Tag: romance

Book Review: Hiro-J: Energy by P.S. Bartlett

Categories Mystery, noir, Romance, Science-Fiction, Surreal Fiction, Suspense, Thriller1 Comment on Book Review: Hiro-J: Energy by P.S. Bartlett

Book Details:

Author: P.S. Bartlett
Release Date: June 13, 2025
Series:
Genre: Science-Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Aliens
Format: E-book 
Pages: 295 pages
Publisher: –
Blurb:
They told her she’d be studying human behavior.
They never said the subject wasn’t human.
Lana Delaney isn’t the kind of girl who chases adventure. A champion swimmer and psychology major, she keeps her world small—school, training, and staying invisible. But when her bold, unpredictable new roommate Willie bursts into her life, Lana starts to believe maybe she doesn’t have to hide forever.
Everything changes when she accepts a summer internship at a classified research facility. Her assignment? To observe an unusual subject known only as Project J.

His name is Hiro.
He isn’t human.
And he’s been waiting for her.
Trapped in a saltwater pool and fading fast, Hiro speaks through thoughts, memories, and something deeper Lana can feel.
With the help of Logan—a conflicted but charming tech specialist—Lana begins to unravel a web of secrets, cover-ups, and buried truths. Now, caught between two powerful connections and a dangerous conspiracy, Lana must decide how far she is willing to go to save the only being who has ever truly seen her.
Perfect for fans of Starman, Arrival, and The Host, Hiro-J: Energy is a romantic sci-fi thriller about memory, trust, and the invisible energy that binds us all.

Review

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Hiro-J: Energy by P.S. Bartlett is an absolute delightful read. It is a genre-bending fusion of science fiction, psychological drama, light romance, and quiet suspense that had me fully immersed from the first chapter. At its heart, this is not just an alien contact story — it’s an exploration of connection, trust, and the profound complexities of human (and non-human) empathy. Lana is written with remarkable tenderness: a young woman carrying subtle wounds, whose growing relationship with the alien being Hiro (or J) feels natural, emotional, and at times, surprisingly profound. The depiction of the telepathic bond between them is particularly well-handled — neither rushed nor over-sentimentalized. Instead, it unfolds with an intimacy that makes every moment between them compelling.

What impressed me most was the restraint in the pacing — the story takes its time, allowing us to sit with Lana’s doubts, her growing intrigue, and the psychological weight of being at the center of something far bigger than herself. The ethical layers — about science, exploitation, and autonomy — give the narrative extra depth without overwhelming its core. And Hiro as a character who is non-human yet beautifully relatable, stays with you long after the book ends.

Structurally speaking, the book balances dialogue and introspection quiet well, and despite the heavy themes, it never feels bogged down. The prose is crisp, accessible, yet thoughtful and that’s just the way a novel like this should read.

For readers who enjoy character-driven sci-fi with a touch of mystery and emotional resonance, HiroJ: Energy is a highly rewarding read. It is emotionally intelligent and has enough intrigue and suspense to cater to different kinds of readers.

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Book Review: Night of the Fisherman by David Morabito

Categories Action, Romance, Science-Fiction, Science-Fiction Fantasy, Surreal Fiction, Suspense, Thriller, Young AdultLeave a Comment on Book Review: Night of the Fisherman by David Morabito

Book Details:

Author: David Morabito 
Release Date: May 13, 2024
Series:
Genre: Suspense, Romance, YA, Science Fiction-Fantasy
Format: E-book 
Pages: 366 pages
Publisher: –
Blurb:
An emotionally confused teenage boy, known as Fish, living in a lackluster 1950’s suburban setting is accustomed to the anguish of growing up in a dysfunctional family. Nicknamed the Fisherman, he seemingly is always having to fish around for a reason for his miserable existence. He is then forced to face his worst fears confronting an abusive authority figure in the neighborhood known as Poppa. To compound his anguish, he endures the mistreatment while pursuing the love of Kara, a beautiful but garrulous neighbor girl, who is drawn into the conflict.

In the course of the conflict, they are transported to an alien realm which appears to be a beautiful peaceful setting but soon becomes “anything but” when Poppa and his henchmen stumble upon the portal. Fish and Kara’s affection for each other grows as they are being ruthlessly pursued. Finally the night of decision arrives for Fish, as Poppa and he confront each other in a suspenseful fiery setting of a surreal alien landscape. The Fisherman is forced to quickly fish for a fateful decision on the proper course of action he should take as he weighs concepts of vengeance, justice and redemption.

Review

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Night of the Fisherman by David Morabito is a nostalgic suspenseful journey that seamlessly blends the 1950s suburban milieu with a surreal and alien twist.

The characters stand out in this book. Fish is an achingly relatable protagonist whose inner turmoil feels extremely realistic. His bond with Kara, the spirited neighbour girl, adds warmth and hope to the otherwise intense narrative. Poppa, on the other hand, is a terrifyingly oppressive figure whose presence kept me on edge throughout the story.

The suburban setting is painted with amazing detail and was successful in evoking a strong sense of time and place. The alien realm introduces an imaginative layer of intrigue, with its deceptive beauty quickly unraveling into danger and suspense. The dramatic final confrontation between Fish and Poppa is both super exciting and touching, forcing Fish to wrestle with timeless themes of vengeance, justice, and redemption.

While the book’s rich descriptions and philosophical undertones are commendable, they occasionally slow down the pacing. Some readers might wish for a tighter narrative flow. Nevertheless, Night of the Fisherman is an emotionally gripping tale with strong character development and a unique blend of genres and I highly recommend it to readers who enjoy tales that mix introspection with high-stakes action.

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Book Review: Evolving Ecstasy (Almost Human – The First Trilogy Book 3) by Melanie Nowak

Categories Dark Fiction, Dystopian, Fantasy, Humor, RomanceLeave a Comment on Book Review: Evolving Ecstasy (Almost Human – The First Trilogy Book 3) by Melanie Nowak

Book Details:

Author: Melanie Nowak 
Release Date: July 3, 2008; Re-release: September 20, 2024
Series: Almost Human Trilogy
Genre: Paranormal Romance Fantasy (Very character-driven, with humor, drama, angst, romance & action)
Format: E-book 
Pages: 331 pages
Publisher: WoodWitchDame Publications; 2nd edition
Blurb:
The relationship between Cain and Felicity has crested to a peak that leaves them unsure whether to step back from each other for safety, or jump into a future united in death. Felicity is unlike any human Cain has known before. She treats him as an equal; a man worthy of friendship, respect and even… love. She embodies qualities of gentleness and loving trust that he has never found among his own kind. This makes her far more desirable to him than any creature of darkness could ever be. The venom of Cain’s bite could protect Felicity from hostile vampires, but it would give him a measure of psychic control over her as well. Would Felicity only accept becoming a vampire, due to his addictive venom, coupled with the foolishness of a young girl in love? Perhaps there is a brighter future for her in the human world. Is Cain’s desire for Felicity’s love worth the loss of her life? 

*ALMOST HUMAN is a series of successive trilogies, not stand-alone books. Each trilogy is self-contained enough to be read alone as a 3 book set, but the story unfolds chronologically, and the characters do continue from one trilogy to the next. Main storyline closure is in each 3rd book, but there are also story-ties leading from one trilogy to the next in the series.
*For series updates and previews, visit: MelanieNowak.com

Review

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Evolving Ecstasy is the third book in Almost Human: The First Trilogy by Melanie Nowak (the first book is Fatal Infatuation and the second one is Lost Reflections). Evolving Ecstasy is an exhilarating and emotional ride, especially for fans of character-driven paranormal romance like me. I found myself completely drawn into the complex relationships and the heart-pounding tension between Felicity and Cain.

The book does a fantastic job balancing action with deep emotional moments, especially as Felicity grapples with her feelings for Cain and the dangers that come with loving a vampire. What I loved most was the evolution of their relationship, particularly how Cain’s internal struggles as a vampire play a central role in their dynamic. The scenes between them are both tender and thrilling, making you root for them even as you fear for their survival.

