Showing posts with label Kindle Unlimited. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kindle Unlimited. Show all posts

April 13, 2026

REVIEW The Baby Dragon Bakery (The Baby Dragon Series #2) by A.T. Qureshi

The Baby Dragon Bakery (The Baby Dragon Series #2) by A.T. Qureshi
Rating: 3 Stars
Release Date: August 28, 2025
Format: eBook (Kindle Unlimited) + Audiobook (Borrowed from Library)
Publisher: Avon

Check out my review of the first book in the series, The Baby Dragon Cafe

The Baby Dragon Bakery by A.T. Qureshi was an adorable sequel to The Baby Dragon Cafe. While not relying on as many fantasy elements as the first book (no baby mystical creatures participate in the romancce plot in a meaningful way), it's still a cozy romance with just a dash of fantastical elements. 

Lavinia and Theo have been best friends forever, and basically everyone knows they have feelings for each other except for them. I did find it harder to be as invested in their relationship, with the massive miscommunications that went on repeatedly between them, but things work out in the end and everyone gets their happily ever after so I was happy. If you're getting frustrated like I was, I recommend pushing through towards at least the middle of the book. And for those who are invested in the first book in the series, Aiden, Saphira, and Sparky do make multiple appearancces. 

A highlight of this story was all of the yummy food items and baked goods that make an appearance. Theo's passion as a baker was evident, and if you listen to the audiobook you can hear the author and the editor discuss how much work went into getting those descriptions just right. I appreciated how the author used food to highlight the differences between Lavinia and Theo's families, and the dynamics at home (one goes out of their way to make a favorite food, one doesn't even bother...)

Overall, this was an entertaining book and I enjoyed reading it. It wasn't as impactful as the first book, particulary complex, or one of those books I'll be thinking about for a while, but it hit the spot when I wanted a cozy book for an afternoon reading session under a warm blanket. If you have Kindle Unlimited or a library card, I highly recommend checking it out. Ishmeen Dhesi and Yuvi Bains did a good job bringing the story to life with their performancce in the audiobook narration. I'm also very curious to see how the series will be rounded out with Emmy and Luke's story in The Baby Dragon Bookshop. 



March 23, 2026

REVIEW The Baby Dragon Cafe (The Baby Dragon Series #1) by A.T. Qureshi

The Baby Dragon Cafe (The Baby Dragon Series #1) by A.T. Qureshi
Rating: 5 Stars
Release Date: January 16, 2025
Format: eBook (Kindle Unlimited) + Audiobook (Borrowed from Library)
Publisher: Avon

A.T. Qureshi’s The Baby Dragon Cafe, the first book in The Baby Dragon series, was a cute and cozy fantasy romance book. Narrators Ash Raju and Hunter Johns did an excellent job bringing the story to life with their performance in the audiobook. It’s very reminiscent of Travis Baldree’s Legends and Lattes series.

This book has been popping up in my recommendations for a while, and I’m so happy that I finally picked it up (thank you Kindle Unlimited). The baby dragon cafe has just the right touch of whimsical while also being somewhat recognizable, being very similar to a cat cafe while adding a bit more chaos and charm with the baby dragons running amuck. The author also did a great job of capturing the small town vibes you’d expect from a Hallmark movie. I’d love to see a map or something similar of the area, as there are also other magical creatures that are briefly mentioned (and somewhat domesticated in certain cases). 

Saphira and Aiden had a lovely relationship that blossomed over the course of the book. They embody the grumpy x sunshine trope. I thought it was hilarious how Sparky played into their relationship; at first he was jealous when Saphira paid attention to Aiden and not him, and then getting jealous when Saphira paid attention to anyone but him and Aiden. As a reader, I really appreciated how Aiden’s family didn’t add to any drama, and welcomed Saphira with open arms. The fake marriage and the ‘there’s only one bed’ troped worked out well too, and everything came together nicely. I’m especially excited by the epilogue (cue the happily ever after).  

Overall, an excellent read. I’m so excited to read the rest of the books in the series, The Baby Dragon Bakery and The Baby Dragon Bookshop and I hope Saphira, Aiden, and Sparky make more appearances. I highly recommend the book to those who enjoy low stakes fantasy and happily ever after romances. 


January 26, 2026

REVIEW All Superheroes Need Photo Ops (Supers in the City #2) by Elizabeth Stephens

All Supheroes Need Photo Ops (Supers in the City #2) by Elizabeth Stephens
Rating: 5 Stars
Release Date: November 25, 2025
Format: eBook and Audiobook (Kindle Unlimited)
Publisher: Montlake  

I thought that the first book in the Supers in the City series by Elizabeth Stephens, All Superheroes Need PR, was great but the sequel All Superheroes Need Photo Ops blew it out of the water. Monica, the war photographer that we meet in the first book, has been adjusting to life out of war zones and following the lifes of various 'Champions', or the group of beings that fell from the sky when they were young and are now considered superheroes. The Wyvern, one of the leads of the previous book, is now the most popular superhero on the planet. However, the former top dog, Taranis, isn't thrilled that he's losing out on the attention and contracts Monica to follow him around for photo ops. Sparks fly, and a much more dynamic relationship ensues (along with more superpowered clashes).

