Audiobook Review: Relatively Normal Secrets by C.W. Allen, Narrated by Ivy Tara Blair

Relatively Normal Secrets is a middle grade book written by C.W. Allen, and the audiobook is narrated by Ivy Tara Blair. It is currently scheduled for release on September 7 2022. 

Tuesday and Zed Furst are perfectly normal children with perfectly strange parents. Their father won’t discuss his job, their mother never leaves the house without her guard dog, and the topic of the family tree is off limits. When a last minute “business trip” gets the adults out of the way, Zed and Tuesday decide to get to the bottom of things once and for all. Too bad some thugs with shape-shifting weapons have other ideas. Their escape leaves them trapped in the modern-meets-medieval Falinnheim, where everyone insists their father is a disgraced fugitive. They hope whoever is leaving them coded clues may have some answers, but they’re not sure they’re going to like what they learn. If they ever want to see their parents again, they’ll need the help of a smuggler with a broken compass, their unusually talented dog, some extremely organized bandits, and a selection of suspiciously misquoted nursery rhymes. Zed and Tuesday may not have all the answers, but one thing is certain—when it comes to normal, everything is relative.

I thought Zed and Tuesday's story was well done. I liked the premise and the characters. I thought the slow reveal was handled well, and I liked the way the siblings worked together even when they did not necessarily agree. I liked the combination of action, fantasy, science, and mystery and think that it will appeal to a wide range of middle grade readers. I did have some trouble pinpointing the kid's ages, and I thought some of the things included in the story were a little too predictable or common for the genre, but I am also someone that has read more than my share of it and middle grade kids are likely to find it much newer and fresh than I did. I like that the book wrapped up the immediate questions, giving readers a satisfying ending but still leaving plenty of room for sequels. 

I liked the narrator's inflections and the spirit she put into the work. However, I have to admit that sometimes when she  I would not be able to make out what she was saying, no matter how high my volume was. It could very well be my hearing, but when certain characters were talking I had to work really hard to make out what was being said, and sometimes I still missed words or phrases. I would turn up the volume and then Tuesday would be talking and I would have to turn it back down. It become very frustrating especially since I listen to my audiobooks in the car and cannot often rewind to catch up with what was missed.

Relatively Normal Secrets is a good middle grade fantasy, but I think I would recommend reading a print copy rather than listening to the audiobook. 

Book Review: Ruby Fever (Hidden Legacy) by Ilona Andrews

Ruby Fever is the sixth book in the Hidden Legacy series by Ilona Andrews. This is a series that should be read in order to fully understand the world and characters that have been built. 

An escaped spider, the unexpected arrival of an Imperial Russian Prince, the senseless assassination of a powerful figure, a shocking attack on the supposedly invincible Warden of Texas, Catalina’s boss, and it’s only Monday. Within hours, the fate of Houston—not to mention the House of Baylor—now rests on Catalina, who will have to harness her powers as never before. But even with her fellow Prime and fiancé Alessandro Sagredo by her side, she may not be able to expose who’s responsible before all hell really breaks loose.

Ruby Fever is the last book in Catalina's story arc, and I am sad to see her personal story wrap up, even though it means we must be something from Arabella's point of view soon.  I really enjoyed her part of the story and think that this book was a great addition to the larger story. I though the action, mystery, and hints about the future were all very well balanced. I was engaged in the story the whole read, and while I saw some of the twists coming, everything was so well done that it did not matter. It was great seeing Catalina come into her own, and get a better understanding of herself and what she could do. Fans of the series will love the read and be looking forward to what ever come next in this world.

Ruby Fever is a must read for fans of the series. 

Book Review: Give up the Ghost (Phantoms) by Kelly Moran

Give up the Ghost is the second book in the Phantoms series by Kelly Moran. While you could get away without having read the first book before reading this one, the first book really does set this one up nicely.

Paranormal investigator Kerry Baker has seen it all. But nothing in her work with the Phantoms TV program prepares her for the most terrifying spirit of all—seeing her doppelganger. Rumored to be a foreshadowing of one's death, the specter shakes Kerry to the core, sending her into the arms of her best friend and fellow cast member for comfort. Except their contract with the show strictly forbids crossing that line, so not only is her life at risk, but so is her job. Paul Leake has been in love with Kerry for ages, yet unwilling to compromise their friendship. As their investigation in an isolated Arizona ghost town grows more intense, however, so does the chemistry between them. The mysterious hauntings and chronic on-set accidents at their location are wreaking havoc with the crew. With her life in danger and their careers on the line, giving into their attraction couldn't be a worse idea—and yet they can't bring themselves to stop. Even if it kills her.

