Robin Goodfellow's Blog, page 2

Book Review for Morally Corrupt by Veronica Lancet

I received this book for free. This does not impact my review in any shape or form.

Morally Corrupt, by Veronica Lancet, is a dark, romantic thriller about learning to accept your partner for who they are, rather than who they pretend to be. Accomplished assassin Bianca Ashby is head-over-heels in love with an up-and-coming man of prominence, Theo Hastings. To snag his heart, she plays the role of a submissive and dutiful daughter, all the while hiding her sociopathic tendencies. Theo, on the other hand, becomes entranced by how beautiful Bianca is. He decides to take a chance and marries her, thus unwittingly exposing himself to a world she hoped she could keep hidden, and a life he never wanted to return to.

I had fun reading Bianca’s POV. Although her recklessness has done her more harm than good and has resulted in so many complicated situations that shouldn’t have happened, Bianca was endearing, strangely enough. She was a woman who willingly latched herself onto a man and did whatever she could to ensure he remained in her life. True, she had a little slip-up in the end, but she got back to it. She reminds me of this anime character from Future Diary, Yuno Gasai. They both have the same violent outbursts and similar cold-blooded natures, but both are willing to drop everything for the man they love. It would’ve been more interesting if Theo had reflected back the same obsession, but hey, they still got their happily-ever-after.

It begs the question of how much love controls ecstasy. Similar to coke or heroin, love can be a drug that can blind you to reality. Even though we’re shown that Theo and Bianca have their own substance issues, Bianca with meth and Theo with alcohol, that codependency played a role in destroying their lives, however dishonest those lives were. On the other hand, addiction itself can be isolating. So for Bianca and Theo to find themselves speaks to just how much they rely on one another. 

That being said, I would’ve liked to explore more of Theo’s feelings towards Bianca’s secrets. True, he was upset, but considering he’s also pretty morally grey, I would’ve liked to know more about why he acted all high-and-mighty, even though he, out of anyone else, would’ve understood. While the love part was fleshed out, the morality wasn’t. Moreover, the political conflicts between characters were also a bit muddled if not downright confusing; personally, I would’ve preferred if Lancet focused on Bianca and Theo, rather than the family ties behind it. 

Still, it was a satisfying read, and as such, I would give this book a 3 out of 5 stars. 

Murder at the College by P.H Turner

The Starlight bar’s back door was unlocked, and the old door creaked like a rusty garden gate. If Kat was already there, she knew someone had arrived. Quinn ran through the corridor and past Ben’s dark office toward a light burning over the mixologist workstation. Ben was dropping orange peels into a steaming pot of water and wearing earbuds. He was humming softly to himself.

“Ben,” she yelled as she raced up the steps to join him.

He turned around and jerked out the earbuds. “What’s going on?”

Suddenly, the lights went out, plunging the bar into the dark. The only light came from the gas flame flickering under the bubbling pot. “Call the police,” Quinn said.

“It’s okay. It’s the storm. I have a flashlight around here somewhere.” Ben bent over and pulled a light out from under the counter.

Quinn whirled around to stare into the back hall. She’d heard something, but it was black as pitch, and she couldn’t see.

Ben must have heard it, too. He aimed the powerful flashlight into the hallway. “Who’s there?”

The overhead light flickered once and came on, and the hairs on the back of Quinn’s neck rose.

A detective has a smooth-talking heartbreaker for a client, but there’s a problem.

Quinn has scorch marks from her last relationship and plenty of chemistry with Ben, but he could have killed his twin brother. He demands to work the case with her, claiming it’s his life on the line.

A partner is the last thing Quinn wants. What she wants is to prove him innocent. But she’s finding plenty of evidence he isn’t.

Buy the book today!

Also, the author is doing a giveaway! Click here for more info!

About the Author

P.H. Turner (Pat) writes contemporary mysteries spiked with long-held grudges, secrets, and murder. With roots in a Texas farm homesteaded in the 1850s, she calls Austin home. When she’s not writing, she’s cooking for family, or taking care of a pair of hairy mutts, or in her garden coaxing roses to bloom in the Texas heat.

