Tag: books
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Book Review: Lessons in Chemistry by Colette Davison
I was warned a few times before I was offered an advanced copy of this book that this was not the typical “MMM” story like most of those I’d read previously in the genre. Since I am all about unexpected stories, especially those that push at genre tropes, I still…
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Book Review: Reactant (Chain Reaction #2) by Aurora Crane
Read my review of the first book in the Chain Reaction series, Catalyst. This book picks up immediately after the first and dives back into the intricate plotting and relationship development that I already loved about this series. This is another long installment, but between all the layers of story,…
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Book Review: Rogue Launch (The Renegades #1) by Cara Dee
I had this crazy idea when this series was announced that all the action would happen concurrently in each book, meaning we’d get full closure for both the external and relationship arcs, with the final installment being an extended wrap-up. I know, I know, totally wishful thinking on my part…
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Book Review: Like I Pretended (Heather Bay #4) 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) | Like I Needed (#3) One of my favorite aspects of Novak’s writing is that not only does each series portray a fantastic cast of well-developed primary and…
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Book Review: Anti-Hero (Wild Heart Ranch #4) by Kelly Fox
Read my reviews of the previous books in the Wild Heart Ranch series: Sworn Enemy (#1) | Good Behavior (#2) | Savior Complex (#3) Fox has been building the potential for a relationship between Ant and Erik from the very beginning of this series, along with centering elements of the series itself on…
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Book Review: Home Free (Higher Elevations) by Jodi Payne & B.A. Tortuga
It is clear from the very start of this book that Early and Connor are two people who are very much in love and who prioritize each other and their family. Starting on such a high note meant I knew that the dark point would be even more difficult. However,…
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Book Review: Affogato (BrewBiz #1) by E.M. Lindsey
I’m really sensitive to second-hand embarrassment, so while I was excited to read this book, I dreaded the inciting incident warned about in the description. Lindsey starts the story by dropping us right into the event, so at least I didn’t have to stress about when it would come. Even…
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Book Review: Reluctant Renegade (Rebel Kings MC #5) by Garrett Leigh
Read my reviews of the previous books in the Rebel Kings MC series: Devil’s Dance (#1) | Saint’s Song (#2) | Forgive Me Father (#3) | Love Thy Brother (#4) We’re a few books deep into this relatively interconnected series by this point, and readers are at least a little familiar with the main…
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Book Review: Salt in the Wound (Lyonesse #0.5) by Sierra Simone
I adored Simone’s New Camelot trilogy, which was a fascinating take on Arthurian legend set in contemporary American politics. References are made to the full cast in this modern setting, and I was instantly intrigued by what this author would do when bringing the Mark/Isolde/Tristan saga to the foreground. Of…
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Book Review: Riehse Eshan Series by Adelaide Blaike
This post includes reviews of the following books in the Riehse Eshan series: A Knife and a Blade (#1) | A Whisper and a Breath (#2) | A Shadow and a Storm (#3) A Knife and a Blade (Riehse Eshan Book 1) This novel is the first in a series…
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Book Review: Bloodlines by A.E. Lister
Vampires are still my first love in the urban fantasy and paranormal romance genres, but I’m to the point of being so picky about how they’re portrayed that I was originally hesitant to volunteer to read an advanced copy of this book. However, Lister does an excellent job leaning into…
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June Wrap-Up & July Goals
I hit a great productivity groove this past month! It’s amazing how much you can get done when your cats insist on waking you at 6 AM every morning. And your spouse is on another continent for 3 weeks. Okay, I guess I missed him. And I do love the…
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Book Review: Luck of the Devil (Reckless Damned #4) by Lark Taylor
Read my reviews of previous books in the Reckless Damned series: Devil’s Mark (#1) | Devil May Care (#2) | Deal With the Devil (#3) Though this review is being posted long after the book launched, that’s because I’m fighting a backlog of reviews, not because I didn’t immediately dive into this series…
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Book Review: Brick and Brass (Hammer and Fist: Lextalion #2) by Jennifer Cody
Read my review of the first book in the Hammer and Fist: Lextalion series, Sledge and Claw I optimistically decided on my own that this series was a duology. Of course, this meant I got to about 85% through the book and panicked because I could tell the major storylines…
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Book Review: DragonRider (DragonKin #1) by S. Rodman
Rodman hooked me on this urban fantasy setting within the first pages of the book, using quick, subtle details to set up the broad scope of the secret fantasy elements without resorting to direct explanation. Once Kirby arrived at the castle and learned the true reason for his presence, I…
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Book Review: Take the Plunge by Colette Davison
Limited new ways exist to start a novel, regardless of genre, and contemporary fiction is even more constrained in options. “Waking up hungover and handcuffed to my best friend’s little brother while stranded in the middle of the woods” is pretty unique, especially when for the beginning of a contemporary…
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Con Report: StokerCon 2023
Funny story: I don’t actually read horror. I can do hauntings and serial killers and a little bit of cosmic dread, but overall, being uncomfortable isn’t relaxing for me. I also don’t write horror (though this might eventually change since I actually come up with some pretty decent ideas). However,…
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Book Review: A Gentle Way to Love (Ways to Love #1) by Abrianna Denae
I joke that I read polyamory romances because you get more relationships for the price of one, but the reality is that I truly enjoy the intricacies that can develop out of the traditional storyline arc when three (or more) people are involved. The general premise of this book was…
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StokerCon 2023 Schedule
I was supposed to be at StokerCon in Denver in 2022, but unfortunately, it occurred less than 2 weeks after the only time I came down with a certain illness. Therefore, I’m thrilled to return this year for the first time since 2019 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I’m incredibly excited…
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Book Review: Rapture by E.M. Lindsey
I figured out pretty quickly that my reading tastes don’t necessarily run to the typical mafia romance conceits, in which the suave, capable mob guy swoops in to save (in whatever capacity) the other main character. However, I was more than willing to take a chance on this subgenre in…