3.5 Stars An interesting mystery set in a small town brimming with evil secrets. This is a slow burn when it comes to horror, but it’s there. However, 3.5 Stars An interesting mystery set in a small town brimming with evil secrets. This is a slow burn when it comes to horror, but it’s there. However, what really is more horrific than having your young child go missing? My favorite thing about this story was the mother’s backstory and how it fed her self-doubt as a parent. We can all relate. Sentinel is a promising author’s debut in indie horror and a sequel is expected soon.
Note: The author’s wife is the audiobook narrator and she sounds like a pro! I love to see a family working together and excelling while doing so!!
My favorite quote: “Sometimes I think we’re ants that got hold of a fresh pie. Most of us go through life, we walk on the crust of this earth, we take a piece of it, and then we go back home. But for the few of us that are willing to put the work in, there’s so much more to this world. There’s so much more that lies below the surface if we look for it.”...more
The engaging series of Stillhouse Lake deals with the aftermath of Gina Royal and her two children when her husband Mel Royal has been discovered to bThe engaging series of Stillhouse Lake deals with the aftermath of Gina Royal and her two children when her husband Mel Royal has been discovered to be a serial killer. Although Mel was put behind bars and Gina (now named Gwen Proctor) was exonerated from allegations that she assisted him, life never went back to normal. The grief-stricken and vengeful families of Mel's victims, along with intrusive public judgment, created constant disruption and significant safety concerns in the lives of Gwen and her children. The first two books focus on a woman forced to become “the ultimate warrior mom” as she is required to be in full protective mode at all times. A lot happens, there are twists and turns galore and there is a ton of suspense. But, based on my perspective, this third book appears to segue Gwen into a variation of her familiar role in an effort to extend the life of this series. She's still a mother, still defending and protecting, but now she's being asked by others to intervene in dangerous situations because of her knowledge and courage.
Full of mystery and plenty of villains, Wolfhunter River possesses many of the elements fans love about this series. The ending was action packed and the many revelations associated with both new and familiar characters were quite surprising in my opinion. However, I personally am not excited to move forward with Gwen in a new role that places her and her family at even graver risk. In the author's defense, the only alternative is to end the series which she obviously is not ready to do and I don't blame her. She has a real talent for adult domestic suspense and this segue was clearly well-thought out. I foresee readers either embracing the turn this series is taking with this pivotal book or using this as an exit point, as I am doing. Make no mistake, Wolfhunter River is not a bad book. It's good, but it will require a full buy-in from the reader from this point on and I'm sadly all tapped out.
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Thank you to the following for permitting me access to an advance reader's copy (ARC) of Wolfhunter River. This generosity did not impact my honesty when rating/reviewing. Source: NetGalley Author: Rachel Caine Publisher: Thomas & Mercer Genres: General Fiction (Adult), Mystery & Thrillers Pub Date: April 23, 2019...more
A Discovery of Witches is the first installment in Deborah Harkness's paranormal 3-book series titled: All Souls Trilogy. This was a long-ass book witA Discovery of Witches is the first installment in Deborah Harkness's paranormal 3-book series titled: All Souls Trilogy. This was a long-ass book with sections that felt so familiar it gave me flashbacks of other reading experiences, but overall an engaging story that is worthy of its following in my opinion. I have to admit I was impressed with all the history, science, and wine elements threaded throughout this story, which made up for all the borrowed plotlines. I read it in preparation for the upcoming TV adaptation which I plan to watch; however, simply based on my personal enjoyment, I am undecided if I plan to continue reading. If you enjoy the paranormal/fantasy genres that feature vampires and witches, then it's worth a look.
My favorite quote: "I've always thought yoga and magic had a lot in common." ...more
I've been sitting on this title for quite some time. When I was in my CoHo fangirl phase, many of Tarryn Fisher's titles were dropped to 99 cents so II've been sitting on this title for quite some time. When I was in my CoHo fangirl phase, many of Tarryn Fisher's titles were dropped to 99 cents so I snatched up almost her whole catalog. I'm very slowly getting through them...like one a year, but they're always there waiting for the day when my library holds are being held hostage, which was yesterday.
