Intense Pleasure by Lora Leigh

October 11, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Intense Pleasure by Lora Leigh
Publisher: St Martin’s Griffin
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, Erotic Romance
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

TOO HOT TO HANDLE
Her name is Summer, as beautiful and occasionally fierce as her name suggests. Her past has just come back to haunt her, and suddenly she’s not sure who she can trust. Her longtime confidantes Falcone and Raeg seem to have Summer’s best interests at heart. . .but it’s clear that their desire for her still burns between them. Can they find a way to keep Summer safe—or will a bitter rivalry stand in their way?

Falcone and Raeg need to work together, now more than ever, if they intend to protect Summer from an old enemy who knows her dangerous secret. When Summer’s identity as a sweet, Southern socialite gets out, the two men must find a way to draw out the ruthless assassin on her trail. . .and keep their illicit romance with her under wraps. But some passions are so intense they can’t remain hidden. What are Falcone and Raeg willing to risk for the woman they both crave like no other, in Intense Pleasure, the next Bound Hearts novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Lora Leigh.

Three loves and one white hot passion.

I love a good menage story and if there’s some serious angst, then sign me up. This one delivered. Lora Leigh is one of my go-to authors and as soon as I picked up this book, I knew I was hooked. The writing is good and I got right into the story.

I have to admit there are a lot of characters from other books in the Bound Hearts series, so keep that in mind. It may take a bit of wading to get through the various names, but it’s worth it. Also, there are bits of repetition in this story, so beware. It wasn’t such an issue for me as some of the situations were repetitive, but it might wear on other readers.

Summer, Falcon and Raeg are meant for each other. The passion clearly blossoms right off the page from the get-go. I liked when they’d dance around each other, trying not to admit the attraction and when they did get together, it’s pure Lora Leigh guaranteed steam.

If you’re looking for something hot, with a menage, then this is the book for you. Give it a try.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

Squishy Crushy Something by Kieran Frank

October 10, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Squishy Crushy Something by Kieran Frank
Publisher: Deep Hearts YA
Genre: Young Adult (14 – 18 y.o.), LGBTQ, Romance, Contemporary
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Jayden never expected he’d be the type to develop a squish on a boy, never mind a full-blown crush.

It started with Kail, a boy with looks and popularity and all-around awesomeness. Developing a squish on Kail might’ve been natural for Jayden, of course, as anyone could fall for that boy. But it’s now three years later, the summer before senior year, and Jayden’s squish on Kail has grown into a crush that he can no longer ignore. And this crush is leading Jayden to make decisions he knows he’ll regret later.

But Kail isn’t the only one Jayden is having squishy crushy troubles with.

He used to be friends with Ollie, but when Ollie got too deep into religion, it drove Jayden away. Now, Ollie is back and he seems much more open-minded—not to mention much more attractive—and Jayden can’t help but develop a squish. But could it turn into a crush?

Jayden is caught between two squishy crushes—the crush on the boy that he knows is toxic, and the potential crush that could make or break a friendship—and he doesn’t know what to do. The right choice could bring him happiness, but if he makes the wrong choice he could lose everything.

This was the first asexual and gay romance novel I’ve read, and it won’t be the last!

Small towns can be lonely and sometimes even dangerous places to grow up for kids who are LGBTQ, non-Caucasian, or a member of other minority groups. I enjoyed seeing how Jayden figured out who was safe to talk to and who would accept him unconditionally as not everyone who lives in a small town will be prejudiced against folks who are different from them by any means. There are wonderful people to be found in every corner of the globe, and I smiled with joy as the main character discovered who could be counted on in his community.

The ending suited the characters nicely, especially Jayden. People change quite a bit when they’re in high school, so it made a lot of sense to leave everything as open to interpretation as the author did. He left plenty of room for his characters to learn and grow as they finished high school and went off to college. That was exactly what this storyline needed, and it made me excited to read the sequel that was hinted to be in the works.

Some of the most memorable scenes were ones that showed members of the LGBTQ community loving and supporting each other. Some shared the same label while others did not, but what really mattered were their friendships and the common ground they found as members of various romantic and sexual minority groups. I never had stories like this when I was in high school, so it was heartwarming to see such a thing written for today’s teens. Solidarity makes for great storytelling and sends a powerful message of hope to readers who are still looking for a place to belong.

