A Murderous Grudge by J.M. Roberts (ARC provided by the author)

This was an ARC that I received from the author herself. I rated this 4 stars on Goodreads. I'm grateful for the opportunity that I had to read and review this book.

This is a cute, cozy, murder mystery. This is filled with Hallmark and Gilmore Girl vibes, sweet romance, and of course......murder.

Peggy Rector moves back to Stinky Springs, TX after the death of her husband. After 20 plus years of being a nurse in the ER, she becomes a full time author writing romance novels. She also takes requests from women to write a romance book based on their own fantasies. Hey...whatever pays the bills.

Thinking she has moved back home to a small, quiet country town, her life becomes more complicated. She an upset husband of a client who is stalking her, narrowly escapes being mauled by a mountain lion, meets up with a high school boyfriend, and gets tangled up in a murder.  

I though this was well written and I always love a good murder mystery. This was a clean, easy read. I did have a hard time in the beginning trying to distinguish the characters from each other. However it was an easy story to follow. And a good escape.

Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell

Rated 5 stars on Goodreads.

This book was INSANE!!! So many plot twists that I had no idea of what was going on. I had no idea which direction this book was going to go. This is the first book I have read by this author and I was not disappointed.

Ellie goes missing at 16. While her family mourns her loss, they fall apart. Parents go their separate ways and siblings continue to live their lives. The only thing holding them together is the hope that they'll eventually find Ellis.

10 years later, Ellie's mom, Laurel, meets Floyd. This is the chance Laurel has been waiting for to finally move forward. There is only one thing that holds Laurel back.....Floyd has a daughter who looks EXACTLY like Ellie. But that's impossible, right?? The more she gets to know Floyd and Ellie, she notices that a lot of things don't add up. There are too many inconsistencies and too many holes that need to be filled. The more Laurel starts to investigate, she learns Floyd isn't being 100% honest.

What I loved about this book is just when you think you know what is going one, Lisa Jewell totally turns it around on you.

Burn It Down by J.J. Grice (ARC provided by the author)

I rate this book 4/5 stars on Goodreads.

This is an ARC that was provided to me by the author.

This was my first book in the LGBTQ and MM genre and I have to honest I was a little nervous to read this. However, I immediately fell in love with Cooper and Tatum and their love story.

This book has a little bit of everything....spice, mystery, addiction, mental health, complicated family situations, etc. This author hit a lot of great topics.

Tatum is a firefighter in Austin who has his eye on the devastatingly handsome detective, Cooper Brandt. When they finally hook up, Cooper wants to keep it casual and Tatum is on board. However, once their feelings become stronger for each other, Tatum is worried about getting his heart broken while Cooper is trying to reconcile his feelings of being in a committed relationship after his alcohol problem. They are also very focused on the fact that there is an arsonist who is causing all the recent fires.

While Tatum is putting out fires, Cooper is trying to investigate who is starting the fires. This something that could possible put a wedge in their relationship. But love is stronger than that, right??

This was an amazing read. I loved the characters, the story, and the writing.

Not The Witch You Wed by April Asher

"Magic never made love any easier."

I rated this book 4/5 stars on Goodreads.

Violet is considered the Maxwell Dud. Born into a with family, Violet ahs not magical powers to speak of.....and she is pretty ok with that. She can live a normal life. No expectations. Until, that is, she reunites with Lincoln Thorne....the man who broke her heart 14 years earlier. 

However, because Violet is the firstborn, she is Prima Apparent for the supernatural council. She is given 3 months to prove she doesn't have any magical abilities otherwise she will be forced into a witch bond. 

Lincoln finds himself in the same predicament as he is almost 33 years old and the leader of the NAP (North American Pack of animal shifters). The two strike a deal to "fake date" for 3 months. Totally harmless and nothing could possibly go wrong....until it does. Because fake dating never ends in disaster, right?

This was a cute, witchy romance. A ton of Gilmore Girl vibes and fun back and forth bantering. Violet is sassy, confident, and witty. Lincoln is protective and possessive yet sweet. I loved the writing style. It was a slow burn with a lot of build up.

Hidden Pictures by Jason Rekulak

Ok....this book was INSANE!! I rated this 5/5 stars on Goodreads.

Mallory is 21 years old and a recovering drug addict. She has been sober for almost 18 months. She needs a job and money so she start her life fresh and with a clean slate. A dream job opens up to be a nanny for a family in New Jersey. 

This is an easy gig for Mallory. The little boy she watches is 5 years old and named Teddy. The family is located in a beautiful neighborhood with trails that she can go running on, the family has a pool she can swim in, and her own space in their guest house. The parents are a little eccentric, but the little boy is adorable and she loves her job.

Teddy has an active imagination and loves to draw. And draw and draw. His drawings are sweet and childlike. He always shares them with Mallory and she has her own little gallery going on. However, eventually, the drawings become a little more.....disturbing. A little more graphic. Of a woman who was killed and buried in the middle of nowhere.