Pat is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and Romance Writers of America.

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/P.H.-Turner/author/B00NZ8RW0K

Website: https://www.phturner.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/P.H.TurnerAuthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/pht97 Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/pathturner/

Book Review for Heart Throb by Danielle Bird

I received this book for free. This does not impact my review in any shape or form.

Heart Throb, by Danielle Bird, is a paranormal romance about dealing with the consequences of relapsing regardless of whether it was intentional. It has been a year since Simon and Ethan escaped the hunters. After Ethan gets sent to the hospital for anemia, Simon decides to try to curb his feeding, only to suffer from horrific hunger pain. While hunting, he runs into Seth, a more experienced vampire revered by his progeny, and sure enough, Simon slowly finds himself falling further into Seth’s control, consumed by the fear of his hunger. But what starts as a promising mentor takes a darker turn when Simon realizes Seth isn’t as nice as he seems, and that he is putting himself and Ethan’s lives in the hands of a monster.

Simon doesn’t know his triggers, and he barely has any healthy coping skills to get through his cravings. He reminds me of some clients I adored at a rehab. They have the best of intentions. They’re holding themselves accountable for all the wrongs they’ve done, they’re participating with counselors and group therapy sessions, and they’re structuring their lives to where they aren’t surrounded by triggers. In a perfect world, their plan would work and everything would be fine. 

But unfortunately, it’s not.

Unfortunately, Simon can’t go cold turkey because he needs blood to survive. And unfortunately, he’s treating his vampirism and his need to feed like another addiction. Seth being Seth takes advantage of that, and it isn’t until Helen takes Simon under her wing that he realizes there’s a right and wrong way to go about feeding. It’s a lifestyle that you have to navigate, sometimes by practicing harm reduction techniques, other times by playing it fast and loose, and even still, by seeing where your supports are and how you can compromise with them (in this case Ethan). I’ve said it before; addiction is an isolating disease, and though you might find a solution to it, chances are you’ve yet to address how the addiction even began. Simon even said it; “tequila, and moonshine and heroin. That’s what it’s like.”

Throughout all of this, I can’t help but empathize with Ethan. Helen’s lifestyle isn’t for him, and I’m going to be honest, it’s not for me either. I’m all for Simon treating his servitors as family, maybe even as emotional lovers/best friends at times. But I understand where Ethan’s coming from. He doesn’t want to share Simon with anyone; it’d be fine if he was feeding from Bay and Darrell and just hanging out once in a while, but to share that blissed-out intimacy is something else completely. Ethan becoming addicted to Simon’s venom was also something he didn’t ask for; what happened at the end was definitely something he didn’t ask for. Despite all they’ve been through together, I feel that Ethan is getting the short end of the stick. Then again, Simon lost himself to his vices in the past, and he’s now just discovering himself. Too bad for Ethan, he’s strapped along for the ride. He already knows who he is, but if Simon starts demanding more, he has to wrestle with himself to see if he’s okay with it. And if he isn’t, Ethan has every right to walk away. Simon doesn’t get to dictate that. 

I loved this mentally and emotionally draining book. I will look for the third and final story of this trilogy. For now, I would give this story a 5 out of 5 stars. 

Book Review for A Deal with the Shadow King by Anya J. Cosgrove

I received this book for free. This does not impact my review in any shape or form.

A Deal with the Shadow King, by Anya J. Cosgrove, is a fantasy romance about using love to bridge the gap between dark and light. To fulfill the deal her father made, Penelope “Nell” Darcy, Princess of Demeter will brave the world of the Shadow Court to save her kingdom. Possessing a curse that she masquerades as a blessing from the Goddess, Nell meets a mysterious man named One who, alongside his partners Two and Three, teaches her how to use her powers. After realizing the depths of her attraction, Nell begins to understand just how vulnerable the Shadow Courts are, alongside the dangers lurking behind every corner.

