The Unchosen by Laura Huie

Fia has been rebuilding a life for herself after being found wandering around with amnesia. For the past two years, she has not found anyone looking for her, nor has she regained any memories as to who she is or where she came from. All she can remember is her name. That changes when she encounters a man from an alternate realm he calls Thedra. He has been searching for her over there since she first went missing.

From him, she learns that she is a wielder of light magic, and the leader of a city. But she still has no memory of it, nor can she remember how to use her magic or how she came to be living in a city in the non-magical realm of Earth. Between this mystery and those who either want her to return and lead her people again or who want her gone for good, Fia has a lot to uncover and remember if she wants to keep both herself and both realms safe.

This was an interesting fantasy novel that takes place in both our world (where there are no magic wielders) and in a magical one where powers are gifted by the Fates. I read a review copy of this book and found it to be an interesting start to a new series. While the idea of someone who can travel between worlds but who has lost the knowledge of how to do so is fascinating, as this is the first book in the series, we don’t yet get to learn the how and why of Fia’s memory loss and relocation. Yes, there are hints, but we will likely only learn more by reading  the next book in the series.

Overall, I enjoyed reading this book. It was a unique idea with interesting characters. I am interested in seeing where the author takes this story next. Between needing to learn how to use her magical abilities again, figuring out what happened to her to cause her to wind up on Earth rather than in Thedra, and discovering that some want her back while others would prefer her dead, there is a great deal for this Fia and those around her to find out before she can choose a path forward, either in Thedra or on Earth.

I think that anyone who enjoys fantasy novels with a touch of both our non-magical world and a magical world's lifestyles, will enjoy reading this book. I’m looking forward to learning more about Fia and the other characters in this story in book two of this series.

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Red by Izzy Barry

Red has hidden both herself and a secret that could get her killed since she was young. Now, the last family and confidant she had is gone and she can no longer hide from the pack. Per her brother’s last wish, Red is now under the protection of the Alpha and has relocated to his home. She must now juggle keeping her secret safe, learn how pack politics work, grieve for her brother, and—worst of all—fight off the physical attraction she has toward the man in charge.

Hello everyone,

My name is Jem and I was lucky to read this book before the official release. I loved it!

This is not just a romance book. There is romance and of course two stubborn people who don’t know how to express their feelings to themselves or others. There is, of course, sexual tension, confusion, and lots of jealousy on both sides.

There is also a theme of grief and learning to let people in after tragedy. Red proves she is not useless to herself and the pack she comes to love through heroic, and sometimes reckless, acts to protect them all from the same fate as her brother.  

As this author’s first book, this had me hooked as it likely will any paranormal romance fan. Readers will not want to put this book down. I cannot wait to see what other stories she has for his pack and in this universe.

Full stars and worth the sleep loss!!!

Amazon requires me to state that I have an Amazon Associates account that I use to generate the links to the books on their website. Purchasing something after following those links will earn a few pennies for me off the sale, though as of yet I have not earned anything from my Amazon Associate links.

The Sunset Sovereign: A Dragon’s Memoirby Laura Huie

For a thousand years, the Dragon Vakandi has watched over and protected the people of Vakefored, watching them grow from a nomadic tribe to a large city. That entire time he has sought to protect them, though he has made some mistakes along the way. When the day arrives that an assassin sneaks her way into his cave seeking to kill him in order to free her people from his tyranny, he knows that his time is at an end. He makes a bargain with the would-be assassin to leave forever if she will listen to his side of the story before he goes elsewhere to die.

I read a review copy of this book and enjoyed it. Though, I will admit that I was doubtful in the beginning, as for a short time it seemed to sound as if this was someone simply writing what had happened in their home RPG campaign. (It was the mention of needing a critical hit that had me concerned, though I was pleased to see that after the opening, it felt less like a blow-by-blow RPG event and much more like a story I wanted to read.)

I enjoyed watching the would-be assassin start off determined to kill the dragon in order to free her people, to growing interested in his story, though still determined to see him either killed or gone from the area, to realizing that the story she had grown up hearing during her lifetime, was only from the perspective of those who felt oppressed by Vakandi’s presence. They often weren’t aware of the ways he had continued to help and to protect them over his long lifetime. And by the end of his story, many of her opinions had changed. I always enjoy reading books where you can see and feel the characters grow during the story. If there is no change or growth in some way, to me that story feels stale or boring. This book was not one of those. And because of that, I did enjoy reading it.

