Early Book Review: Then There Was You by Mona Shroff

Then There Was You by Mona Shroff is currently scheduled forrelease on January 26 2021.  When helicopter medic Daniel Bliant answers an emergency call at Phil’s Bar, he can’t believe who the bartender is: the beautiful woman he saw in his ER months before and hasn’t been able to stop thinking about. He should forget her. After all, he knows he’s damaged goods. But Annika is intelligent, fun and totally stunning—the breath of life he desperately needs after the incident that left him shattered. Annika Mehta is doing just fine. She loves her job as a kindergarten teacher, even if the pay is low and she has a side gig working at Phil’s. At least the bar owners are more like family. Sure, she’s reeling from a bad breakup and the terrible event that caused it, but she’s fine. Really. What she doesn’t need is Daniel. He’s wrong for her in every single way—so why is their chemistry off the charts?

Then There Was You is a book that hits a lot of hard topics: racism, loss of a child, family dynamics, and all the grief and emotions that can go with them. However, there is also so much hope and healing mixed in that the story balances nicely and readers are not left reeling from the hurts, but rather looking towards the character's future. Annika and Daniel have their own grief and losses to deal with, and family dynamics that can hurt as much as they help.  Annika is doing what she loves, and is trying to move forward with her life and dealing with the things that she faces day by day. Daniel has faced huge losses, and is struggling to live his life, hiding from the things that remind him of what he has lost. A not so chance meeting, secrets, and the shadows of the past bring them together and try to tear them apart. I loved the realistic way the family's are portrayed, and how real and raw the grief of the characters is handle. The matter of fact way Annika deals with the racism was so sad and scarily real to me- because I know these people are out there and more often closer than I would like to believe. I feel like these characters are very much alive and real, and these struggles can be found just as easily in city or town. The struggles, the pain, and the hope for the future really hit me hard, and stuck with me. 

Then There Was You is a romance with some heavy moments and topics, but hope and moving forward as well. It is not a light, fluffy read but it is a book that will capture your attention and stick with you long after you finish it. 

Early Book Review: A Gentle Noble's Vacation Recommendation, Volume 2, by Misaki

A Gentle Noble's Vacation Recommendation, Volume 2, by Misaki is scheduled for release on January 19 2021.  I do recommend reading this series in order.

When Lizel mysteriously finds himself in a city that bears odd similarities to his own but clearly isn't, he quickly comes to terms with the unlikely truth: this is an entirely different world. Even so, laid-back Lizel isn't the type to panic. He immediately sets out to learn more about this strange place, and to help him do so, hires a seasoned adventurer named Gil as his tour guide and protector. Until he's able to find a way home, Lizel figures this is a perfect opportunity to explore a new way of life adventuring as part of a guild. After all, he's sure he'll go home eventually, might as well enjoy the otherworldly vacation for now!

Much like the first volume of A Gentle Noble's Vacation Recommendation, this installment is well written and drawn. I liked the pacing and the artistic style of the work. The digital galley I received had a few formatting issues- but I am certain that it will look perfect in its final version. I liked the character development done in the story, and loved getting a closer look at Lizel, Gil, and the variety of people they come across together. It has adventure, friendship, and a bit of mystery all wound up in detailed artwork. I think that everyone that enjoyed the first volume will be happy with this volume as well, and just as eager to see where the story goes next as I am. 

Book Review: Lockdown Walks: A Picture Story by Netty Cracknell

Lockdown Walks: A Picture Story by Netty Cracknell is a story of lockdown walks in pictures, showing loneliness, serenity and hidden beauty during this bleak and unpredictable time. Many people recounted afterwards that they had explored local areas during lockdown on their allocated once a day 'exercise' and found lovely places they never knew existed. The author was no exception. All photographs within this book were taken during the initial coronavirus lockdown period and were within walking or cycling distance of the author's house in Springfield, Chelmsford, Essex. 

Lockdown Walks is a nice collection of images. I wish the walks I took with my family during lockdown were so picturesque. I liked the collection and found it interesting to read the snippets of thought about each of the pictures and how they came about. It made me think back on some of the walks and extra time I have gotten to spend with my family. It also encouraged me to continue to take advantage of the extra time I have now, and to look for new places to explore around me. I might not have lovely water and fields to walk by, but there is still beauty to be found in every town and neighborhood- if only we take the time to enjoy it. 