The Opportunist was actually an original and very engaging read in my opinion. I enjoyed it quite a bit regardless of its "new-adult" label. What turned me off and dropped it a star though is the main character Olivia acting very much like a typical "new-adult" character in the present timeline (which I already established was OK in this book), but apparently she's a big shot lawyer who is up for partner. Really? The inconsistency in how this character is developed with words vs. actions became a distraction for me and forced me out of my reading momentum. It sucks that my brain couldn't overcome this issue because it's an engrossing book that I quickly became excited to read. There are some dark but addictive themes running through here that had me double-speeding my audio so I could see where the rabbit hole would lead. I also really liked how it ended so I'm choosing not to continue the series. Every now and then we need to read a book that ends a bit messy and unfulfilled by how we think it should end. I think it's good for us. So The Opportunist will be that for me. If you enjoy this genre, I would definitely recommend it if you haven't read it already.
My favorite quote: “Life always keeps moving, even if it has to drag you along, kicking and screaming.” ...more
★★½ Roman Crazy is labeled an adult contemporary romance and is written by Alice Clayton and Nina Bocci. I have never read anything with Nina Bocci's n★★½ Roman Crazy is labeled an adult contemporary romance and is written by Alice Clayton and Nina Bocci. I have never read anything with Nina Bocci's name on it before but I was excited to see Alice Clayton's name attached to this one as her books typically are a lot of fun to read. Roman Crazy presented chronologically adult characters who have been through significant life events and the book features romance-related adult content...but the writing style in this book managed to still feel very young in my opinion which caused the depth of emotion to be lost on me personally. However, there was a strong Italian cultural element added that I think sets this book apart, so there's that. I didn't much care for this book overall but I know there are plenty of readers who will like it. If you decide to read it, I genuinely hope you enjoy it ♥...more
7/28/17: I picked up The Queen and the Cure again to finish it after some encouragement and the convenience of using it for a challenge in my favorite 7/28/17: I picked up The Queen and the Cure again to finish it after some encouragement and the convenience of using it for a challenge in my favorite goodreads group. The writing and the romance/romantic longing were beautiful but the fantasy element unfortunately has yet to capture me as a reader. It's still a dropped series but at least no longer a DNF and never a dropped author ♥
7/20/17: Sadly and regretfully, I just can't follow the amazing Amy Harmon into the fantasy world of Jeru anymore. I didn't love The Bird and the Sword and I'm not finding any connection or love for The Queen and the Cure either. It's a DNF and a dropped series for me. Definitely not a dropped author though! Amy Harmon is one of my forever favorites! If you've never read her, you must check her out!!!
Re-read Review: 6/6/2017 ★★★☆☆ After receiving some private messages and strong encouragement and motivation from trustworthy goodreads members, I decidRe-read Review: 6/6/2017 ★★★☆☆ After receiving some private messages and strong encouragement and motivation from trustworthy goodreads members, I decided to do my re-read sooner rather than later. Yes...I did my re-read the very next day. I figured the story was fresh and I was doing yardwork rather than paperwork so my change in multitasking duties may make a difference. For me, it did. I actually was able to follow the characters and chain of events, as disjointed as they may be at times. But I was less confused. It was still a really weird fantasy world and set up but I feel much better about my reading experience this time around and feel safe to continue on to the next installment, which I don't plan to do soon, but at least I retract my decision to totally drop the series. My favorite parts of this book were the ones that included Roland (the gunslinger) and Jake together. Parts got downright emotional there. The ending introduces the official "Dark Tower" and provides a segue for the next book. I'm thankful it made a bit more sense during this next-day re-read but such a bizarre storyline still couldn't get more than 3 stars out of me. The moral to this review: Don't allow much distraction while reading The Gunslinger, because all sorts of new characters come and go, Roland (the gunslinger) journeys near and far, and if you miss one thing, it's going to feel a lot more confusing than it already is. Check it out.
