Tag: indie author

Book Review: Under Locke by Mariana Zapata

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Rating: ★★★☆ (3.5)
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 497 pages
Author: Mariana Zapata
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: January 19th, 2014
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

He was my boss, my brother’s friend, a Widower, an ex-felon, and a man I’d seen casually with a handful of women. But he was everything that gripped me, both the good and the bad. Worst case scenario if things turned awkward between us, I could go somewhere else. I’d gotten over epic heartbreak before, one more wouldn’t kill me.

After moving to Austin following six months of unemployment back home, Iris Taylor knows she should be glad to have landed a job so quickly… even if the business is owned by a member of the same motorcycle club her estranged father used to belong to. Except Dex Locke might just be the biggest jerk she’s ever met. He’s rude, impatient and doesn’t know how to tell time.

And the last thing they ever expected was each other.

But it was either the strip club or the tattoo shop.

… she should have chosen the strip club. 

WELL.

I knew there might come a day when a Zapata book wasn’t my favorite. Unfortunately today is that day. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed this book a lot, but it was more on and off then a consistent lover for one of my favorite contemporary romance authors. The setting and theme were some of the best aspects.

The love interest, Dex, flirting with the a-hole/grump line waayyy too often for me. Maybe this is also showing that that type of hero isn’t my jam (which is fine!), but I kept waffling back and forth with how he treated Iris. There were some truly kind moments and a few great, don’t touch her moments too. A mixed bag for him though.

Iris was a great heroine…most of the time. I think she had a lot of spunk and was trying to make the best decision she could when obstacles kept being thrown her way. There were some truly frustrating moments where I could in no way, get behind what she was thinking. I don’t love dumb decision making.

Something that I don’t generally take off star rating for (and didn’t for this book), though I do like to mention, is that this is MUUUUUUCH steamier than I expected. I skipped many long scenes that were on the super graphic side. If you love this kind of steam, then I would recommend this backlist MZ read. If not, I’d go ahead and skip this and read some of her newer books.

The audio narration as always was stellar and it felt like a quick read even at 16 hours. I’m looking forward to continuing my backlist MZ books!

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary romance
  • Language: heavy and strong
  • Romance: multiple very explicit open door
  • Violence: mild
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: abandonment, cancer, death of a parent, gun violence, physical violence, infidelity (not with the main couple!), sexual assault

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Book Review: Bloodsinger (The Starchaser Saga #5) by Renee Dugan

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 431 pages
Author: Renee Dugan
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: December 7th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

And so it comes to war.

For months, Princess Cistine Novacek of Talheim has contended with the threat looming over her home and secured an alliance that brought peace to the Middle Kingdom at last. But calamity has caught up with her nonetheless – not in her own land, but in the treacherous North. With Talheim spared from a horrific fate, Cistine faces the choice between peace in her homeland or war alongside her new allies.

The princess chooses war.

Now with a ruthless enemy hunting them for the blood they shed and the weapons they carry, Cistine and her allies will fight harder, risk greater, and journey farther than they ever have before, seeking to save everything they love. Even if salvation means paying a cost beyond their darkest dreams.

For on bloody battlefields, in dark mountain halls, in the ancient bones of the world and deep in their own spirits, the battle for Valgard – and all the kingdoms of the world – will be waged.

THE PAIN.

Oh my gosh this book was so good. There’s your review.

I am absolutely in love and wholly invested in every single one of these characters and I swear if we lose someone or there is not a happy ending I will RIOT. Though I have faith things will be fine. I hope. There’s copious amounts of intense, page turning action. Injured love ones, grief, coping with loss, and all the emotions. Balanced beautifully with moments of quiet kisses, communication over past grievances, and pushing forward as best as possible.

This series doesn’t cease to impress me. I loved the pacing on this one and it might be my new favorite of the series. I liked the reveals, the connections and seriously everything about it.

I’m trying to maintain vagueness because this far into a series I don’t want to spoil for everyone. So just know, I LOVE IT AND WANT YOU TO READ IT TOO.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy + Romance
  • Language: very little
  • Romance: closed door
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: battle themes, loss of loved ones, physical and magical altercations, near death experiences

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Book Review: The Co-Op by Tarah Dewitt

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 364 pages
Author: Tarah Dewitt
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: October 20th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

They say love and construction don’t mix.
By that logic, hate and construction may as well be condemned.

