January Wrapup

Faves The Caphenon Without a front: Producers challenge Both by Fletcher Delancey Keep Holly close by AE Radley Least fave Jamis Bachman: Ghost Hunter by Jen Jensen

Review Heart of the devil by Ali Vali

Heart of the Devil by Ali Vali
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Cain Casey's father dies tragically she must take the reins of the family business. It takes her awhile to get it together since she's still reeling from her father's death. Her first time meeting Emma Verde helps get her mind back on her responsibilities.

Emma's a farm girl trying to make it in the big city without support from her family. Meeting Cain really shakes up her life.

We get to see how things started between Emma and Cain a little more in depth instead of the little bits we get throughout the series. Cain was shaken up trying to keep things together while being so angry and wanting revenge. I loved how she took care of her family which you see throughout the series.

It was great to learn more about Emma and what brought her to New Orleans. She was trying so hard to make things work with little help.

An enjoyable read I can't wait to see what happens next.

I received this book from Bold strokes books via netgalley for an honest review.

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Review Dawn's new day by T.J. Thomas

Dawn’s New Day by T.J. Thomas
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Dawn Oliver keeps herself pretty busy which makes it easier to stay away from romantic entanglements. Cam Cooper moves in next door and is recovering from a loss. Both immediately feel a spark towards each other but Dawn avoids being around Cam and temptation.

I liked Dawn right away. She had so much going on with the painting and gardening. Her love for both shown through. Dawn was so scarred from her last relationship she gave up on finding love. It was hard for Dawn to try to get to know Cam but finally she let her in.

I wasn't able to connect with Cam as a character but didn't have any problem with her. She just didn't really stand out.

The pace of the book was pretty slow but I didn't mind it. I figured Dawn would take a while to warm up to Cam. Overall a good book. I liked the characters and would read more by TJ Thomas.

I received this book from Bold strokes books via netgalley for an honest review.


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Review Charming the Vicar by Jenny Frame

Charming the Vicar by Jenny Frame
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Finnian is a famous magician who's suffering the loss of a loved one and in need of a quiet place away from the big city. She ends up at Axedale trying to figure out what's next for her.

Bridget is a vicar in Axedale she tries to find a way to help Finn with her grief but the magician is very resistant.

Bridget was definitely one of my favorite secondary characters in book 1. I loved how she didn't hide being a lesbian and how hard she fought for LGBT rights for clergy. It was great learning more about Bridget and her past. We see more of her kinkier side but it seems so separate from her. I expected it to be more natural since she liked to joke about whips from time to time.

Finn was interesting to learn about especially why she was so anti religion. I enjoyed seeing her work through her grief by getting back into painting. It was also nice seeing her find the love of more simple magic again.

Overall I liked the book but didn't feel the chemistry between Finn and Bridget. I still love the characters and will continue on with the series. I'm eager to see what happens with Quade.

I received this book from Bold strokes books via netgalley for an honest review.


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Review Dangerous waters by Radclyffe

Review Unexpected by Jenny Frame

Unexpected by Jenny Frame
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Dale is a mechanic who owns several garages. She starts feeling something is missing from her life when her partying lifestyle is no longer fun.

Rebecca is trying to take care of her family but problems keep cropping up. The stress from not being able to make ends meet is causing problems with her health. Her son Jake decides to take action and asks Dale for help which definitely complicates things.

I enjoyed this story. Both characters had many things to overcome in order to trust each other. I liked them slowly getting to know one another instead of instant family. Jake was one of my favorite characters it was fun learning how he went about finding Dale. He was so intelligent and interesting to read about.
I thought the romance was sweet and loved seeing the characters come together to form a family.

Overall a good story. I have read a few books by Frame and have really enjoyed her writing style. I'm looking forward to reading more books by her.

I received this book from Bold Strokes Books via netgalley for an honest review.


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What I found Wednesday

What I found Wednesday is books or series that have caught my eye and are new to me.


The Maradaine series
https://www.goodreads.com/series/146658

 


Veranix Calbert leads a double life. By day, he’s a struggling magic student at the University of Maradaine. At night, he spoils the drug trade of Willem Fenmere, crime boss of Dentonhill and murderer of Veranix’s father. He’s determined to shut Fenmere down.

With that goal in mind, Veranix disrupts the delivery of two magical artifacts meant for Fenmere's clients, the mages of the Blue Hand Circle.  Using these power-filled objects in his fight, he quickly becomes a real thorn in Fenmere's side.

So much so that soon not only Fenmere, but powerful mages, assassins, and street gangs all want a piece of “The Thorn.” And with professors and prefects on the verge of discovering his secrets, Veranix’s double life might just fall apart. Unless, of course, Fenmere puts an end to it first.

 The Olympus bound series https://www.goodreads.com/series/176384

 


 MANHATTAN HAS MANY SECRETS. SOME ARE OLDER THAN THE CITY ITSELF. Manhattan. The city sleeps. Selene DiSilva walks her dog along the banks of the Hudson. She is alone-just the way she likes it. She doesn't believe in friends, and she doesn't speak to her family. Most of them are simply too dangerous. Murders. In the predawn calm, Selene finds the body of a young woman washed ashore, gruesomely mutilated and wreathed in laurel. Her ancient rage returns. And so does the memory of a promise she made long ago. To protect the innocent-and to punish those who stand in her way. Gods. With the NYPD out of its depth, Selene vows to hunt the killer on her own. But when classics professor Theo Schultz decodes the ancient myth behind the crime, the solitary Huntress finds herself working with a man who's her opposite in every way. Together, they face a long-forgotten cult that lies behind a string of murders, and they'll need help from the one source Selene distrusts most of all: the city's other Immortals.


 I have been doing more difficult challenges so I have been having to hunt for books to fit certain tasks. Have you found any interesting new to you books? Or been hunting for books to fit your challenges? I look forward to your comments.