[Review] The Writer and the Rogue by Lydia Drake

   

Title: The Writer and the Rogue
Series: Debutantes of London Series, Book 2 (Interconnected Standalone)
Author: Lydia Drake
Genre: historical romance
Format: eBook 
Publication Date: April 14, 2025
Published By: Entangled Publishing, Amara       
Source: NetGalley (ARC)

Synopsis from Publisher

Desperate times call for drastic measures…and Miss Caroline Devereux is most certainly desperate. Her spendthrift father’s been gambling away every spare shilling, racking up debts, selling off their family’s coveted objets d’art, and bringing them to the edge of ruin. Up until now, she’s been able to stave off the creditors—and afford luxuries like tea—by penning sensational Gothic tales. But they’re out of time, and Caroline must play the one card she has left.

The Earl of Rockford cannot believe that any young lady would dare to blackmail him. Not only has she threatened to expose the darkest secrets of his family and destroy their name, but she’s done it all in an attempt to…marry him? And damned if he isn’t secretly delighted by her spirit. But first, Miss Caroline has a lesson to learn about who she’s dealing with…

No one warned Caroline that the handsome, wealthy earl she intends to marry isn’t remotely the gentleman she expected. Because the “Rogue of Whitechapel” isn’t about to go down without a fight…and the first to fall in love will be the first one to lose.

About Lydia Drake

Lydia Drake is a reader of all things romance and a drinker of all things tea. A New Jersey resident, her favorite activities include taking the train to New York City, scouring used bookstores, spending time with her family and wrangling her hyperactive cockapoo puppy. Cinderella and the Duke is her debut novel.

My Thoughts:

This one was a fun surprise!

The Writer and the Rogue is exactly the kind of historical romance I reach for when I want something light, witty, and just a bit rebellious. It’s got all the elements I enjoy—banter, a rogue with a mysterious past, and a heroine who is completely done with society’s expectations.

Our heroine is an aspiring writer who wants nothing to do with the ton or its silly rules. I loved how headstrong she was—smart, opinionated, and unwilling to play the part everyone expected of her.

She was made of ink and steel, it seemed.

The hero, meanwhile, is charming in that rogueish way that could have easily been cliché but somehow worked. Their interactions were full of tension, flirtation, and just enough vulnerability to keep me invested.

The banter sparkled in places, and the romantic tension had me turning pages to see how it would all play out. I also appreciated that while the story stayed relatively light, it still gave the characters emotional depth—especially toward the end, where things came together in a mostly satisfying way.

That said, it wasn’t perfect. The pacing in the middle sagged just a touch, and a few of the plot twists were fairly predictable. The third act breakup was annoyingly typical of these kinds of books.

But honestly? I still had a great time with this one. It was engaging, entertaining, and just the right kind of escape. I’ll definitely read more from Lydia Drake, especially if she keeps giving us strong heroines and swoony rogues. In fact, this is actually the second book in a series of interconnected standalones. I plan on going back to reach book one, The Duchess and the Wolf.

The Pros:

• Engaging Banter: The chemistry between the leads comes alive through clever, snappy dialogue.

• Strong Female and Male Leads: A headstrong, relatable heroine who refuses to conform makes the story feel refreshing, and an observant, kind, and caring, yet mysterious and daring male lead.

• Fun and Accessible Read: The book strikes a nice balance between romance, humor, and a hint of emotional depth—perfect for fans of feel-good historical romances.

The Cons:

• Slight Mid-Book Lag: The pacing slows a bit in the middle before picking up again toward the end.
  
  
• Some Predictability: A few of the plot beats follow expected romance tropes without much surprise and the third act breakup is predictably annoying.
  
  
• Language: The language throughout the story is predominantly very good, however, there are times when the word choice took me completely out of the story as it did not fit.

Final Thoughts:

If you're in the mood for a light, romantic escape with a touch of sass and a heroine who knows her worth, The Writer and the Rogue is a solid pick. It’s not without its flaws, but the charm, chemistry, and breezy writing make it an enjoyable read. Perfect for fans of Regency romance who don’t mind a familiar trope or two when they’re delivered with heart.

Rating:

Overall, using my rating system, this book is a 3.75 out of 5, but I rounded up to a 4 Super Splatters out of 5 because I am in love with Gabriel. 

[Review] Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher

 

Title: Nettle & Bone
Series: N/A - Standalone
Author: T. Kingfisher
Genre: adult, fantasy, magic
Format: audiobook
Publication Date: April 26, 2022
Published By: Tor Publishing Group       
Source: Audible

Synopsis from Publisher

After years of seeing her sisters suffer at the hands of an abusive prince, Marra—the shy, convent-raised, third-born daughter—has finally realized that no one is coming to their rescue. No one, except for Marra herself.

Seeking help from a powerful gravewitch, Marra is offered the tools to kill a prince—if she can complete three impossible tasks. But, as is the way in tales of princes, witches, and daughters, the impossible is only the beginning.

On her quest, Marra is joined by the gravewitch, a reluctant fairy godmother, a strapping former knight, and a chicken possessed by a demon. Together, the five of them intend to be the hand that closes around the throat of the prince and frees Marra's family and their kingdom from its tyrannous ruler at last.

About T. Kingfisher

T. Kingfisher is the vaguely absurd pen-name of Ursula Vernon. In another life, she writes children's books and weird comics, and has won the Hugo, Sequoyah, and Ursa Major awards, as well as a half-dozen Junior Library Guild selections.

This is the name she uses when writing things for grown-ups.

When she is not writing, she is probably out in the garden, trying to make eye contact with butterflies.

My Thoughts:

If you love fairy tales with a dark twist, Nettle & Bone is definitely worth checking out. T. Kingfisher takes familiar fantasy elements—curses, impossible tasks, and a ragtag group of misfits—and turns them into something fresh and fun. It’s a little spooky, a little funny, and full of heart.

The story follows Marra, a princess who has spent most of her life in a convent, watching from the sidelines as her older sisters are forced into political marriages. When she discovers that her sister’s husband, a powerful prince, is abusive and dangerous, she decides she won’t sit back any longer. But killing a prince isn’t exactly easy, so she sets off on a strange and magical journey to gather allies—including a necromancer (who prefers to be called a dust-wife), a reluctant knight, a fairy godmother with unreliable magic, an enchanted chicken, and her ever faithful bone dog. Along the way, Marra must complete impossible tasks, face eerie supernatural dangers, and finally find the strength to change her own fate.

This book isn’t your typical high-stakes fantasy full of battles and dramatic showdowns. Instead, it’s a quiet, creeping kind of adventure, filled with dark fairy tale elements and quirky humor. The writing is atmospheric and immersive, making you feel like you’ve stepped into a story passed down through generations—one that’s a little grim, a little odd, but ultimately hopeful.

