A Dark Lure by Loreth Anne White

4 Stars!! 

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But sometimes people are broken and don’t know how to mend because they aren’t able to say what they need or deeply want. Sometimes you get to a point in life where you realize you’ve made a terrible mistake and you desperately need to fix it, but it’s so deep and bitterly ingrained you can’t start.” 

12 years ago, Sarah Baker was abducted and assaulted for months before escaping. Her captor was caught, but Sarah lost the life she loved, her family and a child. 

While struggling with PTSD, Sarah changes her name to Oliva and finds a job and sanctuary living and working at Broken Bar Ranch. As soon as her scars are finally beginning to heal. All hell breaks loose. The cop involved with her case all those years ago, remains convinced that the real killer/abductor is still out there. He sets a lure for him and a new body is discovered. Now Olivia has to face the past again- could it really be him?? Did he come back to finish the Job?

As winter approaches the ranch, only one person can help Olivia. Cole McDonough, a writer, and the ranch heir. He stirs up something inside Olivia that she didn't even know she craved. But this time, Olivia's fight to shut out the past may ruin her chance at love and cost her- with her life. 

I enjoyed this book so much! It was full of twists and turns- and had me hanging by the edge of my seat. The last 100 pages were crazy intense and I loved it! I thought the characters were great and the story and plot were well thought out. Each character had their own issues to deal with so there was a great bit of depth to them and they all end up intertwined with one another. 

The ending was great and you are holding your breath right till the last word. I thought Sarah/ Olivia was a fantastic MC. We get to go inside her head and watch as things unfold for her, and see her growth as the book progresses. 

Overall I recommend this book! And thought it was a great mystery/thriller with the perfect amount of emotional pull.

The Promise of Rayne by Nicole Deese

4 Stars!!  🌟🌟🌟🌟 “Good character isn't produced overnight; it's grown over many seasons. In the same way you sort the good apples from the bad, the marks of poor characters are just as easy to detect.”  I absolutely loved this book!! It takes so many of my favorite characteristics and makes sort of an all in one! There is romance, family secrets, mystery, forbidden love, self discovery and faith. The characters are wholesome and give you all the good feels.  I love stories that are based around faith, forgiveness and hope without all the fluff. And I really appreciated that this felt like a realistic story from start to finish. I look forward to reading more from this author!

The First City by Joe Hart

4 Stars! 
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Zoey is not the girl she once was. She’s watched too many of her friends die at the hands of their captors, been hunted, and returned from the brink of death. Now she is on a journey to find the truth about who she is.

In search of the family she never knew, Zoey learns of personal records in another facility. Zoey and her new friends travel to the missile facility, but among the records, they uncover information that leads to a new foe: the Fae Trade, a carnival of slavery and pain.

Zoey’s journey into the darkest parts of a humans mind- brings her close to the line between good and evil, and the final cost in her quest for justice might be her own humanity. 

This second book was so much better than book 1! There was action and a steady moving pace. There were a few twists, and it was a lot of fun to read. Zoey still jumps the gun on most decisions and shes always finding trouble. 

This time Zoey finds the Fae Trade. A gruesome carnival where men fight to the death to claim one of the remaining women that have been collected. There are new characters introduced. Some you love and some you love to hate. 

Overall I think everything I had issues with in the first book, were redeemed in this one! This is a pretty good series so far and looking forward to The Last City!

House of Ravens by Keary Taylor

4 Stars! 

Ive been reading this series here and there since it began. If I was only rating this one book it would probably be a 3, but since it is the last book, overall I will give it 4 stars! It was a happy ending to a fun paranormal series! All my questions were answered and there were even a few twists I was not expecting.

Search and Rescue by Lily Dodd

5 Stars!! 

This was such a fun quick read/listen. Its a short little story about a search and rescue.

Winner of the #SoundsHot Steamy Story Contest, a thrilling romantic novella brimming with raw emotional power - available in audio first! 

I was so shocked when I listened to this. I thought there is no way, short story or not- that this is going to be that good since its so short!! I was so wrong. I was pleasantly surprised with the level of the writer and the characters. I fell in love with these people so quick!! The author did a fantastic job of leading with this story- the breakdown and all the in between. So much so, that I would LOVE another FULL book in this type of setting from this author! 

