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I got married this weekend. Will continue posting book reviews as usual, but now I have someone to bother with my dark romances.

Book Review for Drop Dead by Danielle Bird

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

Drop Dead, by Danielle Bird, is a paranormal romance that asks the difference between love and obedience. Ethan Jimenez is a hunter driven by revenge after a vampire killed his family when he was young. Although talented, he slips up and becomes a servitor for a newly turned vampire who has no clue what’s going on. Despite the confusion, Ethan must find a way to brave the situation without compromising his dignity or humanity. Simon is a newborn vampire who struggles to understand his place in the world. After accidentally turning a vampire hunter into his “minion”, Simon must come to grips with what it means to be human, even if it means confronting past mistakes.

I love that though Ethan and Simon care for one another, they aren’t defined by the romance. They don’t let it rule over their lives and instead try to find ways to better themselves and each other. I treasure how close Ethan and Bill are and how protective they are of one another. Ethan is constantly worried about Bill’s well-being, and even though a lot of his interactions with other hunters aren’t that favorable, he is still a valued member of their community. Despite hunters usually working by themselves, he isn’t isolated. It’s the same with Simon; I love how he took his relationship with Mason and turned it into a learning lesson. There’s clearly love there, but Simon knows it’s different with Ethan. He doesn’t make it into this convoluted love triangle, nor does he trip over himself trying to get back with Mason. He doesn’t guilt himself with his dying morality either. Even when he’s a vampire, you get a sense that he’s still going through life, still learning, still open to new opportunities. 

Moreover, I like how we get a progression of Simon’s and Ethan’s character development. I’m sure I’ve said this before, but I’ll say this again; addiction is an isolating disease. Simon had gone from being alone and sentenced to die to someone who has a loving partner and (hopefully) a wonderfully strict mother. True, there are romantic elements to their relationship, but for them to be together, they first had to get out of their own ways. Ethan’s internal struggle with Simon’s vampirism was definitely enjoyable to read, and Simon’s anxiety was adorable, however bad that sounds. 

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

Book Review for the Pursuit of Innocence by Bethany Rosa

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

Pursuit of Innocence, by Bethany Rosa, is a contemporary billionaire romance about how romance can bolster or destroy your self-awareness and self-confidence. Lily Thompson is a hardworking, ambitious young woman who wants nothing more than to leave her old marketing firm. When she gets an opportunity to work with one of America’s most prominent CEOs, Sebastian Dubree, Lily tries to reconcile the fact she has to deal with his unwarranted attention, even if he is attractive. Sebastian Dubree, meanwhile, is head over heels for Lily Thompson, no matter how much he denies it or how often his twin brother, Eli, calls him out. When she shows no interest in him, he is beyond confused and decides to make it his life’s work to get her to sleep with him. The two are soon engaged in a game of cat-and-mouse, unknowing of the danger that stalks Lily.

I personally loved the scenes between Lily and Sebastian. While their thoughts don’t correlate with their actions, the moments they have together are endearing, as messy as they may be. And honestly, with the way things were heading, I half-expected Jackson to join in on the fun. While I was disappointed that he didn’t (which makes sense, all things considered), I’m glad he and Lily are still friends. It would’ve been a weird turn if he had a humiliation kink, but I’d be completely fine with it. As I’m writing this, I’m shipping Sebastian and Jackson. 

But while I liked their interactions, Sebastian and Lily’s relationship was a little off for me. Maybe it’s because I haven’t drunken the #BookTok kool-aide yet, or maybe I’m just that much of a bore, but if a guy approaches me the way Sebastian approaches Lily, especially with the whole you-can’t-hang-around-other-guys tidbit, I would’ve blocked him. It’s the same thing with Jackson; he was a bit of a jackass for bringing up his feelings to her when she told him she was already with Sebastian. Moreover, I’m sick of these guys wanting Lily for her “innocence”, rather than her whole being; it’s like Disney’s Hunchback of Notre Dame, but worse. Kevin, Brad, Jackson, and even at times, Sebastian, thought they could get Lily to do what they wanted, not understanding that she’s her own person. She doesn’t need their approval to live her life, no matter how they might justify it.