Without spoiling the events of the first book, its safe to say that the action is moving very quickly. The author revealed more of the mystery surrounding the champions and their powers in this book, and it left me excited for the rumored third book in the series (and who I think the main focus will be). Monica and Taranis have a very different relationship than Vanessa and the Wyvern do, but it makes sense for them. There were definitely scenes that get very spicy (i.e. the limo post gala), which put this very clearly into adult romance territory. The action also gets more intense, and graphic, so anyone whose worried about being triggered should check the content warnings before opening the book.

Overall, this was a fantastic read. I highly recommend it to fans of adult romance, especially with the superheroes tropes or monster/alien romance. A great choice if you have Kindle Unlimited.Sean Crisden and Emery Erickson did an excellent job bringing Monica and Taranis’ perspectives to life with their performance in the audiobook.


Content Warnings: Kidnapping/Captivity, Graphic Violence, Torture, War 

August 28, 2025

REVIEW All Superheroes Need PR (Supers in the City #1) by Elizabeth Stephens

All Superheroes Need PR by Elizabeth Stephens
Rating: 4 Stars
Release Date: May 27, 2025
Publisher: Montlake
Format: eBook + Audiobook (Kindle Unlimited)

All Superheroes Need PR by Elizabeth Stephens wasn't even on my radar until I saw a recommendation for it from author Katee Robert, and I'm so glad I picked it up on a whim from Kindle Unlimited. I completely devoured it in a day. Switching between Dara Brown and Sean Bassett's narrration along with the ebook made me so excited. And I was not expecting that ending.

Decades ago, 48 beings from outer space (in the form of children) landed on Earth. With fantastical powers, some of them developed into what we would consider heroes and some of them became supervillains. Some never picked a side. Roland (previously Pyro and later Wyvern) decides he wants to become a hero after much negotiations and needs a PR team to help make it happen. Enter Vanessa and her team. Both Roland and Vanessa are drawn together by feelings they can't explain, and once they finally do get together strange things start to happen. I'm a big fan of the superhero genre, and I was so excited by this author's take on things. Also, as previously mentioned, I was not expecting how things played out at the end and I all but screeched while reading it. I know Monika and Taranis have a book coming up in November 2025 (All Superheroes Need Photo Opps) but I really hope as many characters as possible in the series get their HEA because they were all amazing. I'm also very excited to hopefully learn more about some of the other beings who fell to Earth, as we haven't even touched on most of the 48.

Overall, a fantastic read and a fantastic story. I highly recommend this book to adult romance readers who like diverse reads with elements of superheroes and the paranormal.

May 5, 2025

BOOK REVIEW Cruel Winter with You (Under the Mistletoe Collection #1) by Ali Hazelwood

Cruel Winter with You
(Under the Mistletoe Collection #1) by Ali Hazelwood

Rating: 3 Stars
Release Date: November 12, 2024
Format: eBook (Borrowed from Kindle Unlimited)
Publisher: Amazon Original Stories

Cruel Winter with You by Ali Hazelwood, the first book in Amazon Orginal Stories' Under the Mistletoe Collection was a cute and fun holiday novella. Vivienne LaRue was a good narrator who did a great job bringing the story to life. Its a unique spin on childhood best friends to lovers, and I enjoyed it over the course of one sitting.

While the book is short, the plot is gripping. I really wanted to figure out what happened between Jamie and Marc. There's a lot going on in the book, but I enjoyed the romance that’s built over years and how the author touched on the feeling of not being enough. The last scene was quite satisfying, and I felt it wrapped things up nicely in a bow (even though I definitely wanted a bit more). I recommend this book to those looking for a quick and swoony afternoon read (that's included free for all Kindle Unlimited members).

December 10, 2024

REVIEW Heart of the Damned (Alice Worth #9) by Lisa Edmonds

Heart of the Damned (Alice Worth #9) by Lisa Edmonds 
Rating: 4 Stars
Release Date: October 29, 2024
Format: eBook (Kindle Unlimited)
Publisher: Storybook House, LLC

“Do you know how someone who’s been beaten down finds their strength? They get the chance to be the strength for someone else.”

Lisa Edmonds’ latest release in the Alice Worth series, Heart of the Damned, delivered another urban fantasy adventure complete with mystery, suspense, and lots of character development and growth. 