Mallory opens up to the parents who immediately dismiss her and tell her it's just is imagination. But as the drawings become more detailed, Mallory knows this isn't the art work of a 5 year old. Something else is going on. Something more sinister. So sinister is possible Teddy is possessed.

Even after being let go, Mallory tries to convince the parents there something seriously wrong only to find out that the truth is more sinister and dark than these pictures.

This book has everything....mystery, suspense, paranormal, horror, all ties up into a psychological thriller. There are also actual drawings included in the book that helps bring the story more to life. This was well written and I loved the first person narrative.

The Inn-Sitter by Heather Mihok

(ARC received by the author herself) Release Date October 27th

Rated four stars on Goodreads.

This was captivating from the very beginning. A spooky read with a little bit of haunting, ghost story, and psychological thriller.

Seventeen year old Temperly/Hazel is trying to run away.....from everything.....and disappear to start a new life. Her mother has died, she doesn't want to be in foster care, and she needs to get away from an abusive relationship. And what better place to hide than an Inn in the middle of nowhere. 

She answers an add to watch over an Inn owned by an elderly couple. The cash will help her to start a new life. When the owners offer to up the ante and pay her more, she is willing to do whatever she needs to...including staying in an Inn that is possibly haunted. Noises, hearing voices, temperatures dropping, and writing on the wall.

When she meets the town medium who introduces her to the town ghost hunter (who is ten years old by the way), they offer to help her find the ghost and get rid of it.

Things go as well as can be expected when hunting for a ghost until things go very wrong. Very, very wrong. Temperly/Hazel isn't willing to leave because she needs the cash, but she could also be in mortal danger. What does she do?

As the hunt continues, she learns not only is the Inn hunted but the owners have a secret that is every teenage girls worst nightmare.

Definitely a great Halloween read.

 

WOOM by Duncan Ralston

Rated 4 stars on Goodreads.

This is my first horror book. Typically, I stay away from this genre because of the blood and gore. And if I'm honest......Stephen King books are way too long. But I digress.

This is a short read. Seven short stories, except one, that all take place in room 6 at the Lonely Motel.

Angel has a troubled past. He books room 6 and hires a prostitute. But not just any prostitute....he has specific things that he is looking for. And also, not for pleasure. More for talk and to share his stories with. And she shares one of her own. She thinks this is bizarre, but it's his money so whatever Angel wants, Angel gets.

Things are going well. Just friendly talk and some spooky stories that will give you nightmares. Nothing out of the ordinary.......and then things start to get really weird. These stories range from smuggling drugs, a failed abortion, rebirthing, and different things that clients ask for.

Once Angel gets to the point of what he is really wanting, things couldn't be worse. And are the risks involved worth it??

After I finished this, I had to let my thoughts process. I wasn't even really sure what I thought. However, the concept was so unique and different, I realized that the story was amazing in it's own right. I would be interested to see what it would be like as a movie.

Moments Like This by Anna Gomez and Kristoffer Polaha

I gave this 5 stars.

There was so much about this book that I loved. A sweet romance plus the setting is in Hawaii. This book gives you all the feels and make an excellent Hallmark movie.

Andie Matthews is driven, ambitious, and a successful businesswoman. Has a hardworking ethic and is still passed over for a promotion she 100% deserved. After a panic attack, concussion, and stint in the hospital, her parents convince her she needs a break and to take a sabbatical. So she does. She goes to Hawaii and ends up running her friends coffee shop that is desperate for a makeover and some serious financial help.

Warren Yates is driven, hardworking, ambitious, bitter, and is known for being a playboy. But he also had some dark secrets in his past. He is working on trying to improve himself. While working on acquisitions for his company, he never thought in a million years he would meet the love of his life.....and how that could complicate things.

Warren and Andie start to get know each other and spend time together. every Friday he takes her on a tour of Oahu and a history lesson in the rich culture. He never anticipated how his feelings would grow.

Wanting to make things work with Andie, he knows he has to come clean about who is knowing the risks. 

This book has a beautiful message about love and forgiveness. How we can recognize our faults and flaws and work on doing better. Taking time for the little things and taking each day is it comes.

Jake Ransom And The Skull King's Shadow by James Rollins

I rated this 4 stars.

This was a fun, adventurous, story. A great read for adults, children, and young adults alike.

Jake and Kady are the children of parents who are archeologists. While on a dig, both parents go missing and are presumed dead. All that is left is their mother's sketch book and 2 halves of a coin.

Years later, the children are invited to a London museum exhibit dedicated to the work of their parents which happens to take place during an eclipse. While at the museum, Jake and Kady are somehow transported back to an ancient time where vikings, mayans, romans, etc live and coexist together and speak the same language.....All World.

In this strange time, they make friends with some of the local children, try to understand why they are there, all while trying to find a way home. 

However, someone is after Jake and will to any lengths to make sure he doesn't return home. The Skull King wants Jake alive or dead. 

As Jake and Kady work with the people to try to defend their village from the Skull King, they learn valuable lessons about themselves and what they are capable of. They also find something that belonged to their father.....a pocket watch with an inscription from their mother. How is that even possible?

