Book Reviews

For the Love of Hockey, Rom-Coms and Penis Cookies: Pippa Grant’s Copper Valley Thrusters Series

4/19/2022

In Pippa Grant’s Copper Valley Thrusters book series, the ice is cold, the romance is hot, and the author’s unique brand of comedy is the icing on the penis cookies. This five book (with more to come) ice hockey romance series marries slapshots with slapstick laughs to give readers a hilarious and sexy experience they will come back to time and time again. The hockey players are delicious, the heroines are badass and even the side characters are amazing, so much so that you will be rooting for everyone to have their own book. Grab your rink-side tickets, your Thrusters jersey and block off your calendar. It’s time to meet the quirky couples of Copper Valley.

Photo Credit: pippagrant.com

Book 1: The Pilot and the Puck Up
Zeus and Joey

The first scene of The Pilot and the Puck Up introduces a hot-pink wigged Zeus which serves as a bright neon sign letting you know you are about to embark on a journey which is like no other romance novel you’ve read before. Zeus is dressed in drag and out of place at a swanky charity event at a country club, all on a dare from a fellow hockey player. The dares don’t stop there and soon we meet Joey, the badass military veteran who is at the event looking for investors in her flight adventure company. Zeus has an ego the size of a Greek god and Joey has an “I take no bullshit from anyone” attitude, with a soft and vulnerable side hidden for both of them, if they are only willing to open up and risk it all.

I’ve read plenty of romance novels where I think, “Oh, that would never happen in real life,” because it all seems too good to be true. Not for Zeus and Joey. Pippa puts them through the ringer and doesn’t make it easy for them, but with lots of laughs along the way, the journey is definitely worth it. If you want to read more about Zeus and his twin Ares, they were first introduced in Pippa’s book Mister McHottie and they are the larger than life characters which inspired her to start the hockey series and give them much needed additional page time.

Photo Credit: pippagrant.com

Book 2: Royally Pucked
Manning and Gracie

Readers will remember Manning and Gracie, the Prince and the baker, with a sweet smile from book one. Manning and Gracie also met at the charity event in the prior story but for a Prince with an arranged engagement and a girl with an overprotective, tough-as-nails sister (yup, that would be Joey), it would seem their spark is doomed from the start.

A blow up dinosaur suit, some cookies and a pregnancy later, Manning and Gracie find themselves thrown together in an unexpected way. Add Ares, Manning’s teammate and Zeus’ twin, and Manning’s nuisance of a fiance with a support monkey in tow, and you have yourself a story of comedic proportions with a cup of love and a dash of longing for good measure. My most adored scene is the Halloween party because it is my favorite holiday and I love how Pippa incorporated it into Manning and Gracie’s story. I will leave it at that; you will have to read it to find out (wink).

Photo Credit: pippagrant.com

Book 3: Beauty and the Beefcake
Ares and Felicity

By the time you reach Beauty and the Beefcake, you will be begging for Ares’ story. He is the epitome of the strong and silent type, and most people are lucky to get more than grunts, looks or t-shirts with odd sayings out of him. It makes you wonder what is going on inside that head, and heart, of his. Felicity is his complete opposite, a ventriloquist who talks enough for both of them and in multiple voices to boot.

When Ares is injured in a game, Felicity’s brother Nick begs her to take on his injured teammate as a roommate. Felicity, currently studying physical therapy, can help nurse Ares back to health. In return, Ares can protect Felicity from her stalker ex-boyfriend, a situation which has escalated with Nick’s recent shipment of dick cookies to said ex (yes, you read that right!). It will all go according to plan, as long as they keep their hearts out of the fray.

Photo Credit: pippagrant.com

Book 4: Charming as Puck
Nick and Kami

Nick and Kami’s story is by far my favorite. Maybe it’s because my husband plays the same hockey position as Nick or maybe it’s because their story starts with a cow in bed and a break up. Many romance stories follow a couple as they get to know each other and fall in love. Charming as Puck kicks off the story with the couple already together, but when Nick forgets Kami’s birthday it’s the straw that broke the camel’s, or cow’s, back.

Kami is best friends with Nick's sister, Felicity (from Beauty and the Beefcake) and Kami has known and loved Nick a long time. Nick suffers the ole "you don't know what you got until it's gone" dilemma but once he realizes it, whoa, swoon! Nick and Kami's story is playful, fun and sweet, with lots of cute animals too (thanks Vet Kami!). The jersey scene will always have a special place in my heart. Take my word for it and just read it already!