I totally recommend if you're looking for a quick listen - this one was about 2.5 hours but soo soo good! I look forward to more from this author!!

A Torch Against The Night by Sabaa Tahir

5 Stars!!

“Don't lock yourself away from those who care about you because you think you'll hurt them or they'll hurt you. What point is there in being human if you don't let yourself feel anything?”



Bleeding Hells !! 

This was my second time reading this book!! I read this back in 2016 and I had a general idea of what happened, but I forgot a lot of key things. So, I am so glad I took the time to re-read this to prepare for Reaper (book 3). 

This was definitely Helene's Book. She was a pain to read in book 1 and annoyed me to no end... but she shined in this book! We get to see why she is the way she is, and get to dive deeper into her character. Turns out not only is she a bad ass.. but shes got some pretty rad healing abilities. 

For me this installment was setting up the magic. Showing everyone's hand- and their power. We start to learn, along with the characters about their secrets. There were a ton of plot twists and the cliffhanger... dont even get me started... 



it broke me .. all over again, just like the first time. All those feels resurfaced. 

I loved that the author chose to expand the mythology in this world, and we get to see new obstacles along with more heartbreak and despair. Tahir does not hold back when it comes to her characters.. We feel right along with them as they struggle and prevail. 

I know I said this was Helene's book, but for me my favorite characters would have to be Elias and Laia. They hold their own and they are the characters who I am the most invested in. I love character driven stories and this series certainly fits that criteria. I highly recommend this series and can not wait to dive into the next one!!

Trouble at Brayshaw High by, Meagan Brandy

4 Stars!! 

She’s venom in the water. Not the snake itself, but the fatal liquid that floats across the top. No matter where you step, if even twenty feet away, she’s finding her way inside.

OOOF- This book packs a punch! 




Rae Rae is still out here, trying to control everything and making moves and making excuses without telling anyone. She gets herself in a bind quite a few times. I think this whole book she is trying so hard to let love in, but not having any clue what that really feels like she does stupid stuff. By the end of the book I feel she gets closer to making that jump head first into this Bray Boy life though. 



Maddoc was amazing in this book !! No more PUNK- and all HUNK. He has completely fallen for Rae- and nothing else matters. You can feel that through the pages almost to the point where you are like OMG OK - we get it SHE IS YOURS... it gets a little repetitive and you eye roll and just move on because its Mad Dog and you just love him. 

Overall this book was heavy and full of information. I think it had a little bit of Middle book syndrome. I loved book 1 all the "cant put this down" and "on the edge of my seat" feels it gave me. Not to mention the drama fest and all the tea just dripping from the pages, 



I mean it was saturated... with filthy guilty pleasure. 

Book 2 though, it had a ton of twists and turns and almost an overwhelming amount. I got confused a few times but in the end, I think I manged to fully grasp what happened. There were just some things that happened and I was just like WHY DID THAT NEED TO TAKE PLACE. So of course I am over here on pins and needles, needing book 3 like yesterday so I can figure this out!! Still highly recommend this series if you are looking for a guilty pleasure read because, honestly its FULL of it! XoXo

Vicious by LJ Shen

4 Stars!! 

“I loved her when I hated her. And I loved her when I didn’t want anything to do with her. I was so crazy about her, the lines had blurred together. Feelings were mixed, emotions twisted together.” 

Emilia

They say love and hate are the same feelings experienced under different circumstances, and it’s true.Ten years ago, he made me run away from the small town where we lived. Now, he came for me in New York, and he isn’t leaving until he takes me with him.

Vicious

She is a starving artist. Ten years ago, she barged into my life unannounced and turned everything upside down. She paid the price. The woman who knows my darkest secret, and the daughter of the cheap Help we hired to take care of our estate. That should deter me from chasing her, but it doesn’t. So she hates me. Well I dont care- she better get used to it. 

Soooo... at first I thought I was going to hate this book. Because I HATED Vicious AKA Baron. He was a prick- but as usual, a prick with a past that haunts him and makes him so insufferable. He grew on me the more I read but he was extremely harsh and just hard to like. He redeems himself so that made it better for me :P 

Emilia was stupid but also wrapped up in a dream. She knew every decision she was making was a dumb one but she did it anyway. But her dumb decisions, even if they hurt her, made her stronger and her character growth bloomed throughout the book. There were times I wanted to throw my kindle across the room and other times I swooned. It was a great mix of emotions and I enjoyed the roller coaster! Looking forward to checking out the next book in the series!

