This was another book picked up by my husband in his quest for graphic novels about women heroes by women authors. I'm a huge fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), but I didn't grow up on comic books, so I've been going into all the movies blind. I figured this would be a great … Continue reading Review: CAPTAIN MARVEL Vol. 1: Higher, Further, Faster, More by Kelly Sue Deconnick
Review: ARTICLES OF THE FEDERATION by Keith R. A. DeCandido
Reasons why you should read this book: You are a fan of political dramas that involve multiple main characters dealing with crises and scandals. The television show The West Wing is your favorite of all of those. You are curious about the inner workings of the Federation, a major government in the Star Trek universe, … Continue reading Review: ARTICLES OF THE FEDERATION by Keith R. A. DeCandido
Review: SNOWED by Maria Alexander
Disclaimer: The author and I share a publisher, and I helped proofread this novel before publication. If I had not been reading this novel on an expensive electronic device, I’d have thrown it across the room when I got to the ending. But not because it was a bad book. On the contrary, this book … Continue reading Review: SNOWED by Maria Alexander
Review: A TRAIL THROUGH TIME (Chronicles of St. Mary’s #4) by Jodi Taylor
It's hard to be a fan of time travel stories without also acquiring some familiarity of the alternate universe trope along the way. Jodi Taylor switches up her world a bit as Max receives the full effect of her second chance. But there are still enough similarities to our original St. Mary's Institute of Historical … Continue reading Review: A TRAIL THROUGH TIME (Chronicles of St. Mary’s #4) by Jodi Taylor
Review: ESSENTIAL MAGIC (Fay of Skye #1) by Cara McKinnon
Disclaimer: The author and I attended the same graduate school program and participate in group promotional tours for our books. However, I purchased my hardcopy version of this novel for full price. For a person who doesn't claim to be a "romance book" reader, I seem to keep lucking out with some amazing speculative fiction … Continue reading Review: ESSENTIAL MAGIC (Fay of Skye #1) by Cara McKinnon
Review: A SECOND CHANCE (Chronicles of St. Mary’s #3) by Jodi Taylor
You could read this as another installment of a series that only brings you time travel adventure (and misadventure). And if you read the book that way, or if that was all you were looking for, you'd still be in for a great ride. On the surface, this book doesn't bring anything to the fuller … Continue reading Review: A SECOND CHANCE (Chronicles of St. Mary’s #3) by Jodi Taylor
Review: A SYMPHONY OF ECHOES (Chronicles of St. Mary’s #2) by Jodi Taylor
There’s always a vague worry when picking up the second book in a series that it won’t quite measure up. That the first amazing novel was a flash-in-the-pan fluke, sucking up all of the author’s creativity and leaving only the dregs of inspiration for future installments. Luckily, I loved A Symphony of Echoes at least … Continue reading Review: A SYMPHONY OF ECHOES (Chronicles of St. Mary’s #2) by Jodi Taylor
Review: HIDDEN DESIGN: THE PROPHECY by Tia Tormen & C.K. Stone
Sex sells. Everyone knows that. Marketing professionals especially know that. But does the inclusion of sex necessarily make something better? Erotica has become more mainstream in popular fiction within the past few years and can make any genre book more appealing to the right audience. In some cases, however, the sexual element can detract from … Continue reading Review: HIDDEN DESIGN: THE PROPHECY by Tia Tormen & C.K. Stone
Review: A WIZARD’S FORGE (Woern Saga #1) by A.M. Justice
Disclaimer: I received a free ebook of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review. It’s no surprise that I was drawn to this book immediately, considering it’s fusion of fantasy and science-fiction elements, it’s excellent world-building, and its awesome protagonist named Vic (short for Victoria). But I’ve been burned by free … Continue reading Review: A WIZARD’S FORGE (Woern Saga #1) by A.M. Justice
Review: BURN FOR ME (Hidden Legacy #1) by Ilona Andrews
I really try not to be one of those people who judges a book by the cover, but I don't think there can be any argument that the cover of Burn For Me is about the most romance cover to ever be a romance cover. I don't care. Buy the book anyway. Ilona Andrews overturns … Continue reading Review: BURN FOR ME (Hidden Legacy #1) by Ilona Andrews
