Sticks And Stones by John Carson


Sticks And Stones by John Carson
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Fern

A horrific murder. A stunning abduction. Can he open an old case to prevent another grisly death?
Edinburgh DCI Harry McNeil isn’t easily intimidated. But after years investigating crooked cops, a promotion heading up a Major Investigation Team will put his reputation on the line. And he’s starting to sweat when the daughter of a rich and powerful family vanishes from the honeymoon suite in a Scottish Highlands castle…

Searching alongside officers from two other divisions, pushes McNeil to his breaking point when the investigation uncovers a charred corpse dressed in a wedding gown. Fearing the missing bride will suffer the same gruesome fate, the detective follows a fifteen-year long trail of clues littered with vengeance, false identities, and a tragic murder-suicide.

Can McNeil bring the butcher to justice before the celebration turns into a mass funeral?

I was pleasantly surprised by this Scottish mystery novel. Not as dark and gritty as some UK crime/mystery novels can be I nevertheless found the tone of the book to be similar to many other British crime novels. With a small number of main characters that I could easily keep a handle on this helped me feel pretty quickly like I knew the characters and the energy between DCI Harry McNeil and his work partner DC Alex Marshall. I was really pleased that – for me at least – the banter and friendliness between Harry and Alex didn’t seem to have an undertow of romance or chemistry. I feel for now at least their professional, working relationship was a good blend of boss and co-worker and the two of them being genuine friends. I’m not sure I’d want Harry or Alex to muddy that with sex or complications between them.

Indeed, for the most part I found this a refreshing, enjoyable Scottish mystery with a good – albeit slowly moving – plot. Readers looking for an action based, fast-paced mystery might find this one moves a bit slower than they’d prefer. Personally I was pleased to find since this was the first book in a series a decent amount of time was spent showing me Harry, Alex and the other main characters and setting the scene of the crime. A good portion of the start of the book was spent with the missing bride, the wedding guests and searching the massive grounds for clues and trying to piece together what had occurred. I was left a little bewildered, since I couldn’t seem to slot the prologue into what was occurring in the main part of the book, but I was really pleased with how everything wrapped up neatly, and a little over half way through the story there were a few plot-twists that I found particularly satisfying and felt really helped both move the plot along and give the book a taste of individualism which made me pleased I’d kept on with it.

Readers looking for an enjoyable, not too gritty mystery with good characters and a solid – though at times slow-ish – plot should really enjoy this book. I found it easy to stick with the book since the characters and writing style really appealed to me and especially around the half way mark when things started to really come together I was pretty chuffed that I’d stuck with it. I enjoyed this book enough I’ve ordered the second in the series and I might even look into the author’s other works since I really did enjoy his writing style and tone.

A good, enjoyable and interesting mystery book and a new-to-me author I’ll happily read again.

The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren


The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren
Publisher: Gallery Books
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Larkspur

Single mom Jessica Davis is a data and statistics wizard, but no amount of number crunching can convince her to step back into the dating world. Raised by her grandparents—who now help raise her seven-year-old daughter, Juno—Jess has been left behind too often to feel comfortable letting anyone in. After all, her father was never around, her hard-partying mother disappeared when she was six, and her ex decided he wasn’t “father material” before Juno was even born. Jess holds her loved ones close, but working constantly to stay afloat is hard…and lonely.

But then Jess hears about GeneticAlly, a buzzy new DNA-based matchmaking company that’s predicted to change dating forever. Finding a soulmate through DNA? The reliability of numbers: This Jess understands.

At least she thought she did, until her test shows an unheard-of 98 percent compatibility with another subject in the database: one of GeneticAlly’s founders, Dr. River Peña. This is one number she can’t wrap her head around, because she already knows Dr. Peña. The stuck-up, stubborn man is without a doubt not her soulmate. But GeneticAlly has a proposition: Get to know him and we’ll pay you. Jess—who is barely making ends meet—is in no position to turn it down, despite her skepticism about the project and her dislike for River. As the pair are dragged from one event to the next as the “Diamond Match” that could launch GeneticAlly’s valuation sky-high, Jess begins to realize that there might be more to the scientist—and the science behind a soulmate—than she thought.

