A Rational Arrangement (Book 1) There’s a diamond in this book, but it’s smothered by the occasional downside to self-publishing. On the surface, the author did everything right. Great cover, no blatant typos, solid plot, well-developed characters, unique world building elements. Unfortunately, this is where I plug the need for an impartial substantive or developmental … Continue reading Review: Arranging Paradise Series by L. Rowyn
Review: Spirits Trilogy by Jordan L. Hawk
Restless Spirits (Book 1) I’m diving into another series by Hawk, and I couldn’t be happier. He’s proven time and time again to be a storyteller I know I will enjoy, so I was excited to start fresh with a new batch of characters in another historical paranormal romance setting. I enjoyed the early interactions … Continue reading Review: Spirits Trilogy by Jordan L. Hawk
Review: Thalanian Dynasty Series by Katee Robert
Theirs For the Night (Book 1) This short novella is intended to introduce the reader to the characters of the Thalanian Dynasty, a freebie so that readers are hooked enough to buy the full-length follow-up novel. (Full disclosure: It worked on me.) The events within are sexy and steamy, and I enjoyed Meg as a … Continue reading Review: Thalanian Dynasty Series by Katee Robert
Review: “American Squire” (New Camelot #5) by Sierra Simone
This short story ties together the worlds of New Camelot and Thornchapel by following a former White House assistant on a mysterious errand to England. The actual interactions portrayed between Ryan and Sidney are both sexy and sweet, as appropriate, and I’d happily read more about their burgeoning relationship. What elevates this story from sexy … Continue reading Review: “American Squire” (New Camelot #5) by Sierra Simone
Review: Hexworld Stories by Jordan L. Hawk
"A Christmas Hex" (Book 2.5) This is one of those stories that could have worked any time of year -- but the fact that it occurred around Christmas made it all the sweeter. After reading the full-length novels in this series, it was easy to forget that witches and familiars in New York City did … Continue reading Review: Hexworld Stories by Jordan L. Hawk
Review: Not Quite Hunter (Not Quite #3) by Kaye Draper
Plenty of things happened in this installment to the Not Quite series, but in the end, nothing changed. I didn’t see much character development, and though Sam had a sexy interlude with a new character, nothing about the conclusion hinted that there might be more to the relationship. I got the feeling that Draper doesn’t … Continue reading Review: Not Quite Hunter (Not Quite #3) by Kaye Draper
Review: American King (New Camelot #3) by Sierra Simone
I honestly did not expect this book to affect me as much as it did. I tore through it in a single afternoon, enjoying the spring air on my front porch, and had to go inside for fresh tissues twice. At about the 90% mark, I texted a friend to rage about what I assumed … Continue reading Review: American King (New Camelot #3) by Sierra Simone
Review: Harvest of Sighs (Thornchapel #3) by Sierra Simone
All books have a dark moment, right before things get better. This book, the third in the Thornchapel series, ends in the ultimate dark moment. Relationships were not great during this book. They were intense and hopeful and painful and tragic, making me fall in love with each of the characters. And now so many … Continue reading Review: Harvest of Sighs (Thornchapel #3) by Sierra Simone
Review: American Prince (New Camelot #2) by Sierra Simone
I like Greer Galloway. She’s an okay character. She’ll do well as the First Lady (once she ever gets to fulfill the role). Her history(ies) with Ash and Embry were intriguing and their future will, I’m sure, be equally so. But she’s got absolutely nothing on Embry Moore. The history between Embry and Ash is … Continue reading Review: American Prince (New Camelot #2) by Sierra Simone
Review: Feast of Sparks (Thornchapel #2) by Sierra Simone
I devoured books 2 and 3 in this series in a single day (plus a few hours because it was VERY late when I finally went to bed). On the one hand, tangling apart my thoughts of each book might be difficult. But this book ends in a stunning revelation, a different sort of pain … Continue reading Review: Feast of Sparks (Thornchapel #2) by Sierra Simone
Review: American Queen (New Camelot #1) by Sierra Simone
I adore Arthurian literature, but not all of it. Lancelot has especially never been a particular favorite, for much the same reason Simone explains in this book: He’s a fanfic self-insert by the French so they could play with chivalry in a set of tales too old for such a relatively modern social construct. I … Continue reading Review: American Queen (New Camelot #1) by Sierra Simone
Review: Slippery Creatures (Will Darling Adventures #1) by K.J. Charles
The bad news: This book does not end with a happily ever after. The good news: Because it’s book 1 of a trilogy! Will and Kim have fabulous and intense chemistry that only enhances the plot they’re embroiled in, and I look forward to seeing their relationship develop throughout the next two books. As always, … Continue reading Review: Slippery Creatures (Will Darling Adventures #1) by K.J. Charles
Review: Hexslayer (Hexworld #3) by Jordan L. Hawk
Every book in this series gets better on multiple levels. Hawk continues to pull threads on the over-arching plot, making it more intriguing and convoluted without losing any of the believability of such events in the world he has created. In tandem, each romance both supports and is affected by the greater events. I was … Continue reading Review: Hexslayer (Hexworld #3) by Jordan L. Hawk
Review: Hexmaker (Hexworld #2) by Jordan L. Hawk
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: A Delicate Deception (Regency Impostors #3) by Cat Sebastian
As an author who experiences chronic anxiety, I identified perhaps too well with the character of Amelia in this Regency romance story. In her place, I'd happily retreat to the countryside and abandon all my triggers, but I also sympathized with her desire to stay part of her loved ones' lives. It's a difficult balance … Continue reading Review: A Delicate Deception (Regency Impostors #3) by Cat Sebastian
Review: Beguiled (Enlightenment #2) by Joanna Chambers
Two years later, David Lauriston and Murdo Balfour meet once again. The events of this book revolve around King George’s visit to Scotland, which personifies one of the things I’m most enjoying about this trilogy. So much of Regency(ish) romance takes place in London and English estates. Shifting the location to Edinburgh brings to life … Continue reading Review: Beguiled (Enlightenment #2) by Joanna Chambers
Review: Provoked (Enlightenment #1) by Joanna Chambers
The list of romance authors I follow seems to be growing, as I add yet another writer whose books I shall now proceed to devour all of. I read this title in a single evening and immediately purchased the next in the series. Many romance books star lovers from vastly different backgrounds, but David Lauriston … Continue reading Review: Provoked (Enlightenment #1) by Joanna Chambers
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