Review: SWEEP IN PEACE (Innkeeper Chronicles #2) by Ilona Andrews
This particular collection of books by writing team Ilona Andrews is published as serial novels on their website. When I read the first book in the Innkeeper Chronicles, I was really afraid that it was going to be a meandering mess. However, I ate up the first book (Clean Sweep) and was happy to come back … Continue reading Review: SWEEP IN PEACE (Innkeeper Chronicles #2) by Ilona Andrews
Review: NO NORMAL (Ms. Marvel Vol. 1) by G. Wilson & Adrian Alphona
My husband has been on a kick for graphic novels written by women, and I've been on a kick for diversity representation in speculative fiction, so this was a delightful find for both of us. I'm not familiar with any incarnation of this Marvel hero, but I was easily absorbed into the story line. I am … Continue reading Review: NO NORMAL (Ms. Marvel Vol. 1) by G. Wilson & Adrian Alphona
Review: JUST ONE DAMNED THING AFTER ANOTHER (The Chronicles of St. Mary’s #1) by Jodi Taylor
I stumbled across this book and picked it up on a whim, and I’m ever so glad that I did. While the concept of “secret organization that uses time travel for historical research purposes” isn’t new, Taylor manages to make this version her own with a number of subtle changes to the trope. One of … Continue reading Review: JUST ONE DAMNED THING AFTER ANOTHER (The Chronicles of St. Mary’s #1) by Jodi Taylor
Review: SMALL MAGICS by Ilona Andrews
Favorite story: Because I'm always thrilled to learn more about Kate's protege, I was delighted to read "Magic Tests" in this collection. Julie shined in this story, especially because she's not just a miniature version of Kate. She's been influenced by all the adults in her life, and it shows in the way she handles interpersonal … Continue reading Review: SMALL MAGICS by Ilona Andrews
June Wrap-Up & July Goals
June has definitely been one of my rougher months in recent memory. The bad news is that I don't feel like I got as far on a lot of my projects as I wish I could be. The good news is that I'm spending the long holiday weekend with my husband! Mississippi is hot and … Continue reading June Wrap-Up & July Goals
Review: “The Visitor” by J.L. Pattison
Some short stories take a lot of information and parse it down into a quick, streamlined adventure. Some take a lot of information and pack it in to the point of leaving the reader to wonder why the author didn't just go ahead and write a novel. Unfortunately, J.L. Pattison's "The Visitor" was the latter … Continue reading Review: “The Visitor” by J.L. Pattison
Review: MAGIC STARS by Ilona Andrews
I know that I have about a million favorite things about this series, but two of them are definitely Julie and Derek, the foster kids/proteges of the two main characters. Watching them "grow up" and come into their own skills and powers over the course of the books has been a treat, and it was … Continue reading Review: MAGIC STARS by Ilona Andrews
Review: “Method Writing” by K.W. Taylor
Disclaimer: This author and I share a publisher, and I consider her a good friend. However, I purchased this short story for full price. "Method Writing" is one of those short stories that covers characters and events that deserve to be a novel. However, it is the rare sort of writer who knows that sometimes … Continue reading Review: “Method Writing” by K.W. Taylor
Review: MAGIC GIFTS by Ilona Andrews
This is a fun filler novella that takes place during Ilona Andrews' novel Gunmetal Magic. Because so much urban fantasy/paranormal romance involves a burgeoning romantic relationship between the main characters, it's always a treat to stop by and visit Kate and Curran. Especially when they are trying to do cute couple stuff, which always seem to … Continue reading Review: MAGIC GIFTS by Ilona Andrews
Review: FROST BURN by K.T. Munson and Nichelle Rae
DISCLAIMER: I received a free ebook copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. It's really easy to make assumptions about this book from the artwork and back cover blurb. The good assumptions are right on the nose for a happy ending: strong female characters and two kingdoms that must unite to overcome adversity. … Continue reading Review: FROST BURN by K.T. Munson and Nichelle Rae