★★★★☆ Secrets They Never Told by Kayla Hicks is a heartwarming story about 18 year old Sadi who is preparing for a new stage in her life after the tragic death of her parents. Sadi is a lovable character - you can’t help but to want her to find peace and happiness. Her best friend, Parker, is also an endearing character. Everyone needs someone like him in their lives.
Category: ARCs
Shampoo and Condition by M.L. Ortega
★★★☆☆ Shampoo and Condition is book two in M.L. Ortega’s Conditions cozy mystery series. When her estranged sister-in-law drops dead while getting her hair shampooed at the salon, Maggie Chessman gets involved in the investigation when her brother becomes a suspect. The characters, especially Maggie and her best friend Jane, are fun and the premise grabbed my attention from the beginning.
The Guidal: Unearthing Secrets by Roxy Eloise
★★★★☆ The Guidal: Unearthing Secrets is the second book in Roxy Eloise’s dystopian series, which she began publishing after landing a contract in a Twitter pitch event. In The Guidal, we return to Boulderfell Institute, where Aurora makes a shocking discovery.
Frances and the Navajo: The Mystery of the Vanishing Bullets by Jon Jones
★★★☆☆ The Mystery of the Vanishing Bullets is an old-fashioned, cozy mystery. Frances is a young, cash-strapped woman who acts bravely to help an older man stay safe in the midst of an attack. She later learns this nameless man, referred to as Navajo, is a detective. He invites her to help solve a murder … Continue reading Frances and the Navajo: The Mystery of the Vanishing Bullets by Jon Jones
Music in the Mirrors by Greg Kuznetsov
★★★☆☆ Music in the Mirrors takes place in a colorful fantasy kingdom of snow globes and mirrors - one that features a blowfish, 5,857 worlds, and intoxicating purple lemonade. The language is heavily metaphorical. There were times I read and enjoyed the observational, almost lyrical flow of this collection of connecting acts and short stories.
Leo by L. Krauch
★★★★★ This weekend marks the one-year anniversary of launching this blog. I’m celebrating with a review of the latest book by one of my favorite indie authors, L. Krauch. Krauch is the author of The 13th Zodiac, an anime-inspired high fantasy series with a touch of romance. Her newly released book, Leo, is a prequel to the 13th Zodiac and Dreamtaker.
I Let You Fall by Sara Downing
★★★★☆ In I Let You Fall, Eve Chapman observes an emergency operation on a woman who suffered a traumatic brain injury. When the bandages are removed, Eve realizes she was the person being operated on.
The Alchemy Thief by R.A. Denny
The first in the Pirates and Puritans series, The Alchemy Thief has an ambitious, intricately woven plot that spans centuries and continents. Experience “Peri” Fuller is about to start her studies at Harvard when she discovers an ancient hairpin in the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard. She becomes intrigued by the symbol … Continue reading The Alchemy Thief by R.A. Denny
Awakening (Commune’s Curse Book 1) by Lucy McLaren
4 stars This well-written fantasy novel by Lucy McLaren centers on the story of Evelyn, a teen-aged orphan, and Raif and Rose, two young siblings who end up in her care. One of the things that made this multi-point-of-view book so interesting is the central role that two children play in the story. It’s unusual … Continue reading Awakening (Commune’s Curse Book 1) by Lucy McLaren
Dreamtaker by L. Krauch
★★★★★ Darker than its predecessor, Dreamtaker features many of the same characters as the original 13th Zodiac story. However, the sequel adds a few new players, most notably the evil Damien who takes the story in a new, more sinister direction. Dreamtaker is a riveting read that boomerangs you through a wide range of terrifying … Continue reading Dreamtaker by L. Krauch