Priority number one for August is to celebrate! Seriously, on August 8, I'm publishing my fifth book in five years -- Steel Empires Book 5: Steel Shadows. That's a pretty awesome accomplishment, and while it would be easy to focus on all the other projects I have (and am behind on), I shouldn't let this … Continue reading July Wrap-Up & August Goals
Review: A Duke in Disguise (Regency Impostors #2) by Cat Sebastian
It's hard to distill this book into a short review, because it was chock full of elements I loved with surprising moments at every turn. Sebastian is fantastic at creating characters that go against expectations, either the reader's or for their position in society. Verity and Ash follow the "friends to lovers" journey, but the … Continue reading Review: A Duke in Disguise (Regency Impostors #2) by Cat Sebastian
Review: The Mathematical Gambit (The Galipp Files #2) by Jamaila Brinkley
This story continues the adventures of a pair of professional spies -- if only their income from the profession could support them. Instead, Simon works on his magical studies and Anastasia relies on the patronage of members of the peerage who know about her clandestine role. The partners reunite to solve another case involving rich … Continue reading Review: The Mathematical Gambit (The Galipp Files #2) by Jamaila Brinkley
Review: “Eidolon” (Whyborne & Griffin #1.5) by Jordan L. Hawk
This short story takes place near the beginning of Whyborne and Griffin's relationship, and reading it after seven full novels is an interesting trip into the past. In this story, there's still a bit of relationship angst that I now know to be completely unfounded, but it's not so angsty as to make me roll … Continue reading Review: “Eidolon” (Whyborne & Griffin #1.5) by Jordan L. Hawk
Review: Proper English (Think of England #0.5) by K.J. Charles
I will happily read pages and pages of characters in a historical novel interact at a house party. Bonus points if half of them don't like each other, the other half like each other a bit too much, and at least one person is outright rude. I enjoyed myself so much, following the point of … Continue reading Review: Proper English (Think of England #0.5) by K.J. Charles
2019 Resolution Project: Magic Slays (Kate Daniels #5) by Ilona Andrews
My 2019 Resolution Project over at my other blog, Speculative Chic, is to read the entire Kate Daniels urban fantasy series by Ilona Andrews, finishing up with a first read of the final book in the series. I’ve read the fifth book, Magic Slays, before, but never officially reviewed it. You can find my full review here. An excerpt: “So … Continue reading 2019 Resolution Project: Magic Slays (Kate Daniels #5) by Ilona Andrews
Review: Reverb (Twisted Wishes #3) by Anna Zabo
Disclaimer: I consider the author a friend; however, I purchased this ebook for full price. The final book to follow the romantic escapes of the band Twisted Wishes focuses on bass player Mish Sullivan. She's pretty much the literal definition of strong, independent woman who knows what she wants. But what she wants is different … Continue reading Review: Reverb (Twisted Wishes #3) by Anna Zabo
Review: The Baker’s Beauty (River Hill #3) by Rebecca Norinne & Jamaila Brinkley
Disclaimer: I am friends with the authors; however, I purcahsed this ebook for full price. Sometimes my interest in the romance between two characters takes a backseat to my interest in the development of the characters themselves. This book was sweet and enjoyable, with all the traditional romance novel tropes, but I found myself much … Continue reading Review: The Baker’s Beauty (River Hill #3) by Rebecca Norinne & Jamaila Brinkley
Review: The Distiller’s Darling (River Hill #2) by Rebecca Norinne & Jamaila Brinkley
Disclaimer: I am friends with the authors; however, I purcahsed this ebook for full price. I felt a bit guilty enjoying a glass of port while reading this book, but I have a feeling that I'd have loved it no matter the beverage. Iain and Naomi have almost nothing in common on the surface, but … Continue reading Review: The Distiller’s Darling (River Hill #2) by Rebecca Norinne & Jamaila Brinkley
Review: A Prince on Paper (Reluctant Royals #3) by Alyssa Cole
I enjoyed the third book in the series just as much as the others, even if it was yet another take on the premise. I especially found the intersection between traditional fairy tales and modern royalty compelling. The character development paths of Nya and Johan sucked me in on their own, which is important when … Continue reading Review: A Prince on Paper (Reluctant Royals #3) by Alyssa Cole