Original Review: 6/5/2017 ★★☆☆☆ I'm thinking this is a case of "it's not you, it's me" but I had a lot of difficulty remaining engaged in this story. It was bizarre and confusing, but I'm wondering if there was a major element I missed somewhere that would have made it all easier to follow somehow. I am dropping the series for now but may consider trying to re-read this first installment at some point down the road to see if the second time really is the charm. I liked the characters King created and would really like to see the whole thing meld together for me. Regardless of this reading experience, I am excited about the upcoming adaptation to the screen and will definitely be watching.
My favorite quote: “It was strange how some of childhood's words and ways fell at the wayside and were left behind, while others clamped tight and rode for life, growing the heavier to carry as time passed.”...more
A Dog's Purpose is the first installment in W. Bruce Cameron's fiction, animal POV series titled A Dog's Purpose. Initially, I wasn't into this book. A Dog's Purpose is the first installment in W. Bruce Cameron's fiction, animal POV series titled A Dog's Purpose. Initially, I wasn't into this book. The simplicity of the writing is almost childlike as the narrator is a dog who is confused by human behavior and just wants to please in any way. However, animal reincarnation was an interesting spin that kept the story from stalling...and then the tears came for me about 2/3 of the way through. Finally, I was invested.
I didn't love A Dog's Purpose, but reading it made me love my own dog even more. Charlie is napping on my lap right now after a long walk with a generous amount of sniffing stops and an icecube of chicken broth. I know a human wrote this book, and who even knows what really goes on in a dog's head, but I feel even more motivated to make Charlie as happy as he truly makes me ♥.
Meet Charlie [image]
My favorite quote: “The job of a good dog was ultimately to be with them, remaining by their sides no matter what course their lives might take. All I could do now was offer him comfort, the assurance that as he left this life he was not alone but rather was tended by the dog who loved him more than anything in the whole world.”
Elle Kennedy is one of my go-to authors when it comes to adult romance so I anticipated enjoying her hand at the new-adult genre as well. The Deal is Elle Kennedy is one of my go-to authors when it comes to adult romance so I anticipated enjoying her hand at the new-adult genre as well. The Deal is certainly one of the better new-adult novels I have read but it still didn't win me over. Regardless, I applaud Ms. Kennedy for incorporating some pretty heavy themes into this romance and managing to keep the sexy-factor strong. Emotions were high and the drama element was in full-force on both sides, but I was able to keep my eyerolls at bay. I enjoyed The Deal - 3 stars - but I don't think I will be continuing the series. HOWEVER, if you are a reader who does enjoy the new-adult genre, I highly recommend The Deal, and since Elle Kennedy is the author, I'll go ahead and recommend the rest of the series as well :)
My favorite quote: “Sometimes people sneak up on you and suddenly you don’t know how you ever lived without them.”
For 100 Days is the first installment in Lara Adrian's erotic romance series titled 100. I recently met this author and can I tell you just how kind sFor 100 Days is the first installment in Lara Adrian's erotic romance series titled 100. I recently met this author and can I tell you just how kind she is? I have never read any of her books before but I immediately researched her bibliography and holy moly! This sweet lady writes erotica! I have even more admiration for her!!
I placed a few of her books on hold at my library and For 100 Days was the first to come available. Overall, I liked it. I enjoyed getting to know the heroine, her past and present stressors, and her family dynamics. I liked her character very much. However, I felt that the relationship building between the heroine and hero was severely lacking which caused me to feel minimal investment in their romance which is kinda a big deal when the book is erotica. Other than their sexual chemistry, there was really no other indication of what the characters like about each other. Sometimes that's stereotypical of the genre which could be why this isn't my go-to when it comes to romance. Because of their lack of emotional intimacy, the characters are clearly untrusting of each other to reveal important truths, and once this is addressed, the ending again sets up for additional secret-keeping in the next book which is a pet-peeve of mine. Lots of problematic secrets lead to preventable relationship drama and the only reaction I tend to have is eyerolls. I don't know the story is leading here though, but it's hinted enough that I'm conflicted about continuing the series. I really like the art component and strongly hope that more is continued in the story. If you are a fan of erotic romances that feature high-profile billionaires who choose the ordinary but promising girl, check out For 100 Days.
