Laurence Dahners has done it yet again. Somehow taking a premise, here alternate worlds, and running with it in a way that’s addictively fun. His new Laurence Dahners has done it yet again. Somehow taking a premise, here alternate worlds, and running with it in a way that’s addictively fun. His new heroine, Ryn Wilkie, is as strong as those he’s lead stories with before (if you’ve missed the Ell Donsaii series, for example, you’ve missed out on a total treat). So we get adventure, a growing romance between Ryn and Jack Varga, and Dahners even sneaks in a heck of a lot of info about what it’s like to be a new surgeon (once again reflecting what must be a ton of research as it just “feels” real). Totally enjoyable and thought provoking. The hallmark of a Dahners story. I don’t know how he keeps doing it but I’m truly enjoyable being a beneficiary of it. As such, no surprise that this book and series is once again a Dahners gift that I most highly recommend....more
Ok, scattered thoughts here. First of all, I do not buy books based on their cover (honest!), but if I did I’d surely buy The Coven's Secret just for Ok, scattered thoughts here. First of all, I do not buy books based on their cover (honest!), but if I did I’d surely buy The Coven's Secret just for that. Having said that, I adore Alicia Rades, loved (and addictively read) both her Academy of Magical Creatures series and her University of Sorcery series (and happily read everything else she’s published to date), and think that the Hidden Legends Universe she created is the perfect setting for urban fantasy. So now we get a new series set in that wonderful Hidden Legends: College of Witchcraft, and Oh Dear Lord is this delicious. I mean, c’mon, the first book in a supernatural “Academy Reaper Romance“ that’s superbly written and has a cast, from new witch Nadine and “reaper” warlock Lucas on down, with a perfect plot of thrills and nascent but cursed (!) romance? My only complaint? The book ended (don’t worry, there’s no cliffhanger, but it still ended!). I want more! This is pure addictive fun - and highly recommended....more
Deception, manipulation, corruption, thrills, adventure and victories abound in this coming of age / sci fi thriller. Gaige Dupond is a great lead chaDeception, manipulation, corruption, thrills, adventure and victories abound in this coming of age / sci fi thriller. Gaige Dupond is a great lead character and it's a pleasure following him from heritage denial to coming into power. Add to that a great plot and this author's typically strong writing and the result is a real winner.
Highly recommended.
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Deception, manipulation, corruption, thrills, adventure and victories abound in this coming of age / sci fi thriller. Gaige Dupond is a great lead character and it's a pleasure following him from heritage denial to coming into power. Add to that a great plot and this author's typically strong writing and the result is a real winner.
This is a well done tale of coming to maturity, coming into one's own and having a grand adventure out of it. The kindle blurb gives a good hint of whThis is a well done tale of coming to maturity, coming into one's own and having a grand adventure out of it. The kindle blurb gives a good hint of what's going on here. Alistair is sickly etc until he finds his distant ancestor's gauntlets in the family archives and, upon putting them in, becomes healthy and strong. He and his friend Elsey then go on a quest to find the rest of his ancestor's armor. Thrills and adventure then ensue in a pretty rousing tale. I'm looking forward to more of this and, who knows, perhaps Elsey and Alistair bracing more than just friends? No hint yet, but surely there's potential. Even if not, more of the same would be pretty darn excellent.
Definitely recommended.
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This is a well done tale of coming to maturity, coming into one's own and having a grand adventure out of it. The kindle blurb gives a good hint of what's going on here. Alistair is sickly etc until he finds his distant ancestor's gauntlets in the family archives and, upon putting them in, becomes healthy and strong. He and his friend Elsey then go on a quest to find the rest of his ancestor's armor. Thrills and adventure then ensue in a pretty rousing tale. I'm looking forward to more of this and, who knows, perhaps Elsey and Alistair bracing more than just friends? No hint yet, but surely there's potential. Even if not, more of the same would be pretty darn excellent.
