Category Archives: Reviews

Review – Shift by Raine Thomas @Raine_Thomas

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Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

It’s always hard to write a review for a series, because less is more to keep from spoiling the story for you. Shift by Raine Thomas picks up where Defy left off and, even though it has been a little while since I read Defy, I was never lost. It surprises me, because I read a ton of books and that is kudos to Raine Thomas for writing such great stories that I remembered so much and my feelings picked up where they had left off.

There are ten different character classes, so if you need help deciphering who’s who, there is a glossary at the end of the book. I won’t go in depth trying to explain them, but I will tell you there are definite communication problems, though love finds a way.

The characters, especially Sophia and Tate are sure to grab your heart and break it all at the same time. Danger surrounds them at every turn, as they have something the villain wants..and he is one wicked devil, who will stop at nothing to get it.

I laughed and I cried along with the characters. They will draw you into their magical world and hold tight. I couldn’t stop reading. Raine Thomas has created a world that amazed me. I often wonder how an author comes up with such a wonderfully written fantasy.

That ending…

I’m glad that Raine Thomas made sure I had the next book handy.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

Having the ability to shapeshift, Sophia is familiar with change. But even she feels the rising tension in her homeland.

A shadowy male and deadly beast reside in their midst. The births of the newest Kynzesti loom. Hostile Mercesti continue to hunt for the Elder Scroll, and a traumatized female is too afraid to use her abilities to stop them.

Topping off Sophia’s stress is Quincy, the male she’s convinced can’t stand her. She rues the loss of their friendship, but can’t figure out how to move past it. She’ll soon learn, however, that mending that rift bears more significance than she ever imagined.

The search for the Elder Scroll takes on unexpected urgency, and Sophia finds herself in a race across the mainland. To stop the Mercesti led by Eirik, she and her companions must get past their differences and unite against them. If they don’t, Eirik will acquire the immense power he seeks, and two of the beings Sophia loves most will die.

  • Genre: Angels, Fantasy, Fiction, Paranormal Romance, Paranormal, Science Fiction, Supernatural, Young Adult
  • Format: ebook
  • Published: August 24, 2012 by Iambe Books
  • Series: First Born Trilogy, #2, Estilorian, #5

ABOUT RAINE THOMAS

Raine Thomas is the award-winning author of more than 20 bestselling romances spanning contemporary romance, Sci-Fi romance, and YA fantasy romance. She’s a hopeless romantic with a background in the fields of mental health and wedding planning…two areas that intersect far more than one would think. She’s also a book fiend, grammar nerd, and editing Red Queen, depending on who you ask.

Be sure to follow Raine on BookBub (https://www.bookbub.com/profile/raine…) to be among the first to learn of any sales, and hop over to her website for your first free read!

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MY RAINE THOMAS REVIEWS

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Awe Inspiring – Reckoning: Rise Of The Guardians by Olivia Boothe @TheOliviaBoothe

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Descension top
Descension middle
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Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

MAN OH MAN! I don’t even know where to begin. I have been loving the Hell’s Angel series since I cracked open the first book, Afterworld. I was overwhelmed in Descension, the second book in the series. My emotions were all over the place as they fought for survival. You do need to begin at the beginning or you will be lost.

An apt description is one already given in the description: Supernatural meets The Walking Dead in this retelling of Lucifer’s Fall dark fantasy romance.

Because I continue to watch Supernatural, and The Walking Dead series, it is easy to visualize the battles fought between good and evil, and angels and demons. Samael has taken Kate’s family. She knows she will have to meet him, face to face, but that’s okay, because she will do ANYTHING to get them back.

Kate feels God has forsaken them and I wonder about that too. Is he operating from the background, feeling the characters need to figure it out for themselves? Is he on vacation, not caring if they live or die? I wondered if he would step in when they were at the lowest. I absolutely love the way Olivia Boothe handled the issue.

