TOTALLY ADDICTED TO READING

I received an arc courtesy of the publisher. I was in the mood for a Christmas story, so when I was offered a copy by the publisher for review, I decided to try it.  I did not realise it was part of a series, until I was ready to read the book. However, I had no trouble following the story.

Christmas at Whisper Beach is a continuation of Van and Joe’s romance. Van is settling in to her new life with Joe but she has issues, which were a product of her past she needed to overcome. Issues, which had the potential to derail the life she has built with Joe. Thank goodness, for Joe’s family who opened their hearts and home to her. This act of kindness and acceptance helped in her journey towards healing.

Joe’s love for Van shined through the pages of the story.  His actions proved how much he cared for her. He had big plans for her for the Christmas However these plans would be tested when he took in three children, whose mom became ill, for the Christmas holidays.

I enjoyed the camaraderie Joe shared with his family. I loved how they included Van and made her feel liked she belonged.  I loved that family and Christmas traditions were the highlight of the story. It brought back childhood memories of Christmas.

The ending was a huge disappointment.  Not only was it abrupt, but it left me with many questions.

Conclusion and Recommendation

Overall, an ok read. I will be picking up a copy of the first book in the series so I can learn how Joe and Vans’ story began. Looking for a heart-warming Christmas story, Christmas at Whisper Beach will give you all the feels of Christmas.

Now and then, I would come across a story, which tugs at heart, and bring little tears to my eyes. (No ugly crying) Now this is not an easy feat, few books have ever elicited that feeling. When a book leaves me feeling as if I was on an emotional roller coaster, I know I have found a winner. No Regrets by Aimee Noalane was one of those books.

No Regrets is a story about friendship, love and heartbreak.  This story will gut you and leave you raw. The character’s emotions leapt off the pages, pulling me in and allowing me to connect every facet of their lives. What I loved most about this story is that it demonstrated the emotions of the protagonists. I experienced everything they both went through.   The story was honest, poignant and raw.  It delivered a powerful message about love, loss and friendship.

I loved the characters. Oliver and Abbygail have been best friends since they were both eight years old.  I got a glimpse into this part of their lives, which paved the way to a better understanding of the depth of their friendship. Their actions were what one would expect from the typical teenager.  Sometimes I wished I could knock some sense into them.  Of the two, I found Oliver to be the least mature. I understood he had a lot dealing with, but instead of relying on his best friend, he pushed her away.  Then there were the moments where he toyed with her feelings, which was unacceptable.  One moment he made her feel that all would be well and the next he treats her with indifference.

For someone who struggles with abandonment issues, Abbygail proved to be a strong character.  Never did she think to give up on her friendship with Oliver even though she would be justified if she did.  She believed their friendship was worth saving and was determined to keep fanning the dying flames, with the hope it would revive.

I should warn you, the story ended on a cliff-hanger, but rest assured the remaining books are currently available. Therefore, there is no need for a long wait before jumping into the next installment. I cannot wait to see the outcome Oliver and Abbygails’ journey into adulthood.
I have no regret reading this story.  I found the writing enjoyable; the story engaging and the characters relatable.

As a big fan of Carolyn Arnold, after reading Violated from her Brandon Fisher series, I could not wait to read Halloween is Murder. It has been awhile since I read a cozy mystery. The ones I read are those written by Agatha Christie and to be honest I never felt compelled to read any other cozies until now. After all Carolyn Arnold is the author.Halloween is Murder is the eleventh book in the McKinley series. However, it can be read without having to read the previous books.

What the story is about.

Sean and Sara McKinley are former police officers turned private investigators. The name of their firm is Pay It Forward Investigations, which is fitting given their philanthropic nature. They are launching a haunted house charity event, which is covered by the media. Chloe Parsons is the reporter responsible for featuring the event. Unfortunately, after filming the event she was found dead in her apartment. Did she die from natural causes or was she murdered?

The Story

This was a quick and easy read. There was humour and a dash of romance. I found the pacing slow for my tastes, but I still enjoyed the plot, characterisation and development. It held my attention from start to finish.

The Characters

Although this is book eleven, there is sufficient background information, which allowed me to establish a connection with the characters.

I admired Sara for her tenacity. She concluded that the circumstances surrounding the reporter’s death was suspicious, and she was not willing to give up until her suspicions were satisfied. She relies on her gut instinct in conducting investigations. Sean on the other hand relies on hard evidence, but he has learned to trust his wife’s instincts, making them the perfect investigating duo.

They say variety is the spice of life and this was evident from the varying range of characters who brought the story alive. From the grumpy medical examiner to the snarky computer geek, they added their own blend of spice to story.