Photo Credit: pippagrant.com

Book 5: I Pucking Love You
Tyler and Muffy

Poor Muffy. As the owner of Muff Matchers, she is busy finding love for everyone except herself. But you know what they say, it happens when you least expect it and when you aren't looking. Tyler joined the Copper Valley Thrusters as Ares' fill in when he was injured and has appeared as a minor character in the last few books. Muffy is Kami's cousin and has been entertaining us with her quirkiness for a few books now as well. She catches Tyler's attention during Nick and Kami's story by making a nerdy joke towards one of his teammates and appealing to his secret dork side.

I thoroughly enjoyed seeing where Tyler and Muffy are at the beginning of the book and watching their relationship grow, so raw and real, especially with the awkwardness and insecurities I think most readers will be able to relate to on some level. Between Tyler’s adoration and protectiveness of Muffy and Muffy's peculiar and clumsy ways which make her that much more adorable and endearing, this couple is a joy to read. Writing this review is making me want to read it all over again.

Photo Credit: pippagrant.com

If you aren’t a huge sports fan, don’t fret, it’s not a prerequisite for reading the Copper Valley Thrusters series. I would much rather be reading than watching a sporting event any day of the week but I was just as easily sucked into this series as any sports fan would have been. The hockey aspect of the book is more about the camaraderie of the teammates, the pranks they play on each other, and of course, how being a professional athlete makes them next level hot. Plus, who can resist the hockey pun filled titles and a sports team whose mascot is a hot dog named Thrusty (with real life merch!).

The real star of the show is Pippa Grant’s special brand of comedy. It will make you laugh out loud, causing everyone around you to wonder what you are reading, then proceed to reread the line because you can't believe she went there but are glad she did because it is absolute perfection. In addition to the gut busting laughs, readers will tune in for the jump off the page characters which are genuine, authentic, eccentric and impossible not to love. I am eagerly waiting for book six, which is hinted at during the epilogue of Tyler and Muffy’s story. What the puck are you waiting for? Check out Pippa Grant’s Copper Valley Thrusters series here.

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It Begins with Absence and Desire: A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

5/3/2021

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It begins with absence and desire. It begins with blood and fear. It begins with a discovery of witches. - Deborah Harkness

Bookworm confession time: after nearly three decades of consuming as many books as time will allow I have become a bit jaded. It is increasingly difficult to find a fictional story which ensnares me in its pages like they did once upon a time. After reading many summaries and feeling meh, leaving several books unfinished, getting bored and skipping ahead (gasp!) or turning to non-fiction books, my bibliophile heart found what it has been yearning for. A Discovery of Witches, the first book in the All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness, cast its spell on me.

A Discovery of Witches was published ten years ago in 2011 but has been given new life with the release of the TV show based on the book series. Starring Matthew Goode as Matthew and Teresa Palmer as Diana, the trailer caught my attention and led me to the book series. As a personal rule, if there is a TV show or movie I want to watch that is based on a book, I read the book first. Although A Discovery of Witches is over 500 pages, it did not take me long to finish and move on to watching the magic of the book come to life on screen.

Matthew and Diana in the Bodleian Library. Photo credit: denofgeek.com

A Discovery of Witches begins with Diana Bishop, an American historian conducting research at the Bodleian Library in Oxford, England. She discovers a magical book that has been missing for over 150 years and is forced to acknowledge her ancestry. Diana is a witch in denial, studying alchemy and trying to blend in among humans. The opening of the missing book attracts all sorts of creatures, including witches, vampires and daemons. Among them is Matthew Clairmont, a vampire determined to help Diana keep this mysterious book out of the wrong hands. Their mission takes this unlikely pair far from Oxford while bringing them closer together. Along the way you will meet many intriguing characters, including fierce allies and dangerous foes, as well as slowly peel away the mysteries of their world with each spellbinding page.

Diana finds Ashmole 782, missing for over 150 years. Photo credit: telltaletv.com.

After I finished the first book of the series, I immediately borrowed the DVD for season 1 of the TV show from my local library (libraries are amazing!). The casting was perfect, the wardrobe was exactly as I envisioned it and the locations were breathtaking, far grander than I could have imagined as a reader. The world and its characters were successfully brought to life and overall the show was well done, however, I do have a few warnings.

If you read the book first, be prepared to be confused during several points of the show. Some minor characters, who only had one or two scenes in the book, were given more of a major story line in the TV show. When I explained this to my husband who watched the show with me but did not read the books, he said it was probably done to avoid the “bad guy speech” or villain monologue and cut to the action when these characters do meet up with Diana or Matthew. Now I see this change was necessary when adapting from book to screen and did enjoy it once I got over the initial shock or confusion of it.

