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:

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.

Stitches in Time
by Suzanne Woods Fisher
Book 2 in The Deacon’s Family series
Rating: 4/5

Wow. It’s been awhile since I’ve read an Amish romance and it did NOT disappoint. I am a huge fan of Suzanne Woods Fisher because her writing is always so rich and full of characters who make me laugh, cry and get frustrated with them. She writes characters that are imperfectly trying to follow God in love and life. This story caught my interest because it involved foster care and adoption which is something I plan to do in the future.

Side note: I read this book without reading any of the other books connected and found that I didn’t get lost in all the characters. She has a long character list with brief descriptions at the beginning that I skimmed but I didn’t find it necessary to refer back to while reading.

This story is mainly about two relationships: Luke and Izzy along with Sam and Mollie. Luke and Sam are brothers. Luke and Izzy are about one year into marriage. Sam is a horse trainer who has a crush on Mollie, the school teacher. After being chosen as the Deacon, Luke’s life changes drastically and he feels very unworthy. He is still determined to find forever homes for all the foster kids in Lancaster county but he is unsure how to go about. One quick phone call changes their lives forever and soon 11 foster kids find temporary housing among the Amish. Mollie takes in two sisters who are challenging – to say the least – and finds she needs Sam’s help. Izzy, a former foster child herself, is adamant about not taking in a foster child. She longs for her mother’s love while she yearns for a child of her own. The past comes to haunt all of their lives in different ways but they must learn to trust that God can make them new – can change their lives – can love them in spite of everything.

Loved reading this complex and layered story. Well written. I will have to read the first book and can’t wait to find out what happens next in the series.

Highly recommend.

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.

Unscripted
by Davis Bunn
Rating: 4/5

I don’t know about you but when I choose to read something, I do it when I have free time or need a break from studying. I had briefly read the summary before choosing to download the book and waited to read it after finishing a book in Christian fantasy – a completely different genre! I was hesitant to start reading because I was still back in fantasy land with shifters and vampires, but once I read the first few pages, I couldn’t put the book down. There was just something about the story and the writing that drew me in. The reader gets an insider’s view of what it takes to make a TV movie in Hollywood (or just outside Hollywood). Was it full of fast-paced action and excitement? No. Was there an overly emphasized and drawn out romance? No. Did it make me cry? Yes. Does it leave me feeling inspired? Absolutely.

This inspirational book is about facing the past and moving on. After freeing a falsely-accused Danny Byrd from jail, attorney Megan Pierce is determined to figure out what happened to the line producer with the honest reputation. Danny struggles with his past and wanting a future. He feels betrayed by his best friend and foster brother. He feels that his pristine reputation is now tainted. Can he face his past and find a way to let go? Can he make himself vulnerable enough to produce a TV movie on a small budget in a short timeframe? Can he stop thinking about the gorgeous lawyer who refuses to stop until she uncovers the truth?

I really enjoyed this story. It felt so authentic and real. The romance is a bit sidelined in my opinion but that doesn’t take away from the story. The relationships between characters is what really makes the story flow together. The writing and unique perspective on the film industry is what really drew me in and kept me up late into the night. I even got some new song recommendations to listen to.

Highly recommend.

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.