Nowak’s writing shines in this installment, especially when describing the complexity of Cain’s character. As one of the more memorable lines goes: “To drink from a host, for a vampire, is the ultimate experience. Just as sex may be for a human being. Blood, that is true ecstasy.” This quote perfectly encapsulates the intense emotions that run throughout the novel.

While the book is packed with action, particularly as Felicity faces off against zombies and vampire enemies, it’s the quieter moments of vulnerability that stand out. One of my favorite quotes is when Cain reassures Felicity: “For you, I’d fight Satan himself.” The devotion and passion between these characters elevate the stakes and make the story even more compelling.

Overall, Evolving Ecstasy delivers all the suspense, romance, and supernatural intrigue you’d want from a paranormal series. I give it 5 stars for its gripping narrative and emotional depth. The Almost Human: The First Trilogy by Melanie Nowak is an addictive blend of romance, danger, and the supernatural. With captivating characters like Felicity and the enigmatic vampire Cain, the trilogy takes readers on an emotional journey through love, loss, and survival in a world filled with vampires, zombies, and moral dilemmas. It is perfect for fans of paranormal romance who crave deep character development and heart-racing action!

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Book Review: Lost Reflections (Almost Human – The First Trilogy Book 2) by Melanie Nowak

Categories Dark Fiction, Dystopian, Fantasy, Humor, Romance1 Comment on Book Review: Lost Reflections (Almost Human – The First Trilogy Book 2) by Melanie Nowak

Book Details:

Author: Melanie Nowak 
Release Date: July 3, 2008; Re-release: September 20, 2024
Series: Almost Human Trilogy
Genre: Paranormal Romance Fantasy (Very character-driven, with humor, drama, angst, romance & action)
Format: E-book 
Pages: 353 pages
Publisher: WoodWitchDame Publications; 2nd edition
Blurb:
Felicity has helped her friends to escape the venomous vixen Sindy, but cannot divine the motives of Cain, the vampire who captured first her gratitude, and then her heart.
She finds the historical account of Cain’s past enthralling and frightening. Now she must determine whether the addictive venom in Cain’s kiss is clouding her judgment, and if his thirst for her blood is a driving force too strong for their love to conquer.
It’s difficult to contemplate such questions while under the attack of a vengeful vampire and his zombie slaves. Felicity’s heart has already been lost to Cain; will she lose her life as well?

*ALMOST HUMAN is a series of successive trilogies, not stand-alone books. Each trilogy is self-contained enough to be read alone as a 3 book set, but the story unfolds chronologically, and the characters do continue from one trilogy to the next. Main storyline closure is in each 3rd book, but there are also story-ties leading from one trilogy to the next in the series.

Review

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

If you enjoyed Fatal Infatuation, you’re in for another exciting ride with Lost Reflections, the second book in The Almost Human Trilogy. Melanie Nowak delivered a fantastic mix of romance, danger, and supernatural intrigue that kept me hooked from start to finish.

This time around, Felicity is grappling with her feelings for Cain, the mysterious and brooding vampire who’s managed to capture both her heart and her trust. But, of course, things are never that simple! Felicity is starting to wonder whether Cain’s vampire venom is clouding her judgment, and it doesn’t help that she’s also caught up in a deadly game involving vengeful vampires and zombie minions. Talk about complicated! One thing’s for sure: her heart may be lost to Cain, but the bigger question is, will she lose her life too?

The best part of this book is definitely the deeper dive into Cain’s backstory. His past is both fascinating and dark, and we get a much clearer picture of why he is the way he is. It’s both enthralling and, at times, a little unsettling. And Felicity’s struggle to figure out whether their connection is real or just a result of his vampire nature adds an emotional layer that keeps the reader invested in their relationship.

There’s a lot more action in this one compared to the first book, and the pacing really picks up. There was vengeful vampires, zombies, and plenty of suspense to keep me on my toes. The romance is still at the heart of the story, but the stakes feel higher now, and Felicity is forced to make some tough decisions about what she really wants.

Overall, Lost Reflections is a great continuation of the series. The characters are even more developed, the action ramps up, and the romance has a darker, more complex edge to it. If you’re into vampire stories with a good mix of danger, drama, and romance, you’re definitely going to enjoy this one. Can’t wait to see how things unfold in the final book!

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Book Review: Fatal Infatuation (Almost Human – The First Trilogy Book 1) by Melanie Nowak

Categories Dark Fiction, Dystopian, Fantasy, Humor, Romance2 Comments on Book Review: Fatal Infatuation (Almost Human – The First Trilogy Book 1) by Melanie Nowak

Book Details:

Author: Melanie Nowak 
Release Date: July 3, 2008; Re-release: September 20, 2024
Series: Almost Human Trilogy
Genre: Paranormal Romance Fantasy (Very character-driven, with humor, drama, angst, romance & action)
Format: E-book 
Pages: 353 pages
Publisher: WoodWitchDame Publications; 2nd edition
Blurb:
Shy Felicity never expected to attract the attention of a handsome young man… or a vampire, but if she can keep them both from killing each other she’ll need all the help she can get to navigate discoveries of desire; perils of zombies and vampires; and struggles with friendship, morality and…college.
Cain is an elder vampire who displays quiet confidence even as he struggles to overcome sins of his past. Surprisingly, he found that in losing his life he gained his faith and a purpose. His mission: find the hostile vampires that inhabit this small college town, and educate them to live in peace with humans. Their leader, Sindy, is a wicked temptress who has set her sights on Felicity’s new friend Ben. She will be difficult to control, but after meeting Felicity, Cain’s most difficult task lies in controlling himself.

Review

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Fatal Infatuation by Melanie Nowak is an amazing vampire romance novel, the first in the Almost Human trilogy, with a mix of suspense and exceptional characterisation.

The story centres around Felicity, this shy and kind-hearted college student who suddenly finds herself in a very complicated situation. Not only does she catch the eye of a charming human, but also Cain—a brooding elder vampire who has his own messy past to deal with. Cain’s not your typical vampire though. He’s trying to make peace with his past sins and even works to help other vampires coexist with humans. One line from Cain that really stood out to me was: “In losing my life, I found my purpose.” That just sums up his whole internal struggle so well.

I loved the mix of romance, danger, and a bit of moral dilemma in this book. Felicity is trying to figure out her feelings while literally navigating a world with vampires and zombies, and honestly, I was here for it! There’s a part where she says, “Navigating friendships and desires was already hard enough—now there’s the small matter of survival,” and I think that perfectly captures the vibe of the story.

The characters, especially Cain, are really well-developed. He’s not just a brooding vampire—there’s a lot more to him, and you can’t help but root for him. And then there’s Sindy, a seductive vampire who just loves stirring up trouble, especially when it comes to Felicity’s new friend, Ben.

The only thing I would say is that some parts were a little predictable, but honestly, it didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment. There’s plenty of tension and excitement to keep you turning the pages. If you’re into vampires with some emotional depth and a good mix of romance and action, Fatal Infatuation is a fantastic start to the series. I can’t wait to see what happens next!

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Book Review: The Witness Affair by E T McNamara

Categories Clover Blaire, E.T. McNamara, Mystery, Nancy Maloney-Mercado, Noureddine Hifad, Romance, Suspense, ThrillerLeave a Comment on Book Review: The Witness Affair by E T McNamara

Book Details:

Author: E T McNamara
Release Date: 25th February 2023
Series:
Genre: Criminal, Suspense, Mystery, Thriller, Romantic Mystery
Format: E-book 
Pages: 366
Publisher: –
Blurb:
Fans of romantic mysteries and suspenseful crime dramas get both in The Witness Affair, E T McNamara’s fourth novel. In New York City, an attractive young woman trying to save her Iowa home and farm from legal problems unwittingly becomes the target of an international crime ring. Having no idea why people are trying to kill her, she relies on a handsome New York City police detective to keep her safe. They become aware of the romantic chemistry between them as they try to figure out who wants her dead and why. Realizing the conspiracy is deeper than they thought, they must take drastic actions to keep each other safe. Whether it is discovering the perfect crime, its resulting treasure hunt, or the simmering romance of the two main characters, be prepared for a rollercoaster thrill ride, as a series of twists and turns will keep readers guessing until the end.

