Marisol – Spanish Rose by Elva Cobb Martin Book 1 in the Charleston Brides series Wild Heart Books – Release date: 11/12/19 Rating: 4/5
Such a fun, sweet, action-packed story of love and redemption! I love being able to read books from the past. Historical fiction is always so interesting and different – the author has a way of transporting the reader to a time where pirates and privateers ruled the seas. I didn’t anticipate the amount of action that this book contains and it was wonderful!
After murdering the nobleman who raped her, Marisol flees the country to find refuge in the New World. On her voyage, she discovers she is pregnant and vows to keep her innocent child safe and loved. She must keep her past a secret and somehow find her only living relative in Cartagena. What happens when someone finds out the truth about her past?
Captain Ethan, a former pastor, rescues Marisol in order for her to be a governess for his young son. He is eager to protect her and her child no matter the cost. Can he get over the loss of his wife and other child which caused him to leave the church? Can he find a way to trust a God like that? Does he dare hope that he can be happy again and love another?
I enjoyed the story but I docked a star because some of the scenes seemed too out of character. I understand prayer can work miracles but it almost felt too easy. There weren’t believable consequences for actions. The problem is these scenes sort of took me out of the story but I ignored them because I loved the rest of the book.
Great story about the power of prayer. Highly recommend!
My thanks to the publisher for an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.
The Bake Shop by Amy Clipston Book 1 in the Amish Marketplace series Zondervan – Release: November 5, 2019 Rating: 4/5
This sweet story kept me reading to the end – lost some sleep over having to find out what happened next. This beautiful story was just what I needed. I laughed and cried over the characters. I wanted to try all the baked goods.
Christiana is an obedient daughter who loves to bake and sell her delicious pies, cookies and other treats. She currently sells her baked goods from a stand in front of her home but when a booth opens up at the marketplace where her cousins work, she’s quick to ask her father’s permission. He is reluctant but grants the request. Her father is extremely wary of his daughters being around Englishers and their electricity.
Jeffrey has a booth right next to Christiana where he sells handmade wood and leather items. His first meeting with Christiana is not ideal but they start to form a friendship and Christiana gets Jeffrey to open up about his life and the sadness she sees in his eyes. Will Christiana be able to find her place as a businesswoman and daughter and friend? Will Jeffrey be able to let go of the past and regain his self-worth?
There’s just something about Amy Clipston’s writing that is contagious and draws the reader in. I really enjoyed reading this quirky love story with both fun and serious themes. The characters were fun to get to know and I look forward to reading more in this series.
My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.
I’m a huge fan of YA paranormal/fantasy and this series did not disappoint. The books are appropriate for YA readers with no graphic sex scenes. There is some kissing and some suggestive references regarding sex but it’s PG-13 or less. My original reviews for the books are below. Enjoy!
Synopsis:
I went from one of the most powerful supes in the world…
…to the bottom of my class at Supernatural Reform School.
The academy is for the rejects: shifters who can’t shift, witches who can’t spell, and psychs like me, who are powerless. All I want is to get my powers back online.
Not to make friends.
Definitely not to fall for my dragon shifter instructor.
But I’m beginning to think that losing my powers was no accident. Someone is stealing magic.
As I dig deeper into this conspiracy with my fellow reform-schoolers, we uncover a lot more than we bargained for. And the tentative human/supernatural relationships hang in the balance.
We may find out the truth, how can we do anything to stop it when we don’t have our powers?
Supernatural Reform School is a YA paranormal academy / urban fantasy that will keep you reading long past midnight! It’s book one in the Blakemore Paranormal Academy trilogy. Perfect for readers who love vampires, dragon shifters, and a dash of magic all wrapped up in a gripping story!
Supernatural Reform School by Sullivan Gray & E.C. Farrell Book 1 in the Blakemore Paranormal Academy series Rating: 5/5
What can I say? This book is brilliant. The characters are fun and the storytelling is fresh. As someone who enjoys YA paranormal romances, this book does not disappoint! You’ll want to keep reading and possibly lose sleep (like I did). Escape into this fantastic world for a few hours! Highly recommend!
This book was available on KU and I needed to read it before I could receive an ARC of the second book so I quickly read through it.
The Academy of Stolen Magic by Sullivan Gray & E.C. Farrell Book 2 of the Blakemore Paranormal Academy series Rating: 5/5
The story continues! After quickly reading the first book (via Kindle Unlimited) and then signing up for the author’s newsletter to read the short prequel, Dragon Heir, I was obviously hooked on this new series and had to read the second installment ASAP. Having lost sleep over this fast-moving series, I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed reading this series. Sometimes, the first book grabs your attention and then the rest just sort of fills in the rest and ends abruptly. Not so with this second book. The action continues and I think it gets even better. More secrets are revealed and the characters get to develop and grow. I really enjoyed reading this series and highly recommend!
My thanks to the author for an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.
Blood of the Dragon Shifter by Sullivan Gray & E.C. Farrell Book 3 in the Blakemore Paranormal Academy series Rating: 4.5/5
Such a perfect ending!!! Luckily the authors did not make me wait too long to find out the thrilling conclusion to this fun series. If you’ve ever enjoyed reading about dragons and/or dragon shifters, this book will not disappoint. There’s lots of action-packed storytelling that keeps the reader turning pages into the night. I am now a huge fan of these authors!
The saga continues as Cade and Bash figure out what they want and need to do to save the country from a war between humans and supes. Bash spirits Cade away to his clan lands for her protection and at the request of his mother. What he finds is not what he was expecting but he is determined to help his clan if he can. He will not give up his mate bond with Cade though. Cade is torn between her love for Bash and figuring out what’s happening outside the clan lands. The world is in turmoil and it’s all being led by her ex, Toby. Will Bash and Cade figure out how to save the world while still holding on to their fragile relationship? With the help of some of their friends, will Blakemore Academy be able to withstand the war that’s coming? With Cade’s powers gone, how will she find her place in all the chaos?
This adventure was so much fun to read and I can’t wait to read more about the different character spinoffs the authors have planned. I highly recommend this series which is available on KU and appropriate for YA readers. Don’t forget to read the epilogue! It’s totally worth it.
My thanks to the authors for an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.
Hello. This blog is all mine and I will do my best to post what interests me and what books I read with honest reviews. I am a lover of good Christian fiction with a touch of romance, mystery, intrigue, humor, fun, etc. I invite you to join me as I read my way through books and life. I am currently pursuing my residency training as a family medicine physician!!! I have to carefully choose what I want to read for fun. My name is Kim and you are entering the Wong Mind.