The Pros:

• Unique Spin on Fairy Tales – This isn’t your typical “hero saves the day” story. Instead, we follow Marra, a princess who’s been mostly ignored all her life, as she decides to take matters into her own hands. The story has a slow-burn feel, but it’s packed with cool, eerie moments—like a bone dog and a fairy godmother who’s more practical than magical.
• Quirky & Likable Characters – The best part of this book is the cast. Marra is quiet and determined, the dust-wife (a necromancer) is sarcastic and awesome, and even the chicken (yes, there’s a chicken, actually, there are two!) steals the show. Their interactions bring warmth and humor to an otherwise dark story.
• Engaging & Atmospheric Writing – Kingfisher has a way of making everything feel rich and immersive. Whether it’s the creepy, cursed objects or the dangerous journey, the descriptions pull you in without being overwhelming.

The Cons:

• Slow Start – The first few chapters take their time setting things up, and it gets a little confusing between locations, which might make it hard to get hooked right away. But once Marra gets her mission, things pick up.
• Not a High-Stakes Adventure – If you’re expecting a fast-paced, action-packed fantasy, this isn’t it. The story leans more on character interactions and quiet tension rather than big battles or epic magic.
• Underwhelming Villain – The antagonist (Marra’s cruel brother-in-law) is definitely evil, but he feels more like a distant threat rather than a fully developed character. A little more depth could have made the final confrontation more intense.

Final Thoughts:

Nettle & Bone is a beautifully written fairy tale for adults, full of wit, charm, and a little bit of darkness. While it starts slow and isn’t action-heavy, it makes up for it with fantastic characters and an original, eerie vibe. If you enjoy fairy tale retellings or cozy-yet-creepy fantasy, give it a try! Do it for bone dog!

Rating:

Overall, using my rating system, this book is a 3.5 out of 5, but I rounded up to a 4 Super Splatters out of 5 for Bone Dog. 

[Review] The Wise One by K.T. Anglehart

The Wise One
K.T. Anglehart
(The Scottish Scrolls, #1)
Publication date: October 28th 2020
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

Mckenna’s never thought much of her nightmares, but on her seventeenth birthday, a vivid dream of burning at the stake awakens her dormant abilities, thrusting her into a world where faeries are real, spirits hold a grudge, and a High Priestess obsessed with a 16th-century prophecy is tracking her every move.

Now, her overprotective dads, Seán and Andre, are forced to tell her the truth—they know who her birth mother is, and her life is not the surrogate story she’s always been told. Abigail, Mckenna’s mom, is some sort of mystic, and Mckenna a Wise One.

Whatever the hell that means.

With the help of a persistent little wren and company of a newfound friend, Mckenna journeys to Ireland in search of her mother and real answers. Along the way, she learns to harness her innate magic and trust her intuition, as best she can anyway—Cillian, a kind and passionate delegate who crosses her path, is proving much harder to read.

Only her mother could truly help her halt her ill fate and prepare her for what’s to come . . . before she gives in to the darkness she knows is buried deep within.

Goodreads / Amazon

Author Bio:

Katrina Tortorici Anglehart is a born and bred Italian-Canadian from Montreal. A devoted academic, she holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism; a graduate certificate in Scriptwriting; and a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing. After dabbling in TV writing and working as a digital marketing content manager, she left the nine to five to launch her freelance editing and coaching career. Today, she relishes in helping aspiring authors to develop and refine their stories.

Besides English, Katrina speaks French, Italian, and Spanglish. When she’s not writing, diving into magical reads, or Netflixing, she’s travelling with her favourite human–her high-school-sweetheart-turned-husband, Andy–and obsessing over her pet bunny, Magic, and newly rescued pup, Nessie. Katrina currently lives in Toronto, Ontario.

My Thoughts:

I'm going to be honest...this one had me a little worried at the start, but it won me over by the end.

I had a very hard time getting into the story initially. I felt the writing style was awkward and simple and not completely polished. Fortunately, as the story progressed the writing became smoother and easier to follow. There were still issues with pacing and the story being jumpy in parts, but overall it was good read.

I felt the story was too convenient a lot of the time, especially at the beginning. I found it hard to believe that a 17 year old girl would steal money from her parents and then take off on them, leaving to go to another country, all on a whim basically. That was hard to swallow. Together with other convenient occurrences like meeting the sweet couple. I don't like when things are too easy. I also found it hard to believe she would be away from her parents for as long as she is and not call them at least once to let them know she was safe at least.

The strengths of this book are the story itself, and the characters. Nissa was my favorite, reminding me of myself in my younger days, outside reading propped up against a tree. Sean and Andre are a cute couple. The sweet old couple later on are adorable (although too convenient), and Cillian has great depth and experiences growth throughout the book.

The story is very interesting. The author does a fabulous job of drawing you in by sprinkling little bits of information here and there to keep you intrigued enough to turn the next page. It's genius. And she got me. I had to keep turning those pages.

The author does a great job describing Ireland. I can't wait to visit one day now! The descriptions of the gorgeous views, stunning castles, beautiful nature, cozy bars and bed and breakfasts overwhelm you. The intriguing tidbits of Irish folklore were very interesting, and I enjoyed learning. 

The ending was a bit out there (holy cliffhanger!!!), I had to re-read it a few times, and the epilogue left me like huh? But, the main thing is I can't wait to read book two! I need to know more now!

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[Review] A Thousand Minutes to Sunlight by Jen White

A Thousand Minutes to Sunlight
Jen White
Published by: Farrar Straus and Giroux (BYR)
Publication date: April 20th 2021
Genres: Contemporary, Middle-Grade

Jen White’s A Thousand Minutes to Sunlight is a sensitively-written middle grade novel about a girl struggling with anxiety, family secrets, and the meaning of friendship.

Cora is constantly counting the minutes. It’s the only thing that stops her brain from rattling with worry, from convincing her that danger is up ahead. Afraid of the unknown, Cora spends her days with her feet tucked into sand, marveling at La Quinta beach’s giant waves and her little sister Sunshine’s boundless energy.

And then danger really does show up at Cora’s doorstep–her absentee uncle, whose sudden presence in the middle of the night makes her parents nervous and secretive. As dawn breaks once more, Cora must piece together her family and herself, one minute at a time.

A Thousand Minutes to Sunlight is an endearing and revelatory middle-grade novel that is perfect for fans of Counting by 7s and Fish in a Tree.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo / Google Play

Author Bio:

Jen White writes middle grade fiction. Her second book, A THOUSAND MINUTES TO SUNLIGHT, releases on 4.20.21. Her debut, SURVIVAL STRATEGIES OF THE ALMOST BRAVE, has been translated into several languages. She grew up in Southern California and currently resides there with her family. Jen received her bachelor of art’s degree in English and her master’s degree from Vermont College of Fine Arts in Writing for Children and Young Adults. You can find out more at www.jenwhitebooks.com.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

My Thoughts:
I really enjoyed this novel, I know this because I didn't take too many notes. I was too busy reading! It was a wonderful story of friendship, family, and self-growth.

