Cream and Punishment by Susannah Nix

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Cream and Punishment: A Small Town Second Chance Romance (King Family Book 2)

Title: Cream and Punishment
Author: Susannah Nix
Series: King Family #2
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Small town romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2022

Thoughts

I loved the teasers of Tanner and Lucy towards the end of My Cone and Only, so I’m not really sure why it took me so long to dive into their story. But, I’m glad that I eventually did, I really enjoyed reading about their romance and all of the different challenges that they have to overcome. I also enjoyed their little cameo in Kilt to Order, so it was fun to go back to the beginning when they first get together. But, as with everything that I have high hopes for, I was a little reluctant to truly get into this. It turns out that I really didn’t need to be. This was fun and brilliant and I couldn’t put it down.

Something I really enjoyed about reading Cream and Punishment was reading about two different people who have incredibly toxic families. I love how quickly Tanner is able to recognise and acknowledge the toxicity of his work / family life, and chooses to strike out on his own. His strength of self and ability to actually stand on his own two feet is adorable, and kind of enviable. I also love how it gives a bit of insight into the complexities of toxic family relationships, and the King family in particular – although, when I looked at it and realised that only three books have been published… I was kind of gutted. I mean, there is so much potential for chaos and complex familial relationships in the future!

Unlike Tanner, Lucy takes a little bit longer to realise just how toxic her familial bonds are. But, I also found them to be far more passive and insidious. Particularly her mother, that level of coercive control felt icky from the beginning, and it was really hard to read about Lucy just… dealing with it. Yet, this very level of discomfort was what made it all that much more powerful when Lucy finally starts to recognise the unhealthy patterns she is a part of. Plus, for me, it made her a stronger and more loveable character – one who is able to overcome some seriously challenging odds to embrace her happily ever after.

Cream and Punishment is a great second chance romance which really felt like it was focusing on attachment styles and the internal struggles we all face when trying to commit to one another. Nix doesn’t make it easy for Tanner and Lucy to find their way to one another, but the battle and growth that they both have to go through to get there make it all that much more beautiful and enjoyable. Now I can’t wait to read Pint of Contention and find out about the next King sibling to fall in love.

<- My Cone and OnlyPint of Contention ->

Image source: Amazon

Silver Spells by Kate Moseman

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Silver Dreams: A Paranormal Women's Fiction Novel (Midlife Elementals Book 3) eBook : Moseman, Kate: Amazon.com.au: Kindle Store

Title: Silver Spells
Author: Kate Moseman
Series: Midlife Elementals #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Magic, Midlife romance, Paranormal romance
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2020

Thoughts

I absolutely adored Luella and her Ride or Die friends. I mean, I have some great friends, but I can’t imagine having this level of Ride or Die insanity in my life… forever. I also love that they just… band together in the insanity as they realise that their lives are about to change forever. I mean, it is just moment after moment of intensity and a whole lot of heck no, but these three women choose to ride it out together and not let it destroy their friendship. There is something about these midlife paranormal romances that just hit the spot and make me incredibly happy. There may be a love interest in there, but it is the true friendships that Luella has that really made this story so enjoyable for me.

One of my favourite parts of Luella’s friendship with Pepper and Rose is how onboard they are with all of the mystical changes that are going on in her life. That is, until it starts to happen to them. They are 100% behind the Mayhem, until they realise that the mayhem is beginning to touch on their lives, and then they are a little less enthusiastic about it all. Which I can completely understand, I mean, I love to support my friends through their own chaos and mayhem, but I am so much less okay with it happening to me. I also love how their different personalities and talents round out throughout the story and begin to lead into the rest of the series.

