Tag Archives: Kilby Blades

The Secret Ingredient by Kilby Blades

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: The Secret Ingredient
Author: Kilby Blades
Series: Hot in the Kitchen #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary romance, Food
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2019

Thoughts

The Secret Ingredient wasn’t necessarily my favourite every contemporary romance, but it was very cute and enjoyable. Plus, I tend to really enjoy any kind of novel that combines romance with food. There’s just something about the food focus whilst people fall in love that tends to really draw me in. Maybe because the description of the different meals being cooked never fails to make me stop and imagine just what I want to eat. Then there’s the whole romance factor and the falling in love over the food.

In the case of The Secret Ingredient, the food that Max and Cella fall in love over is Italian. I love that this book is driven primarily by their teaming up to write an Italian cookbook together, and in doing so highlight Max’s passion to be a chef. Plus, there’s his aunts restaurant to rejuvenate and just a whole lot of good hearted, small town joy. I also love that Max is actually more than happy to take a step back and play second fiddle to Cella’s career and drive. No couple can be filled with two people’s ambitions, but they can have ambitions which dovetail nicely together. Which is exactly what Max realises as he works alongside Cella.

I loved all of the cast of this small town and how supportive they are of one another. The fact that they refuse to let a celebrity be preyed upon, and constantly support each other is admirable. As is Max’s drive to financially support the town, even when that means he can rarely be in the place he loves so much. The love and support was one of the things that I loved the most about this story. Along with the quaint seaside setting which bought to mind eating pasta on the beachfront as the waves crash against the shore.

The epilogue of this story kind of made me want to cry. I loved the whole story, but at the end, thinking of family and the moment when I discovered I was pregnant with my second child… the nostalgia made me tear up. I loved the vision of a father and his daughter in the kitchen together, and it honestly made all of my emotions come right to the surface. What a beautiful way to end a romance.

<- More Kilby BladesSpooning Leads to Forking ->

Image source: Goodreads

Lady and the Scamp by Kilby Blades

Book Review, ,
Overview

Title: Lady and the Scamp
Author: Kilby Blades
In: Chasing Holiday Tail (miscellaneous)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Short story
Year: 2023

Thoughts

This short story was just a little bit cute. Just because of the name, I had images of the Disney movie in my head this whole time. And it definitely did have those vibes. But also, it was entirely Kilby Blades.

I did think that this tale would be written from the point of view of the dog. I did like that it was from Callie’s owner. I mean, the story still focused on the dogs’ romance (woth heavy implications that there is a human romance), but it was a very different way to write a cute romance.

I think that my favourite part of this short story was the absolute calamity that was the charity event. I mean, a classy dinner with canine companions… yeah, you could totally call it. But it was still absolutely hilarious to read about.

<- Hot Under the CollarTess’ Tasty Treats ->

Image source: Goodreads

Chasing Holiday Tail by miscellaneous

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Overview

Title: Chasing Holiday Tail
Author: Amy Award, Serena Bell, Kilby Blades, Kameron Claire, Dylann Crush, Hope Ellis, Christina Hovland, Melonie Johnson, Tawdra Kandle, Stina Lindenblatt, MK Meredith, Tracey Pedersen, Arell Rivers, Brenda St John Brown & Sylvie Stewart
In: Chasing Holiday Tail (miscellaneous)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary romance, Short story collections
Pace: Slow
Format: Anthology, eBook
Year: 2023

Thoughts

This might not have been my absolute favourite anthology, but it was still one that I enjoyed. I think most of my lack of serious love came from the fact that I loved the idea of a Christmas, animal anthology. But it wasn’t all that Christmassy. One of those moments, that expectations destroyed some of the enjoyment, because I just didn’t get the Christmas feel from these stories. But, they were still enjoyable.

The main theme that threads through every single one of these short stories is the idea of adoption and charity drives. Which makes sense since this is a charity anthology. All of the fifteen stories take place at Christmas, but they are heavily focused around the animal charities that are talked about. And, often, the animal adoption drives that are being organised. They are actually a lot of fun and reminded me to look at adopting when I next add a fur baby to the family.

I enjoyed all of the stories in this collection, although I did find some just a little bit forgettable. My favourite aspect of this anthology though was all of the very many dogs. I mean, they completely steal the show and are just too damn cute throughout. It still might not be an anthology that I will read again in the future, but it was one that was well worth the money I spent.

<- In Rover My HeadBear Naked with the Bearded Baller ->

Image source: Goodreads

Crazy Old Money by Kilby Blades

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Crazy Old Money
Author: Kilby Blades
Series: Gilded Love #6
In: Worst Holiday Ever (Miscellaneous)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Short story
Year: 2018

Thoughts

Jada and Marsh are an absolutely gorgeous couple. One that I look forward to reading more about in their full-length novel, Loaded. They have such a wonderfully comfortable way of being together. The glances and non-verbal communication that great indication of a healthy, understanding relationship. It’s made me want to dive right back into the Gilded Love series and get to this story…

I love that although Jada and Marsh have a clearly happy and healthy relationship, there are still a lot of secrets between them. Throughout this short story, there is a slow unveiling of these secrets. Mostly on the behalf of Marsh, and the way that they deal with this conflict works well. Particularly how Jada puts up with all of the nonsense that is thrown her way during the course of meeting Marsh’s family.

All family is kind of batty and insane, but Marsh’s definitely takes the cake. Every moment in this story unveils a moment of just pure insanity. I spent most of the time reading this shaking my head in bemused horror. I can’t imagine what it would feel like to walk unprepared into such a ridiculous situation.

