A Princess for the Marine by Jess Matorakos review

 Title:  A Princess for the Marine

Author:  Jess Mastorakos

Ch: 25 Plus Epilogue

Pg:  290

Series: First Comes Love book 3

Genre:  Contemporary romance rom com

Rating: 5 stars

Publisher: self

Who needs Prince Charming when you can have a US Marine. I’ve never me a huge fan of the royalty trope in books or movies because most of the time it’s a regular girl who falls for a prince. Outside of Beauty and Beauty all my favorite Disney movies Aladdin, Tangled, and Brave have a princess who doesn’t fit the mold or falls for the commoner. How Jess Mastorakos changed my mind. Though it just might be because it’s a princess and a commoner is a US Marine. When my friends were dreaming of marrying a prince as a kid, I was dreaming of marrying a US Marine there’s just something about the uniform.

I didn’t think any book in this series would top A Blind Date for the Marine but then I read A Princess for the Marine and I was hooked from page one. I loved Huck and Zara from page one. I can’t believe Huck’s mom stuck him with that name. To me the banter in this was the best of the series.

I loved Huck’s relationship with his mom and sister Alice. It makes him seem real and makes him an even better hero as doesn’t his modesty about his service. Zara is a princess who wants to be a doctor. Who learns that her original plan might not be the best.

Zara might be giving up being a princess and working royal but that doesn’t mean she’ll be giving up attending a ball the guest list is just a little different. I loved the ending of this one along with the epilogue that summed up the series though I kind of want Theo’s story.

 

I received a complimentary copy   from the author. I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

 

Death in Castle Dark by Veronica Bond review

Title:  Death in Castle Dark

Author:  Veronica Bond

Ch: 20

Pg:  270

Series: A Dinner and a Murder Mystery

Genre:  Cozy Mystery

Rating: 4 stars

Publisher: Berkeley

 

Death in Castle Dark is the first book in A Dinner and a Murder Mystery series by Veronica Bond. Veronica is a new to me author, but I was the setting of a murder mystery dinner show in a castle had me wanting to read it.   I love murder mystery dinner theater. However, Nora Blake who's new to group discovers a real body on one of the dinner nights and has a real fright.  But in the process discovers that gardener     John Dahiell or Dash isn't a gardener but a police detective there on an unrated case.   Nora doesn't want to get involved but when it becomes clear that it is indeed one of the members of the group, she become determined to find the killer for her own piece of mind. and before she becomes the next victim. 

 

I loved this one, the pacing for the mystery was prefect. And Hamlet the dog along with three kittens named after the Bronte sisters stole the book.   And the Dinner mystery theater was new and something I hadn't seen in cozy mysteries before or books in general. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series as well   as other books by the author. 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher a part of a blog tour. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone. 

 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Phantom Heart by Kelly Creagh review

 Title:  Phantom Heart

Author:  Kelly Creagh

Ch: 85 Plus Epilogue

Pg:  528

Series: Phantom Heart

Genre:  Teen Paranormal romance retelling

Rating: 5 stars

Publisher: Viking books

 

I've been putting off writing this review not because I didn't love the book, but because I was still processing my emotions after reading this one and gathering my thoughts. As well as trying to find the balance as a reader/reviewer while being friends with the author. (And on a platform like goodreads other readers would say I'm bias but if I don't like a book, I'm going to say that, while being polite).  But my rating of the book has everything to do with how the book was written being true to the original story while creating a unique modern tale. 

 

Creagh pays homage to the original by keeping the name Erik for the phantom character as well as using the last names Armand and Cheney for the main characters.  Like her previous books the setting for this book is Louisville. As a Louisvillian I loved finding the Easter eggs of local things in the book.   While this isn't the first Phantom of the Opera retelling, I've read, it is the first one I've read that I could tell early in the book that was indeed inspired by the Phantom of the Opera.  Creagh knows how to write paranormal and retellings that's for sure. 

 

I've seen other reviews comparing it to Twilight. To me the only thing relating it to Twilight is that it's teen paranormal romance with a slight love triangle. But guess what that's where the similarities end.  Phantom Heart having a love triangle doesn't make it Twilight like it just makes it true to the original story as they was indeed a love triangle in the book and the musical. Having loved the original and been team Phantom I was shocked that with Phantom Heart I was rooting not for Erik but for Lucas. I guess I'm still a sucker for a nerdy hero.  

Another thing that I enjoyed is Creagh always manages to add nerdy pop culture references into her book and this one made my marvel nerd heart happy.  While one storyline wrapped up nicely by the end with only a slight cliffhanger the main storyline is left to continue in book 2(hopefully)?  In which I am indeed looking forward to. 

