Tag: indie author

Book Review: That Fine Line by Cindy Steel

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆ 1/2
Audience: Contemporary romance
Length: Unknown pages
Author: Cindy Steel
Publisher: Self-published
Release Date: April 21st, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

All I wanted was a quiet summer on my family’s ranch in Idaho…

I didn’t think that was too much to ask. With my fiancé in California, I was back home for three months to plan my wedding. I had colors to pick, cows to milk, and a wedding dress to squeeze into.

Which was why I didn’t need anybody messing with me.

Especially not the guy who had dedicated his whole life to making mine a joke. The guy who filled my high school locker with frogs and my hot car with cans of tuna. I mean…I always got him back. But not this summer. Things were different now. I was engaged. I had grown up. I would NOT fall victim to Cade’s pranks, teasing, or his manly charms.

If only my dad hadn’t hired the moron to cowboy for him this summer.

Now my childhood enemy is living on our ranch and seems to think we have a score to settle.

And all bets are off. 

ABSOLUTELY ADORED.

Ohhhhh my gosh this book was precious.

I loved the main characters. Kelsey exhibited a lot of growth throughout the novel. Even if I wanted to shake her a few times, she did have to come around on her own to what was happening in her life. I liked how fun Kelsey became and how she remembered her roots and what [and who] she loved. Cade was so dang sweet. My my was he a swoon worthy lead. An attractive baseball player turned cowboy? Yes please.

The only frustrating thing about this book was how long the fiance timeline played out. I was hoping it was going to fizzle (because it was clearly heading in that direction) quickly so there would be more Cade and Kelsey. I would have loved some more stellar kissing scenes and heat between them.

All of the farm life stuff was great! I feel like I learned a lot at the same time as I was enjoying the romance. Cade and Kelsey also played a lot of pranks on each other. I’ve read a handful of “prank war” books and it can be good or bad. I actually found this to be on the positive side. They were truly pranks that were ridiculous, but humorous. I didn’t feel a negative/mean energy to them and that helped the enjoyability of the moment.

Such a good, quick read about rekindling a childhood love and finding out where you want your path to go. The ending was incredibly sweet and I thought really wrapped up exactly where the romance needed to go.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary romance
  • Language: very little
  • Romance: kisses
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: manipulative/gaslighting significant other, intense body shaming, restriction of food and unsafe dieting

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Book Review: The Song of the Marked (Shadows and Crowns #1) by S.M. Gaither

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Audience: Fantasy
Length: 512 pages
Author: S.M. Gaither
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: September 17th, 2020
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

An ancient evil is stirring. The old gods are growing restless. Can she stop the coming storm?

A Devastating Sickness

For decades, the Kethran Empire has been plagued by a strange illness that leaches the very life and soul from its victims.

The Girl Who Survived

Casia is one of the Fade-Marked—one of the few people who caught this sickness and lived. Why she lived is a mystery even to her and the outcast crew of mercenaries she calls her family. It also makes her an intriguing target for the young, enigmatic king-emperor, who claims he wants to work alongside her to find a cure.

Unfortunately, working alongside him also means working with the handsome but infuriating captain of one of the most prestigious branches of the Kethran Army.

A Soldier With No Past

This infuriating Captain Elander also has secrets: A past that Cas can’t seem to uncover, a powerful but strange brand of magic, and a deep distrust of the very monarch that he’s sworn to serve. She feels oddly drawn to him in spite of these things…

But can she really trust him?

The Fate of an Empire

As the bodies pile up and strange monsters begin to wreak havoc throughout the realms, Cas and Elander will have to work together to protect their world whether they trust one another or not. Because one thing is clear: Something ancient and evil is stirring in the shadows of Kethra.

And the empire will not survive its full unleashing.

But how can they save a world where nothing and no one is what they seem to be— including Cas herself?

NEW FANTASY OBESSSION.

I’m always looking for a fantasy series to dive into, and this one is it. It was SO DANG GOOD. And the audio book was fantastic. Highly recommend that avenue if you’re interested. I flew through this fast. The pacing was well intentioned and never felt like a drag. I love the high stakes action and the plot itself. Gimme book two ASAP.

Of course, one of my favorite aspects is the enemies to lovers trope. It’s heated and tangled. Left me begging for them to actually kiss and then contemplating what I was supposed to do with AN ENDING LIKE THAT. It’s going to be a long haul and I am here for it.

I love a strong female main character and Cas IS THAT WOMAN. She takes charge, occasionally runs off into danger, but is fiercely loyal and is just looking for answers to save her loved ones. Cas got in on the action and drove this book forward with her stubborn tenacity. Can’t get enough of her. There’s been some mention of Throne of Glass vibes and I can definitely see that here (in a great way).

