Category: Sci-fi

18+ · Book Review · Books · Fantasy · Fiction · HEA · Romance · Sci-fi · series

Ruining Miss Wrotham ~ Emily Larkin

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Ruining Miss Wrotham
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Title: Ruining Miss Wrotham (Baleful Godmother Series, Book 5)
Author: Emily Larking
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by: Shakera
Genre: Fantasy, Historical Romance,
Publisher: Emily Larkin
Date of Release: May 25, 2017
Pages: 486
Format: Kinde (Author)

How far would you go to find your missing sister? How much would you defy society norms in the name to find your sister? Eleanor needs to find her sister, Sophia, who ran off with a guy, creating such a scandal that her betrothal was abruptly ended. Now she needs help finding Sophia, but who can she turn to when every man in her life is domineering? On the flip side, what can you do when the only guy willing to help you is seen as a man of low morals in the eyes of society?

Mordecai Black is known amongst the ton for his affairs with well-known ladies, but the one woman he wants only knows him by his reputation, but not the man. He is a man of means with a heart of gold. And is in love with Eleanor. Can they find Sophia and recognize they are meant for each other?

Another outstanding story that I just could not put down! I finished this book in one sitting. The writing was great along with amazing story telling. You were on the edge of your seat waiting on information on Sophia while hoping love blossomed. Truly amazing!

Book Review · Books · Fantasy · Fiction · HEA · Romance · Sci-fi · YA

Daughter of Lions ~ Catherine Banks

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Title: Daughter of Lions
Author: Catherine Banks
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by: Shakera
Genre: Paranormal, YA, Fantasy
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
Date of Release: June 26, 2015
Pages: 276
Format: Kindle (Kristin D. Van Risseghem)

Shifters, lions, love triangle, oh my! Victoria just cannot catch a break! Being a teenager has always been tough, but try being a teenager of an alpha lion… and you’re a hybrid. Sigh… Add a mom who just can’t deal with what you are and you don’t fit in with any crowd. Throw in Brandon, the hottest werelion you have ever seen and Victoria’s world is all topsy turvy! Victoria is spending Spring Break with her dad and her life gets a little more interesting. There’s a bat-shit crazy wolf, Bob, who truly believes she belongs with him as his mate. Brandon becomes her protector. Throw in Michael, a childhood friend and Victoria has a huge decision to make. Who is to be her mate?

There is so much going on, but the part that slightly annoyed me about Victoria was the constant “No one will want me because I’m a hybrid.” I completely understand her gripe, but it felt like it was on every page. I didn’t mind the love triangle, I was fine with Victoria’s choice either way since they were both great guys. The writing wasn’t bad, but there were a few typos… nothing major. While I was satisfied with the ended, I wasn’t thrilled with how we got there. Some things could have been explained that weren’t, but it would have made the story feel like it was dragging. Overall, I enjoyed the story.

Book Review · Books · Fantasy · Fiction · HEA · Romance · Sci-fi · series

Wondering Sight ~ Melissa McShane

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Title: Wondering Sight  (Extraordinaires, Book 2)
Author: Melissa McShane
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by: Shakera
Genre: Historical Romance, Fantasy
Publisher: Curiosity Quills Press
Date of Release: January 19, 2017
Pages: 322
Format: eBook (Publisher)

This is the second book in the series, and what I like is that it’s not a sequel to Burning Bright. It’s its own story and while it’s not technically a stand alone, it gives just enough backstory for you to keep up. This didn’t have quite the same world building as the first story, but it’s still enjoyable.

The War of 1812 is over and we meet Sophia Westlake, who has been dismissed from the British Navy under questionable circumstances, one might say. Sophia is a Seer. She doesn’t have visions, per se. She has Dreams. In the Dream in question, she saw Lord Endincott, a local popular politician, embezzling funds from the Army. He was able to disprove her Dream and he’s been tormenting Sophia ever since. She is determined more than ever to restore her reputation, but she has very few allies and one very powerful enemy. In her quest to restore her stellar reputation, she stumbles across something interesting. A counterfeit ring! Enter Mr. Rutledge. He has been keeping a close eye on Sophia from a distance. Mr. Rutledge has been tasked with ending the counterfeit ring before any further damage can be done. He’s going to need some help, but Sophia is reluctant. With each encounter with Lord Endicott, Sophia is positive he’s in charge of the counterfeit ring and is obsessed with proving it. Will Sophia get her justice, or will she become the person she hates to get revenge?

It was a nice game of cat and mouse with a hint of romance. The banter between Lord Endicott and Sophia, plus Mr. Rutledge and Sophia were great. For me, it may have been the best part of the book. It had a pretty strong storyline, it just felt like something was missing. I would very much like to see where the series goes from here. (Click the cover to purchase the book.)