I love the way that the storyline has built over the course of multiple books, and how the author pulled on plot threads she set up a long time ago. There are some very heartwarming moments in the book (such as Daniel’s marriage to Nan), but there are also a lot of frustrating and heartbreaking ones. Alice has been through a lot, and this book is no exception. However, it’s been rewarding to see how she’s finally built a support system around herself and how that support system rallied to help her. 

Other characters (and part of said support system) have a lot to go through as well, such as Malcolm’s continual quest to get his boyfriend and fellow ghost Liam back and Sean’s wolf riding him hard with all of the danger that Alice gets into. Their struggles played a lot into the storyline, and it was interesting to see how they eventually resolved. I’m really curious to see how things play out with Alice’s villainous grandfather, but I think we’re probably a couple of books away from a resolution on that. 

I highly recommend this book (and series) to anyone who loves urban fantasy and paranormal romance. It was another great installment in the series, and I can’t wait to see what happens next.  

June 11, 2024

REVIEW Drop, Cover, and Hold On (The Improbable Meet Cute #4) by Jasmine Guillory

Drop, Cover and Hold On (The Improbable Meet Cute #4) by Jasmine Guillory
Rating: 3 Stars
Release Date: January 23, 2024
Format: Audiobook (Kindle Unlimited)
Publisher: Amazon Original Stories

Jasmine Guillory’s addition to The Improbable Meet Cute series, Drop, Cover and Hold On, was a nice read (but didn’t have the same wow factor as some of the other books). I really did like the premise and the storyline (two complete opposites get stuck together in a bakery, courtesy of an earthquake). It’s a cute and flirty interaction that was very relatable, and they have some fun banter as Harris has to make his advances and feelings toward Daisy blatantly obvious as previous gestures went completely over her head (I too, would have probably tried to return and pay for extra pastries that I didn’t buy that mysteriously made their way into my bag). I think my issue with the story was the length. I wanted more of Daisy and Harris - especially getting to see the actual ‘meet cute’ moment (instead of just hearing about it hindsight). Without more meat to the story, the whole miscommunication aspect of their relationship got painfully awkward at times and resolved a bit too quickly for my tastes. 

Overall, Drop, Cover and Hold On was an entertaining book for the length. Audiobook narrator Aure Nash did a great job bringing Daisy and Harris’ story to life with their performance. While this book wasn’t my favorite, I’ve been convinced in Ms. Guillory’s writing abilities such that I’ll be checking out her full length novels (she produced a very fun, fast paced story with compelling characters and lots of tropes). If you want a quick read that has things like forced proximity, grumpy x sunshine, and ‘he falls first’ insta love, you should definitely check out this book. 


May 14, 2024

REVIEW Rosie and the Dreamboat (The Improbable Meet Cute #3) by Sally Thorne

Rosie and the Dreamboat (The Improbable Meet Cute #3) by Sally Thorne
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Release Date: January 23, 2024
Format: eBook and Audiobook (Kindle Unlimited)
Publisher: Amazon Original Stories 

Rosie and the Dreamboat by Sally Thorne was another cute and short romance novella addition to The Improbable Meet Cute series through Amazon. A little bit more out of the box than the first two books, the story was incredibly well done for something that starts in the middle of the action (a.k.a. focusing only on the meet cute, not necessarily getting to see the full romance play out). 

Rosie meets her love interest, dreamboat firefighter Leo, after she gets stuck in a sensory deprivation pod at a spa that won’t open. Since the spa owners refuse to let the firefighters damage their very expensive equipment before trying all other options, Leo is the designated person to keep Rosie calm as she awaits her rescue. Leo is an adorable cinnamon roll of a human being with a great sense of humor, and it was cool to see them get to know each other over the course of the hours she spends locked in that tank without the aid of a physical first impression. The conversation was really meaningful and deep for being such a lighthearted book, and I was invested (like Rosie was) in getting to see what Leo actually looked like. The final scene where they get to see each other face to face was super cute, and well worth the wait. 

Overall, this was another great short story, and perfect for those who want something they can finish in an afternoon. I really hope Rosie and Leo get to live happily ever after together! 


March 25, 2024

REVIEW Worst Wingman Ever (The Improbable Meet-Cute #2) by Abby Jimenez

Worst Wingman Ever (The Improbable Meet-Cute #2) by Abby Jimenez
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Release Date: January 23, 2024
Format: eBook + Audiobook (Kindle Unlimited)
Publisher: Amazon Original Stories 

Abby Jimenez’ contribution to the Amazon Original Stories The Improbable Meet-Cute series, Worst Wingman Ever, was an emotional novella. With both a heartwarming romance and heartbreaking loss, the author makes readers feel the emotions in the very short read (only about 60 ebook pages). 

