Just Me by Deidre Huesmann, Roxas James, Madeia Sharif, and Kate Larkindale

June 11, 2020 By Leave a Comment


Just Me by Deidre Huesmann, Roxas James, Madeia Sharif, and Kate Larkindale
Publisher: Evernight Publishing
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary
Length: Full Length (186 pages)
Heat Level: Sensual
Age Recommendation: 16+
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Love is in the air…
JUST ME is a hand-picked collection of stories about self-discovery and being true to yourself. This LGBTQ+ young adult anthology is not afraid to take on real issues facing today’s teens.

“Witty, fast-paced, and well written.”

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Broken Rules by Roxas James
Bullet Me by Medeia Sharif
We’ll Always Have This by Kate Larkindale

Coming out isn’t always easy, but it is rewarding.

Aislynn got a summer job working at the same shop as her bully in “Wilde Girls.” There were so many plot twists from this point forward that I continued to be delighted by what happened when each of them were revealed. One of the other things I enjoyed about it had to do with the backstories of the two main characters. They were both far from perfect people, but the reasons for behaving the way they did made their previous choices understandable if nothing else.

Slogging through a busy shift at work while nursing a hangover isn’t fun, but it’s exactly what Bastian had to do in “Broken.” In between bussing tables, the question of what really happened at the party the night before loomed in his mind. It was so much fun to see him wrestle with this issue and search for clues. While Bastian could be a little impulsive at times, deep down he was a good kid who wanted to make the right decisions in life. Getting to know him was a treat.

Lonetta was hiding a crush on her best friend in “Bullet Me.” When another student discovered her secret, she had to decide whether she’d give in to his blackmail attempts or allow the whole school to find out what she’d been hiding. This tale was filled with moral dilemmas that were as complicated as they were fascinating. I was especially interested in the ways the adults in Lonetta’s life behaved. Some of them were kind while others were dangerously dismissive. Knowing that she had to be careful about who she trusted only made her limited choices even more important.

After his brother tried to commit suicide, Leo spent the night in his brother’s hospital room looking out for him and talking to the other visitors at that facility in “We’ll Always Have This.” As much as I loved seeing this character’s dedication to his sibling and entire family during this crisis, it did feel a little odd to me to have such a sombre setting for the beginning of a romance. This became even more true once I realized the sad truth behind why Leo’s love interest was spending so much time at the hospital. I wish these subplots could have been separated into individual, related stories. They were all well done, I simply thought they weren’t good matches to be all mixed into the same tale.

Just Me was the perfect thing to read as summer begins. Anyone who is in the mood for something breezy should definitely check it out.

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

e-Pocalypse: The Digital Dystopia is Coming by Steve Bellinger

June 10, 2020 By Leave a Comment


e-Pocalypse: The Digital Dystopia is Coming by Steve Bellinger
Publisher: Wordwooze Publishing
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Full Length (169 pages)
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Matty Williams’ retirement as a computer tech goes awry when he and his girlfriend Divvie discover that new social technologies are subtly affecting the minds of their users. As they delve deeper into the technological marvels revolutionizing the lives of virtually everyone on the planet, they are set on a course that leads directly back to their employer, Roydon Technologies.

Now there’s the latest gadget, augmented reality glasses known as “Augies,” that can literally recreate reality for the user, all controlled by the ruthlessly efficient global computer system with the deceptively reassuring name of NANA.
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Will Matty, Divvie, and their super geek friend, Howard, save humanity from a life of programmed subservience, or will their attempt to thwart NANA result in something even worse?

Technology can be a double-edged sword.

Matty was a complex and fascinating protagonist. There were times when I wondered if he’d ever move past his deep-seated distrust of new technology and social media, but his rants about those topics did make sense when viewed in the context of his backstory. I liked the fact that his occasional surliness in these areas was so well explained. It gave his personality a lot of depth and made me wonder what would happen to him next no matter how far I read into his tale.