Murder by Bookend by Laura Gail Black review

 Title:  Murder by Bookend

Author:  Laura Gail Black

Ch: 28

Pg:  304 

Series: Antique Bookshop mystery 2

Genre:  Cozy Mystery

Rating: 4 stars

Publisher: Crooked Lane books

 

Murder by the Bookend by Laura Gail Black is the second book in the Antique Bookshop Mystery series and I enjoyed this one more than the first. And I think it's largely do in part to the fact that the characters and the setting have been established and the the heroine Jenna  isn't' the prime suspect. Not to mention a sweet little dog name Eddy short for Edition.  To me Eddy stole the book, and I look forward to more books in the series. 

 

 

 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone. 

A View Most Glorious review

 Title:  A View Most Glorious

Author: Regina Scott

Series: American Wonders Collection Book 3

Chapters: 31

Pages: 368

Genre: Christian Historical Fiction, Christian Historical Romance  

Rating: 4 stars

Publisher: Revell

 

I'm not going to lie A View Most Glorious by Regina Scott while an enjoyable read it was not my favorite of the series. Though I did enjoy learning about Mt. Rainier before it become a National Park.  As are the books in the series are set at National Parks before they were parks.  And even though this wasn't my favorite of the series I loved Coraline Baxter as a character and heroine. I loved her determination and the fact that she didn't fit the mold that her mother wanted to put her in. It was because of real life women like Cora that I am able to not only vote but climb a mountain if I so chose. Not that my asthma would let me.   Nathan Hardee was a hero that was technically between two worlds, though he fit better in the one he chose than the one he was born into. 

 

A View Most Glorious was a book about not only trusting God but about learning not only who you are, but knowing who your true friends are.  All in all it was a good ending to a great series. 
 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher a part of a blog tour. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone. 

 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Reading Between the Crime by Kate Young review

 Title:  Reading Between the Crimes

 Author:  Kate Young

Ch: 35

Pg:  329

Series: Jane Doe Book Club Mystery

Genre:  Cozy Mystery

Rating: 4 stars

Publisher: Crooked Lane Books

 

Reading Between the Crimes is the second book in the Jane Doe Book Club mystery series by Kate Young and I enjoyed this one more than I did the first one in the series.  I found myself starting to actually like Lyla more in this one than I did the first one. And I think it's because she was starting to grow into her own and find out who she is outside of her family.  I also found the mystery in this one more interesting than that of the previous book. And I also didn't see the twisting coming either. All in all, I glad I picked up the second book in this series even though I didn't really like the first one, and I look forward to the next book in the series. 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone. 

 

 

Death of a Red-Hot Rancher by Mimi Granger review

 Title:  Death of a Red-Hot Rancher

 Author:  Mimi Granger

Ch: 23

Pg:  388

Series: A Love is Murder series

Genre:  Cozy Mystery

Rating: 4 stars

Publisher: Berkeley

 

Death of Red-Hot rancher is the first book in the A Love Is Murder Series by Mimi Granger. Lizzie Hale runs a romance bookstore but that's as close to romance as some comes. To reading about it in books because she doesn't have luck in real life. However, she never thought she find herself in the middle of murder investigation.  But when the town's hottest bachelor and ladies’ man is the victim, she finds herself involved simply to keep her aunt from becoming the prime suspect.  Lizzie being close to her cousin Josh almost like siblings reminded me of my own relationship with my cousin Matt.   The bookstore setting was nice, but it was the whole setting of the book and the hint of romance just added to the story. I look forward to the next book in the series.  I do caution readers who don't like romance in their cozies to know that going into this one that there are hints of romance.  

 

 

 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone. 

 

Partners in Lime by Bree Baker Review

 Title:  Partners in Lime

Author:  Bree Baker

Ch: 29

Pg:  330

Series: A Seaside Café Mystery book 6

Genre:  Cozy Mystery

Rating: 4 stars

Publisher: Poisoned Pen press

 

With Partner's in Lime by Bree Baker we are back for the 6th book in the A Seaside Cafe Mystery in the fictional coastal small town of Charm North Carolina. I love everything about this mystery series from the beach town setting to the characters especially Everly and her great aunts Clara and Fran. Still giving me Practical magic vibes.  And even though I normally don't like romance in my cozies I love the romance that is threaded through this series s it has slowly bloomed.  And as always I look forward to the next book in the series. 

 

 

 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone. 