For such a short story, I was amazed to see how well the storyline was developed and how well the characters are developed. Holly and John are both going through a lot in their life - Holly is a hospice nurse who has to watch her grandmother die and John is recovering from a recent break up. They interact with each other through a series of notes left on Holly’s car; it was cute to see how the notes ranged from thoughtful wisdom (courtesy of Holly’s grandmother) to banter and laugh out loud humor. It was also amazing to see how the author dealt with some heavy topics while retaining the lightness one would expect from a romantic comedy read. 

Overall, Worst Wingman Ever was a great short story. Perfect for those who want a romance they can finish in an afternoon. Andi Arndt and Zachary Webber did an excellent job bringing the characters’ perspectives to life with their performance in the audiobook. As with Christina Lauren’s novella in this series, I really appreciate that the story was wrapped up well and I wasn’t left feeling like it needed more. While this is the first book I’ve read by Abby Jimenez, I look forward to checking out more of her books in the future. 


February 12, 2024

REVIEW The Exception to the Rule (The Improbable Meet Cute #1) by Christina Lauren

The Exception to the Rule (The Improbable Meet Cute #1) by Christina Lauren
Rating: 5 Stars
Release Date: January 23, 2024
Format: eBook + Audiobook (Kindle Unlimited)
Publisher: Amazon Original Stories

Christina Lauren’s newest novella length read, The Exception to the Rule, is a super cute and adorable story. Perfect for completing in an afternoon (with the length being at about 2 hours for listening or 100 e-reader pages), I found myself invested in the story very quickly. While the first half of the story is told in emails with short interactions over the course of years before the main characters even know each other’s names (let alone meet in person), I never found it jarring or off putting. In fact, I think the audiobook narrators Marli Watson and Andrew Gibson did a great job bringing Terra and Callum’s messages to life in a very authentic way. With the inevitable meeting taking years to come to fruition, there was a lot of delayed gratification (for both myself and T/C) but it was well worth the wait. I also want to note how much I appreciate the way the authors wrapped up the story (which doesn’t always happen with novellas); it felt complete and they even threw in an epilogue with a glimpse of life in the future for the two love birds which was a nice touch.  


If you’re already a fan of Christina Lauren’s work or just a fan of swoon-worthy, meet-cute stories filled with tropes in general, I highly recommend this book. I’m looking forward to checking out the other stories in The Improbable Meet Cute series as soon as possible. 


About the Authors

Yes, there are two of us! Christina (on the left) and Lauren (on the right).

Christina Lauren is the combined pen name of long-time writing partners and best friends Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings. The #1 international bestselling coauthor duo writes both Young Adult and Adult Fiction, and together has produced eighteen New York Times bestselling novels. They are published in over 30 languages, have received multiple starred reviews, won both the Seal of Excellence and Book of the Year from RT Magazine, been inducted into the Library Reads Hall of Fame, named Amazon and Audible Romance of the Year, a Lambda Literary Award finalist and been nominated for several Goodreads Choice Awards. They have been featured in publications such as ForbesThe Atlantic, The Washington PostTimeEntertainment WeeklyPeopleO Magazine and more. Their third YA novel, Autoboyography was released in 2017 to critical acclaim, followed by RoomiesLove and Other WordsJosh and Hazel’s Guide to Not DatingThe UnhoneymoonersIn a Holidaze, and The Soulmate Equation and Something Wilder.

Lauren Billings (but everyone calls her Lo) has a Ph.D. in neuroscience and before she made writing her full-time job, would spend her days doing nerdy research-type things wearing a lab coat and goggles. She is silly Mommy to two littles, wife to one mountain biking homebrewing scientist, and an unabashed lover of YA and romance.

Christina Hobbs (but you’ll always hear Lo call her PQ) used to spend her days in a junior high counseling office surrounded by teenagers. These days you can find her at her desk, writing, or watching BTS videos. She lives in Utah with her husband and daughter, thinks she’s the luckiest person in the world to write books with her best friend, and is an unapologetic lover of boy bands and glitter.

Credit Brystan Studios/Lori Brystan.






December 20, 2023

BLOG TOUR A Curse of Magick by Diane Gallagher

Hi friends! This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Diane Gallagher will be awarding a $15 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour - make sure you show them some love! The more you comment, the more chances you have to win. 

“A desperate princess, a handsome warrior, and an ancient magick to determine their fate.”

As daughter to the High King, love doesn’t come easily to Gráinne. Having turned down hundreds of suitors, she is being forced to marry Finn, an old, ugly yet powerful general. While outside the marriage hall, Gráinne bumps into Diarmuid, Finn’s handsome foster son. From that moment, Gráinne knows if she is to have any chance at love, he is the one she must marry. She begs him to take her away from this unwanted wedding. When Diarmuid refuses, Gráinne, desperate, places a curse on him; help her or die.

