue at the end of the book. I will absolutely be reading the next in this series when it comes out. 

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

Books by this Author: 

Shadow City (Shadow City Book 1)

Dark City (Shadow City Book 2)

Behind Blue Eyes (Behind Blue Eyes Book 1) 

Fallen Angels (Behind Blue Eyes Book 2)

War Games (Behind Blue Eyes Book 3)

The Last Stand (Behind Blue Eyes Book 4)

The Tigress (Behind Blue Eyes Book 5)

Level One (Cyber Squad Book 1)

Level Two (Cyber Squad Book 2) 

Level Three (Cyber Squad Book 3)

Nephilim Volume 1 (A Behind Blue Eyes Origin Volume 1)

Nephilim Volume 2 (A Behind Blue Eyes Origin Volume 2)

Nephilim Volume 3 (A Behind Blue Eyes Origin Volume 3)

Space Punks (Space Punks Book 1)

Nightingale's Song (Space Punks Book 2)

Neon Nights (Neon Nights Book 1)