Early Book Review: Happy Singles Day by Ann Marie Walker

Happy Singles Day by Ann Marie Walker is a contemporary romance currently scheduled for release on January 19 2021. As a Certified Professional Organizer, everything in Paige Parker's world is as it should be. Perfect apartment, perfect office, perfect life. And now, the perfect vacation planned to honor Singles Day. After all, what's better than celebrating her pride in being single? Because who needs a man anyway? They have zero taste in quality television, leave the toilet seat up, and sleep with your best friend. No thanks. Her life is fine just the way it is. As the owner of a now-dormant bed & breakfast, Lucas Croft's life is simple and quiet. It's only him and his five-year-old daughter, which is just the way he likes it. Because who needs a woman anyway? They nag you to clean up your stuff, want the toilet seat put down, and expect the dishes to be done the same day the meal is cooked. No thanks. His life is fine just the way it is. But when Paige books a room that Lucas' well-intentioned sister listed without his knowledge, their two worlds collide. If they can survive the week together, they just might discover exactly what they've both been missing.

Happy Singles Day is a romance that clicks a good number of trope boxes. Single parent, cheated on heroine, animals, small town, stuck together because of a storm, and kind-of enemies to lovers. It is also a closed door, or fade to black romance, so if you prefer more intimate moments to be alluded to rather than spelled out- than aside from some making out and lusty thoughts, here you go. I liked Paige and Lucas as characters, they each have trauma to deal with and are doing the best they can, and I enjoyed watching them find compromise and happiness. Seeing the bad first impression fade while understanding, and attraction, start to take over was nice, and I enjoyed the ride, However, I have to admit that the secondary characters really were my favorite. I want more of Lucas's sister, some of the town residents, and frankly his daughter. I want to know more about Sophie and her bookstore (which I would love to see)  more than I want to know about how Paige and Lucas balance things and move forward, but maybe that's just me. I really did enjoy it while I was reading it, it is only now when I look back that I realize that I want more of and for Sophie.

Happy Singles Day is a sweet romance that has all the feels.

Book Review: When He's Dirty (Walker Security: Adrian Trilogy) by Lisa Renee Jones

When He's Dirty is part of the Walker Security series, and the first book in the Adrian Trilogy by Lisa Renee Jones. I have read some of the previous books in the Walker series, but not all of them. Please note that as the first book of a trilogy for our couple, it does end on a cliffhanger, so be prepared to obtain the whole series for the whole story.

As a member of Walker Security, Adrian Mack has found redemption for a walk on the dark side. For two years the former FBI agent was undercover in the notorious Texas Kings biker club. For two years he changed, he became one of them and when the bust happened, he didn't know who he was anymore. On a hitlist with a price on his head he disappeared and joined Walker Security, but now, the trial is set to start and witnesses are dropping like flies. Assistant District Attorney, Priscilla Miller is tasked with the conviction of The King himself, and she's passionate about taking him down, but her case is falling apart. She's also in trouble, and while she resists Adrian, the sexy ex-FBI agent with a killer reputation, and his team at Walker Security are her answer, in more ways than one. He touches her, she melts. He shields her, she survives. But everything is not as it seems. Friends are enemies. Secrets are really lies. And the one time in his life Adrian lets his heart do the thinking, passion might just be deadly.

When He's Dirty is a story with a classic romantic suspense feel. Adrian is still feeling guilt over the things he took part in while working undercover, and does not feel that he deserves the support of the Walker Security family, or Pri when the time comes. Of course, that does not stop him from taking steps to protect them or enjoy their relationships. Pri is struggling with her past mistakes too, and they are both neck deep in trying to get a real evil convicted and behind bars in a much more permanent way. Corruption, family drama, an ex-fiancé, and legitimate threats to their lives keep everyone on their toes and the story moving along at a brisk pace. There is a good amount of heat between Pri and Adrian, and just as much mystery about who might be feeding information to the big bad. There is also some serious character development for the major players. The only problem is that this is the first in a trilogy, and while relationships have been forged and all the characters introduced, there is a cliffhanger ending and plenty of unanswered questions to make readers eager for the next read. 

When He's Dirty is a well written start to a trilogy. I think fans of the author and complex stories that need a trilogy to tell completely.

Early Book Review: Catalog of the Unexplained: From Aliens & Aromatherapy to Zen & Zener Cards by Leanna Greenaway; Beleta Greenaway

Catalog of the Unexplained: From Aliens & Aromatherapy to Zen & Zener Cards by Leanna Greenaway; Beleta Greenaway is scheduled for release on January 8 2021. Explore the mesmerizing depths of the esoteric and unexplainable with this outstanding A to Z reference guide. This book offers entries on 450 topics, from angels and herbalism to tarot and vampires. Magical practitioners, holistic healers, ghost hunters, spiritual seekers, and trivia fans alike will marvel at the knowledge this book contains. Authors Leanna and Beleta Greenaway provide brief and in-depth entries on: Acupuncture, Animal Totems, Astral Projection, Candles, Color Therapy, Curses, Dreams, Dowsing, ESP, Exorcism, Fairies, Feng Shui, Fortune-Telling, Hypnosis, I Ching, Kundalini, Lucid Dreaming, Numerology, Palm Reading, Psychic Development, Reiki, Spellcasting, UFOs, Voodoo, Witchcraft, and Yoga.