The Mystery

Due to the lack of danger and conflict, the intense and edge of your seat feeling one would expect from mysteries was absent. I thought the mystery developed nicely. The author created a wide pool of suspects making it difficult to figure out who or what was behind Chloe’s demise. It was not until near the end that all was revealed, but that did not stop me from trying to figure it out on my own.

Conclusion/Recommendation

I had a good time with this installment and I will be looking to read the previous books in the series. If you enjoy cozies, then you may want to give this series a try.

This is one of the few times reading a series out-of-order paid off. If I had read book one first, chances are I would not have continued the series, and I would missed out on two awesome stories. Thankfully, I had an enjoyable experience with the last book in the series, which prompted me to read the earlier books.

What the story is about

BLOOD FREED takes us back into the world of supernatural beings and motorcycle gangs. In this installment we get the 411 on Anna's twin Liz and the werewolf Dexter MacCallahan. Liz is geared to take up her position, along with her sister, as the Oracle for the Blood Ravagers gang, but to do so they need to complete a binding ceremony. Unfortunately, the completion of the ceremony required vital information, which was not readily available. To obtain this information meant going on a dangerous journey. Liz, in a bid to prove she was competent, courageous and committed, volunteered to acquire the information.

To ensure her safety, Dexter was assigned the task of accompanying her. He was not keen about going, but this was a job he could not refuse, as getting this information was vital to security of all supernatural beings. However, there was a major problem: his rut was near, a rare phenomenon that requires werewolves to bond with their chosen mate. Failure to do so meant certain insanity and death.


What I liked:

The Story
Action, suspense, humour and sexual tension permeated the pages of this story. Danger abound as their enemies hunted the information Liz and Dex were seeking. I thoroughly enjoyed the banter between the protagonists, which was filled with humour and sexual innuendoes. The intensity of the action and suspense kept me on my toes and had me eagerly turning the pages. The story was narrated in the third person from both Liz and Dex's perspectives. Usually, I would have a hard time with third person narration, but fortunately this was not the case in this instance. The story came alive, and I felt as if I was involved in every aspect of this tale.

The Characters

Liz acts tough, but she is scared of embracing her destiny as the Oracle. She feared her love for adventure would cause her to fail as the Oracle. Therefore, she believed undertaking the dangerous mission would prove to the gang members and herself that she was more than capable of fulfilling her destiny. I had no problem relating to her. I understood her fears. Being an Oracle was a big deal and not a position to be taken lightly. What I loved most about her was her determination and strength. She was definitely a force to be reckoned with as her enemies would discover.

Dexter is a stoic, moody and gruff wolf shifter. A lone wolf scared of repeating the mistakes of his ancestors. Despite his attraction to Liz he believed he was not worthy of her. The burden of guilt from his past weighed him down, hindered his desire for happiness and caused him to doubt his abilities. His fear of history repeating itself trumped his fear of going on the mission with Liz. This fueled his determination in ensuring the success of the mission. Along the way, he would re-discover himself and learn that things were not always what they seem.

I enjoyed the interaction between Liz and Dex. I thought they were perfect for each. Two damaged souls who helped each other heal. Their feelings for each leapt off the pages and I found myself rooting for them every step of the way.

Conclusion /Recommendation:
This was an improvement to the previous installment. It was fun, exhilarating, adventurous, and suspenseful and filled with heat. I enjoyed every moment spent in the world that the author created.

Overall an exciting read and one which I recommend to readers who enjoy action, suspense and heat and the supernatural world.

Melissa Foster has created a hit with her latest book ‘The Real Thing’. This is the first book in the new ‘Sugar Lake ‘series. I wholeheartedly enjoyed this sweet contemporary second chance romance. I love these type of stories, so I was eager to dive into this book, and I am glad I did. It was everything I expected and more.

What the story is about.
In ‘The Real Thing’ introduces us to Willow Dalton, the owner of Sweetie Pie Bakery, and Hollywood actor Zane Walker. Zane and Willows’ relationship has been a complicated one, which went as far back as their high school years. For Willow, Zane was the one man she never got over and it did not help to know he was the one she gave her V card.

Zane has returned to Sweetwater to film his latest movie, a romantic suspense, which is very different from the gritty action movies he usually stars. To prove that he could be a romantic hero he had to clean up his playboy image, and this involved being in a steady relationship. To accomplish this task, he approached the one woman he believed he could trust with such a task. He convinced Willow to act his fiancée for the time he would be in Sweetwater filming. Will they be able to maintain the pretence, or will their fake relationship become the real thing?

