Book Reviews

About the Book

Title: Cold Hearted
Series: Cursed Fae #1
Authors: Leia Stone, Julie Hall
Genre: Romantic Fantasy
Release Date: May 23, 2024

To save my kingdom, someone must die.

Every hundred years, a curse descends on Faerie, ravaging its lands and killing its people. For the last two millennia, the Summer Court princess has always been the one to stop it.

Now it’s my turn.

My entire life I’ve prepared to become one thing: the perfect assassin. My mission is simple. Travel to the mirror realm, find an Ethereum Lord, return to Faerie with his magical heart. But when I step through the portal, I’m immediately taken captive and find myself at the mercy of Zander, a handsome royal guard.

Now I’m forced to play by his rules, because if I fail at my task everyone and everything I’ve ever known and loved perishes. But Zander has secrets, and when I find out what they are they make me question if everything I’ve ever been taught was a lie…

Cold Hearted is a full-length fantasy romance stand-alone with an HEA! This book is perfect for fans of enemies-to-lovers, fated mates, and forced proximity.

Purchase your copy here.

About the Authors

Leia Stone is the USA Today bestselling author of multiple bestselling series including Matefinder and Wolf Girl. She’s sold over three million books and her Fallen Academy series has been optioned for film. Her novels have been translated into many languages and she even dabbles in script writing. Leia writes romantasy with sassy kick-butt heroines and irresistible love interests. She lives in Spokane, WA with her husband and two children.

Connect with Leia: Newsletter | Website | Facebook | Twitter

Julie Hall is a USA Today bestselling, multiple award-winning author. Before diving into the world of publishing, she was a publicist and marketer for Sony, Summit Entertainment, Paramount, The Weinstein Company, and the National Geographic Channel. Now, she crafts addictive action-packed fantasy stories that leave readers with epic book hangovers. Julie’s books have been translated into four languages and won or were finalists in over 20 national and international awards. Julie currently lives in Colorado with her four favorite people–her husband, daughter and two fur babies.

Connect with Julie: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Bookbub | Goodreads

My Review

Cold Hearted
by Leia Stone, Julie Hall
Book 1 in the Cursed Face series
Rating: 4/5

I sure read that quickly! I was excited to read something new from one of my favorite authors, Julie Hall! I already read the previous series where she joined with Leia Stone and it was awesome! I am such a sucker for a good enemies-to-lovers (without explicit scenes – fade to black). I will say that I sort of guessed the twist but not everything so the story was still very enjoyable. The banter between the two leads was so good and I loved every second of it. Going into the series I was told it would be more like a standalone story that focused on different couples per book which I have mixed feelings about because as much as I enjoyed their story arc, it did feel a little rushed near the end compared to the author’s other series where the story spanned 3-4 books. But even with that, the story was a fun read that made me laugh and smile and I will definitely be reading more. 

Highly recommend if you enjoy fade-to-black fantasy that is humorous, adventurous and will keep you reading till the end!

PG-13 for language and fade-to-black romance.

My thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.

Another series available from the authors

Read my reviews of Shadow Angel 1, 2, 3.

About the Book

Title: The Chaos Grid
Author: Lyndsey Lewellen
Book 1 in a series
Genre: YA, Dystopian, Sci-Fi, Steampunk
Publisher: Enclave Publishing
Release Date: April 9, 2024

Cross the grid. Survive the storms. Let your destiny burn.

When mankind’s attempts to control nature backfire, Texas descends into a wasteland. Storms rage and ravenous beasts roam the Outer Grid. The only safe havens rest inside the tech-obsessed domed cities. But when her parents are murdered inside the Plex City dome, seventeen-year-old Juniper Conway wants revenge.

Ties to her extended family threaten to pull her back as she runs from city to city. The Plex is endangering its citizens by legalizing a deadly nano drug, and Juniper’s family needs her help to deliver the counteragent. Saving the city who orphaned her goes against everything she stands for. The only way out is to brave the wasteland.

Juniper joins a shipping crew fearless enough to transport food across the Outer Grid. But when a string of bad luck turns lethal, she fears something, or someone, is dragging her back to the Plex. As her world sinks into chaos, Juniper must decide if revenge is worth the lives of the crew she has come to love.

Purchase your copy here!

About the Author

Lyndsey Lewellen grew up on a healthy dose of comic books, punk music, and sci-fi. She infuses all three loves into novels written for young adults. Inside her “what if” worlds, her characters take risks, grow, and fight for what matters. When she’s not writing or whittling down her endless TBR, she designs novel covers and paints on shoes. She lives on a small Texas farm with her best friend/husband, five children, and what some might call a zoo of animals (especially after meeting the peacocks).