Review

Rating: 4 out of 5.

The Witness Affair by E T McNamara is a romantic mystery that builds up slowly but really well. This book was very different from author McNamara’s usual style of writing, which leans more towards historical stories and style of narration. I really enjoyed this book and the think that the ending was a good payoff for the entire built-up.

The mystery devised by the author was good and the characterisation, keeping with his writing style, was spot on. I was able to connect to the characters and felt deeply for them, making this book extremely engaging.

I’d recommend this book to all mystery readers, especially to those who like a prominent romantic subplot.

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Book Review: The Chippendale Letter by E T McNamara

Categories Clover Blaire, E.T. McNamara, Fantasy, High fantasy, Historical, historical-fiction, historical-romance, Nancy Maloney-Mercado, new adult, Noureddine Hifad, RomanceLeave a Comment on Book Review: The Chippendale Letter by E T McNamara

Book Details:

Author: E T McNamara
Release Date: 23rd May 2022
Series:
Genre: Historical Romance Fiction
Format: E-book 
Pages: 444
Publisher: –
Blurb:
From the author of The Puzzle Pieces and Fate’s Final Destiny comes a two-generation romantic novel set against World War 2, the Vietnam War, and America’s space race. Discovering an unmailed letter from 1944 twenty-five years later in an old Chippendale chest, Vietnam War widow Patti Kilbride embarks on a journey to find the intended recipient. Caught up in her efforts to reunite two strangers from the past, Patti is unaware of the changes her search is having in her own life. Following the lives of a WWII naval aviator and a “Rosie the Riveter” aircraft factory worker, we watch their past lives eventually catch up with Patti’s present life. If you enjoy a good love story and at the same time want to experience what American life was like generations ago, this book is for you.

Review

Rating: 4 out of 5.

The Chippendale Letter by E T McNamara is a very well-written historical romance fiction novel full of highs and lows of great sentimental intensity. This is my second book by the author and as soon as I started the book, I felt as if I had been handed a warm blanket and a hot cup of coffee; the author’s writing carries a certain familiar warmth that can only be felt by readers who’ve experienced a previous novel or story by an author.

The character of Patti was very well-developed, and I felt a strong connection with her that made me enjoy the book on a completely different level. The characters of George and Charlotte only added to the book’s charm and the story’s richness. The author’s writing made it an absolute delight, and he executed the entire plot perfectly blending it all seamlessly into the brilliant backdrop of World War II and the Vietnam War.

I’d strongly recommend this book to all historical romance as well as simply historical fiction readers as this story has a lot to offer to its readers.

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Book Review: Giant Men and Violent Women by Clover Blaire

Categories Clover Blaire, Nancy Maloney-Mercado, new adult, RomanceLeave a Comment on Book Review: Giant Men and Violent Women by Clover Blaire

Book Details:

Author: Clover Blaire
Release Date: 19th September 2017
Series:
Genre: New Adult Fiction
Format: E-book 
Pages: 335
Publisher: Tini Tonic Books
Blurb:
I knew three things about Ashley Bragg.
First, he was the greatest rogue alive, no matter how charming and respected he was.
Second, he was too handsome and too sure of himself.
Third, I was going to risk it all to have him, because he was just that alluring. 
Presley Ann Scots’ move to the mountain town of Darling, an elite, politically powerful town in New Hampshire, could have been the most intimidating move she ever made. What would these prestigious and powerful mountain men and their pageant queen wives say about this single Boston girl? But once Presley Ann meets the charming and well-bred Ashley Bragg, her life takes a romantic and then humiliating turn.

There are three things that Presley Ann does not know about me.
First, I know who killed Boston’s mayor.
Second, I know who killed New Hampshire’s governor.
Third, you should be afraid of me.
Up until now, Ashley Bragg, a handsome small town lawyer, has managed to maintain his lovable and upstanding image in the town he was born and raised in. But now everyone is shocked, especially his fiancé, when the new woman in town–Presley Ann–seems to have seduced him. Presley Ann and Ashley find themselves running away from love and refusing their desires, forgetting that desires do not accept refusals.
Seductive and filled with deep longing, The Rise of the Royal House of New Hampshire captures the struggle between doing what people expect of us and doing what we desire. This is a love story with a twist.

Review

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Giant Men and Violent Women by Clover Blaire is an explosive new release that will leave you sitting on the edge of your seat. It is a new adult fiction novel with a huge romantic subplot but with an amazing and dark twist.

I loved the characterisation in this book and how the main characters drove the entire plot to its amazing finish, leaving the readers craving for more action, drama and romance. The story is impressive conceptually, and the plot is well-strung and pulled together tightly with neat writing and a great narrative flow.

I would strongly recommend this story to all new adult fiction readers and to romance readers who like their romantic stories with twists.

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Book Review: An Imperishable Promise: If Afterlife Is True, Will You Still Come To Me? by Sarathi Sabyasachi Sahoo

Categories Contemporary Fiction, Indian Literature, Romance, Sarathi Sabyasachi SahooLeave a Comment on Book Review: An Imperishable Promise: If Afterlife Is True, Will You Still Come To Me? by Sarathi Sabyasachi Sahoo

Book Details:

Author: Sarathi Sabyasachi Sahoo
Release Date: 19th September 2022
Series:
Genre: Romance, Contemporary Fiction
Format: E-book 
Pages: 152
Publisher: Notion Press
Blurb:
What happens to your love when you die? Does your love end? Does your love stay in your heart or in your body? When you say, “I Love You,” what does the “I” stand for? Is it your body, mind, or soul? When you die, is your love also destroyed like your body, or is it immortal like your soul? Then the question comes, is the soul immortal? Nobody can give a perfect answer to these questions. This book has tried to find the answers to that mystery. It’s a love story between two immortal souls. Love is an endless fuel to the energy called the soul, which will keep it alive forever.
Read An Imperishable Promise to find the real meaning of love. It is filled with lots of suspense and twists. What will happen to Raj and Kashish’s love when death becomes an obstacle between them? Will they overcome this false materialistic life to keep their love alive forever? Will their love survive without having a physical existence of the human body? Dive in to find all these answers.

Review

Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

An Imperishable Promise: If Afterlife Is True, Will You Still Come To Me? by Sarathi Sabyasachi Sahoo is a unique love story that is narrated as a part of a flashback by a secondary yet important character and the story takes quite unexpected turns as it unfolds keeping the readers engaged at all times.

I liked the concept of the book and the storyline. The characters were good but needed a bit more development as I couldn’t feel a strong connection to them. Although their emotions did come through beautifully despite the problems with the flow of the writing, the narration delivered the emotions quite well. There was more telling than showing, but the good plot more than made up for it and the weak characterisation.

Overall, the book was unique, enjoyable and pretty thought-provoking. And I would recommend it to all contemporary romance readers.

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ARC Review: Kai’s Healing Smiles by Vivi Anne Hunt

Categories Contemporary Fiction, LGBT Fiction, Romance, Vivi Anne HuntLeave a Comment on ARC Review: Kai’s Healing Smiles by Vivi Anne Hunt

Book Details:

Author: Vivi Anne Hunt
Release Date: 13th September 2022
Series:
Genre: Contemporary Romance, LGBTQ+
Format: E-book 
Pages: 201 pages
Publisher: –
Blurb:
Silas is mourning the loss of his wife. Every day, he is going through the motions and barely managing to keep the excruciating pain from overtaking his life. There is precisely one ray of sunshine in his days — Kai — the smiley, awkward barista at Starbucks. For some reason, Silas finds comfort being around Kai and soaks up as much light as this sweet boy could give him.

For the short time Kai has worked at Starbucks, he has secretly watched one man from afar, hoping that one day he would notice him back. He looks all mature, business-like, and always sad. One day Kai finally gets the chance to speak to him. And this is where their story begins.
Will Silas be able to let go of the past and start fresh? And will Kai be able to heal the gloomy man with his smiles?

Review

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Kai’s Healing Smiles by Vivi Anne Hunt is a heart-warming romantic story that is full of emotional depth as well as character.