A Discovery of Witches Season 1 is available on DVD or to stream on Shudder and Sundance Now.

Another change to note; if you do not read Shadow of Night or The Book of Life (books 2 and 3 of the All Souls Trilogy) before watching season 1 of the show, beware there are some details or quotes that were pulled from the later books to be used in the first season of the show. Because we follow Diana in the book, we do not meet people or learn information until she does. In the show we can discover things a bit sooner since we are following several characters’ point of view.

Whether you decide to read the books or not, I still recommend the TV show. My husband enjoyed it and now eagerly awaits my completion of Shadow of Night, the second book of the All Souls Trilogy, so we can watch the second season of the show. The All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness promises an abundance of love, magic and adventure on page and screen. Let this enchanting tale spin you in its web. You won’t regret it!

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Red, White & Royal Blue: All The Proof We Need That Love Is Love

8/22/2020

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Photo by Jessica Maynard

Photo Credit: Amazon Prime

You know a book is extraordinary when you struggle to write the review for fear of not doing the book justice. Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston was a breath of fresh air, both during COVID quarantine and during my fiction draught. After you have read as many books as this bookworm you become bored with the same recycled fiction plots and frolic among other genres for a spell. Then, low and behold, a Facebook ad (yes, they can be good sometimes!) appears for this blessing of a book. Alex and Henry, the cutest political pair since Pete and Chasten, strolled into my mind and heart and there was no turning back.

Enemies turned lovers. It’s a tale as old as time. Or is it? You haven’t read a romantic comedy quite like this one. Mix together the President’s son, an election year, a secretly gay prince plus a smashed royal wedding cake and you get the most witty and sweet novel to come along in eons. After the smashed cake fiasco makes front page tabloid news, a plan is devised for damage control. Alex, the President’s son and Henry, the Prince of England are forced into pretending to like each other, until it isn’t pretending at all.

After reading Red, White & Royal Blue, my mind flooded with ways to afford even a glimpse of the joy this book gave me, as a writer, a reader and as a human being. As a writer I thought, ‘Darn, why didn’t I think of that!’. This novel has impact and heart and I believe it has only begun to reach those searching for something real and new. It is certainly not the first gay romance to hit shelves but this one is different in the way it transcends above its niche readership to a broader audience with it’s authentic characters, lively dialogue and a version of prince charming we never knew we always wanted. It caused me to branch over into a genre I had not read before and I am thankful for this eye-opening reading experience.

As a reader I knew early on in the novel it would be a story that would stay with me for a long time. Alex, Henry and friends have a special spot in my literary heart and I have a feeling I will be visiting them again from time to time. Which brought me to my next thought; will there be a sequel? Of course I scoured the internet for a glimmer of hope but, alas, Casey McQuiston's website says she is not working on a sequel at the moment. On a bright note, the book has been optioned for film by Amazon Studios. Fingers crossed!

As a human being, I was thankful for the portrayal of the relationship between Alex and Henry. It shows that love is love, no matter who you love. Alex and Henry go through many of the typical ups and downs of first love, dating and long distance relationships and the additional obstacles they endure due to social status and sexual orientation only make the audience root for them more. Will the royal family and the world accept a gay prince? Will voters be deterred by a candidate’s son having a love affair with a foreign prince? Pick up or download Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuinton to find out!

Update 8/29/2023: Good news fellow readers! Red, White & Royal Blue is now a movie on Amazon Prime! I've already binged it twice and can't wait to devour it again. The chemistry between Alex and Henry made a sizzling transition from page to screen. They were able to bring many iconic scenes from the book to life and the casting is spot on. If you have not had the pleasure of falling in love with this beautiful story, I highly recommend the book and movie. You will not be disappointed!

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Book Review: Voices from Chernobyl

7/28/2019

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Photo Credit: Jessica Maynard

“I can still see the bright - crimson glow, it was like the reactor was glowing. It was pretty. That evening everyone spilled out onto their balconies. They stood in the blast dust, talking, breathing, wondering at it. We didn’t know that death could be so beautiful.”

It has taken me some time upon completion of the book to be ready to write this review. Stories from this text will stay with you long after the final page, the way the after effects of Chernobyl have stayed with the people of Russia, Ukraine and Belarus for decades after the incident. Voices from Chernobyl by Svetlana Alexievich is an oral history of what occurred in the months and years after the worst nuclear disaster the world has ever seen. Svetlana Alexievich interviewed hundreds of people whose lives have been forever changed due to this nuclear disaster and presented them in a monologue format that is both intimate and harrowing.

“We paid for the dormitory ourselves. For fourteen nights. It was a hospital for radiation poisoning. Fourteen nights. That’s how long it takes a person to die.”