Diarmuid is a warrior who only wants to serve loyally, but when the princess sets her sights on him and casts her curse, he must make the most difficult choice of his life. Does he help her, taking their chances with a vengeful Finn, or does her refuse her, leaving her to her fate, and risking his own death?

With both their lives on the line, Gráinne and Diarmuid must fight to use Ireland’s ancient magick to escape from Finn, either bringing them together in passion or in death.

A Curse of Magick is a passionate tale of love, betrayal, revenge, and redemption. A retelling of an ancient Irish myth, A Curse of Magick takes the love and romance of Romeo and Juliet, and the exhilaration of King Arthur, and mixes it together for a satisfying adventure all will love.


Read an Excerpt

Once the cave opened, Diarmuid grinned at Gráinne in the dim light. The walls of the caves were lined with crystals. Even in the darkening light of the sunset they twinkled and reflected the deep orange glow. Gráinne gasped.

“Wait until you see it with a fire,” Diarmuid said. “I’m going to go and gather as much dried wood as I can find. Wait here.”

As he left the cave, Diarmuid listened carefully. There was no sound of Finn’s men. He didn’t expect another message from Oisin saying they were on the move. He knew they were on their own now. He gathered up a tangle of branches he found at the foot of a tree. He hauled them back into the cave and dropped them in a heap on the cavern floor.

“Hand me that bag, will you?” Diarmuid pointed to a small bag he’d left near Bran. “That’s the flint bag. We can never lose that, or we will be in trouble.”

“I know that,” Gráinne bit back. “I have my own. Look.” From just under the collar of her dress she pulled out her own leather bag.

Diarmuid grunted and turned his attention to the fire.

He piled the branches carefully so that air would draw from below and used his flint to light the fire. As the fire sparked and took, the light reflected against the crystals that covered the ceiling of the cavern, making it look like a thousand tiny stars twinkled above them.

“Oh, how beautiful!” Gráinne cried, pressing her hands together beneath her chin.

“Yes, it was Angus that showed this to me. It is like magick, isn’t it?”

Gráinne nodded and smiled at Diarmuid, looking up at him from beneath her lashes, her momentary ire forgotten.

About the Author:

Diane Gallagher is a novelist and Druid priest. She is the author of three novels: A Curse of Magick, Greenwich List, and the Bastard of Saint Genevra. She has long roots stretching into her Celtic past, although she splits her life between two islands—Vancouver Island on the west coast of Canada, and Sicily off the toe of Italy’s boot. She writes young adult romance based on ancient Celtic myths of the powerful women of Wales, Scotland, and Ireland. She currently teaches creative writing at Cherry Hill Seminary.




September 10, 2023

REVIEW A Longer Fall (Gunnie Rose #2) by Charlaine Harris

A Longer Fall (Gunnie Rose #2) 
by Charlaine Harris
Rating: 4 Stars
Reelase Date: January 14, 2020
Format: eBook (Kindle Unlimited) + Audiobook (Borrowed from Library)
Publisher: Saga Press

In the second installment of Charlaine Harris’ Gunnie Rose series, A Longer Fall, readers once again return to a world where the United States we know are no more, having split into multiple different smaller territories. If you enjoy genre-bending novels with a bit of a Western flair, this would be a great choice for your next read. 

Lizbeth Rose is a “Gunnie”, a sharpshooter gifted with firearms and a boon to any crew she’s on. After the events of the last book left her all alone with a dead crew, the new crew she’s on has been given the job of guarding a piece of cargo as it makes its way across the continent. Things don’t go to plan though, as her crew is (unsurprisingly) ambushed and the cargo is taken. Once an old friend shows up, Lizbeth realizes that things are much more complicated then she anticipated and they must retrieve the cargo or die trying. 

Lizbeth and Eli are a unique pairing. While they are not a traditional ‘couple’, they fit together well and make a great team. On paper, their chosen professions would never have them even meet let alone interact for an extended period of time. However, fate has them partnered together and they make the most of their time (both professionally and in a personal, intimate way). The two characters definitely carry the book; while the side characters helped to move the action along, I couldn’t really recall any memorable details about any one in particular. 

The setting is still a bit jarring, but I can appreciate the unique take with the alternate history the author has crafted in this book. You’d think that the dystopian thriller western vibes that Ms. Harris has going on in this book would read as somewhat discordant, but I think it blended together well. 