Funny, warm, and full of heart, The Soulmate Equation proves that the delicate balance between fate and choice can never be calculated.

What if the person you are destined to be with dislikes you? Dr. River Pena is developing a potentially multimillion dating app and he is surprised when he matches with Jessica, a woman who wants nothing to do with him.

I loved the The Soulmate Equation, it is a delightful surprise. It is an intoxicating, sweet and funny story filled with tender looks and two science geeks who like working with numbers more than people.

River and Jessica are very smart and they appear confident but are vulnerable and often uncomfortable around people and social situations. They are perfect for each other, but it takes them a while to figure it out. I liked everything about this slow burn story filled with scorching looks and captivating characters.

River is a rigid, uptight, perfectionist who doesn’t have time to date. At first, he seems arrogant, but as the story unfolds it is easy to see, he is a nice guy who is distracted and in his head a lot. River has been working on a dating app for years and is excited that it will finally be ready for the open market and that is all he can think about, until he meets Jessica.

Jessica’s life is the exact opposite from River’s. She is a freelance statistician and a single mother trying her best to do it all. She is so busy, she never has a moment to indulge herself and she certainly doesn’t have time to date.

I adored the characters in this story. Both River and Jess stole my heart; they are nerds and perfect for each other, even though they find each other in an unconventional way. Their story is uplifting and I wanted River and Jessica to get the HEA they deserve. I think the writing in The Soulmate Equation is flawless and the plot is refreshing. This feel good story has some entertaining secondary characters which add to the story. I wholeheartedly endorse The Soulmate Equation.

Numb by Montgomery Raye


Numb by Montgomery Raye
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Erotic Romance, Contemporary
Rating: Two Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Take a walk with Nora, whose hunger for love has taken the foreground in a most unusual way.

More control which Nora relinquishes, the sexual spotlight becomes hers and hers alone.

How does a wallflower become the life of the party?

For one who is “Numb”, what others may see as being extreme, is just a walk in the park of what is average.

To cope, to succumb, to overcome, to numb. The road is yours.

There is freedom in choice.

This is a quick story and definitely hot. Nora knows what she wants – love – and she knows how she wants to get it. She’s determined to be the center of attention and this story delivers the heat. This short features multiple partners, lots of back door play, role play, pony play, degradation, and domination. Oh boy, is there domination. She gives up control, as the blurb suggests, and this is her journey.

This story could be greater if there was just a bit more description and fleshing out in each section. Nora goes on an adventure and each lover is unique. I would’ve liked a bit more to each chunk. How’d she get involved with this person, how does she feel while being with the person and how does she feel after? Those details would certainly bolster the story. The other thing that was a bit more work with an editor. It’s jarring to read when words are omitted. It reads like an outline that way. While this might not take away enjoyment for all readers, it did for me.

That said, this story is hot and there is a little bit of everything for readers wanting a hot read. If you want to read about Nora’s journey in this short read, then this is the one for you. Check it out.

The Five Things by Beth Merwood


The Five Things by Beth Merwood
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, Paranormal, Historical, Contemporary
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

For nine-year-old Wendy, the summer of 1969 will never be forgotten.

Local kids have always told stories about the eerie wood on the outskirts of the village, and Wendy knows for sure that some of them are true. Now the school holidays have started and she’s going to the wood again with Anna and Sam, but they soon become convinced that someone is trying to frighten them off.

When a terrible event rocks the coastal community, the young friends can’t help thinking there must be a connection between the incident, the tales they’ve heard, and the strange happenings they’ve begun to witness. As glimpses of a darker world threaten their carefree existence, they feel compelled to search out the underlying truth.

Some mysteries can’t be solved in a single summer.

