Tag Archives: read in 2025

Review – Last See Unknown by J R Choice #lastseenunknown #jrchoice

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Amazon / KindleUnlimited / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

As soon as I saw the cover with a child, and a title like Last Seen Unknown, I felt it would be a good fit. I love FBI thrillers, especially when the main character, Grace Powell, feels a personal connection.

My only complaint, I would love more ‘meat on the bone’, and I felt the author stumbled a time or two. Last Seen Unknown is a quick read, at only 180 pages, but every word was worth reading. The book moved at a fast pace, making it hard to stop and draw a breath…at least for the main character, Grace Powell. Her past comes back with a vengeance and she will stop at nothing to bring the kidnapper to justice.

Skylar is a character I loved to hate. She runs a news channel on Instagram and TikTok. It would be great, and maybe even helpful, if she wasn’t more interested in the numbers instead of how true her writings were. Definitely adds a touch of reality to the novella, considering we are seeing such things play out daily online.

It isn’t just a basement. It’s where innocence goes to die.

What a great sentence.

She can’t live like this. Waiting. Flinching.

To me, it’s time to go hunting. And she does.

I am voluntarily reviewing an ARC for Last Seen Unknown by J R Choice.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

She escaped him once. Now he’s taken a girl who looks just like her.

FBI Agent Grace Powell has spent her life trying to outrun the man who abducted her as a child.

But then six-year-old Ellie Marks disappears. Same age. Same features. Grace knows it’s not a coincidence.

He’s back.

As Grace races to find the girl, the lines between justice and obsession begin to blur.

Each clue pulls her deeper into the past she swore she buried.

And she starts to wonder if this is a trap to lure her back to him.

To stop him, Grace must face her darkest

That the man who once forced her to call him “Dad”…is executing a plan to make her his again.

  • Genre: Fiction, Kidnapping, Suspense, Thriller
  • 183 pages, Kindle Edition
  • Published September 15, 2025

ABOUT J R CHOICE (from Amazon)

Twisted plots, flawed heroes, and secrets that won’t stay buried.

J.R. Cloice writes gritty crime fiction with bite—twisted plots, sharp dialogue, and characters who bleed. Before turning to novels, Cloice managed Birdland, New York’s legendary jazz club, and later co-founded a luxury cosmetics brand, leading it for over 20 years.

Now, the only thing getting polished is the prose.

Addicted to noir, flawed heroes, and buried secrets, Cloice crafts stories where justice is messy, truth cuts deep, and nobody walks away clean. If you like fast-paced thrillers packed with suspense and emotional punch, you’re in the right place.

 

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Review – The Fruit Tree by Sabir Ahmed #sabirahmed #thefruittree

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Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

Love is messy…and Adam and Eve are going to find out just how messy it can be.

A narrator is telling their story. By the end of the book, I thought that Sabir Ahmed left it up to me to figure out who the narrator was and who is the child he’s telling the story to. Am I right or wrong? I’ll leave it up to you to figure it out.

Adam and Eve are teenagers, their families are friends who think that they will eventually grow up and get married, have babies and live happily ever after. BUT, again, love is messy.

We follow them from their teenage years to adults. We watch as they struggle to make sense of their feelings. Adam is shy and Eve is…well, Eve. She thinks the world revolves around her and she can do no wrong. She will have a rude awakening.

I knew some of what was coming as I read along. ‘Love is a blessing and a curse.’ Love is the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. For some, love is an obsession, and there is no telling how far the scorned will go.

Most of the time, we/re just cruising along, watching the children trying to make sense of life, going through all the angst that teenagers have. The last quarter of the book had me on pins and needles. There was an air of menace oozing off the pages. I couldn’t flip them fast enough, having to know WTH is going to happen. I knew it couldn’t be good. The ending is mind blowing and I love it.

I want to thank Sabir Ahmed for the opportunity to read and review The Fruit Tree.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
3 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

Adam is your typical shy guy in school, with no thoughts towards romance outside of his daydreaming. However, that all changes one day, when he gets saved by an unlikely Eve. Eve is one of the more popular girls in school, but maybe he had misjudged her. Rescued from her boyfriend, Adam can’t help but admire Eve. They quickly become good friends and the rest, as they say, is history.
Follow them as they grow from teenagers to adults and watch how their relationship evolves with them. As they explore themselves and figure out who they are, their love will change. With the assistance of their parents, who would love for them to be together, will it be enough? Will they end up on the same page? Or will the chapters they write forever be out of sync?
This is not the same Biblical tale you’re familiar with. She wasn’t made from his rib, and he had his own garden. With no god to guide them, nor a devil to deceive them, how would they envisage Eden? They were left alone to be victims of their hearts and hostages to their minds. He was the forbidden fruit, but would she bite?