Sugar and Gold by Emma Scott

5 Stars!! 

“Love and hope,” she said. “That’s life to me. Love for all the good that happens to you and the people you care about, and hope that any pain will be bearable or lessen in time.” 

Nick (Nickolai) was born with a condition that makes him special, a gift he wishes he could give away. Peoples feelings and emotions, he can see, feel and taste them- all around. He roams the US- stays moving so that he can outrun the thoughts and feelings of others. Until he meets her. 

Fiona was trapped- and in a bad relationship she never thought she would break from, until she does. Then finds a new home in Georgia. She makes a new life for herself - one that she is in charge of. She tells herself its time for her to enjoy her life....until a chance encounter with a tattooed stranger changes everything… 

I loved this book! It was very unique, with sort of like a magical realism trope feeling. The whole concept sucks you in because you want to know more about his ability and how it works. I loved the characters and the depth they had. I really enjoyed the story and honestly thought it was a brilliant way to get the reader immersed. 

This is a part 2 I think to the book How to Save A Life- also by Emma Scott. I did read it a long time ago and I know that I loved it- I just cant remember what it was about. But dont let that scare you, because this one can be read as a stand alone. 

Hold tight to your emotions, because they will be heightened in this one!! So many secrets to be revealed and twists to keep you engaged. You wont want to put it down! I love Emma Scott's writing! Highly recommend !!

The Wish Collector by Mia Sherdian

4 Stars!! 

“I believe everyone deserves grace, Clara. What you will have to ask yourself is if you should offer that grace from near or from afar. Offering grace does not mean offering your heart. That, my darlin’, must be protected at all cost.” 



This was such a fun and dreamy read. It takes place in New Orleans, and I got to read it this week while in New Orleans. That made it so worth it! Everything, all the culture and sights from the book came to life. 

Clara- a ballet dancer, gets the shot of a lifetime to work at the New Orleans Ballet. In order to follow her dream, she has to leave her father who has Alzheimer's which is very hard for her but she does it. After being in New Orleans for a while, she hears a story from her neighbor about the Weeping Wall located at Windisle Plantation. Its magic and story, consumes Clara. She goes to the wall and meets a stranger behind it all. 

Jonah, a highshot lawyer once upon a time, now lives in isolation because of something tragic that happened over 8 years ago. Consumed with guilt Jonah never leaves his home, which just so happens to be at Windisle Plantation. One day he receives a wish behind the wall, and hears a voice which turns his life - totally upside down. 



This book was so whimsical. There is a story within a story told here and it worked perfectly. There were a few different mysteries all going on at the same time which made the whole thing that much more amazing. I really enjoyed all of the mentions of New Orleans history and all the legends and tales told about it!

The Butterfly Project by Emma Scott

5 Stars!! 
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“I once read that you fell in love like how you fell asleep: slowly at first and then all at once.”

Zelda, is running from her past- but at the same time trying to make a future. She goes to New York to try and get her Comic Book published. It means the world to her because it is based on something very important to her. One night- she runs into a guy named Beckett, a guy who needs a second change- forgiveness and freedom of his past. 

Emma Scott - You are a Genius! This book was amazing, and so very different! I loved seeing the comic book strips through out the book and seeing how it would change, as the story developed. The characters were swoon worthy and lovable. The Butterfly Project was a story about two tortured souls- Zelda and Beckett, finding love, friendship and something neither of them would have expected. 

This was a 2019 TOP FAV- I recommend this one to the masses :P And all of Emma Scotts books!

A Wish For Us by Tillie Cole

5 Violet Blue Stars!! 
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I think my heart is ready to review this... 



Tillie- Tillie - Tillie cant you see... Sometimes your words just hypnotize me. I swear, I think she is a Wizard when it comes to words...



Its like she takes her time, sprinkling in all the feels... 

A Wish For Us is something that will stick with you forever. I usually give a little preview of what the book is about but Im not doing that with this one. See, I've been needing to read this for a while but, I know how Miss Coles books work. So I put it off for a while but here we are... in the aftermath and I am just so glad I went into this one blind. And for that reason, I feel like you should too. You can thank me later. 

