Midnight Blue-Light Special by Seanan McGuire

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Midnight Blue-Light Special
Author: Seanan McGuire
Series: InCryptid #2
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: 2013

Thoughts

As with all the stories I read by McGuire, this novel has an amazing pace and drama throughout. I honestly couldn’t put it down, and there’s a reason why I put McGuire’s books to the top of my TBR. I mean, there was just so much enjoyment and action throughout that I couldn’t forget.

I love how in this series; all of the cryptids have a place in Verity’s heart and life. Its wonderful how her daily interactions are filled with cryptids in the most bizarre ways. But the Aeslin Mice still have to be my favourites – they’re a little nutty, a little fierce, and a whole lot of fun.

Dominic and Verity were always going to run into problems. But their relationship was really put to the test in Midnight Blue-Light Special. It was actually a little more heart-wrenching and depressing than I had anticipated. But that’s also what made me want to keep reading. It’s nice when the action has a wonderful, secondary story in the romance.

This novel was absolutely impossible to put down. And completely unforgettable. I loved the pure joy and insanity throughout the story. The ways that different cryptids were able to mesh together. Plus, there was a whole lot of humour and shenanigans that had me smiling and laughing, even when the drama was getting a little intense. A fantastic urban fantasy that had me grinning and bouncing with joy.

<- Discount ArmageddonBlocked ->

Image source: Goodreads

Born to Be Badger by Shelly Laurenston

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Born to Be Badger
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

Max and her team of insane honey badgers are absolutely, totally and utterly freaking fantastic. I mean, they are completely ridiculous and insanely violent, which I love. And then the whole finding their forever partners who want to put up with the ridiculousness and go along for the ride… priceless. Plus, aggressive mayhem and honey badgers – I’m never not going to love that combination.

Tock and her inability to even quite fit in with the rest of the honey badgers is brilliant. I love that she literally makes her own app to keep track of time and her scheduling. I mean, I feel how frustrating this is, and wish that I had her app. And ability to actually keep to whatever schedule I plan. Plus, she just embraces the fact that she’s a little abnormal, and uses it to freak people out and make her escapes… something that I honestly do myself. Frequently.

Shay is so completely calm and sane, which I feel like is necessary for someone who loves an insane honey badger. I love that Tock manages to also fall for one of the few men who is unable to keep any concept of time. She is so regimented, and he doesn’t really care where he is or when. They are completely enjoyable and fun opposites attract. Plus, it’s just fun to have Tock getting so completely out of control and frustrated every time Shay decides to just meander along.

Shay’s daughter, Dani, is completely adorable and I love that she is happily able to bond with Tock over STEM. That, and they agree that Stevie just shouldn’t be involved in the tutoring. Because Stevie is nuts and still completely capable of taking over the world… plus, there’s the fact that Tock is able to help Dani reinforce when she says the word “no”. I love how the girls in Shay’s life bond over STEM and telling a boy no… consent and STEM. Two incredibly important things for young women to learn.

Now that I’ve read Born to Be Badger, I’ve decided that I’ll probably need to reread the Honey Badger Chronicles and Pride series. Just because they’re hilarious, and I love doing rereads amongst all of my reading – revisiting beloved worlds is relaxing and enjoyable in a whole other way.

<- Breaking BadgerTo Kill a Badger ->

Image source: Amazon

Secret Santa for Grumpy Elves by Laura Greenwood

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Secret Santa for Grumpy Elves
Author: Laura Greenwood
Series: Obscure Academy #3.5
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Easy reading, Paranormal fantasy, Paranormal romance
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2021

Thoughts

I love that this is a Christmas story about an elf. One that doesn’t actually enjoy Christmas. Oh, and her name is Holly. I mean, yeah, if I had to deal with that much nonsense and the comments of others, I’d probably also feel a little bit reserved about that time of year. It also made for a great premise – the elf that is uncomfortable around Christmas falling for the elf that completely embraces it.

This is a fantastic novella that I’ll probably want to reread around Christmas time. It had all of the joyful festivities as the backdrop. Plus, it was really nice reading about Chris and Holly as they start the first steps of their relationship. There is so much promise at Christmas time, and so much promise at the beginning of a relationship, so pairing the two was incredibly cute, and a nice way to spend an evening.