Squishy Crushy Something made me sigh with happiness.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Five, Six, Seven, Nate! by Tim Federle

October 10, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Five, Six, Seven, Nate! by Tim Federle
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Genre: Contemporary, LGBTQ, YA, 14+
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Armed with a one-way ticket to New York City, small-town theater geek Nate is off to start rehearsals for E.T.: The Broadway Musical. It’s everything he ever practiced his autograph for! But as thrilling as Broadway is, rehearsals are nothing like Nate expects: full of intimidating child stars, cut-throat understudies, and a director who can’t even remember Nate’s name.

Now, as the countdown to opening night is starting to feel more like a time bomb, Nate is going to need more than his lucky rabbit’s foot if he ever wants to see his name in lights. He may even need a showbiz miracle.

Cute, sweet and a little unbelievable but fun!

Five, Six, Seven, Nate! follows the book Better Nate Than Ever is a cute, sweet read about a young man, Nate, who wants to become a star on the stage. He’s got big dreams and even bigger pressure to produce.

I liked this book because it showed a young man, Nate, who is trying to come to terms with what he wants–fame–and who he is. He’s coming out and finding he rather likes being true to himself. It’s a sweet thing to read about.

There are also a lot of nearly impossible things happening in this book. He’s a small town kid about to make it big, he’s already on the stage, he’s in an improbable situation…but it’s fun. It’s cute and quirky.

If you’re looking for a story that’s a little about coming out, a lot about the stage and a lot about life, then give it a try. It’s funny and worth the read.

Filed Under: Reviews, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Dirty Little Lies by Lora Leigh

October 7, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Dirty Little Lies by Lora Leigh
A Men of Summer novel
Publisher: St Martin’s Paperbacks
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, Action/Adventure, Erotic Romance
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

THE HEART HAS ITS SECRETS.
Zack Richards knows he’s asking for trouble. Trying to protect a member of the notorious Maddox family could get a man killed—even a battle-scarred, muscle-ripped alpha like Zack. But the woman who has captured his wildest fantasies is nothing like the rest of her power-hungry clan. She’s innocent, beautiful, and has quickly become the one shining light in his dark, desperate world. The only woman worth fighting for…and dying for…

BUT PASSION NEVER LIES.
Her name is Grace Maddox—and everybody knows that she is a marked woman. Targeted for her family’s sins and hunted like a wild animal, Grace has no choice but to accept Zack’s protection. In his arms, she finally feels safe. In his eyes, she sees an insatiable desire that mirrors her own. But the truth is dangerous—and could end up tearing them apart. Will surrendering to Zack end up being the biggest mistake of Grace’s life?

Lots of lies, lots of love and a lot of heat.

I know when I pick up a book by Lora Leigh that I’ll get something fantastic. This book was no different. There was heart, heat and so much steam. The writing flowed well and caught me right up in the story from page one. I didn’t want to put it down, even though I had to…darn sleeping anyway.

Zack loves Grace. Always sort of has, but he knows she’s off-limits. Then he’s given the task of protecting her and decides a fake relationship is what will do the job the best. I liked that he was so take-charge about it. He knew what was best. But I also liked that she didn’t let him just do whatever he wanted. She challenged him all the way and that was great, too. Grace isn’t a wilting flower. She’s just as strong, even if she’s caught in something she doesn’t understand.

I liked the chemistry between Grace and Zack and could tell he’d give his life for her. The heat between them scorched the pages.

If you’re looking for something hot on an autumn afternoon, then this might be the book for you. Recommended.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Smuggled by Angela Karanja

October 7, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Smuggled by Angela Karanja
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Young Adult (14 – 18 y.o.), Contemporary
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

How a Talent Trip turned into a Trafficking Trip – Whoosh! – just like that she was gone!

Tuliana was 14 and had lived in her home country of Kenya with different people, in different places, at different times, for as long as she could remember. Then, out of the blue, she was ushered onto a plane with a group of teenagers and flown out of Kenya.

At a London airport she was separated from the group and whisked off in a car. Her experiences after this were creepy: she didn’t know where she was, or why.

Firstly, she was delivered to a home where she was grossly mistreated. Then to another where she wasn’t treated badly but she definitely didn’t belong. Finally, to another where she was treated really well – yet enslaved. In all those homes she was a slave – a modern day child slave.

Tuliana’s teen friend, Jonathan, whom she met on the plane during this Talent Trip was painfully worried. On returning to Kenya, Jonathan went to extremes to try find her – literally sacrificed his privileged life as a son of a British diplomat. He was thrown out of his family and the country and shipped back to live with his paternal grandparents in England.