  • Genre: Fiction, Paranormal, Romance, Supernatural, Suspense
  • 402 pages, Paperback
  • Published October 24, 2024 by Grosvenor House Publishing Limited

ABOUT SABIR AHMED

I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember. Some of my earliest memories are arriving at school early and writing short stories before the day started. I’ve found a way to incorporate writing all throughout my life since, from stories, to journaling, to even writing guides and blog posts. My brain is constantly thinking of new ideas, if not fleshing out old ones. The Notes app on my phone has been a hero!

It’s always been my dream to publish a book. It didn’t need to be successful, it just had to be something I wrote. I was finally able to accomplish that, thanks to self-publishing. Now I have to find a new goal! It’s re-energised me to write even more, which I definitely intend on doing.

I hope you enjoy your stay in my little corner of the world.

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Review – Muscat And Motorcycles by Sandra Woffington #sandrawoffington #muscatandmotorcycles

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Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

Grizzly blew up, literally; Rogue’s world blew up, figuratively, and Hellfire went to prison.

Now she’s out and whoever wanted Grizzly dead finishes the job, knowing she will be the prime suspect. She is determined to prove it wasn’t her that blew up Grizzly the first time and it sure the hell wasn’t her that finished the job.

Hellfire’s family wants nothing to do with her, so we can put them on the list, along with some of the guys from the Alchemists motorcycle club. There are plenty of suspects and I bounced from one to the other.

We have plenty of action from the opening pages, and it doesn’t let up until the story is told. Sandra Woffington did a great job of keeping the mystery alive. Every time I thought I could eliminate one of the suspects, she makes me second guess myself. I do love a mystery that has plenty of villains. Many times they are more interesting to me than the good guy.

My thanks go out to Sandra Woffington for the opportunity to read and review Muscat And Motorcycles: Wine Valley Mystery 14.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
3 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

Motorcycles. Mayhem. Murder.

This heart-stopping mystery begins at the California Institute for Women, where Hellfire, mid-twenties, strolls out of prison. She slides onto the back seat of a Harley Davidson, wraps her arms around Rogue’s chest, and they head home to Wine Valley.

Hellfire is bent on clearing her name. She starts with Grizzly, the former president of the Alchemists motorcycle club—the man she supposedly maimed by setting off an explosion. But whoever wanted Grizzly dead, now wants Hellfire dead, too, and history repeats itself.

Detective Max King and Dr. Joy Burton arrive at what’s left of Grizzly’s house to find Rogue hovering over Hellfire’s inert body. It appears that Hellfire has done it again—and Rogue is her accomplice.

Can Max and Joy find the explosive truth and send the guilty party to prison? Or did Hellfire successfully enact revenge?

Sandra Woffington is a USA Today and Amazon bestselling author. Step into the wicked world of Wine Valley. Read Muscat and Motorcycles today.

  • Genre: Fiction, Mystery
  • 170 pages, Kindle Edition
  • Expected publication September 27, 2025 by Red Summit Publishers
  • Series: Wine Valley Mystery Series: #14

ABOUT SANDRA WOFFINGTON

Hi, readers! I love to create stories with pithy dialogue, gritty action, mind-blowing plots and unique characters: flawed, passionate, and sometimes disturbed.

I’m a USA Today and Amazon #1 Bestselling author. I completed the Humanities Honors Program at U.C. Irvine and earned my MFA in Creative Writing and MA in English from Chapman University. I’ve spent 15+ years teaching multiple subjects to middle school students. I love to teach as much as I love to write. My students inspire me!

Wine Valley Mystery series is for adults—Noir Crime/Traditional Detective. The boxed set hit #1 Best Seller on Amazon upon release. The prequels of light and cheery Detective Max King, dark and disturbed Dr. Joy Burton, and tough-guy, Officer Reed Steele are FREE.

https://dl.bookfunnel.com/91qn64o3vc

My debut novel, Unveiling, a stand-alone, takes place in the colorful deserts of Saudi Arabia as well as America. It won Honorable Mention from the Writer’s Digest SP book awards. Evil Speaks, first book in the Warriors and Watchers Saga Series, a middle grade fantasy, was Finalist (4th place) in the Reader’s Favorite 5-star awards (that’s out of all of the 5-star books in that category for the year).