Admission time: I always was and am still happy to be a “Nerdy McNerdleton”, so I welcome any book starting another one. No surprise that I love ChloeAdmission time: I always was and am still happy to be a “Nerdy McNerdleton”, so I welcome any book starting another one. No surprise that I love Chloe Cowan, the star in Elizabeth Stevens’ The Stand-In: My Life as an Understudy. Really, though, the budding romance between semi-famous rock god Elijah and Chloe is superbly done, the leads are well-crafted and the supporting cast - both good (special cusps to Rica and Aunt Bow) and bad (hello, Ella, you’re no Cidarelld story) - are great. Add in some lessons on loyalty and Sind very appropriately done teen angst, and viola!, one heck of a fun read. But for the fact that I’m literally dictating this review to my husband from my hospital bed I could go on and on with praises. The book definitely deserves it. Since I can’t do that I will simply note that the book is most definitely one to read, and it is easy to highly recommend.
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Admission time: I always was and am still happy to be a “Nerdy McNerdleton”, so I welcome any book starting another one. No surprise that I love Chloe Cowan, the star in Elizabeth Stevens’ The Stand-In: My Life as an Understudy. Really, though, the budding romance between semi-famous rock god Elijah and Chloe is superbly done, the leads are well-crafted and the supporting cast - both good (special cusps to Rica and Aunt Bow) and bad (hello, Ella, you’re no Cidarelld story) - are great. Add in some lessons on loyalty and Sind very appropriately done teen angst, and viola!, one heck of a fun read. But for the fact that I’m literally dictating this review to my husband from my hospital bed I could go on and on with praises. The book definitely deserves it. Since I can’t do that I will simply note that the book is most definitely one to read, and it is easy to highly recommend....more
This is a great story. Tierney and Jax (Jaxsaron) and Sami (Samarias) have a wonderful friendship that you can just tell will survive anything. Good tThis is a great story. Tierney and Jax (Jaxsaron) and Sami (Samarias) have a wonderful friendship that you can just tell will survive anything. Good thing too, as with the Ilyium hunting them and the other dragon shape-shifting Dracones, nevermind all the other trouble they get into,that's really needed. I loved Tierney, both as a total kick-a** heroine of the type I adore, and in her ability to break Jax out of his shell and get past his damage to reach the love that's inside him. Jax is also a wonderfully layered character, and Sami is quite frankly a total hoot. With a plot full of thrills and adventure, and some pretty wild twists and turns, a great cast of well-crafted characters (friend and foe), and a fantastic world built for them all tied in in one neat well written bow, this is an enormously fun package. My one caveat is that this is dark fantasy, and those who can't handle tales with a rape element need to be aware that this comes up.
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This is a great story. Tierney and Jax (Jaxsaron) and Sami (Samarias) have a wonderful friendship that you can just tell will survive anything. Good thing too, as with the Ilyium hunting them and the other dragon shape-shifting Dracones, nevermind all the other trouble they get into,that's really needed. I loved Tierney, both as a total kick-a** heroine of the type I adore, and in her ability to break Jax out of his shell and get past his damage to reach the love that's inside him. Jax is also a wonderfully layered character, and Sami is quite frankly a total hoot. With a plot full of thrills and adventure, and some pretty wild twists and turns, a great cast of well-crafted characters (friend and foe), and a fantastic world built for them all tied in in one neat well written bow, this is an enormously fun package. My one caveat is that this is dark fantasy, and those who can't handle tales with a rape element need to be aware that this comes up....more
I got a bit off track. I had started with the author’s The Perfect Brew and somehow got diverted into her related Dial Witch series. As much as I enjoI got a bit off track. I had started with the author’s The Perfect Brew and somehow got diverted into her related Dial Witch series. As much as I enjoyed that other book (which is definitely worth reading), I’m just having too much fun with this series. Jane is a really fantastic character and I’m loving reading her story and how she interacts with the pretty darn perfect supporting cast of characters. Two books in with this one, Dial Sorcery, and all I can say is that the series, and this particular book, are a riot of really well-written fun, and definitely highly recommended.
