Book Review: The Library of Shadows by Rachel Moore

The Library of Shadows by Rachel Moore is a young adult paranormal mystery. Radcliffe Prep is the third most haunted school in the country. A student disappearance isn’t uncommon and no one dares stay in the library after dark. And Este Logano enrolls with the hopes of finding her dead father. Not literally, of course. She doesn’t believe in ghosts. Going to her dad’s school just seems like her best hope at figuring out who he was. But then Este meets Mateo, who is maybe—probably—definitely—a real ghost. And an annoying one at that. When Mateo frames Este for the theft of a rare book from the library’s secret spire and then vanishes, Este will have to track him down or risk being expelled and leaving Radcliffe early just like her father did. Except following her father’s footsteps might be more dangerous than Este ever anticipated. As she investigates the library with its secret passageways, hidden tunnels, and haunted halls, she learns that the student disappearances aren’t just myth. And if she isn’t careful, she’ll be next.

The Library of Shadows is an interesting read. I liked getting to know Este, and thought her thoughts and behaviors were realistic, and I could relate to some of her efforts to stay unconnected to those around her. Her struggles to do everything herself, and do the best she can were completely on point for me. Mateo, the mystery of the book, and her father's connect to it all were revealed in a slow but steady pace, and I think that was done very well. I will admit that I saw certain reveals and aspects of the story coming, but the ride was worth it. I do have to admit that at some point I started to drift from the story, but that could completely be blamed on a busy life and could very well have nothing to do with the read. However, I felt like there was just a little bit of a lull in the story, but it picked back up for the ending. 

The Library of Shadows is an engaging read with a nice balance of mystery, ghosts, and romance.

Book Review: Accidental Magic (Myrtlewood Mysteries) by Iris Beaglehole

Accidental Magic is the first book in the Myrtlewood Mysteries series by Iris Beaglehole. Life’s a struggle for Rosemary Thorn and her teen daughter, Athena. But their regular troubles are turned upside down after Granny Thorn’s mysterious death.  Despite her cousin's sinister maneuverings, Rosemary returns to Myrtlewood and the sprawling, dilapidated Thorn Manor. But there's more to the old house than meets the eye, as Rosemary and Athena soon find out — in a whirlwind of magic, adventure, mystical creatures and endless cups of tea. Life in Myrtlewood would be bliss if Rosemary could only clear her name in a certain murder investigation, solve the mystery and stay out of mortal peril – for at least a little while!  A small town with endless secrets, strange activities and a house with a mind of its own.

Accidental Magic left me satisfied with the ending, but with plenty of questions about where the series will go from here.  I thought that Rosemary and Athena had an interesting mother-daughter relationship, but I did like both characters. I thought that they balanced each other nicely and I was glad to get parts of the story from both of them. I liked the quirky nature of the town and its residents, although what do you expect from a magical town full of secrets. I am interested to see where some of the friendships and relationships might form and grow, and which might reveal even more secrets.  I was a little frustrated with the number of secrets and forgotten bits of information, even though it did fit with the story. I just felt like aspect of Rosemary and magic got used a little too often. However, I was interested in the mystery and magic of the story start to finish and plan on reading the second book to see what happens next and how Athena and Rosemary grow as characters.

Accidental Magic is an intriguing start to a new series and I am looking forward to seeing where it goes. 

Book Review: Night Cry by Borja Gonzalez

Night Cry is a young adult graphic novel written and illustrated by Borja Gonzalez. When it comes to rituals, Teresa, who runs a bookstore specializing in magic and the occult, knows her fair share. But when she manages to summon Laura, an anime-loving demon, the ritual goes awry: Laura is there to grant her any wish, but Teresa doesn’t know what to ask for. And so the two are stuck with each other… Thus begins a strange cohabitation, while Laura decides to investigate a series of unexplained disappearances in town. Through the author’s captivating artwork and spirited dialogue, discover an offbeat and magical world close to our own, alternating between warmth and sweet melancholy.

Night Cry is a unique graphic novel. I liked the art style, I thought the use of color and the way the characters were drawn without facial features gave the book a very eerie vibe- and with the witch, ghost, and demon mentions that was on point. honestly the visuals were my favorite part of the story. There were little details and suggestions on every page that readers could interpret in many ways, coloring the storytelling. I liked the majority of the story, but have to admit that there were more than a few moments when I was really confused, and the story and my guesses about what was really going on and where the story might end up were disconnected. And, frankly the ending left me a bit baffled. I did enjoy the friendship development, and though I often hated the way Teresa treated Matilda, I thought some of it made sense for the personalities and twists that might have popped up in the story. 

Night Cry is an atmospheric and beautifully drawn graphic novel that is very much open to interpretation. 