I really connected with Cora, because I understand her. I have pretty bad anxiety, and it's honestly only getting worse as I get older, because there are more things to worry about! But, I really connected with her after reading this passage (that I also shared on my Teaser Tuesday post previously):

A silent house, in the middle of the night, might be one of the loneliest places on the planet.

Did you hear that?

Brain says: Absolutely an ax murderer.

Crouched in the hallway, I'm poised for anything. It's 11:31 P.M. to be exact, and a wonder that I can even hear Brain, with my heart hammering in my eardrums.

Inside my head, I count.

1 2 3 4 5

This is pretty much how I react to weird noises at night, or even without any noise to prompt me at all. I just lie awake thinking someone is going to try and get into my house and hurt us. The only difference is I don't count. I use a variety of other coping mechanisms, but I don't think I have ever counted. Counting is Cora's big thing, that and her conversations with Brain.

I hate Brain, but that's what the author wants. Brain makes Cora question everything and makes her keep to herself. Brain tells her she is no good, that no one will ever want to be her friend, and that people are always thinking bad things about her. I love watching Cora grow and realize that maybe Brain isn't right all the time and maybe she should ignore Brain and just go with the flow. The first time she told Brain to "Hush" I actually cheered out loud a little. It was nice to slowly watch Brain fade into the background and Brain to actually question "What the heck is going on?" as Cora becomes more and more independent. 

Patrick was my favourite character in the book. Everyone needs a Patrick in their life. He is so happy, energetic, and doesn't let anything, or anyone's opinions, get in the way of enjoying his life. He is a great friend and always there for you, supporting you however he can. I really enjoyed his storyline, and LOVED how they "resolved" it. I love how Cora and Patrick bond over their goals, just 2 kids with 2 impossible dreams.

The novel is simply written, and perfect for middle grade readers. The chapters are short and easy to get through, and I loved the intriguing and unique chapter titles. The subject of mental illness is addressed cautiously and with tact. I love that both parents are in the picture and are supportive. I love Cora's sister, Sunshine, and how supportive she is always trying to be, especially with the affirmations. She is such a little sweetheart! I love that therapy is used and medication is discussed. I also like how they worked in a possible family connection to show it's not just her and that mental illness runs in the family. 

My only issue was I wish they would have left out the two incidents that "may" have caused the issues with her brain, because I would have preferred a character with mental illness with no causation as I feel it might have been easier for other kids to connect with her and what she is dealing with without the causation aspect.

Overall it's a fabulous book that is very well written for the target audience and I recommend it to everyone.

The Pros:

• Mental health is addressed in a positive and helpful manner.
• The characters are all very well done and realistic.
• The importance of family and friendship is strong.
• Patrick!!!

The Cons:

• The idea of something possibly causing the mental health issues made me feel uncomfortable in this specific novel.

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[Review] Of Wicked Blood by Olivia Wildenstein and Katie Hayoz

Title: Of Wicked Blood
Series: The Quatrefoil Chronicles, #1
Author: Olivia Wildenstein and Katie Hayoz
Genre: YA, fantasy, magic, paranormal
Format: audiobook
Publication Date: January 11 2021
Published By: Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Audiobooks            Source: NetGalley

Synopsis from Publisher

No rest for the wicked... or the cursed.

SLATE
I didn’t mean to steal the Bloodstone from the De Morel’s crypt.
Scratch that, I did mean to steal it.
Until I realized it was a curse-magnet that only comes off if I, along with a jolly trio, successfully defeat four curses.
If any of us fail, I’m dead.
I’ve never been a glass half-empty sort of person, but my glass looks in dire need of a refill right about now.
The only highlight of this wicked treasure hunt: feisty, entitled Cadence de Morel.

CADENCE
I was raised on tales of magic, in a small town reputed to be the birthplace of French witchcraft.
Did I believe all the stories I heard? Absolutely not. I mean, if magic existed, Maman wouldn’t have died, and Papa wouldn’t be stuck in a wheelchair, right?
Wrong.
The night Slate Ardoin waltzes into my life, wearing a ring he stole from my mother’s grave, I call him a monster.
But then I meet real ones, and Slate, well . . . he becomes something else to me.
Something frustrating to live with but impossible to live without.
Something I will fight for, no matter the cost.

*Warning: profuse cursing (and not just the magical kind). (less)

About Olivia Wildenstein

USA TODAY bestselling author Olivia Wildenstein grew up in New York City and earned her bachelor’s in comparative literature from Brown University. After designing jewelry for a few years, Wildenstein traded in her tools for the writing life, which made more sense considering her college degree.

When she’s not sitting at her computer, she’s psychoanalyzing everyone she meets (Yes. Everyone), eavesdropping on conversations to gather material for her next book, and attempting not to forget one of her kids in school.

She has a slight obsession with romance, which might be the reason why she writes it.

About Katie Hayoz

Katie grew up in Racine, Wisconsin where she acquired an irreversible nasal twang and an addiction for books with a slightly dark edge. She now lives in Geneva, Switzerland with her husband, two daughters, and a very fuzzy cat. She has been an avid reader of YA fiction for years. While she has a penchant for the paranormal, she devours a range of books -- along with popcorn and black licorice. She consumes all three in large quantities. Luckily, the books don't stay on her hips.

My Thoughts:
Our story takes place in the cozy village of Brume, where their history is rooted in magic, but of course that's not really true...or is it? Of Wicked Blood takes place in the middle of winter, which I find adds to the magical setting. I just love how everyone is always bundled up in sweaters, jackets, hats, scarves, and mitts. It adds the touches of realism needed in such a magical story.

Magic used to be a large part of Brume's history, but the majority of the residents just think the magic is a kind of fairytale, until Slate comes to Brume and puts on the cursed ring that starts the magical wheels in motion again. Now Slate, and three others, must work together to find their specific magical pieces to bring back magic as a whole to Brume.

The writing is very well done, and smooth, which is hard to achieve when working with two separate authors, but Olivia and Katie make an amazing team. I have since joined their Facebook page, The O.K. Crew, and it's great watching them interact live with each other. Everything is very descriptive. I was sucked in almost immediately. It's easy to imagine everything like a fantastic little movie playing in my head. I was completely immersed in the story almost 100% of the time. I just found the many French words and phrases inserted throughout off-putting. 

The conversations were fantastic, humourous, and realistic! No stuffy and stiff dialogue in this book. The internal dialogues were often even better than the normal dialogue, especially with Slate. I found myself laughing out loud often when he was internally speaking. Needless to say, Slate was my favourite character. It was hard to like him at first, but he grew with the novel, and I grew to love him along with it.

I was very happy with the development of the romance in this book. I often get frustrated because everything seems to happen so fast, but in this novel, even though it technically only happens over a matter of days, it feels slower, and more natural. I also really liked that when they had an issue with one another, THEY TALKED IT OVER! Not always right away of course, because you have to drag out the drama a little, but they did approach each other and discuss what was bothering them. They didn't just let things fester between them for the whole book and then blow up at each other and fix it just in time for the ending...which is pretty typical.