Every time I read a book that blows me away, I wonder how an author even dreams the story up. After all, they are making up a world and characters that make me laugh and smile, and cry and berate all that is holy for allowing something to happen, to scream at the heavens. At times I held my breath, rapidly reading the words that spanned the pages, breathless, eager to know what’s coming, but hating to come to the end.

I have loved this series soooo much that I feel five stars is not enough, though that is all I have. I hate to see it end, but I feel Olivia Boothe ended it in a spectacular fashion. I would not change a thing. If you are a paranormal lover, I can not recommend this enough!

Thanks Olivia, for the opportunity to read and review Reckoning: Rise Of The Guardians.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
5 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

SURVIVING THE APOCALYPSE CHANGES YOU. BUT LOSING YOUR FAMILY? THAT’S WHAT SHARPENS YOU INTO THE BLADE THAT WILL CUT STRAIGHT INTO YOUR ENEMY’S HEART.

After recovering the four Creation Stones and sending Beleth back to Hell, we managed to secure the Guardians’ Eastern Headquarters, but we’ve only succeeded at patching up the wounds. Our numbers are depleted and our wards are weakening. Nowhere is safe. Not until we can end this war, and Samael is determined to win it.

He’s not only taken my family, planning to use my son as his vessel and holding Jax captive as collateral, but he’s unleashed his deadliest army yet. But I’m not leaving this battlefield until that infernal beast is nothing but ashes. Even if that means I have to bring the fight straight to his cursed kingdom.

Kate and her crew return in the heart-stopping finale to Olivia Boothe’s Best Selling Hell’s Angel series. Intended for mature audiences. Reader discretion is advised. For a full list of content warnings please check the author’s website.

  • Genre: Angels and Demons, Fiction, Paranormal, Romance, Supernatural
  • Kindle Edition
  • Expected publication December 9, 2024 by Three Brothers Press
  • Series: Hell’s Angel #3

ABOUT OLIVIA BOOTHE

REAL LOVE AS IT IS. MESSY, COMPLICATED & SINFULLY ADDICTIVE.

Born in Colombia and raised in New Jersey since the age of eight, Olivia always dreamed of becoming a story teller.

If you enjoy deadly-hot romance novels with deep, layered plots, she’s your gal. Because it’s not just about the first kiss and the happily ever after, it’s about everything in between.

In addition to writing contemporary and paranormal romance, Olivia is currently working on an adult contemporary fantasy.

Fun Facts: When not locked away in her writing tower at the wee hours of the night, Olivia works a government 9-5 job and manages a house full of males (a husband, three sons, and a doggo named Hunter). On occasion, she summons her tribe for a night of wine and shenanigans. Dark chocolate is her kryptonite, she hates/loves to ugly cry during movies, and is a die-hard Bon Jovi fan.

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MY OLIVIA BOOTHE REVIEWS

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Release Day for What Happened To The Boy by June Summers #JuneSummers #whathappenedtotheboy

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Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

First off, I want to thank June Summers for the opportunity to read and review What Happened To The Boy. It was the title that first caught my attention and I was sucked in by the cover that jumps out at me. I mean, who doesn’t want to know about a five year old boy after his mother and father are found shot to death in their burned down house.

I guess I would say What Happened To The Boy by June Summers is more mystery than suspense, but there is a sense of danger surrounding the boy and Thin Lizzy. She puts her life on the line to keep him safe.

I love when an author can surprise me and June Summers took me to a place I didn’t see coming. I love it and how she resolved all the issues. I do love a happy ending and she supplied one, so if you are looking for something to wake you up and slap you in the face, then lull you to your happy place, you can’t go wrong adding What Happened To The Boy to your reading list.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

An intense fire destroys the palatial home of a prominent attorney and his wife. After their bodies are removed from the burning house, Sam Nagy is pronounced dead immediately; his wife, Alyssa, succumbs on the way to the hospital. The causes of death are due to bullet wounds—not the fire.
But what happened to their boy?
Thin Lizzy, a dowdy homeless person, who secretly resides nightly at the public library, knows about the boy, but she’s not telling.