Sometimes I struggled to keep up with the large cast of characters. Part of the issue was due to how quickly many of them were introduced in the first few scenes. Another piece of the puzzle had to do with how often characters were introduced with only a few details about them as individuals. As much as I otherwise enjoyed reading this book, having a clearer understanding of who all of these folks would have bumped it up to a full five-star rating.

The pacing was well done. At first I found it a little slow to be honest, but I rapidly changed my mind about that once I realized how many subtle hints were embedded into the plot about what was really going on with the Augies and all of the hidden messages in the various forms of technology in this universe. This is something that should be read slowly and carefully. It expects readers to put in a certain amount of effort into piecing the clues together regardless of what does or doesn’t seem to be happening in the storyline. I was quite pleased with how Mr. Bellinger pieced everything together here so seamlessly.

e-Pocalypse: The Digital Dystopia is Coming should be read by anyone who likes reading about technology and the ways it can be misused.

Filed Under: Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , ,

The Vanishing of Dr Winter by L.B. Hathaway

June 9, 2020 By Leave a Comment


The Vanishing of Dr Winter by L.B. Hathaway
A Posie Parker Mystery #4
Publisher: Whitehaven Man Press
Genre: Historical, Mystery/Suspense
Length: Full length (192 pages)
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Lavender

Can the past really come back to haunt you?
Cambridge, Christmas 1922

Posie Parker has cleared a space in her hectic schedule to try to unravel a tragedy in her own family. But Posie’s past is hiding around every turn in the old University town, and she finds herself taking on a new case which is positively teeming with ghosts, shadows and secrets, where nothing is quite what it seems.
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In a quest to find out what happened to Dr William Winter, a brilliant Cambridge doctor who disappeared five years previously, Posie is forced to confront her own painful memories of the Great War.

But just how safe is it really to go digging up the past?

And will Posie get to spend Christmas this year with anything other than Mr Minks, the office cat and a lonely heart for company?

This historical mystery is a well-written story with delightful characters. Posie Parker is a nurse during World War I. While on duty in Europe, she meets an interesting group of co-workers, including Dr Winter who is engaged to a nice girl. Suddenly, the doctor breaks off his engagement and rushes into marriage with a stunning nurse, Felicity, working with him.

There is an explosion, killing almost the entire medical team, but Posie is safe. She finds herself in the 1920s working now as a private detective. Felicity surprises her and hires her. Supposedly, Dr Winter was killed in the explosion, but Felicity swears she saw him recently. Also, she’s being blackmailed. She wants Posie to look into the supposed death of the doctor and to find out who is demanding money from her.

This sets the clever Posie on the trail. She doesn’t particularly like Felicity, and she wasn’t crazy about the doctor, but she’s a professional and gets to work.

Her adventures in England have Posie asking many questions as confusion builds, but her encounters are enlightening. At times, her life is in grave danger, and readers will wonder how she will get out of certain situations. Characters are easy to like or dislike in this tale, and details of place and time add much to the story. This is a good story with surprises that will keep a reader guessing.

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

The Bachelor by Sabrina Jeffries

June 8, 2020 By Leave a Comment


The Bachelor by Sabrina Jeffries
Duke Dynasty, book 2
Publisher: Zebra Books
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (288 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Although there is interest in finding a solution viagra 50 mg for their erectile dysfunction problem, but prefer not to break the bank over it. In medical term perfect name for the impotency and other sexual disorder purchasing cialis online among the men. Such anemia is called buy levitra uk as aplastic anemia. One must carefully follow the viagra online in india instructions given by the physician). Lady Gwyn Drake has long protected her family’s reputation by hiding an imprudent affair from her youth. But when her former suitor appears at Armitage Hall, manhandling the heiress and threatening to go public with her secrets, it’s Gwyn who needs protecting. Her twin brother, Thorn, hires Joshua Wolfe, the estate’s gamekeeper, to keep her safe in London during her debut. As a war hero, Joshua feels obligated to fulfill the assignment he has accepted. But as a man, it’s torment to be so very close to the beauty he’s fought to ignore . . .