As soon as I finished Ghost of a Promise I knew I wanted to see how things played out between Kerry and Paul in Give up the Ghost. The haunting and spooky aspects did not disappoint. I liked the setting and the various levels of angst from the ghosts, and how the team worked to handle all of it with the worry of the doppelganger looming. I would have liked to see some more resolution on a couple ghostly points, but it was nothing major or that ruined the read for me. I did enjoy the character development and growth as Paul and Kerry figure things out and deal with some of their issues.I did feel like there was significantly more sexy time in this book than in the last, but I could be wrong. I did like that Kerry and Paul had so much friendship and background with each other, so there was much less wondering what the other might be thinking, since they knew each other so well. As a whole I really enjoyed the read, but think it fell a little short of my expectations and this first book in the series. It is still worth the read, but it did not wow me like I had hoped it would.

Give up the Ghost is a good follow up to the first book, and a good book on its own. It just did not live up to my high hopes for it. 

Book Review: Skin of the Sea by Natasha Bowen

Skin of the Sea by Natasha Bowen is a fantasy debut, inspired by West African mythology, in which a mermaid takes on the gods themselves. Simi prayed to the gods, once. Now she serves them as Mami Wata—a mermaid—collecting the souls of those who die at sea and blessing their journeys back home. But when a living boy is thrown overboard, Simi does the unthinkable—she saves his life, going against an ancient decree. And punishment awaits those who dare to defy it. To protect the other Mami Wata, Simi must journey to the Supreme Creator to make amends. But all is not as it seems. There's the boy she rescued, who knows more than he should. And something is shadowing Simi, something that would rather see her fail. Danger lurks at every turn, and as Simi draws closer, she must brave vengeful gods, treacherous lands, and legendary creatures. Because if she doesn't, then she risks not only the fate of all Mami Wata, but also the world as she knows it.

Skin of the Sea is a wonderful book that has adventure, mythology, character growth, and some serious feels. I have read some of the mythology that is referenced in the book, and this read made me want to explore it even further. I was fully engaged in Simi's character right from the start, eager to see where the story would take her and how she came to be on the path that lead to this journey. There are a good number of twists and turns, as there are many powerful players with a stake in the long game. Some of the twists honestly surprised me, as I was waiting on a disaster or betrayal at every moment, and other times I saw it coming a mile away. In all cases going along with Simi as she tries to protect those important to her, and the larger world, to make a positive difference. I thought the heavy moments and subjects were handled extremely well, as were the settings and character building. I look forward to reading more from the author, especially since my only complaint was the ending- since I seriously want some more. 

Skin of the Sea is an amazing read with great regard to history and mythology. Characters and story are well balanced and developed- and all I was left wanting was more.  For those interested, there is an audiobook version available and it is wonderfully done. 

Early Book Review: Wingbearer by Marjorie Liu, Teny Issakhanian

Wingbearer, written by Marjorie Liu and illustrated by Teny Issakhanian, is currently scheduled for release on March 1 2022.It is the first book in a new middle grade graphic novel series. 

Zuli is extraordinary—she just doesn’t realize it yet. Raised by mystical bird spirits in the branches of the Great Tree, she’s never ventured beyond this safe haven. She’s never had to. Until now. When a sinister force threatens the life-giving magic of the tree, Zuli, along with her guardian owl, Frowly, must get to the root of it. So begins an adventure bigger than anything Zuli could’ve ever imagined—one that will bring her, along with some newfound friends, face-to-face with an ancient dragon, the so-called Witch-Queen, and most surprisingly of all: her true identity.

Wingbearer is a beautifully drawn and colored graphic novel with fantastic writing. I was engaged in the story from the very beginning, ad my only complaint is that now I have to try and wait patiently for the next installment. Zuli and the the characters that she meets on her journey are well written and complex, with very few good/evil absolutes. The world building, as revealed through the characters and their interactions, was very well done. I feel like I have a reasonable grasp of the important aspects of the world, and never felt like there was an info dump. It was reveals as things became important in a way that really made sense and felt natural. Although, I will admit that I saw the big reveal (not telling), or something very close to it coming on a couple levels. However, I think the way it was done was smart and will keep readers hooked and invested in continuing the series. I think this series will be a new favorite for a wide range of readers and I look forward to seeing what happens next.