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I got a bit off track. I had started with the author’s The Perfect Brew and somehow got diverted into her related Dial Witch series. As much as I enjoyed that other book (which is definitely worth reading), I’m just having too much fun with this series. Jane is a really fantastic character and I’m loving reading her story and how she interacts with the pretty darn perfect supporting cast of characters. Two books in with this one, Dial Sorcery, and all I can say is that the series, and this particular book, are a riot of really well-written fun, and definitely highly recommended....more
I just binge read Jessica Marlowe’s Rocked in Love series and totally loved it. Each of the books was really excellent, but the last, All Your TomorroI just binge read Jessica Marlowe’s Rocked in Love series and totally loved it. Each of the books was really excellent, but the last, All Your Tomorrows: A Rockstar Romance (Book 3), was the best of the lot. Sexy, stirring, suspenseful, riveting, exciting...yes, it’s all that, and it ends Emily and Jack’s story in style. But for the fact that I’m literally dictating this review to my husband from my hospital bed I could go on and on with praises. The book definitely deserves it. Since I can’t do that I will simply note that the book is most definitely one to read, and it is easy to highly recommend.
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I just binge read Jessica Marlowe’s Rocked in Love series and totally loved it. Each of the books was really excellent, but the last, All Your Tomorrows: A Rockstar Romance (Book 3), was the best of the lot. Sexy, stirring, suspenseful, riveting, exciting...yes, it’s all that, and it ends Emily and Jack’s story in style. But for the fact that I’m literally dictating this review to my husband from my hospital bed I could go on and on with praises. The book definitely deserves it. Since I can’t do that I will simply note that the book is most definitely one to read, and it is easy to highly recommend....more
I just binge read through the first four Jessie Hays books and I’m still having hot flashes. Woah Nelly is this ever hot. Not a book I’d give to any iI just binge read through the first four Jessie Hays books and I’m still having hot flashes. Woah Nelly is this ever hot. Not a book I’d give to any impressionable girl but for me? Scrumptious. But for the fact that I’m literally dictating this review to my husband from my hospital bed I could go on and on with praises. These books definitely deserve it. Since I can’t do that I will simply note that this series of books is most definitely one to read, and it is easy to highly recommend
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I just binge read through the first four Jessie Hays books and I’m still having hot flashes. Woah Nelly is this ever hot. Not a book I’d give to any impressionable girl but for me? Scrumptious. But for the fact that I’m literally dictating this review to my husband from my hospital bed I could go on and on with praises. These books definitely deserve it. Since I can’t do that I will simply note that this series of books is most definitely one to read, and it is easy to highly recommend...more
This is an excellent book on several levels. It's a great office romance between boss and assistant. It's also a great alpha male hero protecting heroThis is an excellent book on several levels. It's a great office romance between boss and assistant. It's also a great alpha male hero protecting heroine romantic suspense story. If that's all it had been it would've been a great story. Add in the paranormal romance element, with our hero being his pack's Beta and you get a superb novel. Well written, with an action filled thriller of a plot, great chemistry between leads Orion and Natalie, a superb supporting cast, great world-building and a nice HEA. Great fun and highly recommended.
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This is an excellent book on several levels. It's a great office romance between boss and assistant. It's also a great alpha male hero protecting heroine romantic suspense story. If that's all it had been it would've been a great story. Add in the paranormal romance element, with our hero being his pack's Beta and you get a superb novel. Well written, with an action filled thriller of a plot, great chemistry between leads Orion and Natalie, a superb supporting cast, great world-building and a nice HEA. Great fun and highly recommended....more
Eliza and Bate’s story in Aubrey Wynne’s A Wicked Earl's Widow (Once Upon A Widow, Book 2) is a nicely complex but easy to read Regency romance that’sEliza and Bate’s story in Aubrey Wynne’s A Wicked Earl's Widow (Once Upon A Widow, Book 2) is a nicely complex but easy to read Regency romance that’s perfectly written with a strong plot and excellent cast. Read the publisher’s blurb. If you find it interesting then you’ve got a safe bet you’ll love this romance. But for the fact that I’m literally dictating this review to my husband from my hospital bed I could go on and on with praises. The book definitely deserves it. Since I can’t do that I will simply note that the book is most definitely one to read, and it is easy to highly recommend.