My university never had Christmas traditions – probably because in the southern hemisphere, Christmas falls smack bang in the middle of summer holidays, and not just a short break like in the northern. I loved reading about all of the different stalls and set ups that the university had to celebrate this time of year. Although, to be honest, I’ve always loved reading and learning about any Christmas traditions, regardless of the location and paranormal nature of it.

There were so many side characters in this that I recognised, but I want to read more about. Although, some I only vaguely tried to connect in where I knew them from. I love the connectivity of this world and how everyone is somehow connected to everyone else – kind of like in real life if I’m being honest. The added mystery of just what kind of paranormal each person is just makes me all that much more excited to dive into this series!

<- Enchanting Songs for Silent SirensFlipping Tails for Seasick Mermaids ->

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Pumpkin Spice and All Things Nice by Laura Greenwood

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Pumpkin Spice and All Things Nice
Author: Laura Greenwood
Series: Cauldron Coffee Shop #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Paranormal fantasy, Paranormal romance
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2022

Thoughts

I’m really enjoying stories written by Greenwood, they are simple and enjoyable, with enough action that they’re really not simple at all. And in the case of Pumpkin Spice and All Things Nice, the couple at the centre of the story is absolutely adorable. I love that Willow is a coffee shop owner who is also paranormal. And you know, all of the paranormal bents that there are on coffees and how they are drank / used as pick me ups. Then, there’s Azil. Who is definitely the coolest genie I’ve ever read about! I mean, something about him is just completely enjoyable and adorable. And, I love the mystery that he presents to start off this fantastic series.

This story definitely had a bit of a cozy mystery vibe to it, but without as much of the crime – but, I can’t wait to find out just how the people who like to recurse Azil are going to continue to show up. We’ve already had one culprit, and I can’t wait to meet more of them. Plus, there’s also just the general day to day running of a coffee shop and existing in a paranormal world – I could honestly read a series just based on this. The mystery and curse are just a great extra story line to spice up my experience.

I loved Sabine in Unfortunate Decrees and Iced Coffees, so it was nice to have a bit more time with her. And there were also a couple of scenes that were retold from Willow’s point of view. Although I might have really enjoyed her, I actually loved having her as a secondary character who helps to build on Willow’s story and acts as the catalyst for Willow and Azil’s adventures together. Plus, Sabine acts as a nice connection to the Grimalkin: Kittens series. One of the other reasons I’m loving Greenwood ­– how interconnected and clever her worlds are.

To top off all of the great characters, fantastic setting and intriguing plot line, there is the cat. I’m not entirely sure why the cat is as important as it is. But, I love any kind of animal sidekick / familiar. Especially one that just doesn’t really care about how their contrary presence impacts on others. I mean, this is exactly the thing that everyone loves about cats… now to dive in and find out more about what this trio can accomplish.

<- Unfortunate Decrees and Iced CoffeesHazelnut Latte and Something to Say ->

Image source: Goodreads

Shammed by Bernadette Franklin

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Shammed
Author: Bernadette Franklin
Series: Holiday Fun #2
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2019

Thoughts

Shammed is the typical laugh out loud, pure nonsense romance that I’ve come to expect from Franklin. And I absolutely loved it! I mean, who wouldn’t love a novel that careens from high jinx to high jinx? Nonsensical moment to nonsensical moment? Plus, this whole relationship and story line was instigated by prank wars. Something I’ve never actually taken part in, but would absolutely adore to observe (maybe not be involved in, because I’m not exactly great at thinking on my feet or pulling pranks…)

I love that for someone that gets overlooked frequently, and who had a pretty hard run of it in Claustrophobic, Alice is the ultimate prankster. Kind of. I mean, she starts off with a really strong and sassy prankster game. And then, when she realises how much she likes Lance, she ends up just… kind of giving him really sweet and kind presents. I mean, it’s nice, don’t get me wrong, but it’s also not as prank-based as I wanted. Though, kind of a nice courtship – one that involves being giving and truly knowing the source of your ‘pranks’.

Lance’s backstory was honestly a little bit difficult to read, particularly amongst the light-hearted nature of his and Alice’s courtship. But I love, that although it’s totally a feeding ground for angst and bitterness, Lance shows and feels none of this. He’s a far more balanced individual than I ever would be. Which, honestly, that also goes for Alice – she’s definitely entitled to a whole lot more bitterness about her past job than she shows. Ultimately, she’s actually an incredibly humorous and entertaining character. One who sky dives and has no fear of, well, gravity…

There was a lot less Juliette Carter in this story than I had anticipated. I was a lot less disappointed in this than I expected – mostly because there was a lot more Chloe and Julian as a result. Particularly Chloe – I love when she goes on the rampage and just decides to do something somewhat insane. Her and Alice together? Shammed was definitely a story of absolute insanity, led by two incredibly fun women.