Book Review · Books · Fantasy · Fiction · HEA · Sci-fi · series · YA

Arrows & Angels ~ Kristin D. Van Risseghem

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Title: Arrows & Angels (Enlightened Series, Book 0)
Author: Kristin D. Van Risseghem
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by: Shakera
Genre: Fantasy, YA
Publisher: Kasian Publishing LLC
Date of Release: March 31, 2017
Pages: 146
Format: Kinde (Author)

My introduction to Kristin D. Van Risseghem was fantastic. This is the prequel to Swords & Stilettos (Next in line to read, thank you very much!) This is the story of Kieran, a guardian angel, who is charged with finding and protecting the special young girl who will stop a war from happening. You don’t know when the girl will be born if she isn’t already. All you know, you’re not the only one looking for her. The Devil’s minions are after her as well and they are causing a bit of mayhem. Can Kieran find her before the monsters, and will he be able to protect her?

Kristin D. Van Risseghem reminded me what it was like to get attached to characters. Kieran is an engaging character and you understand and feel all the conflict and turmoil he feels in this situation. Through Kieran, you meet some really interesting characters who you want to know more about, and hopefully are in future books. I look forward to reading the next installment! (Click the cover to purchase the book)

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

18+ · Book Review · Books · Fantasy · Fiction · HEA · Romance · Sci-fi · series

Redemption ~ Laxmi Hariharan

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Title: Redemption (A Many Lives Story, Book 3)
Author: Laxmi Hariharan
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by: Shakera
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: Lotus and Sun
Date of Release: March 14, 2017
Pages: 221
Format: Nook (Author)

Leana is a shifter who made one mistake in her past and now she’s paying for it. She cage fights for money to help her orphanage. Mikhail has no memory of who or what he is. What he does know, he wants Leana. Rohan is Leana human cousin who has fallen in with the wrong crowd. The book starts off with Leana in a cage match. You get a glimpse into her mindset, but as the book progresses her mindset changes and she becomes stronger. I love a strong female lead.

There are so many rich characters and elements to this story that you’ll have to read this twice to appreciate it all! There are vampires, shifters, and humans. Add to that, this book can cross so many genres. There’s mystery, thriller, romance, fantasy/sci-fi. What is awesome about this story is Ms. Hariharan gives just enough backstory without retelling previous stories. It’s easy to follow along without having to read the previous stories, however it’s written in such a way that you are intrigued in other characters… so you HAVE to read the previous books. Since I am NOTORIOUS for reading series out of order, I have some catching up to do. And it will be totally worth it!

Book Review · Books · Fantasy · Fiction · Sci-fi · series · YA

City of Skies ~ Farah Cook

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Title: City of Skies (ShadowIslands Saga, Book 1)
Author: Farah Cook
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by: Shakera
Genre: Norse Myth, YA
Publisher: Lindhart Publishing Ltd
Date of Release: March 3, 2017
Pages: 264
Format: Nook (Author)

Every so often, there’s a book that comes along that has you yearning for the next installment. You wait patiently (for a year!) and when the second installment comes out, you make a weekend of it. You turn off all technology, you find a comfortable place (and position), you get your favorite snacks and drinks, and you get down to business. The ShadowIslands Saga will be that for you!

Nora is an intelligent young girl who is competitive by nature, but also has powers that she is trying to hide. Nora is badass and I don’t think we have seen the full extent of her potential/capabilities and that makes me excited for the next installment. Frederick has me wanting to know more about him. While he is complexed, he’s also mysterious. That leaves me excited! The world building and character development is absolutely stunning! It’s a futuristic Norse myth, for crying out loud!

This is a book that can easily be read in one sitting because you just need to know what happens next. The first couple of chapters are a bit slow, but not annoyingly so. This will put you in the mind of Hunger Games, The Giver,  and  Divergent, however it’s done so well that not only does it make you excited to see where this goes next, but you will also want to re-read those stories! I can’t wait for the next installment! (Click the cover to purchase!)

 

I was given an ARC of this book in exchange for an open and honest review.

 

Book Review · Books · Fantasy · Fiction · HEA · Romance · Sci-fi · series

Resisting Miss Merryweather ~ Emily Larkin

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Title: Resisting Miss Merryweather  (The Baleful Godmother, Book 2)
Author: Emily Larkin
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by: Shakera
Genre: Romance, Historical Romance, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
Publisher: Self Published
Date of Release: December 5, 2016
Pages: 159
Format: Kindle (BookReview22)

Sir Barnaby committed a terrible mistake a few years ago. While regrettable, he has learned to live with it. He has carried that guilt the entire time and has deemed himself unworthy of any social contact of any kind. After a dreadful confrontation with Cosgrove in Unmasking Miss Appleby, Barnaby has practically withdrawn from society and Cosgrove wants to bring him back into the fold. Can Barnaby forget the past and be the person Cosgrove knows he can be? Or will he wallow in guilt and continue to think he’s unworthy?

Thankfully, Merry doesn’t agree with Barnaby! Merry is great at reading people and she sees right through Barnaby. Through a series of interesting events, the two are brought together in life, death, and redemption. It was a nice story about redemption and learn to forgive yourself. The writing was great, but I wasn’t as in love with this story as I was with Unmasking Miss Appleby. There are at least 2 more stories in the series and I can’t wait to read them! (Click the cover to purchase!)