Popularity of the topic of Chernobyl has risen due to the HBO mini-series which, as if the event was not terrifying enough in real-life, gives a dramatized version of the early morning hours of April 26, 1986 and the events that unfolded after the fatal explosion at the nuclear power plant. Before the mini-series, the nuclear disaster of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant was already intriguing due to the fact that it has, since the minutes and hours after the incident, been shrouded in secrecy and lies.

“Before we went back we were warned that in the interests of the State, it would be better not to go around telling people what we’d seen. But aside from us, no one knows what happened there.”

The interviews with the survivors took place in the years following the fall of the Soviet Union and were published in 1996, a decade after the nuclear disaster. The emotions of each person, once normal people but now contaminated with radiation and the stigma of being Chernobylites, bleed off the page and reveal the fear, anger, sadness and grief caused by living under a socialist government during the nuclear age. The stories reveal a culture that did not allow anyone to refuse orders due to the Communist Party Card in their pocket and a Communist Party who told dangerous lies to their people in return.

“I was absolutely certain that if anything serious happened, they’d tell us. They have all kinds of special equipment - special warning signals, bomb shelters - they’ll warn us. We were sure of it.”

Among those who lent their voices for Voices from Chernobyl are a widow of a firefighter who was one of the first on the scene, widows of liquidators who were sent to clean up the disaster, liquidators who have lived long enough to tell the tale and scientists who tried to speak up about the truth but were threatened to remain silent. The author also spoke with evacuees of Pripyat and villages in the surrounding area, residents who snuck back in after the evacuation to live on the contaminated land, pilots and soldiers involved in the clean up, mothers who gave birth to children with deformities and a few passages by children who were old enough to remember the disaster.

“The other day my daughter said to me: ‘Mom, if I give birth to a damaged child, I’m still going to love him.’ Can you imagine that? She’s in the tenth grade, and she already has such thoughts.”

I highly recommend reading Voices from Chernobyl by Svetlana Alexievich, a book which Craig Mazin (writer and producer of the HBO mini-series) admitted, “I drew historical fact and scientific information from many sources, but Ms. Alexievich’s Voices from Chernobyl was where I always turned to find beauty and sorrow.” Ms. Alexievich received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2015 for her book about Chernobyl as well as her other writings of her country’s tragedies throughout history. I will admit, it was not what I expected. It was better. This is not a timeline of events or a listing of facts. It is a window into a world within a world where the rest of us are too afraid to go through any other means than by the pages of this book.

“I know just one thing: I’ll never be happy again.”

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Pets in Space: A Short Story Collection

10/12/2016

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Pets in Space is a collection of science fiction romance short stories which feature, you guessed it, pets in space. The best part of short story collections is the fact that you get introduced to numerous authors in one book. It is a great way to see if you enjoy the author’s writing and may lead to reading other works by that author. The romantic pairings are well written in this collection and are complemented by the inclusion of their furry friends. As the introduction claims, every alien needs a pet.

A Mate for Matrix by S.E. Smith

A Mate for Matrix introduces us to sexy alien cyborg Matrix Roma and Jana Dixon, an endearing veterinarian assistant with a heart of gold. While Matrix is on planet Earth on a mission for the Cyborg Protection Unit, his lost cyborg wolf hybrid K-9 is hit by a truck and taken in by Jana. K-9 is not the first animal she has given a home. She also has three kittens named Butter, Honeybun and Biscuit. Will Matrix be able to find them in time and save them from his dangerous mission?

I thoroughly enjoyed this short story by S.E. Smith. It was a good story to lead with considering it could appeal to both cat and dog lovers. The passion between Matrix and Jana simmers off the page and their pets add humorous and protective layers to the story. At the end of the short story, S.E. Smith left an author’s note indicating this is a prequel and there will be more books to the Zion Warriors series. I look forward to reading more in this series by this talented sci-fi romance author.

Stray by Susan Grant

Stray by Susan Grant begins with a unique prologue written from a dog’s point of view. The dog turns out to be Bang-Bang, a starving street dog rescued by Interplanetary Marine Lt. Lukas Frank. Bang-Bang repays his savior by pulling him over to meet starpilot Capt. Carlynn Riga. The couple have a love-at-first-sight type of whirlwind romance; that is, until Carlynn goes missing.

There is no doubt that Susan Grant can weave an intriguing love story with tangible characters but her most notable strength is the way she addresses post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in her short story. She handles the sensitive topic in a way which makes her characters honest, raw and above all, real. Bang-Bang is an adorable addition to the story. His protective, playful and loyal nature truly make him man’s best friend.

