Sting Magic

 Sting Magic is the first book Sarah K.L. Wilson's new series and I was swept away into a unique new world where there is literally danger at every turn and the main character finds herself in a huge fight for her life and those that she cares about.

Sting Magic is truly a thrill ride from beginning to end. Aella is the main character in this book and she has a lot of spunk to say the least. She desires to protect her family, but when the crown prince royal makes a sudden appearance in their village...all of their lives are are put at risk. He takes from them in the name of peace, threatens the lives of her family and children, and then leaves them defenseless against the Forbidding that lurks and slinks through the land devouring it and reclaiming it for its own. Aella dreamed at times of Hatching, but upon seeing the cruelty of the Prince...she'd rather die. But she does Hatch...and it's not a bird. Now she is the property of this cruel man and if she rebels her family's lives are a stake.
This book is so hard to put down and I enjoyed most of it. I love the world building and the flashbacks are really teasing as they give you hints at other moments in time, but not enough to truly understand all that is going on. I'm really hoping that there will be more in the next book.
I hate to say it but Aella really tries my patience...and from the book I'm not the only one. Haha! She wants revenge for her family and what they have suffered. I understand that, but I can't help but feel that she's selfish in her actions. She's been TOLD the consequences but yet she persists. She knows that all it takes is ONE bird with a message, but yet she has the arrogance in her heart to think that she can somehow beat a bird back to her village. I'm disappointed that she doesn't use her head much at all in this book. I kept waiting for the warnings and hints to get through to her but it's like it goes in one ear and out the other. I'm not saying that I would yield in her position, but I'd bide my time and wait instead of just attacking and thinking "Oh well maybe they'll think he was killed by accident."
I truly did enjoy this book, but I found Aella to be a character who made it hard not to want to yowl at her hard headedness. I felt that her actions were more selfish than about protecting her family. I think you'll understand when you read this book, and I really do encourage you to read it because it's a truly fascinating story. I am rating this book 4.5 out of 5 stars. I'm hopeful that Aella would get some sense in the next book now that...she's had a taste of what she's in store for if she doesn't. If you enjoy thrilling fantasy novels then this book is a must read.

Flicker and Flame

 Flicker and Flame by Willow Hayes is a reverse harem paranormal romance novel that introduces readers to a character who has lived her life believing that she is human only to discover that locked inside her is magic that marks her as the true heir to the throne. She’s not ready for the threats that are quickly coming her way, but with the help of her men she just might be able to survive and move forward toward her true path. 

Flicker and Flame is the first book that I’ve read by this author and I was really hopeful about it. The blurb really piqued my interest about Kenna and her road to reclaiming what is rightfully hers, but I felt that this book ends up falling a bit flat for me. Kenna has some interesting moments as a character, and I really like her friend Rya, a dryad. I love how we get some really interesting character descriptions and how unique most of them are. We get a couple characters that we’ll love to absolutely hate. These characters bring some life to the story in spots which help to engage me back into the story. I loved reading about Kenna’s work as a social worker and how she helped the children in her care. There are some really heartwarming moments and then there are a couple of absolutely heartbreaking moments as well. 

My biggest issue with this story is how quickly things move…mentally (?) with the guys and Kenna. She’s met them once and her “heart twists painfully at the thought of them”? Why? There is an insta-attraction between them, but it wasn’t “insta-love.” I viewed it more as "insta"-lust. Then for almost half the book it’s the guys training and working with Kenna. I felt that it was a bit much. A couple chapters of it, that’d be fine, but for there to be so much focus on it...it's too much and drag's the story down. There are a couple of interesting moments mixed in, but it’s a lot to get through just to have those occasional interesting moments. Kenna is has a "fiery" temper, which, of course, the guys think is "sexy/hot" but it gets irritating in certain situations. In certain moments, I can understand, but then I also look at it from the flip side...she's coming into her powers as they have now been unlocked. She needs to be trained in how to control them. She refuses to see how she could/would be a danger to the people she works with by going to work without any control. Yes, her powers are influenced primarily by her emotions, but seeing as there is now an individual at her job who is intentionally pushing her EMOTIONALLY...it would make sense to LISTEN to the ones who are simply trying to look out for her and protect complete strangers at her job. 

Kenna gets mad/irritated with minor stuff but brushes off things that with...other people...would send up red flags. She calls the guys for help when a strange threatening letter shows up at her home, and doesn't even question why the guys are in the neighborhood. I get that it's in the heat of the moment, but when things calm down...she never once questions it. Also, I felt that her being dismissive and flattered by one of the guys saying that she smelled (her scent) was "f**kin' sexy" before but now it's "f**king sexy plus more" now...seriously? No one has put all the pieces together yet of their connection so for her to be sitting around blushing like a horny teenager instead of using her brain...it's just a bit much for me. The author wants to portray her as a "bad-a**" chick, but I can't help but view her more as attitudinal when not necessary and thinking more with her "lady bits" than her brain. 

Now, if you’re looking for some steamy moments to drool over…this book is more of a slow-burn in my opinion. There are some kissing, some teasing, and a bit of “playing” but there isn’t really anything truly steamy going on. 

I’m rating this book 4 out of 5 stars. The book is okay, but it’s not one that I’d rave about. It has good moments, but they are scattered throughout. I had to push myself to get through certain parts in the hopes that the storyline would pick up and get more interesting, but that only happens closer to the last few chapters. I’m hopeful that the next book will be an improvement, but book one didn’t really meet my expectations. 

Wolf Awakened

Wolf Awakened is Avery Song's latest book and let me tell ya...this book is BIG! But I'm not complaining. I love big books and this book has a lot going for it. This book has it's good points and then it has it's low points, but overall it truly is an enjoyable story and one that I found myself blazing through.

In Wolf Awakened, the author introduces readers to Willow/William. Willow can alter herself into a man, and during the day she is William. At night, she is Willow, but no matter what persona she is she dominates in everything that she does. Her father despises her for being "weak" and not being able to shift into her wolf form, but Willow has hardened herself into being something more and it won't be long before she makes her father regret the way that he has treated her. Now! This book does have some dark themes, but since I like dark...I found this book to be absolutely delicious. The introduction of the four brothers...welcome to New York boys. LOL! At first, I didn't think that I was going to like them. At. All. I was prepared for: ego, bad attitudes, disrespect...you name it that's what I was expecting. What I got?? Surprise! I got calm, smarts, intellect, and more! I love how different each of them is. I even have a favorite brother!!! No, I won't tell though, but it's the one who appeals to me the most. lol!
I truly appreciate how the author warns readers of the darker elements of this book so that if readers have an aversion, or have certain issues that might be triggered by this book then they can avoid it and find something else to read. This book does have quite a bit of struggle and darkness in it, but I can easily say that the author doesn't delve so deep into it that she gets lost and drowns in it. You get just enough to give you a good picture of the things that not just Willow went through, but Onyx as well. So you get a two for one with the background story, but of course, things were worse for Willow.