Silver Spells is a simple, fun and easy read. But, unlike some of the other joyous reads on my shelves, there is a fair amount of drama going on throughout. It made this story impossible to put down and a whole lot of fun. I can’t wait to dive into Silver Charms – to find out not only how the battles between generations of witches go, but also to find out about the next love match. I mean, the love match in this was cute and sweet, so I can’t wait to see how Rose fairs. Plus, there is the whole idea of elemental powers that I just can’t move past – something that is a recurrent theme in many books, but a well utilised one.

There is something about midlife paranormal romances that I really love. I’m not quite at the “midlife” point in my life, but I’m definitely closer to that then a young adult / my college days. I love that this story, like many of its genre, is a reminder that life goes on for women after their children are grown (or growing). That a failed marriage (for whatever reason) doesn’t make them unloveable, and that life doesn’t stop just because we’re not young and perky anymore. It’s a great reminder, and a wonderfully growing area of literature that emphasises that women have power, and we should stand on the rooftops, yelling it. Loud and proud.

<- More Kate MosemanSilver Charms ->

Image source: Amazon

Death and Relaxation ReRead by Devon Monk

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Death and Relaxation: 1 : Monk, Devon: Amazon.com.au: Books

Title: Death and Relaxation ReRead
Author: Devon Monk
Series: Ordinary Magic #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Gods, Magic, Mythology, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2016

Thoughts

I remember reading Death and Relaxation for the first time a few years ago. And I remember thinking that it was a whole lot of fun and a wonderfully unique take on mythology. Then, as happens, I got distracted by the many, many, many other books on my TBR. So now I’m keen to dive into this series all over again – just I decided to reread where it all started, and I am incredibly glad that I did. Death and Relaxation was a whole lot of fun and really difficult to put down. It made me ridiculously happy to have the pleasure of reading this again, and now I’m excited to dive into Devils and Details.

Delaney and her ability to hold a gods powers is a really unique idea. I love how she has had to take up the mantel of her power, all the while grieving the surprise demise of her father. This one detail sets not only this story up perfectly, but I feel like there are hints of foul-play in his death from the beginning. I can’t wait to see how this all unfolds and drives the rest of the series. I then love, that on top of that, both of Delaney’s sisters also have their own gifts that ensure the safe running of their small town. It all combines to draw you in from the very first sentence, right through until the last.

Alongside all of the challenges that Delaney faces, is the fact that she reconnects with Ryder. I really enjoyed this relationship unfolding, even if it has a bit of a fizzle at the end. Again, there are hints of a greater story line in amongst this, one that I really, really want to unfold. Even more so than the mystery of Delaney’s Dad’s death – after all, Ryder is alive and there is so much sizzle and potential. But, I love a good slow burn in my urban fantasies, so I’m far  more excited for more death, murder and mayhem in the future.

I absolutely loved Death and Relaxation the first time, but I loved it even more the second time around. And now, I get to dive into this series with a more mature viewpoint and outlook on life. There’s a reason why urban fantasy is one of my favourite genres, and this is a gorgeous example of everything that I love in the genre.

<- More Devon MonkDevils and Details ReRead ->

Image source: Amazon

Pocket Apocalypse by Seanan McGuire

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Pocket Apocalypse by Seanan McGuire: 9780756420024 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books

Title: Pocket Apocalypse
Author: Seanan McGuire
Series: InCryptid #4
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Strong women, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2015

Thoughts

I’ve been hunting for a copy of Pocket Apocalypse in Australia for a ridiculously long time. Because we’re Australian and it’s all sorts of difficult to get some books here. But then, I finally found a physical copy to read. Which I did… very quickly… with a whole lot of reluctance to pause and actually join in on adult life. And yes, I completely see the irony of a story that is actually set in Australia, not being readily available in Australia! It was somewhat ridiculous, but I am incredibly glad that I finally found a copy to dive into.

