Daughter of Shades
by Sylvia Mercedes
Book 1 of the Venatrix Chronicles series
Rating: 4/5

Wow. This book takes you on a whirlwind ride of adventure and it’s nonstop. The author’s creativity and imagination truly came out in the world-building of this story, and it’s only just beginning.

There’s so much mystery surrounding the first few chapters that it was a bit confusing but as more of the world-building occurs, you start to understand what’s happening (or so you think?)

Ayleth is a shade huntress apprentice who was raised and trained as someone who could control her shade in order to banish other shades, evil spirits. She is very good at her job but she fears something is wrong with her memories. Her mentor tells her she is not quite ready to go off on her own, but Ayleth decides to take matters into her own hands. A dangerous job has opened up and Ayleth sets off to prove that she is worthy of the post. She is not the only one up for the spot though and finds herself in a competition with Terryn, who also seems to be very good at what he does. As the couple venture beyond the Great Barrier to uncover the mystery, they find Ayleth may not be what she seems.

Having never read anything from Sylvia Mercedes before, I was most attracted to the cover of this book before anything else. Who doesn’t love an exciting book cover? However, once I started reading this book, I became consumed by this different, yet riveting world that she’d created. It was difficult to put the book down and even when finished, I craved more. I guess I will have to impatiently wait for the next book. The characters are fun and mysterious and I want to find out more about them and their histories. I love a good mystery filled with secrets and adventure and romance.

Highly recommend this new book in this new series! You won’t want to miss it.

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.

Yours Truly, Thomas
By Rachel Fordham
Rating: 4/5

A heartwarming read!

If you’ve ever imagined a romance via love letters, you’ll love this book! Fordham is able to create such an endearing love story between Penny and Thomas that is not overly sweet nor corny. Definitely for fans of Hallmark’s Signed, Sealed, Delivered. 

Penny works for the Dead Letter Office in DC and is a romantic at heart. She loves reading those dead letters which cause her sympathetic heart to fall in love with its writer and reader. When she comes across a letters from Thomas to his dear Clara, she tries her best to deliver the poorly addressed letters. This story is her journey of searching for purpose and identity. She makes it her mission to deliver her letter but surprises occur along the way that will redirect her life in a big way. 

I don’t remember ever reading a book from Fordham but I was pleasantly surprised at how easy her writing style is and how comforting the story and characters were. She weaves a poignant story of pain, loss, hope and love. The characters have depth and the reader can feel their grief and journey with them through healing. 

Highly recommend if you’re looking for some inspirational historical romance. 

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.

The Yellow Lantern
by Angie Dicken
Part of True Colors – Historical Stories of Romance and American Crime
Rating: 4/5

Imagine waking up in 1824 in Massachusetts and being told that you were already pronounced dead. Imagine being told that your body was taken by grave robbers for the purpose of medical research. Imagine that in order to keep your life and your family’s lives safe, you are forced to spy for said grave robbers in order to get more cadavers. How would you handle that? How would you deal with the situation? Josephine Clayton is in such a position. Her whole world is turned upside down as she leaves home to work at a cotton mill. Her mission is simple – report on any fatal accidents that occur at the cotton mill and pose as a mourner at the funeral so the doctor can get his replacement corpse. When Josephine enters the world of cotton, she finds her talents for healing a welcome relief to the accident prone mill and finds friendship with the other mill girls. The factory manager, Braham Terrance, sees her worth and they form a friendship. However, what happens when a family member close to Braham becomes ill and Josephine has a choice to make on whether she can fulfill her duty?

Just reading the premise of this book was so interesting that I had to read it. I haven’t read many true crime novels but as a medical student, I found the grave robbing for medical purposes very interesting. I’ve read a few books about the cotton mill girls and was interested to see what the author chose to focus on. The author is able to transport the reader into the world of cotton mills and grave robbing in a very understandable way. The characters are interesting and seem authentic. They’ve seen many hardships but still try to make their way in the world.

Highly recommend this delightful read.

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.