Mx. Phoebe
Within The Flames is an intriguing story from Skye MacKinnon and Laura Greenwood. Once again Macey is battling self-doubt, but this time not the demon but herself.
Self-doubt seems to be an overall theme of the Seven Wardens series. This is a typical emotion to have at 18-years-old. Macey is involved in a very complicated relationship with four...or is it five now? I'm trying to count on my fingers. Anyhoo, they are much older than her with a lot of different experiences. Two of the men are so old they cannot even remember their parents or childhood memories.
I received a free copy of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.
Check out the rest of my review at Phoebe's Randoms. Link in bio.
Shelby Criswell introduces us to a mix of rainbow people through words and comic strip designs.
At first I was getting thrown off by the layout so I went back and read through the comic strip portion, then I read through the straight text. I enjoyed the book when I read it this way versus trying to read the text and the comic portion together. It could have just been how it converted to my kindle, so I would just see what works for you.
Check out the rest of my review at Phoebe's Randoms. Link in bio.
I really enjoyed this short story from Hayes. I feel she hit all of the notes of what an athlete and their family go through when competing on an Olympic level. (I am an expert after all I watched the Lifetime Olympic series - laugh). Out for Gold is a trip worth taking.
I received an ARC of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.
Check out the rest of my review at Phoebe's Randoms. Link in bio.
What made me interested in reading this debut novel from Katy Pierce was a mystery starring a female veteran dealing with PTSD issues. Now I have some issues, but Grecco handles them much differently than I do and that is where Soldiers For Hire comes in. Grecco has multiple identities in her life and by compartmentalizing is how she survives. When she makes a decision to track down a serial rapist, she unknowingly starts knocking down the walls that separates her identities. This is not a bad thing, but it can be a very hard experience.
I received an ARC of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.
Check out the rest of my review at Phoebe's Randoms. Link in bio.
I find the relationship between Adair and Myla interesting. Bauer could go to the immediate “enemy meet thy enemy”, but that is not how Bauer is crafting our heroine. Myla may be feisty, battle hungry, and a smartass, BUT she has heart. Myla is still growing and learning. Her new role as the Great Scala is more than just transferring souls to heaven or hell. Myla is just now learning these lessons and unfortunately, she is learning them at the hand of her enemy.
I received a free copy of this book, and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.
Check out the rest of my review at Phoebe's Randoms. Link in bio.
Her Renegade Cowboy is a romantic suspense book where love must rise above deception. I think I really like these tropes, especially if Leigh writes them. The steam, lust, and the drive of the hero to protect and never mind having the heroine is definitely a panty wetter.
I received a free copy of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.
Check out the rest of my review at Phoebe's Randoms. Link in bio.
Skye MacKinnon and Laura Greenwood made me feel as if I was Macey and I had no clue what was up or down. I had no clue what was real or what wasn't real. I was questioning everything just as much as Macey. I actually didn't trust one character until the dust was on the ground. Crazy.
I received a free copy of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.
Check out the rest of my review at Phoebe's Randoms. Link in bio.
Thud is the fun romp you have been looking for this holiday season. Skye MacKinnon brings an unusual twist to how to murder someone or sacrifice someone (because no one in a cult would kill someone (wink)). Then you have Kat going undercover with the guys where the men and women are kept separate and Kat gets to clean all day. Like I said, Thud is unusual.
Kat brings sass to the commune and she may not have all her weapons, but she can still bring style to her kill. I know it seems that I am leaving the guys out, but MacKinnon focuses all on Kat except for some key moments where Kat gets to play with more than catnip (wink).
I had a lot of fun being back with the gang again. I missed everyone working together, but I have hope for the future. In the meantime, Thud has me looking at one particular holiday decoration a little bit differently and wishing that MacKinnon had written a holiday series instead of just one for the season.
I received a free copy of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.
David Biddle displays this struggle within the Scattergood family when cousin Rita visits for the summer and puts everyone's ideas of identity, adulthood, maturity, and their own biases on the table to talk about in Old Songs for New People. It is an honest conversation about the struggle to understand someone's transgender journey. Biddle starts this road from Quaker ideals as the family has been raised in the Quaker belief system. Their knowledge of the rainbow community is from television and not their reality. Now Ivy's mother is a doctor so her knowledge might be more expansive, but still Rita's appearance was a shock to her too.
I received an ARC of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.
Check out the rest of my review at Phoebe's Randoms. Link in bio.
When I read the last book in the “A Woman Lost” series, I thought that Lizzie and T.B. Markinson had taken me as far as they could on their journey. I was so wrong and glad to say that I am (for those who know me, please write this down as it does not happen very often (chuckle)). I am wrong and Markinson proves it with A Woman Unhinged.
