As usual, Hawk excels in crafting unique characters that you can't help but fall in love with and root for. On the surface, this book is a typical tale of two people from different social strata falling in love and dealing with the barriers between them. But there's also a bonus police procedural plot and … Continue reading Review: Hexmaker (Hexworld #2) by Jordan L. Hawk
Review: “The 13th Hex” (Hexworld #0.5) by Jordan L. Hawk
This delicious short story, packed with adventure and romance, can be read at any point during the Hexworld series. I enjoyed this look into how Rook and Dominic became working (and more) partners, and as an added bonus, Cicero (from Hexbreaker) is a prominent character. Hawk packs a solid bit of worldbuilding into this fantasy … Continue reading Review: “The 13th Hex” (Hexworld #0.5) by Jordan L. Hawk
Review: The Spare by Miranda Dubner
As an author who regularly breaks genre rules herself, it came as no surprise to me that this book was self-published. It is absolutely a love story and romance. But it centers on more than the two heroes, includes a healthy dose of family drama, and has the audacity to feature more than two points … Continue reading Review: The Spare by Miranda Dubner
Review: Bringer of Night (SPECTR #3.2) by Jordan L. Hawk
After all the shenanigans that have occurred over the course of this series, a run-of-the-mill murder mystery and case of mistaken identity are almost too boring for our heroes. Except nothing about this string of murders is normal, and John, Caleb, and Gray have friends (both old and new) along for the ride. There's yet … Continue reading Review: Bringer of Night (SPECTR #3.2) by Jordan L. Hawk
Review: Stalker of Shadows (SPECTR #3.1) by Jordan L. Hawk
The first installment of the next SPECTR epic brings us something completely different -- and all the best parts of exactly the same. John is now the character who must wait patiently while Caleb and Gray get to do what they do best (eat demons). They're in a new setting, which is why everyone is … Continue reading Review: Stalker of Shadows (SPECTR #3.1) by Jordan L. Hawk
Review: SPECTR: The Complete Second Series by Jordan L. Hawk
Includes the titles: Mocker of RavensDancer of DeathDrinker of BloodBreaker of ChainsShaker of Earth I read this collection even faster than I did the first one. It's too bad I can't give it an even higher rating than 5 stars. John, Caleb, and Gray are back to doing what they do best -- dispatch demons … Continue reading Review: SPECTR: The Complete Second Series by Jordan L. Hawk
Review: SPECTR: The Complete First Series by Jordan L. Hawk
Includes the titles: Hunter of DemonsMaster of GhoulsReaper of SoulsEater of LivesDestroyer of WorldsSummoner of Storms Honestly, my review can be boiled down like this: I purchased the series as a full set, but the books were so good that I didn't want to pause in between to write individual reviews of each book. My … Continue reading Review: SPECTR: The Complete First Series by Jordan L. Hawk
Review: A Little Light Mischief (Turner Series #3.5) by Cat Sebastian
This story can be read without the others in the Turner Series, though I highly recommend them. It also shows how women have both more and less freedom to choose their paths in life during this time period. Molly and Alice are both trapped by financial circumstances, but their ability to share a room is … Continue reading Review: A Little Light Mischief (Turner Series #3.5) by Cat Sebastian
Review: The Rat-Catcher’s Daughter (Lilywhite Boys #0.5) by K.J. Charles
One of my favorite things about K.J. Charles’ writing is how she weaves together emotion, intrigue, and suspense. Another of my favorite things is how she inserts non-straight and nonbinary characters without unnecessary fanfare into historical fiction that too often lacks such representation as it it never existed before the twentieth century. In combination, she … Continue reading Review: The Rat-Catcher’s Daughter (Lilywhite Boys #0.5) by K.J. Charles
Review: Follow Him Home (Lovers Rush/Alternate Worlds #1) by P.W. Davies
This book started off slow, but quickly escalated to an interesting story line I found hard to put down. All three protagonists where well-developed and intriguing in their own way. Even the doctor Peter might seem bland on the surface, but his depths were revealed in the way he reacted to both Christian and Victor. … Continue reading Review: Follow Him Home (Lovers Rush/Alternate Worlds #1) by P.W. Davies
