Bat Out of Hell by Bernadette Franklin

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Bat Out of Hell
Author: Bernadette Franklin
Series: Holiday Fun #3
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

Shirley’s obsession with her Prada is both funny, and not something I completely understood. I mean, it’s a damn dress. But, it did make for some entertaining scenes with Juliette, and I will forever have the image of rats nesting in her little black dress in my head. Which just made me laugh, continuously and somewhat excessively. Although, that tends to be my response to most of the works by Franklin – random laughter and much amusement.

I love that, although Shirley has multiple people trying to help her, she is determined to do things on her own. Sometimes it’s a little bit painful, and you just shake your head. But overall, it’s a great streak of independence. I also love that she’s so surrounded by people who adore her, that she has so many wanting to help. Even those who she doesn’t quite expect to want to help are willing to do so. I found it to be a great reminder that people like to help when they love you, and sometimes you should accept that love.

From his first introduction, I was kind of expecting Christopher to be super awkward. He really wasn’t anywhere near as awkward as I wanted him to be. However, he did have some kind of random and niche hobbies, and I love that both him and Lee were able to share their love of art and classics. Plus, this love lent itself to Lee playing a harp in a park in period clothing, so that’s a gorgeous image that I never want to remove from my mind’s eye.

Juliette Carter and her shenanigans are always fun and completely absurd. I mean, she is absolutely off her rocker, so it’s genuinely entertaining to read about her. However, unlike all of the other women in the series thus far, Lee is completely able to stand up to Juliette’s shenanigans. She manages to call her on her nonsense and weirdness, but in a completely loving way. I kind of want more of the two of them working together.

<- ShammedGinger Snapped ->

Image source: Amazon

Lesson Plans by Lainey Davis

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Lesson Plans
Author: Lainey Davis
Series: Stag Brothers #0.5
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2022

Thoughts

Doug and Amy are way too cute of a couple. I mean, they are both actually really sweet and fun. Although, Amy is a little bit rougher around the edges than Doug. But, I do love prickly women with a heart of gold.

This might be a teacher, student romance. But it does have a slight twist. It played into the trope, without being so forbidden and, well, icky. I also love how they’re both finding their feet throughout the short course Doug teaches.

Doug learning about his privilege and being willing to understand and change because of this was amazing. I seriously wish more people were willing to recognise their privilege and see how it influences everything we say and do. The growth of him during this novella was amazing.

Amy is a fairly angry and feisty lead. But, I completely understand why. And I loved that she is also able to enjoy life and the moment when she needs to. They’re a fantastic couple and I can’t wait to spend more time with them as secondary characters.

<- More Lainey DavisSweet Distraction ->

Image source: Goodreads

Enduring Magic by T.M. Cromer

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Enduring Magic
Author: T.M. Cromer
Series: Thorne Witches: Happily Ever Afters #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Paranormal romance, Witches
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2023

Thoughts

I honestly wish that I’d read Summer Magic before reading this, but sadly, it’s on Kindle Unlimited, and I don’t currently have access to it. Which is seriously disappointing, so I’ll just have to wait and hope. Summer and Coop are a great couple, and I really want to learn more about how they got together, and all of the challenges that are alluded to within Enduring Magic.

I really enjoyed Summer and Coop as a couple, but I mostly loved how this short story talks about the monumental shift that you go through when you become parents. I mean, I’ve recently been through that myself. And, although I had a little longer to get settled into my relationship, there are still days that feel… unreal and unsettled. I’ve gone from being a single person to being someone’s mum. Cromer really did this unsettled feeling of displacement and love complete and total justice.

Although I loved all of the relationship dynamic and adjustment within this, I was completely and stupidly in love with Summer’s familiar – he is a total and utter thug. He was freaking hilarious, and I just want more and more of him! Absolutely adorable. Plus, Summer’s father, Alistair, is incredibly dodgy and manipulative. But I kind of liked his version of dodgy…

<- More T.M. CromerBoundless Magic ->

Image source: Goodreads

Huntress by Susan Copperfield

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Huntress
Author: Susan Copperfield
Series: Royal States #5
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Magic, Paranormal romance, Urban fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2018

Thoughts

I love that this is a novel about a turkey shapeshifter and the woman who hunted him, literally. They are not the most likely of couples, but definitely one that I loved reading about and made a kind of sense once you thought about it. Also, I just loved that the shapeshifter was a turkey who likes to smack interlopers about with his wings. The level of aggression was kind of hilarious, and the fact that Kelvin’s hunter is a potty-mouthed sassy pants was just brilliant.