With handsome Joshua monitoring her every move, Gwyn would prefer to forget both the past and the parade of money-seeking bachelors at her coming out. But Joshua is unmoved by her attempts at flirtation, and the threat of blackmail still hangs over her. With danger closing in, Gwyn must decide which is the greater risk: deflecting a scoundrel’s attempts to sabotage her—or revealing her whole heart to the rugged bodyguard she can’t resist . . .

She’s got a problem and he’s the only one who can fix it, but will he?

I’m a sucker for Sabrina Jeffries books. Why? The writing is always great and I get sucked right into the story. This book was no different. I had to know what would happen to the characters. Had to.

Gwyn and Joshua are great characters. They’re both strong and confident. They have great chemistry. I have to admit there were times I got irritated with Joshua for being so bullheaded, but it made me think about him after the book ended and I love that in a story. I got emotionally involved. Then there’s Gwyn. She could be a spitfire, but she could also be a bit too pushy. I don’t know. There was something about her that grated on my nerves, but it was okay because she grew through the story. I rooted for these people to get their happy ending.

If you’re interested in a good read to fill an afternoon, with solid characters sure to stick with you after the last page, then this is the story for you. Recommended.

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

Nothing Compares to the Duke by Christy Carlyle

June 8, 2020 By Leave a Comment


Nothing Compares to the Duke by Christy Carlyle
Publisher: Avon
Genre: Historical
Length: Full length (368 Pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Bluet

His Only Regret…

Rhys Forester, the new Duke of Claremont, lives his life by four words: Enjoy All, Regret Nothing. He’s devoted to the pleasure of his wild soirees, reckless behavior, and shocking the ton with his interests in trade. The debts that come with his title don’t fit the carefree lifestyle he’s created and when he’s forced to return to his family’s estate, he’s also forced to confront his one and only regret: the beautiful girl he left behind.

May Be Falling in Love…

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Bella has never forgiven Rhys for what he did to her, but desperate times call for fake engagements. With a few dozen rules, their scheme begins, but it’s not long before the former enemies find themselves breaking every single rule, including the most important of them all: don’t fall in love…

Arabella Prescott and Rhys Forester live on neighboring estates, and have been best friends since they were young children, even though Rhys is four years older. Although much of their youth was spent running about and playing, Bella is remarkably intelligent, and helped Rhys with his reading disorder. The years pass, and it’s now time to celebrate Bella’s eighteenth birthday. She’s nervous about having to give a speech in front of everyone, and is counting on Rhys’s face front and center to focus on. She also has been feeling her love for Rhys turn in a new direction, and hopes that he returns her affection. When Rhys isn’t part of the crowd, Bella runs off to seek him. And she does find him, unfortunately, it’s in the arms of an obliging older lady. Bella’s young heart is broken, and she is too distraught to listen to Rhys’s apology.

Rhys realizes he has ruined his beautiful friendship. Unknown to Bella, he had already begun to live the rakish lifestyle that he would become notorious for over the next five years. His life in London consists of some genuine business ventures with his two close friends, but is full of wild parties, gambling, and a string of affairs and liaisons. When Rhys’s father dies, and there are serious financial problems, Rhys knows he must go back to his country estate and try to sort out the mess, as he’s now the duke.

While Rhys has been living as a libertine, Bella made her debut, and has turned down numerous marriage proposals. She is hopeful that her parents will give up on trying to marry her off, and allow her to happily become a spinster, and to write her puzzle books, which she hopes to publish. Her world is turned upside down when she hears Rhys’s voice for the first time since that awful party five years ago.