  • Genre: Fiction, Mystery
  • Format: 267 pages, Kindle Edition
  • Expected publication: December 11, 2024 by The Wild Rose Press, Inc.

ABOUT JUNE SUMMERS (from Amazon)

Some say when you’re old, you should be content with what you accomplished in your past and sit back in your rocking chair awaiting your final fate. I, of course, disagree. At the age of seventy-six, I had my first novel, LET FREEDOM RING, published by The Wild Rose Press. Two years later, my second and third novels were released (BEFORE WE FADE AWAY-The Wild Rose Press and A CONFLICT OF TIME-Full Moon Publishing, LLC.) My fourth novel, WHATEVER IT TAKES, was published in F2020 by Moonshine Cove Publishing. My fifth novel, THERE WAS AN OLD WOMAN was published by The Wild Rose Press in 2021, and my sixth novel, AT ROPE’S END, will be published on May 1, 2023 by The Wild Rose Press.

I have been writing for as long as I can remember. I started out writing poetry; some good; many not so good. In my stories, I like to write about ordinary people caught in extraordinary situations. I want the readers to put themselves into the place of the characters and feel what they are feeling and see what they are seeing. I want them to be part of situations beyond their imaginations and to experience things vicariously that are too dangerous or absurd to experience in reality. It would be like living your everyday life, then, BAM, something totally out of your control forces you to take action that you never thought you were capable of doing.

Suspense and mystery with unique circumstances are genres of most of my manuscripts. My first three novels took place in Nawinah, a mythical town near Orlando, Florida. My second two took place in Northeastern Ohio, where I am now spending my retirement years.

While writing, I actually feel myself taking part in the activities of my protagonist. I know what he or she is going to say because I would say the same thing. I know what he or she would do in a situation because I know what I would do. It’s a strange but exhilarating sensation.

Some writers make out extensive outlines and know exactly what each chapter will include. Not me. I wouldn’t be able to write that way. As I alluded, I actually live within my characters. So I don’t know how they would react to a situation until that situation takes place.

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Review – The Girl Once Known by R M Demeester @rmdemeester

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Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

I had read Yours Truly by R M Demeester and loved it, so I have kept my eyes open for more of her books.

The Girl Once Known is a look into the lives of a highly dysfunctional family, of which Mira is the star. She is burdened with OCD and a need for everything having a place and being in it. She loves her surroundings clean and organized. She lives with her mother and sister who constantly berate her. The way they treat her is horrendous. When an opportunity comes for her to move out and live with her estranged father she doesn’t hesitate.

Her boyfriend helps ground her, but what happens when his actions pull her feet out from under her? In her confusion, she runs from the house. Someone hits her and runs. She is left bloody and broken. I knew the answer of who hit her couldn’t be as easy as the first person I suspected, or the second person I suspected. I love a twisty plot that takes its time unraveling, keeping me turning the pages, having to know the answer.

You won’t get all the answers from The Girl Once Known, so I am quickly going to dive into the next book in the series The Bond Once Broken.

I want to thank R M Demeester and Booksprout for the opportunity to read and review The Girl Once Known by R M Demeester.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

After a violent hit-and-run shatters Mira Harris’s life, she finds herself at a crossroads.

Before the accident, Mira, haunted by a childhood shaped by dysfunction and the recent return of her estranged father, has always sought order to cope. Her relationship with Joseph Oliver, a young man with a troubled past, provided a semblance of balance. But now, with her trust broken and her body battered, to find out who wanted to harm her, she must peel back layers of lies, confronting not just the driver’s identity but the very fabric of her childhood.

As the truth inches closer, Mira and those closest to her face a reality more daunting than her injuries. Is uncovering the truth worth the risk and the personal cost not only to Mira but also to those closest to her?

