Read my review of the series prequel, Salt in the Wound. I have zero regrets about enjoying the series prequel before this official beginning to the trilogy, but I’m curious how readers who did not read it engaged with the progression of this compelling story. For me, Isolde was a constant, almost ominous presence even … Continue reading Book Review: Salt Kiss (Lyonesse #1) by Sierra Simone
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Book Review: Claiming Marcus (Lords of Discord #1) by Jocelynn Drake
Sometimes I get the urge to go back to my original love of my vampires, and this series by an author I already enjoy seemed like the perfect opportunity. Drake pulls no punches by introducing us immediately to (half) the main heroes, dropping tantalizing clues and setting up future conflict right out the gate with … Continue reading Book Review: Claiming Marcus (Lords of Discord #1) by Jocelynn Drake
Book Review: All I Want (All’s Fair #1) by Abrianna Denae
Denae doesn’t waste any time letting readers know what they’re in for with the start of this book. It’s a fairly brutal way to set up a romance, even a dark one. However, launching us straight into the black moment of this story sets up both main characters well, especially since their emotional (and physical) … Continue reading Book Review: All I Want (All’s Fair #1) by Abrianna Denae
August Wrap-Up & September Goals
Since I finally wrote "the end" on Earth & Water on August 1, the rest of the month was focused on the boring admin side of officially launching myself in the self-publishing world. Most of it isn't very fancy, beyond being able to say I am officially a Maryland small business owner, but I am … Continue reading August Wrap-Up & September Goals
Book Review: Patience (Damned Connections #1) by Lark Taylor
This book picks up moments after the close of the previous series set in the same world, and includes many of those previous heroes as significant secondary characters, so I’m not sure how well this book works as a stand-alone. However, as someone who did read and enjoy that previous series, I was already more … Continue reading Book Review: Patience (Damned Connections #1) by Lark Taylor
Book Review: Sentinel’s Soul (Sentinel’s Saga #1) by Kristopher L. Campa
I had the pleasure of reading an early draft of this book, but it was long enough ago that I came into the final version with mostly fresh eyes and more than enjoyed a second visit to this world. This series debut presents a fascinating urban fantasy world that separates religious mythology and imagery from … Continue reading Book Review: Sentinel’s Soul (Sentinel’s Saga #1) by Kristopher L. Campa
Book Review: Death’s Bloom (Monsters & Mayhem) by Lily Mayne
Read my reviews of previous books in the Monsters & Mayhem series: Lightning Born by Sam Burns | In Darkness and Dank by K.L. Hiers This story begins from Ari’s perspective, in which he is living the opposites-attract trope of a typical contemporary romance. A quick glimpse into Theo’s point of view shows that we’re in … Continue reading Book Review: Death’s Bloom (Monsters & Mayhem) by Lily Mayne
Book Review: Pretty Black (Pretty Broken #5) by J.R. Gray
Read my reviews of the previous books in the Pretty Broken series: Pretty Obsessed (#1) | Pretty Toxic (#2) | Pretty Wreck (#3) | Pretty F*cked (#4) The final book in this excellent rock star romance series, which also serves as the second half of an internal duology with the previous book, Pretty F*ed, drops readers right back into … Continue reading Book Review: Pretty Black (Pretty Broken #5) by J.R. Gray
Book Review: Tempest (Immortals Descending #4) by Iris Foxglove
Read my reviews of the previous books in the Immortals Descending series: Storm Front (#1) | Shadowfall (#2) | Daybreak (#3) Part of me feels like I’ve already gushed about this series as much as I possibly can, but then the authors give me another twist that adds layers to this excellent epic fantasy world. Good fantasy makes … Continue reading Book Review: Tempest (Immortals Descending #4) by Iris Foxglove
Book Review: On the Double (The Renegades #3) by Cara Dee
Read my reviews of previous books in The Renegades series: Rogue Launch (#1) | Enemy Combatant (#2) Reece, River, and Shay Tenley (affectionately known as “TenShay”) are some of my favorite Dee characters across her expansive, connected universe. I’d have read this stand-alone series even without the promise of a book concentrating on this trio, … Continue reading Book Review: On the Double (The Renegades #3) by Cara Dee
