Author: J.L. Gribble
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Book Review: The Goblin Twins by Kit Barrie
This epic fantasy with a touch of romance fulfilled at least 90 percent of my expectations, and I’m pretty sure that the only reason it didn’t max out is that it’s a debut novel. This is not an insult—Barrie may still have room to grow, but she avoids so many…
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Book Review: Necessary Space by Kate Hawthorne
Hawthorne is one of my must-buy authors because she writes compelling romances that are more than just a collection of tropes. Sure, it’s easy to describe this book as a “kinky age-gap romance,” but Hendrix and Miles are more than their ages and their relationship is about far more than…
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Book Review: Fate of the Moon by Sara Dobie Bauer
For readers who have not read “omegaverse” fiction before, this book is a well-crafted introduction to this intriguing subgenre. Bauer provides the reader with a brief but excellent primer on the intricacies of this world (werewolves, in this case) couched in the necessary description of Shay’s immediate circumstances. While not…
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Book Review: Alastair (Sons of the Fallen #7) by Jaclyn Osborn
Read my reviews of the previous books in the Sons of the Fallen series: Galen (#1) | Castor (#2) | Daman (#3) | Gray (#4) | Bellamy (#5) | Raiden (#6) Osborn dropped enough subtle clues in previous books in this series for me to guess that Alastair and Lazarus would be the final pairing, but…
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February Wrap-Up & March Goals
I mocked fate hard with last month’s blog post. Remember how I said I might be coming down with something? One of the worst colds I’ve ever had in my life knocked me out for a solid week. I may joke that napping is my Olympic sport, but sleeping 18+…
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Book Review: A Holiday to Sustain Us (Magi Accounts #3.4) by Michele Notaro
Read my reviews of the previous books in the Magi Accounts series: Our Hearts That Tie Us (#0.5) | The Scars That Bind Us (#1) | A Kiss to Revive Me (#1.5) | The Shackles That Hold Us (#2) | A Date to Impress Him (#2.5) | A Purpose That Restores Us (#3) This novella is…
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Book Review: Wholly Trinity (Les’s Bar #3) by Jodi Payne & B.A. Tortuga
Read my reviews of the previous books in the Les’s Bar series: Just Dex (#1) | Hide Bound (#2) Many books by this author pair fall into the “comfort read” category for me, especially because of the fascinating intersection of city versus cowboy, power exchange, and surprising external story elements. While always…
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Free Short Story!
“The Reluctant Master” Steel Empires #0.5J.L. Gribble Decades before the events of the Steel Empires series, Victory and Mikelos both have reason to leave their previous lives. Victory, by choice, to support the dreams of her family. Mikelos, by fate, after he loses everyone whom he holds dear. They choose…
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Book Review: Taste of Greed (Carnal Tower #3) by E.M. Lindsey
Read my reviews of the previous books in the Carnal Tower series: Shades of Lust (#1) | Waiting on Forever (#2) Though previous readers of this series have met both main characters beforehand, new readers should have no trouble with this installment as a stand-alone. In the prologue, Lindsey sends us briefly…
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Book Review: Zyon (Kingdoms of Pelas #1) by Michelle Frost & Michele Notaro
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…
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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…
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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…
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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,…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…