The Vampire Knitting Club by Nancy Warren Reviews

Title:  Tangles and Treason

Author:  Nancy Warren

Ch: 7

Pg:  1:15:19

Series: Vampire Knitting Club 0.5

Genre:  paranormal cozy mystery

Rating: 3.5 stars

Publisher: Tantor audio

 

 Tangles and Treason by Nancy Warren is technically a prequel book to the Vampire Knitting club series.  It's basically a character in the series back story and you find out why they become what they are. I however suggest you read or listen to this one after reading or listening to the first book in the series. The Vampire Knitting Club. 

Title:  The Vampire Knitting Club

Author:  Nancy Warren

Ch: 19

Pg:  06:06:19

Series: The Vampire Knitting Club book 1

Genre:  Paranormal Cozy

Rating: 4 stars

Publisher: Tantor Audio

 

The Vampire Knitting Club is the first book in The Vampire Knitting Club by Nancy Warren. This is a a series of paranormal cozy mysteries a subgenre cozies that I didn't know existed till I saw the first book free on Kindle.  And once I read it, I was hooked on the series, though I ended up getting the audio from my library and listening to it on audio.   Lucy ends up inheriting her grandma's knitting shop when she passes away but there's more to it than that.  Even though she can't knit to save her life and discovering a vampire knitting club.  I cried with Lucy and laughed with Lucy and discovered that I do love paranormal cozies especially when they are on the funny side.   Not to mention the Oxford England setting because college towns in England are completely different than college towns in the US. And I look forward to reading or listening to the rest of the books in the series. 

First Line Friday

 Hosted by Reading is my Superpower

Chapter one 

"If Rory Perez could find a way to wad all the Cilantro into the entire world into a ball and hurl it into outer space, it still wouldn't far enough removed for her preference." 

Killer Content by Olivia Blacke review

Title:  Killer Content

Author: Olivia Blacke

Ch: 25

Pg:  289

Series: A Brooklyn Murder Mystery

Genre:  Cozy Mystery

Rating: 4 stars

Publisher: Penguin Random House

 

Killer Content by Olivia Blacke is the first book in the A Brooklyn Murder Mystery series and it's a cozy mystery series I didn't know I needed or that such a thing could exist.  Odessa Dean is from Louisiana but she's cat and apartment setting for her aunt in Brooklyn and working at a used bookstore microbrewery (is that a thing in real life or just a book because I need that). When a murder mystery lands in her lap.  A murder that even the police have ruled an accident. But Odessa's not so sure and she wants to make sure that her fellow waitress gets justice. 

 

Even though this is a cozy mystery because of Odessa's age it read like a cozy mixed with a rom com without a lot of romance. It was the perfect pick me up book. That helped get me out of a reading slump and I loved Odessa quirks and sense of humor and  I look forward to the next book in the series and anymore books by this author. 

 

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I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone. 

The Last Chance Library by Freya Sampson review

 Title:  The Last Chance Library

 Author:  Freya Sampson

Ch: 38

Pg:  336

Genre:  Contemporary

Rating: 4 stars

Publisher: Berkeley

 

I loved this women's fiction debut novel by Freya Sampson June is a character that is easy to relate to.  And not since reading Matilda as a kid have a related to a book worm in the pages of a book as I did with Lucy.  Though I do think a big part because like June I am too a library assistant who lost her mother as well.  Though the book starts off a little sad it quickly picks up as you meet a whole cast of quirky characters. Characters that you would indeed find in a real-life library.  Each of the patrons of the library in the book are the types of people real librarians' and library assistant’s encounter on a daily bases. 

 

I finished the book in the course of two days because I wanted to find out what happened with June, the library patrons and the library.  The ending was bittersweet but to me the ending was perfect for the book. The Last Chance Library was awesome debut novel and look forward to future books from the author. 

 

 

 

 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone. 

 

Tacos for Two by Betsy St. Amant review

Title:  Tacos for Two

Author:  Betsy St. Amant

Ch: 30 plus epilogue

Pg:  381

Genre:  Christian Contemporary fiction, Christian Contemporary romance, Rom Com

Rating: 5 stars

Publisher: Revell

    Tacos for Two is the newest rom com by Betsy St. Amant and I loved it. Rory Perez is a bookish kindred spirit. I mean the girl owns a food truck and can’t cook. I relate to the can’t cook part not owning a food truck. As well as loyalty to family. Jude Strong took a little bit to warm up to but once I did, I liked him as well.

