Tag Archives: Contemporary romance

Four Dukes and a Devil by Cathy Maxwell, Elaine Fox, Jeaniene Frost, Sophia Nash & Tracy Anne Warren

Book Review, , , , , , , , , ,
Overview
Image result for four dukes and a devil book cover

Title: Four Dukes and a Devil
Author: Cathy Maxwell, Elaine Fox, Jeaniene Frost, Sophia Nash & Tracy Anne Warren
In: Four Dukes and a Devil (Cathy Maxwell, Elaine Fox, Jeaniene Frost, Sophia Nash & Tracy Anne Warren)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary romance, Historical romance, Paranormal romance, Regency romance, Short story collections
Dates read: 14th November – 17th December 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Anthology
Publisher: Avon Romance
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: Could I, uh, get a glass wine?

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Synopsis

Fall in love with the unpredictable and irresistible dukes (and one dog named Duke) of Four Dukes and a Devil. Join New York Times bestselling authors Cathy Maxwell, Jeaniene Frost, and Tracy Anne Warren, along with USA Today bestselling author Elaine Fox and RITA Award winner Sophia Nash, for tales of noble danger and devilish desire.

Delicate young ladies must be protected from him.

First he steals her clothes, then he steals her heart.

Most would be terrified of this powerful vampire—but not him.

He’s “the catch of the century”. . . but she’s the only one he can’t have.

A young miss demands a kiss. But he won’t rest once she’s touched her lips to his.

With four dukes and one devil, there’s no limit on love.

Thoughts

I’ve had this collection on my shelf for a little while. And wow! Why did it take me this long? I completely loved all five novellas. They managed to run the gambit of romance genres and all featured good, strong women who you were completely gunning for the entire time. Five different couples, five different authors, five different settings, one really good adventure. This is the first collection in a long time that I have wanted to read cover to cover instead of taking a break in between like I usually do…

One of the things I loved about this collection is that although all five stories are romances of a sort, they’re from completely different genres. To start with there is a historical romance, then a contemporary one, then a romantic journey that features vampires and a demon. And finally, two regency romances to tie it all out. An intriguing mix, one that I would never have thought would work so well. But wow. It was impossible to put down and impossible to forget.

I now have many stories to put on my wish list… some are to expand on the series which this collection introduced me to, some just because I need to read more by some of these authors. Regardless, I have one more Night Huntress tale that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed and four new authors to obsess over.

 <- Charmed by Her Smile ReviewThe Irish Duke Review ->

Image source: Amazon

The Duke Who Came to Dinner by Elaine Fox

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for four dukes and a devil book cover

Title: The Duke Who Came to Dinner
Author: Elaine Fox
In: Four Dukes and a Devil (Cathy Maxwell, Elaine Fox, Jeaniene Frost, Sophia Nash & Tracy Anne Warren)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Dates read: 8th December 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Publisher: Avon Romance
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: Calling it.

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Synopsis

An impulsive decision leaves Gray naked and alone on a beach. But, the Duke who caused it all could just be her ticket to a better life, and a more romantic ending than she’d originally anticipated.

Thoughts

This was an incredibly cute and sweet contemporary story. One that was far too easy to read, but I probably also won’t forget for a while. Because, it was just… well… sweet. And innocent and just so supremely easy. I was really sad that it was over so quickly… I enjoy the sweet and easy tone to this storyline.

I really wasn’t expecting a contemporary romance or an easy read in the Four Dukes and a Devil collection. I thought there’d be a little more historical factors or supernatural tones to this storyline. But I loved that it did exist. That I got the pleasure of reading such a fun and humorous little story. one which features a meddling dog. Because, all good stories require a meddling puppy if we’re being honest here.

One of my favourite factors about this book is the fact that although it is in a romance collection it wasn’t overly lustful. There are sometimes when that’s exactly what I want. But reading this, I loved that it was just a sweet courting, not an intense romance. It’s nice to have something different in my reading every now and again…

 <- The Irish Duke ReviewDevil to Pay Review ->

Image source: Amazon

Burned Promises by Willow Winters

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for book cover burned promises willow winters

Title: Burned Promises
Author: Willow Winters
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Easy reading
Dates read: 18th November 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Willow Winters Publishing
Year: 2017
5th sentence, 74th page: Like it’s what I was meant to do.

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Synopsis

From USA Today bestselling author Willow Winters comes an emotionally gripping, standalone, second chance romance.

He made a promise.
And then he broke it.
That’s what happens with your first love.

I didn’t expect for Derek to fall back into my life and for me to fall back into his bed. Time changes a lot of things, but it doesn’t change everything.