The ending left me reeling and I am not coping well waiting for the next book. I’m excited to continue this series because that first book was a hidden gem.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy + Romance
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: brief open door
  • Violence: physical and magical altercations, creature attacks
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: blood/gore depiction, loss of loved ones, a wasting sickness

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Book Review: Falling for Your Boss (Love Cliches #2) by Emma St. Clair

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 277 pages
Author: Emma St. Clair
Publisher: Self-Published
Release Date: December 19th, 2020
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

I am not that woman.

The one who falls for her much older, extremely handsome, and totally unavailable boss.

That’s what I keep telling myself, anyway.

I’ve watched the other women in the office fawn over Gavin, who just so happens to be one of Texas’ richest and most desirable bachelors.

But I’m interested in business. Totally professional.

Which is why Gavin has helped me so much in my career … right? Not because he’s attracted to me.

But when his past slams into his present, the lines between business and personal suddenly become very hazy.

Now all my carefully crafted plans are totally destroyed, and I have to decide what I want most: my career or the man who has helped me build it.

CHARMED.

I felt charmed by the end my read. I liked this one much better than the first. Took out some of the uncessary hoopla and added it a lot more tension. Yesssssss.

I gotta say, age gap is usually not my trope. I love the way this was written! It was romantic and endearing. I wanted Zoey and Gavin to be together. I felt it. All the chemistry. All the vibes. What I was worried might make me cringe was incredibly well developed that I through any initial issues out the window. You find love at any age, whatever works…works.

This was easy to fly through and kept my attention. I was reading a second book at the time but kept coming back to this because I wanted to know what would happen next. I am soft for taking care of a love interest when they’re sick. And Zoey and Gavin hit those scenes perfectly. I love the adaptable nature of Zoey (and Gavin now that I’m considering the scenario). There was a lot to take on and move forward with and they handled it pretty well.

I didn’t love a particular moment nearing the end, but I am so glad it didn’t last long so my opinion of the overall book wasn’t wholly affected. I wish the ending wasn’t wrapped up so quickly because I wanted more of them after the inital on fire kissing scenes. There’s a really cute epiloge though which I am always here for!

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary romance
  • Language: very little
  • Romance: kisses/make-outs
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: divorce (cheating spouse), remembrance of a loss of a parent

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Book Review: Rustic Hearts (Poplar Falls #1) by Amber Kelly

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 268 pages
Author: Amber Kelly
Publisher: Amber Kelly, LLC
Release Date: September 16th, 2019
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The last place Sophia Lancaster wanted to return to was Poplar Falls. It’s the place that holds all the painful memories and unanswered questions she’s ever had. One phone call causes her life to take a turn, forcing her back to the town she hasn’t stepped foot in over twenty years.

And right into the path of Braxton Young.

His blue eyes, sinful smile, and rough exterior are no match for Sophia. She’s there for one reason, and it isn’t to fall in love. The sooner she can get out of this small town and back in New York City—the better.

However, fate doesn’t care for either of their desires. Instead, they’re forced to deal with each other, finding their differences aren’t as great as they thought. Each day brings them closer to friendship and the possibility of something more. The answers she seeks might not only break her and Braxton apart but also her heart.

SMITTEN.

That’s how the first book in this series made me feel. It’s totally Hallmark + some steam and I am here for seeing how the rest of these characters love stories play out.

I easily read this in a day and I love when shorter books feel like the perfect length. I got the answers I wanted, the cuteness I needed and I only wish the ending was a bit longer to get more of Sophie and Braxton.

Braxton and Sophie were definitely an enemies to lovers saga (which is probably the number one reason I enjoyed this). They clashed immediately, but the obvious fire was there too. I liked how each one had some misconstrued ideas about the other, but after listening to the facts and learning more about each other they both had changes of heart. Sophie and Braxton seeked to figure out each other and how they could fit into each other’s lives.

Side story that I looooooved was that Sophie was a jewelry designer!! I just thought that was really unique from the romances I’ve read and adored how it fit into her personality and her life at large.

Dude wow, did I really loathe Sophie’s Mother. Finding out what really happened made honestly angry that a parent would put their child in that situation (and lie about it). I didn’t see redemption there, but I guess at least Sophie worked it out.

The steam was a bit much more my preference, but it can be easily skipped and the story at large is lovely and engaging. I’m so glad Dallas’s story is next!!

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary romance
  • Language: strong
  • Romance: kisses to open door scenes
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: infidelity, divorce, loosing both parents in an accident

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