I’m not going to lie, Kelvin’s family completely, totally and utterly sucks. I mean, they use him and refuse to respect his choices. But then it does completely justify his abdication. An abdication that causes a lot of shock waves and drives home the point that everyone has their breaking point. There were a few unanswered questions about just how his family was able to justify his lack of medical care and security training. I mean, there’s being ignorant, but seriously? That was more than a little bit concerning…

Mostly what concerned me about Kelvin’s family was how willing his mother was to throw away their relationship because she wanted to be right. I mean, it’s one thing to be incorrect about who will be a good match. But to repeatedly bring that person into your life and ignore your own child’s judgement? It actually made me flinch multiple times whilst reading this. But it did make a great plot line and point of conflict.

The Royal States series is honestly a series that frequently has me laughing. Everyone throughout it is kind of insane and there are so many shenanigans throughout. I love how heavily involved and insane Montana is in this world. Plus, their influence manages to smooth over all of the mistakes of others. I love that Copperfield has placed a couple as the powerhouse of the world who genuinely just want what is best for others. It’s also fantastic that the majority of the couples in this involve an empath creating an unbreakable connection that just cements their bonds and relationship.

As with all of the other stories in the Royal States series, there is a few comments on socio-political issues in the world. In this case, it’s creepy, lecherous older men forcing younger girls to marry them. It was incredibly cringe-worthy and I love how the horrible man got the crap slapped out of him by an angry turkey…

<- A Guiding LightBonds ->

Image source: Amazon

A Guiding Light by Susan Copperfield

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: A Guiding Light
Author: Susan Copperfield
Series: Royal States #4
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Magic, Paranormal romance, Urban fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2018

Thoughts

Adam and Veronica are a seriously cute and lovely couple. One that I was rooting for from the very beginning of the story. And I really like that although they both have a lot of history, they are working towards one another throughout the entire story. Even if they take forever to actually get back to one another, they have managed to grow and change towards each other. Plus, Adam’s total and utter devotion and love is kind of adorable.

The dangers and grossness of childhood marriage contracts is touched upon a little in Null and Void. And I love that although the two instances in this series have happy endings, the story of Adam and Veronica also highlights the beginning of the end of this practice. There is something seriously gross about children being pushed into marriages. The fact that within this series, they are actual legal and binding contracts between kingdoms… incredibly awkward and uncomfortable.

The difficulties that Adam has with his family are really heartbreaking, and as the story unfolds, you realise that they aren’t all evil. I definitely got the impression towards the end of this story that they actually abandoned him to protect him. But, none of his abandonment issues or their motives are really dealt with in this story. I would’ve loved to explore all of this a whole lot more. Particularly once you find out that they were both victims of marriage contracts. And also just generally bad ass individuals. Ones that I kind of immediately fell in love with…

Like all of Copperfield, Blain and Franklin books, this is one that is filled with a wonderful dose of humour and wit. Yet, as with the rest of the Royal States series, there is a whole tone of comments on society as a whole. Other than the childhood marriage grossness, A Guiding Light focuses on the power of money, banks and the stock market. It felt really poignant to read a story about this at the moment – with the cost of living surpassing our wages and the knowledge that everyone is in a whole lot of trouble moneywise.

As a villain, the king in this is an absolute nutter. I mean, he’s probably been one of the worst bad guys in the whole series – mostly because his evil deeds impact on his wife and children. Particularly his youngest son and eldest daughter – they both have suffered a lot at his hands. I kind of love that he ultimately paid the price for murder and manipulation. Now onto the next amazing novel in this series and the social issues that I’m sure I’ll have to think about upon reading it!

<- The Captive KingHuntress ->

Image source: Amazon

Just One Fake Date by Deborah Cooke

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Just One Fake Date
Author: Deborah Cooke
Series: Flatiron Five Fitness #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2016

Thoughts

Shannyn and Ty are a fun couple that work really well together. They constantly challenge one another, but are not intensely antagonistic to each other. I love a couple who constantly challenges each other and makes one another better. They’re also a great fit in that Shannyn is able to slot into Ty’s world seamlessly and they are both able to find professional and personal fulfillment together. Absolutely adorable and seriously enjoyable.