It doesn’t change the way he makes my heart kip or the way my lungs stop when he stares deep into my eyes.

It didn’t change his bad boy ways either and I should be smart enough to tell him no this time around.

I should be, I know what it’s like to be burned by him. But it’s so hard to walk away when his touch begs me to stay and the pain in his eyes cuts me deeper than anything else in this world.

Thoughts

I thoroughly enjoyed this story – but I was a bit thrown out by the little prologue. It really didn’t fit into the story – and the broken promise from the blurb… not entirely sure where that whole idea came from either. If you ignore those two teases, this is actually a really fun, cute and easy read. It’s romantic, fun and has definitely made me want to buy a few more books by Willow Winters since it was just such a pleasant experience.

I seriously recognise the feeling of falling for someone you’re not entirely sure is good for you. Or that you’re convinced is going to somehow break your heart. I’m sure most people have had that moment. Luckily, like Emma it turned out that the man I fell for was actually falling for me to – it just took him a little longer to show me. And although I started out thinking that Emma’s love really wasn’t going to work well for her and end in some kind of weird compromise, it turned out just as brilliantly as my own off-kilter love story.

I’ve read a lot of romances over the past two years (I never really got into them until recently), but I’ve never actually read one which features a drug lord. Hired killers, shapeshifters and some kind of messed up men, sure… but never a drug lord. With a cancer mother. It was certainly a new one for me. And I think that it worked beautifully. Certainly enjoyed it.

This book was just beautiful. Not only was it about second chances and finding love, but it was also about love and family. A novel that will definitely hold a happy little place in my heart.

 <- Broken ReviewCuffed Kiss Review ->

Image source: Goodreads

The Incredible Adventures of Cinnamon Girl by Melissa Keil

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for the incredible adventures of cinnamon girl book cover

Title: The Incredible Adventures of Cinnamon Girl
Author: Melissa Keil
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Young adult
Dates read: 9th August – 30th September 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Hardie Grant Egmont
Year: 2014
5th sentence, 74th page: How symbolic.

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Synopsis

Alba loves her life just as it is. She loves living behind the bakery, and waking up in a cloud of sugar and cinnamon. She loves drawing comics and watching bad TV with her friends.

The only problem is she’s overlooked a few teeny details:

Like, the guy she thought long gone has unexpectedly reappeared.
And the boy who has been her best friend since forever has suddenly gone off the rails.
And even her latest comic-book creation is misbehaving.

Also, the world might be ending – which is proving to be awkward.

As Doomsday enthusiasts flock to idyllic Eden Valley, Alba’s life is thrown into chaos. Whatever happens next, it’s the end of the world as she knows it. But when it comes to figuring out her heart, Armageddon might turn out to be the least of her problems.

Thoughts

This was my last unread Melissa Keil book on my shelf. And I tried to stretch out reading it as much as possible… I just love her writing way too much. And my plan to stretch things out worked reasonably well… for the first quarter, but then I got sucked in (as always) and ripped through it. After all, these are the sweetest, most heart-warming books I’ve read in a long time. The fact that they’re set in Australia just helps to make it that much better.

I’m from a rural area of Australia, not as small and secluded as the Eden Valley in this story, but many of the idiosyncrasies of small town Australia life are incredibly familiar in this tale. Especially when it’s partnered with the idea of the end of the world, the gullibility of the masses and the power of social media. The setting itself worked as another character, one that was slightly insane and seriously intense.

Melissa Keil’s books are always a great coming of age story. One which, whilst it features a romance, is more about realising who and what we are. So far all three have taken place around the end of high school – a moment in our lives when we’re not sure who and what we want to become. Since being in that position, I’ve had many “standing on the edge of a cliff” moments, but finishing high school was the first of these. The shorter time frame of this story and the way in which it explores making future decisions reminded me of all those moments in which I wasn’t sure about what my future decisions should be… the ending of this tale helps to give you a sense of happiness (in that Alba and her friends have taken their first steps into the adult world), but it also is open enough that you feel like their lives are just beginning.

I found the love story in this incredibly sweet. I didn’t quite guess which boy would end up with Alba until much later in this book. Because it felt more about their friendship and their love and respect for one another. This is the perfect friends to lovers story. It’s a great reminder that some of the best relationships are built on a solid foundation of friendship and respect. This is the book that you should read if you want to feel at peace with the world and finish with a huge smile on your face.