Now, while I did enjoy this book, there is a reason why I am declaring 4.5 out of 5 instead of a full 5-star rating. Since things take a long while to connect to the prologue, it gives you a future scene and then begins the book with more of the "present" I don't see the point of having read it. Also, as is the case sometimes with longer books, there was a bit of repetitiveness in spots that were just a bit too close together. In the beginning, for example, the author states how tall Willow is in her female form. That was fine, but then literally a few pages later, hardly enough time for me to forget that one detail, it's repeated again. That particular detail wasn't needed. Then there were places where there was a bit too much thought-process going on, basically, the characters reflecting and going into a bit too much detail. Sometimes less is more, and in some places, I felt like it was just filler that really wasn't needed. It slowed the book down, so when I started coming across these places my brain would literally hunt for the important information and skip the rest to keep from getting bogged down.

My only other issue is Willow/William. I'm disappointed in their lack of empathy towards others. I get that you are literally taking your life into your own hands and giving to another when you are a part of the mafia, but I'm still disappointed. Willow/William shows little to no empathy for the individual their father murders simply because he's "displeased." These individuals aren't the reason why he's angry...they are just a convenient target. I'm not saying that they should cry about it, but to show some empathy wouldn't be so bad, especially when they are the reason for that individual losing their life. But that's just me.

All in all, I am loving this story and I can't wait for what comes next. So I am rating this book 4.5 out of 5 stars. Willow/William is a fascinating character in both forms and I can't wait to see how they move forward to conquer NYC and show the world...you don't mess with the Forbidden pack. 

Dough or Die

 Dough or Die is the fifth book in Winnie Archer's A Bread Shop Mystery series. While this book is part of a series, it can be read as a stand-alone novel. This book takes readers on a plot-driven mystery to discover the truth behind the near-death hit and run of a cameraman in front of Yeast of Eden bakery. With the encouragement from the local sheriff Ivy is on the hunt to figure out who tried to kill him, and why. But she's going to have her own issues from the past to come and put her on the lookout for her own dangers to come.

Dough or Die really caught my attention since I am an avid baker myself so I was excited to read this book and really enjoy the ride. The book all in all is a good read. The book is easy to get into and follow along with what is going on with the different characters. What I enjoyed the most about this book is the mystery element of it all. The cameraman is the victim of a hit and run and then the legwork of trying to discover what could possibly drive (no pun intended) to want to harm him. He seems to have such a clean record, but it's not the past that is trackable that holds the answers in this case. I love the small-town vibe of this book and how there are some real-life tie ins as well. It helps to elevate the story in places to really keep readers engaged. 

The pacing of the story is good, but I also found it a bit flat. There isn't a lot of drama and tension that I have come to expect and anticipate with a mystery, even a cozy mystery. It left me a bit disappointed. Since this book is fifth in a series, all of the relationships have already been established and so there is very little of that build in this book, so it left me feeling a bit disconnected from their relationships. There are some references to past situations and issues as well, but the author doesn't go in-depth with them. I'm sure so as to not confuse the readers on things that don't truly get addressed or have any connection to the storyline now. I was also disappointed that we didn't get a proper description of Billy's fiancee Em earlier in the book. We get multiple descriptions of Ivy, but only when Ivy asks Em how she is going to do her hair for her wedding do I get any clue that she's a black woman. 

Overall, I enjoyed this book, but it wasn't a really gripping mystery that had me frantically page-turning to learn the truth behind all the events that happened in this book. I am rating this book 4 out of 5 stars. The truth behind all the tragedy is truly heartbreaking, but the ending is decent enough. I may go back and read the series from the beginning and maybe I'll enjoy it more. But for those who enjoy a nice quiet cozy mystery with just a hint of danger here and there then this book would be a perfect fit for them. Plus, the author includes a couple of delicious sounding bread recipes at the end as well. 

Kaji Warriors: Shifting Strengths

Kaji Warriors: Shifting Strength is a science fiction/fantasy novel by Kelly A. Nix. Kaji Warriors is the first book that I have read by Kelly A. Nix and when I first read the blurb I was excited and eager to dive into this book. I am an avid reader of science fiction novels and the picture that the author paints piqued my interest. A young girl, raised by her father, determined to be strong and prove herself. Then the author teases that Atae has a secret that she is trying to keep hidden so you can guess that I was eager to discover this secret and understand better what it all could possibly mean. So, of course, I jumped at the opportunity to read this book.

When I first started this book, I’m not going to sugar coat it…I was disappointed. The prologue doesn’t pull me into the story. It piques my interest, but it also struggles at the same time. It gives me two characters – one who is unknown and remains so, and the other who is disclosed later in the prologue. I was like…okay, the prologue is a bit muddy, but the first chapter will make up for that. Once again, I was disappointed. It seemed like the author struggled a bit with getting the story going because it took me a few chapters to get into the book. I honestly began to worry that I’d not like the storyline after such a promising blurb. I kept thinking…maybe the author should have written this book in a different “person” instead of 3^rd so that I could get into it better. I decided to keep pushing forward in the hopes that the book would start gaining traction and I am glad that I didn’t give up.

This book, after a few chapters, does get interesting. When it gets interesting the story really takes off and I can very easily tell that the author has found her stride and that she’s off to the races. Atae is an interesting character, but she is flawed. As she is the main character of the story I find myself contemplating her quite often. She has been raised and trained that Kaji are strong. Strength comes from more than just physical strength, so I find myself at times getting annoyed with her when I find her lacking in certain areas. Apparently paying attention is an issue for her. There are certain scenes and situations that she finds herself in that I felt that if she had paid attention she could have avoided those particular embarrassing moments. I say this because you can tell by her father’s reactions at times that he’s disappointed in her lack of knowledge which leads me to believe he taught/told her at one time, but she failed to pay attention/grasp the information so it was…unfortunately…lost. Another thing I found myself being annoyed with her about is her own arrogance. Yes, she has her moments of humility and shame, but just like her Prince she has her moments of arrogance, and the moments are highly unwarranted. She praises herself when it wasn’t really HER who overcame or accomplished.