Spark of Attraction by Cara Bristol

Captain Dante Stone is the cyborg captain on the spaceship the Crimson Hawk. He is considered as emotionally cold as his last name implies, until he comes face-to-face with the traumatized colonists they rescued from an alien attack on Verde Omega. One refugee in particular named Miranda Lowell, and her robot dog Sparky, seem to invade his thoughts often. He tries to keep a professional distance until mysterious occurrences on the ship slowly bring them together.

I enjoyed the strong and silent hero and the intelligent and resilient heroine in this story. It was also interesting to see the use of a robotic pet, which I could imagine being common in the futuristic setting of Spark of Attraction. Cara Bristol did a superb job of weaving in an element of mystery in this science fiction romance short story. The romance, characters, plot and world building were well done, considering the author had to do it in seven chapters. I would be interested in reading more of Cara Bristol’s cyborg series.

Star Cruise: Stowaway by Veronica Scott

Owen Embersson is the Cargo Master on the space cruise ship Nebula Zephyr and the caretaker of the ship’s two pets named Midorri and Moby. When Midorri and Mody discover a stowaway and Owen helps to save her life, it changes his life in ways he never thought possible. Be prepared for a science fiction romance filled with a mix of magic and danger.

The stowaway, Tyrelle, is the character which intrigued me the most. She is a supernatural alien described as a beauty with green skin and hair. The dialogue for Tyrelle was written well, showing she knows the language of the ship but appears to speak it with an accent. She has a gentle and healing nature which does not seen to be marred by her turbulent past. She is the perfect distraction for lonely workaholic Owen. Star Cruise: Stowaway was a pleasurable read with a well built world and characters which draw you in from page one. I look forward to reading more from Ms. Scott.

The Real Dragon by Pauline Baird Jones

The Real Dragon features Emma Standish and her talking bearded dragon named Peddrenth. The dragon went missing on the day her mother died and returns on the day her dad announces he is getting remarried. Add in an alien boyfriend that she doesn’t seem to remember and it all gets quite complicated.

In a collection of stories, it is bound to happen. There is going to at least one story that does not tickle your fancy. Unfortunately, The Real Dragon was that story for me. It was difficult for me to get beyond the point when Emma was talking with someone from her past. They had a long conversation that hashed out the details of their history and the day Emma lost her mother and it slowed the pace of the story. There are others who may read this collection and say this one is their favorite one. Everyone’s preferences are unique and I would recommend still giving this one a shot when you read the short story collection.

Spike by Alex Glynn Later

Spike by Alex Glynn Later is the story of Roboticist Ten Jaxdown and mission designer Anastasia Steed. Ten is designing investigative robots for a rescue mission planned by Anastasia and the two grow close while working together on the mission. When faced with sabotage, will they be able to save the mission and their budding relationship?

There were parts of this short story by Alex Glynn Later that I did enjoy, but there were other parts that were too difficult to get past. First off, for those readers (like me) who are not technical or engineer minded, the descriptions of the robot building may be hard to follow. Secondly, there is a well planned build up of the relationship between Ten and Anastasia, until it seems to fall flat when Anastasia keeps her distance the night before the mission.

Anastasia tells her friend she won’t have sex with anyone before marriage because she is “Old Catholic”, referring to a religion left behind on Earth. I respect her choice but there is no harm in a little cuddling or kissing before the mission. It was a letdown for me and I chose to move on to the next short story. As I mentioned with The Real Dragon, there will be readers who may find this is their favorite one of the collection. Everyone’s tastes vary and it would be worth it to give this short story a chance before deciding whether or not it is your cup of tea.

StarDog by Laurie A. Green

Snakes on a spaceship are a curse turned into a blessing when they bring Adini and Katrina, a StarDog, into Navigator Taro Shall’s life. Laurie A. Green’s short story includes corrupt governments, underground rebels, family drama, a pet who is as intelligent as she is adorable and of course, plenty of romance.

StarDog was strong enough to draw me back in after not being sold by the prior two short stories. Thank you Ms. Green! It was interesting to see a close look at a spaceport, a concept that is mentioned in many science fiction romance novels but is not always fleshed out. The hesitation by the characters was realistic given their past experiences but it did not slow the pace of the story. It kept me hooked and reading, wanting to know what would happen to Adini and Taro, or even Katrina.

Space Ranger by Lea Kirk

Space Ranger by Lea Kirk is the story of alien Graig Roble, human Simone Campbell and their dog Ranger. Graig and Simone develop a relationship while Graig is stationed on Earth to assist the humans after an attack by another alien species. Unfortunately they are separated when Graig is drawn back to the Atlantis by his job as a security commander for the Guardian Fleet. Will he realize his prior life and duties no longer hold any appeal without Simone before it is too late?