  • Genre: Fiction, Psychological, Suspense, Thriller
  • 334 pages, Kindle Edition
  • Published February 2, 2024

ABOUT R M DEMEESTER

R.M. Demeester, from Saskatchewan, loves being a mom, reading books, and writing. She’s been writing since she was very young. Today, she’s known for her stories in women’s fiction, romantic suspense, and thrillers. She also has a rescue dog named Gainer, a chocolate lab who passed away recently, but is still very much loved and missed. Her newest book, “The Girl Once Known”, comes out in February 2024.

MY R M DEMEESTER REVIEWS

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Review – His Brother’s Mate by Maggie Tideswell @LunaMags

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MY REVIEW

Such a pretty cover and when I saw The Tasmanian Colony I wondered if there would be Tasmanian shifters. LOL Nope, but we have plenty of other magical creatures, like witches, vampires and dragons, along with a human. Of course, she will fall in love with one of them, and I was counting on that. I don’t mind some things being predictable, especially when an author creates a fantastical world with compelling characters.

Harriet never stood a chance, once she met HIM.

I love a good supernatural story. Maggie Tideswell lured me in with the blurb, but the story kept me hanging on, facing the same dangers that Harriet did. I thought, what an odd name for a fantasy character and it put a smile on my face as I tried to conjure an image of what she looked like. Not the older woman that I first had in mind, that’s for sure.

Her being the only human makes her a target. Will she allow herself to be turned? I am curious to see how it will play out, as she has fallen in love with a vampire.

I want to thank Maggie Tideswell for the opportunity to read His Brother’s Mate and I’m looking forward to seeing what comes next.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

A witch, a vampire colony, a dragon shifter, and one little hotblood…

She doesn’t belong there. She is just an ordinary 26-year-old girl with no special talents or superpowers, except for an affinity for sick animals.

Yet, suddenly, because she liked a guy she knew nothing of and wanted to explore her options for a future with him, she finds herself in a vampire colony with no way of escape. Her friend abandons her, leaving her at the mercy of his brother, who just happens to be the most gorgeous man she has ever seen.

She could not have foreseen what awaited her.

  • Genre: Dragons, Fantasy, Fiction, Paranormal, Romance, Supernatural, Witches, Vampires
  • 279 pages, Kindle Edition
  • Published August 1, 2024
  • Series: The Tasmanian Colony #1

ABOUT MAGGIE TIDESWELL (from Amazon)

Bestselling international author of spooky paranormal romance, urban fantasy romance, and fantasy romance, Maggie Tideswell has a passion for romance. She combines things that can’t be explained with sweaty bodies and rumpled beds in a way that will make your toes curl and your hair stand on end.

Maggie lives in Johannesburg, South Africa with her husband Gareth and a cat called Auntie. She just can’t do without perfume, her tea and the internet. She is nearly as passionate about food as she is about creating alpha heroes every woman will fall in love with, just as she does, every time.

Follow Maggie on BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/maggie-tideswell

Subscribe to Maggie’s Ghoulies & Ghosties newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/h4o5m6

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What The ? Is Going On – First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston #ashleyelston #firstliewins

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MY REVIEW

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE IT!

First Lie Wins is my first book by Ashley Elston, but it won’t be my last. I loved everything about First Lie Wins. I thought I knew what was going on, but Ashley had a few twists and turns that caught me offguard. I love when an author has me thinking…WTF and Ashley Elston does it in a big way.

Think having the perfect boyfriend, a white picket fence, the garden you always wanted and a wonderful group of friends is the be all end all? Think again. You can never be sure someone is who they say they are, because what you see is not always what you get.

If you are looking for a book that will fuck with you mind, grab a copy of First Lie Wins.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
5 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

REESE’S BOOK CLUB PICK | INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

“This fast-paced read has everything you could want in a thriller: secret identities, a mysterious boss and a cat & mouse game that kept me guessing the whole way through.”—Reese Witherspoon

Evie Porter has everything a nice, Southern girl could want: a perfect, doting boyfriend, a house with a white picket fence and a garden, a fancy group of friends. The only catch: Evie Porter doesn’t exist.