While this story has a variety of alien creatures, the main focus is the Kaji – purebreds and hybrids. I really like her packmate, Jeqi. You’ll rarely find Jeqi slipping in the observation department and, of course, this is reflected in the story as at the Academy Jeqi is the top of her class. There is a variety of characters in this book, but the author never gets distracted by focusing too much on the ones who aren’t connected to the main character, Atae. Of course, since she has classmates we see them sprinkled throughout in what I feel is an appropriate amount.

This book focuses on two major events – the Tournament and then the Gridiron. Atae is eager to enter the Gridiron, but she has to succeed at the Tournament first. The Tournament is a thrilling part of the storyline and I love that it is broken up into parts and that it doesn’t all happen at once. It definitely has a Hunger Games theme and thrill to it which keeps you on the edge of your seat. There were moments of where I wondered who the author was going to work things. Where the characters going to come out on top every time? Or would they have to grit their teeth and really work hard for their victories? Well, all I’ll say is this…I was not disappointed. Now! This book DOES end on a bit of a cliffhanger. Not a major one, but I feel that it is a cliffhanger nonetheless. The reason why I say this is because of the set-up concerning the Gridiron. We get the Tournament in this book, but not the Gridiron, so that leads me to believe another book is coming.

I am deciding to rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. While the beginning of this book was sluggish and a struggle to get through, once the book gains traction it is hard to put down and I devoured it like it was a tasty treat. I loved the blending of the characters and even the hints of a romance that may not be allowed to continue. I am eagerly anticipating the next book in this series and I truly hope that I won’t have to wait too long. This author has a lot of potential and I can’t wait to see where she takes these characters next.

 

 

Phoenix Princess

 

The Phoenix Princess by Lichelle Slater is the fourth book in her The Forgotten Kingdom series. This book is the author’s Snow White reimagined. In this story, we get the phoenix princess as she fights to overcome the obstacles that she will face as Selina continues her quest to take over the kingdoms and claim the thrones for her own.

I had high hopes when I began reading The Phoenix Princess and read that it was Snow White reimagined. I was curious and eager to see how the author would recreate this story with a Snow White twist to blend with the previous stories in this series. I feel that there are several other fairy tale stories blended into this book, and I have to admit that I really enjoyed it. These additions to the story help it be more engaging and interesting with a nice variety of characters. This is Princess Tavia’s story and I have mixed feelings when it comes to her. There are some moments of where I like her, and then there are moments of where I don’t like her that much. While she does have some haughty moments I do appreciate that she is not a completly spoiled princess. She has her issues with her family – mother is unstable, her father is believed to be dead, but the author has quite a few surprises wrapped up in this book both for Tavia and for readers.

Readers are reunited with familiar characters from the previous books as well as they come together to prepare for the big battle that is to come. It’s nice to see the relationships continue to develop between the various characters as well when they are reunited. I enjoyed the backstory of one character that readers are introduced to, even if he does end up being a minor character in this book. The way that things are coming together I’m eager to see what the final book will bring.

This book does have some down sides though. It’s supposed to be Snow White reimagined, but I don’t get a lot of Snow White vibes from this book. There are a couple of moments that make me think of Snow White, but the overall tone doesn’t ring of it. I get more…Sleeping Beauty vibes from this book in places with the briars and then the return to the place where time is frozen. I’m a bit disappointed that there are a couple of scenes that are cut super short. I know that the scenes don’t really add to the story, but there was a better way to incorporate the scene without chopping it the way it’s cut which causes the story to feel a bit disjointed. The pacing is a bit off as well. There are really engaging moments that had me page-turning to learn what was going to happen next, and then the story slows down and I had to push to move forward.

At the end of the day, I am rating this book 4 out of 5 stars. This isn’t one of my favorites of this series. I don’t find Tavia to be that engaging of a character and the storyline just doesn’t flow for me which caused me to be slower in reading than I would have liked. This book has an exciting cliffhanger and I’m eager to find out what happens in the final book. I’m hopeful that it will be a real page-turner as I’m sure the truth will come out and the real fight will begin. If you enjoyed the series to this point then feel free to check this book out. Once again, not my fave, but it does have its good moments.

Cursed: Half-Breed Prison

Cursed is the continuation of Jen L. Grey’s The Half-Breed Prison duology. Prepare to be reunited with Lexy, Aaron, Knox, Deissy, and the rest of the characters that you came to be familiar with in the Bloodshed Academy series. A lot is going to be happening between Lexy and her to two admirers, and the fight is going to be coming to a head as well, but not without there being some loss…and a few revelations along the way.

When I started this duology spin-off I was thrilled to be reunited with old characters and to meet some new characters as well. This book continues forward in that vein with Lexy being reunited with her birth parents and the planning process beginning as to how to take down the Elites who are intent on using Lexy to their own twisted end. This book is really fast-paced with how things go. Months go by in the blink of an eye! Cole is of course up to his usual antics with running his mouth and pretty much-putting people’s lives in danger with his crazy driving. I couldn’t help but laugh at him. Lexy is definitely her father’s daughter though you’ll see quite often that she has a hard time facing THAT particular mirror/reflection of herself. I won’t reveal the twists but I have to admit that I enjoyed a couple of them as they were quite unexpected. 

For me, this book wasn’t as good as the first one. I liked that there is more variety of the characters, but I just didn’t like that Lexy and the other half-breeds acted like brats a lot of the time. They’re all adults, but they don’t always act like it. I didn’t like them always wanting to get snotty with the older ones because they didn’t see eye to eye on everything or the things that they felt that they were right on. I felt that Lexy’s attitude and mouth were really a problem with this book. She likes to run her mouth and never really thinks about others most of the time. She gets snotty with Aaron completely disregarding that she and he are not the same. For him to view things differently and in an odd light is to be understandable to a degree. 

Now, I understand that this spin-off was planned as a duology and kept that way, but I felt that this book ended up being rushed for the ending. There isn’t a big climactic battle like I was expecting to happen. Things happen in a rush and before you know it it’s all over. It was a bit disappointing for me. This has been building for over several books so for things to close the way that they do just leaves me feeling like it’s not truly finished. Maybe it’s not, and there will be more, but for now, it just feels unfinished. 

All in all, I’m rating this book 4 out of 5 stars. I like the development of the older characters and how MOST of them have matured. I like Cole as he is because honestly…he’s a hoot and he has his more mature moments. Hopefully, Lexy can grow herself and stop being so judgmental especially of him because seriously Lexy…pot…meet kettle, hun. I enjoyed the first book more, but this book is good to learn the truth behind how things came to be in the first place. 