Wingbearer is a wonderful start to a new series. I look forward to reading what comes next.

Book Review: Heartless (Immortal Enemies) by Gena Showalter

Heartless is the first book in the Immortal Enemies series by Gena Showalter. Kaysar the Unhinged One, fae King of Midnight, can drive anyone to madness with his song. A ruthless warrior forged in hate, he lives to force his enemies to their knees. He will stop at nothing to succeed—even abducting and seducing his foe’s beloved bride to ensure his own child one day sits on the male’s throne. Except, his prize escapes to the mortal realm before the first kiss, her heart transplanted into a human beauty with dangerous secrets. Chantel “Cookie” Bardot is a professional gamer girl great at trash-talking, bad at peopling. After a long-awaited surgery, she begins to morph into a powerful fae princess. Catapulted into a strange land ruled by a cruel but seductive villain, she must battle flesh-and-blood monsters and navigate royal intrigues. But the true danger is Kaysar, whose every wicked touch tempts her beyond reason. Should she run or descend into the darkness with him? 

Heartless is a solid start to another series from Showalter, but I will admit that I still rather expected it to connect with other series that I have read and if it does I missed those connections. I really liked Cookie's character and thought her sass and independence were great. Kaysar is a wounded character, and even when he is being a jerk I did not hate him like I would other characters doing the same things. I did think some of the mayhem and killing was a bit too easily accepted by Cookie, however the flow of the book and give and take between her and Kaysar was great.I also liked the world building and secondary characters. I want more of all the secondary characters, and what happens next in this world. I also want some answer on little bits of information dropped in this book that have my imagination spinning to fill in the gaps. Thankfully, having read a great many of Showalter's books, I have faith that future books will fill in those gaps and entertain quite nicely. 

Heartless is a good start to another series from Showalter.

Early Book Review: Saved by the Spell (House of Magic) by Susanna Shore

Saved by the Spell is the second book in the House of Magic series by Susanna Shore and is currently scheduled for release on August 15 2021. I do recommend reading the series in order, but the author does a good job of giving newcomers a good understanding of past events and relationships. 

Magic and I hadn’t exactly had a good start, but thanks to a spell that made me repulsive to men, I was seriously considering becoming a witch hunter. A chance encounter with a charming stranger makes Phoebe dream of a happily-ever-after, until she learns that there’s a spell on her that makes her repulsive to men. Luckily her boss, Archibald Kane, and her new landladies are experts on magic. Only this one seems to confound them all. Who has spelled her and why? Is it a challenge on Kane’s leadership of the mages? Or is there a more sinister game afoot? Phoebe doesn’t mind the space men give her in the Tube, but her cousin’s engagement party is coming up. How is she to celebrate, if she makes half the guests nauseated? And how is she to charm the man of her dreams when she suspects he’s part of the problem? It might take the Archmage to break the spell—if only they could find him. A spell may be needed to save them both.

Saved by the Spell is a nice follow up to the first book in the series. I was glad to see more character development and growth, and the relationships between the group become deeper and more interesting. I liked the story premise, and think there were a lot of great ideas. However, I admit that I found myself wanting to throttle Phoebe on several occasions because I though many things were obvious early on. Clear clues and signs were ignored at several key moments, or information that was relevant simply not mentioned so many times that I was very frustrated. I did enjoy the ride, and thought the wrap up was very well done. I liked the read, but despite my enjoyment of the characters I think I am going to have to leave the series here. The mystery aspects seem to cause me more frustration than joy, but I have read so much of this sub genre that it just might be my anticipation of the solution rather than any fault in the story that is just making it not click for me.  

Saved by the Spell is a good story with interesting characters.