I love to hear from readers! Please email me at sandra@sandrawoffington.com or visit my website at SandraWoffington.com. Join my FB Reading group Woffington’s Reading Warriors: Mystery, Murder, Magic & More for updates and freebies. Or follow me on Amazon. Thanks for spending time with me!

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    Review – The Human Hybrid Odyssey by A McDonald, K Witt, K Jarta #aaronmcdonald #kimathiwitt #kawsajatta

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    Amazon / Goodreads

    MY REVIEW

    Did you see the cover for The Human Hybrid Odyssey: Forever Changed written by Aaron McDonald and Kimathi Witt, and illustrated by Kawsa Jatta? It sure did make me curious about what I would find inside. I was not disappointed. There are some wonderful illustrations, and I love them. They add a little something extra to the novel.

    I love apocalyptic/dystopian novels and The Human Hybrid Odyssey is a fresh take on a familiar genre. Catastrophic storms wiped out humanity as we knew it. A new breed of genetically altered hybrids arise from the aftermath.

    Forever Changed is the first volume in the series, an introduction to a world in which the survivors struggle to create a life for themselves and are forced to leave their home and set off on a journey to the safety of the kingdom. I love all the creatures.

    Nosoo is an intriguing character. His one moment of cowardice sets him off on an adventure that will test him and could cost him his life. His bravery may be spurred on because of his cowardice, his need to redeem himself in the eyes of his village.

    I bounced between a 3 and 4 star rating because I wanted more depth and detail. The book is 170 pages of goodness, but I wasn’t able to get lost, though I did read straight through. I had to know what was going to happen next and I can hardly wait to get my hands on the second book in the series.

    Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
    4 Stars

    GUEST POST

    The Human Hybrid Odyssey: From Inspiration to Imagination

    Every great story begins with a spark—and for The Human Hybrid Odyssey, that spark came from a set of stunning illustrations. Coauthor Aaron McDonald first shared the extraordinary images of half-human, half-animal hybrids, created by illustrator Kawsu Jatta, with coauthor Kimathi Witt. Immediately, the two began imagining the origins of such beings. How did they come to exist? What kind of world would they inhabit? Those questions set the stage for what would become an ever-expanding creative journey.

    From a Single Idea to a Growing Saga

    What started as a vivid “what if” quickly grew into a fully developed series. Today, The Human Hybrid Odyssey is available as a paperback, eBook, and audiobook—with a graphic novel adaptation in production right now. Each format lets fans experience the hybrids’ world in a new dimension, ensuring that every type of reader can step into the odyssey.

    Beyond the Page: Immersive Creations

    The vision didn’t stop at books. Our team has brought these characters to life in posters, 3D-printed statues, and even a custom chess game, each piece connecting fans more deeply with the story’s universe. And the adventure is only beginning—we are preparing to bring the hybrids to the big screen and, eventually, to your favorite streaming platforms.

    A Platform by Authors, for Authors

    Alongside our creative projects, we’re passionate about empowering other storytellers. That’s why we launched MWJ Books, a cost-sharing platform that allows authors to advertise their work at an extremely affordable price. Built by authors who understand the challenges of publishing, the platform helps writers overcome one of the most difficult—and expensive—parts of the journey: consistent, effective promotion.

    Powered by Readers Like You

    Perhaps the most rewarding part of this odyssey has been you, our readers. Hearing fans recite scenes and favorite moments from memory—completely unprompted—reminds us why we write. Your enthusiasm, questions, and theories fuel our creativity. And we want you to be part of the process: you can even suggest new characters or plot twists for us to explore in future volumes.

    Join the Journey

    We invite you to visit us at MWJBooks.com to:

    • Sign up for exclusive notifications about new releases.
    • Get updates on book signings, merchandise drops, and special events.
    • Share your ideas to help us craft the next chapter in The Human Hybrid Odyssey.

    After all, we’re not just writing these stories for you—we’re writing them with you.

    Best,
    Aaron McDonald, Kimathi Witt, and Kawsu Jatta
    MWJBooks.com

    AMAZON SYNOPSIS

    When the world as we know it crumbles beneath catastrophic storms and ancient forces reawaken, humanity is forever changed.