Ultimately, I loved this whole story, particularly the ending. Especially the way in which there was poetic justice and a whole lot of happy comeuppance to the painful characters throughout this story. It had that nice feeling of poetic justice at the end and a happily ever after journey into the sunset.

<- A Perfect FitStealing Christmas ->

Image source: Fantastic Fiction

Snapdragon by Kilby Blades

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Snapdragon
Author: Kilby Blades
Series: Gilded Love #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2017

Thoughts

I’m not normally a fan of romances that don’t contain their happily ever after in the one book. I mean, I read them as a sense of escapism so the whole happily ever after bit is kind of important to that. However, there is something about Snapdragon that made me appreciate the time and place for such a split narrative. That, and I didn’t actually realise until about halfway through that Michael and Darby’s relationship is told in two books.

I love how this story starts with Darby being frustrated with the assumptions her old friends were making. Not every woman wants children, a family, and a husband. But, as Darby does recognise throughout, everyone wants companionship (but that’s another story). It’s fantastic how as this story unfolds, it’s emphasised that Darby’s choices still focus on work. She is incredibly and admirably driven; at moments I was actually so deeply hooked into this story because I wanted to know what happened next in her professional life.

Michael is a very yummy male lead. The sex scenes are just a little (alright a lot) bit toe curling. But I get the feeling that there is so much more to him than hasten revealed. I can’t wait to find out more in Chrysalis. After all, so many things about Michael’s personality and life are only revealed to Darby right towards the end. But it definitely feels like he is enough to go up against the Big Bad that is Darby’s father in the next part of their story.

Honestly, this romance kind of has it all. It has the steaminess of a really good, late night read. Then there’s two great characters, one of which is a woman who is phenomenally career driven in a field that is not only fascinating, but so damn important. Finally, there’s all sorts of mysteries thrown up. Not just by Michael’s inability to share with Darby, but her past with her father. And now there’s all so much political, romantic and social potential ready to unfurl in Chrysalis.

<- More Kilby BladesChrysalis ->

Image source: Amazon

Worst Holiday Ever by Miscellaneous

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Overview

Title: Worst Holiday Ever: A Family Drama Romance Anthology
Author: Eva Moore, Adrienne Bell, Kilby Blades, Kari Lemor, Preslaysa Williams, Marie Booth, R.L. Merrill, Erin St. Charles & Meg Bellamy
In: Worst Holiday Ever (Miscellaneous)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Short story collections
Pace: Medium
Format: Anthology
Year: 2018

Thoughts

This was one of the best holiday collections that I’ve read in a while. It included a whole lot of humour and romance, shenanigans, and high jinks. What I loved most about it though is that it really helped to capture the whole holiday feeling. The way that the holiday season is always chaotic and goes a little bit awry. But there’s always a silver lining if you look hard enough.

I only knew one author in this collection when I added it to my ereader – Kilby Blades. Now I have an absolutely stacked TBR in my ereader from all of the fantastic new authors I got to discover throughout this collection. I always love a good collection of stories that starts with an author that I know and love, and then just… expands my horizons. I don’t think I’ll ever get through all of the lovely books on my shelves. But there is so much wonderous potential…

Every story in this collection is chaotic and kind of humorous, poking fun at the challenges of the holiday season. But they all have very different themes. Everyone does highlight that the worst of the holiday season comes from the chaos of family. For some the love also comes from there, for others, it comes from elsewhere… the range within this collection is brilliant and made me love it just that much more.

This was a fantastic collection of short stories set around the chaos of family in the holiday season. Definitely a collection I’ll read again and again at that time of year. If only to remind myself that maybe my own family isn’t so bad after all…

<- Feliz Chanukah!Decked Out ->

Image source: Fantastic Fiction

Forrest for the Trees by Kilby Blades

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Forrest for the Trees
Author: Kilby Blades, SmartyPants Romance
Series: Green Valley Heroes #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Year: 2021

Thoughts

I loved that this is a contemporary romance that deals, realistically, with inequality issues. I mean, at the centre it’s just another beautiful and heart-warming romance. But the other aspects of the plot that deal so directly with an issue that many people face? That was glorious. And, it’s not just dealing with a woman working in STEM (I actually wanted to work in the exact same area and eventually just gave up). But it is also about being a POC and how this can further become a restriction on what is available to a person.

I’ve got to admit, that I think Forrest’s quiet and steady pursual of Sierra is kind of adorable. I’m not normally a fan of that whole, steadily and quietly pursuing somebody. It can give off too strong a stalker vibes at times. But, it didn’t in this. Instead, Forrest’s court (even when Sierra was unaware of it) is very respectful and sweet. He takes the time to learn more about her and create a relationship that can be used as the basis of something more. Rather than just making a decision about their potential future.

On that note, I actually really loved the relationship building in this story. Sierra and Forrest slowly build up their knowledge of one another. It starts out antagonist, becomes closer and closer, and then eventually makes its way to something more serious. I love tales which build a relationship around truly getting to one another. I mean, I also love when there is all of that sexual sizzle, but sometimes it’s just nice when a couple takes that damn time to build something.

Alongside the discussions of inequality and the romance, there is also the secondary story line which is a bit of a whodunnit. I spent the whole time trying to figure out just how the fires were getting lit. What the motive was. Who had actually done it. And why there seemed to be a bit of a dodgy cover up throughout. Of course, it was all tied up quite nicely, and I definitely loved the comeuppance at the end when everything was revealed.

<- More Kilby BladesParks and Provocation ->

Image source: Goodreads