I’m all team Bella in this story, as I hated Rhys’s actions from his awful deed five years ago to the frivolous and ridiculous life he chose to live since then. Having said that, he does have an abundance of good qualities which were buried underneath the persona he created. He also felt genuine guilt and remorse over how he hurt Bella, and accordingly lost his best friend. I admire that he had the courage to ask her forgiveness, albeit five years later. I loved watching Rhys change the more time he spent with the “new” Bella, becoming a better person, and vowing that he would never break her trust again.

Bella was easy for me to like, as who doesn’t remember and sympathize with their first experience at heartbreak? What made this sadder was the decade of solid friendship before their falling out. I commend Bella’s resolve not to marry just for the sake of being wed, and how she worked at building her own future of becoming a published author. It takes a good person to forgive someone who has hurt you that badly, and I applaud Bella’s finally being able to do so.

Nothing Compares to the Duke is well written and enjoyable to read, with plenty of emotional scenes and some steamy moments. I think it will appeal especially to those readers who enjoy drama and many hurdles to overcome. I have to confess that I was left with a kernel of doubt as to whether Rhys could truly stay faithful to Bella, or whether the siren song of his former life would lure him back. I know I’m rooting for them.

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

A Winter Knight by Barbara Bettis

June 5, 2020 By 18 Comments


A Winter Knight by Barbara Bettis
Publisher: Self Published
Genre: Historical Romance
Length: Short (146 pgs)
Heat Level: Sweet
Rated: 4 stars
Review by Rose

He’s running from his past; she’s running from her future. But on a snowy winter night, they find each other and the surprising gift of love.

Sir Nicholas has given up on marriage. These days he’s content to captain his friend’s troops and avoid entanglements—until one winter night when he rescues a half-frozen woman from a snowstorm. Her irrepressible spirit and kindness to others reminds him that all ladies aren’t like his former intended, who wed his brother while Nick was on crusade. But he can’t open his heart to Lady Clare. She’s bound to another, and Nick won’t forfeit his honor. Even if she were free, he has nothing to offer but love, and this lady deserves everything.
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Lady Clare’s dying grandfather has arranged her betrothal, but the arrival of the man she’s to wed sends her fleeing into a snowstorm. Injured when her horse stumbles, she’s rescued by a mysterious knight. She recovers at his run-down manor, safe at last—until her betrothed tracks her down just days before Christmas. Trapped at home with the wedding imminent, she longs for the winter knight she’s come to love.

Only a miracle can bring Clare and Nick together. But at Christmas, anything is possible.

This is just a sweet story of a love that can transform a person. It’s part of a series, but can definitely be read as a standalone (though I would like to go back and read the first book in the series. I’m assuming it’s his friend’s story).

The characters are well drawn for such a short work (less than 150 pages and, if I had had the time I could have easily read it in one sitting). My favorite character, besides Nicholas and Clare, is Tom… what a wonderful character. I would love to see him get his own story..maybe a coming of age tale?

And, what can I say about Nicholas and Clare.. I fell in love with them both. I loved how the title aptly describes not only the season, but also Nicholas himself. His heart was certainly frozen due to being hurt previously.

If you are looking for a sweet romantic tale of two people finding each other, give this one a shot. I’ll definitely be on the lookout for more of this author’s works.

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Anunnaki to AI: The Hidden History of Mankind by Rick Giernoth

June 4, 2020 By Leave a Comment


Anunnaki to AI: The Hidden History of Mankind by Rick Giernoth
Publisher: Champagne Books
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Contemporary, Historical
Length: Full Length (199 pages)
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Earth’s history is ancient; civilizations came and went. But one has always remained. And it’s not the one you think.

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Yes, the cast of characters was large. It honestly needed to be for a story that covered so many millennia. I always was able to keep everyone straight, though, because of how much time the author spent developing all of the important characters. Each one of them was so unique that it was easy to remember who was who.