This brings me to another thing; I was pleasantly surprised when Lily remained focused on her career. I love that she proved herself to Sebastian, her college, and her colleagues. I like the fact she takes pride in her own accomplishments and how conscious she is of her place in life; you can tell she doesn’t come from privilege, that even though you have all these people helping her, she is willing to work hard to get where she wants to be. I have to admire her for that.

I was thoroughly entertained. While the tone was a little off, and the character relationships were more than infuriating at times, I love the themes surrounding Lily. Rosa did not disappoint when she created a strong heroine. I would love to read more. As such, I would give this a rating of 4 out of 5 stars. 

Just to let you guys know, the author is doing a giveaway! Click here to enter!

You Are Mine by Vera Turner

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

You Are Mine, by Vera Turner, is a dark, romantic novella about the rewards of preserving an obsession, no matter how sick it may be. Matthew is stalking a young woman named Holly. He’s fallen in love with her and dreams of having a family with her, despite her not knowing him. Holly, on the other hand, finds herself at the hands of a gruesome man who manages to corner her into a game of cat-and-mouse. As she struggles to escape his grasp, she gets a sickening feeling that he tempts her more than she realizes. 

For all its twists and turns, You Are Mine is more straightforward than I anticipated. The obsession between Matthew and Holly was mutually there, and while the attraction was reminiscent of the marriage between Charles Manson and his followers, it was nonetheless entertaining. I enjoyed how honest Holly was with herself; it made things a lot easier in the end. That being said, I could’ve done without the urine. I also wish there were more survival horror and thriller elements embedded in the plot, but I was satisfied nonetheless. 

As such, I would give this book a 3.5 out of 5 stars. 

Book Shout Out

One summer. One dog. One chance encounter.

When Mary Devere encounters a young woman the same age as her dead daughter, Mary connects with her, only to discover that the young woman’s father is Antonio, Mary’s first love. Mary finds herself questioning the sacrifices she made to live the life she thought she should, and the difficult choice she made as a teenager that changed her life’s course.

Easy to read. Easy to love.

In a touching, emotional and moving account of a woman in midlife, Mary finds herself navigating her grief surrounding the loss of her only child, questioning her sacrifices to live a life she thought she should, and confronting the memories of the choice she made as a teenager that changed her life’s course, all while placing her back in the arms of Antonio.

From Readers’ Favorite 5-Star author C. H. Lazarovich comes the moving story of a woman’s awakening.

Learn more about the book here!

Purchase the book here!

About the Author

C. H. Lazarovich is the author of “Another Side of the Heart.” The debut novel is sparking excitement with early readers: The story “is so much about marriage, motherhood, abortion, resurrecting an old love, decisions a woman makes about childbearing, youth choices … ” and “The novel owes more to literary fiction with its beautifully nuanced and multi-layered narrative … ” Lazarovich, who lives in southern New Jersey, has been a freelance journalist under her real name Catherine Laughlin for magazines and newspapers, and teaches writing at Temple University Klein College of Media and Communication. Lazarovich has said that she gravitates to stories that chronicle the experiences of midlife women, and that there’s a complexity to the lives of older women that’s often underplayed in the arts. She hopes “Another Side of the Heart” fulfills some of that void.

Cover Reveal for Exiles

Exiles by L.J. Ambrosio

In this final chapter, Ron’s story concludes from Reflections on the Boulevard (2023). Michael’s wish was for Ron to exile himself in the heart of Paris with its beautiful culture and citizens as they protest and fight for the soul of the city. Ron’s journey is met with life-affirming friendships and lessons along the way. The final book in the Reflections of Michael Trilogy, which started with A Reservoir Man (2022).

About the Author

Louis J. Ambrosio ran one of the most nurturing bi-coastal talent agencies in Los Angeles and New York. He started his career as a theatrical producer, running two major regional theaters for eight seasons. Ambrosio taught at 7 Universities. Ambrosio also distinguished himself as an award-winning film producer and novelist over the course of his impressive career.

You can find him at:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ljambrosioauthor/Twitter: https://twitter.com/authorlambrosioFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/louis.ambrosioTumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/ljambrosioBlog: https://ljambrosio.blogspot.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCI2XkCETDOj_VUtCFcB74ig

Giveaway

The author will award a $20 Amazon/BN GC, an autographed copy of the book, or a dragonfly necklace to three randomly drawn winners. Click the link below for more details!