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Eliza and Bate’s story in Aubrey Wynne’s A Wicked Earl's Widow (Once Upon A Widow, Book 2) is a nicely complex but easy to read Regency romance that’s perfectly written with a strong plot and excellent cast. Read the publisher’s blurb. If you find it interesting then you’ve got a safe bet you’ll love this romance. But for the fact that I’m literally dictating this review to my husband from my hospital bed I could go on and on with praises. The book definitely deserves it. Since I can’t do that I will simply note that the book is most definitely one to read, and it is easy to highly recommend....more
Tamsin Ley and Aurora Shifters are back with the latest installment in their Alaska Alphas series. This is the ninth book but somehow they’ve managed Tamsin Ley and Aurora Shifters are back with the latest installment in their Alaska Alphas series. This is the ninth book but somehow they’ve managed to keep things exciting, new-feeling and just plain fun. I had a blast with Wild Child (Book 9) and can easily highly recommend it.
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Tamsin Ley and Aurora Shifters are back with the latest installment in their Alaska Alphas series. This is the ninth book but somehow they’ve managed to keep things exciting, new-feeling and just plain fun. I had a blast with Wild Child (Book 9) and can easily highly recommend it....more
This is an excellent Regency romance with all the key features I look for: an authentic Regency “feel”, a strong plot with well developed characters, This is an excellent Regency romance with all the key features I look for: an authentic Regency “feel”, a strong plot with well developed characters, a strong heroine who is nevertheless passably “Regency appropriate” and excellent writing. All those boxes are more than checked here so it’s no surprise that this tale was a true treat.
Highly recommended.
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This is an excellent Regency romance with all the key features I look for: an authentic Regency “feel”, a strong plot with well developed characters, a strong heroine who is nevertheless passably “Regency appropriate” and excellent writing. All those boxes are more than checked here so it’s no surprise that this tale was a true treat.
Warren Hammond and Joshua Viola‘s Denver Moon: Metamorphosis is a great fun noir private detective story set in a futuristic Mars in a universe in whiWarren Hammond and Joshua Viola‘s Denver Moon: Metamorphosis is a great fun noir private detective story set in a futuristic Mars in a universe in which Earth is dying and the Moon is uninhabitable. This is no pretty colony, however, as it’s terraforming project is centuries from completion and the tunnels of Mars City are a tough place to live in. Already harsh conditions in it are made harsher as the city is ravaged by a mysterious disease called Mars Fever or the “feve” which makes its victims homicidal. Into this setting comes out detective, Denver Moon, Mars’ top private eye and a descendent of s colony founder. She has a doozy of a case trying to find out and stop whoever is dismembering her client pimp’s botsies (robot prostitutes) and salvaging their body parts. Luckily she’s up fit the task, aided by her truly cool shape-shifting and AI augmented gun named Smith (a star supporting character in itself). It’s a wild ride of a story that’s totally worth taking. Frankly, but for the fact that I’m literally dictating this review to my husband from my hospital bed, I could go on and on with praises - the book definitely deserves it. Since I can’t do that I will simply note that the book is most definitely one to read, it is easy to highly recommend. I’m definitely looking forward to the first book in the main Denver Moon series which is just coming out.