It is interesting seeing how looking at something from another perspective can often change how that event is perceived. And thus, it is never a bad thing to pause to listen to what someone else has to say. It might change how a person feels about something, so long as they are truly willing to listen and absorb what the other is saying.

This was the first book in a trilogy, and I am curious as to what will happen in book two. I can imagine multiple possibilities as to what the focus of book two might be, and I am curious as to what direction the author will decide to take this series next.

Amazon requires me to state that I have an Amazon Associates account that I use to generate the links to the books on their website. Purchasing something after following those links will earn a few pennies for me off the sale, though as of yet I have not earned anything from my Amazon Associate links.

Kingdom of Faewood Written by Krista Street Narrated by Kasi Hallowell

Ellowen is a fae with a unique power, she can travel through the veil and ask the shadowy creatures that live there to locate others that cannot seem to be found, or for other knowledge and information that the seeker does not have any other way to discover. These beings can let her know if those sought are alive or dead. And if she is powerful enough, with full control over her abilities she might even be able to control these creatures. It is a dangerous power, one that has caused her to be bound to a guardian until she reaches adulthood. This guardian has control of the collar which controls her ability to use her birthright powers. The promise being that once she has achieved a certain age, the supernatural courts will determine if she remains a danger to others. If not, she will then be freed, returning full control over the use of her abilities to her.

But after being kidnapped by a dangerous criminal known as the Dark Raider, Ellowen learns a number of truths that her guardian had neglected to tell her. The Dark Raider promises that if she will perform a calling for him, that he will find a way to help her gain true freedom from her guardian. It seems a simple enough task, and a reasonable trade, But there is much that neither of them know, and they have a long way to travel.

I listened to the audiobook version of this story and enjoyed it. I often listen to audiobooks when working in my garden or exercising. This one was listed in the description as a spicy romance story, and though there were a few spots that could be considered mildly spicy, compared to other stories I have reviewed, the spiciness was what I would consider rather mild. I did enjoy the story, though. And have even begun listening to book two in this series, (and so far I am  enjoying that one as well). The narration in this audiobook was well done. The different character voices were distinct and it was easy to determine which character was speaking at any given time in the story.

I enjoyed the plot of this tale. Ellowen is not a shrinking violet, even when she has been kidnapped. I enjoyed the range of emotions that she and the others around her experienced. We get to see her grow as she learns more about not only her own life and powers, as well as the truth that has been deliberately kept from her over the years.

I think that anyone who enjoys books about various types of fae, magic, unique abilities, mysterious secrets, and fantasy novels in general would likely enjoy this book, whether you are listening to the audiobook version (as I did) or are reading the novel itself.

Amazon requires me to state that I have an Amazon Associates account that I use to generate the links to the books on their website. Purchasing something after following those links will earn a few pennies for me off the sale, though as of yet I have not earned anything from my Amazon Associate links.

Symphony for Walpurgis: A Collection by Remi Ungar

This book was a collection of horror themed stories, some longer than others, but all entertaining. Each one was unique. And while not all were designed to be extremely scary, there was at least a mildly frightening aspect to the ones that were not meant to terrify readers. I enjoyed reading each of these tales, enjoying the uniqueness of each story. Personally, I think I enjoyed the ones that were both frightening and sweet the most, though I think my favorite in this collection was one that felt more like a slow build to the outcome. The scariest parts of it did not come until the end.

I read a review copy of this book and very much enjoyed it. As mentioned above, not all of the stories were meant to be terrifying, and I enjoyed that change to what many have come to expect a horror story to be. Just because the ending of a horror tale might be a happy one, it doesn’t need to mean that a “bad guy” was killed in order for the victims to escape. And seeing that possibility portrayed in at least one of these tales was a very nice change of pace. Yes, it had frightening aspects to the story, but that made the ending all the more unexpected and a delightful change of pace.

I also enjoyed the author’s addition at the end of the book explaining where he came up with the ideas for each of his stories. For me, learning about where he got his ideas from, and learning that many of them came from actual places, events, or things that he had seen in various parts of the country was eye opening. For example, I didn’t know that there were homes in one state that often had jail cells in the basement of the house. And that definitely lends itself to story ideas for a number of genres. I do need to mention, however, that there were some adult themes in a few of these stories. (Suicide, being one of the topics that might be triggering for some readers, though that was a necessary part of that story.)