I liked this book from the start because, in spite of having started on a glum note, the author’s writing made this book an easy read and the character development kept me engaged. The plot kept developing well and soon I found myself not wanting to be pulled away from the story.

I liked the plot, the basic concept as well as its execution, the simple yet effective writing and the ups and downs the pacing added to the tension in the book. Overall, it is a lovely romance novel that I’d recommend to all romance genre fans especially readers who enjoy reading LGBTQ+ romance stories.

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ARC Review: Destiny Lives on Fairhaven Street by C.J. Hudson

Categories C.J. Hudson, memoir, Non-Fiction, RomanceLeave a Comment on ARC Review: Destiny Lives on Fairhaven Street by C.J. Hudson

Book Details:

Author: C.J. Hudson
Release Date: NA
Series: The Fairhaven Series (Book #1)
Genre: Romantic Memoir
Format: E-book 
Pages: 242 pages
Publisher: NA
Blurb:
Destiny Lives on Fairhaven Street is the story of one man’s eight-year journey to get back to the girl next door.

Review

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Destiny Lives on Fairhaven Street by C.J. Hudson is a touching memoir about how author found love.

I liked this book because it feels like a very honest book as the author as not shied away from pouring out his heart. The writing is simply yet the flow of it makes reading this book effortless. The concept of this book is beautiful and the emotions are raw and sincere.

This book is an exceptional emotional read and I would definitely recommend it to all the readers of memoirs and romance genre.

Book Review: Falling For The Competition by Jen Smith

Categories Contemporary Fiction, Jen Smith, Romance, Young AdultLeave a Comment on Book Review: Falling For The Competition by Jen Smith

Book Details:

Author: Jen Smith
Release Date: 6th December 2021
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Romance, Contemporary Fiction
Series:
Format: E-book 
Pages: 295 pages
Publisher:
Blurb:
It’s going to be the best summer ever for ambitious, overachieving Quinn. A huge history buff, not only has she landed her dream job interning in the archives department of the local castle, but her best friend will be working there too.
However, Quinn isn’t the only one to be working in Archives this summer; Quinn’s academic rival, Patrick, is sharing her office in Muniments. They’re competing for the Letter of Recommendation (singular) from the research historian that Quinn needs to get her dream future placement.

Their emotionally-loaded and competitive rivalry turns into a reluctant friendship, as they spend every day working together in silence (and sharing the occasional Twix). Until the Re-Enactors arrive. Between Patrick and Harry – the Golden Knight of the jousting team – Quinn’s carefully planned summer is thrown into complete disarray. Meanwhile, her best friend’s relationship may look perfect on the outside, but Quinn is starting to realise that there’s more going on than there seems.

Although Quinn is determined and single minded about planning every detail of her sparkling future, she comes to discover that the best things in life are the spontaneous ones – and that some people are more important than any Letter of Recommendation (singular) could ever be.

Review

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

Falling For The Competition by Jen Smith is a new un-put-down-able YA romance.

This book is well-written with a great plot that kept me engaged right from the first page to the very last one. I was able to relate to the characters, both the main ones as well as the secondary ones, and was able to form a strong connection with the main lead, Quinn. This book is as interesting as it is entertaining. There wasn’t a single chapter where I felt bored or unfocused and that was a blessing as most YA books tend to do it (at least to me.) So I am really thankful tot eh author for great pacing and tremendous tension throughout the book.

I would highly recommend this book to all YA and romance readers.

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Book Review: A Hero Dreams by Mark Ristau

Categories Coming Of Age Drama, Mark Ristau, SupernaturalLeave a Comment on Book Review: A Hero Dreams by Mark Ristau

Book Details:

Author: Mark Ristau
Release Date: 21st September 2017
Genre: Coming-Of-Age, Supernatural
Series: Hero’s Path (Book #1)
Format: E-book 
Pages: 288 pages
Publisher: 
Blurb:
Devastated by his father’s sudden death, eight-year-old Ricky begins to see things—a ghostly silhouette in his bedroom window, a gruesome train accident involving four local teenagers, a terrorist attack that won’t occur for another twenty-five years. After a traumatic incident at a New England summer camp, the visions become more frequent, more vivid, and more disturbing. A mysterious voice assures him everything will be okay if he crosses the “threshold.” But just what is the threshold? And what lies beyond? 

IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award 
– Popular Fiction (Winner of Silver) 
National Indie Excellence Awards 
– New Fiction (Winner) and Visionary Fiction (Finalist) 
Next Generation Indie Book Awards 
– First Novel (Finalist) and Inspirational Fiction (Finalist) 
Best Book Awards 
– Best New Fiction (Finalist) and Visionary Fiction (Finalist) 

Review

Rating: 3 out of 5.

A Hero Dreams by Mark Ristau is an imaginative and unique supernatural book about a protagonist that will remain in your heart long after you’ve put the book down.

This book is really well-written and has a brilliant concept, for the book itself as well as the series – from what can be seen as the foundational layout of the plot. The characterisation is good and I was able to connect and relate to the protagonist, Ricky, who is an 8-year-old kid on a path to something he cannot comprehend entirely for the most part. This raises the stakes in the story to a point where the book becomes unputdownable.

The only thing I had a problem with is the sexual abuse that kind of felt forced in the way to only drive the plot forward and justify the visions the kid has. This could have been tackled in a better way in my opinion. Apart from this, the book as pretty good.

I liked this book and am looking forward to reading the next book in this series to know what happens next in Ricky’s life. I’d definitely recommend it to readers of all genres as this book is a coming-of-age story that has a little something for every reader. Though if child sexual abuse is a trigger for you then you might want to reconsider.

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Book Review: Retirement Planning for Couples : The Ultimate Financial Guide to a Stress-Free and Happy Aging by Phoenix Read

Categories Non-Fiction, Phoenix ReadLeave a Comment on Book Review: Retirement Planning for Couples : The Ultimate Financial Guide to a Stress-Free and Happy Aging by Phoenix Read

Book Details:

Author:  Phoenix Read
Release Date: 21st April 2021
Genre: Non Fiction, Finance
Series:
Format: E-book 
Pages: 234 pages
Publisher: Blackstone Pub.
Blurb:
How to plan for your financial retirement with your partner – even if you are starting late?
Have you been worried about your finances when you and your partner eventually retire?
Maybe you have been thinking about how you would cope when you finally retire?
Do you absolutely have no clue how to start, or perhaps you gave up at some point?
Planning your finances can be sometimes daunting – it becomes even more challenging if it’s your retirement you need to plan for, and you have to do it as a couple.
This book aims to intentionally cover the gap in the market for materials that cover financial planning for couples as against what we have that basically talks about individuals. It further bolsters how couples can minimize costs and maximize their wealth if they work together. With many years of research and unraveling secrets of lifetime income maximization and a passion for family wealth management, Phoenix Read bears his mind and offered loads of helpful support, tools, and information on how couples can overcome these obstacles.
In this book, Phoenix lets it all out. You will learn how to get started on your financial retirement plans.
His understanding of the challenges couples face when talking about money will help you and your partner overcome several years of not planning together.

Here’s a snapshot of what you will get.

  • You will learn the best approach for couples and the best time to start talking about financial planning as couples. You will understand if one partner should keep working while the other retires or if both of you should retire at the same time.
  • You will know more about what you are entitled to, and it is worth retiring early or late.
  • It answered common questions on the mind of most couples as they approach retirement. Questions like where to live, what to do with your time, if you should retire at the same time, how much you need for retirement, and many more.
  • You will be exposed to several investment vehicles where you can invest and grow your money without the risk of losing them to government policies or drastic market changes. The author discussed the pros and cons of all the investment opportunities in the book.
  • How compounding interest works in your favor if you know how to take advantage of the opportunity. It also contains how to diversify your investment successfully.
  • 3 Phases of Retirement. You will learn how to prepare and what to do at each phase.
  • It also delves into the various component of your planning and everything you need to know, like life expectancy, social security, and the best time to claim them.
  • Several studies show that the elderly are more likely to lose their money to fraudsters. So, there’s a whole chapter that talks about how to avoid losing your hard-earned money to dubious characters.
  • There’s a comprehensive guide on how to manage your health in retirement. It contains topics like health insurance, medical cost, and a lot more.