I struggled with the audiobook version for many reasons. First off, as much as I enjoyed listening to Thomas Locklear's deep, smooth, and sexy voice, I just didn't feel like it fit the college level character of Slate. Funnily enough my first though was he should be narrating adult romance or erotica novels, and low and behold, when I looked him up on Audible, that is primarily what he does narrate. I might have to pick one of those up! Holly Fielding on the other hand had a very pleasant voice that fit her character well, however she didn't do voices of the other characters very well and I often found it painful as she voiced Slate, her father, etc. Another irritating factor was the fact that the sound levels often changed even in the middle of the same conversation and it felt kind of oddly pieced together at times. This saddened me because the story is really really good!

There was one character that really got under my skin, the creepy Mayor. Usually when there is a creepy character there is a reason he is included, some part of the story he is meant to draw out, but I just found his creepiness unnecessary at the time, like being creepy just for the sake of being creepy, which really bothers me. I hope book #2 proves me wrong and there is a reason for this character, otherwise I think his specific creepy nature could have been reworked not to be so disturbing. I often found myself asking, "What is the point of this character?"

The end left me befuddled. What just happened? Argh! I can't say too much, because SPOILERS, but I don't get what happened. There are just too many unanswered questions. I need book #2 now!

The Pros:

• Dialogue, especially internal dialogue, is very well done.
• Slate is awesome!
• The romance aspect was well done.

The Cons:

• The French gets a little annoying.
• The audiobook could use some work.
• Too many unanswered questions.
• The creepy Mayor.

[Review] Clockwork, Curses and Coal by Rhonda Parrish (Editor)

Title: Clockwork, Curses and Coal
Series: Punked Up Fairy Tales #2
Author: Rhonda Parrish (Editor)
Genre: steampunk, fantasy, paranormal, gaslamp, short stories, fairy tales
Format: ebook
Publication Date: March 2 2021
Published By: World Weaver Press
Source: NetGalley

Synopsis from Publisher

Fairies threaten the world of artifice and technology, forcing the royal family to solve a riddle to stop their world from irrevocable change; a dishonest merchant uses automatons as vessels for his secrets and lies; a woman discovers the secret of three princesses whose shoes get scuffed while they sleep. These and so many other steampunk and gaslamp fairy tales await within the pages of Clockwork, Curses and Coal.

Retellings of Hansel and Gretel, The Princess and the Pea, Pinocchio, The Twelve Dancing Princesses and more are all showcased alongside some original fairy tale-like stories. Featuring stories by Melissa Bobe, Adam Brekenridge, Beth Cato, MLD Curelas, Joseph Halden, Reese Hogan, Diana Hurlburt, Christina Johnson, Alethea Kontis, Lex T. Lindsay, Wendy Nikel, Brian Trent, Laura VanArendonk Baugh and Sarah Van Goethem.

About Rhonda Parrish

Like a magpie, Rhonda Parrish is constantly distracted by shiny things. She’s the editor of many anthologies and author of plenty of books, stories and poems.

She lives with her husband and three cats in Edmonton, Alberta, and she can often be found there playing Dungeons and Dragons, bingeing crime dramas or cheering on the Oilers.

Her website, updated regularly, is at http://www.rhondaparrish.com and her Patreon, updated even more regularly, is at https://www.patreon.com/RhondaParrish.

My Thoughts:
I don't read a lot of short stories because I prefer to really immerse myself in a story and really get to know my characters, and I find I often can't do that when it's a short piece. I was drawn to this collection because of the Steampunk theme, and the whole idea of gaslamp, which I had never heard of before. According to the introduction, gaslamp fantasy is "set in the same Victorian/Edwardian era as steampunk, but with a focus less on tech and more on the supernatural and magic. Often with an obvious gothic influence." So of course I had to check this out, and I don't regret it for a moment!

The editor warned that some of the stories might be dark, and she assumes this is because of the whole COVID thing going on while she was choosing the stories for the collection. Boy was she right! Some of these stories are D-A-R-K! I am going to break the collection down by story, but let me start off by saying that the collection of 14 stories as a whole was very well done, enjoyable, and entertaining. I loved the twists on many of the fairy tales.

The Iron Revolution by Christina Ruth Johnson

This story picks parts of Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and The Princess and the Pea, wrapping them all neatly into a very well written and enjoyable tale. It does a very good job of showing the sexism of the time (1851). "Not many ask the girls if they want to go, but they all do anyway." The racism of the time is also emphasized as the girls in the story are split into two groups, girls of "porcelain skin" and girls with "darker complexions and more vivid fabrics." The story is filled with beautiful descriptions and is very visual. I loved how unique each girl is and how they are described by looks and talent. Unfortunately I found the story quite predictable and the ending quite rushed. I never really felt the connection that seems to be implied by the end. A good story, but could have been better.

Clockwork Tea by Joseph Halden

This story was one of my least liked stories. I understand the time and place they are writing about, but it still comes off a little racist to me. I also found the writing style very awkward and hard to get a good reading flow with, which in turn made it hard to enjoy. It was very dark and disturbing, which isn't a bad thing, seeing this evolution of what basically turns out to be a serial killer of sorts. He even keeps souvenirs like a serial killer would. There were some Pinocchio undertones that the author tried to work in, I am just not sure it really works. An odd little tale to be sure.

A Future of Towers Made by Beth Cato

I enjoyed this reimagining of Rapunzel. In this tale Rapunzel is a brilliant young woman trapped in an unhappy and abusive marriage where her husband steals all of her ideas and markets them as his own. Rapunzel, with the help of her dear friend, comes up with a plan to keep her most recent invention under her own name, and escape her marriage. It is a very well written story of feminism and standing up for yourself, and I loved every moment of it. I will have to look for more of Beth Cato's work.

A Bird Girl in the Dark of Night by Sarah Van Goethem

This story was another one I didn't enjoy very much. It was very dark as well, which I don't mind, and intriguing, but it was just all very odd. I suspected the twist that comes up near the end of the story, so I wasn't surprised. I did however kind of like the feeling of female empowerment that was brought up near the end, and I like the way certain things worked out, but it was all just a little too weird for me, and it did leave me with some questions not answered.

Checkmate by Brian Trent

I enjoyed this story so much I wanted more. I would read a whole novel, maybe even an entire series, set in this world. The world building was just so well done. It was intriguing and dark. I want to know how it got to be the way it is. I want to know so much more! Edward's character was well done and I understood his motivations for what he does, which makes the ending make sense. I expected the very ending, but that didn't take away from the enjoyment for me in this story because it was so well done. Brian, please tell me there is more!