 <- The Secret Science of Magic ReviewLife in Outer Space Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Fantasy by Christine Feehan, Sabrina Jeffries, Emma Holly & Elda Minger

Book Review, , , , , , ,
Overview
Fantasy

Title: Fantasy
Author: Christine Feehan, Sabrina Jeffries, Emma Holly & Elda Minger
In: Fantasy (Christine Feehan, Sabrina Jeffries, Emma Holly & Elda Minger)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary romance, Paranormal romance, Short story collections
Dates read: 4th July – 21st September 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Publisher: Jove
Year: 2002
5th sentence, 74th page: They’d made love on the floor before the fireplace, writhing on the fur rug like cats in heat.

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Synopsis

Where do your fantasies take you?

Under the blazing heat of the Borneo sun…
… a beautiful naturalist’s dream comes true – to live among the feral jungle creatures. But an untamed, irresistible beast of another sort forces her to explore her own wild side.

In an exclusive gentlemen’s club in Victorian London…
… adventurous ladies are available to the highest bidder. Yet how far will a modest widow go to fulfill her fantasy of being auctioned off as a rake’s midnight plaything?

From the depths of the dark unknown…
…a child of midnight has arrived in a spiritual Tibetan refuge to rid herself of wicked desires. Here this ageless beauty meets the one man who can save her – or damn her soul forever.

In a private, all-male school for seduction…
…she might just graduate with honors. If she can only maintain her disguise long enough to teach the man of her dreams a few lessons.

Thoughts

I bought this because I had a few weeks / months of obsession with Christine Feehan. I didn’t expect to find more authors to be completely obsessed about. Alright, I read another Emma Holly story the month before I read this one, but still… three new awesome authors and four beautifully simple and cute novellas to spend my nights forgetting about the world around me… what more could a girl want?

Fantasy is a collection of four novellas that run the gambit of romance stories. Two are heavily paranormal, featuring the typically expected paranormal creatures of vampires and shapeshifters. On the other hand, there are two more contemporary tales which take place in the past and the presence. Contemporary and paranormal, present and historical sit side by side in a fantastic collection I absolutely adored and thoroughly enjoyed. I just couldn’t put it down.

If you like romances that will make your heart skip a beat and pulse pound, this is the kind of collection that you’ll enjoy. It’s got a taste of everything, and more than a tease of passion and lust amongst the pages. I found it difficult not to turn immediately to the next page whenever I finished one tale… and it was only the knowledge that I had other responsibilities in life to take up my time… responsibilities that are just enjoyable, but distracting from this story, just the same.

 <- The Awakening ReviewThe Widow’s Auction Review ->
Image source: Christine Feehan

Mr. Speedy by Elda Minger

Book Review, ,
Overview
Fantasy

Title: Mr Speedy
Author: Elda Minger
In: Fantasy (Christine Feehan, Sabrina Jeffries, Emma Holly & Elda Minger)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary romance, Feminism, Gender
Dates read: 21st September 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Publisher: Jove
Year: 2002
5th sentence, 74th page: I’m disappointed, but I have to respect your judgement.

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Synopsis

In a private, all-male school for seduction…
…she might just graduate with honors. If she can only maintain her disguise long enough to teach the man of her dreams a few lessons.

Thoughts

There are so many issues with gender and courting. There’s also so many things about it that are ridiculously fun. But those people that think women are just something to prey upon? Well, that’s where it gets seriously problematic… and this novella perfectly encompasses that. By featuring a backdrop of a seminar designed to get women into bed… in the worst way possible.

Miranda is a driven, independent and strong woman. Her slightly insane drive causes her to make a decision, one that I’m not entirely sure I would do myself. I might be driven, but I’m not sure I would want to immerse myself in a world of toxic masculinity, discussed as an incredibly effeminate man. Yet, this obviously works for her, because she manages to find the man of her dreams, get to know him, and find a bit of understanding about how truly insecure most of the attendants at the seminar truly are. It would probably help all of us to understand what sometimes seems incredibly confusing (actually, scratch that, I’m never going to understand the decisions my partner makes)…

I loved this novella, but I did spend the entire time thinking about the movie She’s the Man. There is something that seems to be recurring in this theme of cross-dressing to get what one desires. And then falling in love. Which is both annoyingly predictable, and so beautifully, dreamily fun. Actually, mostly it’s just fun. It’s hard enough to get to know the people that you’re interested in, but when there are extra boundaries… I can kind of understand going undercover as a man after all…

 <- Luisa’s Desire ReviewThe Awakening Review ->
Image source: Christine Feehan

The Scot, the Witch and the Wardrobe by Annette Blair

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for the scot, the witch and the wardrobe book cover

Title: The Scot, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Author: Annette Blair
Series: Accidental Witch Trilogy #3
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Chic lit, Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Dates read: 4th – 6th September 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2006
5th sentence, 74th page: Damn it!