    In the aftermath of global ruin, a new breed rises-genetically altered hybrids forged by chaos and instinct. Part human, part beast, they struggle to survive in a land reshaped by destruction, mystery, and myth. Tribes form, power shifts, and trust are a rare commodity in this brutal new order.

    Among the survivors, unlikely alliances form as hybrid warriors embark on a harrowing journey through treacherous terrain, both physical and spiritual. Hunted by enemies, haunted by memories, and driven by a primal call they barely understand, they must uncover the truth about their transformation-and what it means for the future of their kind.

    Forever Changed is the explosive first volume in The Human Hybrid Odyssey, a cinematic sci-fi saga blending action, ancient legends, and speculative evolution. This is not just a battle for survival. It’s the origin of a new species-and the beginning of an unforgettable odyssey.

    • Genre: Action and Adventure, Fantasy, Fiction, Paranormal, Supernatural
    • 170 pages, Paperback
    • Published January 1, 2024
    • Series: The Human Hybrid Odeyssey #1
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    Review – To Cage A Wild Bird by Brooke Fast #brookefast #tocageawildbird #netgalley

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    Get in. Get out. Don't fall in love.
    To Cage a Wild Bird tropes like enemies to lovers and slow burn romance

    Amazon / Goodreads

    MY REVIEW

    I couldn’t find any information about Brooke Fast on Goodreads or Amazon. To Cage A Willd Bird is her debut novel and she knocked it out of the park.

    Imagine, if you will, that by committing one single crime, you are given a life sentence. Pretty hard to put yourself in that position in this day and age. The prison is not like any prison you can imagine. I’m not sure of how much to share, but seeing it isn’t mentioned in the blurb, I won’t spoil the events that take place in the prison. Think our prisons are brutal…this one takes incarceration to a whole new level.

    Raven Thorne is a bounty hunter. I love strong female main characters The romance between Raven and a prison guard develops slowly. It’s not easy to know who to trust. There are plenty of corrupt, lecherous guards who felt they could do whatever they want, but one guard tried to do whatever he could to protect the inmates from them.

    I had some minor issues, but for the most part I got hooked from the very beginning. Brooke Fast had some unique and original thoughts for her dystopian novel and I am always on the lookout for a fresh take on a familiar tale.

    I want to thank NetGalley and Avon for the opportunity to read and review To Cage A Wild Bird. I can hardly wait to find out what comes next.

    Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
    4 Stars

    GOODREADS BLURB

    Enter the brutal world of Endlock, a prison where the wealthy hunt the inmates for sport. The first novel in an electrifying dystopian romance series, this high-octane debut about forbidden love, found family, and a fight for survival will leave you breathless.
    In the city of Dividium, the law is simple: commit a crime, and your punishment is a life sentence in Endlock.
    Raven Thorne is Dividium’s most notorious bounty hunter, living on the edge of society. But when her younger brother, Jed, is sentenced to Endlock, Raven will do anything to save him—even if it means getting herself arrested.
    Now trapped in a prison where danger lurks around every corner, Raven must use all her cunning and strength to protect Jed—and herself if she is to complete her perilous mission. But there’s one obstacle she never expected: the prison guard who stirs something deep inside her. The man she should hate. The man whose true motives seem impossible to pin down.
    In a world where trust is a weapon and love is a liability, Raven must decide if she will risk everything to tear down a vicious system,

    • Genre: Adult, Apocalyptic, Dark Romance, Dystopian, Enemies to Lovers, Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction,
    • 368 pages Kindle
    • March 3, 2026 by Avon
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    MY REVIEW

    Giveaway & Review – Murder Pays A Call by Nancy Cohen @nancyjcohen @dollycas #murderpaysacall

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    Murder Pays a Call: A Keri Armstrong Cozy Mystery
    by Nancy J Cohen

    About Murder Pays A Call

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    Murder Pays a Call: A Keri Armstrong Cozy Mystery
    Cozy Mystery
    1st in Series
    Setting – Florida
    Publisher ‏ : ‎ Orange Grove Press
    Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 9, 2025
    Print length ‏ : ‎ 290 pages
    ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1952886376
    ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1952886379
    Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0F8NNP8NN

    MY REVIEW

    Nancy J Cohen is a master storyteller when it comes to the cozy mystery genre. Murder Pays A Call surpassed my expectations. Usually cozies are too tame for me, but Murder Pays A Call is not your run of the mill cozy.

    Welcome to Sunny Grove, Florida.