Some of the most interesting portions of this book involved the lingo of British English in the late 1960s. The main character used these terms under the assumption that everyone reading it already knew what she was talking about. I enjoyed the process of looking up the words I didn’t know and comparing them to how I’d refer to those items or types of food in my dialect of English. It was also fascinating to see how the main character’s voice changed as she grew older and certain words came into or fell out of style.

The plot was slowly and sometimes unevenly paced. As much as I appreciated all of the details the author included in order to immerse her audience in this time and place, those passages were sometimes distracting from the mystery storyline because of how much they slowed down key moments in Wendy’s exploration of what really happened on that sad day that she was never able to forget. I would have loved to choose a higher rating, but this held me back from doing so.

With that being said, the mystery itself felt incredibly realistic. The clues spilled out across many years. Sometimes Wendy reached an entirely new stage of life before she discovered the next one. Given the tragedy that occurred soon after the audience first met her, this made perfect sense. She was so young when it happened that I wasn’t surprised by how protective the adults in her community were of what they said around the children in their lives one bit. Of course she wouldn’t have picked up on certain things until she was an adult!

The Five Things is a good pick for anyone who like slow-burning mysteries.

Dream Spinner by Kristen Ashley


Dream Spinner by Kristen Ashley
Publisher: Forever (Grand Central Publishing)
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Larkspur

Hattie Yates has finally met the man of her dreams. Yet years of abuse from her demanding father have left her petrified of disappointment. She’s already failed to reach her goal of becoming a professional ballerina—she can’t handle the terrible consequences of another dream becoming a nightmare. But when a stalker sets their sights on Hattie, there’s only one man she dares to hope can help . . .

Axl Pantera knows Hattie is the only woman for him. Yet despite the attraction burning between them, Hattie refuses to let him in. The former soldier is determined to woo her into letting down her walls. And when danger comes calling, he’s up against more than her wary and bruised heart. Axl will do anything to prove to Hattie that they’re meant to be, but first, he’ll need to keep her safe.

Kristen Ashley is one of my favorite authors, so I was really excited to read her newest book, Dream Spinner. This is the third book in The Dream Team series and this one is about Axl and Hattie. It is an enchanting, fast paced story with some suspense added to the mix. As always, KA includes a cast of colorful secondary characters, which is what makes this story and everything she writes so much fun and interesting.

This is an upbeat and intoxicating story about Axl and Hattie and it is wonderful to have a ringside seat as they fall in love. Axl and Hattie are perfect for each other; they have explosive chemistry and a passionate relationship as they help each other deal with their troublesome fathers, Hattie’s stalker and some dirty cops.

Hattie is a dancer at Smithies. She is shy and caring, but has very little confidence because her father is always putting her down. When Axl asks Hattie for a date, she turns him down, even though she likes him, because she is afraid to say yes.

Axl is a commando who works for Hawke. Anyone who works for Hawke is tough and willing to do all the things the police can’t or won’t do. The commandos aren’t afraid to cross any boundaries, they get the job done, whatever it takes, legally or illegally. Axl is protective by nature and when he finds out Hattie is receiving threats, he wants to be the one keeping her safe. He cares about Hattie, but she is vulnerable and stubborn and afraid to open her heart.

I enjoyed all the encounters between Axl and Hattie and I also enjoyed all of Hattie’s amusing girlfriends. When they get together they are a hoot. They are a tight knit group and just what Hattie needs in her life.

This is a delightful story filled with romance, intrigue and a whole cast of entertaining characters. Although, I have to admit, I was a little disappointed there wasn’t an epilogue because KA’s epilogues are epic and my favorite part of the book. That said, I still loved this exhilarating, rollicking story and I’m sure you will too.

Cravings by Scarlett Se Leva


Cravings by Scarlett Se Leva
Publisher: Bookends Publishing LLC
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

She was my best friend.
Until the friendship was ruined.

Now she is my nightmare.
She is all I crave.