I love that Shannyn and Ty come from vastly different backgrounds. And that, ultimately, they end up together because Shannyn decides to take a big risk and plunge. I’m a big believer that fully committing to someone is always a risk that takes a pretty big step on both peoples’ behalf’s. But, with Shannyn’s background and experience, I love the strength of self that she shows in deciding to take that plunge.

As someone who comes from a highly involved family, I love how involved all of Ty’s family is. They might be slightly overbearing and a little bit too much, but I thought they were fantastic. As was Shannyn’s mother and brother. Family comes in all shapes and sizes, and I love that they both come from supportive backgrounds. Even if this meant that Ty’s mother got a little bit too involved and presented as a bit of an obstacle to overcome.

Even though Ty’s mum was a bit of an obstacle, I thought that both she and Cassie would be far more of a challenge than they were. Particularly Cassie, it’s obvious that she had her sights majorly set on Ty. And even when she made a play for him and started to realise that it wasn’t going to work, she wasn’t as much of a challenge to Shannyn and Ty’s romance as I thought. Which I kind of liked. I get a bit fed up with women being petty and horrible to each other. That wasn’t the case in this story, rather both women had concerns about Shannyn, but bowed out to Ty’s happiness.

This romance was an incredibly easy read with a whole lot of heart. I really enjoyed it, and can’t wait until the rest of the Flatiron Five Fitness team fall in love and find their happily ever afters.

<- More Deborah CookeJust One More Time ->

Image source: Kobo

A Touch of Wild by Gemma Cates

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: A Touch of Wild
Author: Gemma Cates
Series: Van Helsing Sisters Adventures #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Monsters, Paranormal romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2021

Thoughts

For some reason, I was expecting this to be a much longer story. This was incredibly short, sharp and shiny. Which was kind of surprising. Honestly, I really wanted this story to be far more fleshed out. There was so much room for character development, it happened a little bit too quickly to really get into it!

I did love that Mariah Van Helsing is forced to face her prejudices and assumptions. I mean, to be a monster hunter, you kind of have to assume that the those she hunts are monsters… I love that she then finds herself smitten with a werewolf. Plus, he’s kind of sweet and gives her just the right amount of space.

Honestly, like this review, this tale was a little bit too short and sweet for my liking. I seriously enjoyed the story though and look forward to reading more tales of the Van Helsing Sisters!

<- More Gemma CatesA Touch of Crazy ->

Image source: Amazon

Etiquette & Espionage by Gail Carriger

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Etiquette & Espionage
Author: Gail Carriger
Series: Finishing School #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Historical fiction, Paranormal fantasy, Steampunk
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2013

Thoughts

I absolutely adored the idea of a steampunk finishing school of espionage and assassination. The fact that it was also a floating school that had a werewolf and vampire in attendance… unforgettable. Sophrina is also a fantastic and lovely leading lady who I wish I’d met when I was younger. She’s intelligent, caring and completely relatable. Everything about this story from beginning to end was brilliant and I can’t wait to read more of Carriger’s world!

Sophrina was one of the favourite female leads I’ve read in a while. She’s not described as beautiful or ugly. Indeed, she’s just average looking, I love that she’s not ugly or beautiful but actually normal looking. And, more than anything, it is her inner beauty that people fall in love with. I love that she is willing to try things that others aren’t willing to. And has a problem solving mind that loves to explore the world around her.

Soap and the sooties are a great cast of characters, I love how Carriger uses those who are overlooked to help inform Sophrina of the world around her. Including Sophrina’s inventor friend – someone who likes to shuffle around the school and find plenty of rules to break. I’m absolutely in love with them, and I really love how they readily except Sophrina into their lives.

The world building within this novel is completely amazing. That, and the fact that Carriger has positive female friendships throughout. I mean, Monique and Preasha are not great, and work really well as antagonists, but the majority of Sophrina’s relationships are incredibly positive. And, even Monique and Preasha aren’t bad because of females being pitted against one another, they’re just not great people. There’s also the fact that Sophrina is able to encourage others to form positive relationships and be themselves.

Throughout the entirety of this story, Sophrina attempts to outwit and outsmart Monique’s selfish evil. And, although you know she’s going to at least win partially in the end, it’s brilliant how she actually goes about it. Plus, it’s kind of hilarious. Now I can’t wait to see what other shenanigans Sophrina and her friends get up to.

