Coquina Soup – Collected Stories by Frances Nevill


Coquina Soup – Collected Stories by Frances Nevill
Publisher: Bordighera Press
Genre: Contemporary, Fiction
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

In this debut collection of short stories, Florida writer Frances Nevill explores the struggles of women at crossroads, where discoveries of truth and lies unfold and the decision remains to stay or to go. Amongst a multitude of lost characters, this collection is a dose of hope set amongst the iconic backdrop of Florida.

First impressions aren’t always correct.

In “Cloud Cover,” Heather had cold feet on her wedding day and needed to quickly decide if she actually wanted to marry Timothy. I was intrigued by how long she had been wrestling with this question and wondered why she hadn’t made up her mind much earlier in their relationship. The answers to those questions were satisfactory, and I wished her well as she weighed her various options.

There were some tales in this collection that I thought would benefit from stronger character development. For example, Blair’s jealousy over her husband Brad’s friendship with another woman in “Bad Seeing” was overwhelming for reasons I never quite understood. It was difficult for me to determine if I thought she was overreacting or if their friend really did have an ulterior motive for the kind things she did for Brad. Having a deeper understanding of all three of their personalities would have made it easier for this reader to come to a conclusion about who to trust here.

Sevesti returned home to care for her dying mother in “Coquina Soup” only to discover a family secret that had been hidden for decades. I enjoyed the gentle pacing of this one as well as the main character’s reaction to learning more about her family’s mysterious past. It showed me parts of her personality that would have otherwise remained unnoticed, and it made me wish for a sequel so I could find out what happened next.

Coquina Soup: Collected Stories was thought provoking.

The Billionaire’s Secret Marriage by Tamie Dearen


The Billionaire’s Secret Marriage by Tamie Dearen
The Limitless Sweet Billionaire Romance Series, Book One
Publisher: Baden House Books
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Rating: Best Book
Reviewed by Mistflower

Stephanie Caldwell fell in love with her boss, but he’s too clueless to notice. And being blind is no excuse.

Steph doesn’t care that Bran is blind—at least he’ll never see the longing looks she gives him. If only she could warn him about the lack of love on his conniving fiancée’s face. But Steph has to keep her mouth shut, or she could lose her job, along with the health insurance that keeps her daughter alive.

Billionaire Branson Knight knows women regard him as a pitiful blind man, his wealth his only attraction. So his engagement is merely a means to an end. But the last thing he wants to end is his relationship with Stephanie—he depends way too much on his efficient personal assistant.

Can Stephanie stand by while Bran’s devious fiancée coerces him into a quickie marriage? Or will she lose her temper… and everything else along with it?

I literally just finished this story and had to rush here to write a review while I’m still feeling emotionally effusive. At the end, there was a link to sign up for the author’s newsletter in exchange for an extra epilogue—of course, I clicked immediately and devoured it. Now I’m sad it’s over!

The Billionaire’s Secret Marriage is book one in the Limitless Sweet Billionaire Romance series, and my first read from Tamie Dearen—but it definitely won’t be my last.

The reason I’m so gushy? I completely fell in love with the hero, Branson. He’s the total package. Attractive, intelligent, charismatic, and successful, yes—but also vulnerable, honest, and selfless. Branson is blind, but that’s not what makes him special. It’s his heart. His actions speak volumes, and they’re what made me swoon. Ironically, the people around him with perfect sight—like his parents—are the ones who seem truly blind, caught up in appearances and superficial concerns.

Steph, the heroine, has been Branson’s personal assistant for two years. She’s had a crush on him since day one. The flashback to her interview was actually hilarious and charming. I loved that Steph didn’t care that Branson was blind—and that Branson was so emotionally blind to his own feelings toward her. Their friends and family saw the sparks flying, but both Branson and Steph stayed professional, walking a fine line between employer and employee.

Their romance was equal parts sweet and torturous. The chemistry was palpable, and I was totally hooked, rooting for them through every missed opportunity and emotional twist.