LaRynn Lavigne and Deacon Leeds had one short and contentious summer fling when they were teens.
Certainly nothing to build a foundation on.
But a decade later, when their grandmothers have left them with shared ownership of their dilapidated Santa Cruz building, they’re thrust back together and have to figure out how to brace up the pieces.
LaRynn has the money, but to access her trust, she has to be married.
Deacon has the construction expertise, but lacks the funds.
A deal is struck: Marry for however long it takes to fix up the property, collect a profit, and cut ties.
Thrust into a home without walls, they quickly learn that it’s easy to hide behind emotional ones, even in a marriage. But, with all the exposure and pitfalls that come with living with the opposite sex (and none of the perks) they’ll also have to learn what it means to truly co-operate as a team.

The Co-op is a steamy story about restoration and renovation, and uncovering all the things that build character within ourselves. It’s about the never-ending construction project that partnership is, and finding enjoyment at every stage.

BEST [YET].

Easily calling this my favorite book by this author. It was this beautiful steady growth that just made me fall in love with the characters and story. I live for character progression and this had that in spades. LaRynn and Deacon CLEARLY have some unresolved history and I appreciated immensely that amidst the digs and teases real communication started to flow. Both sides started to look at the situation differently and were able to talk about things that had been sitting on their souls for too long.

And what happens after? A wonderful relationship filled with pure love. These two had the heat, the banter, and all of the emotions. The innuendo was a bit past my comfort zone, but the steam itself is easily moved over. I just loved this story. LaRynn was not an easy character to love and sometimes we feel like that about ourselves and so I loved watching her story unfold (and I promise I did love her by the end!). Deacon was just the sweetest. And I loved that they both didn’t let each other get away with anything that needed to be discussed. Gah, I love communication.

The setting with the house flip was great. I liked the mix of construction shenanigans and everything else happening. The romance really stood out and dang do I love no third act break up that makes me want to pull my hair out.

I can’t wait to see what Dewitt writes next. I will eagerly be anticipating her next book.

Overall Audience Notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: strong
  • Romance: multiple open; high explicit + high innuendo
  • Violence: Low
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: parental abandonment

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Book Review: Dawnstar (The Starchaser Saga #2) by Renee Dugan

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Fantasy
Length: 413 pages
Author: Renee Dugan
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: August 2020
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A missing friend. A hunt for answers. A path to vengeance.

With her Warden stolen, her hopes of an easy alliance thwarted, and her trust in her own kingdom shattered, Princess Cistine Novacek faces her greatest challenge yet: using wit and steel to bring down a wicked Chancellor and prove herself to the cabal’s tentative allies in the Courts. As friendships are tested, bonds broken, and love put to the test, the princess must face the growing threats within the Northern Kingdom – and learn to rise a queen.

Locked away in a desert prison, Asheila Kovar faces the struggle of her life: surviving the ruthless Blood Hive, returning to her princess, and avenging a betrayal against the heart of her kingdom. But there are more secrets and schemes than just hers lurking in the catacombs…and the struggle between powerful forces above and below the sands will test Ashe’s loyalty in dangerous ways.

Ways that may spell death for people the cabal cannot afford to lose.

AHHHHH.

This series has taken another step in the right direction. A sequel I can get behind.

I loved the continued dynamic between this found family group. I love them. I love them SO MUCH. Everyone. All of them. I can’t wait to get more points of view because I need them all and I need them all to be happy.

The plot does a great balance of giving answers while maintaining some general mystery about the large scale story (since this is a seven book series). But don’t worry, this book takes you through ALL OF THE FEELINGS. I got misty eyed a few times towards the end, because how could you not?! The revelations and betrayals will make you hold your breath and push to finish as quickly as you can.

There’s a lot more I’d love to say, but in the effort to keep spoilers out, I shall not. JUST KNOW IT’S SO GOOD AND THIS SLOWBURN ROMANCE WILL BE THE END OF ME.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy
  • Language: very little
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: brief mentions of sexual assault and rape (recounted), loss of loved ones, avalanches, torture, whipping, kidnapping, battle scenes, grave injuries, major loss of life

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