This book wrecked me, but in a good sort of way. It captures you from the start and doesn't let up until the very end. Fair warning- you will cry... or at the very least, you will want to. You will want to snuggle up and have no distractions. You'll be transported into this story, and not want to come out. 

The writing is beautiful, and the characters are filled to the brim with depth. A lot of the story line is based on music and I am a music junkie. So that made it even better for me. And the way Cole writes about the music- took my breath away. There is also an amazing physical condition talked about in this book that I have never heard of and that made this book come alive. Im not telling you what it is- just go read it. I promise you wont be disappointed!! :P

Be The Girl by KA Tucker

5 Stars!! 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Tucker has done it again! She has crafted a lesson into a story and we all need to hear it. Be the Girl is a book with a story that should stick with the reader for a long time. 

Be the Girl was about a lot of things. It was about starting over, and learning from mistakes. It was about bullying and disrespect. You can try and bury the past... but it always has a way of coming back around.... 

Aria moves across Canada with her mom to go live with her Great Uncle. Its a fresh start for the both of them. You can tell that she has been through something- the more you read- the answer becomes a little clearer. They move in next door to a family who has a son and an autistic daughter. 

This story was something I feel like everyone really should read. Being a teenager for me was hard- but that was a long time ago and I know being a teen these days can be hell. With the internet and technology, social media platforms.. its easy to be bullied because the haters have something to hide behind, and without thinking about it- that makes it easier for people to be shitty. This book brings light to that. 

I really enjoyed the characters each and every one of them. The flow of the book moved nicely and I was able to finish it in one setting because it consumed me. I recommend this one to all!!

Girls With Sharp Sticks by Suzanne Young

4.5 Stars!! 

"Demonstrate your value to those in attendance by showing how appealing a beautiful, obedient girl can be. Hold your tongue. Bat your eyes. Smile. Be best."

Just imagine for a minute if.... the dark and sadistic world of West World....


AND Handmaid's Tale....


HAD A BABY..... it would be something like- Girls With Sharp Sticks!! 

In Girls With Sharp Sticks, we are thrown into a world that seems to be on the edge of a New Wave of Dystopia. While the normal world still goes on outside the gates of Innovations Academy.. Something unworldly is happening in the Academy. 

The Academy, a prestigious reforming school for girls are taught the “essentials” to become obedient submissive wives, homemakers, etc. The girls are not allowed to question the men or "guardians." Report cards measure beauty, compliance, poise, decorum and an attitude of obedience. 

A sudden departure from one of the girls, puts Philomena and the rest of the girls on edge. Lennon Rose left without a goodbye or shoes. This starts a search for answers they didn't even know they needed! As the search begins, Mena starts to see things a little bit clearer. 

She starts to see the lingering touches, the possessiveness, hears the crude comments, and notices how the girls are being basically brainwashed and programmed to do as these men say.



This really pushes the girls closer together, even more than before, to get to the bottom of what is happening. 

The girls are treated so terrible, and its really sad bc at first none of them realize that the way they are treated is wrong. They are physically and emotionally abused and looked upon like cattle. They are limited to learning only certain things, and have no free will or freedom. 



“They’ve trained you not to believe what you’re told by others. You have to come to it on your own. I can’t wake you, Philomena.” 



TIME TO WAKE UP GIRLS!!!

I absolutely ate this little nugget up!!! There is a little something in this for everyone! Its a little mix of dystopian, sci-fi, action, mystery, and a very small bit of romance- if that's even what you would call it! The only thing that I had issues with was- I thought it could have been executed a little better - and if there would have been some heavy action scenes that would have been fab- but I guess we cant always get what we want :P Other than that, I adored it and cant wait for the next book!

The Girl He Used To Know by, Tracey Garvis Graves

4 Stars!! 

"Life isn't easy for anyone. We all have challenges. We all face adversity. It's how we overcome it that makes us who we are.” 

Annika meets Jonathan in College at a chess club meet. Annika is beautiful, but has a hard time with normal social interactions. She is on the autism spectrum, but that doesn't matter to Jonathan, he falls hard and fast for her. Annika works really hard to do her best to cope with her Autism. They have their ups and their downs in the relationship but, for the most part everything seems to be going amazing until something tragic happens and Annika closes herself off. 