There were a few times when the plot felt uneven to me, especially at about the fifty to seventy-five percent mark of the book when the pacing appeared to slow down. I enjoyed the quicker pacing of the beginning as well as the slower one of this portion. It was simply a little uncomfortable for me as a reader to suddenly adjust to a much slower sort of storytelling after growing so accustomed to the quicker speed earlier on. This is a minor criticism of something I otherwise had a great time reading.

The world building was excellent. Mr. Giernoth struck a smart balance between explaining what unfamiliar terms meant and allowing his readers to discover for ourselves what similarities and differences existed between the Anunnaki and humans. This close attention to detail was repeated again and again in the descriptions of technology, social mores, and many other things that were critical to making this world come alive.

I’d recommend Anunnaki to AI: The Hidden History of Mankind to anyone who enjoys reading about alternate histories, conspiracy theories, or aliens.

Filed Under: Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , , ,

You Can’t Catch Me by Catherine McKenzie

June 4, 2020 By Leave a Comment


You Can’t Catch Me by Catherine McKenzie
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery, Thriller
Length: Full length (335 pages)
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Cholla

Do you want to play a game?

Twelve years ago Jessica Williams escaped a cult. Thanks to the private detective who rescued her, she reintegrated into society, endured an uncomfortable notoriety, and tried to put it all behind her. Then, at an airport bar, Jessica meets a woman with an identical name and birth date. It appears to be just an odd coincidence—until a week later, when Jessica finds her bank account drained and her personal information stolen.
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Following a trail of the grifter’s victims, each with the same name, Jessica gathers players—one by one—for her own game. According to her plan, they’ll set a trap and wait for the impostor to strike again. But plans can go awry, and trust can fray, and as Jessica tries to escape the shadows of her childhood, the risks are greater than she imagined. Now, confronting the casualties of her past, Jessica can’t help but wonder…

Who will pay the price?

Jessica Williams has come far from the days in the Land of Todd – the cult she was raised in. However, one bad decision unravels everything for her in a moment. Just when she thinks that she’s about to get back on her feet and move forward, her entire world explodes. Will Jessica be able to find the grifter who stole her money before she does it to someone else? She’d better move fast if she wants to get ahead of the game.

In the beginning, it’s hard to know whether Jessica Williams is a good person or not. She’s done something unethical as far as her job goes, even though she knew from the beginning it would end her career if she was found out. However, as her past is revealed and I began to understand the person underneath, she became more likable. I wanted to root for her, despite her mistakes and dumb choices. Sometimes, she made it really hard, too. But in the end, I really do think she was as good of a person as she was able to be, faults and all.

From the beginning, I didn’t think trying to trap Jessica Two was a good idea. However, there wouldn’t be much of a story if she didn’t try, right? The lengths she goes to in order to track down other Jessica Williams’ is a bit much at times, but in the age of technology, I can believe that this kind of thing happens more than we want to admit. What happens once they set their trap for the grifter is something else altogether. All I can say is buckle up because it’s going to be a bumpy ride from here on out.

You Can’t Catch Me was a wild ride of a story. So many twists and turns and the end completely caught me off guard. Also, the letters at the very end surprised the heck out of me. The information revealed in the letters at the end really took me by surprise. Excellent way to end a crazy, twisted novel. I’d highly recommend this to anyone who loves twisty thrillers with gritty female leads.

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

Hex Life by Various Authors

June 3, 2020 By Leave a Comment


Hex Life: Wicked New Tales of Witchery by Various Authors, edited by Christopher Golden and Rachel Autumn Deering
Publisher: Titan Books
Genre: Contemporary, Historical, Paranormal
Length: Full length (384 pages)
Heat Level: Sweet
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Cholla

These are tales of wickedness… stories of evil and cunning, written by today’s women you should fear. Includes tales from Kelley Armstong, Rachel Caine and Sherrilyn Kenyon, writing in their own bestselling universes.