Review: Spectred Isle (Green Men #1) by K.J. Charles
Though it's not stated explicitly, I think this book is best read after the author's The Secret Casebook of Simon Feximal. Some secondary characters cross over, and it provides a good grounding on how the supernatural exists in this world. However, this book takes a deeper look at the nature of magic in this version … Continue reading Review: Spectred Isle (Green Men #1) by K.J. Charles
Review: Balefire (Whyborne & Griffin #10) by Jordan L. Hawk
Ten is a solid, round number, so I thought this would be the final book in the series. I was disappointed that the grand finale didn't look like it would take place in the city of Widdershins, but I figured out early in the story that this was not the end of the series. That's … Continue reading Review: Balefire (Whyborne & Griffin #10) by Jordan L. Hawk
Review: Broken News by Sara Dobie Bauer
Disclaimer: I am friends with the author; I received an ebook in exchange for an honest review. It's common to refer to the main characters in a romance story as the heroes, but there are no heroes in this book. Eric West is an unabashed crime lord, and Will fully admits to being a bit … Continue reading Review: Broken News by Sara Dobie Bauer
Review: Draakenwood (Whyborne & Griffin #9) by Jordan L. Hawk
We're back in Widdershins for Whyborne & Griffin's latest adventure, but this time it's the old families who are the targets. When Whyborne is accused of murder, he and his allies must not only clear his name, but also prevent the rise of a great evil. Plenty of familiar faces appear in this story, including … Continue reading Review: Draakenwood (Whyborne & Griffin #9) by Jordan L. Hawk
Review: Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
I started reading romance novels in 2016, in large part due to the emotional chaos wrought by the American presidential election. Luckily, judging by McQuiston's author note at the end of this novel, she saw a need in the general readership and persevered in filling it. This book is exactly what I needed as the … Continue reading Review: Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
Review: The Dragon Mistress: Book 3 (Eburosi Chronicles #10) by R.A. Steffan
I burned through all of the books in this series very quickly, then had to wait months for this latest installment. I read it all the evening of the day it was released. It was worth the wait. Like the previous books, Frella's story contains nonstop action and adventure. Multiple relationships are in play. And … Continue reading Review: The Dragon Mistress: Book 3 (Eburosi Chronicles #10) by R.A. Steffan
Review: The 5th Gender (Tinkered Stars Mystery) by G.L. Carriger
As someone who regularly speaks at writing and fandom conventions about the topic of "genre blending" or "genre blurring" in contemporary writing, I have some pretty strong opinions on the subject. Carriger's science-fiction/romance/mystery is certainly one that I will now hold up as a great example of how to blend things right. This novel could … Continue reading Review: The 5th Gender (Tinkered Stars Mystery) by G.L. Carriger
Author Interview with Genevieve Iseult Eldredge
Today, we're celebrating a blog tour for the lovely Genevieve Iseult Eldredge to celebrate the latest novel in her YA fantasy series, Circuit Fae. Nemesis is now available in all formats, and I hope you take the time to read about the book and check out a short interview with the author below. ABOUT THE … Continue reading Author Interview with Genevieve Iseult Eldredge
Review: Love Across the Universe by Stars & Stones Books
Disclaimer: I am friends with the majority of the authors in this collection. I won my hardcopy in a raffle basket supporting an academic scholarship. This science-fiction romance collection was an excellent summer read. The stories themselves were a mixed bag for me, with a few being stand-outs. Favorite Stories "The Pirates and the Pacifist" … Continue reading Review: Love Across the Universe by Stars & Stones Books
Review: Hither, Page (Page & Sommers #1) by Cat Sebastian
This short novel was perfect for a summer night escape. It included so many things that I love in a story, such as mysterious small-town murder, morally gray characters, and good representations of mental illness (in this case, post-traumatic stress disorder). On their own, Page and Sommers were both characters that I loved getting to … Continue reading Review: Hither, Page (Page & Sommers #1) by Cat Sebastian