I loved how Damian had to use his love for Nell to glue pieces of his identity together. I was particularly intrigued by Four, who I could imagine would be easily obsessed with anyone he thought was his true love. I want to believe that this was the true Damian, and his dying Courts reflected that state. It gave me “Madwoman in the Attic” vibes, albeit more endearing and lovable. Despite his fractured state, he was willing to protect Nell and the other seedlings, nothing like Nell’s father, or even Isaac Longbottom.

Moreover, it’s ironic that despite these lands being named after goddesses, how much suppression women suffer under. Demeter, the earth herself, has to seemingly kneel under a king with an ego problem. It makes Nell’s growth more satisfying when this king realizes he can no longer control her like he did before. I imagine it’s the same for Cece, who’s just starting to grow into her own.

Although Cosgrove’s strengths lie in its fantastical world-building and lore, the relationship was a weakness for me. Half the time, I struggled to keep up with which identity Nell was interacting with. It also seems Nell favors one part of Damian than all of them, so the intimacy between the other two parts feels rushed. Altogether, it was a cool concept for a story, but it wasn’t as executed as well as it could be. Still, it was an enjoyable book, so for now, I would give it a 3 out of 5 stars.

Book Review for A Heart Full of Hope by Kay Seeley

I received this book for free. This does not impact my review in any shape or form.

A Heart Full of Hope by Kay Seeley is a historical romance about following your heart and understanding what it means to have long-lasting love rather than love based on infatuation alone. Charity Browne is a young, rambunctious woman who is strongly encouraged to find a match by her aunt and mother. She runs into a man named Jack Carter, and it’s love at first sight. She finds herself smitten, only to fall harder when she realizes the heart of gold behind his roguish charm. Things are further complicated when another suitor, the local doctor, Adam Radcliffe gently nudges Charity’s heart in other directions, a genuine gentleman who will do everything he can to ensure her happiness. 

I enjoy the dynamic between Charity, Adam, and Jack. It’s not as high stakes as some of the other romances I’ve read, and the characters can look beyond themselves and their love interests. I adored how much Jack bonded with Billy and Sara, and even though he clearly cares for Charity, he can let her go and give her the life she deserves, all the while pursuing his dreams. Personally, Charity’s free to choose who she wants to be with (she can be single if she wants to, though I doubt her mother would be happy about that), but I feel she could do more good with Adam than Jack. I talk about this from personal experience; to be in a helping profession, especially as a teacher or therapist, you need to know the resources in the community. And while Charity can definitely help Jack entertain the masses, her real passion lies in helping the people in front of her. I can definitely see her as a case worker of some kind in Adam’s practice, or a coordinator for the boy’s home to ensure that people who have experienced abuse have a haven to go to. 

Moreover, I enjoyed how Daisy stood up for Elise, despite all the shit that girl put her through. She reminded me of a girl who flew too close to the sun, impulsively acting on her heart’s desires without thinking of the consequences. Still, Daisy was able to mend some of the bridges Elise burnt. This reflects something worthwhile; like Charity, Daisy looked out for people who weren’t as privileged as her, especially women in the workplace. She gave them a place to belong and a financial way to fight back, albeit very subtle. It asks what she’d think of the feminist revolutions we’re experiencing now. 

Seeley values providing a voice to the oppressed. Charity and Daisy are reflections of England’s changing standards of living. The more improved those standards are, the more likely seeing someone vulnerable, like children or women, being impoverished, reflects a moral failing in the culture. It’s probably the reason these women got involved. While women were chained by gender norms, the women in Seeley’s story are much more empowered. Their voices actually matter. Maybe that’s why the book is called A Heart Full of Hope. Love plays an important part in these women’s lives, but they don’t allow love to dictate their lives and instead use it to power their actions and figure out what’s next. And honestly, it’s very wholesome. 

I absolutely loved this book. I can see readers fatigued by the dark romance trend take comfort in this lighthearted story. As such, I would give this book a 5 out of 5 stars. 

You can purchase the book here!