My favorite quote: "Don’t let fear keep you from pushing your personal boundaries. If you do, you’ll miss out on some of the most pleasurable things in life."
DNF @ 60% God, I love this author. Her imagination astounds me...but my brain just couldn't keep up with this one. The fantasy world being developed inDNF @ 60% God, I love this author. Her imagination astounds me...but my brain just couldn't keep up with this one. The fantasy world being developed in the first installment of this Romeo and Juliet retelling is so very complex. Blink and you're lost... and I got lost more times than I'm willing to admit. Just going to put it down for now :(...more
Raziel is the first installment in Kristina Douglas's adult urban fantasy series titled The Fallen. I like angels. I like vampires. Reading Boredom :(
Raziel is the first installment in Kristina Douglas's adult urban fantasy series titled The Fallen. I like angels. I like vampires. Reading about angels that drink blood? WINNER! [image] It just bored me to tears. I wasn't expecting the blood sucking element so my interest was grabbed during those parts but unfortunately it didn't last. Personally, I can't recommend this one based on my own experience but I encourage you to read some more positive reviews and weigh the pros and cons for yourself. Good luck!
My favorite quote: "Evil came from within, just as love and beauty did. Evil was the price humans paid for being alive."
Very original storyline, but I fear most of the YA genre just doesn't do it for me anymore :( RTC
My favorite quote: "If there was one thing I understoodVery original storyline, but I fear most of the YA genre just doesn't do it for me anymore :( RTC
My favorite quote: "If there was one thing I understood it was that grief was an opponent you didn’t play fair with. You did whatever it took to not let it beat you. You fought dirty against grief, period."
"I had no problem taking orders from a girl. I’d been doing it my whole life, for one. My mom was the strongest person I knew. And if you were capable, I personally gave no shits what you were. For me character was character, end of story."...more
Kiss of Steel is the first installment in Bec McMaster's steampunk/paranormal series titled London Steampunk. It's been a long while since I read goodKiss of Steel is the first installment in Bec McMaster's steampunk/paranormal series titled London Steampunk. It's been a long while since I read good steampunk so when this title was voted BOTM on one of my goodreads groups, I acted on my motivation to pick it up. This wasn't typical steampunk in my opinion. It was more centered on vampire/paranormal romance (which was pretty good), combined with some other plot fillers that didn't really keep my interest much. In the end, the story fell in the middle for me. Maybe I would have enjoyed it more if I hadn't kept searching for the elements that warrant a steampunk label...there were very few unfortunately. I wouldn't discourage anyone from reading this though. Just erase traditional steampunk from your mind.
My favorite quote: “Does a pistol murder a man? Or is it the man who pulls the trigger? Can we blame a rabid dog who tears apart a child? Or should we blame the one who kicked and starved and tortured it?”
Broken Juliet is the second installment in Leisa Rayven's new-adult romance series titled Starcrossed. While the first book Bad Romeo gave the new aduBroken Juliet is the second installment in Leisa Rayven's new-adult romance series titled Starcrossed. While the first book Bad Romeo gave the new adult genre a reprieve from the typical unnecessary relationship drama, Broken Juliet makes up for it. I never quite found my eye-roll though and I think that's because the characters remain fairly complex which I appreciated. I also enjoyed the continuation of the acting lessons with the focus on embracing one's vulnerability. As in Bad Romeo, this one goes from present to past until the timeframes meet back up again but this time there was some closure to the hero and heroine's story. The next book Wicked Heart appears to feature a different hero/heroine so we'll see where this series takes readers from here. If you follow the series, make sure to include Broken Juliet in your list.
My favorite quote: “Let’s say people are books. Everyone who comes into our lives is given a glimpse of a few of our pages. If they like us, we show them more pages. If we like them, we want them to see the unedited parts. Some people may make notes in the margins. Leave their marks upon us and our story. But ultimately, the words that are printed—that represent us as a person—don’t change without our permission."
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