NetGalley Reviewer

Professional Reader
10 Book Reviews

Friday, March 31, 2023

Magda, Standing By Christine Fallert Kessides (Cover Reveal) (Inkslinger PR)

 

We’re so excited to be assisting Christine Fallert Kessides on the cover reveal of her upcoming historical YA novel. Magda, Standing is a gorgeous story a girl’s struggle for self-determination as the country perches on the edge of war and pandemic.


Title: Magda, Standing

Author: Christine Fallert Kessides 

Genre: YA Historical

Release Date: June 13th

 

About Magda, Standing:

When her father pulls her out of high school to care for her invalid mother and little brother, sixteen-year-old Magda is devastated—but the greater challenge is saving her family in the face of a war and pandemic.

In 1916, the world is at war, even if America has not yet joined the effort. But for Magda, the growing hostility her German immigrant family faces hits close to home. Despite her domestic obligations, Magda persists with her education, determined to find an independent role for herself.  Faced with the mounting crises of the war and the Spanish flu, Magda seeks the knowledge and strength to try to protect those she loves most.

Standing up to a war and pandemic, traditions and expectations, Magda embarks on a journey of self-discovery and resilience that leads her back to embracing her family and caring for a wider community.


Pre-Order Your Copy!

Amazon | Tule Books

 

About the Author:

Christine Fallert Kessides was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and was always interested that all her ancestors were from Germany. After reviewing her family genealogy and reflecting on some of her relatives’ experiences, she was inspired to write Magda’s story.

Christine attended college and graduate school at Northwestern University and Princeton University, respectively. She had a career writing policy reports in international development. Reading, especially historical fiction, has always been a passion. She lives outside Washington DC, in suburban Maryland with her husband, and sees their four children, grandchild, and granddogs as often as possible. Magda, Standing is her first novel.


Connect with the Author:

Website | Facebook | Amazon Page

Hidden Justice By Diana Munoz (TEASERS) (INKSLINGER PR)

 



Diana Munoz Stewart is relaunching Hidden Justice, this time in Kindle Unlimited! The romantic suspense will be released on April 18th–check it out and be sure to pre-order today!

Title: Hidden Justice

Author: Diana Munoz Stewart 

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Release Date: April 18th 



About Hidden Justice

Saved from a brutal childhood and adopted into a wealthy, loving family of international spies, Justice Parish trained her whole life to rescue others. But when her latest mission hits a snag, she needs a new cover fast. Unfortunately, her best solution jeopardizes a good man. A man she can’t help but admire…in more ways than one.


After a loss too big to bear, Sandesh Ross left Special forces and dedicated his life to founding a humanitarian group in the Middle East. Helping others isn’t cheap, so when the wealthy and smoldering Justice Parish offers to fund his charity––as long as she’s put in charge of PR––he barely hesitates. What he doesn’t know about his sexy, new benefactor could save his company while endangering not only his heart but his life.



Pre-Order Your Copy! 



About the Author: 

#1 Amazon bestselling author. 

Armed with a razor-sharp wit and a rolled-up MFA in Creative Writing, Diana Muñoz Stewart cartwheel-kicked her way into publishing with her fiery Black Ops Confidential series. Washington Independent Review of Books called the series’ award-winning debut, “original, impressive” a “rollicking good ride” and “high-octane.”

Of her writing Publishers Weekly declared, “Stewart plays adeptly with the reader’s emotions” and noted that in her series, “Stewart’s talent shines.”

Of her unflinching openness in taking on today’s relevant topics, Booklist said, “Munoz-Stewart discusses such sensitive topics as human trafficking, sexual violence, and sexism…while the diverse …Parish family and their mission to protect women everywhere give these topics…hope…” 

Kirkus Book Reviews said her romantic suspense series, along with having, “Sizzling physical encounters” also “enables an emphasis on recovery and power.”