Hex Life: Wicked New Tales of Witchery will take the classic tropes of tales of witchcraft and infuse them with fresh, feminist perspective and present-day concerns–even if they’re set in the past. These witches might be monstrous, or they might be heroes, depending on their own definitions. Even the kind hostess with the candy cottage thought of herself as the hero of her own story. After all, a woman’s gotta eat.

Bring out your dread.

We’re fed the idea of the wicked witch, all dressed in black, her haggard face glaring evilly back at you, from a very young age. But what if all witches weren’t evil? What if they did what they did for a good reason? Of course, not all witches are altruistic, but what if some of them were? That’s where Hex Life comes into play. Within the collection, you’ll find all kinds of witches with all kinds of motives. Are you brave enough to take a chance?

Witches have been a favorite subject of mine for a long time. Despite the Wicked Witch of the West and all of the evil witches Disney has given us over the years, I was still drawn to them. So, when I stumbled across this anthology, I knew it was something I needed to read. I’m happy I did because it did not disappoint me in any way. The witches in Hex Life are as varied and unique as the authors writing them.

An Invitation to a Burning by Kat Howard. You go into this thinking one thing and discover it’s quite something else. An excellent way to kick off the anthology.

Widow’s Walk by Angela Slatter. This was probably my favorite of the group because it focuses around three older women, all witches, and the community they live in. It’s sort of like what would happen if Sleeping Beauty’s fairy godmothers grew to be old and bitter, but still cared for the innocent.

Black Magic Momma by Kelley Armstrong. I love her Women of the Otherworld series and getting a bit of Eve’s origin story was a nice surprise.

The Night Nurse by Sarah Langan. This was one heck of a creepy story, but I loved it. As an overwhelmed mother, I could relate to it on a personal level. However, the ending was a bit of a surprise.

The Memory of Trees by Mary SanGiovanni. An odd and, for me, a confusing, story about nature battling back against technology.

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The Deer Wife by Jennifer McMahaon. The only romantic story in the bunch, very sweet and different from your usual fare. There is a heart-stopping moment near the end that nearly made me cry, too.

The Dancer by Kristen Dearborn. I love a story with supernatural powers. I think this was less witchy and more Firestarter, but one of the best stories in the collection in my opinion. I really felt for the young girl in this as her family was creepy and abusive.

Bless Your Heart by Hillary Monahan. Nothing makes me happier than a good revenge story. Especially when the revenge is so well deserved. Bonus points for mom going to such great lengths to defend her son who is being buillied for no other reason than because he’s gay. A bit of a warning though because this one gets rather gross rather fast.

The Debt by Ania Ahlborn. This was an odd, yet intriguing story. It was very fairy tale-like in its structure, but dark and foreboding as well. The end caught me off guard, to be honest.

Toil & Trouble by Sherrilyn Kenyon and Madaug Kenyon. This one started strong and lost me about halfway through. I generally enjoy the Dark-Hunters books so I’m not sure what went wrong with this story. I’ll blame it on me though.

Last Stop on Route Nine by Tananarive Due. This wavered between alternate universes and ghost story but was wholly frightening as well. The heavy overtones of racism only added to the oppressive and scary atmosphere. One of the best in the collection.

Where Relics Go to Dream and Die by Rachel Autumn Deering. I finished this story and was left utterly confused. I’m not sure what really happened in the end, but still somehow enjoyed it. Weird, I know, but that happens to me sometimes.

This Skin by Amber Benson. What a creepy, frightening story! It’s tough being a teenager, but it has to be even tougher to be one who’s homicidal. Really enjoyed this one a lot, despite the creep factor.

Haint Me Too by Chesya Burke. Historical fiction is a huge draw for me, so finding a witchy story sed during the times of sharecroppers intrigued me. It also enraged me because of the way Shae and her family are treated by the white people in the story.

The Nekrolog by Helen Marshall. I went back and forth on this story. It was long and interesting, but I also got confused a time or two. There are a couple of point-of-view and time period changes that threw me off. But overall, it was a decent story.