She’s the one he can’t forget.

This is certainly a short story. It’s a prequel, which is good, and there to tempt the reader to buy the longer story this summer. The story delivers a lot of steam, even if it’s in a small package. It’s a fast read and when the steam hits, it’s hard.

That said, this felt like a prequel and felt rushed. It felt like there should be more to it. Granted, there is a longer story coming, but this one just…it’s quick. There is a bit of detail and I started to sort of get the idea of the characters, but it still came across as a scene, a tiny bit and I wasn’t entirely sure where it would be going. There is a teaser for the next story, which is good, but the emphasis at the beginning on Ryan and Simone being kids made the story come across as a YA at first and this isn’t YA. Still, the hot scene is hawt and it’s a good precursor to the larger one coming.

If you want something quick and hot, then this might be the story for you. It’s a good introduction to the author’s writing style and has a hot scene that will certainly scorch the screen.

Instamom by Chantel Guertin


Instamom by Chantel Guertin
Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corp.
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Lavender

In this #funny, #wise, #emotionally compelling look at modern love and finding your true path, a proudly kid-free influencer meets the ultimate #dealbreaker . . .

It’s the influencer’s golden rule: know your niche. Kit Kidding has found hers on Instagram, where she gets paid to promote brands and share expertly curated posts about her fun, fabulous, child-free life. Kit likes kids just fine, but she passionately believes that women who choose not to become mothers shouldn’t have to face guilt. Or judgement. Or really hot chefs who turn out to be single dads.

Will MacGregor is aggravating, sexy, persistent, averse to social media, and definitely a bad idea. As soon as Kit learns his parenting status, she vows to put their scorching one-night stand behind her and move on. But Will and Kit are thrown together on an Instagram campaign, and the more time she spends with him—and his whip-smart, eight-year-old daughter, Addie—the more difficult it is to stay away, much less sustain what Will so cleverly calls her “Resting Beach Face.” Kit’s picture-perfect career path is suddenly clashing with the possibility of a different future—messy, complicated, and real. Which life does she truly want? Will she have to re-invent herself? And will love still be waiting by the time she figures it out?

Instamom is a fast-paced romantic story but so much more. Kit is a social-media influencer, posting pictures online that represent her supposedly wonderful, free life. Will is a professional chef. When the two meet, they are drawn to each other and have a steamy night.

This is a good thing for Kit. She does not want complications in her life. She’s a career woman who not only does not want children, but she is a leader and champions the cause of a child-free life to many women—has even written a book about it.

Kit really likes Will; then she discovers that he is a single dad and a widower. Disappointed, she decides that even though he is a great guy, his child makes this a no deal. Will manages to charm her anyway. Their interaction becomes ever more deep, passionate, and painful for them because Kit is adamant about remaining child-free.

How could this couple ever find happiness? Will challenges Kit’s phony online life, but Kit challenges Will as well. Added to this complexity is Kit’s relationship with Will’s daughter, Addie. A different type of turmoil is created as Kit has to interact with her. Afterall, Kit and Will have to work together for a while.

Kit’s friends and family add their two cents, and her exchanges with them reveal a lot about Kit’s values. Her ex-boyfriend, and his friend who wants more add tension to the story. There are ups and downs in this novel, and different types of love are explored.

It is a story about introspection, friendship, love, parenthood, careers, friendship, and facing one’s self to get at the truth. It is an entertaining story, and I would happily recommend it to others.

Rattling Chains by T. Strange


Rattling Chains by T. Strange
Bound to the Spirits Book 1
Publisher: Pride Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, LGBTQ, Paranormal, Erotic Romance, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Moonflower

Book one in the Bound to the Spirits series

Ghosts are popping up where they shouldn’t. Harlan, a ghost janitor for the police, suspects there’s a serial killer on the loose—but no one believes him.

Harlan Brand is a medium who was abandoned by his parents at a school for the psychically gifted. He grew up lonely but safe from the ghosts that terrorized his childhood.