    Keri Armstrong is a personal concierge. You have a need, she is happy to fulfill it, but murder was not on the menu. When the murder of one of her clients happens, she discovers the body of Fiona Sullivan. The rumor mill begins, but Fiona was one of her favorite clients and she is determined to find out the why of it herself.

    Death brings out the best and the worst in people and we have a lot of people with their opinions and Keri’s list of suspects grows longer.

    Cozies have nicer murders and murderers than the suspense thrillers that I love so much. Nancy does delve a little deeper than a lot of the cozies I’ve read and I find that enjoyable. Is that the wrong word? I mean, we are talking about murder. 🙂

    Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
    4 Stars

    Personal concierge Keri Armstrong will accept almost any job, but solving murders wasn’t on her to-do list—until now.

    When personal concierge Keri Armstrong swings by her favorite client’s mansion to drop off groceries, she expects a heartfelt chat along with a cup of tea—not Fiona Sullivan dead in bed and her room ransacked. Though police chalk it up to a botched robbery, Keri isn’t so sure. Whispers around town suggest Fiona wasn’t as adored as Keri had believed, and many of the philanthropist’s so-called friends in affluent Sunny Grove, Florida seem glad she’s gone.

    Keri refuses to let Fiona’s memory be reduced to malicious gossip. Armed with a keen eye, insider access, and a fully charged tablet, she sets out to uncover the truth. Soon her file of suspects grows faster than her to-do list. Between sneaky neighbors, resentful relatives, and tight-lipped charity board members, Fiona left behind a trail of frenemies who’d happily skip her memorial brunch.

    As Keri digs deeper, she discovers her late mentor had a gift for extracting people’s secrets and using them like fine china—carefully storing them until they could serve a purpose. But Fiona also kept a few skeletons in her own walk-in closet. Now, with danger creeping closer, Keri must race to crack the case before her number comes up next… and Murder Pays a Call.

    “A page-turner of a mystery from one of my favorite authors. Cohen’s deft mastery of the cozy genre shines through in every scene, delighting readers with another engrossing whodunit.” Muddy Rose Reviews

    “Fans of award-winning author Nancy J. Cohen’s long-running Bad Hair Day Mysteries will be thrilled to learn there’s a new sleuth in town. Murder Pays a Call is the debut book in her Keri Armstrong Cozy Mystery Series featuring a personal concierge who adds solving murders to the services she offers her clients.” – Lois Winston, author of the bestselling and award-winning Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mysteries.

    About Nancy J. Cohen

    Nancy J. Cohen writes the Bad Hair Day Mysteries featuring South Florida hairstylist Marla Vail and the Keri Armstrong cozy mysteries. Her books have won numerous awards including her nonfiction titles, Writing the Cozy Mystery and A Bad Hair Day Cookbook. Active in the writing community, Nancy is a past president of Mystery Writers of America Florida Chapter. When not busy writing, she enjoys reading, fine dining, cruising, and visiting Disney World.

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    Scrumdiddlyumptious – Wicked Believer by Kait Ballenger @kait_ballenger #wickedbeliever

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    Amazon / Goodreads

    MY REVIEW

    I am super excited to be back in Charlotte and Lucifer’s world in the Wicked Believer by Kait Ballenger, the sequel to Original Sinner. Let’s do a recap. God brought Lucifer and the seven deadly sins to New York City…and vanished. A celestial war is on the horizon. Charlotte is no longer the good little Christian. Not since Lucifer got his hands on her. She is walking on the dark side, growing and learning to stand on her own. The sex is sizzling hot. He is the dominant and she is the submissive, but…

    Queen of my own damned life. Queen of my own goddamn choices.

    “Not a fallen angel. Not a demon. Not a human, but something else in between.”

    There are a lot of triggers in Charlotte and Lucifer’s erotic world, so be sure you are ready to walk on the dark side. I was lost in it. The darker it got, the more intense it felt. I loved all the changes that Charlotte is going through. I loved being on the sidelines and watching sides being taken as the apocalypse approaches. Charlotte is not going to stand behind Lucifer and let him drive the boat,. She’s going to be front and center. The kink level rises, and Charlotte does not shy away from it. She embraces it. I was reading along, white knuckled, eager to read the next word, the next sentence, the next chapter, and then….it came to an end.

    I love everything about Wicked Believer and I want to thank Kait Ballenger and Montlake for the opportunity to read and review it. I can hardly wait for the next book, seeing there is war on the horizon.

    Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
    5 Stars

    GOODREADS BLURB

    Author Kait Ballenger whips up a spicy sequel to Original Sinner, a no-holds-barred dark romance where the devil and his queen-to-be explore the bounds of kink, even as they stand on the brink of war.

    I wasn’t always immortal. And I’m not sure I’ll ever get the hang of it. Not like Lucifer, a.k.a. Pride. He and the other seven deadly sins, the high-profile billionaires who run this city, make the divine life look easy.

    I came to New York a good, if damaged, Christian girl. Then Lucifer opened my eyes to the darkness. To the hunger burning inside me. To a world of pain and pleasure like nothing I’ve ever known. Now it’s all I crave. He’s all I crave.

    But as I grapple with this new existence—and the events that led me to it—unseen forces push me and Lucifer apart. Paparazzi track my every move, Lucifer’s family plays their wicked games, and I hardly know who I am anymore. Or who I’m meant to be.

    A celestial war is brewing, and Lucifer’s siblings are out for blood—and the dark power inside me calls me to join the fight.

    • Genre: Dark Romance, Erotica, Fantasy, Fiction, Paranormal, Romance, Supernatural
    • 453 pages, Kindle Edition
    • Expected publication September 9, 2025 by Montlake
    • Series: Original Sinners #2

    ABOUT KAIT BALLENGER

    Evoto

      Kait Ballenger is an award-winning author of dark romantasy and paranormal romance. She is obsessed with tales of morally gray, sometimes villainous heroes and can’t resist a spicy redemption arc. When Kait’s not busy writing kinky paranormal fantasy, she can usually be found with her nose buried in someone else’s naughty books. She lives in Florida’s Bible Belt with her husband and two adorable sons—and will gladly use that belt to whip you.

      For news on future releases, exclusive bonus scenes, and NSFW character art, sign up for Kait’s newsletter: https://bit.ly/3t7zXLA

      You can also find Kait on TikTok @kaitballenger or Instagram @kait.ballenger

      MY KAIT BALLENGER REVIEWS

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      Friends With Benefits – Review – Opal’s Fight by Jane Blythe @jblytheauthor #opalsfight

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      Amazon / KindleUnlimited / Goodreads

      MY REVIEW

      Are you looking for heroes and heroines, foxy ladies and macho men? You can’t go wrong with a Jane Blythe novel. Her characters carry heavy baggage and I have a great time watching them get their happy ever afters. At times the stories feels all too real, making them even more terrifying.

      CJ and Opal have been having a friends with benefits relationship. Neither is ready to make a commitment. Trouble arises when Opal finds out she is pregnant, right in the middle of an undercover operation. Memories of her past surface, which makes her more determined than ever to save the girls from human traffickers. (Every time I enter my doctor’s office, I see a poster about trafficked girls. Florida is known to be a high risk state for visitors). Opal’s Fight is a little bit different, in that, the traffickers want the babies. The girls are considered disposable.

      Babies are kryptonite to CJ. Can he learn to love their unborn child? Well, if you are like me, you know he will overcome his feelings and become the husband and father that Opal and their unborn child need. The interesting part is the how of it.

      “Need us to go beat him up for you?”

      “Nah, if he needs beating up, I think we can handle it,” she said, gesturing to her sisters.

      And I have no doubt they could handle it. The ladies were raised by the Master to be assassins and they don’t hold anything back when danger puts them in the crosshairs of evil. Even after the undercover operation is over, the danger lingers. I knew when IT was going to happen, I just didn’t know exactly what and by whom.

      Whew. That was one wild ride, filled with highs and lows and lots of danger. I’m really excited to get started on the next series of ferocious women warriors, the Athena Team series. First up is Scarlett.

      Thanks Jane, for the opportunity to read and review Opal’s Fight.

      Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
      4 Stars

      GOODREADS BLURB

      An unplanned pregnancy could push their friends with benefits arrangement to something more or break what they have.

      Despite growing up the way she did, Opal Smith always knew she wanted to have a family of her own one day. The last thing she expected was to wind up pregnant in the middle of an undercover case. Not that it matters because she knows without a doubt that the only man she trusts with her body and her heart will step up. CJ would never let her down. Ever.

