The Book of Sorrel by Jennifer Peel

An ancient curse. A forbidden love. Which will die first?

Sorrel Black’s family has been ruled by a book passed down from generation to generation. But now that it is in her possession, it has stopped working. For her alone, one critical piece of information is missing that will keep the curse, cast long ago as a punishment for her family’s rebellion, from being passed down to her own daughter someday. She hopes the book’s silence means the curse will end with her—even if it means dying alone. But then Eric Knight walks into her life and changes everything.

When investigative journalist Eric Knight is forced to take an assignment to interview bakery owner Sorrel Black, he has no idea that her story will become their story. That his secrets are her secrets. Now together, these born enemies turned lovers must not only face the curse that has separated their families for generations, but the reality that breaking the curse means breaking their hearts. For, in the end, only one family can survive. 

  * Amazon *  

I feel like I have been waiting FOREVER for this book!  And now!  Here it is!  I cannot tell you how excited I am that Jennifer Peel wrote a new book in this new genre.  This paranormal romance genre is one that I crave often but have a hard time finding within my more conservative "clean" preferences.  I just knew that Jennifer Peel could rock this genre for me but now she's left me with this craving for more and I'm just not finding it.  I guess she'll just have to write another book for me.  

This story has all the things I long for in a good story: chemistry, growing intensity, bits of magic, expanding characters and best of all, it felt unlike anything I've been reading.  It was engaging from beginning to end and wow, that ending was explosive.  🔥  The emotional connections were there and I absolutely adored Sorrel.  Oh fine.  I loved Eric too. 😍

If you are a fan of Jennifer Peel and feel hesitant about the genre change here, I would say to give it a chance.  You will find all the same things you love about this authors writing with just a bit of magic and danger thrown in.  If you haven't read Jennifer Peel's book but love paranormal romance, happy day for you!  

This book is also on Kindle Unlimited if you have that.

Content:  mild swearing, mild peril, danger, mild violence, kissing

Storm and Fury (The Harbinger #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

 

Eighteen-year-old Trinity Marrow may be going blind, but she can see and communicate with ghosts and spirits. Her unique gift is part of a secret so dangerous that she’s been in hiding for years in an isolated compound fiercely guarded by Wardens—gargoyle shape-shifters who protect humankind from demons. If the demons discover the truth about Trinity, they’ll devour her, flesh and bone, to enhance their own powers.

When Wardens from another clan arrive with disturbing reports that something out there is killing both demons and Wardens, Trinity’s safe world implodes. Not the least because one of the outsiders is the most annoying and fascinating person she’s ever met. Zayne has secrets of his own that will upend her world yet again—but working together becomes imperative once demons breach the compound and Trinity’s secret comes to light. To save her family and maybe the world, she’ll have to put her trust in Zayne. But all bets are off as a supernatural war is unleashed…

 * Amazon * Goodreads * 

I was on the hunt for a good paranormal romance and I came across this book.  It sounded like just the kind of story I was looking for.  

The good:

This author really knows how to write an engaging story!  I was caught up right from the beginning.  The characters are distinct, strong and I really liked them.  There is a definite growing chemistry between Trinity and Zayne that I could feel.  Trinity's personal growth as she gains information was satisfying.  The author really gave a piece of herself to this story as she gave Trinity a degenerative eye disorder.  It is always awesome as a reader to have something so personal to an author represented in their stories.  It makes it human, relatable and I even learned something!

The hard:

I am more of a conservative reader so the excessive swearing was hard for me to swallow.  This is, I realize, a personal preference and not one everyone shares.  But for me, the swearing was just too much.  The other was the descriptive, might as well have been, sex scene.   Again, personal preference. 

I will not be coming back to this series for the hard reasons mentioned above but aside from those things, I really enjoyed the story.  It has an open ending so for those reading it, get ready for a wait before you get more of the story!  Oh, and I love the cover.

Content:  frequent swearing (including the F word, many times), profanity, descriptive sexual scene, kissing, innuendo

- I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own.

 

Knights of Obsidian (Obsidian Queen #3) by Shannon Lynn Cook

It’s been a rough couple of days for twenty-two-year-old Madeline Bennet, the newest (and most reluctant) member of Gray’s renowned team of knight marshals. Not only did her shadow creatures create a forest fire that’s burning down western Colorado, but she has no idea where to find the thresholds so she can send the beasts back to the land from which they came. (Or even how to open them.)

On top of that, her parents have figured out something is amiss with her magic, Rafe has taken off on a wild pixie chase, and the status of her relationship with a certain too-hot-to-handle member of her team is firmly seated in the region of “it’s complicated.”

What Madeline needs is a good, old-fashioned vacation, even if it comes in the form of a job. With her hairless cat in tow, she heads to Las Vegas with the guys, desperately hoping the shadow creatures will stay in hiding long enough for her sort through her feelings, find answers to her questions about her Obsidian magic, and catch a magic-thieving criminal prowling the largest fashion convention of the year.