I loved the banter between the characters. I laughed with Rory I also cried with her. I wanted to find out how the book ended but on the same note I didn’t want it to end.

Hannah was my favorite character and there was so much wisdom for someone so young. And I love how Rory was trying to do her best for Hannah. And how she was loyal to family.

I enjoyed that Tacos for Two was not only a romance but a story of family. Both blood and chosen. One of my favorite lines was “Taco grease is thicker than water.” From aunt Sophia which to me means family is what you make of it.

I enjoyed Tacos for Two even though I’ve never seen You’ve Got Mail because I did get some of the references. But I’ve moved the movie up on my to watch list. So even if you haven’t seen the movie, you will still enjoy the book and if you have, you’ll enjoy finding the Easter eggs.

I love Betsy’s books because they are rom coms in book form and Tacos for Two was no different. And I look forward to future books.

I received a complimentary copy   from the author and publisher as part of a blog tour. I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

 

 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone. 

A Blind Date for a Marine by Jess Mastorakos review

Title:  A Blind Date for the Marine 

Author:  Jess Mastorakos 

Ch: 24 Plus Epilogue 

Pg:  207

Series: First Comes Love

Genre:  Rom Com Sweet Romance 

Rating: 5 stars 

Publisher: self-published 

    A Blind Date for the Marine by Jess Mastorakos is the second book in the () series. I loved this one more than the first one. In this one we get Mateo's and Claire’s story. Claire is Amy's best friend and assistant from the first book and Mateo is one of Dex's Marine Buddies.  Jess has given me with this series something I found lacking in Rom Com's and Romance books that exists in real life. Nerdy Marines. Even time author's write Marine heroes even in romance they play into the stereotype. But I know from my own life of being raised by a nerdy Marine   and having plenty of nerdy Marine "uncles" they do exist, and I want more of it in books.  Jess has at least given us to nerdy Marine heroes first with Dex and now Mateo and one more in this series. 

    What makes me love this one more than the first book is Claire's a closet romance writer and a bookworm who lives above a bookshop. But Mateo is book nerd himself and loves to read which in my book makes him swoon worthy.  I love a man who loves to read.   Though I was swooning throughout the book there's a line in the epilogue that Mateo says to Claire that makes him one of my new favorite rom com heroes. 

    Though they are technically standalone books I recommend reading them in order so not to spoil the romance in the first book. I am convinced that this series would make awesome movies and you can't tell me otherwise. 

I received a copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone. 

 

October TBR

 TBR Jar Pick: A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

Kindle TBR: Mind the Gap by Erynn Mangum    

          Away from You by Jess Mastorakos

Classic: The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux

Audio: Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen

Review Books: Tacos for Two by Betsy St. Amant

              A View Most Glorious by Regina Scott

Nonfiction: In the Company of Heroes by James Kitfield 

Bookclub: Work: Halloween Party by Agatha Christie 

            Personal: Chapter and Curse by Elizabeth Penney 

September Wrap up

 

I started the month with (56) unread books. (54) Unfinished series Brought () books.  Got my owlcrate book (1) Book of the month (1) Got (3) book for review Won a book in a giveaway () Got books for gifts () which brought my total to (60). Read (3) owned books. Read (3) Kindle books I own DNF’d (). (2) finished series.  So I am ending the month at books (57) unread books. (51) unfinished series and hoping to get back on track with the whole read 5 physical books before I buy anymore.  I read a total of (22) books 

 

Partners in Lime by Bree Baker (netgalley)

The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict (library)

The Last Chance library by Freya Sampson (netgalley)

The Guncle by Steven Rowley (library)

A Dream of family by Jill Weatherholt (library)

Hill Country Redemption by Shannon Taylor Vannatter (library)

The Cajuns by Shane R Bernard (library)

Go to  My Grave by Catriona McPherson (library)

Seven-year Witch by Angela M Sanders (library)

Since You’ve been Gone by Tari Faris (owned)

Witch Please by Ann Aguire (netgalley)

No Grater Crime by Maddie day (Netgalley)

The Temporary Roomie by Sarah Adams (audio)

The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck (library)

Phantom Heart by Kelly Creagh (owned)

Voices of the Pacific by Adam Makos (library)

Murder by the Bookend by Laura Gail Black (netgalley)

Death of A Red Hot Rancher by Mini Granger (netgalley)

The Vampire Knitting Club by Nancy Warren (kindle) (audio)

A Blind date for the Marine by Jess Mastorakos (kindle)

Tangles and Treason by Nancy Warren (audio)

A Strand of Hope by Amanda Tero (kindle)

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