Frost and Notaro don’t hesitate to throw readers right into the action at the beginning of this book, in which we experience a drastic change in Theon’s life, but like him, have no idea about the reason for it. Even though the book description telegraphs his eventual (happier) circumstances, I felt his same visceral fear … Continue reading Book Review: Zyon (Kingdoms of Pelas #1) by Michelle Frost & Michele Notaro
Book Review: Maniac (Necessary Evils #7) by Onley James
Read my reviews of the previous books in the Necessary Evils series: Unhinged (#1) | Psycho (#2) | Moonstruck (#3) | Damaged (#3.5) | Headcase (#4) | Mad Man (#5) | Lunatic (#6) The final book in this epic and addictive series delivers on multiple unspoken promises: a sprawling cast of characters featuring all of our favorites from previous books, an explanation … Continue reading Book Review: Maniac (Necessary Evils #7) by Onley James
Con Report: Farpoint 2023
Last weekend I attended Farpoint, a pop culture convention local to the Baltimore area, as a panelist and presenter on the writing and fandom tracks! As I explained to a handful of authors that I met for the first time during the event, I don't generally attend conventions for the primary purpose of selling books. … Continue reading Con Report: Farpoint 2023
Book Review: The Rest of the Story by Tal Bauer
This author’s books might have romance at their core, but he never fails to suck me into the overall story that is always so much greater than the spark between two characters. Morgan certainly isn’t looking for romance at the beginning of this book. He’s barely looking for a home, but he’s resigned to playing … Continue reading Book Review: The Rest of the Story by Tal Bauer
Book Review: What He Learns (Desires: New Beginnings #1) by E.M. Denning
This book launches a spin-off collection of stand-alone romances in a previous series. Though I’ve read the earlier books, I’m pretty sure this one works well in isolation, with some previous main characters appearing as strong secondary characters here, not just as treat cameos for loyal readers. Denning introduces the world and the new heroes … Continue reading Book Review: What He Learns (Desires: New Beginnings #1) by E.M. Denning
Book Review: Like I Needed (Heather Bay #3) by Charlie Novak
Read my reviews of the previous books in the Heather Bay series: Like I Pictured (#0.5) | Like I Promised (#1) | Like I Wished (#2) I couldn’t figure out why I had mixed feelings about this book until I slept on it after finishing. No uncertainty about the quality of the book—as usual, Novak delivers with her … Continue reading Book Review: Like I Needed (Heather Bay #3) by Charlie Novak
Book Review: Sins That Define Us (Madly Ever After #3) by E.M. Lindsey
Read my reviews of the previous books in the Madly Ever After series: Sins That Find Us (#1) | Sins That Bind Us (#2) In another world, more of this trilogy delved deeper into the history of and relationships between the complicated dynamics between Kane, Phoenix, James, and Ari. I will never penalize an author in a … Continue reading Book Review: Sins That Define Us (Madly Ever After #3) by E.M. Lindsey
Farpoint 2023 Schedule!
This weekend, pending the status of the terrible cold I'm currently experiencing at the time of this posting, I'll be at Farpoint 2023 for my first convention of the year! Farpoint 30February 10-12, 2023Delta Hotel by MarriotHunt Valley, MD Friday 5:00 PM: Drive to Finish (panel, Salon E)Do you have the drive to finish your … Continue reading Farpoint 2023 Schedule!