I really enjoyed the fact that I got to read this story primarily on a flight to Brisbane, somehow, reading about an urban fantasy set in Queensland, whilst having a holiday there gave me a whole lot more joy and entertainment. A lot of the time, when there is a story set in Australia, it can be pretty obvious that the author isn’t Australian. However, McGuire did quite a good job of actually describing the weirdness of Australia. Yes, everything kind of low key wants to kill you, yes it’s really weird. And yes, the humans are probably the weirdest of them all. McGuire even managed to get out weird hypocrisy, don’t give a damn attitudes beautifully within the cast. A nuance of the Australian culture that is quite often missed.

As with everything in the InCryptid series, McGuire adds her own spin to well known mythical beasts. I really enjoyed that Pocket Apocalypse was about werewolves. But, with McGuire’s very unique, very scientific spin on it. I loved that, rather than just being their own species of cryptid, werewolfism was actually an illness. The way that it is explained honestly felt entirely plausible and like it could 100% happen in the real world. I love the brilliance of this and the way in which McGuire is able to take some very obvious research and spin it into an entirely plausible approach.

I absolutely adored everything about Pocket Apocalypse, from the science to the mayhem to the impossible to put down story line. But, I also loved the romance in there – it gave context to what it takes to find your forever person and someone who is going to stand beside you. Through thick and thin. Plus, then there’s the Aeslin mice… they never fail to make me smile with joy and whimsy.

<- My Last NameChaos Choreography ->

Image source: Penguin Random House

A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
A Wizard of Earthsea: The First Book of Earthsea

Title: A Wizard of Earthsea
Author: Ursula K. Le Guin
Series: Earthsea Cycle #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Classics, Fantasy, Magic
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 1968

Thoughts

I’ve had A Wizard of Earthsea on my shelves for a little while, both in physical form and on my ebook wishlist. But it’s something that has always been shuffled to the side. Now I’m kind of regretting that decision – there is something about this story that is brilliant and impossible to forget. I absolutely devoured this book and I didn’t want to put it down. A Wizard of Earthsea had a traditional fantasy flavour to its journey, but with an extra spin. Whilst the style and the form of the writing felt like a traditional fantasy that I’ve read before, it had so many surprising moments throughout. Particularly when taken in the context of when this story was first written and published.

I love that throughout this novel, Ged is chasing his mistakes and the errors of youth. Rather than this being a journey about him vanquishing a greater foe, it is really about the adventure that he actually goes on. And the many different ways in which he is able to learn from his mistakes. I also love that, instead of being self-righteous and just blaming everyone, Ged spends the entirety of this story acknowledging his misdeeds and trying to fix the mistakes of the past. He gets to learn through adventure, but he doesn’t do it in a way that makes it hard to empathise with him.

A Wizard of Earthsea was a very passive, but seriously enjoyable adventure. I love that it wasn’t the typical high octane, intense fantasy that I tend to read, but it was still seriously enjoyable. I could put it aside when I had to “adult”, but I was still hanging to dive back into it. Unlike a lot of the fantasies that I read, I found that this story was more about the internal development, and the journey and adventure across Earthsea helped to build up Ged’s character. The setting and adventure almost supported his character’s development, rather than being the external force which alters it.

I really liked the sailing aspect of this adventure. I love that to begin with, it’s all about sailing and running. Then, as the story unfolds, it’s all about sailing and chasing. The roles of pursued and pursuer change as the story unfolds, again, something that I found ridiculously endearing and fun to read about. Then, as the action gets more and more heightened, Le Guin was able to round out the conflict in a way that I absolutely didn’t anticipate. A bit of a surprise for me, since I had absolutely no inkling of how this would end. Now I can’t wait to dive into Le Guin’s world of Earthsea all over again.