If she gets a chance to buy a few pairs of heels to replace the ones that went up in smoke, that would be all right too.

 * Amazon * Goodreads *

This is a series that I have been wanting more of since finishing the first book.  I'm now on book three and I still want more.  It's really hard to wait.  There isn't much resolution in each book but the characters are growing and changing as they encounter each new circumstance and adventure.  There is a whole cast of entertaining characters in this series that I feel as though I know.  They are distinct, vibrant and so much fun.

I love the great forward momentum in this book.  The action and mystery is perfectly balanced with dialogue and romance.  It makes for such a great combination- one I have a hard time putting down or getting enough of.  I am now in the same position I was before I started this book.  Waiting for more.  And not very patiently.  

This is a YA/NA paranormal/adventure series.  It really should be read in order.  This book and series is on Kindle Unlimited if you have that.  Happy reading!

Content:  peril, mild violence, death, kissing, mild innuendo

- I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Lady of Breken Manor by Heather B. Moore

No lady can steal a loyal man from his fiancé, but what if that lady is a ghost?

Lady Charlotte is bored. So bored that when the owner of her manor in Scotland dies, she actually looks forward to haunting, uh, meeting the new owner. Too bad he’s engaged. Because if he weren’t, and if Charlotte could get him to fall in love with her, then the curse would finally be broken.

What curse, you ask? The curse that keeps Charlotte confined to an ancient manor decade after decade, playing parlor tricks on unsuspecting visitors. If only being a ghost weren’t so tedious, Charlotte might actually enjoy her life-slash-death. But the new owner is making her rethink her entire existence.

LADY OF BREKEN MANOR will be released in the Secret Legends Boxed Set on September 12, 2017. Secret Legends will be available only for a limited time at the low price of 99 cents.

LADY OF BREKEN MANOR will be then moved to an individual release in December 2017. 

 * Goodreads * Amazon *

How fun was this book!!??  I love reading romance books with a little twist off "normal".  I mean, a boy falling in love with a ghost?  He never touched her, he never kissed her.  He only spoke with her but the connection was forged and there was no going back.  There were plenty of moments in this book that made me smile and then there was Sean.  Oh, hello Sean.  Guy in love with the ghost.  You may think he's a titch off in the head but I'm telling you that he has some awesome swoony moments.  I loved his devotion to Lady Charlotte.

I wish this book would have been longer.  At novella length, everything happens so fast.  I wanted to stay and wallow around.  That's a sure sign of an engaging book!  I expected nothing less from Heather Moore though.  She is fantastic at writing in many different genres.  This one is the perfect light-hearted, paranormal romance.

Content:  clean, a couple instances of mild swearing

Raging (Rising #4) by Holly Kelly

For two thousand years, a betrayer has occupied the throne on Olympus. Hungry for power, he has wreaked havoc among the gods, as well as the humans on earth. But a spark of hope ignites in the form of four young women—ones who are destined to free the true king and save the human world. Two have been found, and the others must be located before it's too late.

Drakōn would love nothing more than to turn his back on the whole thing. It's not that he doesn't care about humans, but he has his own world to worry about. But then, he is given an impossible task—one he finds himself unable to refuse. He is charged with protecting a woman, but not just any woman—Tana, goddess of wind and fire.

Tana is more than he bargains for. Sentenced to an eternity of imprisonment for burning hundreds to death in a fiery inferno, she has powerful enemies. Drakōn finds himself facing off with those adversaries even as he questions why he doesn't simply destroy her himself. But Tana is one of four destined to save the world. That is, if she doesn't destroy it first. And Drakōn? He may just lose his most guarded possession. His heart.

 * Amazon * Goodreads *

I have been reading and reviewing this series since the beginning.  This is the final book in this Rising series and I'm both happy and sad to see it ending.  Resolution always feels good and that's what this last book brought me but it's always sad to come to an end of something that you've loved reading.

This book focuses on two main characters (Tana and Drakon), but everyone from previous books makes appearances here along with a few new minor characters.  Tana is powerful and dangerous.  So is Drakon, but in different ways.  I love how he has the ability to calm her fire.  Literally.  Of course he has to love her.  She would fry anyone else and that would just be sad.

The conflict comes to a climactic explosion and brings everyone together to defend the humans and gods alike.  It was fun and fast paced.  I will miss this overlap of the world I know and the world of mythological gods and underwater beings.  

I'm looking forward to what comes next from Holly Kelly.  I'll be on the lookout!

If you haven't started this series yet and you would like to, the first book, "Rising", is free on Amazon right now.  Find it here.