I think that anyone who enjoys horror stories, both the ones that are terrifying and ones that aren’t as scary, would enjoy this book. And if the author ever decides to develop any of the stories from this collection into a full novel, I would greatly enjoy reading it. As I said above, I enjoyed reading these tales, and I believe that others would as well. Recommended.

Amazon requires me to state that I have an Amazon Associates account that I use to generate the links to the books on their website. Purchasing something after following those links will earn a few pennies for me off the sale, though as of yet I have not earned anything from my Amazon Associate links.

The Cat Caper by Molly Fitz

Octo-Cat has gone missing at the same time that Angie receives a notice in the mail notifying her that the will giving him a rather large trust fund is being disputed. Unless Octo-Cat appears before the judge, it will be assumed that he agrees to arbitration moving forward. And if it does, he may lose the trust fund that allows for him to be kept in the manner to which he has been accustomed. Without that trust fund, Angie, her mom, and Octo-Cat will not be able to afford to remain in his home. Fortunately, Angie is now able to understand other animals as well as Octo-Cat, and with the help of a squirrel and a raccoon, the search is on to rescue him from whoever catnapped him.

I enjoyed reading this story, even though Octo-Cat did not appear until fairly close to the end of this story. I was highly amused by the peanut butter obsessed squirrel, and the raccoon who was Octo-cat’s biggest fan. I am looking forward to seeing how these new characters will assist in Angie and Octo-Cat’s future endeavors as private investigators. The expected human cast of characters from the previous books were also an integral part of this story, and seeing how their own lives intertwined with both Angie and Octo-Cat was always entertaining. Life going forward for all of these characters, and Angie’s mom’s newly adopted (at the end of the book) pet, promises to bring more fun and chaos into all of their lives.

This was a very fun cozy mystery that was a quick read. I have enjoyed other books from Ms. Fitz, and expect to continue enjoying reading other books in both this series and her others as well. I believe that anyone who enjoys reading cozy mysteries, enjoys stories where animals are among the main characters,  or who has enjoyed any of Ms. Fitz’ other books would also enjoy reading this one.

Amazon requires me to state that I have an Amazon Associates account that I use to generate the links to the books on their website. Purchasing something after following those links will earn a few pennies for me off the sale, though as of yet I have not earned anything from my Amazon Associate links.

Her Amish Farm by Samantha Price

Cherish is finally able to once again visit the farm that her Aunt Dagmar had left to her. She dreams of the day that she will be able to live there full time, but until she comes of age, the farm is being cared for by a hired farm manager. Cherish, and the two adults, who visit the farm with her have a wonderful time at the farm, and the visit helps to relieve some of the stress and worry that Cherish has been feeling lately. There is nothing she can do about the situation with the reporter Daniel, or the possibility of either him or Krystal publishing tales that would embarrass her family. The brief time away from her daily worries was exactly what she needed. While she is gone, there is still a fair amount of drama happening at the Baker / Bruner home and apple orchard, but the ime away helps Cherish to find a new perspective and to look at things in a new light.

This was book number 18 in the Bonnet sisters series, and as with the previous books, this one does contain a fair amount of family drama. It also shows how the family comes together to help protect and help each other as well as others in their community. I enjoy it, just as I have the previous book in the series. While there are serious and worrisome moments in the book, it is essentially a relaxing and quick read that will take your mind off of any of your own daily troubles or worries. This is a series that I have enjoyed reading from the start, and it is one that I often return to when I am looking for a quick book to read, one that won’t require a lot of concentration to get through. I find this series a nice relaxing break from many of life’s big worries.

I believe that anyone who is looking for a quick, easy read, has enjoyed any of Ms. Price’s other books or series, or who enjoys reading Amish Romance novels, even the ones that do not focus on a new or existing romance, but instead seem to be a bit more about the daily lives of a family would enjoy reading this book. I know I did.

Amazon requires me to state that I have an Amazon Associates account that I use to generate the links to the books on their website. Purchasing something after following those links will earn a few pennies for me off the sale, though as of yet I have not earned anything from my Amazon Associate links.