Book Review: A Grimoire for Gamblers (Trove Arbitrations) by Amanda Creiglow

A Grimoire for Gamblers is the first book in the Trove Arbitrations series by Amanda Creiglow. Small town mayor’s assistant Elizabeth has enough on her plate grieving her father’s suicide. She doesn’t need his stash of magical knowledge in the attic. She doesn’t need the hidden supernatural subculture of monsters it pulls her into. And she certainly doesn’t need hints that her father’s madness might have been a smokescreen for something far darker. But uncovering her father’s secrets could be the only way Elizabeth can stop a string of suspicious suicides… if the local wizard doesn’t rip the memories out of her mind, first.

A Grimoire for Gamblers is the start of a new series that I will be reading. I think the world building was well done, delivering a great deal of information throughout the book with out feeling like there were any big info dumps to wade through. I liked Elizabeth's character as well, I thought her grief at the loss of her father and her curiosity at the world she was discovering was well done. I thought the introduction to the secondary characters was very well done as well. I have questions, but not because the author left out important information but because I simply want to know more and see more of them in future installments of the series. I also liked that some of the magical creations and characters were ones that are not as prevalent in the genre. Some oft he magic and characters were ones I do not remember being worked into urban fantasy before, which made me very happy. I love discovering new to met hings and exploring them further. I think the twists and turns of the story were very well done, and I look forward to were the story might go from here. 

A Grimoire for Gamblers is a solid series starter with a nice balance of satisfying ending and needing more.

Book Review: Damage (Ghost Squad) by Lilith Saintcrow

Damage is the first book in the Ghost Squad series by Lilith Saintcrow. Reeling from trauma and divorce, Cara Halperin takes what should be a simple job with an expensive agency. As a nanny to rich children, she shouldn’t have much to worry about, and her job is just complex enough to keep her from brooding. Unfortunately, the agency’s sent her into a trap. Vincent Desmarais wants to go back into the field, but instead, he’s put on leave. The diagnosis? PTSD. No problem--he can pick up security work on the side to keep himself sharp--that is, if the side work isn’t just as dangerous as the bloody places he’s longing to get back to. When the lights go out, Cara and her young charge have only one option: to trust the new security guy. Vincent finds himself unwilling to abandon them to fate or let them out of his sight. If the trio wants to stay alive, they’ve got to trust each other,  but that may just be what their enemies are counting on.

Damage is a book that surprised me a little. First off- a trigger warning. The trauma that Cara is healing from is a miscarriage which she relives more than once, the divorce is secondary to that. I just wanted to warn readers, because it might be to painful for some readers to handle. I have read Saintcrow before- but not for a few years and not in this subgenre, so it was like reading a new author for me. 

I thought the character development was very well done, and both Cara and Vince have serious issues and trauma that they need to work through. I liked that they were both aware of their own issues, and even when making choices that were not exactly best for their own mental health they understood the why behind both why they were making their choice and that it might not be the healthiest option. I thought the build up of the plot and the action was very well planned, with twists that were in various levels of surprising. I had two issues with the book. While it is technically a romance, since the two main characters end up together, there is no actual interplay between them aside from thoughts they kept to themselves and trying to stay alive. I also thought the ending was a little too easy, it leaves so much room for further mental health damage- even with therapy. If readers enjoy a good suspense novel with complex characters, then this is that, but it did not leave me with the happy glow I get from a romance. I know this is the start of a series, and perhaps these issues will be resolved in later volumes, but I do not think I will be continuing.

Damage is an engaging read with plenty of action.

Book Review: The Devil in Her Bed by Kerrigan Byrne

The Devil in Her Bed by Kerrigan Byrne is the third and final book in the Devil you Know trilogy. I have read the previous books, and they do help with understanding the characters, their connections, and the danger they face. You could read this book on its own, but you would be missing some of the context that makes the trilogy so engaging. 

He lives in secret service to the Crown—a man of duty, deception, and an undeniable attraction to a woman who threatens to tear his whole world apart. They call him the Devil of Dorset. He stands alone, a man of undeniable power. Moving in and out of shadows, back alleys and ballrooms, he is unstoppable and one of the Crown’s most dangerous weapons. However, when he sets his sights on the undeniably beautiful Countess of Mont Claire, Francesca Cavendish, he doesn’t realize that he has met a match like no other. Francesca is a countess by day and stalks her prey—those responsible for the death of her family—by night. What she does not expect is to be thrown into the path of the devil himself, the Earl of Devlin. She has secrets of her own and he seems determined to lay them bare. Can her heart survive finding the love of her life and losing him when all is revealed?