Markinson picks up where we left Lizzie and the Petrie family though they are now actually cautiously venturing out into our new pandemic world. For anyone who knows Lizzie this is a process for everyone involved and not just Lizzie. Markinson explores this new world through Lizzie's eyes and tells her story with humor and sarcastic wit.
I received an ARC of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.
Check out the rest of my review at Phoebe's Randoms. Link in bio.
Harper Bliss writes characters that I can relate to on an intimate level. It is scary. It is like she peels back the curtain of my life and reveals all of my secrets. Then because I am slightly boring she throws in a hot lesbian, a great location, and some steamy sex. I have just given you the premise of That Woman Next Door (laugh).
I received a free copy of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.
Check out the rest of my review at Phoebe's Randoms. Link in bio.
Survival can be read as a standalone as Potter is great recapping as they move the story along, but I read the first book and I highly recommend it. Dillon is our main character, but there are plenty of other lesbians with strong storylines and even a straight guy who ends up being a strong ally to the women.
Potter expands the story outside the compound to other survivors across the country. What the group decides to do about contacting them and what the potential results could be are the groundwork that Potter lays out for the next part of the series. I sense trouble on the horizon for everyone and I cannot wait.
I received an ARC of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.
Check out the rest of my review at Phoebe's Randoms. Link in bio.
Language. The beauty of words put together in such a way that they leave a mark. Ann Aptaker and Cantor Gold have left their mark on me. I love the styling of Aptaker's world and I want to breathe it in on a constant flow. Never mind have Cantor Gold slide into my view just so I can soak in her presence.
I received a free copy of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.
Check out the rest of my review at Phoebe's Randoms. Link in bio.
This is a great kickoff story to the Bree Taggert series. You always wonder how something all began and Melinda Leigh solves this mystery for us with Her Second Death.
Death reads like a SVU episode. It is a quick hour mystery with solid leads who have a backstory which is triggered by the current mystery. I did not guess the killer which is surprising because I usually do and I didn't see this one coming. I guessed one part of it, but not the “who done it”.
Leigh writes with emotional impact while sticking within the lines of a police procedural. The case was already complicated and then Leigh added another layer by including a neurodiverse child. Learning how this changes procedure was really interesting.
I really enjoyed this trip back. It reads fresh and yet familiar. Leigh gives us a quick mystery to tide us over while we wait in line during these holiday shopping trips.
I received an ARC of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.
April Kelley gives us a nice twist to this story by giving us a couple deeply in love and hot for each other. Charlie and Sam have been together for awhile and still all Charlie has to do is bend over the stove and Same is all over him. Charlie knows that no matter what Same is there for him and them. It is so nice to read a romance where a couple still gets the hots for each other. It makes me smile reading it and writing this review right now.
Kelley then adds a third to make this family truly complete by giving them someone who can impregnate them. All Charlie wants is a baby and Sam just isn't compatible. In walks their fated mate.
Kelley starts the chemistry, but doesn't make it easy and I like that. It's honest. I also can admit I love the happily-ever-after too. April Kelley makes Valleywood sweeter with this story's addition.
I received a free copy of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.
Sometimes the hardest problem with the holidays can be your own family and Kitty Jones shines a light on this problem in Her Christmas Wish.
Here is a spoiler for you: Jessie likes girls, but no one knows. (I felt kind of comfortable telling you this as Jones implies it in the synopsis (chuckle).) Her family has been mean and intolerant of her for her entire life. This was exposed in Jessie's teenage years. Feeling like an outsider in your own family can have an impact on you and Jones balances this fine line between angst and romance adeptly. We get the “ouch”, but the kisses too.
I received a free copy of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.
Check out the rest of my review at Phoebe's Randoms. Link in bio.
The Dragon Hoard series picks up where it left off in Finding the Wolf. Laine, the magi who Reese claimed as his own, wakes up to his new life.
Mell Eight adds plenty of twists in Breaking the Shackles. There are additions to our base crew as connections are made. Baine and Dean's relationship is shown through its conclusion, but Laine and Reese's is not, which is slightly confusing as this is Laine's story.
Shackles is a quick story with action, heat, and humor. Eight expands the world created in the first book. I want to know more about talking trees - but that's just my curiosity.
Fated mates leaves the courting by the wayside. Eight focuses on the drama and action of the attacks on the forest and Reese's village. Breaking the Shackles is a fun, quick visit to the wolf's domain. Eight keeps you entertained while Breaking the Shackles.
Saved or kidnapped? Skye MacKinnon and Laura Greenwood kick off the “Seven Wardens” series with a fantasy mystery. Macey finds herself facing magic, incubus, mermen, ghost prophets, cath siths, and more while trying to find out the answer to that question.