<- More Ursula K. Le GuinThe Tombs of Atuan ->

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Born to Be Badger ReRead by Shelly Laurenston

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Breaking Badger (The Honey Badger Chronicles, Bk. 4) by Shelly Laurenston - Book Outlet

Title: Born to Be Badger ReRead
Author: Shelly Laurenston
Series: Honey Badger Chronicles #5
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2023

Thoughts

Born to Be Badger is violent, insane and everything I love about a good Laurenston book. I love that Tock is the second of the basketball team to fall in love with a Malone Brother. The Malone brothers are just as unhinged as the rest of the Shifter World, but they just have this extra level of… crazy that I adore. And that fits in perfectly with this team of honey badgers and best friends. Then there’s the prologues that show up in these books. I love the insight into the insanity that is this specific group of honey badgers – they started out being fearsome and terrifying young, and it’s so much fun to read about the different ways in which they low key tortured their families.

So far out of the three Malones, Shay is definitely my favourite. He’s a little bit quieter and slightly more odd than his brothers. Plus, unlike Finn and Keane, Shay is just happy to go along with whatever and just… chill out. His laid back attitude is a perfect match for Tock’s more rigid stance on time management. They are such a great little opposites attract trope, one that is compounded by the fact that Tock is so similar to Shay’s daughter. And able to understand her in a way that the rest of her family (i.e. the Malone brothers) are unable to. Shay is a great father and a great character, and I love how he just… chooses Tock, and then follows along with her special brand of insanity in quite a cheerful manner.

Tock’s obsession with time is absolutely hilarious. I’m not going to lie, I kind of wish I had her app – assigning tasks in thirty minute blocks and working to not deviate from this actually sounds like a great way to keep my mind calm. If not a little bit over the top. It also makes it incredibly cute that Tock ends up finding a man whose daughter is just as obsessed with time and STEAM – a great bonding series of sessions for the two. And the imagery of how Shay’s daughter will grow up with Tock in her life has me out right laughing. I hope Laurenston does a bit of a second generation story with how a tiger shifter grows up with a honey badger step-mum.

Honestly, even though this was a reread, I was still absolutely obsessed with everything about this. There’s a reason I keep going back to the Laurenston books and the chaotic violence they are filled with. Plus, I love that Born to Be Badger has the openings valleys into the war with the de Medicis. This alone has made me really excited to read To Kill a Badger and find out how this series story arc continues to unfold. There’s going to be so much more violence, blood and vengeance!

<- Breaking Badger ReReadTo Kill a Badger ->

Image source: Book Outlet

Breaking Badger ReRead by Shelly Laurenston

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Breaking Badger by Shelly Laurenston - Penguin Books Australia

Title: Breaking Badger ReRead
Author: Shelly Laurenston
Series: Honey Badger Chronicles #4
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2021

Thoughts

Mads and Finn are such a great couple, they don’t necessarily need to be with each other at all times, but they want to be around each other, at least occasionally. I love that this is a couple that wasn’t love at first sight. And it isn’t one that is immediately enamoured with one another. They just slowly fall into companionship because Finn is a curious cat, and then realise that this is something with the potential for long-term joy. And still, it’s mostly just Mads just doing her thing, while Finn happily follows along. Kind of cute, a lot of fun and more than a little perplexing at times.

I love that Mads is the first of Max’s team to fall in love. The five basketball-playing honey badgers are all completely insane, and as fun as Max’s love story was, I loved that Mads got her own happily ever after. Plus, it’s also the first of the Keane brothers to fall in love. The fact that all three brothers (who are all control freaks) are going to fall for one of Max’s insane honey badger friends just makes it all that much better. I absolutely love how this started off two lots of character arcs and romances. But, I love even more that this is the beginning of the Black Malone Brothers finding out what happened to their father, and another violent and chaotic story arc to dive into.

Breaking Badger is hilarious, chaotic and completely filled with violence, the very justified reason why I absolutely love Laurenston’s romances. The other reason I keep returning to her books? The women are absolute powerhouses. They are the most intensely strong characters, and I really loved that, in the case of Mads, she’s the literal descendant of a Viking. She comes across as one of the meeker of the honey badger team, but she is just as insane and destructive. Plus, there’s a sword involved, and vengeance for years of horrifying nonsense. I would’ve been sold at the sword, but there was so much more that made me absolutely adore Mads (and her romance with Finn).