About the Author

Kay Seeley is a talented storyteller and bestselling author. Her short stories have been published in women’s magazines and short-listed in competitions. Her novels had been finalists in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. She lives in London and loves its history. Her stories are well researched, beautifully written with compelling characters where love triumphs over adversity.  Kay writes stories that will capture your heart and leave you wanting more. Often heart-wrenching but always satisfyingly uplifting, her books are perfect for fans of Anna Jacobs, Dilly Court and Josephine Cox. All her novels are available for Kindle, in paperback, audio and in Large Print.

Kay is a Member of The Alliance of Indie Authors and The Society of Women Writers and Journalists. 

Book Review for Get Out of Here by Tanith Davenport

I received this book for free. This does not impact my review in any shape or form. 

Get Out of Here, by Tanith Davenport, is a novella about a young woman escaping abuse and realizing that life can give happy endings. After her older sisters ran away with their boyfriends, Starla Brower is the only remaining sister left to deal with her horrible parents. She sneaks out in a desperate attempt to make a life for herself and stumbles into the arms of Valen Lesellane, a popular musician who whisks her away and pushes her into the spotlight. Through him, she reunites with her elder sisters, but Starla finds herself doubting Valen’s intentions. She must sort through truth and lies before she gets left behind again. 

Although brief, Starla’s story leaves quite an impact. I know a lot of people who struggle with having no contact with toxic parents, conflicted with whether or not their loved ones would change. True, Valen introduced Starla to different opportunities to help her make a name for herself, but I wholeheartedly believe that it was Electra who gave her the strength to stay away. This is just as much a story of empowerment as it is a romance. 

Along those lines, I thoroughly enjoyed Starla taking advantage of Valen’s financial and networking help. A lot of times, people who have just gotten out of a domestic violence situation are plagued with low self-esteem and are isolated from their support system. For Starla to cling to those supports, even though Mike tried forcing her back, is a resilience everyone wants to have. It’s also intriguing how much Mike parallels Starla’s parents; unlike Starla though, Valen wasn’t willing to stay silent, and he put Mike down before he could harm anyone else. 

The novella is an empowering, contemporary romance that promises people there is a light at the end of the tunnel. The names may be a bit awkward, but overall, I enjoyed Davenport’s story and would recommend it to anyone needing to pick me up. 

As such, I would give this book a 4 out of 5 stars. 

Give Away

At this time, Ms. Davenport is hosting a giveaway! Click here to enter for a chance to get the book for free!

Book Review for One Last Bite by Leah Cupps

I received this book for free. This does not impact my review in any shape or form.

One Last Bite, by Leah Cupps, is a psychological thriller about the dangers of confusing passion and ambition with success. The book is separated into three parts. Part I: Sadie introduces the aforementioned Sadie, an aspiring chef trying to escape her past. She gets accepted, albeit as a dishwasher, to Thistle, an up-and-coming restaurant muddled with financial issues. Part II: Namoi details the background behind Thistle and how Devon’s ego had gotten in the way of Norah’s health and sanity. Finally, Part III: Present unveils what Sadie and Namoi are to do with Devon’s ambition and how to free themselves from his mistakes. 

Sadie is not perfect. She’s got a past, living out of her car, and if push comes to shove, will take advantage of anything to get ahead. But she’s also resourceful, and she was able to get Namoi and herself out of a situation she didn’t ask to be in. You could say she did the same thing for Norah, even though she’s never met the woman. So many people want the protagonist to be this goody-two-shoes who ended up in a bad situation, and if they did some shady shit in the past, for them to have a redemption arc. But a lot of times, when someone’s about to screw you over, you can’t afford to “kill them with kindness.” No one’s the hero here, and that’s completely fine. I also like how much of an asshat Devon is. Cupps pulled out all the stops to try and make Devon as charismatic as she could, without the charisma. The man cannot handle the pressure. He wants to be the next Anthony Bello, but if he has to bully and abuse women to get where he is now, I’m not sure if he’ll ever make it. 