The identity comes first: Evie Porter. Once she’s given a name and location by her mysterious boss Mr. Smith, she learns everything there is to know about the town and the people in it. Then the mark: Ryan Sumner. The last piece of the puzzle is the job.

Evie isn’t privy to Mr. Smith’s real identity, but she knows this job will be different. Ryan has gotten under her skin, and she’s starting to envision a different sort of life for herself. But Evie can’t make any mistakes—especially after what happened last time.

Because the one thing she’s worked her entire life to keep clean, the one identity she could always go back to—her real identity—just walked right into this town. Evie Porter must stay one step ahead of her past while making sure there’s still a future in front of her. The stakes couldn’t be higher—but then, Evie has always liked a challenge…

  • Genre: Fiction, Mystery, Suspense, Thriller
  • Format: 384 pages, Kindle Edition
  • Published: January 2, 2024 by Pamela Dorman Books

ABOUT ASHLEY ELSTON

Ashley Elston worked for many years as a wedding photographer before turning her hand to writing. She lives in Louisiana with her husband and three sons. Elston has written six young adult novels. FIRST LIE WINS, her adult debut, was a number one New York Times bestseller and was selected as a Reese’s Book Club pick.

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Review – AJ And The Incredible Fish by Paolo Mazzucato @pumpupyourbook @paolo_mazzucato

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AJ and the Incredible Fish by Paolo Mazzucato is a captivating fantasy adventure that’s perfect for tweens aged 9-14, especially boys who love a blend of excitement and deeper meaning. 

MY REVIEW

AJ and the Incredible Fish by Paolo Mazzucato is sure to ignite the imagination of young and old alike. It makes me think this is Paolo Mazzucato’s version of Moby Dick. It’s definitely a fishing tale about the one that got away.

There are fabulous illustrations, poems, and songs woven into the story. AJ and the Incredible Fish is filled with action and adventure and meanings to the story that adds food for thought. AJ had lost the ability to let his imagination run free. No Easter Bunny or Santa Claus. No fairies exchanging money for teeth. No magic left in his life.

I was marking some of Grandpa’s quotes from his journal and I thought it was funny that Paolo had listed them at the end of the book. Things like:

You’re never too old to believe.

The only danger comes from never leaving the shore.

Certainty is the death of imagination.

So let your imagination run wild and you never know what the future can hold for you.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars



Title: AJ and the Incredible Fish

Author: Paolo Mazzucato

Publication Date: September 10, 2024

Pages: 316

Genre: Fantasy Adventure (Tweens 9-14)

Could a fish hold the key to belief?

AJ and the Incredible Fishby Paolo Mazzucato is a captivating fantasy adventure that’s perfect for tweens aged 9-14, especially boys who love a blend of excitement and deeper meaning.

This story takes young readers on an unforgettable journey that blends the wonders of fantasy with the realities of growing up.
Eleven-year-old AJ is a relatable character who starts off skeptical of fairy tales and grand adventures, but when his Grandpa unexpectedly sets sail on a quest to find a legendary fish, AJ finds himself pulled into a world where anything is possible.

Alongside an eccentric girl named Livvy, AJ faces perilous challenges, encounters extraordinary characters, and discovers that the true adventure lies in believing in the impossible.

This book is more than just an adventure; it’s a story about trust, courage, and the power of belief. It encourages young readers to embrace their imagination, face their fears, and understand that sometimes, the greatest treasures in life are the dreams we dare to chase.

Ideal for parents, teachers, and librarians seeking a fantasy fiction adventure that inspires and entertains.

Don’t miss out—let AJ’s journey spark imaginations!