There was something about the image of the four honey badgers just… climbing out of an incinerator that I can’t get out of my head. And, for some ridiculous reason, can’t stop laughing at. It’s a pretty good summation of just how intense and violent this series is. And yet, the, admittedly horrific image of four half burnt women crawling out of an incinerator leaves me laughing and smiling. Honestly, I loved absolutely everything about this book and it doesn’t matter how many times I read it, I still can’t get enough of it! Now I’m ready to dive into To Kill a Badger for the first time!

<- Badger to the Bone ReReadBorn to Be Badger ReRead ->

Image source: Penguin Books Australia

A Demon’s Guide to Wooing a Witch by Sarah Hawley

Book Review, , , , , , , , ,
Overview
A Demon's Guide to Wooing a Witch: 'Whimsically sexy, charmingly romantic, and magically hilarious.' Ali Hazelwood (Glimmer Falls)

Title: A Demon’s Guide to Wooing a Witch
Author: Sarah Hawley
Series: Glimmer Falls #2
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Cozy fantasy, Demons, Romance, Witches
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2023

Thoughts

I absolutely adored A Witch’s Guide to Fake Dating a Demon, there was something about the story that had me from the first moment, and made me fall for the characters. And, although I liked A Demon’s Guide to Wooing a Witch, I didn’t love it quite so much. I might have still really enjoyed this paranormal romance, but it definitely wasn’t quite as good as the first book in the Glimmer Falls series. Not that that has stopped me from buying A Werewolf’s Guide to Seducing a Vampire. An enjoyable story, and one that I may reread, but not one of my favourites either.

One of the parts of this story that I really loved was the redemption arc of Astaroth of the Nine. I mean, he was an absolutely fantastic villain in A Witch’s Guide to Fake Dating a Demon, but somehow, he made an even better hero. Particularly as there wasn’t all that much “heroic” about him. I mean, even though he’s falling in love and starting to turn to the “good” side of this story, his first instinct is still absolutely to just destroy everyone and everything in his way. Really, he felt a little bit like the inside voice we all have that is a little bit less than kind, and a whole lot chaotic.

Calladia, like Astaroth, wasn’t your typical “hero” type character. I mean, I related to her a lot and found her absolutely adorable, but, again, her first instinct is violence and mayhem. I also love that she is tough, strong and has this constant need to fight. It’s a somewhat neurotic tendency to respond to abuse in a very aggressive manner. Which, again, felt a little bit like the Inside Voice that is constantly needling me to make horrible choices that end in chaos. Plus, I just wish I was as good of a fighter / brawler as Calladia. Yet, partnering these two grey heroes together works perfectly. And, more than anything, I love that it’s the not-so-pure influence of Astaroth which finally lets Calladia take control of her abusive relationships and finally walk away.

As much as I enjoyed the chaos and insanity that was Calladia and Astaroth on an adventure, I really liked how they tried to restructure the whole of demon culture. There is an extra layer of world building within this story that wasn’t in A Witch’s Guide to Fake Dating a Demon, and I really liked getting to know more of these nuanced factors. Plus, there’s the way that in becoming more like the mortals, Astaroth is able to figure out how to become less stagnated. I also love how it is those of us who live the shortest lives that are the most passionate, a great reminder to live each day as full as possible.

<- A Witch’s Guide to Fake Dating a DemonA Werewolf’s Guide to Seducing a Vampire ->

Image source: Amazon

The Autumn Bride by Anne Gracie

Book Review, , ,
Overview
The Autumn Bride by Anne Gracie - Penguin Books Australia

Title: The Autumn Bride
Author: Anne Gracie
Series: Chance Sisters #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Historical romance, Regency romance
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2012

Thoughts

I really enjoyed Abby and her willingness to save her “sisters” from absolutely anyone and anything. Not only did it make a great start to a series, and one that completely drew me in. But, it also made her this incredibly admirable and adorable lead female. A great way to start off the Chance Sisters series. One that is fairly unforgettable and a whole lot of fun. Mostly, I just loved how this was not only a great regency romance, but also a fantastic start of a band of amazing sisterly love.