I want to point out how common Sadie’s situation is, especially for people recently released from prison. She doesn’t have much of a support system – aside from Sally – and I would even argue that she’s more fortunate than most; she’s got a car and a job, even if it’s not the most stable. There’s a reason why she tries to blackmail Naomi into getting her stuff on the menu; after all, when you have next to nothing, you’d do whatever it takes to feel safe. Devon was able to take advantage of her desperation, but I’ll admit, if I was in her shoes, I’d do the same thing.

I enjoyed this book. While I wish there were more tense moments between Devon and Sadie, and Naomi’s perspective was more fleshed out, I like the plot progression and how meaningful Sadie’s actions are. As such, I would give this book a 4 out of 5 stars. 

Book Review for Tarnished Pilgrim by Miranda Vilar Bailey

I received this book for free. This does not impact my review in any shape or form.

Tarnished Pilgrim, by Miranda Vilar Bailey, is a small poetry collection detailing the tragedies of being betrayed by your faith and the aftermath. Bailey delves into the frustration of losing devotion while trying to determine if she should once again be a part of the loyal and steadfast or what appears to be the enemy. Poems such as Anemone and Fractured Amour evoke tales of the Little Mermaid, despite freedom never being an option, while others, such as The Merry Fool and Rebel’s Hymn spur the poet’s inner conflicts about not needing a higher power. 

Whenever I read this collection, I think of someone straining to let go of someone they love. It can be romantic, as witnessed with Thoughts on a Sermonizer or Eve, but it can be familial, like in the case of a parent or friend. It breaks you, and though you try to reclaim yourself, you fall back on the broken pedestal you’ve built for someone who didn’t deserve it. This idea was illustrated in the titular poem, Tarnished Pilgrim, in that even though the poet tried to be of use, they just weren’t “good enough.” 

This turmoil is also described in Dysautonomia. It’s like Bailey’s waiting for her God to come down and forsake her. Then at the very least, she wouldn’t have to make a decision. Desperation floods her tone whenever she asks when she’d be free “of the tangled helix battering my brain?” On one hand, she knows how important that stability is, but on the other, she’s afraid of losing something important, one that she might not ever get back. Better the devil you know than the devil you don’t. And if you do stick with the one you know, as seen in Jilted, where is that God? Why aren’t they answering? Why does she have to go at this alone? 

Tarnished Pilgrim is about a crisis of faith. I’m not going to go into the details of how much of this we’ve seen in our society, whether it be people leaving the Church or religion altogether, or us losing respect for age-old traditions that have caused nothing but pain. It’s also reflected in mental health conditions, such as codependency (even though it’s not an official DSM-5 diagnosis), addictive behaviors, and more commonly, depression and anxiety. What can the spirits do to help humanity restore their faith? I don’t know. Then again, I don’t make a habit of pondering over existential crises and never-ending voids. 

So for right now, I would give this collection a 4.5 out of 5 stars. 

Book Review for The Workhouse Girl by Lynette Rees

I received this book for free. This does not impact my review in any shape or form.

The Workhouse Girl, by Lynette Rees, is a historical woman’s fiction about overcoming adversity, even if you have to dig a little to find the strength to prevail. Enid Hardcastle has had a hard life; with her family getting thrown on the streets and being sent to a workhouse, it’s all Enid can do to find a place for herself in a world that frowns on women. Despite her troubles, she finds comfort in the most unlikely people and takes steps to save herself and her loved ones. 

I like Enid’s self-reliance. She reminds me of me when I was younger, worrying over the family’s future finances to make sure everything was alright. While neither my family nor I were thrown out to the streets, when I was in grad school, I was definitely working to the bone to prepare for some financial disaster that would befall my either then boyfriend or my parents. (It still hasn’t happened, but you never know). I enjoy Enid’s refusal to back down from any challenge, and although her assault was something that should’ve never happened, she takes it in stride and keeps going. True, she could rely on so many people, from Connie to Mr. Clarkson and Mr. Darling, to even Cook and other servants. Everyone had gone out of their way to help her, which begs the question of how often other people like her have been assaulted and how many had caved under societal pressure to forget it. 