Being kicked out only increased his motivation and efforts to find Tuliana. Jonathan mobilised teenagers from all over the world to join his “Operation Find Tuliana” campaign. The campaign picked momentum fast and began unsettling government systems. Teenagers were asking deep penetrating questions, demonstrating and disrupting status quo and stirred world leaders to STOP and LISTEN as teenagers demanded for ACTION not just TALK.

This campaign ignited bravery and vigilance among regular citizens who raised concerns and reported suspicious cases which led to the discovery of numerous children who were being exploited and abused up and down the country. Some children were living as full-fledged slaves, others as part times slaves – all, modern-day child slaves.

Tuliana was also unearthed having been illegally adopted in a supposedly “good family” but nevertheless a slave- the Cash cow for this family’s business.

Everyone should be aware of the warning signs of human trafficking, including teenagers.

The pacing was strong, exciting, and easy to follow. It had a conversational writing style that could appeal to teens and adults alike. There was never a good place to stop reading which is always something I like to see in what I read. It was fun to anticipate what might happen next to the characters when I needed to step away and take care of other business.

I would have liked to see more character development both in the sense of describing people’s personalities and habits as well as in the sense of showing how they grew and changed as a result of their experiences. Ms. Karanja did a good job of creating backstories, especially when it came to Tuliana, but there wasn’t as much time spent on what Tuliana and the other characters who interacted with her were like as individuals. This makes it hard for me to describe their personalities with specific terms like shy, friendly, silly, intellectual, or any of the many other words that can give a reader a sense of what it would be like to meet that particular character in real life.

Some of my favorite passages were the ones that explored the many ways vulnerable people can be convinced to trust a stranger and travel to unknown places with them. While kids and teenagers are generally more susceptible to this than adults are, the techniques that were used could easily lure older folks into dangerous circumstances, too. I appreciated the way the author presented these scenarios to the audience without interrupting the flow of the plot. She trusted us to pick up on why they could be early signs that something was going terribly wrong without further commentary, and that made her story stronger.

Smuggled discussed an important issue in an accessible and interesting way.

Filed Under: Reviews, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , ,

The Unforgettable Logan Foster by Shawn Peters

October 6, 2022 By Leave a Comment


The Unforgettable Logan Foster by Shawn Peters
Publisher: Harper Collins
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Middle Grade (8 – 12 y.o.), Contemporary
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Dicentra

Logan Foster has pretty much given up on the idea of ever being adopted. It could have something to with his awkward manner, his photographic memory, or his affection for reciting curious facts, but whatever the cause, Logan and his “PP’s” (prospective parents) have never clicked.

Then everything changes when Gil and Margie arrive. Although they aren’t exactly perfect themselves—Gil has the punniest sense of humor and Margie’s cooking would have anyone running for the hills—they genuinely seem to care.

But it doesn’t take Logan long to notice some very odd things about them. They are out at all hours, they never seem to eat, and there’s a part of the house that is protected by some pretty elaborate security.

No matter what Logan could have imagined, nothing prepared him for the truth: His PP’s are actually superheroes, and they’re being hunted down by dastardly forces. Logan’s found himself caught in the middle in a massive battle and the very fate of the world may hang in the balance. Will Logan be able to find a way to save the day and his new family?

Shawn Peters’ debut novel The Unforgettable Logan Foster is a simply unforgettable read!

Logan Foster is a unique kid, and he’s sadly given up on the dream of ever being adopted. Despite being fostered out to Prospective Parents, or “PPs” multiple times, adults have never connected to his awkward personality, his love of comic books, or his other quirks (namely his photographic memory, being on the autism spectrum, and developmental coordination disorder). Things change for him though when he’s introduced to Gil and Margie, and he quickly learns that there’s more to his new foster parents than meets the eye.

As a loyal fan of the superhero genre, I’m always happy when there’s a great new book to read. The book is action-packed and fast-paced. I loved how the author built comic books and superheroes into the worldbuilding of the story. I also appreciated how the big superhero organization in the book did not try to copy the Justice League or the Avengers. MASC (Multinational Authority for Superhuman Control) occupies a very different role in the world than the two other organizations do.

While superheroes are a big focus of the book, Mr. Peters also focuses on some more mundane topics like adoption and neurodivergence. Logan’s been somewhat hardened by the multiple failed fosterings, so he resists warming up to Gil and Margie (expecting he’ll be back in the orphanage before the month is out). Their initial awkwardness (due to hiding their secret identities as superheroes) doesn’t help matters. There’s also the issue of Logan’s quirks. Most are put off by the multitude of random facts he spouts (courtesy of his photographic memory), and his autistic nature makes some of the more nuanced social interactions in his new school challenging. Never fear though – things work out well in the end for Logan, and he even has his own “superpower” just like his new parents! You’ll have to read the book to find out exactly what I mean.