And a whole lot more!
Phoenix wrote this book with you in mind, and that is not just a cliche!
Whatever level you and your partner find yourself in, you will find the right guide to start and get your retirement plans up and running.

Warning!!! This is not one of those financial books littered with jargon! 
Every term used in this book was carefully simplified. The book is easy to understand with all the complex financial terms broken into simple languages for your understanding. Additionally, there are loads of relatable examples available for your understanding.

Review

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Retirement Planning for Couples: The Ultimate Financial Guide to a Stress-Free and Happy Aging is a very straightforward book on financial advice for retiring couples and people in the same age group. This book has a lot of good suggestions for anyone looking for guidance on planning their finances, especially for retirement.

Apart from investments and financial planning, this book also gives some key insights into how to approach retirement as a couple as well as the right time to start thinking about it. This is something that I really liked because most of the books simply focus on the mechanics of core techniques but not the initial approach to those techniques.

I’d recommend this book to everyone looking for financial guidance or some new strategies for effective retirement savings.

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ARC Review: Ravens In The Rain: A Noir Love Story by by Christie Santo and Jeff Santo

Categories Christie Santo, Jeff Santo, RomanceLeave a Comment on ARC Review: Ravens In The Rain: A Noir Love Story by by Christie Santo and Jeff Santo

Book Details:

Author: Christie Santo &  Jeff Santo
Release Date: 22nd September 2021
Genre: Romance
Series:
Format: E-book 
Pages: 248 pages
Publisher: BookBaby
Blurb:
Ravens In The Rain centers around Pru and Carney, she’s a woman with a past, and he’s a man with no future. Down on luck and down on love, they meet over a game of chance at an off-strip Vegas casino, and Carney wonders if Pru’s sparkle is what he needs to lift him from his darkness. He doesn’t even mind that she swiped a hundred-dollar bill from an old cowboy. It excites him. 
While Pru, disillusioned by her sparkle, is now accustomed to the cynical disposition of vagabond life. She’s not looking for a one-night stand; she’s looking for survival and sizing Carney up as a comfortable solution, for the moment. When she finds out who he really is, she’ll ante up for the game of her life. 
This romantic noir is a turbulent flight; like dating in the 21st century, it’s dangerous and daring.

Review

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Ravens In The Rain by Christie Santo & Jeff Santo is an intriguing and entertaining noir love story.

Being a mystery and crime fiction fan, I’ve read some noir crime mysteries but a noir romance novel was a first for me and I’m glad that I read It because I enjoyed it more than the normal romance novels. Ravens In The Rain is a well-written novel with a great concept that is executed really well. I enjoyed the imagery invoked by the author’s writing style that bordered on magic realism while staying true to the noir story elements.

It was an experience in itself. I enjoyed the characterisation as they are richly developed and had really good background stories. Overall it is a great story and I’d definitely recommend it to all readers, romance readers and others alike.

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Book Review: It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover

Categories Colleen Hoover, RomanceLeave a Comment on Book Review: It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover

Book Details:

Author:  Colleen Hoover
Release Date: 2nd August 2016
Genre: Romance, Contemporary Fiction
Series:
Format: E-book 
Pages: 385 pages
Publisher: Atria Books
Blurb:
Sometimes it is the one who loves you who hurts you the most.
Lily hasn’t always had it easy, but that’s never stopped her from working hard for the life she wants. She’s come a long way from the small town in Maine where she grew up
— she graduated from college, moved to Boston, and started her own business. So when she feels a spark with a gorgeous neurosurgeon named Ryle Kincaid, everything in Lily’s life suddenly seems almost too good to be true.
Ryle is assertive, stubborn, maybe even a little arrogant. He’s also sensitive, brilliant, and has a total soft spot for Lily. And the way he looks in scrubs certainly doesn’t hurt. Lily can’t get him out of her head. But Ryle’s complete aversion to relationships is disturbing. Even as Lily finds herself becoming the exception to his “no dating” rule, she can’t help but wonder what made him that way in the first place.
As questions about her new relationship overwhelm her, so do thoughts of Atlas Corrigan — her first love and a link to the past she left behind. He was her kindred spirit, her protector. When Atlas suddenly reappears, everything Lily has built with Ryle is threatened.

Review

Rating: 5 out of 5.

It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover is so much more than what one expects from it on the surface. Particularly the last 25% was emotionally tormenting for me, personally, to read as it covered themes of domestic abuse (something I witnessed in my own home growing up) and love intertwined in a complex web in which women often find themselves being tangled in. 

This book is beyond good and I simply cannot rate it solely based on its literary merit as the message that is encased in this beautiful book is something that NEEDS to be spread in this world where women (and even men) are abused and they are either too scared or simply left with no choice to break the cycle of physical abuse.

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Book Review: Hungry Hearts by Julie Hoag

Categories Julie Hoag, RomanceLeave a Comment on Book Review: Hungry Hearts by Julie Hoag

Book Details:

Author:  Julie Hoag
Release Date: 21st April 2021
Genre: Romance
Series:
Format: E-book 
Pages: 234 pages
Publisher: Blackstone Pub.
Blurb:
For fans of “The Boys Next Door” by Jennifer Echols and “Holding Up the Universe” by Jennifer Niven.
When an amateur chef attempts to use food as his love language, Landra, who struggles with anorexia, finds his approach off-putting. In fact, she finds Brian to be rather annoying. 
Undeterred, Brian snags Landra in a friendship that eventually grows into something else, as she finally trusts him enough to sample some of his homemade gourmet treats.
But things have not evolved to the level Brian would like, and soon he realizes Landra’s issue isn’t only with the food he makes. She into the football team’s hottest player. But Brian isn’t about to get one-upped by a jock. He decides to ask Landra out at the same time that Landra manages to snag a date with the football star.
As if dating isn’t hard enough, Landra must battle her anorexic impulses and self-esteem issues if she is to find the boy of her heart. When the voices of self-doubt and shame drown everything else out, Landra will need to give herself permission to be happy. And Brian? Well, he will have to find a way to Landra’s heart, even if it isn’t through her stomach. 

Review

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Hungry Hearts by Julie Hoang is a beautiful romance novel that will touch your heart.

This book was such a fun ride; it had a solid concept, great characterisation and very well executed chemistry between the two leads. The characterisation, thankfully, was amazing and I was able to relate to the leads, especially the female protagonist, Landra. The writing was simple and good and complimented the story well making it an easy and quick read.

I would definitely recommend this book to all romance readers and to those who would like to read a quick light emotional read.

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ARC Review: Cenotaphs by Rich Marcello

Categories Contemporary Fiction, Literary Fiction, Rich Marcello, RomanceLeave a Comment on ARC Review: Cenotaphs by Rich Marcello

Book Details:

Author: Rich Marcello
Release Date: 26th July 2021
Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Slice-Of-Life, Literary Fiction, Romance
Series:
Format: E-book 
Pages: 200 pages
Publisher: Moonshine Cove Publishing
Blurb:
AFTER A CHANCE MEETING, AN OLD MAN AND A MIDDLE-AGED WOMAN CHART AN UNCONVENTIONAL PATH FORWARD.
When Ben Sanna, a contemplative retiree with a penchant for helping people, and Samantha Beckett, a secretive New York City hedge fund manager, meet by chance in a small Vermont town, they enter into a tenuous relationship. Over several weeks, Samantha and Ben open their pasts inch by inch, sift through their futures consciously, and come to terms with the strength and depth of their bond. A meditation on redemption told in alternating chapters of musings and scenes, Cenotaphs is about platonic love; the ways we close ourselves off in reaction to pain and what happens when we open ourselves up again; and the deep, painful legacy of loss.

Book Review

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.
Watch this review on my YouTube channel

Cenotaphs by Rich Marcello is a beautifully written book about platonic love. It is an unusual love story about a retiree and a girl who is decades younger than him.

The characterisation was brilliant and helped me feel a strong connection to the main characters, Ben and Samantha. The writing was great and complimented the story beautifully. The concept is unique and engaging and the execution of the plot was flawless.