Speaking of twists—there were plenty! The story kept me glued to the pages. I despised Branson’s cold, calculating father and his manipulative fiancée. (Yes, he had a fiancée… and while the reason made sense, I still hated it!) On the flip side, I absolutely adored Fordham, Branson’s loyal and witty caretaker. He was more of a father to Branson than his biological dad ever was.

Beyond the romance, this story touches on powerful themes: overcoming fear, forgiveness, standing up for what’s right, and using one’s resources to make a difference in the world. And here’s a fun tidbit: I searched the book and found that the word heart is used 72 times. Fitting—because this story had mine doing everything from clenching and racing to stopping and breaking. My favorite line? When the author described Steph’s heart as being “fastened to Bran’s like a wet tongue to a frozen metal pole.” That image made me laugh and stuck with me!

The biggest takeaway? Follow your heart—not your brain. Steph and Branson’s story was inspiring, emotional, and left me with a massive book glow. This one’s going on my keeper shelf, Branson’s on my book boyfriend list, and Tamie Dearen is officially on my new favorite authors list. I cannot wait to read book two in this series.

This is a must-read for anyone who loves sweet, emotional, and heartstring-pulling romance. Highly, highly recommend!

Neon Prey by John Sandford


Neon Prey by John Sandford
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Fern

Clayton Deese looks like a small-time criminal, muscle for hire when his loan shark boss needs to teach someone a lesson. Now, seven months after a job that went south and landed him in jail, Deese has skipped out on bail, and the U.S. Marshals come looking for him. They don’t much care about a low-level guy–it’s his boss they want–but Deese might be their best chance to bring down the whole operation.

Then, they step onto a dirt trail behind Deese’s rural Louisiana cabin and find a jungle full of graves.

Now Lucas Davenport is on the trail of a serial killer who has been operating for years without notice. His quarry is ruthless, and–as Davenport will come to find–full of surprises . . .

US Marshall Davenport is called in when what’s thought to be a small time criminal jumping his bail bond turns out to have a graveyard’s worth of buried – and some partially eaten – bodies in his back yard. Davenport and a few of his colleagues begin one of their stranger investigations into their very first cannibal and things only get stickier from there.

I’ve been a huge fan of this series for a number of years, and I found this to be an excellent addition to the series. While I feel it can be read by itself, I definitely think readers will get far more enjoyment out of it if they’ve read at least a few of the earlier books and have a decent understanding of the characters and how everyone links together. That said, I equally feel readers can catch up quite easily just with this book and this wouldn’t be a bad place to start.

I believe that readers looking for a fast paced, action orientated mystery should find this fits the bill. There are a few slightly icky parts to this book – though I felt nothing was overtly gory or too graphic – there would be a few warnings to this story (rape, murder and cannibalism). While each of these is mentioned nothing is given too much detail – though it’s not just glossed over either. I feel this won’t be every reader’s cup of tea but it’s quite simple to skip a few paragraphs if you’d like to, and still thoroughly enjoy the rest of the story.

I particularly enjoyed how the plot grew quite complicated as the manhunt continued. In some respects, I really felt this book was more complicated than many I’ve read recently and while towards the end I did begin to feel it was being drawn out a little too long – I have to admit this was not some simple, one-dimensional murder mystery but quite a multi-layered and complex plot. I really enjoyed that.

Readers who are fans of this series or have read other books by John Sandford should have a fairly solid understanding of what to expect and I admit I enjoyed the faster pace and more convoluted storyline. I found this an enjoyable story and am always up for another featuring Davenport again.

What My Refrigerator Said to Me by Bruce Wetterau


What My Refrigerator Said to Me by Bruce Wetterau
Publisher: Self-published
Genre: Fiction, Humor, Contemporary
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Lavender

To Coldly Go Where No Refrigerator Has Gone Before…

What can a talking refrigerator possibly have to say? Well, if you listen to all the AI hype, you’ll believe computers will be doing all the talking and thinking for us.

What My Refrigerator Said to Me’s twenty-one tales take you on a journey into the comic possibilities of life in the digital age, now and in the years to come. After all, why should the likes of Bill, Jeff, and Elon have all the fun imagining this futuristic stuff!

