K.J. Simmill's Blog, page 14
August 2, 2020
Book review: Trisha Grace – Always You (@TrishaGraceBks)
After a hectic two weeks Emily Bennett believes she can finally relax and have that first [image error]date she has been looking forward to with Alexander. With his parents’ murder behind bars that should be the end of the problems, but trouble runs deeper than anyone had imagined. A string of events already set into motion had the town reeling, biker gangs are terrorizing the strip mall, the properties belonging to Alexander and something needs to be done. But the warning comes too late. A terrible fire and a horrific tragedy leave the town on edge and once more draw Emily from the life she thought she craved in a search for the truth.
Always you is the second book in Trisha Grace’s Finding Home series and continues the story of Alex and Emily as they are drawn into yet another high stakes investigation. We are greeted again by vibrant and realistic characters and an escalating jealousy from Alex’s ex-girlfriend as the relationship between him and Emily begins to blossom. Veiled threats and dangerous characters are becoming all too common in Anchorville. I loved the atmosphere of this book, once again the plot flows seamlessly, uncovering more of the characters’ pasts and their concerns over the present and future. I enjoyed watching the relationship between Alex and Emily evolving and growing as both come to realise exactly what they want and begin to open themselves up to the full experience. Nothing is quite as it seems with the recent events, and the more Emily digs into the scene the more she is certain there was something more than meets the eye. That of course doesn’t alter the masked, almost hidden threat that the biker gang leader seems to have thrown their way. Murder, violence, danger and romance will take you on a thrilling ride of discovery as Emily’s dream of a peaceful life once more goes up in flames.
Book review: Trisha Grace – Home to You (@TrishaGraceBks)
Emily Bennett is a renowned journalist, but when a target is painted on her back she [image error]eventually has to recognise some things are not worth risking. Determined to have a simple life she moved to Anchorville, Oregon where she is committed to continue working as a murder mystery writer. Little did she know her dreams of a peaceful life are just that, dreams. When an intruder disturbs her peace he brings with him all manner of trouble. Problems she feels herself drawn into as much as she is drawn towards him.
Home to You by Trisha Grace is a beautifully written romance following the complications of moving to a small town and the difficulties of new relationships. Emily was ready for a peaceful life, but Alexander turning up on her doorstep, without his memory has triggered something. Now more than ever the questions she had about his mother’s death taunt her, after all she was an investigative journalist, and she knows exactly what to ask and what to look for. I enjoyed how the perfectly paced plot unfolded revealing aspects of both the main character’s lives and intertwines their present in an engaging and delightful way. The characters are vibrant and realistic with distinctive and relatable personalities. I loved the comradery and struggles faced as the hidden truth is slowly brought to the surface despite efforts to keep it buried. Anyone who loves a sweet clean romance with a healthy dose of mystery is bound to enjoy this book. Action, danger, investigations, mystery, growth, and romance all come together in this thrilling read that is about more than just attraction, it’s about justice.
July 29, 2020
Book review: Lauren Rowe – Smitten (@laurenrowebooks)
Alessandra was a music student, two years in with a killer voice and amazing talent. Her [image error]knowledge of music, her way of seeing and hearing things was second to none. The one thing she isn’t, however, is outgoing. When she comes face to face with one of her favourite bands, shy girl Alessandra freezes, especially when her own personal heartthrob, Matthew, known as Fish, takes interest indrawing her out of her shell. The attraction in instant, she is more than just star struck, but what would this big time rock star possibly see in her? He’s hot, famous, and a nice guy, he put aside a moment of his time to get to know her, but can he really hope for anything more?
Smitten by Lauren Rowe is an adorable romance written in the alternating first person perspectives of Matthew (Fish) and Alessandra. I have to admit I absolutely loved the flow of this book and the characters are vibrant, realistic, and enchanting. You can’t help but feel drawn into their story. I love books like this, they are truly feel good reads in which the characters not only grow, but help each other to discover themselves. Romance, humour, and charisma will hook the reader from the start as you are taken on a sweet whirlwind romance built to last.
Book review: Joseph Pinto’s – A Distilled Spirit (@JosephAPinto)
Joseph Pinto’s A Distilled Spirit: pained prose from a bar focuses on the author’s [image error]observations, musings, and discoveries from his everyday life put to pen to reach an audience who will want to engage, understand, and embrace the words within. There are many poems of altering lengths, styles, and musings which ensure there will be something to everyone. But don’t expect rainbows and happiness, these poems speak of pain, anger, and the darker sides of the human emotional scale.