 

Dracula's Bride

Dracula’s Bride is the first book in Rebekah R. Ganiere’s Immortal Monsters Series and presents readers with a unique and truly beautiful story that tells the tale of Blue (Dracula) and Mina.

I have always been an avid reader of this particular author’s novels and this book was no exception. The author quickly hooks me in with the way that this story begins. This story begins dark and with a sense of foreboding as Blue is faced with a situation that must be dealt with and quickly. The author builds my anticipation of the story and what is to come with this short beginning. As the story shifts to Mina I can’t help getting a bit of a “Cinderella” vibe from the storyline. Mina lives with her father and her sister and two brothers. The way that they treat her…my heart broke for her.

The author weaves the story expertly as she gives readers bits and pieces of the past and how the family has fallen into the tough times that they are currently experiencing. Mina is such a sweet character, and I love how she rarely complains about the things that she has had to endure. Now her selfish siblings…they needed a good swift kick in the rear. The father intrigued me because I know that he has a story to tell as well, but while this isn’t his story…I’m hopeful that maybe one day we can learn exactly what happened to break him and bring him so low.

I love how the author uses so many familiar names from the Dracula story itself. While I’ve not personally read the original Dracula story the show Supernatural has helped with me being familiar with a few things. LOL! The romance between Mina and Blue is a whirlwind affair. Tensions build and break between the characters, and that makes this book hard to put down. I question Mina a couple of times and wonder…”how long before she becomes a frivolous goose?” Thankfully, that never happens. I absolutely love it when she shows her backbone and stands up to her cruel siblings.

Now, I’m sure you’re wondering…was there anything that I didn’t like about the book? Honestly…not really. I’ll admit that I was a bit disappointed that Mina follows Blue when he tells her not to, but I won’t complain about it as it is the building scene that brings the story to a true head. A…final confrontation if you will. I hope that is more of a teaser than a spoiler for readers. LOL! Now, for readers who prefer cleaner paranormal romance novels, this book does have some sexual content in it. But once you hit that moment in the book, you can honestly skip over it and you not worry about missing a crucial scene in the story if that is what you wish.

Now! I will add this…this book does have some brief moments of mental, emotional, and physical assault/abuse. If these are sensitive subjects for you, then I recommend that you might want to skip this book. The moments are brief, but they are there and I know that not everyone wants to read such scenes.

I truly enjoyed this book, and I look forward to the next book in the series and future works by this author. I am rating this book 5 out of 5 stars. If you have read books written by this author and enjoyed them then I encourage you to pick this book up and check it out. 

 

Hunted

Hunted by Jen L. Grey is the first book in her spin-off Half-Breed Prison duology. If you read this author’s Bloodshed Academy series then I’m sure that you were left with some…or A LOT of questions. Good news! This book takes readers back and deeper! New characters, reunion with familiar characters, and some serious drama! You’re going to want to pick this book up! Trust me!

Hunted is a great addition to Jen L. Grey’s dynamic selection of YA novels. She introduces readers to a new character by the name of Lexy. Lexy is going through some changes, but she doesn’t exactly understand what is going on. But her whole life is about to be changed forever. The author does a fantastic job setting the stage with this book. She puts in enough clues to point readers in the right direction of what is going to be going down, but doesn’t make it so plain that you think “okay, too straight-forward.”

Lexy is an interesting character. I love that we get her and her parents. When the pieces began to fall together I almost squealed with excitement as the picture developed. She’s definitely her parents’ daughter. She’s got a mouth on her, but I’m honestly surprised that I don’t really get annoyed with her until almost the end of the story when she tries to play the reckless hero. She finds herself in a bad situation after a bad situation, but she only backs down when it’s truly necessary to avoid serious drama.

One twist in this book that I will tip-off is this…the romance angle! Boy did my jaw drop. LOL! I initially didn’t see it coming, but then…I honestly started to get my hopes up. Let me just say…the author does NOT disappoint! Things should be REALLY interesting in the next book, and I honestly can’t wait.

I’m trying to think if there is anything that I don’t like about this book and honestly…there isn’t! Okay, near the end there is that one scene where she tries to suddenly play hero when…that really wasn’t the plan. I viewed it as her wanting to take a stupid risk without knowing that the end payout will be in their favor. Especially since she’s the one that the bad guys want.

At the end of the day…this book was one of those hard to put down novels that you just keep page-turning and saying, “just one more page.” I can’t wait for the next book in this series and so I am rating it 5 out of 5 stars. If you read the Bloodshed Academy series and were left with questions and want answers as to what happened to all the half-breeds who were kidnapped and/or disappeared then this book is a must-read!

The Reluctant Witch

Meet Brie McAddams, a 16-year-old girl on her way to a new school in a new town. She’d rather go to a regular high school, but she promised her moms that she’d at least try this new place as long as she gets to pick the location. Brie’s real dream? Art school. She doesn’t need magic for art school, but here she is on her way to becoming…a reluctant witch. Her first semester is going to be real interesting.

The Reluctant Witch is the first book in Kristen Walker’s new spin-off series that follows Brie as she makes her way through Santa Cruz Witch Academy. While this book is a spin-off of the Fae of Calaveras Trilogy, it is not necessary that you have read that series in order to understand what is going on with this new series. The author quickly establishes a general sketch of an outline of what has happened for the changes that have occurred in the magic community and why. So readers are able to understand why Brie is going to want to keep a low profile as much as she can at her new school. Her family name is a little too well known in the magic community.

Brie appeals to me in the beginning, because of her introvert personality, but I think that it’s this same thing that ends up dragging the book down a bit. As we all know introverts aren’t the type to be engaging so the storyline is a bit dull and slow in the beginning. After a few chapters things do pick up and get interesting so just hang in there. Brie is hoping to make her own path at this new school, but it seems that even there she can’t really do her own thing. I couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow when the element that she is assigned is not the one that she was going for, but is one that seems like the choice was influenced by her mama Rosa. For me, it raises the question of…why? Did Brie ever express to her that she enjoyed that particular element and working with it? Or would this be viewed more as “parental influence” where it’s not wanted?

The side characters really help to bring this story to life since Brie isn’t the most animated of main characters. I love her best friend Damian. He is so much fun and I love that he’s not over the top flamboyant, which I was concerned about briefly. But he is perfectly balanced in my opinion and I love it. Gabriella brings the intrigue and the romance for Brie, but the twists at the end…talk about a gut punch. I did not see that coming at all.