Necromancy by Melissa Bobe

Where to start with this story? There is so much going on, and all of it wonderful. It's a dark and mysterious reimaging of the Pied Piper tale. The plague is attacking all the women of town, but what exactly is the plague? It's not what you would expect. I don't want to spoil it, but it fits the time and works really well for this dark story. There is so much I want to comment on, but with short stories it's hard to say much without basically giving away the whole story. Just read it! The writing is beautiful, the story is well written, and I loved the end. I will be looking for more of Melissa Bobe's work for sure.

Blood and Clockwork by Wendy Nikel

This story is one of my favorites in the collection. I read it so quickly. I didn't even stop to take notes! As was typical in this collection the story is very intriguing, and very dark. It was a little predictable at parts, but it was so well written, and just so damn good, that the predictableness of it is forgivable. 

Sappho and Erinna by Lex T. Lindsay

This story is a very well done reimaging of The Twelve Dancing Princesses. I loved all of the characters in this story, each one was their own character that stood out from each other. I really loved the end.

Divine Spark by Diana Hurlburt

I didn't enjoy this story at all. The writing style was very awkward and I just couldn't get into the story at all. It had a kind of Frankenstein feel to it, which is too bad as the original is one of my favorite novels. Overall I found this story very confusing and not enjoyable at all.

The Balance of Memory by Reese Hogan

This story was a very interesting and very well written reimaging of Hansel and Gretel. There isn't a whole lot I can say without giving things away, but I was intrigued right away. I likened it almost immediately to someone who is dealing with identity issues, only to later discover that the author is non-binary, so they obviously have a very strong understanding of this. I still was left feeling like I was missing something at the end, but maybe that is the way it was meant to be.

The Giant and the Unicorn by Alethea Kontis

The beginning of this story threw me off a bit as it was written like a steampunk version of the bible. Some might find if offensive, just as a warning, but it didn't bother me. It was just odd. The rest of the story is a reimagining of The Lion and the Mouse. It was a cute little tale, but awkward in places, and a little predictable, but still an enjoyable read.

Ningyo by Laura VanArendonk Baugh

This story starts out on what we later learn is an airship, but I originally thought it was a regular ship. I was glad that section was very short as all the sailing terminology was starting to irritate me, all the unfamiliar words pulling me out of the story. The rest of the story made up for the beginning though. Overall it was an intriguing and entertaining story with interesting characters.

Father Worm by Adam Breckenridge

This story was dark and odd, and very difficult to read with its run on sentences and awkward writing style. The only thing I really liked about this story was the one quote: "Even if the trip didn't reinvigorate her old friend, she would not let her duties as captain keep her from the obligation all keepers of animals have to see their beloved companions through to their deaths." As a loyal pet owner this is something I feel strongly about. Overall it was a very strange story, with an equally odd ending. I did not find it enjoyable.

The Coach Girl by M.L.D. Curelas

For some reason I didn't take any notes while I read this story. I do remember enjoying it quite a bit, even though parts of it were very predictable. I think my favorite part of it is that there is no man needed to rescue the main character, and I remember being intrigued to figure out how she was going to get out of the mess she was in. Very well done and enjoyable.

I am not going to do pros and cons as it is very story dependent, but it was a very good collection and I am glad I took the time to read it.

[Review] The Anonymous Source by A.C. Fuller

Title: The Anonymous Source
Series: Alex Vane #1
Author: A.C. Fuller
Genre: general fiction (adult), thriller, mystery, suspense, crime
Format: audiobook
Publication Date: February 23 2021 (audiobook)
Published By: OrangeSky Audio (audiobook)
Source: NetGalley

Synopsis from Publisher

FIND THE SOURCE. BREAK THE STORY. STAY ALIVE.

ONE YEAR AFTER the 9/11 attacks, Alex Vane--a brilliant, fitness-obsessed reporter for The New York Standard--wants nothing more than to break into the flashy world of TV news. But when he uncovers the scoop of a lifetime, his tightly controlled world is rocked: his editor buries his story, a source turns up dead, and Alex finds himself at the center of a violent media conspiracy.

AS HE RECEIVES TIPS from a mysterious source, Alex enlists the help of a captivating professor, Camila Gray. Aided by an Internet genius, a billionaire's sexy widow, and a washed-up sports reporter, Alex and Camila discover a $500-million secret that could derail the largest media merger in history.

IT'S A SECRET THAT unearths dark memories from Alex's past. It's a secret that leads back to the morning of 9/11. And it's a secret that could get them both killed.

IN HIS DEBUT MEDIA THRILLER, A.C. Fuller brings you a young journalist chasing the biggest story of his career--from the courtrooms of New York City to the beaches of Hawaii, from a crowded newsroom to a lavish boardroom at the top of a media empire.

About A.C. Fuller

Once a journalist in New York, A.C. Fuller now writes stories at the intersection of media, politics, and technology. Before he began writing full time, he was an adjunct professor of journalism at NYU and an English teacher at Northwest Indian College.

He lives with his wife, two children, and two dogs near Seattle. 

My Thoughts:
I am not typically a mystery/suspense/crime thriller kind of girl, but something about this book's description pulled me in. I do like to push outside of my boundaries now and then, and I find that even easier to do when it's an audiobook and I don't have to "fight" my way through the actual reading of it. I think the 9/11 aspect tied in with conspiracy theories idea is what really intrigued me. And boy was I right to chose this one!

Alex Vane is an interesting character who is fully fleshed out and has a somewhat complicated past. I love how much his food and fitness was part of the story, because it was part of what made him who he was. He reminds me of myself in some small ways, specifically they way of eating, and the way others look at you when you eat that way (healthy foods, lower carbs, etc.) There is also a part in the book where he is having some emotional issues and he all of a sudden starts binging on unhealthier foods. This is very true to character for a person who has gone through the whole dieting aspect and then hit a low and binged. I was very happy with how accurate certain portrayals were.

I also liked the character of Camilla. She was just as complex as Alex, maybe even more so. Both characters had some issues involving their parents, and again, they were very real with how they were portrayed and how they worked through those issues. Even the side characters are very realistic. Everyone has their own story and motives, etc., they are not there just to advance the story.

But the story, oh my the story! It was so interesting and had so many twists and turns, and that ending? Damn! I am just going to say I am intrigued enough to want to carry on with the rest of the story, and since it's available on Audible I might just have to hook that up sooner rather than later!

What to say about the story itself? It was so crazy with the twists and turns, the motivations, the whys... I honestly don't know what to say without giving things away, and this book needs to be experienced. I do have to say it is a little slow at first as it builds up the story (this is why I rated it 4 instead of 5) , but once the action starts going it never stops. 

The narrator, Joe Hempel, did an amazing job with this audiobook. His use of different voices for different characters was spot on, and he always was able to emphasize the given emotions needed for each individual scene. I had no trouble listening to his smooth voice for the duration of the almost 10 hour audiobook. On Audible he has over 18 pages of books he has narrated, including all 5 of the Alex Vane series. I look forward to exploring more.