Willow is one of those characters you will love but at times find her actions frustrating. I did not agree with her behaviour towards Zane over the years when she was the one who had made the rules regarding their relationship the night when she gave up her virginity. She made the rules so why be upset when he did what she wanted? In spite of I enjoyed the role she played in the story. She displayed a level of strength and bravery, but when it came to Zane, she struggled with insecurities. Doubts and insecurities clouded her judgement, and she believed every emotion displayed by Zane was an act.
I could totally see myself with a guy like Zane minus the paparazzi of course. A hunky and famous movie star who cared about others. The way he treated Willow and her family was a testament to his caring nature. Zane thought his current file would provide with his biggest role to date. However, he would come to realise that his biggest role would be convincing Willow that what he felt for her was the real thing. Along the way, he would discover his purpose.
It was good to see them work at resolving the issues from their past and coming to terms with the mistakes they made. Dealing with those issues makes it easy for them to handle their romance on a mature level.
I loved the secondary characters. They helped to make things interesting. The information provided whetted my appetite and I am eager to see what Ms. Foster has in store for them.
I enjoyed the romance, which was hot and sweet. I liked that this was not an instant connection. Their feelings for each other have been building over the years and it only grew stronger as time went by. There were a lot of swoon worthy moments. Family and friendships featured strongly in this book, which came as no surprise. If you are familiar with author’s contemporary romance, you will understand what I mean.

Conclusion/Recommendation
Overall, I enjoyed this installment. I am looking forward to the next book, which centres on one of Willow’s sisters. I would recommend this to fans of sweet romances and second chances.

Beneath These Shadows is the 6th book in The Beneath series and it can be read as a stand-alone. This book has sat on my kindle since the day it was released, but I kept pushing it back. I am not sure why, especially given the experience I have had with the series. Well, better late than never.

What the story is about.

Beneath These Shadows tells the story of Bishop, a tattoo artist and Eden, the daughter of New York’s notorious mob boss. Running from his past, Bishop came to New Orleans to start over. He kept a low profile and tried not to bring attention to himself. All that changed, the day he rescued a beautiful woman who appeared lost and totally out of her element. In the process, he would discover that the past as an uncanny way of coming back to haunt.

Eden lived a sheltered life. She never experienced the beauty that life offered. Constantly surrounded by bodyguards, her life was a virtual prison. When her father’s business came under attack, he sent her away for her protection. Eden saw this as an opportunity to experience freedom for the first time in her life. Her desires led her to the City of New Orleans where she met a walking sex on stick tattoo artist, who helped her to discover all that life offered.

The Characters.

Bishop is the epitome of an alpha male. He is smart, determined, loyal, understanding and protective. His protective nature became evident in the manner in which he treated Eden. He recognised her innocence and naivete and appointed himself her personal saviour. In doing so he opened himself to the thing he had been running from. He knew the risks, but he willing accepted them to ensure Eden’s safety.

Eden is one of those heroines I had a hard time warming up to. I understood her need to experience freedom, but I had difficulty wrapping my head around the careless risks she took. Being innocent and naïve is not a crime, but when you add stupid behaviour to the mix, then we have a whole new scenario. The unnecessary risks taken put herself and Bishop in danger.

The Supporting Characters.

The story featured characters from the previous instalment. We are given insight into the current events of their lives. I enjoyed the bond that Bishop had developed with them. I also appreciated the manner in which they embraced Eden in their fold, knowing what she meant to Bishop. I loved how they rallied together to help Bishop when they thought Eden may be in danger. The introduction of new characters added to the suspense factor of the story and helped to make things intense and interesting.

The Romance

True to Meghan March style the romance packed heat and sizzle. Their attraction to each other was as clear as day. I appreciated that they took time before giving into the sizzling attraction between them. This helped to make their romance engaging and believable. What started out as an unlikely friendship, slowly grew into an undeniable explosive attraction.

The Story

Aside from my issues with the heroine, I thought the story was well-written. It was a tad bit predictable in some areas, but it did not take away from my enjoyment. There was one aspect of the story that I was hoping that the author would have developed further. This had to do with Eden’s relationship with her father. After all that had transpired, I was expecting to a deeper and loving bond develop between them, but their relationship remained static throughout the story.

There was another aspect of the story that I found annoying and which I believe did not add value to the story. The women who kept throwing themselves at Bishop even when he showed no interest. What I did not get was did he have history with these women or was it a case where they wanted to fulfil a fantasy.

Conclusion/Recommendation.

The story did not deliver all I expected. It was not my favourite of the series, but I still found it enjoyable.