The Devil in Her Bed is a historical romance with plenty of intrigue and secrets. Just when you think you figured everything out, and that the main players have shared all the important bits, something new pops up. I liked the balance of danger, humor, and heat. I also really enjoyed the characters. While returning readers have met both characters before, it was the first time we really got to see the demons and secrets that they keep mostly to themselves. I think they paired together well. I will admit that each had moments that made me frustrated- but if they had not have done those things the story would have been over way too soon. I think that this book did a great job of getting the characters to their happy ending, and wrapping up the larger story line. 

The Devil in Her Bed is a perfect conclusion to this trilogy. Fans of the series  and author will not want to miss it.

Book Review: Calculated Risks (InCryptid) by Seanan McGuire

Calculated Risks is the tenth book in the InCryptid series by Seanan McGuire. It is the second book in Sarah's point of view. I highly recommend reading this series in order (not just because I love it, but because it will help with the nuances of character personality and motivation). If you do not want to start from the very beginning, at least start with the beginning of Sarah's story arch. 

Just when Sarah Zellaby, adopted Price cousin and telepathic ambush predator, thought that things couldn't get worse, she's had to go and prove herself wrong. After being kidnapped and manipulated by her birth family, she has undergone a transformation called an instar, reaching back to her Apocritic origins to metamorphize. While externally the same, she is internally much more powerful, and much more difficult to control. Even by herself. After years of denial, the fact that she will always be a cuckoo has become impossible to deny. Now stranded in another dimension with a handful of allies who seem to have no idea who she is--including her cousin Annie and her maybe-boyfriend Artie, both of whom have forgotten their relationship--and a bunch of cuckoos with good reason to want her dead, Sarah must figure out not only how to contend with her situation, but with the new realities of her future. What is she now? Who is she now? Is that person someone she can live with? And when all is said and done, will she be able to get the people she loves, whether or not they've forgotten her, safely home?

Calculated Risks is a continuation of a great story on so many levels. Sarah has fought so hard to come back to herself- only to get kidnapped and bring about dimensional travel and mayhem. Trying to figure out how it all happened, and how to fix it, she has to deal with the mental gaps the whole thing has caused in her family and the innocent bystanders that have gotten caught up in the whole thing. I think that as usual, the depth of character and world building here is fantastic, even the secondary and even less important characters have complexity to them, and feel real even if readers do not get all the details about them. I felt for the college kids trapped on campus, the strangers they meet, and the depth of history and emotion forgotten by Sarah's core support system. Fans of the author and series will need to read this, anyone foolish enough to start here will be utterly lost and confused (but hopefully inspired to go back and start at the beginning). My only disappointment is the same that I feel at the end of each of these books- that this part of the story is over and I have to wait for the next installment.  

Calculated Risks is exactly what I needed from this series, it left me satisfied but craving more. 

Book Review: Deadly Past (Verona Bay Series) by Katie Reus

Deadly Past is the second book in the Verona Bay Series by Katie Reus, but can be read as a stand alone. I did not read the previous book,  but even without that knowledge I understood the important implications and could get immersed in the story. 

Autumn Perez was just twenty-two when she witnessed a brutal murder and gave up her entire life to put the killer behind bars. A decade later, witness protection has her settled in picturesque Verona Bay, teaching art at the local high school. It’s a quiet life…until she’s caught up in another harrowing event and she worries that the US Marshals will try to move her again. But Autumn is done running—she’s built a life, has friends. And now she’s pregnant after an intense one-night stand with her sexy neighbor. Lincoln Jordan has been biding his time with Autumn, his talented, gorgeous neighbor. The attraction between them is undeniable, and after their one incredible night together he wants more. But she’s determined to keep him at arm’s length. When it becomes clear that someone wants her dead, he steps up to protect her. He needs to earn her trust, and fast. Because the enemy is closer than they ever imagined.

Deadly Past is a book with a lot going on. Autumn is a character dealing with plenty of problems, and getting pregnant after a one night stand with her neighbor is actually the least of them. She is a complex character with plenty to unpack.I liked the open communication and banter between Autumn and Lincoln- although I have to agree with some of her worries that he is a little too perfect. The only thing in the con column for Lincoln is his dangerous job, he was sweet, cool, and collected for all but a few moments of the book. I really did like that readers get to see the thoughts of both the major characters, and several other important players. We even get to see the mindset of those causing the danger and drama. Moments like that are a great reminder that no one sees themselves as the bad guy, even when they are trying to arrange murder and mayhem. Everyone is the protagonist in their own story, no matter how villainous their actions from the outside. The story was fairly fast paced and engaging. There was also some serious groundwork laid for who I expect to be the next couple to find trouble and a happy ending in the next book of the series.