Gold Among the Black by Alma Katsu. I’m a sucker for a poor waif living in a castle as staff kind of story. Every girl deserves her prince (or princess), right? Jesper was the best part of the story and I’m glad that Greta got what she deserved in the end.

How to Become a Witch-Queen by Theodora Goss. Tied with Widow’s Walk for the number one position, honestly. A unique and fun spin on Snow White that left me smiling at the end. There were so many little things about this story that made me happy. It was the perfect story to end the collection with because it left me feeling good.

Overall, the authors came together to create an exciting and varied collection of stories. They hit many time periods and genres that there’s sure to be something for everyone in this anthology. While there were a few names that drew me to this collection – Kelley Armstrong and Sherrilyn Kenyon for example – I also discovered many new-to-me authors that I’m excited to explore.

Filed Under: Other, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

A Shadowed Fate by Marty Ambrose

June 2, 2020 By Leave a Comment


A Shadowed Fate by Marty Ambrose
Claire Clairmont #2
Publisher: Severn House
Genre: Historical, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full length (180 pages)
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Poinsettia

A shocking revelation from an old friend leads Claire Clairmont on a dangerous quest in this second in a fascinating historical trilogy based on the ‘summer of 1816’ Byron/Shelley group.

1873, Florence. Claire Clairmont, the last survivor of the ‘haunted summer of 1816’ Byron/Shelley circle, is reeling from the series of events triggered by the arrival of Michael Rosetti two weeks before, which culminated in a brutal murder and a shocking revelation from her old friend, Edward Trewlany.

Stunned by her betrayal at the hands of those closest to her, Claire determines to travel to the convent at Bagnacavallo near Ravenna to learn the true fate of Allegra, her daughter by Lord Byron. But the valuable Cades sketch given to her by Rosetti is stolen, and Claire soon finds herself shadowed at every turn and in increasing danger as she embarks on her quest. Is the theft linked to Allegra, and can Claire uncover what really happened in Ravenna so many years ago?

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First, anyone wishing to read this book must first read the previous book, Claire’s Last Secret. This novel picks up exactly where the other left off and builds upon events and characters previously introduced.

I truly enjoyed getting to know Claire in the first book, and I relished the opportunity to spend more time with her not only to learn more about her past, but also to follow her quest for the truth about her daughter’s fate. Claire has always had a vibrant personality, and while she is less impulsive than she was in her youth, old age has done little to dim her spirit. I’m also pleased to say I saw a lot of character growth in Claire in this installment. In the first book, Claire seemed like a woman still haunted by her past in many ways. She never got over Byron, and she carries a lot of hurt regarding her relationship with him. Claire and her sister Mary did not part on good terms either. In A Shadowed Fate, Claire begins to find some closure. As Claire travels through Italy, she has the opportunity to reflect on various parts of her past, and in doing so begins to forgive not only others, but herself. These glimpses into the past reveal the events that made Claire the woman she is.

Ms. Ambrose has chosen to tell this story in a slightly different format. Claire’s Last Secret was told with sections that alternated between Claire’s life in 1816 and 1873. This book alternates between Claire’s adventures 1873, old journal entries from Allegra, and sections Claire reads from Byron’s confession. I enjoyed the different perspectives, and I especially enjoyed seeing Byron through the eyes of his daughter in her journal entries.

As with the first novel, A Shadowed Fate is not a story to race through. While the danger surrounding Claire and her mission are very real, the beauty of the scenery and atmosphere is what I’ll remember most when I think about this book.

The conclusion is satisfying if a bit abrupt given the story’s leisurely pace. Some pieces of the mystery surrounding Claire’s daughter have been solved, but Claire’s journey is far from over. Ms. Ambrose has again left me wanting to know more!

I’m delighted that I had the opportunity to continue reading this series. I highly recommend A Shadowed Fate to anyone wanting to lose themselves in the Italian ambience Ms. Ambrose has created.

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