AJ AND THE INCREDIBLE FISH is available in hardcover for $24.95 and in Paperback for $18.95. It can be found on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, BepiBooks.com and other online book sellers. (and at the Orange County Children’s Book Festival, Sept. 22, 2024 https://www.kidsbookfestival.com/

BepiBooks: https://bepibooks.com/aj.html

Publication date: September 10, 2024; Publisher: Bepi Books 

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Paolo-Mazzucato/author/B07PHNMF53

Amazon Hard Cover Page: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1737989840?

AJ and the Incredible Fish — Hard Cover: 978-1-7379898-4-4; 316 pages, 24.95

AJ and the Incredible Fish — Paperback: 978-1-7379898-5-1, 316 pages, 18.95

Amazon Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/AJ-Incredible-Fish-Paolo-Mazzucato/dp/1737989859

 

Book Excerpt


Grandpa straightened up and squared off. “Worse? What could be worse? Worse than giving up without a fight? Worse than surrendering to doubt or taking the easy way out. Believing that you can’t change the world? What kind of lesson is that for my grandson?”

“But Captain,” Marlin started—

“I am NOT your captain!” Grandpa said as he threw his cap down onto the table. Riley and Marlin took a step back, startled. I was stunned too.

I picked up Grandpa’s cap and carried it back to him. “Grandpa, it’s okay. It’s been a lot of fun. I mean…I didn’t really think we’d catch anything.”

With that, Grandpa’s expression changed. The stern look in his eyes faded like the sparkle had earlier. “I see,” he said finally. “Then your adventure really is over.”

– Excerpted from AJ and the Incredible Fish by Paolo Mazzucato, Bepi Books, 2024. Reprinted with permission.

About the Author

Grandpa straightened up and squared off. “Worse? What could be worse? Worse than giving up without a fight? Worse than surrendering to doubt or taking the easy way out. Believing that you can’t change the world? What kind of lesson is that for my grandson?”

“But Captain,” Marlin started—

“I am NOT your captain!” Grandpa said as he threw his cap down onto the table. Riley and Marlin took a step back, startled. I was stunned too.

I picked up Grandpa’s cap and carried it back to him. “Grandpa, it’s okay. It’s been a lot of fun. I mean…I didn’t really think we’d catch anything.”

With that, Grandpa’s expression changed. The stern look in his eyes faded like the sparkle had earlier. “I see,” he said finally. “Then your adventure really is over.”

Paolo Mazzucato is an American fiction author and screenwriter. He began his writing career as a Chicago playwright and award-winning student filmmaker before moving to Los Angeles where he won awards for screenwriting and scripted various projects for film and television. He is also the author of several children’s books including: “No One Mocks a Panda” (an Amazon #1 Best Seller, Feb. 2019), and “The Absolutely True Story of La Befana” (an Amazon Holiday Top 100 title). He is also the author of the fantasy/adventure novel, “The Gondoliers: The Secret Journals of Fanticulous Glim,” a “recommended” read by the US Review of Books.

Mazzucato’s new book will be launched on Sunday, September 22nd at the Orange County 
Children’s Book Festival in Costa Mesa, California. 

Find out more about the author on his website:  www.writer.mazzucato.org and follow him on his social media (Facebook, X and Instagram).



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Library Love – What Lurks Beneath by Ryan Lockwood #ryanlockwood #whatlurksbeneath

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MY REVIEW

I am loving Ryan Lockwood’s books, Below and now, What Lurks Beneath. They are a couple of fabulous creature features that gripped me and never let me go. I was on pins and needles, the suspense and anticipation off the charts. Action and adventure were on every page.

It’s not all creature, but I love that it was always on my mind. Even when Valerie was trying to figure out her love life with Will. He has fallen off the wagon and she’s not having it. I hope Will gets his shit together because I think they will make a great couple and I do like happy ever afters. I hope that means that you are hard at work writing more novels, Ryan.

If you are a fan of creature features, I can’t recommend Ryan Lockwood enough. His books are filled with danger and intrigue, dysfunctional characters and a hint of the paranormal. The writing is easy to read and flows smoothly. I think you have to walk outside the line to live the life Ryan’s characters do. So, come on. Let’s walk on the wild side together.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
5 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

From the acclaimed author of Below comes a new breed of terror that rises from the depths of the ocean. To hunt. To devour. To kill.