Aside from Brie being not the most engaging main character I become disappointed in her when she allows her emotions to drag her down. I understand that this relationship/romance is her first and that there will be some distraction for her, but for things to go as far as they do. Her grades slide and she begins to struggle with her classes and even lashes out at her best friend and a girl who simply wants to be her friend. I was honestly floored by her behavior. She has a lot of emotional build-up, but I’m disappointed in the fact that she lashes out at those who simply want to help her.

All in all, this book has its good moments and its bad moments. It struggles a bit in the beginning, but once it gets going it really is an enjoyable story. This book is more of an upper YA novel so it might not be deemed appropriate for all readers. If a younger teen were to read this book I would just recommend that they take Brie’s behavior in certain moments with a grain of salt. I am rating this book 4 out of 5 stars. Brie has a long way to go at Santa Cruz Witch Academy, but I’m curious to see where her path will take her along with her Fae patron.

Midlife Demon Hunter

Midlife Demon Hunter is the much-anticipated return of Shannon Mayer’s The Forty Proof series. In book three, things pick up where they left off with Breena O’Rylee. She’s currently living in her grandmother’s old house now owned by the fae named Crash, Eric (the bigfoot), Suzy (the siren), Kinkly (the fairy), and Feish (the river maiden). Bree is out a job at the Hollows, but she’s determined to make her own way with her new group of friends. She just has to stay under the radar concerning the debt foisted upon by her sneaky snake of an ex-husband. Things are about to get crazy, as the dark forces in town are about to start taking direct steps toward bringing Bree down and trying to crush her beneath their heel. A “simple” job for a goblin comes along, keep some documents safe for three days. Sounds simple enough right? But honestly…when has anything been simple thus far? Exactly.

Midlife Demon Hunter is an absolute delight to read. The author is truly enjoying writing this series and I love how that shines through with each page that she writes. Bree is older than the average character written these days, but that is what makes me love her more. She’s older but she owns it. The dynamics between the characters are so well done and I promise you’ll be either laughing or choking back laughs if you’re in a place you can’t just let it rip. This book is full of unexpected moments and that helps it stay entertaining and engaging.

I like that we get scenes with the other characters and that the storyline doesn’t completely revolve around trying to create a romance element between Bree and Crash or Bree and Corb. I have to admit…I feel bad for Eric in one scene. I’ll admit that I giggled, but I just wanted to reach through the pages and give him a hug for his troubles. I have to admit that I love that Robert is found in quite a bit of this book. When he becomes more…” animated” it honestly piques my interest in the implications of this. Bree takes so many things in stride and her attitude is just an absolute blast. Another big thing that I have to point out is…the creepy house next door. It’s coming into play more with this book and I loved every second of it.

The author writes in more than a couple of twists with this book. My jaw literally dropped more than once. For those hoping for a bit of romance…and some “fun” with this book…yes. LOL! The author is a class act. She gives readers the opportunity to decide if they want to read the scene or not. I laughed at it, but since I refuse to miss out on a single thing I read on, but for those who prefer to “pass” you can do so and I promise you won’t miss any major parts of the story in doing so. Yes, that is how neatly the author wrote the book. I loved it and found it absolutely funny at the same time.

Now, I’m sure you’re thinking “Okay, so you liked so much of the book…now, what did you NOT like?” Honestly…the ending. It’s a crazy cliffhanger after a major revelation or two! I literally yowled “NOOOOOOOOOO!!!” I was NOT okay after that. LOL! I saw it was the end, but I tried to turn the page to read what happened next anyways. Okay, honestly I don’t mind cliffhangers. LOL! They make me anticipate the next book in the series and when you truly enjoy a series like this…the waiting can be nerve-wracking. Lol But I already know that it will be worth it.

I am rating this book 5 out of 5 stars. This book is a true page-turner and I love that I can tell how much the author is enjoying writing this book and working with Bree and the others as characters. There aren’t any awkward moments, dull moments, or parts that make you want to take a break from reading. This book is evenly paced but before you know it it’s over and you’re drumming your fingers wondering when the next book is coming. If you have read the previous books and enjoyed them as much as I have then I highly recommend that you grab this book and dive in. It’s a great addition and shouldn’t be passed up.

Witchling Academy Semester 7

Witchling Academy Semester 7 is the return to Brianne Harlow’s story as she continues her studies and growth at Witchling Academy with her men, her two “familiars”, and the addition of a new character…all though the crossover will be a brief one. As we have come to expect from this series, the focus will be on the relationship between the characters and the trials that are meant to make them stronger and better prepared for the epic battle that is soon to come.

Witchling Academy began with 16-year-old Brianne Harlow and with each semester she has grown older, stronger, and taken steps to become the woman that she is meant to be as she learns about herself and her hidden past as well. There are some secrets that are revealed in this book, and the author kicks things off with an emotional prologue. I’ll admit that as I was reading the prologue I was pleased with the emotional element that it brought to the story. I was a bit curious as to how it was going to transition into the main story. It both does and doesn’t. It transitions briefly and then the storyline shifts to Bri and Jax. The first main chapter of the story I felt was a bit dull, but then things soon get interesting and my attention is pulled into the story fully again.

There are quite a few enjoyable moments in this story, but I was expecting more than I got when you get down to it. I understand that Bri and Jax are the main focus of the storyline as a whole for all of the books, and while I like that Finnick gets more attention in this book, I’m wanting it to be more balanced since they are all supposed to be in a relationship together. We get brief glimpses here and there between the others, but they aren’t as in-depth as I’d like so that we can experience their struggles. I will say this, I love that the familiars got more attention in this book. They have more than just a few supporting scenes. A couple of times Fuwa has a couple of real scenes of where he’s more than just there to do a task requested of him. I like that the author gives him multiple scenes with different forms depending on what is needed.

The biggest drawback for me concerning this book happens early in the book after the first couple of chapters. The characters are older teens at the youngest, so when they start using what I classify as “childish” language it makes me raise an eyebrow out of annoyance. Bri inquiries about having a “threesome” with Jax and Connor, but then she doesn’t know what a threesome is? After her being literally schooled by Miya and Mia in at least one previous book? It’s a stretch for me. Now, yes, the author tries to explain later on, but it just doesn’t flow for me. Plus, “winky dink”? Ummm…what? What 19-year-old and older honestly say “winky dink”? They are more than comfortable saying “dick” so why start using such a childish term that I associate more with a 10-year-old at best? Bri is not as innocent as she is not playing at being, so I think that aspect is pretty much played out at this point.