Deadly Past is a solid suspense romance with heat, heart, and great characters.

Book Review: Looking for a Cowboy (Heart of Texas) by Donna Grant

Looking for a Cowboy is the fifth book in the Heart of Texas series by Donna Grant, but can be enjoyed on its own as well. I have not read the previous books, and was able to still fully enjoy the read. 

A beautiful stranger has come to Clearview, asking questions that are nobody’s business. Cooper Owens also wasn’t born yesterday. He knows that this out-of-towner is hiding a dark secret of her own. Much as he knows he should head in the other direction, he can’t make himself turn away. P.I. Marlee Frampton always wanted to lead a nice quiet life, working as a cop in her local police department. But that dream came to an end when her sister was murdered—and her baby kidnapped. Now Marlee’s come to Texas to investigate the Harpers, who may be linked to shady adoption agencies. Cooper can’t believe that his friends could be involved in anything so sinister, and soon he makes it his mission to help Marlee discover the truth—and keep her safe in his arms.

Looking for a Cowboy is a book that starts of dark, and I was not quite ready for it, even though it is spelled out in the teaser. I did like the strength and complexity of Marlee's character, and could relate to her taking on everything herself and having trouble accepting (never mind asking for) help. Cooper is a good blend of fun and strength, and I liked his character a great deal, if not a little too perfect.I liked the pair together, and thought they made a good team. I did think that Marlee had a few moments where she was just too close and made some foolish decisions- but I cannot say that I would do any better. I liked that readers got to see inside the heads of the bad guys too, bringing home the idea that those others see as evil rarely see themselves as such. I liked the secondary characters, which returning readers are likely to recognize and be glad to see more of. Honestly the only real problem I had with the book was some lack of discussion surrounding protection for sex. They can talk about murder and kidnapping, but not the fact that no one has a condom and they just go forward because pulling out is so safe? I have gotten used to such great discussions about sex by characters in romance that it just bothered me a great deal that part of it was missing here.

Looking for a Cowboy is a good romantic suspense book. I think fans of the series will find it a must read.

Book Review: White Trash Warlock by David R. Slayton

White Trash Warlock by David R. Slayton is the first book in a new urban fantasy series. Adam Binder has the Sight. It’s a power that runs in his bloodline: the ability to see beyond this world and into another, a realm of magic populated by elves, gnomes, and spirits of every kind. But for much of Adam’s life, that power has been a curse, hindering friendships, worrying his backwoods family, and fueling his abusive father’s rage. Years after his brother, Bobby, had him committed to a psych ward, Adam is ready to come to grips with who he is, to live his life on his terms, to find love, and maybe even use his magic to do some good. Hoping to track down his missing father, Adam follows a trail of cursed artifacts to Denver, only to discover that an ancient and horrifying spirit has taken possession of Bobby’s wife. It isn’t long before Adam becomes the spirit’s next target. To survive the confrontation, save his sister-in-law, and learn the truth about his father, Adam will have to risk bargaining with very dangerous beings, including his first love.

 

White Trash Warlock is an urban fantasy novel that hooked me right away, and kept dragging me deeper into its world until I did not want to leave when I finished the book. Adam is a character that is flawed, and aware of most of those flaws. His relationships and understanding of himself is complicated and only becomes more so when his brother asks him for help and he has to face all the messy history and manipulation that leads to the current situation. I thought the characters were very well developed, complex and none perfect or too static. The world building was well done s well, I would love to dive in a little deeper to the hows and whys of things, but that really did not have any place in this story and look forward to more being revealed as the series continues. I thought the world and character building and development were nicely balanced with the action and mystery aspects of the story. Relationships, self perception, and family and hard and complicated- more so when magic and destruction is involved. The fact that the characters were complex, diverse, and outside the scope of what I normally see in the genre made it even better. I never found myself bored, and often found myself wishing I was reading while I was forced to do other things, and then when I finished it I was sad that there was no more waiting for me. 