Book Review: Protect Me Not ((Un)Professionally Yours) by Natasha Anders

Protect Me Not is the second book in the (Un)Professionally Yours series by Natasha Anders. I did not read the first book, and do not think that the lack negatively impacted my reading experience. 

Victoria Hollingsworth does not need a surly, uncommunicative bodyguard cramping her style, following her everywhere, and intimidating any would-be male callers. She’s a florist for goodness sake, not a princess or a pop star. Having a massive, mysterious bodyguard always hovering is an inconvenience. And yet… there he is, Tyler Chambers, her unwanted protector, ultra-serious, no-nonsense, and off-the-charts hot. Vicki doesn’t want, or need, him as a bodyguard. Yet, disturbingly, he may be everything she wants, and needs, in a man.Ty hates his current long-term assignment. It’s mind-numbingly tedious. Vicki Hollingsworth is a pain in the butt who talks too much, laughs a lot, and frequently tests his patience. And her life isn’t exactly filled with intrigue and action. Ty is ready for this job to be over. He has just a couple of months left before reassignment. He’s mere weeks away from being out of here. The last thing he needs is to find his cute-as-a-button charge irresistibly attractive. She’s not his type. Wholesome, adorable, and sweet, Vicki is the kind of woman who needs long-term commitment. And all Ty has to offer is a few short weeks of far-from-wholesome pleasure.How much chaos can one little florist introduce into his regimented life? 

Protect Me Not is a contemporary romance. I liked the connection and back and forth between the characters, and thought a great deal was done right with the characters. Vicki is a little too trusting and naive but also seems aware of her privilege and the love of those in her life. Tyler has problems with letting people in, but also seems to be aware of it on some level, but not necessarily ready to make adjustments. I liked the honest discussions that are had, even when they know they are lying to themselves on some level. I think the way Tyler's walls ad past are handled, and how the support system is always there and playing their role even what it is not blatantly obvious. I enjoyed the secondary characters, and the hints as to who might be the next pairing off in the series that are included here. I enjoyed the read, and I thought the slow burn and forbidden romance aspects were very well done, although I will admit to getting a little bored and eager for an ending at some point. I did like that emotional issues had to be recognized and dealt with rather than ignored, which is too often the case, particularly for male characters. 

Protect Me Not is a solid romance with well written characters.

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. 

Book Review: Demon Bound (Crossroad Chronicles) by Chris Cannon

Demon Bound by Chris Cannon is a young adult novel that starts of a new series. When a summoning goes awry, book nerd Meena’s summer job suddenly becomes something drastically different. Instead of cleaning eccentric Carol’s house, she’s bound to a demon as his soul-collector. Soon Meena discovers that the boring, pageant-obsessed, bonfire-loving town that she’s never fit into is a hotbed for soul-sucking demons, demon-hunting witches, and vampires who just wanna have fun. And then she comes into her own powers. Could things get any stranger? Good thing she meets new guy Jake—who gets her and still hangs around. When Jake’s mom sends him off to his Aunt Zelda’s for the summer, he thought he’d be bored. But nothing is what it seems in this town. His aunt isn’t just odd, she’s a witch who fights demons and tries to maintain the magical balance of the town. Jake should get the hell out of there, and he would leave, except for bad-ass newbie witch Meena, who looks at him like he matters. He never counted on sticking around, but Meena’s bound to a demon who wants to destroy her soul—and Jake’s finally found someone worth fighting for.

Demon Bound is an urban fantasy with young and new adults in mind, although fans of the genre of all ages can enjoy it. Meena and Jake are multi layered characters, and I liked that they are not perfect and make some bad choices but ones that made sense in the context of the story and their individual histories. I liked getting to know the secondary characters that are family and friends to Meena and Jake, and the way bad options for good reasons is shown and expressed. I look forward to seeing some more of the secondary characters taking action and becoming even more developed.  The world building to describe the town and the supernatural dynamics was well done and balanced through out the story, showing the strengths and balance that has been created. I will say that while I still have questions about Bane and other demons, and some oft he past fights between the residents of Crossroads, the conflicts surrounding Meena and Jake were well handled and resolved. I did think it came together a bit too neatly, but I suspect in future books many things will come back into play one way or another. 

Demon Bound is a solid series starter that has the promise to grown with its characters and readers. 

Early Book Review: Finding Him (Covet) by Rachel Van Dyken

Finding Him is the second book in the Covet series by Rachel Van Dyken and it currently scheduled for release on February 25 2020. . I think each book does stand fine on its own, however those that read the series in order will get more from the larger story arc than those reading them separately. 