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Synopsis

He sought his birthright

Long ago, Rory MacKenzie’s Scottish ancestor lost the bewitching woman he loved and regretted it forever. Before he died, he sent her his greatest work of art, a beautifully carved unicorn, as a token of his eternal devotion. Now, Rory is determined to reclaim the unicorn and restore his clan to glory.

She fought her birthright

Like all the women in her family, Victoria Cartwright has inherited the key to the mysterious wardrobe in the family attic. Legend says that only the girl who possesses the magic of her ancestor can reveal the treasure within. But Vickie refuses to believe she is any sort of enchantress.

They both got more than they bargained for…

When Vickie unexpectedly opens the wardrobe, the unicorn makes her dreams come true – until the handsome Rory shows up with his own plans for the unicorn, and for Vickie…

Thoughts

This is a beautiful, fantastic, breathtaking end to a beautiful little trilogy. It has the same level of cute, sweet, heart-happy overload of the first two books. But with just that little bit of extra magic thrown in to spice the pot. There’s nothing like fate, destiny and a magical spell or two to help sweep along the romance. To a beautiful Scotsman. With a serious attitude problem.

It’s hard to find someone who will accept you for who and what you are. Even when you don’t have the extra burden of magical powers. And a man who is inherently terrified of that extra something that this woman possesses. Vicky and Rory’s constant tango as they both try to come to terms with her magic is kind of a beautiful symbolism of the battle which many of us go through to find someone who just accepts us for us.

I have a Scottish background, it’s diluted, but it’s enough that I’m constantly fascinated by any character from the country. There is something weird about it that seems to keep drawing me back in. Which, of course, is why I immediately found Rory fascinating. He is a cantankerous Scottish hermit with a HUGE chip on his shoulder. All things that will immediately draw me in. Partnering him with an absolute sweetheart like Vicky and intertwining their lives with foolish ancestors and a prophecy or two was just brilliant. I found myself completely drawn in by the title, let alone when the story started…

Unlike the first two books in this series, The Scot, the Witch and the Wardrobe ties much tighter to family and history. Kira and Mel are both in difficult family situations, but they are a backdrop to the main storyline. Vicky’s family on the other hand act as a major plot twist and moment. Their relationships not only drive Vicky’s attraction to Rory, but also provide her with a moment of power that she would have been otherwise unable to achieve. Sisters are wonderful, and irritating, and quite possibly going to drive us all completely insane. But they are also the people who give us the most strength. And I think that Vicky’s discovery of her family reflects that perfectly.

 <- My Favorite Witch ReviewSex and the Psychic Witch Review ->
Image source: Fantastic Fiction

My Favorite Witch by Annette Blair

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for my favorite witch book cover

Title: My Favorite Witch
Author: Annette Blair
Series: Accidental Witch Trilogy #2
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Chic lit, Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Dates read: 4th September 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2006
5th sentence, 74th page: They made eye contact, sizzling eye contact, if he was any kind of judge.

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Synopsis

HE SWORE OFF WOMEN. SHE SWORE OFF MEN…

Jason Pickering Goddard’s career as a playboy hockey star comes to a dramatic halt when he tragically damages his legs in a car accident. Swearing off women, he decides to stand in as Director of Special Events at the Pickering Foundation in the interim – knowing his celebrity status will greatly help the foundation’s foster home for boys.

BUT NEITHER EXPECTED THIS KIND OF MAGIC.

A sexy witch cursed by a cheating ex-fiance, Kira Fitzgerald has closed the book on men. But a new chapter in her life opens when she’s appointed as Jason’s coordinator. The clash of their strong personalities ignites Jason’s competitive streak and sparks an inner fire that threatens to melt the ice around his heart – a slow warm-up that weakens Kira’s own defenses. And there’s not a spell strong enough to save her…

Thoughts

I’ve been waiting for this book to arrive on my doorstep for ages! I just loved The Kitchen Witch so much, and I couldn’t wait to read about one of her friends… I really wasn’t disappointed. So much so that I stayed up all night finishing this. Unable to put it down… I suppose having a good book by your side is one moment in which insomnia can actually work for you…

Kira only makes a brief appearance in The Kitchen Witch, but it’s enough that you are completely drawn in and want only what’s best for her. She has a great vulnerability and innocence covered in this incredibly tough outer layer. The fact that she’s been quite seriously burnt in the past, actually made me think of my own sister, which just made me want to hug her and find her a good man all the more… which of course happens. Because this is a romance. And it’s cute and why would you have a romance without a great, hunky lead to partner with the vulnerable, independent woman?