The Pros:

• The characters are fully fleshed out and believable, even the side characters. I loved them all!
• The story was so full of twists and turns and characters it kept me intrigued right until the end.
• The narrator was amazing.

The Cons:

• A little too slow in the beginning as things build up.

[Review] A Pocket in Time by Lexi Post

Title: A Pocket in Time
Series: Time Weavers Inc. #2
Author: Lexi Post
Genre: romance, time travel, sci-fi and fantasy, historical
Format: ebook
Publication Date: February 22 2021
Published By: Entangled Publishing, LLC: Amara
Source: NetGalley

Synopsis from Publisher

Katz Almira’s mission is clear—travel to the past, steal the note that ruins the world, travel back to the present. Easy. She’s the best pickpocket Time Weavers, Inc. has ever had. Posing as a poor widow in Regency London, she convinces her target, Lord John Byron, a man as sexy as he is wealthy, to take her in off the streets. But at her request to keep her hidden, instead of his cushy manor, he allows her to stay in a warehouse full of orphan boys he cares for there.

It’s the perfect place to hide, and bonus, her new roommates can help her find the mysterious note. With John as their pseudo-father, they know what he does every day, and with who. Katz can’t afford any distractions, but she soon finds herself getting attached to the orphans—and John—even helping him plan for their futures.

Each day she spends in the past is another day closer to her deadline, another day closer to returning to her own time, and another day John and this makeshift family get dangerously closer to her heart. But Katz staying in the past would have dire consequences for them all…

About Lexi Post

Lexi Post is a New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of romance inspired by the classics. She spent years in higher education taking and teaching courses about the classical literature she loved. From Edgar Allan Poe's short story “The Masque of the Red Death” to Tolstoy’s War and Peace, she's read, studied, and taught wonderful classics.

But Lexi's first love is romance novels. In an effort to marry her two first loves, she started writing romance inspired by the classics and found she loved it. From hot paranormals to sizzling cowboys to hunks from out of this world, Lexi provides a sensuous experience with a “whole lotta story.”

Lexi is living her own happily ever after with her husband and her cat in Florida. She makes her own ice cream every weekend, loves bright colors, and you will never see her without a hat.

My Thoughts:
A Pocket in Time is an enjoyable romp about Katz Almira, the time-traveling woman from the future who is attempting to stop her future from being torn apart by someone who has gone back in time to mess important events up. She is thrown into Lord John Byron's path by her duties and finds his pull quite strong.

I chose this book because I love well written time travel romance novels, and this sounded like it was going to be a really good one, and I wasn't wrong. I also thought (wrongly) that the cover depicted a man wearing a kilt, but I now realize it was just the many buttoned breeches of the past. Let me start off by saying I was lead to believe that even though this was the second book in a series that it was considered to be a stand alone and I could read it without context. Although this might be true, they do make quite a lot of references to the previous book, and I find myself wishing I had read On Highland Time first. I will certainly be going back to read it at some point in time. 

The title is a great play on words as she is a pick pocket, from the future, back in time trying to fit in, but also because the story references the fact that a time traveler who visits the same point in time more than one can cause a pocket in time, which of course foreshadows events that will occur.

The future is very intriguing, and I would like to learn more about it. Once again I assume I might learn more from reading the first book. But there is also something thrown in right at the end that was very confusing, and I am guessing will hopefully lead to a third book? I would like to know more about how the time travel works, the genetic mutations that allow for that time travel, and why it's only women (except Go-Lucky). When exactly is this future? I would like to know more about some of the more interesting characters like old Arthur with his grey/silver eyes who is their researcher and has the ability to "download" information to the agent's mind, kind of like in The Matrix, but without technology?

Katz is strong and sassy, and doesn't take any shit. She has been on her own for a very long time, has learned from the streets, and knows how to survive. She also refuses to love again. A woman named Sadie took her in at some point and helped her survive, but not much else is known about her except that she died. I would like to learn more about this Sadie and her time with Katz. Sadly, Katz was left alone again, with promises to herself never to love again, because love causes pain and makes you vulnerable. She doesn't want to be put in that situation ever again. She feels unlovable.

No. I don't love anyone. Love means you lose perspective, become vulnerable. I refuse to do that.

Lord John Byron is a wonderful man. He used to be a typical rich white man who only cared for himself, but war has changed him. Not only has his leg been damaged, causing him to limp with pain quite often, but his eyes have been opened to the world around him, and all the suffering. Upon his return from war he takes in several homeless pick pockets and lets them stay in a hidden section of his warehouse. He cares for them as much as they will allow. He takes a percentage of their takes from the streets (because they wouldn't have it any other way) and donates it to care for the soldiers on the front lines. He was my favorite character in the story, as well as a few of the boys.

A few minor things bothered me, like the fact that Katz has only been with the agency for a year and is already the best, and can almost defeat her trainer? That seems hard to believe. Also, sometimes the language would throw me out of the story. I loved the general flow of the book, the story-telling and the dialogue of all the characters, but there were a few scenes when things were getting a bit hot and heavy and a word like "cock" was thrown out, and I just didn't feel like it fit in the specific situation. Better choices could have been made to portray the actions but with the more gentle language of the story overall. I hope that makes sense.

Overall I highly enjoyed this story, and the world it exists in. I will be going back to read book one, and I hope to hear updates of a third book in the near future, however with almost 3 years between books one and two, I am not holding my breath.

The Pros:

• Wonderfully full and realistic characters like Lord John Byron.
• The world building is very well done, both past and present. I would like to know more about the present/future.

The Cons:

• Katz is a little too talented and perfect at what she does to be believable at times.
• Some awkward word choices took me out of the story at points.

[Review] Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Title: Obsidian
Series: Lux (Book 1)
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Genre: YA, sci-fi, aliens
Format: audiobook from library
Publication Date: July 17, 2015
Published By: Tantor Media, Inc.
Source: Borrowed From Library

Synopsis from Publisher

Starting over sucks.

When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I’d pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring… until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.

And then he opened his mouth.

Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something… unexpected happens.

The hot alien living next door marks me.

You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon’s touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I’m getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades.

If I don’t kill him first, that is.

About Jennifer L. Armentrout

# 1 New York Times and # 1 International Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Charles Town, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki. In early 2015, Jennifer was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, a group of rare genetic disorders that involve a breakdown and death of cells in the retina, eventually resulting in loss of vision, among other complications. Due to this diagnosis, educating people on the varying degrees of blindness has become of passion of hers, right alongside writing, which she plans to do as long as she can.

Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Tor, HarperCollins Avon and William Morrow, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her Wicked Series has been optioned by PassionFlix. Jennifer has won numerous awards, including the 2013 Reviewers Choice Award for Wait for You, the 2015 Editor’s Pick for Fall With Me, and the 2014/2015 Moerser-Jugendbuch- Jury award for Obsidian. Her young adult romantic suspense novel DON’T LOOK BACK was a 2014 nominated Best in Young Adult Fiction by YALSA. Her adult romantic suspense novel TILL DEATH was a Amazon Editor’s Pick and iBook Book of the Month. Her young adult contemporary THE PROBLEM WITH FOREVER is a 2017 RITA Award Winner in Young Adult Fiction. She also writes Adult and New Adult contemporary and paranormal romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

She is the owner of ApollyCon and The Origin Event, the successful annual events that features over hundred bestselling authors in Young Adult, New Adult, and Adult Fiction, panels, parties, and more.

My Thoughts:
Jennifer L. Armentrout is a very talented writer. I love the way she uses humor in her writing. 

My palms itched to have a close encounter of the bitch-slap kind with his face.

Her characters are very realistic (even the alien ones) and the story is believable (even with aliens). The way the differences between the two alien races are described is very interesting, with the light and dark. I don't completely understand the hatred of the Arum for the Luxans, but maybe more will come out later in the series.

I loved that Katy was a book review blogger. It wasn't just mentioned once and then brushed off, it was mentioned many times and it was part of who she was. She loved books and loved talking about them. I felt like we were kindred spirits. I also loved that she is a take no shit kind of girl. I kind of want to be more like her that way. Daemon is an ass to her, but she gives back and doesn't just run away and cry in a corner.

“Thanks,” I muttered and added under my breath, “Douchebag.”

He laughed, deep and throaty. “Now that’s not very ladylike, Kittycat.”

I whipped around. “Don’t ever call me that,” I snapped.

“It’s better than calling someone a douchebag, isn’t it?” He pushed out the door. “This has been a stimulating visit. I’ll cherish it for a long time to come.”

Okay. That was it. “You know, you’re right. How wrong of me to call you a douchebag. Because a douchebag is too nice of a word for you,” I said, smiling sweetly. “You’re a dickhead.”

“A dickhead?” he repeated. “How charming.”

I flipped him off.”

I know a lot of readers had an issue with Daemon's attitude and the way he often talked to Katy, and I understand that. But, I read/listened to the prequel first so I understand the underlying reasons for his behavior. Does it make it right? Of course not, but again, I understand the reasoning. He wanted to chase her off. He didn't want what happened to his brother to happen to anyone else in his community, especially his sister.

I loved Daemon. He had the outside asshole thing going on, but you could tell he had a solid heart. He cared deeply for his sister and wanted to protect her as much as he can. Later, he forms an unwanted bond with Katy and tried to protect her as much as he can, without really realizing that is what he is doing. The whole storyline with the other young man who takes her to prom (I can't remember his name) was proof enough of that. I look forward to reading Oblivian, which is Obsidian told through Daemon's eyes.

The love/hate relationship between Katy and Daemon drives me nuts. It was cute at first, but went on way too long. I don't understand how two people can be so blind. I don't understand how Katy can't see past Daemon's sharp words to the actions which clearly show he cares for her. She lets his words hurt her (which of course they would hurt) but she doesn't even try to look beyond the words to see what he is actually showing her. 

With regards to the audiobook edition, I really enjoyed the narrator, Justine Eyre. I have listened to several books she has narrated, including the prequel to this series, Shadows. Her voice kind of reminds me of Katie Holmes as Joey Potter in Dawson's Creek.

Overall I am a big fan of this book and I look forward to continuing on with the series.

The Pros:

• Jennifer's writing style is entertaining and full of humor.
• The audiobook narrator was very talented. I enjoyed listening to her voice.
• I was very much interested in the two alien races and hope to learn more about each one.

The Cons:

• The love hate relationship gets very tiring.
  
• I found it hard to believe that Katy was so blind that she couldn't distinguish the difference between Daemon's words and his actions. His actions clearly show he cares.

[Review] Real Mermaids Don't Need High Heels by Helene Boudreau

Title: Real Mermaids Don't Wear High Heels
Series: Real Mermaids (Book 3)
Author: Helene Boudreau
Genre: YA, MG, mermaids, romance
Format: E-book, 240 pages
Publication Date: February 1, 2013
Published By: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Source: Received from publisher for review and tour.

 Synopsis from Publisher

In Real Mermaids Don’t Need High Heels, Jade can finally begin to get back to her normal life—that is until the ocean reels her back into a battle of mermaids. The Sadie Hawkins dance is coming up fast and Jade worries about asking Luke, but she’s got bigger fish to fry: the mer-world is on the brink of a civil war and Jade’s caught in the middle. This girl has gumption, but can she do it all? Can she find the most glamorous dress of her dreams, dive into a political battle of the sea, and finally figure out if she and Luke are officially dating? Whoever said high school was easy never had to hide a tail whilst winning over her dream boy.

About Helene Boudreau

Hélène Boudreau never spotted a real mermaid while growing up on an island surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, but she believesmermaids are just as plausible as giant squids, flying fish, or electric eels. She now writes fiction and nonfiction for kids from her landlocked home in Ontario, Canada. Her first book of this series, Real Mermaids Don’t Wear Toe Rings, was a 2011 SCBWI Crystal Kite Award finalist. Learn more about Helene at www.heleneboudreau.com.

My Thoughts:
I already knew going into this series I was going to love it, but I am biased, because I love mermaids, but Helene did an amazing job on this series. One of my main parts of this series is the main character, Jade. She is not your typical young heroine. She is shy, but sweet. She is self conscious due to being overweight (which is not typical in a main character) and this adds greatly to the stories when it comes to her struggles with shopping for bathing suits and prom dresses and not being able to talk to that cute boy in school. It mixes real life issues with exciting fantastical issues, all woven together to create one really well written and enjoyable series for middle grades and higher.

The Pros:

• A mermaid who really isn't fond of water.
• A main character who is a mermaid, who is overweight, who is clumsy. I love her!
• An absolutely amazing world both above the water, and below.
• A twisted and slighlty complicated (but not overdone) plot throughout the series.
• Young love.
• Well developed main, and supporting characters.
• A great ending to the whole series.

The Cons:

• Nothing significant, just not enough oomph to be a top pick.

Want a chance to win a full set of the Real Mermaids series? Check out the Rafflecopter entry below. Thanks to Soucebooks for this awesome prize pack!

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[Review] How Beauty Met The Beast by Jax Garren

Title: How Beauty Met the Beast
Series: Tales of the Underlight (Book 1)
Author: Jax Garren
Genre: Adult, romance, action, steampunk, fantasy
Format: E-book, 152 pages
Publication Date: November 19, 2012
Published By: Carina PressSource: Received from publisher for review.

 Synopsis from Goodreads

The Beast

Scarred. Damaged. Living with a terrible secret. Agent of the Underlight Wesley "Hauk" Haukon has nothing left but the fight for liberty against the oppressive Order of Ananke. He's starting to lose hope…and then he sees her.

