authentic reviews and insightful interviews for inquisitive readers
Article and Interview by Elise Cooper A Cowboy Christmas Carol by Melinda Curtis recalls the story of Scrooge, A Christmas Carol. In this case it is one of twin brothers, Ryan, wants nothing to do with the holiday. If readers want a story that will put a smile on their faces, they will want to read this because the banter between the characters is off the charts. Ryan and Tate Oakley are twin brothers who are part of the rodeo …
Title: A Fragile Enchantment Author: Allison Saft Series: n/a Thank you to Allison Saft, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for allowing me to listen to a free eaudio ARC in exchange for an honest review. This was so meh. Retitle to: Everyone Wants What They Can’t (Or Think They Can’t) Have. That was the main theme. Neeve (that’s how the narrator pronounced it) wanted a better life for pretty much everyone, then wanted Kit. Kit wanted freedom, then Neeve. Sinclair wanted …
Article and Interview by Elise Cooper The Whole Time by Catherine Bybee is a fun read. Per usual, readers will love her stories that have engrossing characters, with touching and heartwarming plots. The story is about two independent people, Selena Barone, and Ryan Rutledge. Since they have been in other books of the series, readers got to know them. Yet, this installment shows both willing to stand up to their parents to gain their independence. Selena decides to move into …
Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Shadows at Dusk by Elizabeth Goddard shows why she is becoming one of the top suspense authors. This story is filled with deceit, revenge, and a riveting mystery. There is intrigue, a remote setting, and has some romance. But readers’ interest will sparked from the very beginning when they read the quote, “I can’t think of anyone who might be after me, except the man who killed me.” The plot has Montana Detective Trevor …
Title: Iron Flame Author: Rebecca Yarros Series: Fourth Wing #2 A great follow-up! Got a bit long, though. I spaced off from time to time during the second half when it was all boring war- or strategy-talk. Xaden and Violet’s argument got old, too; felt like they were just arguing in circles. Didn’t help that, like they themselves acknowledged, they kept getting interrupted by either hormones or external matters before they could finish the argument. Thank god they finally did, …
Article and Interview by Elise Cooper His Texas Runaway Bride by Amy Vastine is the last in the Stop the Wedding series. It seems the author saved the best for last. This story opens with the heroine, Willow Sanderson, about to walk down the alter when she realizes she does not want to be a Dallas trophy wife. She leaves and flees to the small town of Maple Grove Texas where she lucks out and finds a job as the …
Title: Inheritance Author: Nora Roberts Series: The Lost Bride Trilogy #1 No self-contained plot, protag too perfect Much thanks to Nora Roberts, St. Martin’s Press, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for allowing me to both read and listen to free ARCs of the ebook and audiobook in exchange for an honest review. The premise checked a lot of boxes for me, as it did for Nora when she was brainstorming her next trilogy. Old haunted mansion, ghosts, spooks, a family curse, …
A quick little roundup of several smaller reviews I’ve written so far in Fall 2023. Depending on how many more I do, I may add on to the end, or make a part 1/part 2 deal, we’ll see. Beware of spoilers! Title: The Witchfinder’s Serpent Author: Rande Goodwin Series: The Witches of Windsor #1 Thank you to Rande Goodwin, Greenleaf Audiobooks, and NetGalley for allowing me to listen to a free eaudio ARC in exchange for an honest review. This …
Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Deadly Vegas Escapade by Anna J. Stewart is a great suspenseful whodunit tinged with romance. What makes the story interesting is how Stewart shows the good side and the bad side to those serving. The hero is of course a military man, but as with some in the military there are those who sell their souls for money. The plot begins with a car chase where Army Intelligence officer Riordan Malloy is forced off …
Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Lost and Found by Suzanne Woods Fisher has a story that looks at change and how someone faces that change. There are hints of romance, dashes of humor, and some drama. Most of the characters in the story explore difficult choices. There is conflict between the Liberal Beachy Amish order, and the more conservative Amish order plus the conflict between those who want to protect the bird sanctuary of Wonder Lake and those who …