authentic reviews and insightful interviews for inquisitive readers
Title: The Siren and the Deep Blue Sea Author: Kerrelyn Sparks Series: Embraced (by Magic) #5 A satisfying conclusion at last I would like to thank Kerrelyn Sparks, Kensington Books, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. I tried not to spoil much, but there might be a few minor things here and there. Yaaaay! FINALLY we get answers to the questions we’ve had for years! Well, it’s only been a …
Article and Interview by Elise Cooper The Alaskan Force series by Megan Crane is riveting, suspenseful, and combined with romance. What makes this series a stand out is the relationship and banter between the characters, with the mixture of honorably discharged special ops heroes, their dangerous missions, and the rugged Alaskan wilderness. They insert themselves into difficult and dangerous situations by protecting the vulnerable and rescuing those who need it. Below is a synopsis of each of the books with …
Title: Ghosts I Have Known Author: Nhys Glover Series: Greyworld #1 Meh characters, predictable plot, too much “telling” Thanks to Maria Inot for offering me the opportunity to review this book, and thanks to Nhys Glover and TCK Publishing for allowing me to read a free copy in exchange for an honest review. Buy link: • Amazon • This is a well-intentioned but poorly written story that doesn’t develop a romance so much as act as a platform to explore …
Title: A Dash of Romance Author: Paullett Golden Series: Romantic Encounters Anthology Series #1 More is certainly not less Much thanks to the author, who provided me with a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. I don’t think there are any big spoilers, but beware to those who are super sensitive, I guess. This book is comprised of 15 different stories, all sharing genre and tone and style, so it’s not jarring to go from one to the …
Title: The Black Swan of Paris Author: Karen Robards Series: n/a Rife with tension, heartache, and hope I would like to thank Karen Robards, Harlequin MIRA, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. Also thanks to Justine Sha for inviting me to participate in the blog tour. Don’t take my 4-star rating to heart; I wasn’t the ideal audience for this type of book. I wanted to read this because it …
Title: Dance Away with Me Author: Susan Elizabeth Phillips Series: n/a A return to form I was kinda nervous to crack this book open, not gonna lie. I was so disappointed in First Star and didn’t want to see more of the same. (Oh my god, was that really four years ago already? Holy shit.) But fear not! This felt like classic Phillips, and I adored it. There wasn’t a whole lot I didn’t like. Only a couple things come …
Title: Call It Magic Author: Janet Chapman Series: Spellbound Falls #7 Started out somewhat promising…then tanked I would like to thank the late Janet Chapman, Berkley, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. I feel like I’m sacrilegiously speaking ill of the dead—rest in peace, Ms. Chapman—but that’s not going to stop me from giving an honest review. I wanted this book to be good so that it would honor Chapman’s …
Title: The Sun Down Motel Author: Simone St. James Series: N/A Not her best but I still really enjoyed it Well, let me tell ya. I wasn’t going to review this book because I’m bitter that Berkley wouldn’t allow me to read an ARC. I’ve praised St. James’s books up and down since I discovered them a few years ago; I’ve recommended them to friends and family; and I was allowed to read The Broken Girls six months early. But …
Title: How to Love Your Elf Author: Kerrelyn Sparks Series: Embraced #4 (Embraced by Magic #1 *eye roll*) Could have ended better but overall a joyous return to Aerthlan I would like to thank Kerrelyn Sparks, Kensington Books, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. Yaaayyy! They’re back! The Embraced series was my introduction to Sparks, and I’ve become a big fan. I grew concerned when, after the release of book …
Updated 10/2024 Recently someone asked me how she could get advance reader copies (ARCs) to read and review. She was probably expecting a short and sweet answer—go to site A, sign up, and give ’em hell—but it’s not that simple (and I’m not that succinct). I’m sure every reviewer’s story is unique, and I could only describe to her what I’ve experienced. I’m no expert by any means, but I did want to share what I told her, in case …