You’re sure to be amused by this book’s absurdly funny answers to such burning questions as: If computers can think, will they choose a life of crime? If your pet can talk, what will it tell you? Can science turn your brain into a desktop computer? Will there still be fortune cookies in 2052?

As is so often true of comedy, along with the laughs you’ll also find thoughtful insights into the people and devices populating our futuristic, digital world.

You get the idea. These richly imaginative tales will have you boldly going where no one has gone before–again and again! This collection of witty, laughable tales makes for a great read or great gift.

This book presents twenty-one humorous short stories that delve into the comical and occasionally bizarre aspects of our technology-saturated lives. Rather than focusing on dystopian fears, the author uses playful imagination to highlight quirky or disquieting possibilities that come from the technological progress. Readers will sometimes laugh at the absurdities of this digital age.

The premise prepares us for the lighthearted and speculative tone. The author tackles questions of the digital age with comedy. Though humor is central, the stories offer moments of thoughtful insight into humans. Scenes are outlandish but relatable.

Sometimes the tongue-in-cheek humor explores potentially sensitive topics concerning race and gender that may not resonate with all readers. There are cliches. Overall, the book is humorous and creative.

The Seal by Juliette N. Banks


The Seal by Juliette N. Banks
Black Hawk Security series, Book One
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Action/Adventure
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Mistflower

He’s sworn to protect, and never love again, but will she be the one to breach his walls?

My name is Josh Hawke, decorated SEAL and founder of Black Hawke Security. Some might call me arrogant. Women call me cold. Those who truly know me call me dangerous.

I’m all those things.

My priority is my elite team of former special ops who fulfill our contracts with governments and some of the most powerful people in the world.

When a famous rockstar hires us to protect his daughter, it’s just another job. Until I meet Cassy Cartwright and her intense green eyes send a bolt of chemistry through me.

She’s as infuriated as I am by it.

The last thing I want is private security intruding on my quiet, hard-fought-for life. Even if he is six foot four and the most gorgeous man I’ve ever seen.

Not interested.

Josh is going to distract all the clients in my hair salon and… protect me from the stalker who is out of prison and looking for me again thanks to my rock star father’s comeback hit.

But that’s all I want from him.

I can’t say I wasn’t warned—the book overview clearly stated this was a steamy romance with spice. But wow. My eyes were reading Tien Tsin chile pepper-level steamy!

The hero, Josh Hawke, is a decorated SEAL who openly admits to being arrogant, cold, and dangerous. He’s well aware of his eight-pack abs, which he maintains through regular workouts in the private gym at his Black Hawk Security (BHS) headquarters. Josh, along with his elite team of paramilitary experts, runs BHS, a company that provides high-stakes security services.

The chemistry between Josh and the heroine, Cassy, is immediate and intense. It’s easy to see why Cassy was taken in by his Alpha presence, good looks, and wealth—complete with his Maserati SUV and expensive clothes. Josh, in turn, was hooked from the moment he laid eyes on Cassy. Her photo captivated him, but in person, she was even more stunning. When their eyes locked, he was hypnotized by her green eyes.

Cassy is independent, successful, and strong-willed. But even she can’t resist Josh’s charm—especially when he becomes the one person who can truly protect her.

And she needs protection. Years ago, Cassy was stalked and kidnapped by a dangerous man named Isaac, who’s now escaped prison. Her father wisely hires BHS to keep her safe. The suspense element in this story kept me on edge—every twist had me rooting for everyone’s safety. I felt a sense of relief when Josh was near, just like Cassy did.

The supporting cast is well developed and adds richness to the story. I especially enjoyed getting to know Josh’s crew at BHS—they’re the kind of characters I hope to see again in future books. Cassy’s world also feels real and grounded, especially through her connections at her salon. Her co-workers and clients added humor and warmth that balanced out the intensity of the action scenes.

One thing to note: there’s a fair amount of profanity, which I’m no stranger to myself. Sometimes a well-placed F-bomb gets the point across. However, I personally found the use of strong language in the sex scenes off-putting—it just didn’t feel romantic to me. That said, the scenes were easy to skim past and didn’t detract from the gripping suspense and solid plot.