The only weakness of the book I noticed, and an area of confusion for me as a reader, was the connection to Logan’s (possible) sibling. Logan opens the book directly speaking to a sibling, and the book is pretty much a diary addressed to them. He even has a best big brother shirt that means a lot to him. However, said sibling doesn’t actually show up in the book. That was a letdown for me, so I’m hoping they’ll show up later in the series.

It’s reminiscent of a cross between Disney’s The Incredibles and Meet the Robinsons. If you or a young reader would enjoy a story filled with superheroes, friendship, found family, and lots of comic references, then pick up this book today! It would also be a great choice for those looking for a mainstream book featuring adoption and fostering. I’m excited to see what’s next for Logan in the sequel, The Unforgettable Logan Foster and the Shadow of Doubt (which comes out in January 2023).

Filed Under: Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , ,

The Final Hour by Tom Wood

October 6, 2022 By Leave a Comment


The Final Hour by Tom Wood
Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Fern

SOMETIMES THE ONLY WAY TO LIVE…

Victor is the ultimate predator. He surfaces to kill, then disappears into thin air. But he’s a disposable commodity for the powerful people he works for—both the good guys and the bad. And no one has his back. Especially now that doing black bag jobs for the CIA has put a target on his head…

…IS TO DIE.

Antonio Alvarez, a high-ranking US intelligence official, is determined to clean house and find the legendary killer who slipped away from him during an operation in Paris. There’s only one person Victor can turn to for help: a lethal female assassin whose life he once saved. And now Victor wants her to return the favor—by killing him….

Antonio Alvarez has been steadfastly tracking a killer for years, ever since one of his jobs with the CIA went very bad in Paris. Back then, he’d been called off by his superior, but now Alvarez has far more power after multiple promotions and Alvarez refuses to let this lie. Victor has continued on his way, but even he understands that sometimes you simply can’t escape the past.

I’ve enjoyed the Victor series for years and this book proves no exception. Usually, these novels can be read by themselves but for this one I’d suggest readers should have read at least a few of the previous installments. A number of characters from the previous books make important contributions to this one and while I admit much of the back story is filled in very well and readers should be able to keep up, I do feel a lot more enjoyment will be gained from having been in on the other adventures and know the history and just how everything has come to pass. I wouldn’t suggest that any of the multiple sub-plots here were left untied in the previous books, but it was fantastic to revisit where various characters are and how they moved on from their experiences – positive or negative – with Victor. I found this an absolute delight.

Victor is definitely a classic anti-hero. While there are numerous redeeming qualities to him, Victor has no illusions about who and what he is. He is a killer. He wants to survive at any cost. This is not a character who can afford to have feelings or sympathy. Readers looking for a softer character or someone who down the track might be good or saved – that’s not what you’ll find here. But for a very strongly plotted, character heavy and action driven storyline that is both thoughtful and enjoyable this is certainly the book for you. I have read each of the previous books a number of times and found this to be an excellent addition to the series.

Different and somehow managing to have emotion and heart despite the content, this is a strong book I feel will appeal to many mystery and thriller readers. Recommended.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

Swansong by Damien Boyd

October 5, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Swansong by Damien Boyd
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Fern

Isobel Swan, a sixth form student, has been murdered. First, her ring finger is severed, then her throat is cut.

With the investigation going nowhere fast, Detective Inspector Nick Dixon is sent undercover as a trainee teacher into Isobel’s boarding school.

But to find the killer, he must first confront his inner demons and lay to rest the ghosts lurking in his own past. If he can…

As Dixon digs deeper, the stakes have never been higher and a murder has never felt so personal.

DCI Nick Dixon has just returned from a short holiday at Cypres when he’s informed of the murder of a sixth form student. Isobel Swan looks identical to Nick’s high school girlfriend who went missing mysteriously in their lower sixth form year. Nick goes undercover as a teacher at the school and all too soon there’s another murder and everything becomes far more personal and complicated.

This is the fourth novel in the DCI Nick Dixon series, and I’ve been really enjoying these books. While there is a bit of history between Dixon and his colleague/girlfriend Jane and other members of their team, I feel the story can definitely be read as a standalone story. The plot and everything surrounding it including the muddiness created by Dixon’s personal take on the crime is all very well explained and handled and I feel readers should be able to easily pick this up without having read any of the previous installments.