Book Review: Fate in Suspension (Horn & Haven #1) by Archer Kay Leah
I don’t often take chances on books like this one, but it had too many elements that interested me to resist, so I indulged myself specifically for a vacation read. I have zero regrets after the fact, and I’ve added this author to my watch list for further installments to this series. Books in which … Continue reading Book Review: Fate in Suspension (Horn & Haven #1) by Archer Kay Leah
January Wrap-Up & February Goals
I think I'm coming down with something, so obviously, the answer is to ignore it and power through, right? We'll see what wins, my to-do list or my motivation! Do you use to-do lists? How do you keep track of your goals? About 6 months ago, acting on inspiration from a fellow author, I expanded … Continue reading January Wrap-Up & February Goals
Book Review: Devil May Care (Reckless Damned #2) by Lark Taylor
Read my review of the first book in the Reckless Damned series, Devil's Mark. The slight downside to knowing how some of the worldbuilding works in an established series is that it can be harder to draw certain elements out for the audience. It’s fairly obvious from the epilogue of the previous book in this … Continue reading Book Review: Devil May Care (Reckless Damned #2) by Lark Taylor
Book Review: The Trouble With Trying to Love a Hellion (Murder Sprees & Mute Decrees #3) by Jennifer Cody
Read my reviews of previous books in the Murder Sprees & Mute Decrees series: The Trouble With Trying to Date a Murderer (#1) | The Trouble With Trying to Save an Assassin (#2) The previous narrator of this series is so vibrant that Cody takes a risk with this departure, especially since Edovard is vastly different from … Continue reading Book Review: The Trouble With Trying to Love a Hellion (Murder Sprees & Mute Decrees #3) by Jennifer Cody
Book Review: Third Time Lucky by Aurora Crane
The world-building nerd in me loves when authors write multiple stories in the same universe, even if the characters and events can stand alone. This is my third visit to this low-key shared world, and I thoroughly enjoy the sprawling connections of friendship and family that link the characters. And though the previous books were … Continue reading Book Review: Third Time Lucky by Aurora Crane
Destination Research: Israel
In the past few years, I have participated in virtual panels on multiple topics for Con-Tinual: The Con That Never Ends. Yesterday, I also contributed to their weekly #DestinationResearch about my visit to Israel in October 2022. The content of those posts is included below, but if you're interested in a great Facebook community with … Continue reading Destination Research: Israel
Book Review: Sins That Bind Us (Madly Ever After #2) by E.M. Lindsey
Read my review of the first book in the Madly Ever After series, Sins That Find Us. Lindsey doesn’t leave us hanging off the cliff they left us in the previous book for long. However, while Kane’s kidnapping is established, his rescue isn’t quite so straightforward. The guys go through a lot to find him, … Continue reading Book Review: Sins That Bind Us (Madly Ever After #2) by E.M. Lindsey
Book Review: Apex Predator (The Game #11) by Cara Dee
Read my reviews of the previous books in The Game series: Top Priority (#1) | Their Boy (#2) | Breathless (#3) | Doll Parts (#4) | Out of the Ashes (#5) | The Shepherd (#6) | Adrift in the Embers (#7) | Hostile Takeover (#8) | Senseless (#9) | The Secret Plan (#10) Dee once told me that she was worried I’d eventually be disappointed … Continue reading Book Review: Apex Predator (The Game #11) by Cara Dee
Book Review: Shadowfall (Immortals Descending #2) by Iris Foxglove
Read my review of the first book in the Immortals Descending series, Storm Front. Like the previous book in this series, this one starts with a fascinating origin story. This time, it’s not the origin story of a god, but of the inciting event to his evolution. Foxglove kicks us off with lots of questions, … Continue reading Book Review: Shadowfall (Immortals Descending #2) by Iris Foxglove
Book Review: One for the Road by Kate Hawthorne
One of my favorite things about Hawthorne’s writing is the way she plays with tropes in a manner that takes the story beyond the obvious. This is very much a second-chance romance, as a family tragedy forces one character home for the first time since leaving his high school boyfriend behind. However, that’s where the … Continue reading Book Review: One for the Road by Kate Hawthorne
Book Review: Forgive Me Father (Rebel Kings MC #3) by Garrett Leigh
Read my reviews of previous books in the Rebel Kings MC series: Devil’s Dance (#1) | Saint’s Song (#2) Though Cam, Saint, and Alexei are the characters we followed in the first books of this series, every officer of the Rebel Kings MC played a role in events that drastically affected them all. In this book, while … Continue reading Book Review: Forgive Me Father (Rebel Kings MC #3) by Garrett Leigh
Book Review: Everything’s Changing by Chelsea Stickle
Stickle doesn’t pull any punches with the start of this chapbook, which starts the way I anticipated but then gets very weird. Despite the back cover description, I had expected more “realistic” stories, so this is an immediate departure from Stickle’s previous collection. But like the dedication says, weird is not a bad thing. Even … Continue reading Book Review: Everything’s Changing by Chelsea Stickle