Normally I want to punch people in romances because of their incredibly stupid decisions. The vast majority of the time, the reason that they can’t work is because one of them is just epically dumb. Not so much with this story, don’t get me wrong, there were some silly decisions made… but they came from a place that I could completely understand and relate to. So much less frustrating when you can truly understand the characters’ flaws and insecurities… even if they’re still a little dumb.

This is one of those perfect books for when you’re feeling a little overwhelmed, overworked and just plain stressed. It’s not overly intense, but there is enough happening that you are fascinated by what will happen next. You know that eventually the leads will end up together, so you’re not upset by that. But there’s enough concern that you want to make sure this isn’t the one romance in which there is no happily ever after… my only actual complaint about this book is that now it’s over and I have to return to the real world…

 <- The Kitchen Witch ReviewThe Scot, the Witch and the Wardrobe Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Total Control by L.L. Foster

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Image result for out of the light, into the shadows book cover

Title: Total Control
Author: Lori Foster
Series: Jardines #2
In: Out of the Light, Into the Shadows (Lori Foster & Erin McCarthy)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary romance, Family, Paranormal romance
Dates read: 29th July 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Publisher: Berkley
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: He was weak, very weak.

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Synopsis

Brax is cursed like all the other men in his family. Cameo might be the perfect woman to help him survive his curse. But, will she be willing to make the sacrifice?

Thoughts

I liked Brax in Have Mercy. I didn’t really like him in Total Control. At least not until I got about halfway through the story and he stopped being a controlling prick and started being a caring man. Then I felt a little less like reaching into the pages of the book and punching him in the throat. He suddenly became far more human and much less of an insane, sex-fiend control freak. More like what he was in Have Mercy.

I think that I would have loved this novella a lot more if it was part of a greater series. There are just two novellas one about each sibling, yet there is so much amazing world building happening behind the scenes. I want to sink my teeth into this world and not let go… not read about 160 pages all up and finish it off. It was kind of disappointing. Actually, after the fact that Brax was a douche for the first half of this novella, it was the only other disappointing aspect of it.

I seem to be picking up a lot of paranormal romances lately that involve alpha men who have to take control of their women. And Brax fit perfectly into this format. But, I’m kind of getting over it. Which meant that it was so much better when he got his butt kicked out of alpha-male, control everything mentality. Which is kind of why I liked Cameo so much – she knocked his head out of his arse and into reality. Leaving the couple with an actual happily ever after, not one full of lust.

 <- Have Mercy ReviewOut of the Light, Into the Shadows Review ->
Image source: Penguin Random House

Have Mercy by Lori Foster

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Image result for out of the light, into the shadows book cover

Title: Have Mercy
Author: Lori Foster
Series: Jardines #1
In: Out of the Light, Into the Shadows (Lori Foster & Erin McCarthy)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary romance, Family, Paranormal romance
Dates read: 20th July 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Publisher: Berkley
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: Things from his past erupted into his future, hateful comments, murderous gestures that he’d long buried in an effort to forget them.

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Synopsis

Mercedes thinks that she’s found the man of her dreams. But an added complication could quickly derail her plans as she hunts for her happily ever after.

Thoughts

I don’t normally like stories that use pregnancies as a reason to commit to one another, get married and have your happily ever after. Normally. But I actually really enjoyed this novella. It did use pregnancy as the point of conflict, but it was also about establishing and altering the relationship between the two primaries, rather than just two people who happened to be forced together.

Whilst I don’t have a brother, I do have a little sister. And I am insanely protective of her. It will be very interesting when she finally brings home someone that she thinks is it. And, unlike the siblings in this story, I don’t have the added stressors on our relationship of lost parents. Have Mercy may have been primarily about this sibling relationship and how they adjust to the differences in their lives, but the secondary relationship of siblings was really nice and relatable too. It also made a nice break from the repetition of many other romances – they don’t always feature siblings as a bit of a painful obstacle.

Considering the kind of book that this novella is in, I was expecting a bit of a paranormal spin on this tale. That Warren was a shapeshifter, or vampire, or something along those lines is what jumped out at me the most. There was a hint of some kind of psychic ability in Mercy’s brother, but that was the extent of it. It was a nice balance to the Vegas Vampires novella that is coming next in this collection.

 <- Out of the Light, Into the Shadows ReviewTotal Control Review ->
Image source: Penguin Random House