Munoz Stewart’s work has been a BookPage Top 15 Romance of 2018, a Night Owl Top Pick, A BookPage Top Pick, and an Amazon Book of the Month. A 2014 Pages From The Heart Winner, 2015 Golden Heart® Finalist, 2016 Daphne du Maurier Finalist, and a 2016 Gateway to the Best Winner, Diana Munoz Stewart is a member of Romance Writers of America, International Thriller Writers, and Sisters in Crime. 

Diana lives in an often chaotic and always welcoming home that—depending on the day—can hold husband, kids, extended family, friends, and a canine or two. A believer in the power of words to heal, connect, and distract from chores, Diana blogs regularly on topics near and dear to her heart, including spotlight pieces on strong women from around the world. When not writing, Diana can be found kayaking, doing sprints up her long driveway—harder than it sounds–attempting yoga on her deck, or hiking with the man who’s had her heart since they were teens.

Diana is represented by the wonderful Michelle Grajkowski of Three Seas Literary Agency.


Connect with the Author: 

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Amazon 

A Reluctant Roommate By Angela Casella (PROMO TOUR) (LITERALLY YOURS PR)

 


I don’t have the hots for my roommate… If I say it enough times, will I believe it?


A Reluctant Roommate, an all-new hilarious forced-proximity, brother’s best friend, romantic comedy from USA Today bestselling author Angela Casella is available now!


I don’t have the hots for my roommate… If I say it enough times, will I believe it?


Drew

Some people might say I’m allergic to change. They’d be right.

I’ve lived in the same house my entire life, worked at the same company since I graduated from college, and hung out with the same three friends since middle school. If you think that sounds boring, you’re in agreement with my new roommate—my sister’s best friend, Andrea Ruiz.

Andy has always been a ball buster, a hell raiser…and she’s also the sexiest woman I’ve ever met. I let her move in because she was down and needed a place to stay, but she’s taking a hammer to my carefully constructed life.



Andy

My grandmother’s always told me I’m too impulsive for my own good. Should’ve listened to her, I guess. I posted a few (very tame) videos of my feet on a platform known for its racy content, and suddenly found myself homeless and out of a job. But Drew took pity on me and gave me a place to live, and now the Fairy Godmother Agency, a husband and wife P.I. team who thrive on anarchy, is offering me a job.

Drew’s so solid and reliable. I know my chaos is driving him crazy, but there’s a part of me that likes driving him crazy. I want to crack his shell. Because in the brief moments when he lets himself relax his rules, he's surprisingly irresistible.


Start reading today!

FREE in Kindle Unlimited




Learn more about Angela Casella and her releases by visiting her website:

A Drop Of Pretty Poison By Kelsey Clayton (BLOG TOUR) (LITERALLY YOURS PR)

 



They say that when a love burns too bright, it’s bound to burn out—especially those wrapped in secrets and doused in lies.


A Drop of Pretty Poison, an all-new angst-filled, brother’s best friend, new adult romance and the second book in the Pretty Poison Trilogy from USA Today bestselling author Kelsey Clayton is available now!


They say that when a love burns too bright, it’s bound to burn out—especially those wrapped in secrets and doused in lies.


After a risk is taken and a confession is made, one relationship heats up while another hangs in the balance. When everything rests on shaky ground, we find the stability we need tangled up in each other. Guards are let down and trust is repaired, but all vulnerability comes with a side of weakness. And the betrayal that hits us is one we never saw coming.


Revenge is a dangerous game, especially when fueled by jealousy. We’ll do whatever it takes to protect our own, even if it means seeking help from unlikely sources. While every favor comes at a price, choices made in distress have a tendency to backfire.


As our world comes crashing down around us, loyalties are put to the test. Nothing should be able to shatter the promises we made, but there’s a fine line between tenacious and toxic.


Someone should’ve warned us that even a drop of pretty poison will spread until all that’s left are shattered pieces and broken memories.

Start reading today!