But now, at twenty-one, he’s out in the real world. He works as a ghost janitor for the Toronto Police Service, cleaning up after crimes and hauntings in the Greater Toronto Area. Adding to the anxiety of leaving the ghost-warded safety of his school, the cop assigned as his partner seems to hate him, he’s having confusing feelings for a BDSM club owner who brings out his deepest fantasies and ghosts are popping up where they shouldn’t.

Using the ghosts as clues, Harlan begins to suspect there’s a serial killer loose, but no one believes him. Harlan will stop at nothing to discover who—or what—is preying on his city.

Life can be hard when you’re not ‘normal’ and Harlan learns this the hard way when he is left at a special school. His parents slowly but surely disappear from his life. And then he’s grown up, and has a job, but is woefully unprepared for it. So hold onto your hats because this story is only just beginning.

This was a great story, with a perfect mix of mystery and paranormal activity. The ghosts can be chilling (pardon the pun) but extremely well-written. I loved the descriptions given, they really made you part of the book, rather than just reading it. The BDSM side of things happens naturally and doesn’t go into too much detail if it’s not your thing. The romance between Harlan and Charles is tender and romantic, the sort that leaves you with a sappy smile on your face.

This is the first book in the series so I’m definitely looking forward to seeing what comes next. There is a small group of psychics that Harlan works with that I would also like to see more of. Hamilton is a special kind of something and has his own surprise in the book, which I loved!

All in all, this was a brilliant book that kept my attention from the first to the very last word. A new-to-me author that I will definitely be reading more from. Absolutely recommended by me.

Worlds of Light & Darkness by Angela Yuriko Smith and Scot Noel (editors)


Worlds of Light & Darkness by Angela Yuriko Smith and Scot Noel (editors)
Publisher: Uproar Books
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Paranormal, Action/Adventure, Contemporary, Historical
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

A haunted father who discovers a place where incomplete things—and people—are made whole. A mischievous satyr who hatches a plan to set loose chaos on a global scale. A workaholic witch in search of her kitty companion. Invasive technology to rewrite the human brain. Dragon slayers. Zombies. Time travelers. Ice skaters.

These twenty short stories stretch across multiple universes and beyond death—and yet, they remain intimate, personal, emotional. They demonstrate the strength of the human spirit to find hope and seek a better tomorrow in even the darkest times.

A selection of the best speculative fiction from DreamForge and Space & Time literary magazines, these are the stories we need today as we struggle through a pandemic, divisive politics, rampant misinformation, a belligerent defiance of facts and science, and new technologies that are already spiraling beyond our control.

Read, my friends… and take hope.

Buckle up and prepare for a wild ride!

Lydia went to otherworldly lengths with a hungry dragon to retrieve a missing memory in “Born from Memory.” This was such an imaginative piece. I deeply enjoyed the descriptions of what memories look like and what happened to them once they ended up in that half-forgotten place. The deeper I dug into the plot, the more I looked forward to reaching the end. Every twist was beautifully done, especially the final one. This was something that could easily be expanded into a novel but was also quite satisfying as a short story.

“A Sip of Pombé” followed two astronauts as they embarked on a controversial trip from Uganda to Mars. Their clashing personalities often made me smile as I waited to find out if their mission would be successful, although I do wish more time had been spent describing how their journey went. They were facing so many serious obstacles that I sure would have liked to have more information about how they took on those challenges even though I was pleased with the later plot twists. Similar patterns of skipping over what I thought were the most exciting scenes were repeated in several other tales in this anthology as well.

The opening scene of “The Feline, the Witch, and the Universe” started with a witch named Sorscha arguing with a boarding guard about the existence of witches in outer space. I was instantly amused by the unusual combination of these themes and was as eager to find out how she’d react to being told she didn’t exist as I was to discover what business she had on a spaceship. Somehow the plot only grew more creative from that moment forward. No sooner would I adjust to one twist in it than another delightful one would appear. It was a great deal of fun to follow her adventures to their completion.