<- ClaustrophobicBat Out of Hell ->

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Wyrde and Wayward by Charlotte E. English

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Wyrde and Wayward
Author: Charlotte E. English
Series: House of Werth #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Gothic, Historical fantasy, Magic
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2019

Thoughts

There is something immediately loveable and adorable about Gussie and her truly insane family. Although, I do generally love stories which feature an off-kilter, dysfunctional, but loving family. And Gussie’s Wyrde family hits that spot exactly. Plus, Wyrde and Wayward is a perfect way to introduce a whole new level of insanity to my bookshelves – I can’t wait to read more about Gussie and the shenanigans she finds herself involved with.

You really can’t go wrong with a story that begins with a woman being kidnapped, and the kidnappers just finding it to be an enjoyable lark. I mean, this story careens from one moment of pure insanity to another. Set in regency England, with all of the societal expectations. Honestly, I thought this might be interesting, I didn’t think I’d find it as hilarious and witty as I did. Plus, there is that whole, gothic, regency feel partnered with magic and the paranormal – a mix that I honestly didn’t know I needed in my life.

It was fun discovering what Gussie’s Wyrde was, and why she has been so sheltered up until this moment. I mean, it was surprising, but also, I love that she has a whole lot of potential that no one has figured out yet. I can’t wait to dive into the rest of this series to figure out what other hidden secrets that she has. Her kidnappers family is certifiably insane, and I’m sure they will at some point reveal their horribleness again in an attempt to take advantage of Gussie.

Wyrde and Wayward is a story full of insanity and wit, partnered with regency manners and society. Plus, there is a family filled with misfits and monsters. I love that Theo and everyone else is limited and expanded by their powers. The setting and the style, partnered with the dry, English humour throughout made this impossible to put down. And now I can’t wait to read more England and the world of the Wyrde…

<- More Charlotte E. EnglishWyrde and Wicked ->

Image source: Amazon

Sweet Distraction by Lainey Davis

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Sweet Distraction
Author: Lainey Davis
Series: Stag Brothers #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2018

Thoughts

After reading Lesson Plans, I really wanted to know more about Alice and how she goes about her happily ever after. Particularly since she’s only a teen in the opening novella, and it was interesting to think of who she would become when she reached adulthood. Alice is so bright and full of life, whereas Tim(ber) is a great counterpoint to this, a little more serious and less willing to grab life and dive right in. I love how engaging they were as a couple, but also how they balanced each other out.

I love that throughout all of Tim dealing with his emotions, it’s Alice that is his safe place. And she is willing to help him and be there for him when she realises this. Davis describes having that one person who is the ‘safe space’ incredibly well – having that one person who you can let your guard down around and actually open up to. One of the most memorable scenes in this book is when Tim and Alice are sitting on a park bench and he is able to just relax and unwind.

At first, I wasn’t all that confident of Alice and Tim as a couple, he was a bit controlling, and she’s such a free spirit. But, it turns out that they are a fantastic couple. Tim just needed to realise that he doesn’t get to unilaterally call the shots. Once he manages that, he’s actually really sweet and you can understand all of the emotion and love behind the insanity of his behaviour and questionable decision making.

There is something enjoyably and beautifully simple about Davis’ writing. It is always a couple that somehow work perfectly together. There are a few hurdles, and then a great happily ever after. I love reading her work and just… living in a happy world with enough complications to keep it interesting. Now, I’m looking forward to reading the next in the Stag Brothers series.

<- Lesson PlansFilled Potential ->

Image source: Amazon

Pints & Potions by T.M. Cromer

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Pints & Potions
Author: T.M. Cromer
Series: The Unlucky Charms #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Magic, Paranormal romance, Witches
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2021

Thoughts

I absolutely adored Piper and Cian’s story – they had enough misunderstandings throughout to make it interesting, but not enough to make it painful. I love that they keep on jumping towards a relationship and then jumping backwards. Plus, some of the insanity of the Thorne family to keep things really spicy. I’m still disappointed that the Thorne Witches series is on Kindle Unlimited and I can’t currently read those books…

Piper’s spunk is completely adorable, and I love that she just didn’t cave to Cian’s influence early on in the relationship. That, and that she was able to figure out a way to still be herself when being consumed by a new love. She also found a way to be comfortable with what he was able to offer without trying to change him, but also without compromising herself.