Catalog of the Unexplained is exactly what the title promises. It is a book that offers explanations and information about a wide range of terms. It covers things associated with a variety of cultures, religions, and enthusiasts. I liked that when different groups of people had different views or feelings about a term they were all explained and compared- but there was never any judgement about if any were right or more valid then others. Everything was covered in clear, understandable language with no noticeable prejudice or judgement about the term or those that do, or do not, believe that they are more than tradition, myth, or much more. I found the text to be very well and clearly written, and the subject matter objectively examined and explained. I learned some new things, and found out some new perspectives on subjects I thought I already knew from other books, legends, and mythology. I think this would be a good resource for readers, writers, and all curious individuals that want a better understanding of a wide range of terms. Sources are even listed in a bibliography in the end pages, so if you want to explore certain subjects more there are reputable places to start. 

Early Book Review: The Broken Spine by Dorothy St. James

 The Broken Spine by Dorothy St. James is the first book in the Beloved Bookworm series. It is currently scheduled for release on January 19 2021. 

Trudell Becket, known to her friends as Tru, finds herself in a bind when her library in lovely Cypress, South Carolina, is turned into a state-of-the-art bookless “technological center.” A library with no books breaks Tru’s book-loving heart so she decides to rescue hundreds of beloved tomes slated for the town dump. Under the cover of darkness, Tru, along with her best friends—coffee shop owner Tori Green and mysterious bestselling author Flossie Finnegan-Baker—set up a secret bookroom in the library’s basement and prepare to open it to their most loyal, trustworthy patrons. But as Tru and her crew are putting the finishing touches on their new book room, the town manager, who was behind the big push for the library’s transformation, is crushed by an overturned shelf of DVDs. Tru becomes the prime suspect as she hadn’t hid the fact that she hated having all of those wonderful books replaced by tablets and computers. But if she gives the police her alibi, she’ll have to explain about the secret book room and risk losing the books. Tru knows she’s in a heap of trouble, and it doesn’t help that the officer in charge of the case is her old crush from high school, who broke her teenaged heart. To keep herself out of jail and her beloved bookroom up and running, Tru—with the help of Tori, Flossie, and a brown tabby stray cat named Dewey Decimal—decides to investigate. And faster than you can say “Shhhh!” Tru quickly finds herself on the same page with a killer who would love to write her final chapter.

The Broken Spine is a book that I had a little trouble with to start. The way librarians were discussed in the beginning left me with a bad taste in my mouth, and I almost set the book aside. However, I stuck with it and the book did get better and I tried to put that initial impression aside. I liked the character arch for Tru, although her role as the mousy librarian still irks me a bit, I do think that she came into herself by the end of the book. I thought the reveal of the secondary characters and the dynamics of the town was well done. I did think it was weird that the town's characters all knew each other, but then a number of police officers and other residents were strangers. My favorite part of the story was the cat, and some of the friendships that carried Tru through. The mystery was well layered and had plenty of twists and turns, and a good touch of danger. However, I do not think that I will continue reading this series.

The Broken Spine is a good mystery, and I liked the majority of the story.  

Book Review: Dead Man's Detective (Elisabeth Hicks, Witch Detective) by Rachel Graves

Dead Man's Detective (Elisabeth Hicks, Witch Detective) by Rachel Graves is an urban fantasy with a dash of romance. All ex-army witch Elisabeth Hicks wants for her twenty-fourth birthday is to keep the small-town gossips from staring at her artificial limbs. Instead, she's pushed into helping an army buddy on an illegal job for the scariest vampire in town. Her magic tells her the vampire is lying but it's too late to walk away. Things go sideways, and her first date in years ends when she finds her friend's dead body. The body disappears from the morgue, and a deadly, magical, necklace winds up in her lap all before she gets to her birthday cake. Now a sexy master vampire will kill her if she doesn't use magic to find the woman he loves, and the police refuse to investigate the murder. It's up to Elisabeth to protect her family, solve the mystery, and survive long enough to go on a second date.