FREE in Kindle Unlimited




Pre-order A Shot Of Pretty Poison now, the stunning conclusion to Hayes and Laiken’s story!

Releases April 13th!




Start from the beginning with A Dose Of Pretty Poison, the start of Hayes and Laiken’s story!




Learn more about Kelsey Clayton and her releases by visiting her website:

Tuesday, March 28, 2023

Review: The Way of Us

The Way of Us The Way of Us by Claudia Y. Burgoa
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Note: I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Note 2: This is a series. All of these are interconnected, so please read in order.

Triggers: heart attack, infidelity, abuse, adoption mentioned, death in car accident, abandonment, grief camps, pregnancy difficulties, heroine who has a tendency to lie to save situations, harassing hero to have children.

This was one heavy book, the latest heavy book after all the heavy books of Claudia I've read before. You can clearly see a pattern here.

This time it's Heathcliff and Atzi's turn in this story (Yes I still find the name Atzi weird as hell, and yes Atzi's a woman).

Now everyone knows the Bronte story of Heathcliff, and how much of a tortured hero he was.

Well Claudia makes this one no exception either. The amount of emotions and character development he goes through to be a far better version than his stone, robotic nature around everyone, oof I suffered a lot of internal emotional heartbreak and then happy for all of it.

Plus his friendship and then eventual relationship with Atzi - so tumultuous. I mean, not their friendship. But relationship, yes. And the one fact that irked me a lot - the push for him to have children. I felt Atzi was at times a little too selfish and conceited about everyone having a family.
Newsflash girl. Some of us don't want children, whether we're traumatised by life or not. I just hated this fact too much, all this pressure on heath to have children, or to like a family. Like no, let the man breathe. Some of us survive well without obnoxious children and huge af families (trust me personally). And then the ending..falling into the same cliche...brings me back to this point. I would've preferred if things ended differently rather than forcing him to think like others on that ending. Hence why I took one star out. I deserved a slight better ending.
But I did love their friendship and relationship without that one hateful fact too - how close, caring, personal and just upfront they were (about most things) with each other. I ended up desperately craving a friendship like theirs. OOf, the feels were hard in this one.

And the rest of the family - ah so adorable, it was good to see so many returning faces back, and so many more stories to read - I loved colliding and joining in with their family. And their myriad of dramas - it was one hell of a ride knowing all of them and their opinions. I couldn't love them enough.

I loved Atzi and Heath's issues of the past - I loved them both as individuals and together. But what stood out to me was their own individual stories as well - I loved being able to explore in detail in quick and deep writing, what they were like as children and as time went on - I enjoyed my time with them, and the emotions spent. I think emotionally heavy books take much out of you than s**. Just saying.

And the issues explored in general - ah I still want more story on them. Obviously some cliffhangers do come about their own dramas, which I hope are resolved soon. But I thrilled in the sneak peeks shown about their families, and ooh, it was so much like ross and rachel, and dynasty, I was all there for it.

Plus a nonwhite heroine?! What could I want more, than a relatable woman of color to hear thoughts of?

This book was a total gem, and almost paid homage in some ways to the original tortured story of Heathcliff.

I cannot wait to read more by Claudia. I just cannot.

Until the next read,
TMR

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Saturday, March 25, 2023

Review: Bad Romance

Bad Romance Bad Romance by Elise Faber
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Note: I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Triggers: sexual assault, assault, death of a family member.

I loved this novellll! UGH, Asher was my ultimate bae, and Melody my friend. Ah so screw the title, it was anything but a bad romance. And lady gaga can also s- it.

I immediately fell under their spell, as I navigated alongside Asher and Melody, their lives, and them being together, the ups, and many downs as well. I thoroughly enjoyed the development from frost to warmth to eventual love, and going through a grieving period after her assault, and Asher and everyone else being there for her. Now that is true bonding at its' finest.

I loved the romance, the chemistry, the emotional bonding (now that is seen so rare honestly in other novels), and just family found vibes. I loved Melody's sister as well, though not often mentioned, but it was there, all FEELS WERE THERE!