Joseph Pinto’s A Distilled Spirit: pained prose from a bar is a collection of dark and brooding poetry that conjures images of pain, despair, hatred, and impatience, a lot of things that can be associated with late-night drinking. I am not normally one to read poetry but I picked this up on a friend’s recommendation and found the content certainly stirred something within me. These poems give insight into a delicate psyche as thoughts, conversations, and observations are brought to the forefront and twisted to the author’s own interpretations. Written in different styles with individual topics and focuses there will be something everyone can relate to, whether it is snap judgements made through observation, frustrations, or desperately seeking solitude amidst interruptions. There is a raw, unfiltered honesty to these poems that show the worst of people and harsh truths unleashed by human’s darker aspects and captured by a poison pen that encourages the reader to dare to look into their own soul with such brutal honesty. Definitely, a darker read filled with pain, torment, hatred, and anger, but there is a softer side too, something almost hopeful in places.
July 26, 2020
Book review: Sara J. Bernhardt – In Gray (@SaraJBernhardt1)
When Daisy was in an accident the colour drained from her life, but in its place, she had [image error]something else, prophetic dreams. It was the only time she saw colour, the problem was, these dreams are about people about to die, people she has to save. Just like someone had saved her from the accident. The thing is, she was the only one who remembered the handsome boy pulling her from the wreckage, and her very memory of him puts her in danger. She should have died that day and now someone is seeking to balance the scales.
Sara J. Bernhardt’ In Gray is a gripping paranormal romance complete with an engaging plot filled with danger, mystery, confusion, and the bonds of friendship and love. Witten in a first person perspective you are drawn straight into Daisy’s grayscale world. I enjoyed how the author used dialogue and character interactions to drive the plot forward in a fluid motion as we uncover, piece by piece, the danger and mystery surrounding Daisy’s life and the boy she remembers having saved her. A sweet romance and an enjoyable read.
Book review: Eva Alton – Stray Witch (@EvaAlton)
Stray Witch is book one in Eva Alton’s The Vampires of Emberbury series. Alba had [image error]suffered her husband’s abuse for years. He was a hotshot lawyer with a mean temper who threw the threat of divorce as easily as he threw his verbal insults and the occasional strike. But this time he was serious, he hid the valuables, blocked the bank accounts, and vowed to take the children from her. So when Clarence found her the job offer seemed like just the change she had needed. As a stray witch she could live with the vampires, helping them with day to day activities, the thing is, she’s not sure she believes in vampires and magic. One thing she does believe in is monsters, and not all of them have fangs.
In Eva Alton’s paranormal romance Stray Witch we meet Alba, struggling mum with issues of self-confidence drilled into her from years trapped in a loveless and toxic marriage. Written in the alternating first-person perspective of Alba and Clarence the reader is allowed a glimpse into their intertwined lives as two people, who shouldn’t have fallen in love, try to discover their feelings and themselves. I enjoyed watching Alba gain confidence, even though she is he own worst enemy at times. Both Alba and Clarence make strong characters enhanced by the supporting cast as they make difficult decisions and discoveries about themselves and each other. As for Mark’s character, the author did an amazing job of creating someone I really hated. I spent all of his scenes hoping something horrific would happen to him. Wow, what an ass. Self-discovery, romance, heartbreak, and challenges fill this sweet romance in which you can’t help but root for the main characters.
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July 25, 2020
Book review: Jay Veloso Batista – Thorfinn and the Witches Curse (@JayVBatista)
In Jay Veloso Batista’s, Thorfinn and the Witches Curse, it started long ago when a witch [image error]was slain, but for Finn, his troubles began when he visited the tower where she met her demise. He hadn’t even wanted to go if only he’d listened to his instincts and stayed away. He knew of the witch’s curse, knew the tale well from nights gathered sharing stories, but something drove him there that day, be it peer pressure or destiny. But after visiting Finn’s brother, Sorven becomes sick, and Finn swears he saw a figure, the witch, standing over him. With his brother cursed, growing weaker he has no choice to return to her home, to try to reverse what was done. Only there are consequences he couldn’t expect, complications he never imagined. A boy by day, a ghost by night he now has the problems of two realms on his shoulders. His uncle is in danger, his life on the line, somehow Finn must come to accept all he is and the danger that forever stalks him, because if he can’t if he fails, more than just his own life is on the line.
The first thing you will notice about Jay Veloso Batista’s, Thorfinn and the Witches Curse is the complete immersion in the world. Vibrant descriptions and masterful scene settings draw you into a time of ages past where you will truly feel as if you are stood in the hustle and bustle of the world, absorbing its every detail as it unfolds around you to provide a strong and realistic setting. The characters are distinctive, each possessing their own story arc which adds to the full feel of the world and the depth of people within and they are taken on a rollercoaster ride of excitement, fear, and intrigue. Action, danger, change, and adventure combine in a plot filled with myth, superstition, legend, and the supernatural. An entertaining read with great scene-setting and plot development.