Anyone who enjoys science fiction should give Worlds of Light & Darkness a try.

Meant to be Immortal by Lynsay Sands


Meant to be Immortal by Lynsay Sands
Publisher: Avon Books
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal, Romance, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

Mac Argeneau knows all too well: immortals can be killed. Not with holy water or silver crosses, but by decapitation or being set on fire. So when Mac’s house bursts into flames—with him inside—he’s sure it was no accident. But who would want to kill a scientist specializing in hematology? There is a silver lining: a blonde investigator appears on the scene and sparks feelings in him that have been dormant for centuries.

CJ Cummings is in town on a special investigation, but she’s been waylaid by the local police to deal with this arson case. The biggest mystery is how this sexy scientist with silvery blue eyes has emerged from a blazing inferno without a burn mark on him. He’s clearly hiding something. Sure, she’d love to see him without his lab coat, but she’s got a job to do—despite his insistence that he needs a bodyguard and…he wants her.

But when a second attempt on their lives puts CJ in harm’s way, it’s Mac who will do anything to safeguard the woman who’s destined to be his life mate.

Ms. Sands does it again. She’s created another fun romance story for fans to enjoy. This one can definitely be read as a standalone because the main focus is on Mac and CJ. There is a mystery about who is out to kill Mac. Or, is CJ the target? Or is it both? What is really going on in this little town called Sandford? The action starts off in the first chapter and the novel’s pace picks up and keeps on going from there.

CJ has sworn off men but not for the reason I thought. Her reason is sound and I can understand her reticence in giving Mac a chance to get close. One of the secondary characters gives Mac a helping hand and the hero makes the most of it, but to balance that, he does respect CJ’s choice and leaves it up to her to make a move when she is ready. I like that the heroine surprised Mac in a way he didn’t expect.

The conflict is mostly external. CJ is there to investigate allegations against a cop but she’s being stonewalled. As evidence mounts, she’s getting the picture that something isn’t right and when more victims turn up, and the town expresses their anger, she knows her investigation needs to wrap up right quick – answers are being demanded and she’s the only one who can get them. That’s a serious and convincing plot vehicle and the author worked it to the max. It doesn’t overwhelm the budding romance between Mac and CJ though, in fact if not for its existence, they wouldn’t have met this soon. I say that because as fans of the series know, if I say the name Marguerite … they know what I mean. Yes, she shows up but is mostly in the background because it’s Bricker and Decker that come with her that help Mac and CJ the most. And, if fans remember the Bricker/Decker duo, witty repartee, teasing and shenanigans are usually mixed in for comic relief. They’re very effective and it was a lot of fun watching them interact with the hero and heroine.

Oh, I have to mention Marguerite again. Why? Because I think the lady at the bed and breakfast is going to star in a future book. I could be wrong…but I don’t think so. I’ll have to read other reviews after I’m done writing this one to see if other readers caught the same thing. Inquiring minds want to know.

Now the big reveal. I always look forward to seeing how Ms. Sands is going to have the love interest of an Immortal find out about their strange diet requirements and all those other fun details. All I keep envisioning in my brain is how CJ’s face must have looked like watching a certain thing happen in increments. I had a goofy grin on my face through most of the process. I totally cracked up from the Casper the Friendly Ghost reference. I never know when Ms. Sands is going to tickle my funny bone because in all her books in the Argeneau series, I’m guaranteed a few loud HA!’s, snickers and giggling. Meant to be Immortal is no exception. I was thoroughly entertained.

There is a lot more ground to cover about this novel, from other secondary characters, the town’s police personnel, the hot, ice-melting dream that proves CJ and Mac are life mates, CJ’s family history and so much more, but I’ll leave that for readers to discover. Just know that Meant to be Immortal is another satisfying romance from the fertile imagination of Ms. Sands and is definitely a recommended read.