Based on Lea Kirk’s choice of plot and characters for Space Ranger, she understands the importance of short stories as a way to draw in new readers. She can consider that mission complete. As soon as I finished reading her short story in Pets in Space, I purchased her book Prophecy (Book 1 in her Prophecy series). Ms. Kirk provided enough of a glimpse of the cherished characters featured in her Prophecy series to make me, and hopefully other readers, want to read more about them.

Escape Run by Carysa Locke

Teegan is a part of the Talented, a species created for their valuable powers and gifts. She is a hunter who can track down others, along with her gifted pet fox named Ember. When Cole comes to Teegan for help hunting down someone from their past, can they both keep their feelings out of the mission?

It is easy to see why they put Carysa Locke’s short story Escape Run at this spot in the lineup; they were saving the best for last. Carysa Locke, the pen name for a friend writing duo, is the reason I chose to read Pets in Space. I have read and enjoyed this author’s other books. I highly recommend the Telepathic Space Pirates series, which includes Pirate Bound (a prequel, book #0.5), Pirate Nemesis (book #1) and Pirate Consort (book #2) which is expected to be released in December 2016.

I hope my review was helpful. I highly recommend Pets in Space, a short story collection which includes nine talented authors. Science fiction romance stories are always enjoyable but when you add loyal pets in the mix, it takes the plots to a whole new level. Enjoy!

*I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reading copy if this book.

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The Glass Mermaid by Poppy Lawless

10/4/2016

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Kate is the last of her kind. The Native Americans who had formed a truce with her family called them lumpeguin, but you may know them better as mermaids. At the beginning of the novel we find Kate living on Lake Erie, collecting colored beach glass to make jewelry for her shop called The Glass Mermaid. She seems content to work away the rest of her days at that shop; that is, until she meets Cooper, the handsome and shy painter who paints the Lake Erie sunsets while she collects her colored beach glass along the shore.

The Glass Mermaid by Poppy Lawless is a beautiful tale of two pained souls who have the potential to mend each other. Ms. Lawless does not make it easy of course. The ‘will they/won’t they’ hook and the way she slowly weaves the secrets of their past and present into the story will give your page turning finger quite the workout. Ms. Lawless has successfully created two complex and intriguing characters who could carry a story all on their own, but when put together cast pure book magic. I have lived in eastern Pennsylvania all my life and have surprisingly never visited Lake Erie in the northwestern corner of the state. Poppy Lawless’ exquisite descriptions of the location make me want to venture there someday.

I discovered The Glass Mermaid through an instaFreebie promotion a fellow author posted on social media. The stunning cover caught my attention with its use of a sun exposure affect on an image of a girl sitting on a lake dock. Plus, The Little Mermaid has always been my favorite Disney movie. Who doesn’t love a good mermaid tale, or wish they had their own mermaid tail? The Glass Mermaid reveals a bit of a dark side to being a mermaid in modern times but it only adds to the depth of this lovely novel. To claim your free copy of The Glass Mermaid, please click here.

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The Nocturne Falls Series: The Vampire's Mail Order Bride by Kristen Painter

9/9/2016

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The Vampire’s Mail Order Bride, Book 1 of the Nocturne Falls series by Kristen Painter, was another Book Bub discovery for me. If you have not signed up for Book Bub, what are you waiting for? You get free notifications about free or cheap eBooks in your favorite genres. It’s a bookworm’s dream come true! But back to the book review. When I first saw the cover, the bright pink and black color combination drew me in. I hadn’t read about vampires since the Twilight Saga kicked off the fad and then left it to fizzle. I knew there was a chance it would be cheesy but it was free to download to Kindle so I figured I would give it a try. Boy, am I glad I did! I read the entire book in one day. One. Day. I couldn’t put it down. Then to my relief, I looked up the author on Goodreads.com and realized there are five more books and several novellas in the series to keep me occupied.

Nocturne Falls, the namesake and location for the series, is a place where tourists go to celebrate Halloween 365 days per year. Little do they know, the supernaturals roaming town are not an act and really are who they seem. After Delaney witnesses her mobster boss murdering someone, she runs for her life to Nocturne Falls in the guise of a mail order bride. Hugh is a 377 year old vampire who is determined not to marry again after the death of his first wife centuries ago, but he agrees to meet with the woman chosen for him by a matchmaking agency to appease is grandmother. Sparks fly when the human and vampire meet but the most interesting part of the story is watching them confront the unveiling of secrets and dealing with the hurdles thrown their way. Their relationship is put to the test in a short amount of time which makes the romance scenes even more rewarding.