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Warren Hammond and Joshua Viola‘s Denver Moon: Metamorphosis is a great fun noir private detective story set in a futuristic Mars in a universe in which Earth is dying and the Moon is uninhabitable. This is no pretty colony, however, as it’s terraforming project is centuries from completion and the tunnels of Mars City are a tough place to live in. Already harsh conditions in it are made harsher as the city is ravaged by a mysterious disease called Mars Fever or the “feve” which makes its victims homicidal. Into this setting comes out detective, Denver Moon, Mars’ top private eye and a descendent of s colony founder. She has a doozy of a case trying to find out and stop whoever is dismembering her client pimp’s botsies (robot prostitutes) and salvaging their body parts. Luckily she’s up fit the task, aided by her truly cool shape-shifting and AI augmented gun named Smith (a star supporting character in itself). It’s a wild ride of a story that’s totally worth taking. Frankly, but for the fact that I’m literally dictating this review to my husband from my hospital bed, I could go on and on with praises - the book definitely deserves it. Since I can’t do that I will simply note that the book is most definitely one to read, it is easy to highly recommend. I’m definitely looking forward to the first book in the main Denver Moon series which is just coming out....more
Susan Faw’s Heart of Shadra, the third of her The Heart Of The Citadel series once again brings forth a great cast of characters, beautifully crafted,Susan Faw’s Heart of Shadra, the third of her The Heart Of The Citadel series once again brings forth a great cast of characters, beautifully crafted, into a perfectly built world, with a perilous mission ahead of them. It’s an mission that will be completed but with a cost still to be told (yes, that’s an illusion to a doozy of a cliffhanger here, so you’ve now been warned). This is a talented writer displaying those talents in full and (as long as you can deal with cliffies), it’s well worth the ride. But for the fact that I’m literally dictating this review my husband from my hospital bed I could go on and on with praises - the book definitely deserves it. Since I can’t do that I will simply note that the book is most definitely one to read, and it is easy to highly recommend. I’m definitely looking forward to the next book in this series (and somewhat desperately looking forward to resolving that cliffhanger).
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Susan Faw’s Heart of Shadra, the third of her The Heart Of The Citadel series once again brings forth a great cast of characters, beautifully crafted, into a perfectly built world, with a perilous mission ahead of them. It’s an mission that will be completed but with a cost still to be told (yes, that’s an illusion to a doozy of a cliffhanger here, so you’ve now been warned). This is a talented writer displaying those talents in full and (as long as you can deal with cliffies), it’s well worth the ride. But for the fact that I’m literally dictating this review my husband from my hospital bed I could go on and on with praises - the book definitely deserves it. Since I can’t do that I will simply note that the book is most definitely one to read, and it is easy to highly recommend. I’m definitely looking forward to the next book in this series (and somewhat desperately looking forward to resolving that cliffhanger)....more
I just spent a huge chunk of time pouring through the first two books in S.J. Hartland’s The Shadow Sword series (The 19th Bladesman & The Last Seer KI just spent a huge chunk of time pouring through the first two books in S.J. Hartland’s The Shadow Sword series (The 19th Bladesman & The Last Seer King). They were just too addictively fun to stop. Boy were these a wild ride of incredibly fun reading. I refuse to spoil anything so see the publisher’s blurb for what the stories are about. Just know that they share great writing, great plots and great characters. But for the fact that I’m literally dictating this review to my husband from my hospital bed I could go on and on with praises. These books definitely deserve it. Since I can’t do that I will simply note that each book is most definitely one to read, and it is easy to highly recommend both of them.