Connect with the Author: Website | Facebook | Instagram

My Review

The Chaos Grid
by Lyndsey Lewellen
Book 1 in a new series
Rating: 4/5

As someone who really enjoys YA dystopian novels, I was happy to start reading The Chaos Grid and delve into this new world. I was pleasantly surprised at how fast-paced the story was and how endearing the many colorful characters became. The author jumps right into the story and it may take a minute to acclimate but then you are in for a wild ride that combines YA dystopian + sci-fi + steampunk which is such a great combination! Everything flows well together; however, it seems to be setting up for the next books in the series, which makes me inpatient to read more from the author. I was just beginning to get to know the main characters who have their secrets and I must know more. You will not regret picking up this thrilling YA sci-fi adventure that flirts with romance and holds so many secrets to be uncovered.

Highly recommend this debut book that you won’t be able to stop reading!

My thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.

EXPLORE THE WORLD OF THE CHAOS GRID

It’s 2224, and the Global Weather Collapse has rendered Texas an uninhabitable wasteland. Weather Fluxes sweep across the land, switching from monsoons to blizzards in the blink of an eye. Mutated animals run wild, leaving those to traverse the waste in constant danger. Most of the population has retreated into the safety of domed cities. These massive domes shield the four cities and their tech-obsessed, body altering inhabitants within. Only nomads and the brave shippers delivering natural food dare travel the deadly spaces between domes, known as the Outer Grid.

Playlist by the Author

Start reading now!

About the Book

Title: Everything’s Coming Up Josey
Series: Josey #1
Author: Susan May Warren
Genre: Christian Romantic Comedy
Publisher: SDG Publishing
Release Date: April 5, 2024

‘I need you,’ the tall, ridiculously good-looking missionary had declared, his words reverberating through the entire church. Wait—he wasn’t talking just to Josey? Oops, because suddenly she’s not in Gull Lake, Minnesota anymore. Instead, she’s found herself in Moscow, Russia, as a missionary for a whole year. Oy!

Really, she just wanted to escape her chaotic hometown, where her sister ran off and married her ex, and her heart still pines for Chase, ‘the one that got away.’ But life has a funny way of throwing snowballs, and now she’s in Russia, spreading the good word and navigating a land of vodka, fur hats, and passionate hearts.

As she immerses herself in the vibrant Russian culture, from haggling for fruit at the Moscow market to braving the icy weather, Chase’s memory lingers…and just when she starts to think she’s finally moving on, fate throws them back together. Will Josey take a chance on love and rekindle the flame with her hometown sweetheart, or will she embrace the allure of Russia, and a new love that sets her heart ablaze?

With Susan May Warren’s signature blend of humor and heart, “Everything’s Coming up Josey” is a vintage rom-com that will leave you laughing, swooning, and rooting for Josey’s happily ever after in this hilarious and heartwarming tale.

*Previously published in 2006 by Steeple Hill

Grab your copy here on Amazon.

About the Author

With nearly 2 million books sold, critically acclaimed novelist Susan May Warren is the Christy, RITA, and Carol award-winning author of over ninety novels. Known for her compelling plots and unforgettable characters, Susan has penned contemporary and historical romances, romantic suspense, thrillers, rom-coms, and Christmas novellas. With books translated into eight languages, she’s a USA Today, ECPA and CBA bestseller, and has received numerous starred Publisher Weekly reviews. Library Journal says, “Warren’s characters are well-developed and she knows how to create a first rate contemporary romance.”

Susan is a nationally acclaimed writing coach, and winner of the 2009 American Christian Fiction Writers Mentor of the Year. She is the founder of Novel.Academy, author of the popular writing method, The Story Equation, and a founding partner of Sunrise Media Group.

My Review

Everything’s Coming Up Josey
by Susan May Warren
Book 1 in the Josey series
Rating: 4/5

This was such a fun read by SMW. I loved the whole process of Josey becoming a missionary and as someone who has lived overseas, it was hilarious and realistic. The author brought to life Russia and living overseas in her usual way (especially since she has experience living in Russia). I found Josey to be endearing but also somewhat annoying at times (like a good sibling lol). The reader is still rooting for her and wants her to find love and succeed in her mission. I look forward to the next books in this series.

Highly recommend if you enjoy romantic comedies that aren’t afraid to have tender moments and incorporate faith.

My thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.

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