Content:  Clean (some kissing and some violence)

Avenging by Holly Kelly (The Rising Series #3)

Two thousand years ago, King Triton witnessed the slaughter and total annihilation of his merchildren. He vowed then and there to never again father a child. Powerful and eternally youthful, Triton was no stranger to seduction. But his resolve was unwavering—until he met Nicole. Unable to resist the human woman, he found himself swept up in her arms. When he finally came to his senses, he abandoned her to return to his refuge in the sea.

Twenty years later, he comes face to face with his daughter. Triton is both thrilled and frightened to learn he's a father. Meeting the child he never knew fills a void in his life. But at the same time, he once again finds his heart at risk. Even more terrifying, he's forced to admit he's still in love with Nicole. Gathering his courage, he leaves the sea to seek her out. But the pain he caused is not easily forgotten. And mending broken hearts should be the least of his worries. The elements are in commotion, threatening the utter destruction of mankind. And much to the sea god's surprise, the human woman he loves may be the key to saving them all.

 * Goodreads * Clean Teen Publishing * Amazon *

This is one of my favorite book series.  Avenging is the third book in the series and you really need to read the first two books before you read this one.  The first book is actually free on Amazon right now!  Yay!

Rising (The Rising Series Book 1)
Descending (The Rising Series Book 2)

I know when I pick up one of these books I had better make sure I have time to read or I'm going to be frustrated when I have to put it down.  It's so easy to get sucked into these books.  There is constant action and forward progression, which I love.  The mythology is woven right in seamlessly and I always feel that connection and interest in what I am reading.  I also love the romance because I'm that kind of girl.

This book is focused on King Triton and believe me when I say he is nothing like the King Triton of The Little Mermaid.  You can just look at the cover to know that.  This book picks up right where the last book left off and all the characters in the previous books make an appearance in this book as well.  They all have to work together to fight what's coming.  Every book builds on the last and ooh boy, the next book is going to be big!  Like, BIG, big.  I can't wait!

One thing I always feel the need to mention is about the publisher, Clean Teen Publishing.  They have this really cool rating system in place so you can see exactly what content you will find in each and every book they publish.  "Because you deserve to know what you're reading."  I think it's awesome.  I was showing my husband when I started this book that there is a scan code at the beginning of the book.  I just pulled out my phone and it took me right to the content rating page.  He thought that was pretty cool.  I do too.  I wish every publisher did this.  My thanks to Clean Teen Publishing for allowing me to read and review this book for them.  ( I may or may not have begged them to let me review this book. . .)

You can read the full content disclosure for this book in the link above.  There is some violence and paranormal creatures that are a bit disturbing.  There are references to prior sexual involvement, but there is no sexual content other than kissing in this book.

Love on Loch Ness by Aubrie Dionne

Love on Loch Ness by Aubrie Dionne

Contemporary Paranormal Romance

Length: 198 Pages

ISBN: 978-1-62135-250-1

Dr. Gail Phillips steps onto the shores of Loch Ness to disprove the Loch Ness monster theory for good so everyone can stop wasting their time. As a marine biologist with a background in archeology, she’s convinced all of the world’s myths such as Big Foot, the Tasmanian devil, and even Nessie are lies. Her father disappeared while following Yettie tracks in the Alps, and she doesn’t want to lose another mislead soul.

Flynn Maloney comes from a family of fanatic cryptozoologists. As a native of Scotland, he believes in Nessie as strong as Gail believes in science. Despite his initial attraction for her, he’s joined her research team to prove her wrong. He wants to find Nessie for a special girl in his life, to show her dreams really can come true.

As they conduct sonar studies and sweeps of the lake, their differing opinions are at odds with their budding attraction. Gail doesn’t believe in anything unscientific, such as romance, thinking the charming Flynn Maloney is full of baloney. Flynn can’t believe he’s falling for someone with no imagination or faith. To make matters worse, their videographer is covering his true identity. Together they must unravel his plan before he destroys everything they are working for. Will Gail force Flynn to question his faith, or will she discover more than she bargained for in the Scottish highlands?

I love that this book was set in Scotland and revolved around the Loch Ness Monster.  It was a good change up from the regular romance and I really liked it.  

One of the main things I walked away with after reading this book is the reminder that believing in things, having a hope and chasing dreams is a good thing.  Don't kill the joy.  Flynn has that hope and believing nature.  He believes in the Loch Ness Monster and he is trying desperately to find the proof to validate his belief.

While Gail starts out as a kill joy, trying to disprove Flynn's theories, the magical mist of the Loch Ness starts to get to her and she finds herself wanting to believe too.  Gail and Flynn start out working to prove each other wrong, but end up working together.  The working together thing was especially satisfying.

This was a fun book- a vacation for the mind.  :)  I read through it quickly and especially enjoyed the ending.  <wink, wink>  There is something about believing in the magical and mystical that is good for the soul.  

You can find Love on Loch Ness at Amazon.