I’d highly suggest this book to all readers, especially those who like a well-written love story that goes way beyond the normal conventions and explores the depth of characters’ emotions.

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Book Review: The Shimmering: Dark Descent by A. K. Crook

Categories A. K. Crook, Fantasy, Magic, Magic Realism, Magic/Elementals, Romance, Urban FantasyLeave a Comment on Book Review: The Shimmering: Dark Descent by A. K. Crook

Author: A. K. Crook
Release Date: 4th July 2020
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Contemporary Romance, Visionary Fiction
Series:
Format: E-book 
Pages: 104
Publisher: –
Blurb: A visionary fantasy about a young woman who stumbles upon the world of her creators, only to discover she holds the key that will open the doorway to return home… and set the forces of evil free.
In the city of Saint Anthony, there is a realm of existence unknown to most mortals. Far below this urban landscape, in the cavernous bowels of the Underworld, Sinda journeys to discover fantastical lands, strange cultures — and herself. 
When she is snatched from her homeland and thrust into the civilized world of humans, she comes face-to-face with the hardest quest she has ever encountered – find her way home or follow her heart. 

Is the choice even hers?

The clock is counting down for Sinda, but time is not her only adversary — Nefarious beings seek her for their own devious designs, the Elders want to exploit her in a power play over their rivals and the godlike Solari’i hold her fate in their hands. 

With each turn she takes, Sinda draws closer to her destiny — and the salvation of the entire Underworld.

Book Review

Rating: 4 out of 5.

The Shimmering: Dark Descent by A. K. Crook is a very refreshing take on the urban fantasy genre with elements of high fantasy, amazing supernatural beings, underlined by visionary and psychological themes and a sub-plot of romance, lightly touching on the LGBTQ subject – this book has everything a book lover can ask for and more!

Wow, I was not expecting this book to be this awesome! I loved the cover and was intrigued by the blurb as it promised a lot, but I am always sceptical whenever the blurb is extremely promising because many times authors overstate while working on the blurbs and it is very disappointing to then read a book and find out it was nowhere close. But this book was one of those rare cases where it delivered what was promised! And even some more, which made it a pleasant surprise for me.

I love reading urban fantasies as I like the concept of our world co-existing with another one and this book was a real treat as it had good characterisation, sensible theories that were not unrealistically far-fetched, awesome beings and creatures and their insatiable lust for power and related motives. This book was full of conflicts and I enjoyed reading it a LOT!

To top it all of, the book was written well and the concepts were executed conscientiously making the prose flow smoothly. And I would definitely recommend this book, the author’s debut, to all fantasy lovers. 

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Book Review: The Billionaire’s Secret by Ravina Hillard

Categories Contemporary Fiction, Ravina Hilliard, Romance, ThrillerLeave a Comment on Book Review: The Billionaire’s Secret by Ravina Hillard

Author: Ravina Hilliard
Release Date: 22nd May 2020
Genre: Romantic-thriller
Series:
Format: E-book 
Pages: 170
Publisher: Dawn Hill Publications
Blurb: Serena Aisling has made it to the top as a high-powered executive all on her own merit. No thanks to her millionaire father who’d abandoned her at birth to be raised single-handedly by her mother. She has come a long way, so she’ll be damned if she allows him to have a hand in her career by dangling the CEO position of the Mäkelä Group in her face.

When Serena’s company coincidentally assigns her to spearhead a revolutionizing project run by the same corporation, she ends up working alongside the innovator himself—tech guru, Matias Mäkelä. The savvy, self-made millionaire is moody, ill-tempered, arrogant, and a giant thorn in her side, yet she can’t deny that he’s irresistibly handsome and stunningly
delicious.
A malicious traitor very close to Matias is divulging company secrets, and they must work together to uncover and shut them down before it’s too late.
When Serena uncovers the culprit, fearing Matias will not believe her, she keeps the discovery to herself and acts on her own, landing herself in hot waters with Matias. Waters so hot and flaming that she ends up tangled in his sheets, intoxicated with a desire that threatens to engulf her in an uncontrollable fireball of ecstatic delights.
As untold discoveries, secrets, and schemes unravel, Serena and Matias find themselves on a wild and unending tide of colliding together before being ripped apart again.
Will their feelings for each other be enough to survive the diabolical intrigue that threatens their very lives? Or will they crash and burn?

Book Review

Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

The Billionaire’s Secret by Ravina Hillard is a contemporary romance thriller with good action, nice plot and some decent steamy bits.

Lately, I’ve been exploring the romance genre a bit, aside from my usual gothic dark reads and the contrast is refreshing to me as a reader as well as a writer. This book had good writing and that was the main reason I was drawn to it. The plot is a bit full of cliches and common tropes of the genre, but as I always say, when done well, even the common tropes become interesting.

I liked the cast of characters in this book. I rooted for both, Serena as well as Matias, and was glad that I read this book. I’d definitely recommend it to romance readers and to those people who like to read lighter thrillers.

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Book Review: Billionaire Boss, Undercover Affair by Kyra Radcliff

Categories Romance, Thriller1 Comment on Book Review: Billionaire Boss, Undercover Affair by Kyra Radcliff

Author: Kyra Radcliff
Release Date: 17th March 2020
Genre: Romantic-thriller
Series:
Format: E-book 
Pages: 178
Publisher: Dawn Hill Publications Ltd.
Blurb: Susan Johansen is efficient, ambitious and cool-headed in a crisis, which is exactly why her boss, Charles Dunlap, needs her. As the successful owner of one of the richest old money industrialist conglomerates in the world, he is under pressure of a different kind when his daughter Alicia becomes involved with internet entrepreneur Miles Middleton. 

With an ego as big as his bank balance, Miles has a reputation for a string of affairs and Charles doesn’t want his daughter anywhere near him. And so he enlists Susan, as a Trojan Horse, burying her deep within Miles’ business interests in the hope that she can sabotage his relationship with Alicia.

It isn’t long before the plan seems to be working and Miles is missing lunches, dinners and other dates with Alicia in favour of making money and sealing deals. But it’s when he takes Susan away on a business trip and tries to seduce her that she sees him for what he really is. But now that she is close to her goal, Susan suddenly has a crisis of confidence? Is she really still working for Charles or is she now pursuing her own agenda with Miles?

As he continues to get under her skin with his continuous attempts at seduction, Susan finds that she is more conflicted than ever. And the closer she gets to completing the assignment, the greater the chances are that Miles will discover her secret.

Book Review

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Billionaire Boss, Undercover Affair by Kyra Radcliff was a heady romantic-thriller that successfully delivered what it promises – good romance and decent thrills.

The story had a lot of cliches, but overall the book was entertaining and purely for that, I liked it as I had been busy reading so many intense reads that I needed a breather and a break from my normal choice of dark fiction books. I was looking for something light and good and this book was exactly it.

I didn’t exactly fall in love with the character tees, but I ended up liking Susan, the female lead, who drove the story well and made the book worth reading. The writing was good and the plot very interesting.

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Book Review: The Billionaire Needs a Bodyguard by Ravina Hilliard

Categories adult, Contemporary Fiction, new adult, Ravina Hilliard, RomanceLeave a Comment on Book Review: The Billionaire Needs a Bodyguard by Ravina Hilliard

Author: Ravina Hilliard
Release Date: 4th February 2020
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance, Adult Fiction
Series: 
Format: E-book
Pages: 185
Publisher: Dawn Hill Publications Ltd
Blurb: Alexandra “Lex” Granger is a private security consultant who has to go undercover to protect billionaire businessman Michael Thornton, pretending to be an escort. Michael does not think he needs a bodyguard, despite the death threats he has received from protesters against his takeover of a Danish company, but he does need protection against the predatory wife of the Danish ambassador. Lex knows that this assignment is dangerous, made more so because her client does not even know that he is being protected. 

 She doesn’t know that he thinks she is a con-artist a gold-digger who takes rich men for everything that she can get. As sparks fly, and the attraction between the two go stronger, they face a deadly danger from an unknown assailant.
Lex and Mike embark on a turbulent affair in the beautiful city of Copenhagen, with Mike realising that there is much more to the sexy seductress, her bewildering vulnerability evoking unfettered passion and feelings that he has never experienced before. Lex realises that she has committed the ultimate folly, that of falling in love with a man who despises her. Will she overcome the dangers to Michael to her breaking heart?