I even almost cried at the ending, because Asher is just so perfect and wonderful and aaaah...raising my expectations as always of men in real life, oops.

Now I'll stop here before I further rant about how amazeballs Asher and Melody are. #couplegoals

PS: Cannot wait for Maddie and Rome's book next, ah they're gonna shatter and put me together again, that's for sure, from that little sneak peek. Can't wait!

Until the next read,
-TMR

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Review: Playing for Us

Playing for Us Playing for Us by Aurora Paige
My rating: 3 of 5 stars



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Thursday, March 23, 2023

Scoring Chance By Andi Burns (BLOG TOUR) (LITERALLY YOURS PR)


When our date ends in disaster, the last thing I expect is for Will to ask me for a favor.

And what I really don’t expect is to say yes.

Scoring Chance, an all new stand alone hockey romance with a feisty heroine and a virgin hero from Bestselling author Andi Burns is available now!

Will

Freshman year is going to be my year.

I’m no longer the ugly duckling I used to be. Thanks to a late growth spurt and a nasty puck to the face that knocked my buck teeth right out of my head, I no longer resemble the awkward kid I once was.

As Bainbridge Hockey’s newest center, I’m gonna enjoy every bit of attention the ladies of Bainbridge want to give me.

But I soon find out that looking the part is only half the battle. And if I want to lose my virginity before I make it to the big leagues, I’m going to need to learn the fine art of dating. Or at least how to kiss without being compared to a dying jellyfish. So that means I need help.

But they don’t make tutors for dating. Do they?

Mel

Senior year is off to a rough start.

One of my best friends has moved on to grad school, and my other best friend spends all her free time with her boyfriend.

And my boyfriend? Oh, he’s a lying, cheating jerk. I learned that the hard way when I caught him in bed with his wife.

Looking back, it’s clear that my ex lied about everything and I wasted almost a year of my life with him. Dating a professor wasn’t my smartest move, but I’m wiser now, and I’ve made a promise to myself: no more relationships.

So when my friends surprise me at the charity bachelor auction and buy me a date with a hot young hockey player, I’m less than thrilled. I mean, he’s nice to look at, but I’m not in the market for anything more than a hookup.

When our date ends in disaster, the last thing I expect is for Will to ask me for a favor. And what I really don’t expect is to say yes.

Start reading today!

Amazon: http://bit.ly/scoringchance

Amazon Worldwide: https://mybook.to/scoringchance


“Are you listening to a word I say?” 

I get my answer when Cammie starts clapping her hands together. “Oh my God, Mel. Who’s the tall guy?”

I don't bother looking up from the counter I'm wiping down. "What do you mean, who's the tall guy? They're all tall. But the tallest one is Santos."

"This guy's almost as tall. And he's new. I'd definitely remember seeing him around. Holy crap, he's beautiful."

I look up to see who the hell has Cammie so smitten and I spot our topic of conversation right away. Holy. Shit. She wasn't kidding. This guy's like a walking advertisement for sex. Yeah, Van's known around campus as the hot one, and Ollie's never short on admirers, but this guy's on a whole different level. His broad shoulders taper to a narrow waist. His butt is a work of art. Soft, faded jeans hug his ass and thighs and dear god, I want to take a bite. What the hell is wrong with me? New Hot Guy looks up and I get a glimpse of his face. It does not disappoint. He's got a strong jaw covered in a day’s worth of stubble. His nose is crooked--the sign of a good hockey player--and his eyes are a piercing blue, so dark they're almost navy. His hair is cut short, but the top's a little overgrown, the dark chocolate strands falling into his line of vision. It's the lips for me, though. God, they're unreal. Pouty and perfect and totally kissable.

“Uh, what the hell? I mean, I’m not complaining--trust me--but what the hell?”

“I know-- I probably shouldn’t have kissed you like that, but I had a good reason.”