Overall, The Seal was a fast-paced, action-packed, and thoroughly entertaining read. If you enjoy romantic suspense with high heat and high stakes, this one is definitely worth picking up.

Outlaw by Harley Wylde


Outlaw by Harley Wylde
Devils Fury MC, Book 2
Publisher: Changeling Press
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, Erotic Romance
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Sorrel

Elena — I lost my parents as a kid, but a reverend and his wife took me in. They were good to me, even if there had never been many hugs. Then they started pushing me to marry a man I didn’t want, so I ran. I should have known the moment I walked through the clubhouse doors of the Devil’s Fury my life would never be the same. I just didn’t count on a bad boy biker being the one to finally make me feel wanted.

Outlaw — The Devil’s Fury are my family, my brothers, but I’m not the same man I was years ago. I’m scarred and broken, or so I’d thought. The little Latina who came to the clubhouse, then pulled out a damn book to read had my attention right away. When someone tries to hurt her, I know that I’ll keep her safe. In fact, I’ll just keep her. She’s awakened a part of me I’d thought I’d lost. Didn’t count on her bringing trouble with her, or nearly losing her, but she’s mine and I will fight for her to the very end.

Outlaw and Elena’s story was full of chemistry.

This is not the first book in the series. Though I have not read the first book, it does not feel like I am not reading the first book.

It is not quite a novella, but it is below 200 pages therefore I would not count it as a full-fledged novel.

I love Elena’s resilience and strength but at the same time her innocence. She does not know or remember how her parents died. When she gets adopted, she does everything to make her adoptive parents happy. But for her there was a limit to that. The story starts there. She refused to marry who her adoptive parents wanted her to.

She is smart. She made a plan and went through with that. But she is innocent enough to this no one would try drugging her.

Outlaw had given up on having a significant other. So, when Elena literally falls in his lap, I think it was divine intervention.

The story develops and the characters with it. Elena learns more about herself, becomes what she wants instead of what her adoptive parents wanted. I loved seeing her develop her own sense of self.

It can be read as a stand-alone. It is a romance. I do think if you want to read or understand more of them, you might start from the first book. The books and characters from the author’s other series do tend to intertwine. But it is not annoying and did not confuse me. It shows how big a world the author has made. I enjoyed this story.

Here, Now, and Forever by J.S. Frankel


Here, Now, and Forever by J.S. Frankel
Publisher: Extasy Books
Genre: Young Adult (14 – 18 y.o.), Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Romance, Contemporary, Historical
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

A flight into danger. A portal to another world. Adventures, danger, a new beginning, and a romance that spans forever.

Carl Goodman, a Merchant Marine sailor during World War Two, is shipwrecked off the coast of China and a temporary visitor at an American airfield, finally scores a ride to India to ship out on another vessel. Accompanying him is Ruby Matthews, a black nurse with her own set of problems.

Bad weather forces their plane to crash on an escarpment high in the Himalayas. As the only survivors with minimal supplies, they take refuge inside a cave where they discover a portal that leads them into an almost Eden-like garden.

After starting at odds, Carl and Ruby come to an understanding, and romance builds over time. However, their peace is interrupted by the arrival of an alien called Norlok, who has an agenda of his own. Defeating him is only part of the problem.

When rescue finally arrives, they find that eighty-five years have passed, yet they’ve retained their youth—until they return to the US, where they begin to rapidly age. Getting back to their garden is of prime importance, but will they be in time?

Anything can happen during a war.

Mr. Frankel’s plot twists are one of the reasons why I have consistently requested his books over the years. He knows exactly how many hints to hide away in his stories to give his readers a taste of what is to come without making it too easy to figure out where he’s going next. This makes the reading and reviewing process effortless because I am always confident that he’s going to keep me on my toes and throw a few curve balls my way as the plot spins off in a new direction. As always, this was such a fun combination of genres, and I loved seeing how he used World War II to leap off into times and places I never would have otherwise associated with that era. Without giving away too many details, there is a peaceful garden in this book that I found especially surprising and relaxing.