The first attack occurrs in the underwater caverns of the Bahamas. Two professional divers exploring the unknown. A monstrous flesh-ripping predator they never see coming.

Now the attacks are coming closer and closer to shore. A sun-soaked playground for sea-loving tourists. A human feasting ground for whatever lurks beneath.

Now, in a desperate race against time, Eric Watson, an expert on remote control underwater vehicles, and marine biologist Valerie Martell, must identify a savage new species of killer—and piece together one of nature’s most horrific mysteries. But the most terrifying discovery of all waits for Val and her team at the bottom of the sea. A discovery too shocking, to comprehend.

Because up till now, this creature existed only in mankind’s darkest nightmares. Not anymore.

Genre: Action and Advenure, Fiction, Horror, Science Fiction, Suspense, Thriller

Format: 385 pages, Kindle Edition

Published: May 26, 2015 by Pinnacle Books

ABOUT RYAN LOCKWOOD

Ryan Lockwood experienced many interesting outdoor jobs before writing his first novel, requiring him to assist with mountain lion capture, scrape barnacles off submerged boat hulls, fight Western wildfires, and measure storm runoff in the middle of the night. He holds degrees in technical journalism and environmental science, and has been employed as a biological research assistant, professional editor and public relations coordinator. When not writing, Lockwood scuba dives, climbs mountains, hunts to fill the freezer, and strives to become a better sailor. He currently lives in Colorado with his family and assorted four-legged friends.

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Magic Is Aiive in A Ho HO HO Beau Christmas by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff @MimiJeanRomance #2024HoHoHoRAT

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Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

A Ho Ho Ho Beau Christmas may be predictable, but it was delightful.

Meri Winters is going through some life changes during her favorite season of the year, Christmas. She feels like she was doing her holiday traditions for all the wrong reasons, so no Christmas party this year.

Things changed as soon as she met Beau, a hobo living in a tent by the garbage. She’s drawn to him, but he does everything he can to discourage her. He’s in a bad place and doesn’t have room in his life for a relationship.

I figured out the story pretty quick, but Mimi Jean Pamfiloff writes some wonderful novels and I am always happy to spend time with her characters. We have laughs, we have problems, we have arguments, we have friendships, we have everything that life entails, and, also, a happy ending. I do like those, especially during the holidays season.

So, if you are looking for a fun and magical story to brighten your holiday season, why not give A HO HO HO Beau Christmas a shot?

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

From New York Times bestseller Mimi Jean Pamfiloff comes a Christmas Rom-Com with a sweet magical surprise.

As the snow begins to fall and the city streets sparkle with festive lights, Meri Winters feels anything but merry. Juggling a demanding job and a strained relationship with her best friend, she’s more focused on surviving the holiday season than enjoying it.

That is, until she meets Beau Starling, a ruggedly handsome hobo who’s been living in the alley behind her building. Despite his disheveled appearance, there’s something mysterious about him—an inexplicable pull she can’t ignore.

As Meri opens her heart to this unlikely stranger, she discovers that Beau isn’t just a wanderer passing through. He has secrets—ones that could change both their lives forever.

In a season known for miracles, Meri will have to decide whether to take a leap of faith and trust in the magic of the holidays, or risk losing the one gift she never expected.

  • Genre: Christmas, Fiction, Holiday, Humor, Romance
  • Format: 222 pages, ebook
  • Published: November 7, 2024 by Paper & Silver, Inc.

ABOUT MIMI JEAN PAMFILOFF

MIMI JEAN PAMFILOFF is a New York Times bestselling author who’s sold over one million books around the world. Although she obtained her MBA and worked for more than fifteen years in the corporate world, she believes that it’s never too late to come out of the romance closet and follow your dreams.