With a little bit of Indiana Jones and Lara Croft, this was a fun and engaging read. I actually chose to listen to this on Audible narrated by actor, Pedro Pascal, who was able to bring the story to life.

In My Dreams I Hold A Knife by Ashley Winstead

six friends

one college reunion

one unsolved murder

I rated this at 3 stars.

It's Freshman year at Duquette University and Jessica Miller is ready to start fresh, with her whole future ahead of her. Goals, dreams, and making new friends. She becomes a part of the East House Seven. This group of friends stick with each through thick and thin, amidst love triangles, joining frats and sororities, etc. Their whole college career they support each other know each other intimately. Or so they think...

Senior year, one member, Heather Shelby, is found murdered in her room. The whole group of friends are questioned and cleared. They finish off the year, graduate, and go their separate ways.

Ten years later, it's Homecoming Weekend at Duquette University. Jessica as reinvented herself and looks forward to seeing her friends. Especially her friends reactions to the new Jessica. However, the focus falls on the 6 remaining of the East House Seven. Secrets start to come to light including.....who murdered Heather Shelby.

This book had a lot of great plot twists, a mystery to solve, and a cliffhanger at the end of each chapter. However, none of the characters had any redeeming qualities. I couldn't find one thing to like about them which is why I rated it this book so low. But I still loved the story line.

The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling

"Never mix vodka with witchcraft"

I rated this at 3.5 stars! I thought it was super cute read with the spooky vibes, Hallmark feels, and Gilmore Girls banter.

Vivienne is a witch who was raised not practicing magic. However, one summer when she meets Rhys Penhallow, she falls in love only to have her heartbroken. After a few shots of vodka and a pity part with her cousin, Gwyn, they cast a silly spell to curse Rhys knowing it will never work. Or will it.....

Nine years later, Rhys Penahllow is assigned to return to Glen Graves for Founder's Day, recharge the ley lines, and do everything he can to run into Vivienne. However, everything that can wrong.....does. 

Car problems, unbound ghosts, toys out of control, etc. The only way to reverse the curse, is for Rhys and Vivienne to work together. As they work on trying to reverse the curse, they realize they are still madly in love with each other. And Vivienne learns that she is more powerful than she ever realized.

If you are looking for a cute romance with a little spice, this is a fun, easy read.

The Lost Darling by Bailey Black

 

This was an ARC read that I received from the author herself.

Release Date: October 15 2022

Twisted Fairy Tale

Enemies to Lovers

Kidnapping

Multiple Love Interests

Peter Pan is such a classic going back way before Disney's version. There's adventure, fairies, pirates, battles, love, etc.

This retelling of Peter Pan was so clever. Peter is stuck on cursed Neverland Island. He has been there longer than he can remember. He crashed there long ago in a ship with his brother, James, his sister in-law, Wendy, and nephews Michael and John. Being in love with Wendy, he sells his soul to protect. However, this came with a risk of having Neverland cursed.

Peter meets Wednesday who is Wendy reincarnate. His soulmate. The love of his life. He knows they only way he can save Neverland is to take her there and keep her there. But the risks are high. Too high. Is willing to follow through with those risks?

I liked how the author still kept the original story but included her own twist. It was cleverly written. You still have the main characters along with pirates, The Lost, and fairies.

Looking forward to book 2!!

Haunting Adeline

Book Review: Haunting Adeline by H.D. Carlton

I rated this 4/5 stars.

I would HIGHLY encourage anyone who picks up this book, to read the trigger warnings first. Some parts of this book can be very disturbing and upsetting.

Ok.....so there is a lot with this book! So much. And when I started reading this, it was NOT what I expected. But I devoured it and could not put it down. The concept was so unique and a storyline I have never encountered before.

We have Sasha, who is an author and has inherited her grandmother's house, Parsons Manor. It's a creepy old house but Sasha loves it because of all the memories.

During remodeling, she finds 3 journals written by her great-grandmother in the 1940s. She learns that her great-grandmother had a stalker who she fell in love with. This caused so many conflicts in her marriage and life, but it begs the question......can you fall in love with someone who stalks you? Sasha finds that answer out soon enough.

Then we have Zade. Zade is the anti-hero. Zade is brooding, tall, ripped, romantic, etc. Zade also has a company that helps locate human and children who have been sold into human/sex trafficking and rescues them. He has a soft spot for the kids and will do whatever it takes to save them. 

But......he is also Sasha's stalker. He is in love with her and will stop at nothing to win her over. Whether that's protecting her or taking advantage of her. She will be his and no one else's. 

Sasha, understandably, is hesitant at first and makes numerous police reports. However, once she gets to know Zade better, maybe it is possible to fall in love with your stalker after all.

I really did like this book. I thought it was well written and keeps the reader engaged.

Again....this is a dark romance with several trigger warnings. Please read the trigger warnings before you decide to invest your time in this book. Your mental health matters.