If you are wondering/worrying if this book ends on a cliffhanger…it really does not. The author sets the stage that something big is coming with the next book, so that is something to look forward to, but it’s not a really satisfying ending for me. I’m honestly hoping that the next book will have more balance between the characters since it is supposed to be the final book in this series, but we’ll see what ultimately happens.

At the end of the day, I did enjoy reading this book overall. There isn’t a lot of “academy” in this book, but there are a few exciting elements that show that the Darkness is ramping things up on their end. I am rating this book 4.5 out of 5 stars. I’m taking off half a star for the childish language and behavior in this book. The one odd scene is early in the book, and thankfully the childish language is scattered throughout, but not too heavily used. If you have enjoyed this series up to this point then I’m sure you won’t want to miss what happens next.

The Lost Hero

The Lost Hero is the first book in Rick Riordan’s new spin-off series, Heroes of Olympus. New characters are introduced as a new enemy surfaces intent on destroying the gods and readers are reunited with some familiar characters as well. One, in particular, is missing, but there is a reason for it as the author will reveal in time. The three new characters – Jason, Leo, and Piper are one part of the equation of heroes who must come and work together if they are to survive the coming fight.

The Lost Hero is a fascinating story that pulls readers in from the beginning. This book’s chapters alternate between the three main characters – Jason, Leo, and Piper as each of their stories is revealed piece by piece. Jason finds himself mysteriously in a bus in the middle of nowhere with a bunch of rowdy kids. He has no idea who he is or where he is. A girl next to him says that his name is Jason and that they are dating. He has no memory of it. Everything feels strange and wrong and things are only going to get weirder. His best friend Leo has a thing with tools. He’s crazy talented and can create lots of things, but there’s more to him than meets the eye. Piper believes she and Jason are in a relationship but are they really? She’s pretty good at persuading people to get things, but she does it simply to get her movie star dad’s attention. But now...she’s having dreams that he’s in danger. Something evil wants her to betray her friends in order to save his life in exchange. Jason needs answers, but they all need help.

I have to admit that when I realized that there was a spin-off series from the original Percy Jackson series I was excited to grab this book up as was my daughter. We were both eager to see what this author had conjured up and how it would all connect. I mean, the Titans had been defeated and locked away, so what new evil could there be? I love that the author takes things in a familiar direction, but with a new twist. It gives readers something just familiar enough to pique their interest with enough to grab them and pull them all the way in. New monsters, new gods, and new challenges to overcome. The questions arise – who is Jason? I mean...really? Who is he? Zeus claims him as his own, but it’s supposed to be that Zeus, in the previous series, vowed to have no more children. So how? The questions that plagued my mind are part of what pushed me to dive deeper into this book.

The storyline itself is good and kept me page-turning. The characters themselves are okay, but they are...a bit...I guess I’d call it...unstable. The author writes them as teenagers, but at times...for me, they act younger than teens. Occasionally they act more mature, but those moments are typically brief. This book is classified as suitable for older children and teens. In my opinion, this book is more appropriate for teens than older children. I say that because the author focuses a lot on Piper’s attraction and interest to Jason and then vice versa as well, but more so with Piper. I have to admit that I found it a bit annoying at times. I didn’t want Piper to be so heavily focused on “how cute Jason is” or “how good he looked wearing whatever.” Yes, he does it, too, but not as much and I don’t like how often it happens because it makes it seem like that is mostly Piper’s focus other than saving her dad.

Another instance is when Piper reveals her “secret”. She expects the guys to be upset with her, but they just act like it’s nothing. I know fully that this book is fiction, but the best types of fiction are the ones that give readers some realism as well. That particular situation...had little to no realism. The expectation arises that they should be upset with her on some level, but for them to just shrug it off? Not even a little. There are a couple of other scenes that I felt were played down a bit when they could have been enhanced more. Also, I’m curious as to what happened to a certain character who has a brief appearance in the beginning but never shows up again. Are they going to make an appearance in the next book or a future one?

This book is packed with lots of characters both familiar and new, thrilling situations, a new enemy, and some new gods as well. This book is a fun story to read, but I don’t feel that it’s totally appropriate for those who are younger than 13. It gets a bit heavy-handed, in my opinion, in the teen romance angle in comparison to the Percy Jackson stories in the beginning. I’m going to continue the series, but I’ll be doing a perusal before reading them further to my 10-year-old as bedtime stories. If you enjoyed the Percy Jackson series and are looking to check this series out then I highly encourage you to do so. Thrills and adventure await as an old being begins to awaken and threatens the world and all who call it home.

Tracker Hive Academy Semester 4

Tracker Hive Academy is back and this book is one roller coaster of a ride! Avery Song really has hit her stride with this book and I couldn’t put it down. Things that I complained about in previous books are practically non-existent in this book and I couldn’t be happier. The characters have really matured in this addition to the series and I love it.

This book begins with a prologue that had me a bit confused in the beginning, because I didn’t really know where the author was going with it. Quickly enough the author transitions the story and things kick into high gear. I was eager to learn what was going to happen next and this book quickly became hard to put down. I absolutely wanted to know what was going to happen next and the author does not disappoint. An epic battle ensues and you can absolutely expect a couple of crossovers as well from other series as they begin to all tie together. I can’t wait for when the stories all come together for what I know is going to be an epic battle. I honestly can’t wait and I’m super excited. Now, the scenes with the crossovers are short, but they just build the anticipation for the rest. I’ll probably implode from excitement when everything ultimately comes together.

There is a LOT going on in this book. The author throws in a lot of twists, turns, secrets, surprises, and revelations as well. You barely get a chance to relax before something else is coming up to keep you on your toes. Now, I have to say this...there are a couple of elements in this book that I’m not too sure how some readers will take to. One of the characters has kept a secret for a while now, but that secret is coming to light and will be exposed. My interest was piqued by it because I was curious as to what direction the author was going to take this whole situation. Honestly, though, the scenario isn’t dragged out. It has a couple of moments in the story overall and then it’s played out.

I have to admit though, there is one scene that I felt ended up falling flat. The author builds things up and creates this expectation that something big is going to happen only for the whole scene to just...fizzle out in my opinion. I was expecting a big moment...a struggle...for things to be pushed to the edge or at least a twist, but things play out...perfectly. I honestly felt let down, because why build things up to make it sound like things could go wrong? There is a bit of danger, but nothing like how the build-up made it seem like. The author is great at creating anticipation of a scene that is coming, but this one ends up coming off as phoned in and unfinished.

