Category: series

Book Review · Books · Fiction · HEA · NetGalley · Romance · series

New Tricks ~ Kelly Moran

shakblakLeave a comment

34405939.jpg


Title: New Tricks (Redwood Ridge , Book #3)
Author: Kelly Moran
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by: Shakera
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Publisher: Lyrical Shine
Date of Release: September 26, 2007
Pages: 216
Format: Kindle (NetGalley)

Welcome back to Redwood! Oh how we have missed you! We get to catch up with town favorites, such as Cade and Avery, Flynn and Gabby, Drake plus Zoe… Can you smell the love in the air? For Zoe and Drake, it’s… well, complicated. Zoe has had a crush on Drake since they were teenagers, but as fate would have it Zoe’s best friend, Heather, acted first. I would say the rest was history, but there is way more to this story. Drake and Heather fall in love and marry, while Zoe sits on the sidelines and a be the great friend everyone knows she is.

Fast forward… Heather has passed away, Drake is living his life day-to-day without really living, and Zoe has put her life on hold to take care of her mother… but who is taking care of Zoe and Drake? Drake has always been great with doling out awesome advice when it comes to other people. Can he take advice when it comes to him?

Man does this story pull at your heartstrings! You know that Drake and Zoe deserve happiness and you want them to find it with each other. This story is charming, funny, and endearing. I had to fan myself when Drake started flirting… Hopefully the next book will be a “Where Are They Now?” and maybe even a Hallmark or Lifetime movie… I really need both of those in my life right now!

 

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

The Vessel of Ra ~ Catherine Schaff-Stump

shakblakLeave a comment

34538268


Title: The Vessel of Ra (Klaereon Scroll #1)
Author: Catherine Schaff-Stump
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by: Shakera
Genre: Fantasy, Historical, Magic
Publisher: Curiosity Quills Press
Date of Release:  September 12, 2017
Pages: 246
Format: Kindle (Provided courtesy of Publisher)

I requested this book because the synopsis was intriguing. The pace was a bit slow for me, but it was interesting. Once the pace picked up, boy did it! You have murder, magic, Egyptian mythology… INTRIGUE! BLOODY INTRIGUE!

The setting of Venice is beautifully described. I don’t tend to like books that have flashbacks, but this was so well done and it’s rare that the author gets it so right. It was amazing to see the thought process that went into everyone’s decision making, leading them to any particular moment.

Lucy is an amazing character and she’s a total badass. I loved her, even though at times she frustrated me. Carlos may have been my favorite character. There was something so pure about him, it made yippy want to protect him from all the dangers in the world. I’m still deciding on how I feel about Octavia. I loved her because she’s realistic, but I hate her because she’s realistic. Sign of great writing.

I can’t wait until the next installment!

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

(Book Review) Slumbering ~ C.S. Johnson

shakblakLeave a comment

24263233


Title: Slumbering (Book One of the Starlight Chronicles)
Author: C.S. Johnson
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by: Shakera
Genre: Fantasy, Sci-fi, YA
Publisher: WestBow Press
Date of Release:  March 28, 2015
Pages: 290
Format: Kindle (Purchased via Amazon)

Hamilton Dinger is your average 16 year old boy. Quite intelligent, athletic, popular, self-absorbed, “My parents are ruining my life!”, “I don’t understand why Gwen doesn’t want me?! I mean, I’m quite the catch!” As I said, your average teenager. Until a meteorite hits his town. Turns out Dinger, not so average!

The meteorite released the deadly seven sinister and they have broken out of their prisons. To sustain themselves, they need human souls. With Dinger’s abilities no longer dormant, can he overcome his narrowmindedness and willful ignorance to help save his city?

It’s entertaining, even though Hamilton drove me bloody bonkers. He was so into himself that he couldn’t see the bigger picture. You wanted to root for him, to end his willful ignorance once he realized the world needed to be saved, but we’re also talking about a 16 year old boy who has his life mapped out.

I thought this was entertaining, and I can’t wait to see where this goes.

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

(Book Review) Blue Bloods ~ Melissa de la Cruz

shakblakLeave a comment


Title: Blue Bloods (A Blue Bloods novel , Book #1)
Author: Melissa de la Cruz
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by: Shakera
Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal, YA
Publisher: Hyperion
Date of Release: March 27, 2007
Pages: 302
Format: Paperback (Gifted by a Friend)

Earlier this year, a few friends of mine and I were having a spirited (yet hilarious) discussion about a particular author and her books. I will admit I was extremely critical of the author, the series, and anyone who thought the series was great, awesome, was in love with it… blah, blah, blah. Needless to say, when the biggest defender of said series recommended Blue Bloods, I was skeptical; praying not to be led astray. Well, I can say with full confidence… my dear friend, she was on the money!