Review

Rating: 3 out of 5.

The Billionaire Needs a Bodyguard by Ravina Hilliard is an adult contemporary romance fiction full of steamy sexual tension between the leads and sprinkled with light thrills and chills. It’s not my usual go-to genre, but it made for a good distraction from my normal picks.

Although the book wasn’t an overly thrilling read, it made for a nice entertainer. The story was good and interesting and the idea of the female being the undercover bodyguard appealed to me the most about its plot. The characters were not very relatable but then I was not expecting them to be (I rarely expect it from romances, unless they’ve been written by the big authors who are good at what they do.) The writing though was good and that’s what made me read this book in the first place.

I’d recommend this book to romance and new adult genre readers and to those looking for a new entertaining read.

You can also read this review on Goodreads and Amazon

Book Review: Fix Her Up by Tessa Bailey

Categories Contemporary Fiction, Romance, Tessa BaileyLeave a Comment on Book Review: Fix Her Up by Tessa Bailey

Author: Tessa Bailey
Release Date: 11th June 2019
Genre: Contemporary Romance Fiction
Series: Hot & Hammered (Book #1)
Edition: Paperback
Pages: 400
Publisher: Harper Collins India
Blurb:
A brand new romantic comedy from New York Times bestseller Tessa Bailey!
Georgette Castle’s family runs the best home renovation business in town, but she picked balloons instead of blueprints and they haven’t taken her seriously since. Frankly, she’s over it. Georgie loves planning children’s birthday parties and making people laugh, just not at her own expense. She’s determined to fix herself up into a Woman of the World… whatever that means.
Phase one: new framework for her business (a website from this decade, perhaps?)
Phase two: a gut-reno on her wardrobe (fyi, leggings are pants.)
Phase three: updates to her exterior (do people still wax?)
Phase four: put herself on the market (and stop crushing on Travis Ford!)
Living her best life means facing the truth: Georgie hasn’t been on a date since, well, ever. Nobody’s asking the town clown out for a night of hot sex, that’s for sure. Maybe if people think she’s having a steamy love affair, they’ll acknowledge she’s not just the “little sister” who paints faces for a living. And who better to help demolish that image than the resident sports star and tabloid favorite?
Travis Ford was major league baseball’s hottest rookie when an injury ended his career. Now he’s flipping houses to keep busy and trying to forget his glory days. But he can’t even cross the street without someone recapping his greatest hits. Or making a joke about his… bat. And then there’s Georgie, his best friend’s sister, who is not a kid anymore. When she proposes a wild scheme—that they pretend to date, to shock her family and help him land a new job—he agrees. What’s the harm? It’s not like it’s real. But the girl Travis used to tease is now a funny, full-of-life woman and there’s nothing fake about how much he wants her…

REVIEW

★★★+1/2

Fix Her Up by Tessa Bailey is a quirky and fun read that was a rather quick read and also pretty enjoyable. Even though the story was full of over-used romance tropes and cliche moments, the characterisation felt vibrant and fresh which totally made up for both these flaws.

The writing was good and it was one of the things I liked the most about the book. The pacing was great as the things moved quickly and made this book a quick 1-2 day read which seems reasonable to me.

I’d recommend this book to all the romance genre lovers and to those who are looking for a light, fun read to take a break from their normal reading lists.

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Book Review: As One, Together, Forever! by Deepthi Ayyagari

Categories Deepthi Ayyagari, Flash Fiction, Poetry, RomanceLeave a Comment on Book Review: As One, Together, Forever! by Deepthi Ayyagari

Author: Deepthi Ayyagari
Release Date: 16th June 2019
Genre: Romance, Poetry, Flash Fiction
Series:
Edition: E-book
Pages: 66
Publisher: WordBuzz Publishing
Blurb:
True love’s forever. There is joy in love. There is hope in love. There is everything that love can give. And when you feel that you are both one, together, it’s a love that’s forever!

There’s poetry in love, and love in the poetry of this book.

REVIEW

★★★

As One, Together, Forever! by Deepthi Ayyagari is a very quick and quirky read full of author’s random shenanigans, some in the form of poetry and some in the form of casual scribbles. I enjoyed reading it as I was done with it in less than 15 minutes and I value my time more than anything, so it delivered precisely what it promised: a quick entertainment for the lovers of the written word.

The main theme is romance but the overall tone of the chapters/poetry or pieces is very light. In my opinion, this book is perfect for new as well as occasional readers. It might or might not sit well with hardcore bibliophiles as the writing is a very casual and the individual pieces too short, though readers of micro fiction and flash fiction might enjoy, and even admire, it.

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Book Review: Tailspin by Sandra Brown

Categories Romance, Sandra Brown, Suspense, ThrillerLeave a Comment on Book Review: Tailspin by Sandra Brown

Author: Sandra Brown
Release Date: 7th August 2018
Genre: Thriller, Suspense, Romance
Series:
Edition: E-book
Pages: 432
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Blurb:
Rye Mallett, a fearless “freight dog” pilot charged with flying cargo to far-flung locations, is often rough-spoken, usually unshaven, and he never gets the regulation eight hours of shut-eye before a flight; but he does have a rock-solid reputation: he will fly in the foulest weather, day or night, and deliver the goods safely to their destination. So, when Rye is asked to fly into a completely fogbound Northern Georgia town and deliver a mysterious black box to a Dr. Lambert, he doesn’t ask why–he just ups his price.

As Rye’s plane nears the isolated landing strip, more trouble than inclement weather awaits him. He is greeted first by a sabotage attempt that causes him to crash land, and then by Dr. Brynn O’Neal, who claims she was sent for the box in Dr. Lambert’s stead. Despite Rye’s “no-involvement” policy when it comes other people’s problems, he finds himself irresistibly drawn to the intrigue surrounding his cargo…and to the mysterious and attractive Brynn O’Neal.

Soon Rye and Brynn are in a treacherous 48-hour race to deliver the box before time runs out. With the hours slipping by and everyone from law enforcement officials to hired thugs hot on their heels, the two must protect their valuable cargo from those who would kill for it–that is, if they can trust each other.

REVIEW

★★★

A typical Brown book with an okay plot sprinkled with cheesy cliches, okay-ish characters, and somewhat unnecessary but totally steamy romance. I like the stories Sandra Brown creates, but the other elements kind of serve as a turn-off and often seem repetitive which kills most fo the fun. If you’re reading her book for the first time (any of her novels) then you’ll love them, just like I did, but if you continue on with other books they all will start feeling awfully predictable and repetitious.

Still, it made for a good quick read (I skimmed over a lot of romance and cheesy bits) which was nothing if not entertaining. I bummed down one star because I didn’t feel a connection to the main characters, which generally doesn’t happen in her books.

If you are new to the author, then do give any one of her other books a read. This one is not her best work, so read it only if you have already read one of her books and really like it (though it might feel repetitive, at least you won’t be judging all her books on this one alone.)

 

You can also read this review on Goodreads and NetGalley

Book Review: Shatter Me by Tehereh Mafi

Categories Dystopian, Fantasy, Tehereh Mafi, Young AdultLeave a Comment on Book Review: Shatter Me by Tehereh Mafi

Author: Tahereh Mafi
Release Date: 2nd October 2012
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy, Dystopian
Series: Shatter Me (Book #1)
Edition: Paperback
Pages:
Publisher: –
Blurb:
Juliette hasn’t touched anyone in exactly 264 days.
The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette’s touch is fatal. As long as she doesn’t hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don’t fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.
The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war – and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she’s exactly what they need right now.
Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.

REVIEW

★★★

Shatter Me by Tehereh Mafi is one the most popular YA series of recent years but despite the hype that surrounds this series, the first book failed to impress me. I enjoyed and appreciated the author’s world-making prowess, but the characterization completely ruined the book for me. The main character, Juliette, was not only annoying, but she also came off a bit as a narcissist as well. The entire time I feel that rather than showing the author was forcing the reader to feel sorry for how Juliette has been misunderstood her entire life which only made me resent her.