Melissa Foster has created a hit with her latest book ‘The Real Thing’. This is the first book in the new ‘Sugar Lake ‘series. I wholeheartedly enjoyed this sweet contemporary second chance romance. I love these type of stories, so I was eager to dive into this book, and I am glad I did. It was everything I expected and more.

What the story is about.
In ‘The Real Thing’ introduces us to Willow Dalton, the owner of Sweetie Pie Bakery, and Hollywood actor Zane Walker. Zane and Willows’ relationship has been a complicated one, which went as far back as their high school years. For Willow, Zane was the one man she never got over and it did not help to know he was the one she gave her V card.

Zane has returned to Sweetwater to film his latest movie, a romantic suspense, which is very different from the gritty action movies he usually stars. To prove that he could be a romantic hero he had to clean up his playboy image, and this involved being in a steady relationship. To accomplish this task, he approached the one woman he believed he could trust with such a task. He convinced Willow to act his fiancée for the time he would be in Sweetwater filming. Will they be able to maintain the pretence, or will their fake relationship become the real thing?

Willow is one of those characters you will love but at times find her actions frustrating. I did not agree with her behaviour towards Zane over the years when she was the one who had made the rules regarding their relationship the night when she gave up her virginity. She made the rules so why be upset when he did what she wanted? In spite of I enjoyed the role she played in the story. She displayed a level of strength and bravery, but when it came to Zane, she struggled with insecurities. Doubts and insecurities clouded her judgement, and she believed every emotion displayed by Zane was an act.
I could totally see myself with a guy like Zane minus the paparazzi of course. A hunky and famous movie star who cared about others. The way he treated Willow and her family was a testament to his caring nature. Zane thought his current file would provide with his biggest role to date. However, he would come to realise that his biggest role would be convincing Willow that what he felt for her was the real thing. Along the way, he would discover his purpose.
It was good to see them work at resolving the issues from their past and coming to terms with the mistakes they made. Dealing with those issues makes it easy for them to handle their romance on a mature level.
I loved the secondary characters. They helped to make things interesting. The information provided whetted my appetite and I am eager to see what Ms. Foster has in store for them.
I enjoyed the romance, which was hot and sweet. I liked that this was not an instant connection. Their feelings for each other have been building over the years and it only grew stronger as time went by. There were a lot of swoon worthy moments. Family and friendships featured strongly in this book, which came as no surprise. If you are familiar with author’s contemporary romance, you will understand what I mean.

Conclusion/Recommendation
Overall, I enjoyed this installment. I am looking forward to the next book, which centres on one of Willow’s sisters. I would recommend this to fans of sweet romances and second chances.

I heard many stories surrounding the legend of sleepy hollow, but I never read the actual book. I got my first real taste, of the story behind the legend when I watched the Sleepy Hollow television series, which I thoroughly enjoyed.

When I received this book as part of the quirky blind date program and realised it was a retelling of the legendary sleepy hollow, I was ecstatic and could not wait to get into the story.

What the story is about.

Crane tells the story of Ireland Crane a descendant of the infamous Ichabod Crane. She moved to Sleepy Hollow as she needed a break from the hustle and bustle of New York City. What she did not know was her decision to relocate to Sleepy Hollow would set in motion a series of events that would turn her life upside down.

A murderer is on the loose and due to the nature of the killings, the community wonders if the headless horseman rides again. However, when the evidence points to her, Ireland with the help of the stranger she discovered in her home rushes to uncover the truth. Will they discover who is behind the murders before anyone else loses their head?

The Story

I enjoyed the author's take on this legendary tale. The story was told simultaneously in the past and the present. Although both threads were different, they had a direct impact on each other. The narrative from the past was narrated from Ichabod Cranes POV while story from the present was provided from Ireland Crane’s perspective.

I enjoyed how both story threads were narrated. However, I thought the story narrated in the past was more befitting of the Sleepy Hollow legend due to its creepy atmosphere.

The twists and turns kept me guessing while keeping me on the edge of my seat at each page turn. The portrayal of the headless horseman went beyond my expectations. I found it intriguing and captivating.

I enjoyed the banter between the characters and I could not help but laugh at their actions and dialogue. I thought the romance was unnecessary as I do not believe it added any value to the story. It moved quickly for my tastes. I loved how the story ended as most of the questions I had regarding the plot were answered. I still had questions, but I guess will get those answers in the sequel. I also liked the peek I got regarding the next book in the series.

The Characters

I loved how the characters are featured in both threads. However, if I were to choose a favourite, it would be Rip Van Winkle, who was featured in both threads. I enjoyed his attempts in navigating the 21st century and loved that he pulled it off beautifully.