Cian is incredibly stupid and ignorant, particularly since one bad experience makes him completely turn against the idea of love. But, I did love getting to watch him thaw throughout this. Don’t get me wrong, he’s still an absolute fool who makes some monumental mistakes, but he’s a redeemable fool – one that I ultimately appreciated and liked.

I can’t wait to see how the rest of this curse unravels – I love that there are three couples who are key to unravelling the curse. And now I can’t wait to see how each of these couples helps to create the happily ever after for their family. Plus, there are many family shenanigans and nonsense that is just too cute and entertaining to forget about.

<- More T.M. CromerWhiskey & Witches ->

Image source: Goodreads

Bonds by Susan Copperfield

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Bonds
Author: Susan Copperfield
Series: Royal States #6
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Magic, Paranormal romance, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2019

Thoughts

I absolutely loved reading a romance which featured a search and rescue worker, because the whole Good Samaritan thing is just dreamy. And then, there’s the fact that there is also a paranormal spin on the search and rescue. The fact that the opening scene of this book is Jack using his wave bending powers to stop an oil spill and an environmental disaster… brilliant.

Each of the Royal Families in the Royal States have a seriously cool power, and I love that the Maine’s family gift is all about healing. And that their entire identity and economy are based around medicine and healing. Although, I can’t imagine having the will to heal to the degree that you actually give part of your life for another being – that is a level of commitment and kindness that I’m not entirely sure I could impart. The pitfalls of tying yourself to someone are also glaringly obvious and made me love the Maine Royals even more.

I kept on wondering just when the evil uncle was going to surface – I mean, he’s an evil uncle who really wants the crown. You know he’s going to show up and enact his nefarious plans the moment that he can… yet, when he finally makes his appearance, he was not only far more evil than I had realised. I mean, there are hints of even more terrible abuses than I had originally imagined. But, he also got a much more gruesome ending than I had expected too. Which was kind of nice… whilst also being seriously gross. And disturbing. Probably part of why I love reading this series, they tend to have a bit of extra blood and mayhem than I anticipate… because I’m a blood thirsty wench.

Bonds sets up Cold Flame really well, and I can’t wait to see what a story featuring my first New York Royal is going to entail. The fact that it’s a royal who doesn’t necessarily fit in with the rest of her family just makes me all that much more excited to dive into this story! It’s also highlighting how interconnected all of the Royal Families in the Royal States series are. They’re all marrying off each other, know each other’s secrets and just being entirely chaotic in their practices. I can’t wait to see how the New Yorkers are going to positively interact with the rest of the insane royal families.

Jack’s past and his reasons for hiding are a little bit sad. The survivors of a family genocide who are too scared to even use their talents, in case they are discovered. Although, I love that Jack is driven to constantly challenge himself, which is what ends them all in hot water. Now I kind of want more of his siblings to see how they fit in with the rest of the royals and establish their newfound freedom. Honestly, I constantly want to find out more about the characters in this series anyway, which is why I keep reading it…

<- HuntressCold Flame ->

Image source: Goodreads

Jace by Deanna Chase

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Jace
Author: Deanna Chase
Series: Wolves of the Rising Sun #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters, Werewolves
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2015

Thoughts

This was a much shorter and easier read than I was anticipating. Which honestly made me ridiculously happy – sometimes a short and easy romance is exactly what is needed to reset the brain and just drift off for a little while. This was incredibly pleasant with a whole lot of yummy lust in it. Incredibly enjoyable and fun.

Lannister is a truly horrifying ex and villain – I mean, it’s obvious that Skye is running from someone not so nice. But, it gets even worse the more the story unfolds. Plus, when it becomes obvious that he’s also the villain in Jace’s story – it’s pretty intense. But, I love how Skye is able to get her life back from his insanity.

Jace and Skye were a little bit instalove in this story, but it was kind of built on a friendship as well. I love that although both jump to a few conclusions, they are also able to give each other the benefit of the doubt. They worked as a very good couple, and I can’t wait to see what other women fall in love with the werewolves of the rising sun.

This was an incredibly easy and light story, one with just enough drama and action to make me not want to put the story down. I can’t wait to read more stories in this series.

<- More Deanna ChaseAiden ->

Image source: Deanna Chase