A sobering thing that Rees gets right is how people, both men and women, may react to an assault. I absolutely hated Mrs. Clarkson and how her son could do no wrong in her eyes, nor did I enjoy Arthur putting his daughter down, convinced that she was promiscuous, to begin with. Some good people will help those who have experienced sexual violence, such as the aforementioned in the previous paragraphs, but they’re few and far between. While people are getting better at being more empathetic and providing support to such individuals, it’s hard to get people to actually take survivors seriously, especially if the abuser is a loved one. Then again, this was the road Enid was initially going down before Mr. Clarkson stepped in, but I digress. 

Feel-good stories are always a little iffy to me. While I do appreciate a happy ending to a character’s extremely traumatic plot, it’s so easy to turn the story into more wish fulfillment. When it comes to The Workhouse Girl, it teeters on that line, but it also gives hope to the people who have gone through what Enid had experienced. So for right now, I would give this book a 4 out of 5 stars.

Book Review for The Mermaid Riot by Joy E. Held

I received this book for free. This does not impact my review in any shape or form. 

The Mermaid Riot, by Joy E. Held, is a historical fantasy about what happens when humans try to impose their will on the natural world, regardless of whether their conflicts are with other humans or creatures beyond their understanding. One night, Dr. Nathaniel Trask accidentally captures a mermaid. In the hopes of remediating his financial situation, Trask decides to study the mermaid and enlists the help of Tobias “Tobi” Doyle with his investment. Meanwhile, Tobi finds himself becoming enchanted with the creature as he tries to find ways to keep her alive and thriving for Trask’s observations. In the background is Serena Robinson, a local aristocrat suspicious of Tobi’s endeavors, though desperate all the same to reconnect with her old childhood friend. Once she realizes what Tobi and Trask are doing, she becomes frightened by the danger the mermaid is in and soon finds herself and Tobi trying to keep from being ensnared.

I absolutely loved the backdrop of post-Civil War South Carolina. It reminded me of Southern goth stories where people attempted to cling to their fortunes, anguished for what they once had. This was seen with the feud between Serena and Tobi’s families, and how much of an income gap there appears to be between the haves and the have-nots. The fact that Serena can think about going to college and having a life outside of Kingston shows just how far removed she is from financial disaster. It’s clear that she sees it, and she’s empathetic towards it. But it’s still a detail that definitely plays into the dynamics of Serena and Tobi’s relationship.

Speaking of which, I enjoyed how cute and awkward the main couple’s interactions were. Serena and Tobi obviously have feelings for each other, and it’s because of those feelings that Tobi hasn’t succumbed to Mari-Morgan’s charms. I also appreciated how Serena was able to understand what exactly Mari-Morgan was doing and use her wiles to get her home. Did it sever their connection completely? No, but both she and Mari-Morgan left the wonder in Tobi’s mind. As strange as this sounds, I don’t blame Mari-Morgan for her actions; if she were in any other story, she would’ve been our Little Mermaid happily finding her prince. But unfortunately, she fell into the hands of Trask, and even she recognizes how dire of a situation she was in. 

Something that stood out to me was how much a majority of the female characters knew as opposed to their male counterparts. The Root Seller Woman and Rosie knew the implications of having a mermaid on shore. They understood what must be done to help Serena and Tobi, no matter what hole they dug for themselves. Serena and Mari-Morgan knew more than what they were letting on, though Serena initially having close ties to the mermaids did not help things at all. It seems Held heavily leans on the idea that women have been closer to the (un)natural world than men and that, when trying to understand it, men allow their pride to get in the way, thus destroying whatever’s beautiful spiritually. Trask, Serena’s father, and even Professor Ludwig are detractors of the boundaries that humans and mermaids have. Hopefully, Tobias can change that; at least the ending seems to give us that. I agree with Serena as well when she consoles Tobi. After all, “just because some grownups chose to deceive us to boost their egos doesn’t mean you and I have to play their games.”

I enjoyed this book, and as such, would give it a 5 out of 5 stars.