The book is told from alternating POVS and Timelines- 1991- Their College Years and then Fast Forward to Present day for them in the book and the year is 2001. We get to see how people reacted to Autism back in the day. It was really sad since there weren't as many cases and it wasn't a well known thing. She gets bullied and talked down to a lot because of it. Jonathan was so great with her a TRUE cinnamon bun! 

They run into each other again one day on the streets and decide to get together to catch up. Annika is finally a librarian which was her dream, and Jonathan is recently divorced. The rest - you'll have to read to find out!! 

This was my first Tracey Graves book and it did not disappoint. I love books that represent real issues and gives a voice to those who may not have one. I absolutely adored Annika, she was so precious and her best friend Janice was literally my HERO. She was amazing. Jonathan was perfection and a joy to read!! 

I recommend this to all!! But - if you liked books like The Kiss Quotient or The Bride Test, you'll enjoy this one for sure! It isn't anything like those, but the subject matter is similar and refreshing! Happy Reading :P

Allied by, Amy Tintera

3 Stars!!
There comes a time when we have to accept that people make their own choices, and we’re not responsible for those choices, even if they’re our family.

This is the most mellow Fantasy series I have ever read. The characters, even when at war- were really just chill for the most part. Its been a while since I have read the first two of the series but I remembered the story line and what was happening. For whatever reason, I really enjoyed those two way more than this one.

The writing was still fantastic and I enjoyed the end of the story- it just seemed to drag a little more than the others and the ending was a little predictable.

I appreciated seeing the romance blossom a little more in Allied, and we got to see how the two races would end up working together in the end.

Overall- this book was enjoyable it just went a little too slow for me or maybe just not much was happening, compared to the others in the series. I still recommend this book and the entire series! Totally worth the read :P

Home Tears by Tijan

4 Stars!!

It is no secret that I am a HUGE fan of Tijan!! I love her writing and ALLLLL the Drama she dishes! I have always been hesitant to read Home Tears because it was one of her lower rated books. But I have made it a point recently to not give a damn about other peoples ratings and just to take a leap and go for it. IM SO GLAD I DID.

This Book was literally like a Soap Opera. We have Dani- who is from a very small town. She always felt like the black sheep in her family which included her mom, two sisters and two aunts. Dani's boyfriend (Jake) ends up cheating on her with one of her sisters- Dani does what she does best- she leaves with out a word.

Fast Forward 10 years and Dani is back home visiting - trying to get over a trauma she just went through. She is dealing with a lot of emotions and trying to change her ways. Her crazy Fam is not happy to see her. They have issues with Dani leaving for so long- most thought she was dead.

I LOVED this book. I could relate SO much to Dani O'Hara and her whole messed up Fam. The drama was flowing STRONG- in Tijan fashion. We get to see Dani's growth, as well as other characters over the course of the book. Jonah was great as well- He was patient and really just went with the flow of things. He was there for Dani and wasn't an ass like most guys tend to be in these types of books.

I recommend all Tijan books - they always have such depth and the writing always sucks you in! Always here for a drama fest :P

Kings Warrior by Frost Kay (Book 4)

5 Stars!!  ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ You are a champion, a warrior.” He looked her straight in the eye. “You are not the victim. You’re a survivor.” Book 1-Rebels Blade- 4 Stars!! Book 2-Crowns Shield- 4.5 Stars!! Book 3-Enemys Queen- 4 Stars!! Book 4-Kings Warrior- 5 Stars!! YALL!! Book 4 melted my heart like WAX! Everything I have been waiting for and hoping for started to unfold and happen in this book and I am beyond thrilled with it!! Revolution and war come with a price in the fourth volume of The Aermian Feuds. After escaping from the warlord- Sage, Jasmine, and Blaise are all in rough shape. Blaise isn't as tormented as Sage and Jasmine and quickly jumps into training and getting prepared for the coming war. Sage and Tehl have been through so much and they are brought back together once more, to try and gain some sort of connection. They both have had their hearts put to the test. I was so impressed with the way Kay handled bringing these two characters together. Tehl is a TRUE cinnamon bun. His character has grown so much over the course of the books! Literally there are some dark heavy moments but handled with so much care my heart almost BURST. I cried big fat ugly tears. I don't want to say too much since this is an ongoing series- But, Overall this was by far my favorite installment. This series is breaking all the rules and twisting and turning with each new book. I am so excited to read the next one and can hardly wait!! If you couldn't tell already- I highly recommend it !!