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I just spent a huge chunk of time pouring through the first two books in S.J. Hartland’s The Shadow Sword series (The 19th Bladesman & The Last Seer King). They were just too addictively fun to stop. Boy were these a wild ride of incredibly fun reading. I refuse to spoil anything so see the publisher’s blurb for what the stories are about. Just know that they share great writing, great plots and great characters. But for the fact that I’m literally dictating this review to my husband from my hospital bed I could go on and on with praises. These books definitely deserve it. Since I can’t do that I will simply note that each book is most definitely one to read, and it is easy to highly recommend both of them....more
I really don’t know how Laurence Dahners does it, but he consistently writes great novels that are good on the scifi angle (in that the fictional scieI really don’t know how Laurence Dahners does it, but he consistently writes great novels that are good on the scifi angle (in that the fictional science elements seem plausible enough) while somehow having a totally genuine feel (here it’s his depiction of an orthopedic surgeon’s life - something I know nothing about but which feels like he must have been one to present it so well), while having a totally fun (and well written) story. He did it with his other series (I’ve been totally addicted to them ever since I started his Donsaii series), and has done it here in a totally fresh way. Totally superb and easy to highly recommend. Note that this book 2 can be read without book 1, but I highly recommend starting with the latter as you’re depriving yourself of more detailed background (and another fantastic story) if you don’t. ...more
Oh Dear Lordy what a fabulous book. As you can guess, I loved Lindsay Buroker’s Pursued by Peril (Tracking Trouble, Book 4). It resolved that annoyingOh Dear Lordy what a fabulous book. As you can guess, I loved Lindsay Buroker’s Pursued by Peril (Tracking Trouble, Book 4). It resolved that annoying cliffhanger in Book 3, and provided a rousing, romantic, action filled, adventurous, and gloriously fun tale in itself. This is a truly well written story that does a great job in advancing the overall series story arc (finally resolving some major plot points), while continuing to develop already wonderfully written characters. Yes, I’m throwing lots of superlatives here, but add in really superbly written just for the record. You can read this book by itself, by I strongly suggest with starting with Book 1 in the series. Even better would be to read the two prior series set in this story universe, Death Before Dragons and Legacy of Magic, as they provide extra background that will enhance your enjoyment of this series, but don’t worry if you don’t want to. This series does work perfectly well on a stand-alone basis, and if you’ve not read the prior books you won’t realize you’ve missed anything. Bottom line is that I highly recommend both this book (whether or not you read any prior books) and the Tracking Trouble series....more
Ok, I hadn’t realized this one was actually out but I’m supremely glad that I belatedly saw that Lindsay Buroker’s Driven by Destiny (Tracking TroubleOk, I hadn’t realized this one was actually out but I’m supremely glad that I belatedly saw that Lindsay Buroker’s Driven by Destiny (Tracking Trouble Book 3) was available. Overall an easy 5 stars in this continuation of the now third series in the same urban fantasy series story arc universe, which is somehow kept fresh and new each time. A great book story line - and a new book entry that is full of action, magic, wonderful snarky dialogue if you like that sort of thing (I very much do, when done as well as it is here) and, yes, some developing romance between stars Arwen and Azerdash while doing an excellent job of advancing that story line. One caveat though, if you stop at the 99% point, i.e., just before the epilogue, you’ll have a totally complete story with a perfectly enjoyable “happily enough for now” ending. If you go into the epilogue you’ll get a cliffhanger (no, I’m not going to even hint what it is). If this was a scale based on 100 I’d rate this book at 100% without the epilogue and at 95% (as it’s still superbly written and totally fun, even though I dislike cliffhangers) if you include the epilogue. Either way, on a 1 to 5 star scale the book is easily 5 stars, and most definitely highly recommended. Having said that, while you can read this book stand-alone, it’s best to start with book 1 of the series. Even better would be to start with series 1, Death Before Dragons (Val’s story) and then series 2, Legacy of Magic (Matti’s story) before this one. All three series are perfect on a stand-alone basis but reading them all in order will add background that enhances the stories as they go along (even if you won’t realize you’re missing it if you only start with series 2 or this series 3)....more
Ok, Ell’s twins get kidnapped. Horrific … but somehow this amazing author is able to use that as a way to give a fresh look to a series that, frankly,Ok, Ell’s twins get kidnapped. Horrific … but somehow this amazing author is able to use that as a way to give a fresh look to a series that, frankly, had no need for one. Yet it still works, wonderfully. It was nothing but a total pleasure to watch the girls develop, a restart of the series while still a total continuation as Ell and her family and crew definitely get their time in the sun as well. Exciting and wonderfully fun, this is a great addition to the series and an easy story to highly recommend. ...more