Conclusion/Recommendation

Crane is an exciting and well-written story. It is hilarious, refreshing and unique. If you love the story behind the legend, then you will love this retelling.


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Blood Bound is the first book in the Blood Ravagers series. Each book can be read on its own. I read book three a few months ago and at the point of me writing this review I am about to start book 2. Based on my experience with book 3; I picked up this installment hoping for an equally exciting read. However, it did not live up to the success of its successor. For me it was just an OK read.


What I Loved.
I loved the idea of a half demon/half human trying to create a place where others like himself feel safe. The sacrifices made to accomplish this was commendable. Few people would willing put their lives on the line the way Dante did. He endured torture and many atrocities to ensure that he achieves his goal.

I enjoyed exploring the world the author created. I loved the blending of aspects of paranormal with motorcycle gangs, which made for an interesting and intriguing read.

I found the story to be well written. I enjoyed the descriptive style of writing, which contributed greatly to maintaining my interest in the story. The story moved at a steady pace until about seventy percent (70%) into the book when things got heated. At this point, I eagerly turned the pages as my curiosity levels increased.

What I did not Love.
I could not establish a connection with the protagonists. Anna’s behavior annoyed me. She does not listen and because of this; she places herself and Dante in danger. Her character was underdeveloped, and I never had the chance to feel her effect on the story. Dante spent centuries feeling unworthy of being loved. This was due to his treatment from both humans and supernatural beings. I was hoping for more on this aspect of Dante’s life, unfortunately the author failed to explore this further. As a result, his character did not evoke any sympathy neither did I experience the joy and uncertainties to be expected when he discovered what Anna was his life mate.

The villain of the story lacked credibility. He is a full demon and sadistic in nature, but he did elicit any feelings of fear. I found his role to be boring and flat. It was evident that he was involved in illicit activities, but this thread needed to be better developed.
The romantic elements was not adequately explored. As is typical of this genre the attraction between the protagonists was instantaneous. The problem I had was that the focus was on the physical aspects of the relationship while the emotional aspect was completely ignored.

Conclusion/Recommendation
This story had the potential to be an exciting paranormal/MC romance, however it turned out to be an average story. The story was not bad, but the characters did nothing for me.

My experience with this author has been good. I am used to her penning dark and gritty romance stories so Ruin was a surprising story. It is very different from her usual work. What intrigued me most about this book is some aspects of it were based on a true story and after reading the blurb, I felt compelled to read it. Thanks to kindle owners lending library I did just that.

What the story is about.
Ruin introduces Alexander and Maybell. They both went to the same high school, but they never interacted. Alexander secretly admired Maybell, but never had the courage to approach her. Maybell, despite the ridicule she faced from her classmates always had a smile on her face. She was on the road to become a dancer. However, a terrible accident ended that journey, but it led to a friendship and love that both she and Alexander never expected.

My Thoughts
Earlier, I stated that the blurb intrigued me, so you know I went into the story with high expectations. However, it failed to deliver what I expected, therefore ruining my experience with this story.

I thought the themes of self-discovery, acceptance, embracing one's destiny and unconditional love were well executed. The story demonstrates that sometimes it takes a life changing event for us to realise that we are living our lives at its full potential as a result opportunities pass us by. Initially Maybell never saw the opportunity that her accident afforded her. However, as time passed, she embraced her newfound destiny and living her life the way she wanted and not based on what others wished. In the process, she gained a friendship and discovered what it meant to love unconditionally.

If someone were to ask me how this made me feel, I would have to say it did nothing for me. I was expecting this to be an emotional read, but it did not elicit the emotions one would expect from a story like this. I believe this was because I had a difficult time connecting to the characters. In addition, the manner in which the author portrayed the story played a part. In narrating the story the author used a tell approach, which made me feel like I was reading a report.

Maybell and Alexander had the potential to be interesting characters if only they were more developed. The story hinted at them being bullied by their peers, but the author did not explore this aspect of the story. Mention was made of Maybell having a best friend, but I never met this friend. I wondered if she was a figment of Maybell’s imagination. There were threads that the author failed to explore. For instance, I would have loved to see how Asperger syndrome affected Maybell’s life. In addition, Alexander had his share of issues especially where his family was concerned, but that too was glossed over.

Despite the issues I had, I kept reading because I was curious to know what Alexander did to ruin Maybell and how things would end for the characters. The story ended on a satisfactory note, but I was a bit disappointed in my discovery of what Alexander felt was his ruination of Maybell.



Conclusion/Recommendation
For me this was just an ok read. I believe there are readers that would enjoy this book. Therefore, if these types of stories interest you then you can try it.