Audiobook narrator Eva Kaminsky once again did an excellent job bringing Lizbeth’s perspective to life with her performance. This book leaves a clear starting point for the next book, and I’m excited to see what’s next for Gunnie Rose and Prince Eli in The Russian Cage. Additionally, I’m also excited to get to see Felicia get her time in the spotlight starting with the fourth book in the series, Serpent in Heaven

TRIGGER WARNINGS: Racism, Slavery, Domestic Violence, Lynching, Gun Violence

About the Book
In this second thrilling installment of the Gunnie Rose series, Lizbeth Rose is hired onto a new crew for a seemingly easy protection job, transporting a crate into Dixie, just about the last part of the former United States of America she wants to visit. But what seemed like a straight-forward job turns into a massacre as the crate is stolen. Up against a wall in Dixie, where social norms have stepped back into the last century, Lizbeth has to go undercover with an old friend to retrieve the crate as what’s inside can spark a rebellion, if she can get it back in time.

#1 New York Times bestselling author Charlaine Harris (Sookie Stackhouse mysteries and Midnight, Texas trilogy) is at her best here, building the world of this alternate history of the United States, where magic is an acknowledged but despised power.

About the Author

Charlaine Harris has been a published novelist for over thirty-five years. A native of the Mississippi Delta, she grew up in the middle of a cotton field. Charlaine lives in Texas now, and all of her children and grandchildren are within easy driving distance.

Though her early output consisted largely of ghost stories, by the time she hit college (Rhodes, in Memphis) Charlaine was writing poetry and plays. After holding down some low-level jobs, her husband Hal gave her the opportunity to stay home and write. The resulting two stand-alones were published by Houghton Mifflin. After a child-producing sabbatical, Charlaine latched on to the trend of series, and soon had her own traditional mystery books about a Georgia librarian, Aurora Teagarden. Her first Teagarden, Real Murders, garnered an Agatha nomination.

Soon Charlaine was looking for another challenge, and the result was the much darker Lily Bard series. The books, set in Shakespeare, Arkansas, feature a heroine who has survived a terrible attack and is learning to live with its consequences.

When Charlaine began to realize that neither of those series was ever going to set the literary world on fire, she regrouped and decided to write the book she’d always wanted to write. Not a traditional mystery, nor yet pure science fiction or romance, Dead Until Dark broke genre boundaries to appeal to a wide audience of people who simply enjoy a good adventure. Each subsequent book about Sookie Stackhouse, telepathic Louisiana barmaid and friend to vampires, werewolves, and various other odd creatures, was very successful in many languages.

The Harper Connelly books were written concurrently with the Sookie novels.

Following the end of Sookie's recorded adventures, Charlaine wrote the "Midnight, Texas" books, which have become a television series, also. The Aurora Teagarden books have been adapted by Hallmark Movie & Mystery.

Charlaine is a member of many professional organizations, an Episcopalian, and currently the lucky houseparent to two rescue dogs. She lives on a cliff overlooking the Brazos River.

August 2, 2023

REVIEW An Easy Death (Gunnie Rose #1) by Charlaine Harris

An Easy Death (Gunnie Rose #1) by Charlaine Harris
Rating: 4 Stars
Release Date: October 2, 2018
Format: Audiobook (Borrowed from Library) + eBook (Kindle Unlimited)
Publisher: Gallery/Saga Press 

My first exposure to Charlaine Harris’ books was her Sookie Stackhouse series, and I’ve since checked out her Midnight Texas and Aurora Teagarden books as well. It was exciting to read the first book in her newest series, Gunnie Rose. An Easy Death did not disappoint. 

The story takes place in a world that’s an alternate history Western movie meets thriller and dystopian novel, with the former United States of America fractured into pieces. The map included in the book was helpful in keeping track of where certain parts of the action were taking place, and which other countries took over the ruins of the United States. For example, the Holy Russian Empire rules over the continent's West Coast (where California and Oregon used to be). Britain has taken over the Northeast, Mexico has territory in the South, and the former Southern states have fractured into their own separate groups of territories. Readers also get a mixed sense of what time period the book is set in - in some ways, they are stuck in the past with Winchesters and Colts being the weapons of choice for those without magic. However, there are also more present and futuristic touches like refrigerators, cars, and other tools utilizing electricity. Despite the setting being a bit haphazard and hard to keep track of at times, I found myself remaining invested in the story. 

In addition to the physical worldbuilding, the characters were another highlight of the book. It was interesting to see various character groups, like the Grigoris from the Holy Russian Empire and the Gunnies who are so common in the South (but relatively unheard of in other places). I enjoyed getting to learn more about the magic system that occupies this world, and I hope to get to learn more about it in future books of the series. Eva Kaminsky did an excellent job bringing the action to life and voicing Gunnie Rose’s perspective throughout the book. Like many of Charlaine Harris’ other heroines, Gunnie is a strong Southern girl at heart, and I think this is one of those cases where the narrator’s performance took the book from good to great. 