I found this to be very much a police procedural style of mystery novel and while I didn’t think there was anything too unique or fresh about it, I nevertheless found it thoroughly enjoyable. Readers looking for something new or envelope pushing won’t find that here – but for a solid, well plotted and interesting mystery I really feel this book fits the bill. I did wonder a little about how much leeway Dixon was given by his superiors considering his very personal agenda for this murder – to be honest I didn’t find it overly realistic – but I did enjoy the fact that (as a bit of a change) Dixon’s bosses had a lot of faith and confidence in his abilities and were willing to trust him. I find it a bit of a cliché when there’s an overly antagonistic relationship between a detective and his superiors, so it was definitely a nice change to read the other side to this coin.

Readers looking for a solid British based murder mystery novel should absolutely find this as enjoyable as I did. I’m eager to read more by this author and will happily continue with this series.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

Go With the Flow by Karen Schneemann & Lily Williams

October 5, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Go With the Flow by Karen Schneemann & Lily Williams
Publisher: First Second
Genre: Middle Grade, YA, Contemporary, Graphic Novel
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Good friends help you go with the flow.
Best friends help you start a revolution.

Sophomores Abby, Brit, Christine, and Sasha are fed up. Hazelton High never has enough tampons. Or pads. Or adults who will listen.

Sick of an administration that puts football before female health, the girls confront a world that shrugs―or worse, squirms―at the thought of a menstruation revolution. They band together to make a change. It’s no easy task, especially while grappling with everything from crushes to trig to JV track but they have each other’s backs. That is, until one of the girls goes rogue, testing the limits of their friendship and pushing the friends to question the power of their own voices.

Now they must learn to work together to raise each other up. But how to you stand your ground while raising bloody hell?

A guide to periods, but with friends and not a manual? I’m in.

I wish I’d have had this book when I was the age that I got my period. While I got the cursory explanation at school, this would’ve been a lot more helpful. Periods are normal. They’re something menstruating people deal with. It’s scary when periods show up the first time, but it shouldn’t be. This book helps get rid of the stigma.

Sasha is a younger student at the high school and one day she gets her period. Some make fun of her, but a few girls take her in, help her out and help her feel normal. It’s a common thing that happens at schools all over the place. Abby, one of the friends, realizes there are issues with getting period products at school. There is a bit of a political bend to this story, but it’s not so much to take away from the story. It showcases that there are issues some deal with and others won’t ever understand.

I liked this story of friendship, finding a place to belong, finding a cause and standing up for one’s self. It’s a cute tale and does take the stigma out of getting your period. If you’re looking for another way to talk about this topic, then this might be the right book for you.

Filed Under: Mainstream Fiction, Reviews, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Deadly Thanksgiving by Maureen Fisher

October 4, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Deadly Thanksgiving by Maureen Fisher
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, Cozy Mystery, Contemporary
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Snowdrop

The Foster sisters had inherited Grizzly Gulch Guest Ranch at an age when most sensible women contemplated retirement. No one ever called them sensible.

In Book 2 of The Senior Sleuth Mystery Series, events manager Clara Foster must ensure the success of a week-long getaway for lonely retirees—a Boomers’ Thanksgiving Festival. Too bad the arrival of a mini-coach loaded with tipsy seniors gets the event off to a shaky start, especially when one of the guests turns out to be a corpse. Worse, the Mountie assigned to the case is none other than one Hawk McDougall, the man Clara dumped via text message.

Tensions mount when the death appears to be deliberate and the prime murder suspect is Clara’s cousin.

As more suspects emerge, mysterious “accidents” force Clara to join forces (and possibly more) with Hawk to find a killer on the rampage.

Non-stop action bounces from a cantankerous cat named Snuggles to an unfortunate goat yoga incident, a perilous nature walk to a mechanical bull gone rogue, a disastrous wardrobe malfunction to a spitting llama, all culminating in a memorable takedown followed by a Thanksgiving feast the guests will never forget.
Warning: This book may contain nuggets of naughty boomer humor.

Very cute read. Lots of humor and sarcasm which I loved. The match ups and the love hungry residents coming from Lifestyle Manor make for some interesting tete-a-tetes. Nonetheless this is as clean as can be.

Author Maureen Fisher made me feel as if I were there participating in goat yoga, on a hike, or even living in a rather rustic atmosphere at Grizzly Gulch. She didn’t just make me feel I was there; she made me wish I was there having fun. I even enjoyed the new temperamental Chef Armand and his showy culinary delights. I especially enjoyed his alternative choices for a dark Thanksgiving.

A light but very enjoyable read.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,
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