Review: Tiamat’s Wrath (The Expanse #8) James S.A. Corey
After the rise of the Laconian Empire in the previous book, the crew of the Rocinante is spread across the universe once again. Naomi and Bobbie are both fighting an underground war in the ways they do best. These women continue to be my heroes and I adore them. This book especially shows the power … Continue reading Review: Tiamat’s Wrath (The Expanse #8) James S.A. Corey
2019 Resolution Project: Magic Bleeds (Kate Daniels #4) by Ilona Andrews
My 2019 Resolution Project over at my other blog, Speculative Chic, is to read the entire Kate Daniels urban fantasy series by Ilona Andrews, finishing up with a first read of the final book in the series. I’ve read the fourth book, Magic Bleeds, before, but never officially reviewed it. You can find my full review here. An excerpt: “This … Continue reading 2019 Resolution Project: Magic Bleeds (Kate Daniels #4) by Ilona Andrews
Review: “Magic Tests” (Kate Daniels #5.3) by Ilona Andrews
I first read this short story as part of the collection Small Magics. It also appears in the anthology An Apple for the Creature, edited by Charlaine Harris and Toni L.P. Kelner. My review is below: Because I’m always thrilled to learn more about Kate’s protege, I was delighted to read “Magic Tests” in this collection. Julie … Continue reading Review: “Magic Tests” (Kate Daniels #5.3) by Ilona Andrews
Review: Fallow (Whyborne & Griffin #8) by Jordan L. Hawk
Whyborne's angst starts out deep in this story, but after the revelations of the previous book, he's certainly got a lot on his mind. Luckily, this book continues the trend of splitting the narration between Whyborne and Griffin. Griffin's life isn't exactly cheery at the moment, as he struggles to connect with his dour husband, … Continue reading Review: Fallow (Whyborne & Griffin #8) by Jordan L. Hawk
Review: Magic Dreams (Kate Daniels #4.5) by Ilona Andrews
This fun novella features a new protagonist in the urban fantasy world of Kate Daniels, the weretiger Dali. She is absolutely adorable and I love her. But what I love best about her is that is also a complete badass, even if a different sort from Kate and Andrea Nash (two other POV characters in … Continue reading Review: Magic Dreams (Kate Daniels #4.5) by Ilona Andrews
Review: The Vintner’s Vixen (River Hill #1) by Rebecca Norinne & Jamaila Brinkley
Disclaimer: I am friends with both authors; however, I purchased this ebook for full price. This is a fun new series that brings together two writers whom I greatly enjoy. I'm excited to read more in the town of River Hill, and the story of Angelica and Noah was the perfect way to start. Sparks … Continue reading Review: The Vintner’s Vixen (River Hill #1) by Rebecca Norinne & Jamaila Brinkley
Review: Not Quite Perfect (Rocky Cove #1) by Rebecca Norinne
Disclaimer: I am friends with the author; however, I purchased this ebook for full price. On the surface, this plot reads like a wacky soap opera. Melodramatic and completely unrealistic. But Norinne makes it work, and every single character in this story is someone I can imagine meeting in real life. Beyond the primary plot, … Continue reading Review: Not Quite Perfect (Rocky Cove #1) by Rebecca Norinne
Review: The Star of Anatolia (The Galipp Files #1) by Jamaila Brinkley
When one reads a fantasy series, one expects the main character to be rather fantastical. But there's something to be said for viewing the world through the eyes of a more "boring" person, with no magical ability of her own. However, Anastasia Galipp is far from normal. She is a smart, independent young woman making … Continue reading Review: The Star of Anatolia (The Galipp Files #1) by Jamaila Brinkley
Review: “Into the Darkness” (Taine McKenna Adventures #1.5) by Lee Murray
This short story is not to be missed for any fan of the Taine McKenna adventures. It features everything I love about the series, condensed into an action-packed, bite-size piece. Well, not quite everything. This takes place in a small town in France rather than a New Zealand locale, but I promise everything else is … Continue reading Review: “Into the Darkness” (Taine McKenna Adventures #1.5) by Lee Murray
Review: Persepolis Rising (The Expanse #7) by James S.A. Corey
I put off reading this installment of the series for longer than I should have, because my husband mentioned in an offhand comment that a lot of time had passed since the previous book. I didn't want to read about new characters and new situations. Instead, what I got was a Rocinante crew who are closer … Continue reading Review: Persepolis Rising (The Expanse #7) by James S.A. Corey