Coming out of a coma was one hell of a wake-up call. While I was in the dark, my estranged twin brother, Bridge, had replaced me in the company I owned and swept up my fiancée in the takeover. With my ruthless reputation, can I blame them for falling in love? I have to look long and hard at where I’ve been and where I’m headed. Alone time? The universe has other plans. Our family’s secluded Vermont cabin comes with a gorgeous—if at first, unwelcoming—surprise. She’s renter Keaton Westbrook, a social media superstar struggling with her own private grief. As a winter storm bears down, we’ve found something to keep us warm—an intimacy neither of us expected and both of us need. After we say goodbye, what happens then? Keaton and I are longing to reconcile with our painful pasts. I can’t bear to do it without her. Is it too much to ask of fate to give us a second chance at life and love?

Finding Him is a contemporary romance with two emotionally wounded souls finding each other, and healing in the process. Julian is coming to terms with his own mistakes and trying to find a new normal after waking up from a coma and then losing his mother. Forced to take a vacation he is not thrilled to find someone else in the cabin where he expected to find solitude. Some entertaining conversation and attraction aside neither is really looking for intimacy, a relationship, or anything else. However, their wounded edges seem to fit together perfectly- and they find healing while dealing with their individual scars. While some of the trauma they face may seem a little over the top (comas, twins, and paparazzi) I think the individual characters and their pain is thought out and well written. The over the top nature just made the one on one conversations and realizations more poignant and meaningful to me as a reader. It was a great weekend read to escape the real world but still suffer from some serious feels.

Finding Him is a roller coaster ride of feels, and is worth the ride.

Book Review: Revving Her Heart (Blacke Brothers) by Cadence Von

Revving Her Heart is the first book in the Blacke Brothers series by Cadence Vonn. After the sudden death of Allison Lorde's father in a motorcycle accident, she vows never to love a man who rides the beastly machines. But when a memory from her past rides up on his bike, looking all bad-boy sexy, the sweet promise of a shared kiss long ago makes it difficult to deny his steamy seduction. Nick Blacke's number one passion is motorcycles until the gangly girl he'd kissed as a teen shows up with womanly curves that beckon to be explored. She seems eager to let him and even embraces his penchant for kink, but when he wants more, he realizes revving her engines might be easier than revving her heart.

Revving Her Heart is a contemporary romance with a lot of heart. Allison is dealing with the loss of her father, and a less than loving relationship with her mother. She is trying to come to terms with it all when Nick comes back into her life.They each have their own fears and doubts, but Al's seem to be much heavier to bear, and sometimes cut the deepest. I also like that they really had some struggles but in the end compromised and worked things out like adults rather than just ignoring the issues that might cause issues down the road.  I liked the banter and connection between the pair, although even with their history I do think some things moved more quickly than I expected. However, I really enjoyed the story as a whole. I do need to say that there were a couple moments that I had to go back and reread previous pages because I missed how they got to a certain location or in mentioned outfits, sometimes giving up and just going with it. This is definitely a book with plenty of heat, and exploration of some kink. So, if you prefer your romance without some serious sex scenes, then you might want to skip this. The heat starts fairy early and regularly makes itself known. I really liked the secondary characters, and want to see how Nick's brothers find their own happy endings, not to mention Hailey and Rebecca. So, while I enjoyed but did not love this read, I do find that I like the author's voice and want to continue reading about whatever might happen next.

Revving Her Heart is a good romance, and I can see a great deal of potential for this series. I will definitely be giving the next book a read.

Book Review: The Girl with the Ghost Machine by Lauren DeStefano

The Girl with the Ghost Machine by Lauren DeStefano is a middle grade novel. When Emmaline Beaumont's father started building the ghost machine, she didn't expect it to bring her mother back from the dead. But by locking himself in the basement to toil away at his hopes, Monsieur Beaumont has become obsessed with the contraption and neglected the living, and Emmaline is tired of feeling forgotten. Nothing good has come from building the ghost machine, and Emmaline decides that the only way to bring her father back will be to make the ghost machine work, or destroy it forever.

The Girl with the Ghost Machine is a heart breaking novel about loss, friendship, family, and grief. Emmaline has learned to survive after the loss of her mother, and her father's obsession with the ghost machine he has built. She is taking care of herself quite well, with the support of her two best friends, at least until in an attempt to destroy the machine she figures out how to make it work. The conflicts and emotions were very poignant, and felt real. The characters were dynamic and had a good mixture of the expected and surprises in their personality and actions. I rode the roller coaster of Emmaline's emotions, and was engaged through the whole read. The book comes mainly from Emmaline's point of view, but we occasionally get the viewpoints of others, which gives readers a better overall picture of the action and state of the entire cast of characters. I will admit that there is a twist, and that I saw it coming. It was like watching a horrible accident unfold in a movie when you know something is coming, and want to shout at the characters, but can do nothing to stop it. The story crushed me many times, in many ways, but it also gave me hope and warmed my heart. 

The Girl with the Ghost Machine is an engaging read that torn at my heart, and then put it back together. The characters and their pain was so real that I think the story will touch, and stick with, many readers.