Overall, An Easy Death was another excellent book, and Charlaine Harris continues to knock it out of the park with every book she writes. I highly recommend it to readers who enjoy adult novels that mix genres. While the majority of the content would be suitable for young readers, some of the events in the book (see the trigger warnings below), I’m hesitant to recommend it to a wider/younger audience. All in all, I’m excited to continue reading about Gunnie Rose’s adventures in the next book in the series, A Longer Fall, as soon as possible. 

TRIGGER WARNINGS: Rape and attempted rape, gun violence, kidnapping, loss of autonomy (mind control)

About the Book
In the southwestern country now known as Texoma, this is a world where magic is acknowledged but mistrusted. Battered by a run across the border to Mexico, gunslinger Lizbeth Rose takes a job offer from a pair of Russian wizards.

She may be young, but Gunnie Rose has acquired a fearsome reputation and the wizards are at a desperate crossroads, even if they won't admit it. They're searching frantically to locate the only man whose blood they believe can save their tsar's life.

A powerful enemy sends enemies who want their mission to faillThe trio are set upon by a powerful force does not want them to succeed in their mission. Lizbeth Rose is a gunnie who has never failed a client, but her oath will test all of her skills and resolve to get them all out alive.

About the Author

Charlaine Harris has been a published novelist for over thirty-five years. A native of the Mississippi Delta, she grew up in the middle of a cotton field. Charlaine lives in Texas now, and all of her children and grandchildren are within easy driving distance.

Though her early output consisted largely of ghost stories, by the time she hit college (Rhodes, in Memphis) Charlaine was writing poetry and plays. After holding down some low-level jobs, her husband Hal gave her the opportunity to stay home and write. The resulting two stand-alones were published by Houghton Mifflin. After a child-producing sabbatical, Charlaine latched on to the trend of series, and soon had her own traditional mystery books about a Georgia librarian, Aurora Teagarden. Her first Teagarden, Real Murders, garnered an Agatha nomination.

Soon Charlaine was looking for another challenge, and the result was the much darker Lily Bard series. The books, set in Shakespeare, Arkansas, feature a heroine who has survived a terrible attack and is learning to live with its consequences.

When Charlaine began to realize that neither of those series was ever going to set the literary world on fire, she regrouped and decided to write the book she’d always wanted to write. Not a traditional mystery, nor yet pure science fiction or romance, Dead Until Dark broke genre boundaries to appeal to a wide audience of people who simply enjoy a good adventure. Each subsequent book about Sookie Stackhouse, telepathic Louisiana barmaid and friend to vampires, werewolves, and various other odd creatures, was very successful in many languages.

The Harper Connelly books were written concurrently with the Sookie novels.

Following the end of Sookie's recorded adventures, Charlaine wrote the "Midnight, Texas" books, which have become a television series, also. The Aurora Teagarden books have been adapted by Hallmark Movie & Mystery.

Charlaine is a member of many professional organizations, an Episcopalian, and currently the lucky houseparent to two rescue dogs. She lives on a cliff overlooking the Brazos River.

April 2, 2023

REVIEW The Gargoyle's Captive (A Deal with a Demon #3) by Katee Robert

The Gargoyle's Captive (A Deal with a Demon #3) 
by Katee Robert
Rating: 3 Stars
Release Date: March 28, 2023
Format: eBook (Kindle Unlimited)
Publisher: Trinkets and Tales LLC (Self Published by Author) 

The Gargoyle’s Captive by Katee Robert, the latest installment in the ‘A Deal with a Demon’ series, is an enjoyable and steamy read (though it feels a little rushed). All of the events in the various books take place somewhat simultaneously so they can be read as standalones - this book focuses on the leader of the gargoyle territory Bram, and the human he chooses from Azazel’s auction, the former monster hunter Grace. 


“‘I’m sorry’. I smile even though my eyes are burning. ‘We keep saying that to each other, over and over, for our pains that words won’t fix.’ ‘Sometimes there’s nothing else to say.’”


Both Grace and Bram are dealing with a lot of trauma and loss. Readers get to see the events of the book from both of their perspectives, and how they connnect over the course of the book and bond over the past experiences. As one might expect from a Katee Robert book, the romance is trope heavy - some of the tropes you can expect are a monster romance, forced proximity, and a slight enemies to lovers take. There are of course, a lot of steamy scenes, and I was quite impressed by the author’s ingenuity with working Bram’s gargoyle attributes into those moments (the wings, the horns, the rock hard skin…)


Given the length of the book (slightly less than 200 pages on an e-reader), there isn’t a lot going on outside of Bram and Grace’s relationship. No new characters of particular import pop up, and there’s minimal worldbuilding. The build-up of the conflict and the reveal about Grace’s mother fell flat for me. I do appreciate the cameo from Ramanu (still my favorite character in the entire Deal with a Demon literary universe), but I was left wanting more from the book overall. 