Dead Man's Detective is a book that start of rough for me- only because I was trying to figure out what series it reminded me of, at least on the surface. (It was Melissa Olson's Boundary Magic series for those that are curious.) But when the story started rolling I was lost to the story and enjoyed it. I liked the characters and world building, although it took me a bit to figure out all the dynamics of the supernatural and humans in this world. I liked the juxtaposition of small town and wide variety of paranormal people, and that the complexities of the prejudice and wariness of 'different' is explored in an intelligent way. I liked the honest way the trials of returning to the civilian world after war is handled, and that the hardships of those left behind is considered. I thought Ted's character was very interesting, and that it added depth to some of those hard discussions and realizations. The family and friendship dynamics rang true, despite the otherworldly nature of he creatures pulling the strings. I think the author and I have read many of the same books in the past, because I saw shades of not only Melissa Olson's style, but some reminders of early Laurell K Hamilton's writing. I think this is an unconscious leaning or tribute to some great writers in the genre rather than anything else.

Dead Man's Detective is a solid series starter that has a good blend of action, romance, and world building. 

Book Review: Stupid Love (The Prescotts) by Tara Wyatt

Stupid Love is the first book in The Prescotts series by Tara Wyatt. The sexiest man Lauren MacKinnon knows also happens to be her best friend. He’s six-foot-four of masculine perfection. He’s smart, and funny, and has one of the biggest hearts around. And she has no idea that he’s completely in love with her. Theo Prescott, however, is in denial. Or at least, he’s trying to be. See, he’s not exactly boyfriend material. After growing up in a volatile household and now as a successful divorce lawyer, not to mention his utterly disastrous dating track record, he’s come to accept the fact that he sucks at love, and he’s not willing to risk his friendship with Lauren. Who is gorgeous and awesome and probably perfect for him. But he’s terrified of breaking her heart. No matter his feelings, she’s his best friend, and that’s where she needs to stay. Because there are rules that come with having a best friend. Rules like no kissing, no thinking about each other naked, no having sex. And no matter what, no falling in love. But one by one, Theo and Lauren are going to break the rules.

Stupid Love is a great introduction to the Prescott brothers and cast of interesting secondary characters. I tend to enjoy the friends or enemies to lovers tropes, and this book fit the bill nicely. Lauren and Theo are best friends with unresolved, secret feelings for each other that everyone around them seems quite aware of. I also had a spark of joy for the very real interaction that Lauren had while working in a library- but a job like that is increasingly hard to find these days, and I was a little jealous of her full time, professional library gig that many, many people in the field would jump at the chance for. I also found her a bit too perfect, so understanding and making excuses for other people's issues. I was very happy when she stood up for herself- even if it waited until the big crisis of the book. Honestly I wanted to know more about some of the secondary characters than I did Theo and Lauren since their happy ending was pretty much guaranteed and with very few surprises. However, while the crisis was expected and I was expecting it for half the book, I did enjoy the ride and thought the journey was well written. 

Stupid Love is an engaging romance that I enjoyed reading.

Audiobook Review: The Vow (Black Arrowhead) by Dannika Dark, Narrated by Nicole Poole

The Vow is the first book in the Black Arrowhead series by Dannika Dark. The audiobook is narrated by Nicole Poole. Melody is an ambitious entrepreneur who has always loved the thrill of a new adventure, but she's about to get more than she bargained for when the only way to save her business is to secure a deal with a powerful tribal leader. Running Horse, Oklahoma, isn't on the map, and Mel is about as lost as a Shifter can get. When she unexpectedly runs into her best friend's brother, her friendly visit quickly turns treacherous. Lakota Cross is a man with secrets. While tracking a killer, he reunites with Melody, and their friendship sparks into a passionate affair. But if he doesn't quell the fire soon, it might burn out of control. Once again, fate brings these two Shifters together in a moment of need. But will the sacrifice be greater than the reward? Murder, mayhem, and a mating ceremony.

The Vow is a roller coaster ride of world building, character development, and mystery- and I was all in from the very start. I liked Mel and Rose from the very start of the book, and was thrilled to see how trying to do the right thing for others got our main characters their happy ending. While I thought her connection with Lakota and their ending up together was a little predictable, I very much enjoyed the journey that they took to get there. The town and tribe dynamics and cultures were well built, and sadly the prejudice, mistrust, and resentment all too believable. The mystery of the murders was very well done, although I have to admit that the culprit was not a big surprise to me- everytime they popped up in the story I had my suspicions that they were up to something.  The narrator did a wonderful job with the book. She captured the heart of the story and characters in her performance using inflections and slight changes in her cadence to capture the difference in characters. I enjoyed the book and look forward to more.

The Vow is a solid start to a new urban fantasy and romance series. I look forward to reading (or listening) more as it continues.