The romantic angle did absolutely nothing to make the book interesting, so that was another thing that disappointed me. I liked the settings and the world a lot though, so I’ll be reading the next book for these two things (and also to see what happened to Warner because, let’s face it, he was more interesting than Juliette and Adam combined.)

Anyway, here my video review for this book, hope this sums up my issues with the book!

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You can also read this review on Goodreads

Book Review: Stellar by Kevin Hollingsworth

Categories Kevin Hollingsworth, Poetry, RomanceLeave a Comment on Book Review: Stellar by Kevin Hollingsworth
Author: Kevin Hollingsworth
Release Date: 16th January 2018
Genre: Poetry Collection
Series:  
Edition: E-book
Pages: 140
Publisher: Southern Owl Publications, LLC
Blurb:
“Stellar” is an interesting as well as compelling book of prose poetry that encompasses the wonderment of love. Further, stories of romance, love, and tragedy are told creatively through the eyes of 107 poems. In “Stellar” one will have a chance to go on an odyssey of figurative language, and will also get a refreshing sense of the human condition that we all need, and yearn for love. In “Stellar” one will also have a unique opportunity to view emotionalism seemingly painted by the masters. In reality, however, these poetic words of distinction cannot fit on a canvas, but are to be read on paper, and enjoyed by you and your imagination.

Review

★★★★

Stellar by Kevin Hollingsworth is an impressive collection of emotional poems that are sure to tickle the reader’s emotions.

I enjoyed reading this book and I am glad that I read it. I am not a big poetry fan, but I do enjoy simple and meaningful poems, and this book was exactly that. On the romantic side of the spectrum, Stellar succeeds in grabbing the interest of the reader from the very first poem itself. From the very beginning, I knew it was going to be a rollercoaster of emotions and the book did not disappoint.

The language was good and there was clarity of thought which could be clearly noticed. The poems themselves were little treats and overall, it was an enjoyable and a quick read.

If you like reading poetry by new and talented poets then you must definitely read this book.

Podcast

this review is also posted on Goodreads and Amazon

Book Review: His Flawless Love by Pragna Rao

Categories Contemporary Fiction, Pragna Rao, Relationships, RomanceLeave a Comment on Book Review: His Flawless Love by Pragna Rao
Author: Pragna Rao
Release Date: 1st January 2017
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Relationships, Indian Literature
Edition: Paperback
Pages: 208
Publisher: Author’s Ink Publications
Blurb:
Marriage! Is it a tradition? A legal agreement? A biological need? Or something besides all these? Tragedy strikes Isha’s life when she loses her fiancé to destiny. But happiness comes back into her life in the form of a good man who becomes her husband. However, her struggles of her past memories and present situation go on, taking a toll on her new married life. Unable to carry on, she separates from her husband. And yet, the distance between them reminds her of her husband’s unconditional love. She understands the significance of the marital vows and returns to be the best companion for him. Though destiny unceasingly challenges her, it also makes her stronger. Who wins the battle ultimately? Destiny or love?

REVIEW

★★★

His Flawless Love by Pragna Rao is a book about love and marriage and everything that comes with it.

The story was good, well presented and very relatable to those who are married or have someone in their lives whom they truly love. The writing is simple, to the point and the inclusion of bits of poetry really made it an interesting read.

The fact that this book is not too long and easy to read made it a very quick read and I was glad that the author kept the prose tight and light instead of making it longer (in a sing-song way) the way a lot of Indian writers do.

I wasn’t overly impressed by the characterization, but I cared enough for the main characters to read the book and see how things turned out for them.

Overall, a nice and light contemporary romance read.

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Book Review: Solstice (Star-Crossed Saga #3) by Baxton A. Cosby

Categories Braxton A. Cosby, Romance, Science-FictionLeave a Comment on Book Review: Solstice (Star-Crossed Saga #3) by Baxton A. Cosby
Author: Braxton A. Cosby
Release Date: 25th November 2017
Genre: Science-Fiction, Romance
Edition: Ebook
Pages: 315
Publisher: Cosby Media Production

Blurb:
What You Believe, Can Destroy You!
William and Sydney have sacrificed everything to fortify their love, so much so that William dares to brave the depths of space to find a cure for their deadly Supernova bond, leaving both her and Earth vulnerable to alien Torrian Alliance’s attack. But with a full scale civil war in play on Fabricius, the reality of Sydney’s execution from Torrian hands is diminished, only eclipsed by the certainty of a more threats – The Third Faction and The Dagmas Clan – lead by Dominic and his insurgent recruits on a quest to complete the failed assassination of the teenage girl. With overwhelming odds mounting against them, William makes a desperate attempt to find the last of the endangered Star-children only to be captured by a new menace, where he is forced to compete in the dreaded Gauntlet of sport. Allies surge to free Fabricius, seeking alliances across the galaxy while Sydney tries to keep her identity hidden and trains to master the third phase of her Star-child evolution: Solstice. With Sarah’s mysterious return home with clues to unlock the future, Noella’s training and Bill’s symbiotic development hope is restored, but will it be enough to unite the galaxy and destroy evil for once and for all?

Review

★★★★

Solstice by Braxton A. Cosby, the third instalment in the Star-Crossed Saga, is the perfect end to such an amazing trilogy.

I enjoyed the first and the second parts of this series, Protostar and Supernova, of this series a lot and when given the chance to review the third part, I was more than willing to do so! What I really liked about this book was that there were a lot of sub-plots running along the main plot, which kept the tension up and the mind engrossed. The danger was also kept imminent from all sides which only upped the anticipation.

The ending was apt and it won’t be an exaggeration if I say that it was indeed satisfactory. I liked how everything turned out at the end. It was a roller coaster ride that ended on a high note and that is exactly what makes a series worth reading.

I enjoyed this book and the overall series is great for sci-fi readers. Even romance fiction enthusiasts would enjoy this series. I’m looking forward to reading more by the author.

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Book Review: Supernova (The Star-Crossed Saga #2) by Braxton A. Cosby

Categories Braxton A. Cosby, Romance, Science-Fiction3 Comments on Book Review: Supernova (The Star-Crossed Saga #2) by Braxton A. Cosby
Author: Braxton A. Cosby
Release Date: 28th June 2015
Genre: Science-Fiction, Romance
Edition: Audiobook
Pages: 293
Publisher: 

Blurb:

WHAT YOU CHOOSE, BECOMES YOU…
Against everything he had known as truth, William has made the choice to protect Sydney from the forces seeking to destroy her. But just as these two Star-Crossed lovers are beginning to explore their relationship and search for answers to the mysteries of Sydney’s existence, she advances to the next stage of her Star-child evolution—Supernova—and struggles not only to control her new powers, but also the emotions for her new love. William seeks to find the truth behind Sydney’s erratic behavior, while overcoming the new threat headed to Earth to destroy them. With new villains and old allies on the horizon, and chaos brewing on William’s home world, will self-sacrifice prove to be the only way for him to achieve victory and defend his love, or is there another way?
The follow-up to the debut Award-winning novel PROTOSTAR!

Review

★★★★

Supernova by Braxton A. Cosby is the sequel to Protostar, the first instalment in new sci-fi romance series The Star-Crossed Saga. The story starts where the first book ended and continues to tell us more about the story of Sydney, the star-child, and William, an enemy turned lover.

I liked this book even more than the first one as the story came across more clearly and because, obviously, more details on the lead characters as well as the thematic concept of the star-child were revealed. As the story unveils further, we see some old characters and some new taking us through the extraordinarily perilous life of the leading lady, Sydney.

The story progressed smoothly and I found myself instantly immersed into the plot right from the start as I was keen to know what happens next. The plot had quite a few twists and turns and they successfully managed to keep me interested in the storyline throughout the book.

The writing was good and the plot was well-structured. I liked the character arcs as well and enjoyed the story overall. I also liked where the story ended and I’m really looking forward to reading the next part.

I’d recommend this series to all Romantic Sci-Fi lovers. This is one series to look out for.

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