      Navy SEAL Cameron John “CJ” Ulrich has a secret. One he hasn’t disclosed with anyone. Including his best friend. Even though he feels things changing with Opal, starts thinking maybe he’d like more than friends with benefits, when she announces she’s pregnant that’s it. Things are over between them. For good. But the dangers of her undercover case are lingering around her, and CJ might wind up losing Opal and the baby he believes he doesn’t want permanently.

      • Genre: Fiction, Military Romance, Romantic Suspense, Suspense, Thriller
      • 280 pages, Kindle Edition
      • Published November 14, 2023
      • Series: Prey Security: Artemis Team #4

      ABOUT JANE BLYTHE

      USA Today bestselling author Jane Blythe writes action-packed romantic suspense and military romance featuring protective heroes and heroines who are survivors. One of Jane’s most popular series includes Saving SEALs, part of Susan Stoker’s OPERATION ALPHA world! Writing in that world alongside authors such as Janie Crouch and Riley Edwards has been a blast, and she looks forward to bringing more books to this genre, both within and outside of Stoker’s world. When Jane isn’t binge-reading she’s counting down to Christmas and adding to her 200+ teddy bear collection!

      Website  /  Twitter  /  Facebook

      MY REVIEWS FOR JANE BLYTHE’S BOOKS

      • You can see my Giveaways HERE.
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      5 Star Review for The Grave Artist by Jeffrey Deaver & Isabella Maldonado @jefferydeaver @isabellambooks

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      NEW RELEASE

      GOODREADS

      MY REVIEW

      Fanfrickintastic. I am loving the Sanchez and Heron series by Jeffrey Deaver and Isabella Maldonado. The multiple plot lines and villains that are found in The Grave Artist kept my mind spinning, and the authors kept me on my toes from beginning to end.

      Carmen Sanchez is an agent for Homeland Security Investigations. Her partner, Jake Heron is a security expert. They are the only two members of a newly created division, I-Squared. Governmental politics will rear its ugly head, but that’s to be expected. They find a way to work around it.

      Carmen and Jake first meet the Honeymoon Killer when a groom is murdered. They quickly discover he has struck in other countries, but for some reason, when they try to contact them, they get no response. We learn who the serial killer is from the very beginning and see the world through his eyes. It does not detract from the story, it only enhances it.

      Declan is Jake Heron’s computer. He is analytical and creative. If you didn’t know he was a computer, you might think he was a person when you are talking to him.

      Silena, Carmen’s sister, is on the hunt for their father’s murderer. Everyone thought it was a suicide, but they were convinced he found out something he shouldn’t have and it cost him his life. Carmen had told her to hang tight until she closed the Honeymoon Killer case and she could help, but… Carmen and Silena are kickass characters, sometimes putting themselves in danger by not waiting for the Calvary to come.

      Tristan Kane, from the first book, Fatal Intrusion, puts in an appearance. making their investigation even more complicated.

      It took both of their skills to answers all the questions I had, and I didn’t get the answers until the very end…and that ending…it keeps on giving. Every time I thought the characters trials and tribulations were over, Jeffrey and Isabella found something else that made my jaw drop. Awesome. Spine tingling. Mysterious. 

      I want to thank Thomas & Mercer and MB Communications for the opportunity to read and review The Grave Artist by Jeffrey Deaver and Isabella Maldonado.

      Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
      5 Stars

      GOODREADS BLURB

      Perfect couples are his perfect victims. Now he’s hunting those hunting him in a riveting thriller by New York Times bestselling author Jeffery Deaver and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Isabella Maldonado.

      A wedding reception is coming to a close in the Hollywood Hills when the blissful day is shattered by the death of one of the newlyweds. Though the incident appears to be an accident, Homeland Security Investigations agent Carmen Sanchez and her partner, security expert Jake Heron, discover that the tragedy is the third in a series of similar deaths and conclude something far more sinister is at play.

      The two uncover chilling evidence pointing to a serial killer who has taken evil to the next level. Dubbed the Honeymoon Killer, this man isn’t interested in his victims but in creating his own macabre masterpiece from their graves—focused on the survivors and reveling in their grief. And now his dark obsession has turned to Carmen and Jake…

      The Honeymoon Killer has decided they are the perfect next target. Take one out and delight as the other crumbles. Time is running out as a deadly game between predator and prey begins.