If you want a quick monster romance book that you can finish in an afternoon, this would be a great choice for you. However if you’re looking for a longer romance tale, complete with extensive worldbuilding and in depth character development you might be better served with looking at another title on Ms. Robert’s backlist instead. I’m still invested in the series, but its not quite my favorite of all her books so I’ll be eagerly awaiting the final installments of the series, especially Azazel’s book The Demon’s Queen. Readers will be pleased to know that these books (at the time of writing this review) are available to read for free on Kindle Unlimited. 


TRIGGER WARNINGS (Courtesy of the Author’s Website): Elements of Suicidal Ideation (referenced briefly), Murder, Blood, Giant Spiders, Dubious Consent (Agreement Given Under Duress), Violent Familial Death (Historical, Off-Page), Abuse (By Parents, Off-Page, Historical), Violence, Blood Magic)


About the Book

Grace is a monster hunter who went into her demon deal with eyes wide open. Years ago, her mother made the same choice and was never seen again, and the answers Grace seeks can only be found in the demon realm.

She doesn’t care that she’s auctioned off to a gargoyle. She doesn’t plan to stay with him longer than strictly necessary.

Unfortunately, she didn’t read the small print of her contract.

Every time she tries to escape, she’s transported back into Bram’s tender care. He never hurts her, never punishes her, just meets her fury with an easy charm she doesn’t know how to fight.

She doesn’t mean to give in, to stop fighting. But the moment she does, she starts to forget what brought her to this place and what her goals are. After a life starved of pleasure, she’s all willing to let Bram seduce her again and again…

At least until the past comes calling.

About the Author


Katee Robert is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance and romantic suspense. Entertainment Weekly calls her writing “unspeakably hot.” Her books have sold over a million copies. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, children, a cat who thinks he’s a dog, and two Great Danes who think they’re lap dogs.

 

Katee is represented by Laura Bradford at Bradford Literary Agency.


Katee Robert Author Website

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March 29, 2023

REVIEW Ruby Road (Crossroad Chronicles Book #3) by BR Kingsolver

Ruby Road (Crossroad Chronicles Book 3) 
by B.R. Kingsolver
Rating: 3 Stars
Release Date: February 19, 2023
Format: eBook (Kindle Unlimited) 



BR Kingsolver’s books have always been one of my favorite indie urban fantasy reads, and her Crossroad Chronicles books are no exception. However, the latest installment, Ruby Road, didn’t have quite the same impact as the first two books in the series. 


Diana Smith is a ‘Walker’ or a magical being with the ability to walk between worlds. By day, she’s a jeweler and a blacksmith working at the Crossroads, the largest marketplace in any of the known worlds. However, when adventure comes knocking in the form of her ex-lover promising the motherlode of all scores, Diana can’t resist the temptation and signs up for the ride. 


My favorite part about this series is worldbuilding. With Diana’s ‘Walker’ powers, readers get to explore different worlds through her eyes. They are also exposed to various different magical talents that exist throughout the various worlds (for example, Diana is earth magic that allows her to sense the presence of minerals and stones below the surface). We also get to meet a whole host of characters who possess said powers - my favorite characters in this book in particular were Diana’s mom and Lanya. 


While the characters and worldbuilding were definite highlights, I was very confused by the storyline and some of the actions that the characters took. For example, Diana is a complete badass but she seems to lack a basic sense of self preservation. She knows her ex is a douche bag with a penchant for getting those around him into trouble, but she doesn’t seem to take that into consideration when planning her trip with him. At the very least, one would think that she would want more information or would make more of an emergency escape plan. But, no, she doesn’t. 


Overall, Ruby Road was an entertaining read with some minor issues. I’m unsure whether or not this completes the series, but I do think the author tied up all the story threads nicely. I would recommend the book (and the larger series) to urban fantasy readers who like authors like Ilona Andrews, Patricia Briggs, or Lisa Shearin. 



About the Author

I made silver and turquoise jewelry for almost a decade, ended up in nursing school, then took a master’s in business. Along the way I worked in construction, as a newspaper editor, a teacher, and somehow found a career working with computers.

As to my other interests, I love the outdoors, especially the Rocky Mountains. I’ve skied since high school, with one broken leg and one torn ACL to show for it. I’ve hiked and camped all my life. I love to travel, though I haven’t done enough of it. I’ve seen a lot of Russia and Mexico, not enough of England. Amsterdam is amazing, and the Romanian Alps are breathtaking. Lake Tahoe is a favorite, and someday I’d like to see Banff.