He leans back against the wall and shrugs. “It’s the dimple, right?” he jokes, smiling.

“It’s a hell of a dimple.”


Learn more about Andi Burns and her releases by visiting her website:

https://www.andiburns.com

Review: The Beast

The Beast The Beast by Denise Daye
My rating: 5 of 5 stars



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Review: Doctor Cowboy: A Second Chance, Military/Medical, Lovers from Another World romance

Doctor Cowboy: A Second Chance, Military/Medical, Lovers from Another World romance Doctor Cowboy: A Second Chance, Military/Medical, Lovers from Another World romance by Olivia Reign
My rating: 3 of 5 stars



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Review: Monsters in Love: Wicked Tales and Monstrous Ever Afters

Monsters in Love: Wicked Tales and Monstrous Ever Afters Monsters in Love: Wicked Tales and Monstrous Ever Afters by Evangeline Priest
My rating: 5 of 5 stars



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Review: All the Broken Pieces

All the Broken Pieces All the Broken Pieces by Ria Wilde
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



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Review: Love in LA Collection 1

Love in LA Collection 1 Love in LA Collection 1 by Jenna Hartley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



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Review: Unexpected

Unexpected Unexpected by Jenna Hartley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars



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Review: Tumbling Head Over Heels

Tumbling Head Over Heels Tumbling Head Over Heels by Kacie West
My rating: 5 of 5 stars



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Review: Hidden Truths: Grumpy Sunshine, Enemies to Lovers Romance

Hidden Truths: Grumpy Sunshine, Enemies to Lovers Romance Hidden Truths: Grumpy Sunshine, Enemies to Lovers Romance by Sionna Trenz
My rating: 3 of 5 stars



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Review: Irresistible

Irresistible Irresistible by Jenna Hartley
My rating: 3 of 5 stars



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Review: Tiger Lily Part One

Tiger Lily Part One Tiger Lily Part One by Amélie S. Duncan
My rating: 2 of 5 stars



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Review: Hidden Signs

Hidden Signs Hidden Signs by Kyra Fox
My rating: 3 of 5 stars



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Review: The Reaper

The Reaper The Reaper by Kally Ash
My rating: 2 of 5 stars



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Sunday, March 12, 2023

Review: A White Christmas in Berrycombe: Heartwarming Christmas Romance

A White Christmas in Berrycombe: Heartwarming Christmas Romance A White Christmas in Berrycombe: Heartwarming Christmas Romance by T.N. Traynor
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Faithful Charming And A HeartWarming Story Of Love and Compassion and Faith!

Triggers: child abuse, abandonment, death of a loved one, war struggles shown, social anxiety shown.

Note: also very faith based - so fair warning to the atheists.

I loved reading Carter and Laura’s story.

I could relate a lot to Carter’s life - not his adoption, but the independence struggles, his anxiety, his very few people to depend on, his moods - I could relate to all that and more.

Certainly his type of cabin chosen was also something I thoroughly understood. I mean who wants to be reminded of tragic memories? Not this gal or guy for sure. So I understood it too.

But I also loved the people there. Specially Laura and her father bill - ever giving advice and being kind and generous to Carter. And I understood them too in their own struggles. I connected so deeply to them.

One thing though - was it was hard to connect to the constant Christian proverbs thrown on my face. Perhaps marketing it as a Christian women’s fiction would’ve been a better choice. As me being from another religion, sometimes just got annoyed a little with the whole religious sentiment.

But I loved this novel overall. The side characters were also huge tons of fun - I wished all of them had their own plots too. The romance was barely there, as also the chemistry - sometimes it read more like a historical or regency novel but a little less heavy on the romance. But this is womens fiction so I understand. I loved the cozy setting and wished more than once I could live there (living with my family can sometimes be a hilarity in itself). Plus how they discussed real world issues - I was just so down for it. I loved it!!!!

I loved this novel and cannot wait for more!

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