      • Genre: Fiction, Mystery, Suspense, Thriller
      • 396 pages, Paperback
      • Expected publication September 9, 2025 by Thomas & Mercer
      • Series: Sanchez & Heron, Book II, Stand Alone

      ABOUT JEFFREY DEAVER

      #1 international bestselling author of over thirty novels and three collections of short stories. His books are sold in 150 countries and translated into 25 languages. His first novel featuring Lincoln Rhyme, The Bone Collector, was made into a major motion picture starring Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie. He’s received or been shortlisted for a number of awards around the world.

      Website

      ABOUT ISABELLA MALDONADO

      Wall Street Journal bestselling and award-winning author Isabella Maldonado wore a gun and badge in real life before turning to crime writing. A graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico and the first Latina to attain the rank of captain in her police department, she retired as the Commander of Special Investigations and Forensics. During more than two decades on the force, her assignments included hostage negotiator, department spokesperson, and precinct commander. She uses her law enforcement background to bring a realistic edge to her writing, which includes the Special Agent Nina Guerrera series, the Special Agent Dani Vega series, the Detective Veranda Cruz series, and the Sanchez and Heron series (co-authored with Jeffery Deaver). Her books are published in 24 languages. For more information, visit www.isabellamaldonado.com.

      • You can see my Giveaways HERE.
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      Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious – Original Sinner by Kait Ballenger @kait_ballenger

      Posted on by

      Amazon / Kindle Unlimited / Goodreads

      MY REVIEW

      OMG!!!!!! I am blown away by Original Sinner by Kait Ballenger. Think Lucifer, the TV series, meets Fifty Shades Of Gray. I love everything about Original Sinner, from the fabulous cover to the last word read. Once I began reading, I couldn’t stop. The seven deadly sins are running wild in New York City and Lucifer reigns supreme. They’re waiting for God to make an appearance, for Lucifer to receive redemption. Charlotte had run from her abusive religious father and the man she was given to. Through a series of stumbles she becomes Lucifer’s fake fiancee. BUT, once Lucifer has her, he will face heaven and earth and everything in between to keep her. They don’t hide who they are. In the days of social media, it wouldn’t work anyway. The paparazzi have them in their sights. Sexual tension runs throughout and when they do have sex it’s sizzling hot with plenty of dominating and submissive kink.

      There are all kinds of triggers for some people, so check it out good before reading. It doesn’t bother me at all. In fact, I revel in their delicious wickedness and debauchery. I want more. Lots more. I love, love, love it!!!!! So, I’m moving on to the sequel in the Original Sinners series, Wicked Believer.

      I bought my copy of Original Sinner and it was worth every penny of it!!!!!!!!

      Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
      5 Stars

      GOODREADS BLURB

      Seven deadly—and ultrarich—sins rule NYC, and though she came here to escape her past, one woman’s true path to freedom might be the devil’s bonds in this scorching hot romantasy from Kait Ballenger.

      The seven deadly sins keep high profiles in the Big Lust runs brothels, Sloth’s a media streamer…you get the picture. Pride, though, he’s more mysterious. You might know him as Lucifer—temptation irresistibly embodied. The paparazzi are dying for some burning-hot gossip. So when someone publishes my scathing but private rant about him, they eat it up. And now my job is on the line. After all, he is my boss.

      With his vicious siblings vying for his power, Lucifer needs to distract the press, so he reframes my tirade as a lovers’ spat, demanding I play the devil’s fiancée. I need to be a good girl, smile for the cameras, nothing more.

      But cocky and cruel as he is, his darkness awakens something wicked in me. Sexy and in control, he might just be the cure—an extra dose of sin to heal me from a lifetime of shame and subservience.

      And I like it.

      • Genre: Angels and Demons, Dark Romance, Fantasy, Fiction, Paranormal, Romance, Supernatural
      • 346 pages, Kindle Edition
      • Published March 25, 2025 by Montlake
      • Series: Original Sinners

      ABOUT KAIT BALLENGER

      Evoto

        Kait Ballenger is an award-winning author of dark romantasy and paranormal romance. She is obsessed with tales of morally gray, sometimes villainous heroes and can’t resist a spicy redemption arc. When Kait’s not busy writing kinky paranormal fantasy, she can usually be found with her nose buried in someone else’s naughty books. She lives in Florida’s Bible Belt with her husband and two adorable sons—and will gladly use that belt to whip you.

        For news on future releases, exclusive bonus scenes, and NSFW character art, sign up for Kait’s newsletter: https://bit.ly/3t7zXLA

        You can also find Kait on TikTok @kaitballenger or Instagram @kait.ballenger

        MY KAIT BALLENGER REVIEWS

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