Book Review: Gale (Hammer and Fist: Geminatus #2) by Jennifer Cody
Read my review of the first book in the Hammer and Fist: Geminatus series, Inferno. I have previously joked that I want to live in Cody’s brain, and this book is another excellent example of why. I adore the world she has created between the joint Hammer and Fist series, and whether Lextalion or Ranger-Hunter … Continue reading Book Review: Gale (Hammer and Fist: Geminatus #2) by Jennifer Cody
Book Review: Teach Me to Sin (Water, Air, Earth, Fire #4) by Riley Nash
I binge-read the first three books (and supplementary content) in this series in a single weekend, put the release date for the final book on my calendar, and anxiously counted down the days. Then, because I’m a lucky brat, the author was kind enough to send me an advanced copy! Which, of course, I promptly … Continue reading Book Review: Teach Me to Sin (Water, Air, Earth, Fire #4) by Riley Nash
Book Review: Real Gold by Deven Balsam
I’m spoiled for choice these days, which means I don’t often take a chance on new authors. However, this book came highly recommended by an author I enjoy and features the sort of genre-blending that I love to promote, so I jumped at the chance to read an advanced copy. The writing style does feature … Continue reading Book Review: Real Gold by Deven Balsam
Book Review: Halo by E.M. Lindsey
Victor and Oliver may come from thoroughly different walks of life, and exist in vastly different current lives, but this isn’t an opposites-attract romance. Instead, this is a story about love arriving when it’s least expected (and possibly even least wanted) for two people who don’t believe they deserve it but are still able to … Continue reading Book Review: Halo by E.M. Lindsey
Book Review: Accidentally August by E.M. Denning
The fun thing about romance tropes is that the same general story can be told a million different ways, even by the same author. Denning doesn’t necessarily stretch the boundaries of the “brother’s best friend” trope with her latest book, beyond adding a bit of an age-gap element, but her excellent characterization work elevates this … Continue reading Book Review: Accidentally August by E.M. Denning
Book Review: Heartstrings Series by Erica Montrose
This post includes reviews of the books in the Heartstrings series: Write From the Heart (#1) | Heart For Sale (#2) | Heart Medicine (#3) Write From the Heart (Heartstrings #1) Contemporary romance doesn’t always have to mean a completely realistic setting or characters. In this instance, we’ve got talented, prolific, successful (and self-published) author … Continue reading Book Review: Heartstrings Series by Erica Montrose
Book Review: Enemy Combatant (The Renegades #2) by Cara Dee
Read my review of the first book in The Renegades series, Rogue Launch. This series is designed to stand alone, and the heroes of book 1 were brand new even for long-time readers of Dee’s work. In contrast, book 2 is still accessible for new readers, but I had the pleasure to already start firmly … Continue reading Book Review: Enemy Combatant (The Renegades #2) by Cara Dee
Book Review: Humbled (Trophy Doms Social Club #1) by Kate Hawthorne
This book is the beginning of a new series, but one of the heroes is an important secondary character in previous books by this author. I can confirm that this book does work as a stand-alone, but I was thrilled that Grayson got the metaphorical upgrade to anchor a new collection. I first read Hawthorne … Continue reading Book Review: Humbled (Trophy Doms Social Club #1) by Kate Hawthorne
July Wrap-Up & August Goals
While I had high hopes for finishing the first draft of Earth and Water in July, I'll admit my track record for the past 2 years hasn't been the best with these aspirations. Then the spouse went to Puerto Rico for work, and I decided last minute to take a week off and join him. … Continue reading July Wrap-Up & August Goals
Book Review: Starshine by Alethea Faust
I know that a lot of readers have come to the main books of the series because of the intrigue of “sex wizards” and/or “kink-based magic system.” That’s not a bad thing, and I’ll admit those added to my curiosity when I gave them a shot, but the downside to the first descriptor especially is … Continue reading Book Review: Starshine by Alethea Faust