Mimi lives with her Latin lover hubby, two pirates-in-training (their boys), and their three spunky dragons (really, just very tiny dogs with big attitudes) Snowy, Mini, and Mack, in the vampire-unfriendly state of Arizona.

She hopes to make you laugh when you need it most and continues to pray daily that leather pants will make a big comeback for men.

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Review – Beyond Reasonable Doubt by Robert Dugoni #netgalley @robertdugoni

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MY REVIEW

I’ve seen and heard about Robert Dugoni but hadn’t read any of his work. When I saw Beyond A Reasonable Doubt on NetGalley, I grabbed it. Now I know what I’ve been missing.

Beyond Reasonable Doubt is a mishmash of genres: mystery, police procedural, courtroom drama, legal, suspense and thriller. It sure kept my attention, from beginning to end.

I saw where it was the second book in the series, but I never felt lost. Robert Dugoni filled me in on what I missed and what I needed to keep my head in the game. A head that Robert kept spinning as I tried to figure out all the details. We do have multiple suspects with motives for killing their fellow workers.

We have characters with their personal struggles and a sociopath that could be responsible for two deaths. Is she too obvious a suspect? I bounced back and forth between the suspects, just as I did for the rating for Beyond Reasonable Doubt. As you can see, I rate up when bounce around. I look forward to reading more of his work in the future.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
5 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

A master manipulator accused of murder. An attorney sworn to defend her. Keera Duggan returns in a riveting novel of suspense by New York Times bestselling author Robert Dugoni.

When Jenna Bernstein, disgraced wunderkind CEO of a controversial biotech company, is accused of murdering her former partner and lover, she turns to Seattle attorney Keera Duggan to defend her. Keera is more than a master chess player who brings her intuitive moves into court—she’s Jenna’s childhood friend. But considering their history, Keera knows that where Jenna goes, trouble follows.

Three years earlier, Keera’s father successfully defended Jenna when she was tried for the killing of her company’s chief medical scientist who threatened to go public with allegations of corporate fraud. Keera knows Jenna too well. When she was a kid, Keera saw Jenna for what she a manipulative and frighteningly controlling sociopath. Now, with only circumstantial evidence against Jenna, Keera is willing to bury any trepidation she might have to defend a woman she believes, this time, to be innocent.

As the investigation gets underway and disturbing questions arise, Keera puts her trust in a client who swears nothing but the truth. If this is all just another devious game, Keera might be working to set a murderer free.

  • Genre: Fiction, Legal, Mystery, Suspense, Thriller
  • Format: 365 pages, Kindle Edition
  • Published: October 22, 2024 by Thomas & Mercer
  • Series: Keera Duggan
  • Setting: Seattle, Washington

ABOUT ROBERT DUGONI

Robert DugoniRobert Dugoni is the critically acclaimed New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post and #1 Amazon bestselling author of the Tracy Crosswhite police series set in Seattle, which has sold more than 8 million books worldwide. He is also the author of The Charles Jenkins espionage series, the David Sloane legal thriller series, and several stand-alone novels including The 7th Canon, Damage Control, and the literary novels, The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell – Suspense Magazine’s 2018 Book of the Year, for which Dugoni’s narration won an AudioFile Earphones Award and the critically acclaimed, The World Played Chess; as well as the nonfiction exposé The Cyanide Canary, a Washington Post Best Book of the Year. Several of his novels have been optioned for movies and television series. Dugoni is the recipient of the Nancy Pearl Award for Fiction and a three-time winner of the Friends of Mystery Spotted Owl Award for best novel set in the Pacific Northwest. He has also been a finalist for many other awards including the International Thriller Award, the Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction, the Silver Falchion Award for mystery, and the Mystery Writers of America Edgar Award.

Robert Dugoni’s books are sold in more than twenty-five countries and have been translated into more than thirty languages.

Visit his website at www.robertdugoni.com, and follow him on twitter @robertdugoni and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AuthorRobertDugoni

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