White Trash Warlock grabbed my interest right away and left me wanting more. I am eager to see where this series goes. 

Book Review: All Scot and Bothered (Devil You Know) by Kerrigan Byrne

 All Scot and Bothered is the second book in the Devil You Know series by Kerrigan Byrne. You do not need to have read the previous book to enjoy this one, but it will make most of the characters and some of the set up easier to understand and give readers a bigger picture of the dangerous undercurrents of the series.

He is first and foremost—at everything. A man who’s made his own way through ruthless cunning and sheer force of will. A strong and imposing Scot who can turn on the charm but does not suffer fools. His title: Lord Chief Justice of the High Court. His name: Cassius Gerard Ramsay. His mission: To investigate the goings-on at London's most notorious gaming hell, owned and operated by one of the most intriguing and desirable women he’s ever met. Cecelia Teague was an orphan facing a rather dire future—until a secret benefactor from her mother’s scandalous past swept into her life. Sent to a prestigious boarding school and later to university, Cecelia believed high society was at her fingertips...Then, from out of nowhere, she became the inheritor of a gambling establishment. Now Cecelia must live two lives: one as a proper lady who finds herself undeniably drawn to Lord Ramsay and the other as a savvy gaming hell owner trying to save her business from the very same man. He has no idea she is both women...and Cecelia would like to keep it that way. But what happens when consuming passion and escalating danger threaten to reveal the truth?

All Scot and Bothered is a romance that left me with mixed feelings. I liked the set up, and the characters, but something just never hit the mark for me. I really liked Cecelia's character. She was strong, smart, and sweet despite having gone through more than her fair share of trouble. Similarly, Ramsay has had a painful past, and as a result has some blind spots. I liked their banter when they were actually communicating, and their chemistry is off the charts and well done. I really liked that both Ramsay and Cecelia are so focus on protecting others but will admit to being more than a little upset with each of them during various moments in the story. I know there would not be much conflict between them if Ramsay was not so stubborn and blind when he focuses on something, most often the wrong thing. But, between that and Cecelia's crying, which she recognized in herself, I found myself annoyed. I thought the characters ad the larger story elements were very interesting, and I will keep reading the series, I just felt like the execution of the story did not hit my fairly high expectations for the book. I wanted to love it, and I did love some individual aspects of it, but as a whole I liked the read but was left wanting. 

All Scot and Bothered is a good historical romance with strong characters and a nice balance of heat, heart, and danger.

Book Review: Thrift Store Trolls (Flea Market Magic) by Shawntelle Madison

 Thrift Store Trolls is the first book in the Flea Market Magic series by Shawntelle Madison. While this is the first book in this series, it is part of the Coveted series world. I had read some of the first series set in that world, and enjoyed them, but have not read any in awhile. I was able to catch up reasonably quickly, but there is a definite disadvantage to new or lapsed Madison readers.

Selling haunted trinkets and witches' wands is just another normal day for the delightfully neurotic werewolf Natalya Stravinsky. From one day to another, as the new South Toms River Pack alpha female, she tries to keep finicky supernatural customers placated while managing her underhanded goblin boss and eccentric supernatural co-workers. Her life is complicated further when competition rolls in: a peculiar troll-owned mart with subpar haunted knick-knacks and deadly antiques appears.A powerful fairy path veers off course, heading towards South Toms River, attracting the attention of a deadly, shadowed force. Mysterious steamer trunks from the 1920s pop up all over town, unleashing horrific beasts. Natalya must find the inner strength to bring her pack together to uncover the culprit before her enemies threaten everyone she holds dear.

Thrift Store Trolls is a good urban fantasy, and I enjoyed relearning the characters and world that Madison has created. I think this is a book that will be much more appreciated by fans of the previous series (Coveted) which I now want to go back and reread and finish, but once I got into the groove of the story I was engaged in trying to figure out what everyone was up to and how Nat was going to solve this mess.The tension was high, and there was a good balance of danger, clue following, and actual conversations.  I liked the way the friend and family dynamics were equally important as the life or death stakes of the story. I also liked the way magic and reality are woven together in a way that makes me look a little closer at strip malls and antique store that I might drive by. The story was engaging, with character and story development that left me feeling content that a great deal was covered and solved, but that so much more could be coming along in the future. I love a series where each book has a satisfying ending but still leaves me eager to open up the next book- not because I was left hanging but because I care enough about the characters and world to see what happens next.

