Book Review - The Mommy Detectives and The Bingo Hall Mystery by Alathia Paris Morgan

Sunni is trying to play detective and unravel a drug ring, but finds herself in over her head.

I think I understand where the author was trying to go with this book, but there are too many subplots, and not enough cohesion. This book was poorly edited, if it was even edited at all. There is a lot of head-hopping which makes the book jarring from the reader's perspective. Sorry, I cannot rate this book higher.

I sadly rate this book 2 out of 5 stars.

Purchase this book here: The Mommy Detectives and the Bingo Hall Mystery

Book Review - Adopted into the Supernatural (Hidden World Book 1) by Francheska Fifeld

Teenager Amber is a human, but has a super-human ability - she is able to speed up healing. Because of her ability, she is sent to a high school for supernaturals. Being the only human there, Amber doesn't fit in. She starts to make a connection with a vampire Alaistair, though it is tenuous.

Her mother is neglectful, so Amber and her sister are both removed, and placed with supernatural adoptive families.

Amber discovers that her new adoptive family are vampires, and Alaistair is her new brother. Now she needs to learn how to live full time among supernaturals, and yet still remain true to herself.

I had high hopes for this book. It sounded interesting to me from the blurb. Unfortunately, I was very disappointed. The book has a good premise, but the poor quality of writing made it nearly unreadable to me. There is a MASSIVE amount of head-hopping, and words being used improperly that makes the book jarring, and hard to follow. I wonder if it was even edited by someone other than the author. This is the first book of a series, and while I think the characters were interesting, I will not be pursuing the rest of the series.

I sadly rate this book 2 out of 5 stars.

Purchase the book here: Adopted Into the Supernatural by Francheska Fifield on Amazon.com

Book Review - The Pursual by F.F. John

Scioness Neith Reffour, daughter of the powerful man is of marriageable age. While her heart belongs to Invier, his status is too low for her father to consider him a suitable match. Neith invokes an almost archaic ritual, the Pursual, where participants from the most powerful families, or Nomes, compete in arduous contests for her hand. Invier despises the thought of having to enter a competition and win the right to marry Neith, but she tricks him into entering. When participants begin dying violently, the Pursual takes a dark turn that none of them could have envisioned.

The book is written in first person present point of view, which is usually not my preferred point of view to read. However, the author weaves a rich world that drew me in. She changes points of view, but does so at chapter breaks, therefore it is less jarring to the reader, and avoids head-hopping. 

The characters are well developed, and easy to relate to. Neith, the young headstrong woman trying to balance her heart's desire, with her family's livelihood. Her cousin Bel, a sympathetic, but strong woman in her own right. Poor Invier, thrust into a situation beyond his control; his desire to do everything to win so he can marry Neith and prove himself worthy to the Nomes, and her father, is tempered by his frustration and vexation at being manipulated. 

The Pursual ritual itself is explained well. The terrifying challenges each participant must face, and their reactions to such make for a page-turning adventure that is hard to put down.

I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars.

Purchase the book here: The Pursual by F.F. John on Amazon.com

Book Review - Pearls of Sea and Stone: Book of Seal by Teresa Garcia

"Pearls of Sea and Stone: Book of Seals" is a terrific prequel to Teresa Garcia's "Selkies' Skins" series. In it, we're introduced to Kirsty—a girl living, and studying at a magickal boarding school. Kirsty is half Selkie—a shapeshifting seal race. Upon discovering the "Book of Seals" in the school library, Kirsty begins reading. The audience reads along with her, learning much about the Selkie race, and their legends. This interesting material will likely play a large role in events later in the "Selkies' Skins" series. Interspersed with the "Book of Seals" material, we learn about Kirsty as a person, and about her school.

"Pearls of Sea and Stone: Book of Seals" is a great introduction to this world, and these characters. It enlightens the reader about them in a fun way, while also making the reader want more. If the rest of the "Selkies' Skin" series is as good, I want to read them all!

 Purchase this book here: Pearls of Sea and Stone: Book of Seals at Amazon.com

Book Review - Illusional Reality by Karina Kantas

Becky, a marketing executive, thought she was being mugged. Instead she was pulled to an alternate dimension, and told that she was the long-lost princess Thya, and now needed to wed the son of a tyrant warlord to broker a peace treaty.

While Becky's reality spins out of control, going against everything she ever knew, she also begins to feel a kinship, and love for her new home, and its inhabitants, the Tsinians.

A star-crossed love, and impending war complicate her decisions. Can headstrong Becky/Thya bring peace to her new land, without defying her convictions?

I liked the idea of this book, but some editing errors made it difficult to read in some places. There is a fair amount of head-hopping that I found jarring as well.

The ending really threw me for a loop. I guess it was meant to set up for a potential sequel. I won't give away any spoilers.

As villains, Darthorn and Kovar are well presented, and irredeemable. As a reader, I couldn't wait for them to get their comeuppance.

I felt the pacing was a bit slow at points as well.

I rate this book 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Purchase this book here: Illusional Reality by Karina Kantas at Amazon.com

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Book Review - Designs on Her by Shirley Penick

Content to craft her jewelry, sell it through other showrooms, and never deal with the public, Kristen Matthews found her world upended by a forest fire. Forced from her secluded home on the mountainside, Kristen reluctantly moves into town. The apartment she now occupies has a storefront downstairs, perfect for the gallery she never intended to open.

New-in-town police office Nolan Thompson aided in evacuating her property, and found himself instantly attracted to the self-described “filthy hot mess” jewelry designer. Swept up in her upheaval, and torn between his captivation with Kristen, and his own demons from the past, Nolan has some hard choices to make.

I liked the imagery described in this book. I felt like I was there, on the small, touristy island town. Reading this actually reminded me of a past vacation. I found the characters to be likable, right down to Buddy, Kristen’s beloved Airedale Terrier.

Coincidentally, a friend of mine had an Airedale named Buddy, who sadly crossed the Rainbow Bridge recently. As I was reading this story, I kept picturing my friend’s dog as the one in the story. In my mind, Buddy now lives on in literary form.

I felt the pacing was a bit odd in this book. It built up slowly for me. I felt like the plot could’ve been thicker, and that might have evened out the pacing a bit. The wrap-up felt rushed.

Overall, I enjoyed the book. I’m interested to read the sequel, showcasing two of the ancillary characters from this book.

I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.

Purchase this book here: Designs on Her by Shirley Penick at Amazon.com

Book Review - Alpha Barman by Sue Brown

J.T. Tyler left his old life behind two years ago, after his sister Sharon was murdered, and her husband Riley – his best friend – was convicted of the crime. His position with Covert Ops, his boyfriend Mitch, and everything that reminded him of Sharon was relegated to memory. He settled into a sleepy western town, and opened up a bar. He even left his moniker J.T. behind and became simply Jake.

He should’ve known, the past never stays in the past. When his former brother-in-law escapes prison, Jake’s former teammates come to his protection, stirring up feelings he tried to repress for the past two years.

Alpha Barman is an edgy, satisfying read. The palpable tension between Jake and Mitch fuels this book. Throw in the attraction of Jake’s business partner in the bar, Howie, and the barroom windows steam up even more.

My only issue with this is that I felt the buildup to Riley’s arrival was a bit protracted. I think it could’ve been shortened, and still would have been a complete story.

I loved the by-play between the characters. Sue Brown’s writing made me really believe the history between them all. Her surprise twist for Howie was a pleasant addition to the book.

I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.



Purchase this book here: Alpha Barman by Sue Brown at Amazon.com