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July 24, 2020
Book review: JB Michaels -The Horde (@jbmichaels11)
Our favourite fake-British accented Californian is back in a gripping new adventure in JB [image error]Michaels’ The Horde. Bud, Mauve, and Ivy may have bitten off more than they can chew. They thought things were improving after their showdown with the Vestal Virgin, that things would get better. They could not have been more wrong. They had been warned of the growing darkness, the possibility that someone was spearheading this movement. But they had never realised the extent of the issue, that everything they had been doing was simply treating the symptoms Now it is time to face the disease head-on, the organization responsible for unleashing the evil they had spent their life battling. But things are never easy, those responsible are protected. To get to the source, you sometimes have to cull the horde, or at least outrun them long enough to survive.
JB Michaels, The Horde is the book 6 in the Chronicles of the Order Series. I have to admit I have had the pleasure of reading some of the other books in this series and I can honestly say the books keep getting better, not only through the plot and character evolution but as the author hones their own skill. I loved Bud’s character from the moment he first appeared on the page, he is amusing, brilliant, and intelligent as well as being perfectly balanced and complemented by those he keeps company with. The characters are bursting with personality and flair. Careful scene-setting and plot advancement leads to a heightened sense of tension throughout the story’s unfolding while action, humour, drama, and danger drive the fast-paced plot forward, hooking the reader right from the start as wave after wave of danger is placed on our characters paths. Can they survive the horde, or is the world they know destined to fall to evil?
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July 22, 2020
Book review: Luna Kayne – Step Darkly: His Ward (@LunaKayne)
In Luna Kayne’s Step Darkly, Emilia had run away years ago to university, leaving her [image error]past, her pain, and her secrets behind her. Leaving Joshua Darkly behind her. He and his mother had been insufferable, his mother, her step-mother for a short time, had been trouble from the start, but Joshua’s hurt had been gradual. They weren’t even speaking by the time she left. She was happy with her life now, she worked hard to pay her way through university, and while her grades weren’t amazing, she wasn’t going to fail either. But then her life is turned upside down. The loss of her father was a devastating blow, but so too was discovering that in his will he’d left her to Joshua. That’s to say, if she wanted any of her father’s legacy, for one year she had to be his ward, learn from him as he had from her father. She had left to run away from her problems, but now she was right back where she started and her problems were still waiting for her.
Luna Kayne’s Step Darkly: His Ward is a page turning, slow burn, dark romance centred around Emelia Connor and Joshua Darkly written from alternating first-person perspectives. I enjoyed how Luna Kayne draws you into the characters’ lives through internal monologue and plot development while we learn about parts in each of their pasts which shaped their future, decisions, and relationships. Secrets, heartbreak, rebellion, domination, and submission drive the plot as Emelia is forced to not only learn her place, but learn about herself. Both characters have their own frustrations and conflicting emotions, and watching them come together to challenge each other made for a gripping read. The BDSM aspects are handled tastefully to create hot and steamy scenes of exploration and discovery, but this book is not just about sex and character growth, things are going on in the background that give the story and characters depth and a full and complete world. Just because Emelia was the boss’s daughter doesn’t mean she’s not in danger.
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July 18, 2020
Book review: L.A. Sky – Tomorrow
Olivia was tired of coming home to an empty house. She wanted love, a man who was [image error]loyal, responsible, and protects what he loves. But trust, trust was the key and had to run both ways. Her life was simple, work, friends, and home. But the night she went to Jamie’s party everything changed. Unnerved by a strange man, nauseous, giddy, she finds herself falling into the arms of her dream man. They met eight years ago and he’s never forgotten her, not for one second. He makes her feel special, seen, but something about him seems too good to be true. But maybe it’s not him she needs to worry about. A dark secrets haunts her past, and a jealous ex-boyfriend is intent on ruining the happiness she may have finally found.
Tomorrow is the first book in L.A. Sky’s Today series. The first thing to strike me about this book was the life breathed into the characters not only through narration but the distinctive dialogue that really helps you get a feel and attachment towards Oliva and her family and friends. The book is written in alternating first person perspectives switching between Olivia and David allowing the reader to experience the full story and understand exactly what is unfolding in a plot wrought with danger, romance, heartbreak, and love. The whirlwind romance is hot and steamy as David plays for keeps, sweeping her from her feet and never letting her go. A perfect combination of romance, suspense, and mystery, intertwined with real life drama and just the slightest hint of comedy.
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