Although this is a romance, it is the love between Abby and her chosen sisters that I really loved. The way that Abby chooses to not only take care of her biological sister, but also to adopt the two others is absolutely adorable. I also love the level of compassion and care that it shows. And then, there is their plan, each of the four have different dreams and goals. But, it is Abby who attempts to unite them all into one coherent plan in which they can support one another. They might become bonded initially in a moment of stress, but Abby manages to make it that they are able to stand up for one another and support each other for life.

Aunt Bea is an amazingly funny and great character. Her willingness to take on the four girls, because of who they are, not who they were born to was absolutely admirable. Honestly, this whole story didn’t quite take the path that I typically expect from a regency romance, and I adored that fact. I particularly adored how Abby was able to rescue Aunt Bea, simply because it was the right thing. But, this led to a happily ever after that just wasn’t anticipated. Plus, Aunt Bea is just a powerhouse of a woman, one that I kind of want to grow into when I get old and somewhat frail myself.

I didn’t mind Lord Davenport, he was an alright male lead. And I didn’t mind the way that he even eventually realises that Abby might be the one. He starts out all noble and outraged because he finds four strange women staying with his auntie. To me, he was a bit of a secondary character, with the four sisters, and Aunt Bea being the main characters. They were just so damn amazing, and I love a story with good, strong female relationships. It’s much rarer than it should be, so I definitely grasp onto stories with strong female bonds and hug them close with both hands.

<- More Anne GracieThe Winter Bride ->

Image source: Penguin Books Australia

Devil and the Deep Blue Lake by Amy Cissell

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Devil and the Deep Blue Lake – Amy Cissell

Title: Devil and the Deep Blue Lake
Author: Amy Cissell
Series: Eden Valley #2
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Demons, Midlife romance, Paranormal romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2021

Thoughts

I really enjoyed both Viv and Sam as a couple – I liked the hint of them in Raising a Demon, and the reality of them is so much better. I also love that, in a paranormal romance series which has hetero couples, there is a sapphic romance within this too. It’s not something that I’ve had the experience of so far, and I love that there is a variety of relationship types within the Eden Valley series. Cissell also didn’t make a big deal of the fact that one of her couples isn’t hetero, and it all flows so naturally and happily.

The Devil and the Deep Blue Lake is just the next step in discovering the secrets of Eden Valley. Not only are there battles and mysteries to be fought in the present and the future, there are also a whole heap of mysteries from the past to unlock. Viv’s mother and aunt are the start of one of these mysteries, but there are so many more that are revealed throughout this novel. I love that, even if there is a full story arc in The Devil and the Deep Blue Lake, there are so many more story threads to uncover and unravel.

I absolutely adored reading Raising a Demon, and then I… got distracted by other books. I honestly forgot how much I had enjoyed the first story. And now I need to keep diving into this series. The Devil and the Deep Blue Lake is funny and light, but with enough drama and angst that it was impossible to put down. I loved that it wasn’t just about Viv and Sam finding their way back to each other, but also Kevin and all of the other dramas of the supernatural reality of Eden Valley. An unforgettable and seriously enjoyable book.

For this book, one of my favourite things was how much of the story is about Viv battling her own inner demons and desires. We all have battles to face, and the internal voice that tells us no, we can’t do a thing. But, when Viv is able to finally stop running, and start confronting her own self, she is able to grow in a beautiful way. I seriously enjoy stories that aren’t just about the external conflict, but also the internal battles. And Viv’s is exactly that kind of story.

<- Raising a DemonFall from Grace ->

Image source: Amy Cissell