This book gives us so many different perspectives and all I can say is that I wish that there had been more for certain characters. I do like that we get more of Calvin in this book, but I hope that we get more of Lisette in the future books. I feel like she was more of a side character in this book than a part of the group like she should be.

Prepare yourself for a cliffhanger! I can’t wait to read what happens next in the book coming later this year. Things are really getting intense and I know that the next book is going to be truly exciting. Jade is getting stronger and I love that her elements are reflecting that as well. I am rating this book 4.5 out of 5 stars. The characters are more mature, things are really coming along, and the next book promises to be truly epic. If you have read the previous books in this series and want to learn what happens next then I highly recommend you grab this book and dive in.

Darkbeam Blog Tour

Title: Darkbeam Part III

Series: Beam Series

Author: Adrienne Woods

Genre: Fantasy

ISBN: Page count: 583

ASIN:  B0832WQHJR

Publication Date: 23rd June 2020

Publishers: Fire Quill Publishers

Description:

The Third part in the Darkbeam Novels: The Rubicon's Story.

Blake Leaf is fighting against the Dent. He truly believes that the Dent is an enslavement spell. One where he would lose himself and that the bond is not natural. He takes extreme measures with the help of Sam and Dimitri, a very dark sorcerer, that might cost him his life, if he caves.

Darkbeam is the Rubicon's story and also part of the Spin off series from the INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLING SERIES The Dragonian Series.

Purchasing Links

UNIVERSAL BOOK LINK  https://books2read.com/u/m0rjMA

The next day Elena felt lighter.

It was her birthday. I still didn’t care, but what choice did I have?

I hadn’t even Dented. The fucking spell was trying to suck me in, forcing me into what it wanted me to become.

Maybe George hadn’t been strong enough to fight it. Maybe he’d had Becky’s yapping in his mind and gave in. Well, I wasn’t some fucking Moon-Bolt who didn’t have the balls to fight.

I would break the spell. Whoever had come up with it would learn they’d made a mistake trying to control dragons.

I’m the Alpha. I won’t go down like that.

Until then, I had to endure every fucking moment of her rescue. Luckily, my father came through. He got her away from Stan and back with friends.

Her happiness clashed with my darkness, and their reunion made me shudder. It felt as if I would throw up, and I wasn’t even near her. My body felt wrong.

I tried to push her thoughts away and get my fucking life back. With effort, and some killer headaches, her yapping became more dull, like whispers.

It was bearable.

I could still see the events taking place in Elena’s life. It was exhausting.

I wasn’t giving in though. I’d fight until the bitter end.

* * *

I woke up just after lunch. Her voice was ringing inside my head, like an alarm clock I couldn’t snooze. 

At least she was having fun and not whining. She was riding jet-skis with Emanual, King Helmut’s dragon. She was sitting behind him, with her arms wrapped around his waist. She felt conflicted. She was happy, but it was more than that.

I laughed as I realized what it was.

She was attracted to Emanual’s human form.

Better him than me.

I tuned in.

“It’s like flying,” she said, the jet-ski speeding through the water.

What did she know about flying? As I remember, she was scared of heights when she became a dragon.

“I forgot to ask you. How did it feel to be a dragon?” Emanual asked.

“Don’t. I miss it more than anything in this world.”

Had she embraced her dragon side? When? Why couldn’t I remember?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Adrienne Woods is a USA Today Bestselling author, living in South Africa.

She’s been in love with books all her life and knew at the age of 13 that she is going to be a writer one day.

That dream happened ten years ago and she started to pen her stories down on paper. Firebolt, her debut novel, were released 4 years after that, and she hasn’t stop since.

Now she almost have 15 novels under her belt, and it doesn’t look like she is going to stop soon.

To find out more about Adrienne and her books, please visit her website at www.adriennewoodsbooks.com.

FOLLOW LINKS:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AdrienneIsa/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authoradriennewoods/

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/erichb3

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/adrienne-woods

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7219081.Adrienne_Woods

GET PART I FREE FOR A LIMITED TIME: UNIVERSAL BOOK LINK: https://books2read.com/u/m2orlO

Giveaway: - Entire Series: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/a2d6a77c33/?

Year Three: Bloodshed Academy

Year Three is the much desired third book Jen L. Grey’s Bloodshed Academy series. This book brings readers the next piece of the story that we have been eagerly anticipating. Things are progressing in Raven’s life with Rage, but the Elites are quiet right now…but not gone. The next stage in Bloodshed Academy is coming for Raven – the Culling. The pressure is on for Raven on all sides. No matter what happens next Raven’s life is about to be changed forever.

Year Three: Bloodshed Academy is the best book in the series in my opinion. Where book two focuses mostly on Raven’s relationship with Rage, book three gives me the storyline that I was hoping for and more. Rage and Raven continues to move forward in their relationship and begins to deal with the secrets that swirl all around them. They are still a part of The Elites, and they have to stay in “good graces” so that they aren’t suspected in their part of keeping a hybrid from being taken. Things are going well for a minute, but then a twist or two is thrown their way and things begin to escalate from there.

Piece by piece the author brings this story together and it is truly hard to put down. While some aspects of the story are predictable, I enjoy the drama that kicks up and the humor sprinkled throughout. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…I LOVE Cole. On more than one occasion I had to choke back laughs at his antics. He is a refreshing and enjoyable change from the usual vampire character that most authors give us. I appreciate that he and Jess get some attention to their relationship as well in this book. This book focuses more on all of the characters and that it is something I truly like.

The author raises some questions though throughout. It seems that there are some things going on with a couple of the characters and I’m honestly curious as to how that is going to play out. Is it going somewhere? Is there going to be some drama down the road? Or is this a one-time thing/slip? I can’t give specifics as it would kinda spoil the book/scene, but you’ll understand when you read it.

This book has a couple of “steamy” moments between Raven and Rage, but it honestly feels like there are some parts missing to it. The first especially feels a bit rushed and…what happened to her pants? Rage takes everything off, but her pants…do they just…disappear? It just feels like a bit of oversight. I’ll admit that I’m a bit disappointed that Raven doesn’t try to reach out to her parents to resolve things, but it honestly goes both ways. The author reveals all near the end, but how it all goes down between them.