MacKinnon and Greenwood have created an intricate world. I can just imagine a huge wall where they post pictures of where creatures and lands can be found and what dangers are hidden there. They have also created multiple mysteries with plenty of characters to help Macey solve the big and small.
I find this world fascinating. Just as in the real world there are prejudices to work through. Battles to be fought. Climate change to stop. Oh and let's not forget taking the time for “fun” and love.
MacKinnon and Greenwood have created it all. I can't wait to read the next one.
I received a free copy of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.
Prison from the Inside Out is raw, but then prison is raw. It strips you down to your basic foundation and pulls out who you are. As William “Mecca” Elmore says, you then have a choice to either be your true self or put on a mark. He chose to be his true self.
I received a free copy of this book, and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.
Check out the rest of my review at Phoebe's Randoms. Link in bio.
This collection is the most varied sub-genre of stories I have ever read under a particular genre. Holy sugar.
“Shopping for Christmas Dinner” from the Green Road by Anne English
This was the first story I picked and it is exactly what the title says: it follows Constance as she does her errands before going shopping. It tells the gossip in a few details of each house she goes to. Then off to the market where more family gossip is detailed. There is more attention paid to the food purchased than forming any connection to anyone I kept waiting for the story to start.
The Christmas Cuckoo by Frances Browne
I loved this story by Frances Browne. The moral of the story is one I wholeheartedly support as it is better to be happy than rich. Though Browne indicates that if everyone gets happiness from you then they will gift you with things just isn't true (laugh). I wish that spare had found love too.
Untitled by Bernard MacLaverty
A dark tale indeed is what Bernard MacLaverty has given us. Electric shock treatments, bombs, broken knee caps, threats of harm - this is no ordinary holiday tale. The question asked is if you decide not to participate in all parts of a revolution are you a traitor to the cause? Are you painted with the same brush for all acts done by the group even though you have no knowledge of them? Can you just stand still and be silent in a war going on around you? Like I said, it is very dark ideas for a holiday story.
The whole collection is a mix of “traditional,” the mundane, dark, and everything else in between. If you want a different kind of holiday mix for your season, A Very Irish Christmas is the book for you.
I received a free copy of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.
I love holiday romances. (I have said this before and will probably say this again.) This is the first time I am saying it when it stars spiders, snakes, and other animals that would have Adam squealing and jumping onto a chair. (laugh) Don't worry Gus, Adam's daughter, will save him. (chuckle)
I love The Lights on Knockbridge Lane. Roan Parrish brings humor, science, family, and romance to this sweet holiday tale. Adam is the perfect foil to Wes. They are two nerds who belong together (smile). Then there is Gus who is beyond amazing.
Parrish also brings back characters from the “Garnet Run” series and we get to see how everyone is doing. There are some spelling and grammatical errors, but this doesn't interfere with the reading of the story.
When I finished this story, I immediately wanted to start reading it again. Parrish gives you that warm holiday feeling that you just don't want to let go of.
I received a free copy of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.
I have not read a hot collared romance since The Thorn Birds (chuckle). Holy sugar, Zach and Nicholas heat things up and this is before Brandon walks into the picture.
Lily Harlem hooks you with marital bliss and steam and then throws in some bait to muddy the waters. (laugh) Once again what makes this erotica really work for me is the communication that happens between Zach and Nicholas to ensure that adding some zing to the holidays works for both of them. Nicholas' struggle with how Brandon feels after the fact is a reflection of the strong character he has.
Brandon is an amazing man. When you think about all that he has accomplished before Zach and Nicholas meet him - I just shook my head. Harlem creates a third worthy of the gay couple to be in Mindle.
Adding the three of these men together had me all a tingle. (wink). Harlem creates quite a scene whether it is just Zach and Nicholas or whether it is all three of them. Mistletoe Menage is a package definitely worth opening.
I received an ARC of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.
Oh they found plenty of time to play much to my enjoyment (chuckle). There is nothing better than a BDSM M/M/M threesome when it is written by A.E. Lister.
If I see a Lister book which features BDSM I automatically say, “Yes! I would love to read that book! Gimme, gimme, gimme!!!” A Spoonful of Sugar is no different and does not disappoint. Need a fix during this busy holiday season, then Lister satisfies your needs and then some.
I received an ARC of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.
Check out the rest of my review at Phoebe's Randoms. Link in bio.
I love the team of Ada and Louisa! Sarah Bell has created a unique couple to solve mysteries together.
Bell debuts this couple as having already solved a mystery or two and they are already romantically involved. The Murder Next Door mystery starts on the first page. The trail to truth is complicated and absorbing. Bell integrates period history into the tale as it affects many suspects.This unraveling of secrets is impactful and unfortunately very realistic.
Check out the rest of my review at Phoebe's Randoms. Link in bio.