I would have liked to see more time spent developing the military subplot. Their reaction to Carl and Ruby’s existence was intriguing at first but didn’t quite make sense to me later on. Having more information about why they responded the way that they did and how willing they were to go along with almost anything the protagonists wanted would have made this a stronger book in my opinion. It is a minor criticism of something I otherwise enjoyed reading quite a bit.

Some of the most memorable scenes for me were the ones that explored what it feels like to be part of a minority group, whether that’s related to race, gender, religion, or other factors. Not everyone who is part of one or more of these groups has the same experiences, of course, but there is overlap between them that I think is helpful for everyone to take note of. The more compassion we feel for each other as human beings, the better if you ask me! While I can’t go into details about exactly what these characters went through without sharing spoilers, it was well worth my time and is something I think readers from every background should explore.

Here, Now, and Forever was adventurous.

Scaredy Cat by Mark Billingham


Scaredy Cat by Mark Billingham
Publisher: Sphere
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Fern

It was a vicious, calculated murder. The killer selected his victim at London’s Euston station, followed her home on the tube, strangled her to death in front of her child. At the same time, killed in the same way, a second body is discovered at the back of King’s Cross station. It is a grisly coincidence that eerily echoes the murders of two other women, stabbed to death months before on the same day.

DI Tom Thorne sees the link and comes to a horrifying conclusion. This is not a serial killer that the police are up against—this is two of them. Finding the body used to be the worst part of the job, but not any more. Now each time a body is found, Thorne knows that somewhere out there is a second victim waiting to be discovered. But while the killers’ methods might be the same, their manner is strikingly different. Thorne comes to realize that he is hunting very different people—one ruthless and in control, the other submissive, compliant, terrified.

Thorne must catch a man whose need to manipulate is as great as his need to kill. A man who will threaten those closest to Thorne himself and show him that the ability to inspire terror is the deadliest weapon of all . . .

DI Tom Thorne is part of a small team in London as part of the Serious Crimes unit. When the strangling murder of a young mother – in front of her three year old son – is brought to their attention they quickly link it with an almost identical strangling murder of another young woman carried out on the same day. But when a similar pattern is shown – in the stabbing murder of another two women some month’s previously, DI Thorne discovers it would not have been physically possible for the one killer to perform both these stabbing murders. As Thorne and his team conclude there must be two murderers acting together they soon realise this case it not going to be as straightforward as they first assumed.

This is the second book in the DI Tom Thorne series and I greatly enjoyed it. In many respects Thorne’s inner musings are somber and while I felt this definitely helped give the story a grittier edge, it’s not necessarily good or fun reading. That said, I have to commend the author on his excellent weaving together of the plot.

In the first half of the book it jumps back and forth from the two murderer’s childhood antics together and then forward into the present day and the murder cases. Often I find this gives a book a jarring or disjointed effect but I was really impressed with how well the author meshed this all together here. I personally felt the story was given a lot more depth with this background information and it helped me understand far more clearly why the second murderer in particular was so entangled in everything and ended up down this path at all. It really helped flesh out the story and made it a hundred times more believable to me so I was very impressed.

I also was really happy when in the later half of the book the pace increased markedly as the actual hunt began in earnest. Without all the detail, history and build up in the first half I don’t feel the rest of the book would have packed anywhere near the punch it did. Once this ball got rolling the story was a massive steamroller and I admit I lost quite a few hours sleep – unable to put it down once the pace really got cracking.

I found this to be an exceptionally written, if slightly uncomfortable, British police procedural murder mystery book. While not perfect, I felt the characters were relatable and realistic, and the plot was well woven and utterly believable. An excellent book that, towards the end, became unputdownable. This was a great read, and I can’t wait to start the next in the series.

Take a Chance on Me by Jane Porter


Take a Chance on Me by Jane Porter
Publisher: Tule Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Mistflower

Savvy stylist Amanda Wright loves Marietta, her hair salon, and her clients, and no client is more dear to her heart than eighty-year-old Bette Justice–even if her years have made her a little fragile. So when Bette asks Amanda for a favor—to convince her stubborn grandson that Marietta is her true home—Amanda can’t say no.