Thrift Store Trolls is a good read for new or lapsed readers of Madison, but I suspect it is a great read for those have have been better at keeping up with their work. 

Book Review: Pirate's Persuasion (Sentinels of Savannah) by Lisa Kessler

Pirate's Persuasion by Lisa Kessler is the fourth book in the Sentinels of Savannah series. I have not read the previous books, but each is able to be read on its own, although the previous knowledge returning readers have of the character and world-building would definitely make for a more satisfying read. 

Immortal pirate Drake Cole has a reputation in Savannah for his custom woodworking and historical restorations, but his work has grown into an obsession. He's become a stranger to his crew since the Sea Dog sank in 1795. None of them know his painful secret. A young stowaway went down with the ship, one that Drake swore a blood oath to protect. The ghost of a young boy, lost at sea over two hundred years ago, leads local medium, Heather Storrey right to Drake’s door. He saved her life before, and now she has a chance to return the favor, but how can she protect him from a curse that no one can see? A dark coven possesses the figurehead from the Flying Dutchman, and if Heather and the immortal Sea Dog crew don't locate the relic soon, Drake may be lost to them forever. Heather has seen the passionate man behind the veil of guilt, and she's determined to free him from his self-imposed prison, and persuade this pirate to love again.

Pirate's Persuasion is a solid story. Despite not having read the previous books I was able to get a full understanding of Drake and Heather, and how they each struggled with their relationship. I liked seeing their story, and I thought the variety of emotional scars they both come into the story with made their happiness so much more engaging. I was able to catch up on the larger story line about the rest of the pirate crew and the paranormal setup in Savannah, but I think returning readers will really enjoy seeing that story line come to a head and play out. I thought the danger level was good, the dose of deception and darkness was good, and the heat level was on point. I really liked that I got to see the story through the eyes of several characters, it gave me a much better understanding of the bigger picture. However, I think because I missed out on the previous books that I was not quite as invested in the story as returning readers might be. I was intrigued by the characters, and would like to read more about many of the secondary characters- and just might go bad to start this series from the beginning. 

Pirate's Persuasion was a well written romance, with a solid dose of suspense and danger. I think fans of the series will enjoy it much more than newcomers without investment in the larger story line and cast of characters.

Early Book Review: The Gryphon's Lair (Royal Guide to Monster Slaying) by Kelley Armstrong

The Gryphon's Lair is the second book in the Royal Guide to Monster Slaying series by Kelley Armstrong. It is currently scheduled for release on June 2 2020. I do recommend reading the series in order, mostly to understand the characters and how they relate to each other. However, a determined reader could catch up fairly easily and still enjoy the read.

Rowan is now the Royal Monster Hunter, and her twin brother, Rhydd, is destined to be king. But her mother's cousin Heward is still determined that his children be the ones to inherit the titles, and will stop at nothing to show that Rowan and Rhydd are too immature to properly lead. After the gryphon that Rowan captured in Book One gives birth but then dies, Rowan is left with a baby gryphon she knows she cannot keep. And it grows faster than anyone can imagine. In order to save face after an accident involving the troublesome gryphon, Rowan, with the help of her friends Dain and Alianor, along with an entourage of monstrous companions, must make a journey to the mountains to release the gryphon back into the wild. What starts off as a simple enough task soon becomes a dangerous quest, as the group encounters numerous rare and deadly monsters along the way, including wyverns and ceffyl-dwrs. 

The Gryphon's Lair is a book that is as much about Rowan and her friends coming together, and understanding each other and themselves, as it is the adventure of what to do with a young gryphon. I really liked the importance respect and compassion is given in this series. Rowan is trying to be a good member of the royal family, doing what is best for the kingdom while also thinking about understanding the monstrous creatures in the world rather than just killing them all. I laughed at some of he antic the crew she has assembled, cringed when those antics turned dangerous. There was action, heart to heart talks, amazing creatures, and a few heart wrenching moments. When I finished this story I was left with two thoughts. First, my daughter needs to read this series, as it is right up her alley, and second was that I hope there are more books set in this world coming because I am eager for more.

The Gryphon's Lair is a middle grade fantasy novel that has a near perfect balance of action and character growth.