What if vampires were among you? Could you tell? Would you be able to point them out? Would you believe your eyes if you saw something you knew to be impossible actually happen? In New York City, there’s a hip club that everyone who is anyone goes to. There we meet Schuyler, Oliver, and Dylan, three friends who go to THE prestigious private school in the city. By the night’s end, we got ourselves a murder mystery! When a popular girl is found dead outside the club, some cages get rattled. Who’s next? Is a specific group being targeted? Is anyone safe?

Jack knows something’s happening with the bodies popping up over town, but his memory is getting in the way. His twin sister, Mimi, is all about herself and her popularity. Bliss is the new girl from Texas. When she’s not with Mimi, she’s quite likable… and she really likes Dylan; which Mimi does not approve. And everyone is being secretive and cryptic. Just when you think you solved the mystery, you find out you’re not even close! Melissa de la Cruz does describe some things in great detail, which I’m sure can annoy some people, but I like it.

I do look forward to reading more in this series… especially since this book ends with a nice change of scenery. Italy, anyone?

18+ · Book Review · Book reviews · Books · Fiction · HEA · NetGalley · Romance · series

Dirty Little Secrets ~ AJ Nuest (Book Review)

shakblakLeave a comment


Title: Dirty Little Secrets (A Likely Story , Book #2)
Author: AJ Nuest
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by: Shakera
Genre: Romance Suspense
Publisher: Lyrical Underground
Date of Release: June 27, 2017
Pages: 246
Format: Kindle (NetGalley)

Xander and Charlie are on separate missions that could come back to haunt them. They have known each other for a long time and Xander has loved her from the beginning. Coming together after Malcolm’s death is a perfect time to reveal your feelings for each other, but it may come at a cost. Someone is after Charlie due to her latest heist and someone wants revenge against Xander. Could they be connected? Can they help each other? Will love prevail? As they race against time to find out who is after them, their connection grows stronger and it’s beautiful to watch.

AJ Nuest can weave a story that hooks you from the first page. She has a way of bringing each character to life in a way you feel like you know them. You root for Xander and Charlie to not only bring down the bad guys, but to realize their feelings for each other. This is an awesome story that is beautifully told. I always look forward to hearing AJ has a new book coming out. This is the second book of the series and so far it’s my favorite one. There is a third book to this series, and if it’s half as good as this one, my day will be made!

Book Review · Books · Fiction · HEA · LGBTQIA · Romance · series

The Rancher’s Son ~ RJ Scott

shakblakLeave a comment

35527789.jpg


Title: The Rancher’s Son
Author: RJ Scott
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by: Shakera
Genre: LGBTQIA, Mystery, Romance
Publisher: Love Lane Books Limited
Date of Release: June 26, 2017
Pages: 200 (6 hr, 25 min)
Format: Audio (Signal Boost Promotion)

Ethan, a cop, has been looking for his brother, Justin, and friend, Adam, for 12 years after they mysteriously went missing without a trace. While dad has given up searching, Ethan refuses; which causes strife and tension between the two of them. Ethan receives word, while at work, of an attack with a few code words that he had flagged. Instead of finding Justin, he finds Adam… with no recollection of who he is or what happened.

As Ethan takes Adam back to Crooked Tree Ranch, Adam has random memories and feelings about himself. Ethan is reminded of the young boy he fell in love with and I wanted so much for more to happen, but Ethan is an honorable man. Once at Crooked Tree Ranch, there isn’t a shortage of people who are helping Adam remember, but will he remember? Will he be the guy Ethan once knew? Where is Justin?

I thought this story was quite lovely. The interaction between Ethan and Adam was beautiful. Ethan wasn’t pushy, as is the case in most stories. It was a slow build, which is perfect. The narration was perfection. Sean Crisden was absolutely fantastic with the personalities he gave each character. I haven’t read book 1 of this series, so book 2 does leave some unanswered questions. All that means is: STAY TUNED!

Book Review · Books · Fiction · HEA · NetGalley · Romance · series

On the Plus Side ~ Alison Bliss

shakblakLeave a comment

31934391


Title: On the Plus Side    (A Perfect Fit , Book #2)
Author: Alison Bliss
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by: Shakera
Genre: Romance
Publisher: Forever
Date of Release: June 27, 2017
Pages: 336
Format: Kindle (NetGalley)

I know it’s early in the series, but this is my favorite book in the series… So far! Valerie is smart, sassy, curvy, and sexy. She’s confident and she wants Logan. Logan is sexy, inspires loyalty… and the best friend of Val’s brother. They were attracted to each for a long time and the results are off the chart chemistry!

This story gave us steamy and sensuous romance and I wanted more! Those live scenes were great. Val being comfortable in her own skin was awesome and I loved that. What drove me bonkers was Val’s over-protective older brother. As someone who has a protective older brother, I completely understand her plight! She handles him well and she earned her golden ticket to heaven!

This series is awesome and I can’t wait to read more!  I hope this series NEVER ends!