In addition to quirkiness and fluffy paranormal love, this story has a strong comedic thread weaved throughout. The witty banter between the characters was amusing and kept me wanting to turn the page to see what they would say next. A part of me wishes Nocturne Falls was real so I could move there or, at the very least, take a road trip. A good book makes you homesick for places you have never been and this book did just that. After finishing The Vampire’s Mail Order Bride I am homesick for the little Halloween town of Georgia and now plan to read the next books in quick succession. Based on the book descriptions, the secondary characters I fell in love with in the first book will get their time in the spotlight as the series progresses. I can’t wait! With Halloween right around the corner, I can’t think of a more fun read to enjoy leading up to everyone’s favorite fall holiday.

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The Barren Planet Series: Reckless Rescue by Rinelle Grey

9/3/2016

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Summary
After Tyris’ wife files for divorce, he goes on a dangerous mission with the hope of winning her back. He crash lands on Zerris, a planet removed from the map of the Colonies after it was supposedly destroyed, and discovers it is inhabited by a small village. He also learns it holds the valuable fuel resource he was looking for, but with a damaged ship he can’t make it back to the Colonies to announce his discovery. As winter sets in, he must depend on the hospitality of Marlee, a beautiful and caring woman who may need his help as well.

Marlee has lived on Nerris her whole life. Her mother was pregnant with her when she made the journey to Nerris after their home planet of Semala was hit by an asteroid. Unfortunately, the gas on the planet has rendered many people infertile and they face the danger of not being able to repopulate. The Council tries to overcome this dilemma by dictating that everyone change partners if the pairing does not result in a pregnancy within eighteen months. When Tyris crash lands on Nerris, Marlee takes him into her home as a way to avoid being forced to pick a new partner. In the cold of a Nerris winter, will sparks fly?

Review
I discovered the Barren Planet series by Rinelle Grey when I received an email from Book Bub (I highly recommend this site for any book lover) advertising the first book was available to download for free from Amazon and Barnes & Noble. The cover was visually stunning and the plot intrigued me. I figured why not, I will give it a shot. Reckless Rescue sucked me in from the first chapter and I read the remaining books in the series in quick succession. Reckless Rescue gives off a M. Night Shyamalan's The Village vibe but adds a science fiction twist to it. It has the village which functions like centuries past, building their own shelter and growing their own food, while the rest of society lives in modern times. The Council rules over the village but the difference is, the younger generation is aware of those living modernly elsewhere and that brings an interesting challenge to the story.

The part about planet Nerris being removed from the Colony maps gave me a flashback to Obi-Wan Kenobi of Star Wars searching for a lost planet and discovering it had been deleted from the archives. There is so much for science fiction romance fans to adore in this series. It is no secret, I love character driven stories. The writing can be phenomenal and the plot complex, but if the characters do not feel real I will not read on. The characters of Reckless Rescue are well developed and it is easy to become attached to them all, even the minor ones. You will be rooting for Marlee, Tyris and all their friends with the turn of every page. After Reckless Rescue, one book will not be enough. Luckily there are three more books in the series: Reckless Rebellion, Reckless Recon and Reckless Remedy. I highly recommend the Barren Planet series by Rinelle Grey. Check it out!

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Pirate Bound and Pirate Nemesis by Carysa Locke

8/20/2016

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Carysa Locke’s Telepathic Space Pirate series is one of a kind. Maybe it is because I am new to this niche genre but I have never read anything like it. Ever. After being a bookworm for practically a quarter century and seeing recycled plot after recycled plot, this series was a breath of fresh air. I know they say “don’t judge a book by its cover”, but the covers for Carysa Locke’s books are absolutely stunning and the content does not disappoint. If the fact that the series is about telepathic space pirates (how cool is that?) won’t grab your attention, hopefully my review will.

The series begins with Pirate Bound, a prequel novella which introduces us to Dem and Sanah and the pirates aboard the Nemesis. Sanah and her younger sister are on the run from their brother who is hell bent on using their telepathic powers for ill gains. When a ship takes chase, Sanah is surprised to find it is not her brother’s but does not stick stick around long enough to find out the motives of their pursuers. The Nemesis does not give up that easily. A telepathic connection is made between Sanah and Dem and she needs to decide whether or not to trust him and his fellow pirates. As they say, the rest was history.