Tyler Justice, a successful game designer, has a one-track mind–he wants to take care of his beloved grandmother. He can’t understand her resistance to move to Texas and is sure that the young friend she keeps mentioning–Amanda–is taking advantage of his grandmother’s generosity. He reaches Marietta determined to put the salon owner in her place and bring his grandmother home…until smart, kind Amanda starts to tug at his heart in ways he never expected.

But just as Tyler and Amanda start to form a real connection, will a long-buried family secret destroy their chance at love?

I’ve always loved stories set in small towns and Take a Chance on Me hit all the right notes. The fictional town of Marietta felt like home, reminding me of the close-knit community I once lived in and still miss. The heroine, Amanda Wright, owns a local salon and genuinely cares for her clients. One standout is 80-year-old Bette, a beloved townsperson who doesn’t want to relocate to Texas to be with her grandson. I related to her deeply–moving away from your roots is no small thing.

Enter Tyler Justice, Bette’s grandson and the hero of the story. At first, I was skeptical of him—he arrives in Marietta with accusations against Amanda and a plan to drag his grandmother back to his home. But as the story unfolds, it was fun watching Bette and Amanda nudge Tyler’s perspective. His character arc was satisfying, especially as he began to truly understand the life his grandmother had built.

The romance between Amanda and Tyler had its share of ups and downs, making the happy ending all the more rewarding. Tyler’s company and Amanda’s family secret added layers of tension that kept me turning pages. I loved Amanda’s quirky flair—her love of the color pink, and how she boldly used it in unexpected ways. It was endearing to see Tyler come to appreciate that part of her personality.

Jane Porter’s writing was engaging, and I found myself breezing through the book in just a few hours. All I could heard when I saw the title of this book was Take a Chance on Me by ABBA—one of my all-time favorite songs. So, it feels perfectly fitting to say that I’m glad I took a chance on reading this book by Jane Porter! If you enjoy heartfelt romance, small-town charm, and a story that balances warmth with just the right amount of drama, I wholeheartedly recommend others take a chance on this delightful read!

Hangman Island by Kate Rhodes


Hangman Island by Kate Rhodes
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Fern

ON A REMOTE ISLAND

When Jez Cardew’s boat is found drifting empty on the Atlantic Ocean, DI Ben Kitto and his fellow lifeboat crew members immediately fear the worst. After an extensive search yields no results, the team are forced to retreat to dry land as darkness sets in.

THE OCEAN IS MERCILESS

But Kitto can’t let it go. Why would Jez – an experienced sailor – get into difficulty when the sea has been calm for weeks? Unless his disappearance was no accident.

BUT SO ARE THE PEOPLE . . .

The gruesome discovery of a hand washed ashore on the beach confirms his hunch. Because a medal is attached to the index finger, and it can only have been placed there by the killer.

This strange clue is the only lead to an agenda as cold as the ocean itself. Kitto must work fast, before the small, isolated community closes ranks. And it’s only a matter of time before the murderer among them strikes again . . .

DI Ben Kitto is days away from his wedding, but he needs to leave preparations behind when the smashed boat of a local lifeboat rescue volunteer’s turns up. The owner – a seasoned though young seaman – is nowhere to be found and everyone is stumped since the sea has been calm for weeks and Jez was far too seasoned and careful for a simple accident to have caused this. Then the gruesome discovery of a hand has everyone fearing the worst. Can Kitto uncover what’s really going on?

I have been enjoying this series, and this latest installment is just as good as the others. I particularly enjoyed how there were snippets at the beginning of most chapters showing the perspective of another character – a close friend of the first victim and a potential suspect for the killer – as I felt this helped deepen the perspective of the reader but also broaden the viewing of the story.

I was pleased with the cast of characters, a number of them now beginning to recur in the series but still retaining that small coastal town feeling that I think will appeal to many of the readers. I definitely found this to be a solid, British police procedural style of mystery and one that I think can easily be read by itself even though it’s quite well into the series by now. While there is some history and back story – particularly around Kitto and his growing family life – this is quite a small community, and I feel the mystery aspect can easily be captured just with this story alone.

I found this to be an interesting and well written mystery, and a good addition to the series.