Tag: indie author

Book Review: Witchy See, Witchy Do (Riddler’s Edge #2) by A.A. Albright

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: Paranormal Cozy Mystery
Length: 254 pages
Author: A.A. Albright
Publisher: Self-published
Release Date: May 28th, 20218
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

There’s been another unfortunate death in Riddler’s Edge. And just like last time, this one definitely wasn’t a murder.

Or was it?

When Heather Flynn is found hanging from the church bell, it seems clear that she killed herself. But Aisling Smith is convinced otherwise – and not just because it appears that Heather’s death was a resurrection spell gone wrong. There are mysterious symbols painted below Heather’s body – symbols which emit a green glow that only Aisling can see.

It’s Shanty Season in Riddler’s Edge – and seeing as Heather was a member of the local choir, Aisling thinks it might be time to sing for her supper. Well, to sing for her story, anyway.

But when yet another member of the choir is killed, the case gets stranger yet. Aisling and Detective Quinn find themselves involved in the gruesome game of Witchy See, Witchy Do – a game from which no player has ever emerged alive.

IS THIS MY NEW FAVORITE?

Two books in and all I want to do is binge the entire series. I don’t have long reviews for these because they’re very quick reads, just know that I find them super enjoyable and compulsively readable.

I adore Aisling. She is full of witty comebacks and smart dialogue. I love learning more about her and how her full story is slowly unfurling. Still smitten with the budding romance with detective Dylan and I can’t wait for more!!

This mystery kept me on my toes a bit more. It took awhile before I put together all of the pieces, but I love how it all came together and the new info I learned. The writing is witty and these are such a delight to read.

Overall audience notes:

  • Paranormal cozy mystery
  • Language: none
  • Romance: flirting
  • Violence: murder

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ARC Book Review: The Elle Project by Summer Dowell

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: Holiday Contemporary Romance Novella
Length: 137 pages
Author: Summer Dowell
Publisher: Self-published
Release Date: November 4th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

True Love should never be put to a family vote.

Elle:
All I wanted was a nice, relaxing Christmas vacation at home with my family. But no, the lot of them had to ruin it by inviting my childhood crush, Oliver Moore, and throwing us together at every possible moment. Heaven, help me.
Now, instead of sipping hot cocoa by the fire, I’m dodging matchmaking attempts and trying to pretend I’m not attracted to Oliver’s adorably perfect smile. I will not become another one of my family’s projects.

Oliver:
I mean, am I upset Elle’s family swindled us into this Christmas vacation together? No. Will I ever admit that aloud? Also, no. I’ve long ago come to terms with the friend zone Elle placed me in back around ninth grade.
But there’s something different about her this week. Something that’s bringing up feelings I really should ignore.
Too bad ignoring has never been my strong suit. 

Thank you to the author for an eARC.

PERFECT FOR THE SEASON.

A quick, light-hearted novella sure to make you smile. I got a few good laughs out of this and love the fast paced nature of this childhood friends to lovers holiday novella.

Oliver and Elle were constantly being pushed together until something finally cracked. I love the dates they went on and the speed of everything. Even in a short format, I felt like I got a lot of the story. I would have loved even more a full fledged novel (but maybe with Elle’s brothers???). It has that predictable air that I love in a holiday romance.

Elle’s family was a bit over-bearing for me personally, but I know that others may really enjoy that quirk. I do like having large families in stories though, all of the sibling dynamics remind me of my own. Another sweet read from Dowell! I can’t wait to read whatever she writes next.

Overall audience notes:

  • Holiday Contemporary Romance Novella
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses

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Book Review: The Nabob’s Daughter by Jess Heileman

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: Regency Romance
Length: 444 pages
Author: Jess Heileman
Publisher: Vagabond Publishing
Release Date: June 30th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

She’ll do anything to escape an arranged marriage. He’ll do anything to help her.

Honora Crauford relishes her life in India. So when her father informs her of his latest business transaction—marrying her off to a bankrupt nobleman in England—her only hope for returning home is to convince her betrothed, by whatever antics necessary, that a marriage to her comes at a cost that not even the greatest fortune can justify.

Graham Whitworth can hardly believe his wretched luck. It seems the only way to save his family’s insolvent estate is to comply with his father’s demands and marry the extremely wealthy, but utterly ridiculous, nabob’s daughter. But when Honora missteps, Graham discerns her farce and begins to see who she truly is—a most impressive lady. A lady likely capable of fixing his family’s financial troubles.

Realizing they both desire freedom, Graham and Honora join forces to restore the Whitworth estate and return Honora to her beloved India. But sometimes love has its own agenda, and the revoking of a once undesirable arrangement may just prove to be the greatest sacrifice of all.

DID NOT DISAPPOINT.

The hype in the regency community about this book is real, and I’m so glad it lived up to what I was hoping for.

Honora is the definition of the head-strong woman who stubbornness occasionally gets in her own way. I liked her character arc and her ability to recognize and acknowledge her faults and when she needed to apologize. Honora stood for her choices too and was a character I wanted to see get her HEA.

Graham was adorable. I loved how tender he was and how open to Honora he spoke. With a slight misstep in their first meeting to a friendship that became more, I was enraptured. He was incredibly sweet and all of Graham’s quiet moments with Honora had me swooning.

The plot was more fresh than most regencies and felt like a new rush of air as I read. My only lower point was that it felt a bit long too me. It might have been so much of the accounting commentary and scenes that took away from the main focus of the romance.

This was a wonderful read though and I look forward to Heileman’s future books. Based off of this one I think there’s more swoony romances ahead.

Overall audience notes:

  • Regency romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of a mother

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Book Review: A Little Bit Witchy (Riddler’s Edge #1) by A.A. Albright

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: Paranormal Cozy Mystery
Length: 257 pages
Author: A.A. Albright
Publisher: Self-published
Release Date: March 21st, 2018
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

There has most definitely not been a murder on the Riddler’s Express.

Aisling Smith is about to try out for a new job – a job writing for a paper she’s never heard of. But seeing as she’s currently writing classified ads and obituaries, it would be foolish not to give it a shot.

Riddler’s Edge might be a small town, but it’s definitely not boring. The train hasn’t even pulled into the station, and already a woman has been murdered.

According to the grumpy but gorgeous Detective Quinn, the passenger’s death wasn’t a murder at all. He insists that Bathsheba Brookes died of a nut allergy. Aisling doesn’t believe it for a minute. She intends to discover the real story – a difficult challenge, considering the town’s inhabitants seem to be keeping some very big secrets.

Riddler’s Edge is a town where people wear sunglasses after dark, and creatures howl in the woods. It’s also a town where, despite the strange occurrences, Aisling feels right at home.

But even if she gets to the bottom of Bathsheba’s death, Aisling might not get to be the Daily Riddler’s newest reporter. There’s one final, mysterious test that she must pass – a test carried out by the newspaper’s owner. And Aisling suspects he might be looking for more than just a journalist 

OH DID I ADORE THIS.

I read A.A. Albright’s other series, Wayfair Witches, last year for October and this year I’m reading Riddler’s Edge! I adored this so much and can’t wait to binge the rest.

This was so much fun and introduced the new town and characters well. I liked the mystery and meeting all of magical souls. Witches, vampires, weredogs/wolves and more. Fuzz (the familiar) was cute and gives me all the black cat witchy vibes I love.

There’s clearly a set-up for the long game and I’m curious how that’ll all shake out as well. Not to mention this has what appears to be a great romantic plot line too and I am HERE FOR IT.

Can’t wait for more!

Overall audience notes:

  • Paranormal cozy mystery
  • Language: none
  • Romance: flirting
  • Violence: murder

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