REVIEW: Marrying Off Morgan McBride by Amy Barry
Historical Romance published by Berkley 30 May 23
This is my first book by Amy Berry, and I have to say, I had one riproarin’ time in Buck’s Creek, Montana with Junebug McBride and all her brothers.
REVIEW: Identity by Nora Roberts
Romantic Suspense published by St. Martin’s Press 23 May 23
Identity is a beautiful multi-layered book about murder, relationships, trust, and life coming a full circle that might bring us back to a different place than we expected. I absolutely loved the wonderful three-dimensional characters and how the story played out.
REVIEW: Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Fantasy Romance published by Entangled: Red Tower Books 2 May 23
I totally agree with our own Kaitlyn this is one of the best books of the year, even though we still have six months to find more exciting books like this one.
I have been following Rebecca Yarros for the last few years, and I’m happy to see her stretch out into another genre, one of which she has now mastered, after only one book.
REVIEW: The Protector by Susan Stoker
Romantic Suspense published by Montlake 14 Mar 23
Riggs plans to spend some quality unplugged time in his remote cabin, recharging and catching up on reading. Nature has different plans for him, when he ends up befriending two strays and changing the course of his life forever.
REVIEW: Slaying the Vampire Conqueror by Carissa Broadbent
Fantasy Romance published by Carissa Broadbent 27 Apr 23
I’ve seen a lot of mixed reviews for this one. Most of the complaints were that it felt rushed, the magic system was confusing, and the chemistry between the MCs could have been better. I kind of agree with all of that, but at the same time enjoyed this. I do wish the magic system had been a little less complicated, and I would have liked a little more slow-burn tension, but Carissa Broadbent is a powerhouse writer who always keeps me entertained.
RETRO REVIEW: Fairy Tales from the Brothers Grimm: A New English Version by Philip Pullman
Stevie‘s review of Fairy Tales from the Brothers Grimm: A New English Version by Philip Pullman
Fairy Tales Collection published by Penguin Classic Deluxe Edition 29 Oct 13
I have mixed feelings about Phillip Pullman. I enjoyed his first two Sally Lockhart books (although I still haven’t read the third) but never managed to get into the his Dark Materials trilogy. On the other hand, I love fairy stories and their retellings, so I thought I’d give this book a go.
RETRO REVIEW: Fear the Darkness by Alexandra Ivy
Veena’s review of Fear the Darkness (Guardians of Eternity, Book 9) by Alexandra Ivy
Paranormal Romance published by Zebra 28 Aug 12
As a reader it’s so easy to become emotionally invested in the characters of a story, the level of emotional investment being a testament of how good or great a story is. I believe it’s very difficult for an author to take an antagonist in a book that readers hate and turn him or her into hero/heroine material. However, Alexandra Ivy has done just that with Caine, the hero of her current Guardians of Eternity release, Fear the Darkness.
RETRO REVIEW: Haunted Sanctuary by Moira Rogers
Sandy M’s review of Haunted Sanctuary (Green Pines, Book 1) by Moira Rogers
Paranormal Romance published by Samhain 22 Jan 13
My drought of reading good werewolf stories is finally over. I’m so very glad Moira Rogers has returned to her alpha shapeshifters she writes so well and that I love so much. In this new series, surprises and action, as well as some sensual and intense romance, fill the pages to pull readers into a dangerous world where sanctuary means everything.
RETRO REVIEW: Just One Kiss by Susan Mallery
Veena’s review of Just One Kiss (Fool’s Gold, Book 10) by Susan Mallery
Contemporary Romance published by Harlequin 28 May 13
I’m ready to relocate to Fool’s Gold, the fictional town in Northern California which is the subject of this delightful series from author Susan Mallery. I probably read the first few books in the series and then stopped. No specific reason. I just hadn’t realized that the series kept on going, adding delightful new characters. I am glad to get back to Fool’s Gold and meet all those charming characters who have always lived there or have moved there in search of the wonderful small-town Americana that they’ve missed all their lives.
RETRO REVIEW: Medium Rare by Meg Benjamin
Stevie‘s review of Medium Rare (Ramos Family/Medium Trilogy, Book 2) by Meg Benjamin
Paranormal Romance published by Intermix 20 Aug 13
This book includes a bunch of elements I generally like in a paranormal romance: ghosts, a mismatched pair of protagonists (one believer, one skeptic), a complete lack of vampires and shapeshifters, and a mystery that will challenge at least one protagonist’s assumptions. However, this book doesn’t work for me, and it isn’t a matter of it being the second in a trilogy, since the story works very well as a standalone. After much thought, I think I’ve figured out what my problem is: it feels to me that there are just too many extraneous plot details shoehorned in there. I’m not entirely sure the story starts at the right time-point either.