I really did enjoy this book and it kept me page-turning as piece by piece things come together and Raven learns just how deep they are in this mess. Powers are at war, and I can’t wait for more from this author in connection to this series. Things are really getting good and I like that they have reached the stage of “trust no one outside the group.” I am rating this book 4.5 out of 5 stars. A great addition to the series.

Shattered Princess

Shattered Princess is the first book in Avery Song’s and Veronica Agnus’ new supernatural spin-off series. These two authors combine forces yet again to give readers a fast-paced engaging story that introduces readers to Castalia – a dragon fae hybrid. Castalia’s first few years of life are far from the type that should be true for a young child, but an act of love for one how stood by her when she was at her loneliest moments will take her to a new realm and open new doors that she would have never thought possible. As she grows she will learn more about herself and the potential future that lies ahead. She will learn about the dangers that lurk around every corner for those who are deemed a threat to another’s quest for power and how she must fight to survive it all.

Shattered Princess is one of those books that quickly grabbed my attention and had me page-turning to the end. When I had to put this book down…I was most reluctant to do so because that’s just how much the authors captivated me. I love that I get to have Castalia has a young child at the beginning of this book. For me, it helps to set the stage for how she grows to be who she is as a teenager and then as an “adult” later on. I say “adult” because we all know that just because you reach the “age of adulthood” doesn’t automatically mean you are an “adult.” Just like “age of consent” doesn’t automatically mean you should go jumping off into bed with someone because you are now “of age.”

I should probably say at this point…this book probably won’t be for everyone. Even for those who love paranormal romances and enjoy these paranormal prison books, there may be some…unpleasant elements to this book that they will struggle with. Castalia endures a lot as a small child and one of the early characters makes it quite clear that they had darker intentions in mind when it comes to young Castalia. It’s mentioned throughout the story in different places so it’s not like readers can just read it one place, skip that part, and then it’s over.

There are a couple of time skips in this story, but I don’t mind as I know that it would have dragged the storyline down to have to read about her development years between six and 16 and then again between 16 and 18 years old. Overall, I enjoy Castalia as a character. She’s engaging and quite a bit of fun. The other characters – Cerberus, Loki, and Lucifer all pique my interest as well. While Loki is supposed to be the “main” love interest at the moment, I feel that he’s a bit lost in the storyline. I expected him to be mentioned more than he is, so sometimes I lose focus of him. Cerberus really reminds me of Hellsin from another Avery Song’s series. Hellsin is a mixed back for me, but Cerberus I gravitate more towards. He seems more fun and less…of that controlling, territorial vibe that Hellsin gives off.

I truly enjoyed this book, but it’s not without its personal drawbacks for me. I’m probably old-school for this, but a six-year-old talking about the age of consent to have sex and how at 16 it’s almost literally impossible for them to not have sex…it just comes off wrong/inappropriate for me. She’s a child. I know she’s been through a lot, but it just seems wrong for her to be saying something like that. The other thing that I didn’t really like was when she, in my opinion, goes to have a tantrum when she meets a certain character. I get that she was upset, but the outburst was 1) predictable (the characters tend to do so in each series) and 2) I felt it was childish. She asks for an explanation, and when one is attempted to be offered she screams over the other person, refuses to listen, then storms off. I was disappointed with her “sorry” when she learns the truth. “Sorry” really doesn’t cut it for an apology.

As I said earlier, I truly did enjoy this book and while I had some personal issues with the storyline and the characters, it didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the story. I am rating this book 4.5 out of 5 stars. If you are an avid fan/reader of these two authors then I highly encourage you to pick this book up. If you are sensitive to certain subjects that can be triggering then say either proceed with caution or pass on this book. The choice is yours. There is no true act of anything happening, but the suggestion of an attempt is there. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in this series as a variety of new characters make an appearance at the end and you can just tell that things are going to get really good. 

Darkness Deceives

Darkness Deceives is the second book in Katie May’s and Loxley Savage’s Afterworld Academy series and the story continue with Hadley and her quadruplet’s fight against the Darkness that is attacking the souls of the Academy and stealing their essences. Except now, Hadley herself has become possessed by the Darkness and now the guys must embark on a fight to get her back. But are they ready for the secrets and truths that will be revealed piece by piece? Can they handle the truth of what it is that they will learn about Hadley herself and the very thing that has taken her? There is a darker evil at the Academy…and it’s out for revenge.

Darkness Deceives has been a long time coming for its follow up to Katie May and Loxley Savage’s first book in this series. The prologue in this book helps remind readers of what last transpired in the first book, and then shifts forward into the storyline as a whole as readers find out that Hadley has no idea as to what is transpiring “outside.” Piece by piece the story comes together as Hadley begins to realize that something isn’t quite right. The guys are scrambling to find her and figure out exactly what has happened to her so that they can free her from the Darkness. The story that is embedded in this story is what truly pulls me along. The authors fascinated me with the backstory that is woven into this book that elevates it as a whole. It’s an unexpected twist after unexpected twist that makes you crave to know the truth of it all.

This story is both beautiful and tragic as it is revealed page by page. The authors show us that there is more than meets the eye and that not everything is what it seems. I loved it! I love the misdirection in a couple of scenes as well. The authors have a surprise twist that catches me off guard but seems like I should have seen it on a level. LOL! I love that the authors keep me guessing though when they drop subtle hints here and there as well.

As promised, this book has several steamy scenes mixed in. I’ll admit that I felt that one scene was a bit out of place, and then I expected the brothers to come and interrupt it as well. LOL! I appreciate that the authors clearly state in the foreword that this book does have mentions of cancer sprinkled here and there, so if cancer is an upsetting subject for you then I recommend that you skip reading this book.

My only issues with this book are pretty much…the guys themselves. Since it’s been awhile since the first book was published I struggled to remember who was who in the quad. I kept getting them mixed up. My biggest mix up was Karston and Preston. I kept thinking that clumsy Preston is the ghost and Karston is the reaper. It just seems to suit them better in my opinion, so I had to shrug when I realized who was actually whom. Then when Hadley is trying to explain some things to them they snap at her and are all huffy. I didn’t like it because I felt like they were taking their frustrations out on her when she’s the one who’s been dealing with this twist the most out of all of them. It creates a stressor in the group, but ultimately doesn’t/isn’t allowed to fully play out.

All in all, I am rating this book 4.5 out of 5 stars. There isn’t much to dislike about this book. The storyline is engaging and I love all of the backstory and revelation that we get with the characters and from the authors. If you have read the first book and enjoyed it then I highly recommend you grab this book and dive in.