<- More Gail CarrigerCurtsies & Conspiracies ->

Image source: Amazon

Booked for Murder by R.J. Blain

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Booked for Murder
Author: R.J. Blain
Series: Vigilante Magical Librarians #1
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: 2020

Thoughts

Let’s face it, any book that is called Booked for Murder and is the first in a series titled Vigilante Magical Librarians is going to draw me in. I’m a total book dragon, kind of half convinced that a library might be a good place for me to exist (but then I’d never actually help anyone, because books) and then there’s the whole, vigilante spin. There is literally nothing about this that isn’t going to draw me in and have me hooked from pretty much the very beginning. That, and then you have the whole spin that Janette is an ex-bodyguard who is kind of hiding out from her previous, and very sexy, employer. The perfect storm of absolute joy and an impossible to put down book.

Even after finishing this story, I couldn’t get the idea of an exsanguinator out of my head. Particularly the many different medical applications that Janette used her talent for. I mean, yeah, the obvious shooting blood out of orifices and killing people works. But I love how it’s also used to stop traumatic bleed outs, for blood transfusions, to remove impurities from the blood… there were so many aspects to the human body that were delved into within this. Although most of this story was focused on the murders and the more violent aspects of exsanguination, it was all of the medical and life saving parts that I really honed in on. I love the idea of a skill that is both offensive and protective.

Alongside the magic and the mayhem, there is the hint of romance in the air. A bit like in The Fox Witch, Janette finds herself in a betrothal to protect her from others… it’s disturbing how this is common and no even remotely surprising. But, I do have the idea that, although her ex-boss might not have instigated this engagement, he’s fully supportive of it. In fact, as the story unfolded, it was pretty obvious that the Hamptons thought of Janette as more family than employee, they just didn’t know how to show their emotions. I’m looking forward to finding out more about how these social and emotional entanglements unfold in Booked for Kidnapping.

The other thing I’m really looking forward to in Booked for Kidnapping is finding out just who is behind all of the murder and mayhem throughout this story. It’s obvious that it’s a pretty big conspiracy that is being machinated behind the scenes. But, as to which shadowy conspiracy it is, remains a mystery. Plus, it’s fun to figure out the how and the why. There’s also a whole lot of social commentary that Blain has managed to sneak into this story. But, mostly I will focus on the shadow conspiracies and whodunnit I think.

One of the most cheerful and enjoyable parts of social commentary throughout Booked for Murder though is the importance of libraries and librarians. And, how underfunded the public sector is. I mean, I might live in Australia and not the USA, but its definitely a universal issue. Amongst the murder and mayhem, there is the constant drive for the characters to find the funding for their library. And the many ways in which they are able to use research and public resources to better a multitude of peoples’ lives. Libraries are important. Even if they are based in a paranormal world with lots of murder…

<- More R.J. BlainBooked for Kidnapping ->

Image source: Amazon

Hypnos by R.J. Blain

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Hypnos
Author: R.J. Blain
Series: Seeking the Zodiacs #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Humour, Paranormal fantasy, Paranormal romance
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2019

Thoughts

I’m definitely having a whole lot of obsession over R.J. Blain at the moment. There’s just something about her writing that is hitting my happy spot at this point in my life. Then I read this book, and I’m also completely (not kind of, completely) obsessed with the idea of magic being caused by nuclear warfare. I mean, it’s something that still freaks us all out – but this is such an optimistic spin on it. Better than just a nuclear wasteland after the stupidity of those in power. To be honest, I also just loved this world building.

Olivia is such a strong voice and female lead. I love that within the GBI / law enforcement world, she’s one of the hardest hitters. But instead of doing this by emulating ‘masculinity’ she does it with her own version of sass. That, and she’s also close to her family and more than willing to hide when overwhelmed and overtired.

I really loved the idea of not only setting this series on a post-apocalyptic, magic world. But also combining western and Chinese zodiacs. I’m assuming (hoping) that that means that there are 12 books planned out. It was really interesting how Blain combines multiple aspects of both systems to create Hypnos and the mayhem that follows. Its a unique idea, and I’m excited to find out how the other combinations work in Blain’s wonderful mind.

He only thing about this book that I’m really disappointed with is that it’s sequel is not yet out. I absolutely devoured this book and was smiling a LOT while reading it. This is a gritty and slightly horrifying world with at least one villain beautifully set up. And now I have to wait to read more… lucky I have a whole lot of Blain’s work still sitting in my TBR to catch up on in the meantime.

<- More R.J. BlainAchlys ->

Image source: Goodreads