The Beauty

Despite her night job as a burlesque dancer, grad student Jolie Benoit has always played the mostly good girl. That all changes following a scorching sexual encounter with a stranger whose face she doesn't see. After she's kidnapped by thugs and rescued by a man with a very familiar voice, Jolie becomes a pawn in a struggle she never knew existed.

Hauk knows he cannot have her, and resolves to protect his heart and his secrets. But as they work together and grow closer, he finds new reason to keep fighting. Dare he risk hope in a new life, one where Jolie can see past his ravaged face and where their friendship can grow into something more?

About Jax Garren

Jax Garren is descended from Valkyries and Vikings (she’s part Swedish) but was raised a small town girl in the Texas Hill Country. She graduated from The University of Texas with a degree in English and a minor in Latin and stayed in Austin to teach high school. During her eight years in public education she was in a riot, broke up fights, had cops storm her class with guns drawn…and met the most amazing young people who taught her more about life and hope than she taught them about any school subject.

Jax believes in happily ever afters. She married her real life hero, a handsome engineer who is saving the world through clean energy technology. Her heroine is Marion Ravenwood from Raiders of the Lost Ark, the perfect blend of tough and feminine. Jax blames Marion for her dream of traveling to Nepal to experience Himalayan palaces and monasteries and to drink yak butter tea.

Jax loves meeting new people, so if you see her out and about say hello! She’s always happy to raise a glass with her readers (or anyone else) in a toast to courage, adventure, and love.

My Thoughts:
Before stating anything further I have to make this one thing very clear. THIS IS NOT A YA NOVEL!

OK. Now that I have that out of the way, let's continue!

This is one quick and steamy novel of awesomeness! I have always been a huge fan of the whole Beauty and the Beast theme, and Jax Garren doesn't destroy my faith in the story type at all. in fact, I have the urge to rush out and re-read all BatB novels right this minute!

/breathes

There is so much to love in this novel, and not a lot to not like. I think one of my favorite things is the main character Jolie (don't get me wrong, I love Haul too). But Jolie is special for many reasons, one of which is that she has Celiac Disease. As someone who has a serious gluten sensitivity herself I just felt an instant connection with her. Add this to the fact that she is a dancer/aerial performer...wow...just an amazing and well rounded character. I absolutely adore her. You will understand when, not if, you read this book.

The Pros:

• Steamy scenes where you hold your breath in anticipation of the excitement to come
• A firm grasp in weaving in tension without killing the reader with it
• Absolutely wonderfully stable characters you cannot help to love...every single one of them
• A main character who has celiac disease...love the added depth of this
• A fabulous and realistic underground steampunky community
• Piercings, tattoos, steampunk, burlesque, magic and mystery...oh my!

The Cons:

• The fight scenes, especially at the end, move very quickly and don't flow well.

This is a really well written steamy book that mixes action, romance, great characters, and so much more into a VERY enjoyable product. I suggest you read this now if you don't mind a little blushing as you read...

[Review] Brightest Kind of Darkness by P.T. Michelle

Title: Brightest Kind of DarknessSeries: Brightest Kind of Darkness (Book 1)Author: P.T. MichelleGenre: YA, paranormal
Format: E-book, 357 pages
Publication Date: June 27, 2011
Published By: Self Published
Source: Received from author for tour

 Synopsis from Tour Host

Nara Collins is an average sixteen-year-old, with one exception: every night she dreams the events of the following day. Due to an incident in her past, Nara avoids using her special gift to change fate…until she dreams a future she can’t ignore.

After Nara prevents a bombing at Blue Ridge High, her ability to see the future starts to fade, while people at school are suddenly being injured at an unusually high rate.

Grappling with her diminishing powers and the need to prevent another disaster, Nara meets Ethan Harris, a mysterious loner who seems to understand her better than anyone. Ethan and Nara forge an irresistible connection, but as their relationship heats up, so do her questions about his dark past.
Read an excerpt
Amazon | Barnes & Noble

About P.T. Michelle

P.T. Michelle is author of the young adult series BRIGHTEST KIND OF DARKNESS. When P.T. isn't writing, she can usually be found reading or taking pictures of landscapes, sunsets and anything beautiful or odd in nature.
LINKS: Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Pinterest | Newsletter

My Thoughts
I was impressed by the professional quality of this self-published title. I tend to get a little nervous and second guess myself when I accept to read and review a self-published e-book, but this one was a pleasant surprise.

Brightest Kind of Darkness kind of reminds me a little of a toned down Final Destination with better characters and a much better romance building sub-plot. It also has a wonderful mixture of story-telling, character building, and humor.

He didn't seem to want to interact with the people around him, yet he'd taken the time to talk to me, not just at school, but here too. The realization made me feel both sad and a bit special. Well, so long as he didn't think of me like a pet.

The pacing in the story was perfect. I enjoyed moving from the dream world to the real world and back and forth through the visions, and the author never made me feel lost during these transitions. I was also happy that the author didn't use the same cop-out a lot of writers use when a misunderstanding occurs and one of the main characters immediately does a complete 360 and no longer believes in the characteristics of the second character that made them fall for them in the first place. In the passage below, even though Nara is hurt and upset by something that has happened, she can immediately tell that Ethan didn't do anything on purpose to hurt her. she still feels the pain, but she is smart enough to realize it wasn't intentional and doesn't immediately flip-flop on her position regarding Ethan and now think he is a bad guy.

Ethan's face didn't reflect triumph. It held intrigued interest; a desire for my understanding. My initial anger settled, even though I still felt a part of me was missing.

I was very intrigued by a lot of topics introduced in the story, the crows/ravens, the feathers, Nara's father, the radio, Nara's grandmother, Ethan's nightmares and connection with Nara... unfortunately, I felt like not enough of these things were explained enough to my satisfaction by the end of the book. I realize that as it is the first book in the series, some mystery has to remain, but I was left feeling like way too much was left open and I honestly felt a little lost.

My exact reaction upon finishing reading Brightest Kind of Darkness was this:

Really? That's where you are going to go ahead and end it? /grumble grumble

But overall Brightest Kind of Darkness was a very enjoyable read, and I definitely will be reading book 2, Lucid, as soon as I can get my hands on it. I really hope more is explained soon...

My rating?

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LUCID: BRIGHTEST KIND OF DARKNESS, BOOK 2

Once Nara combines her prophetic ability with Ethan’s power to outsmart Fate at his own deadly cat-and-mouse game, she’s more determined than ever to help Ethan learn the meaning behind the raven sword tattoo that suddenly appeared on his back after their confrontation with Fate.

During her quest to uncover the tattoo’s secrets, Nara enlists the help of some new friends and discovers her own surprising connection to Ethan.

While Nara digs deeper into the mystery, her desire for answers leads her down a dangerous path full of powerful and ruthless enemies. Swept into an age-old battle, Nara quickly learns that keeping one’s enemies close can be a necessary evil, making an intangible enemy she can control far more preferable to the human enemies she can’t.
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