After reading Pirate Bound I was automatically hooked and moved right along to book one of the series, Pirate Nemesis. Sanah and Dem do appear in this book, as well as other beloved characters from Pirate Bound, but the main focus is on Mercy and Reaper. You may wonder what in the heck kind of name is Reaper. Let me explain. The telepathic characters in the series all have specific talents, mostly inherited from their parents. For example, Sanah is an empath and can read emotions and Reaper is what the pirates call a Killer. He can use his talents to determine the easiest and quickest way to kill someone. Don’t worry, Mercy is one tough woman and she handles Reaper just fine. More than fine actually (wink wink). You want to download it now, don’t you? I knew it!

In the author's note of Pirate Nemesis, Carysa Locke (the pseudonym for writing team Carysa Locke and MaLea Holt) indicates there are more books planned for this series. A recent update from the author estimates a December release date for the sequel Pirate Consort. While you wait, you can also check out the short story called Hunter Bond in Romancing the Stars: 8 Short Stories of Galactic Romance and Adventure. Sanah, Dem, Reaper and others make an appearance. When I fall in love with a series I just can’t seem to get enough of the characters. Hunter Bond was a sweet way to see more of my new favorite pirates. For action, romance, sci-fi, suspense and more, check out the Telepathic Space Pirate series by Carysa Locke!

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Book Review: The Heir and the Human by Siobhan Davis

8/18/2016

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The Heir and the Human by Siobhan Davis is a bonus novella of the Saven series written from the point of view of Axton a.k.a Ax, who readers met in Saven Denial (Saven book #2.5). It also includes other Saven series favorites such as Sadie, Logan, Izzy and Dali, and introduces Blaze among other new characters. It is the most emotionally charged piece of the series and I can now see why the author admitted to her street team that she cried while writing it. Based on the timeline of the series, the events in The Heir and the Human (Saven series #3.1) technically occur before the events of Saven Denial, however, I would recommend reading Saven Denial first to better understand the events in this novella.

When I fall in love with a series like I have with the Saven series, I simply cannot get enough of the characters. Bonus novellas are a perfect way to get my fix of additional page time with these beloved characters, get further insight into their backstories and get a clearer picture of the entertaining yet complex plot. The Heir and the Human will fulfill this need and more for fans of the series. I read the entire novella in one day, proving how much I craved more Ax page time. He is A+ fictional boyfriend material and the scenes between him and Sadie reflected some of the most authentically charged chemistry that I have read in a long.

The final chapter ripped my heart right out of my chest, but it was worth it to read more about Ax and Sadie. It is not that I don’t like Logan, the other love interest in the Saven books, I just prefer the type of relationship between Sadie and Ax. Logan and Sadie are a love and passion at first sight type of relationship. Ax and Sadie started as friends which seems to make their bond even deeper in their romantic relationship. Don’t worry, Sadie isn’t a cheater. The time travel and memory altering in the books makes sure of that. If you want to know what I mean by that, you better download the series ASAP. The Heir and the Human is another beautiful sci-fi masterpiece by the magnificent Siobhan Davis. I highly recommend it!

Please note: I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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Book Reviews

For the Love of Hockey, Rom-Coms and Penis Cookies: Pippa Grant’s Copper Valley Thrusters Series

Book 1: The Pilot and the Puck Up
Zeus and Joey

Book 2: Royally Pucked
Manning and Gracie

Book 3: Beauty and the Beefcake
Ares and Felicity

Book 4: Charming as Puck
Nick and Kami

Book 5: I Pucking Love You
Tyler and Muffy

It Begins with Absence and Desire: A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

Red, White & Royal Blue: All The Proof We Need That Love Is Love

Book Review: Voices from Chernobyl

Pets in Space: A Short Story Collection

The Glass Mermaid by Poppy Lawless

The Nocturne Falls Series: The Vampire's Mail Order Bride by Kristen Painter

The Barren Planet Series: Reckless Rescue by Rinelle Grey

Pirate Bound and Pirate Nemesis by Carysa Locke

Book Review: The Heir and the Human by Siobhan Davis

Author's Notes

Archives

Categories

Book Reviews

Book 1: The Pilot and the Puck UpZeus and Joey

Book 2: Royally Pucked Manning and Gracie

Book 3: Beauty and the Beefcake Ares and Felicity

Book 4: Charming as Puck Nick and Kami

Book 5: I Pucking Love You Tyler and Muffy

Author's Notes

Archives

Categories

Book 1: The Pilot and the Puck Up
Zeus and Joey

Book 2: Royally Pucked
Manning and Gracie

Book 3: Beauty and the Beefcake
Ares and Felicity

Book 4: Charming as Puck
Nick and Kami

Book 5: I Pucking Love You
Tyler and Muffy