“http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f4866

Book Review for The Heart of Chenoa by Crede Noir

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

The Heart of Chenoa, by Crede Noir, is a dramatic coming-of-age novel about four teenagers fighting for themselves and each other, no matter what comes their way. Indigo had just recently run away from her abusive boyfriend. She decides to go to the small town of Chenoa, where she enrolls in high school to finish her high school degree. From there, she meets Brooke, Gerald, and Jayceon, high school outcasts who understand Indigo more than she realizes. 

The book has a lot of potential. Indigo, in particular, was precious, and I appreciated the support system she found the moment she walked away from Troy. The romantic sub-plots appeared enticing, and the entire town was reminiscent of a gothic, inspirational YA novel, beckoning Indigo with secrets teeming in comforting shadows. You can tell the author endeavored to flesh out each of his characters, and even though it might’ve taken attention away from Indigo and her friends, his actions made the story more interesting. 

Which is why I’m so disappointed. Oftentimes, Crede was telling me things that had happened rather than showing me. I felt like I was reading an exposition of the characters rather than seeing what they’re seeing or feeling any of their emotions. Some plot points didn’t belong (Brooke and her sudden attraction to Paige being one of them). Most of the conflicts were forced, and while I love a good supernatural mystery, the genre didn’t blend well with the touching story Crede was trying to tell through Indigo and Jerald. What could’ve been a wonderfully thrilling story about overcoming obstacles became a convoluted, paranormal mess with more loose ends than needed.

Additionally, I couldn’t help but notice several issues with pacing, POV whiplashes, and different formats that make me think this is a rough draft rather than a final copy.

So for now, I’m giving this book a 2 out of 5 stars. 

Book Review for Wolf Blood by Maggie Anderson

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

Wolf Blood, by Maggie Anderson, is a paranormal romance about falling in love despite a terrifyingly broken family legacy looming near. Dr. Paige O’Connell moves back to her childhood town of Moon Grove after learning of the death of her uncle, Jake. She inherits his property and attempts to establish a private practice at Moon Grove, only to find danger at every corner and monsters hiding in the dark. Eli Blackwood is the sheriff of Moon Grove and the Alpha of his own pack. After reuniting with his childhood friend Paige, he becomes acutely aware of the target she has on her back and the feelings he has for her bubbling to the surface.

I like Paige. There are definitely times when she’s stubborn as hell and more than a few instances when she and Eli clash, but that’s what makes her unique. I also like that she’s a psychologist trying to make her place in Moon Grove and miserably failing; she may be educated, but that doesn’t mean she knows anything about the population she wants to help. Paige’s haughty attitude has landed her in a plethora of messy situations, werewolves not included. I enjoyed the realism that Paige and Eli bring to the relationship; even though they’re attracted to each other, they table it for more pressing matters, whether it be protecting friends or family, or worrying about reputation. 

The political backdrop was also a treat to read. Eli and Paige have a role to play, one that doesn’t necessarily give them the happily-ever-after they’re probably looking for. I had a little too much fun with Redmon and Elijah’s, as well as the general chaos that Craig was implied to cause. I wish that those plotlines were more fleshed out, but it’s always good to leave the reader guessing. Myself included, unfortunately. 

That said, I wished Eli was more aware of what’s going on in the town. As the Alpha, it’s his job to keep people safe, regardless if they’re wolves. Additionally, wolf packs are just extended families, and while it was nice for Eli to be able to rely on his extensive network, he should, at the very least, be aware of the enemies he may have and whether those enemies will go after Paige. Additionally, when it comes to the gore, I would’ve preferred reading those scenes too. What would have happened to Paige had Eli not saved her? It brings an additional horror element to the already gothic components of the book that I think would’ve enhanced Paige and Eli’s relationship. 

So for now, I would give this book a 3.5 out of 5 stars. 

Book Review for A Sibling’s Dilemma by Molly V. Lovell

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

A Sibling’s Dilemma, by Molly V. Lovell, is a contemporary romance about two sisters trying to preserve their relationship, all the while tempted by love and money. After locating billionaire CEO Edric Kensington’s kid brother Owen, who was hung over from a college party, Cassandra “Cassie” Kent is propositioned by another CEO named Charlie Logan, who asks for her to bring back evidence that Edric’s company allegedly plagiarized Charlie Logan’s products for $5 million. Not wanting to pass up the opportunity, Cassie pressures her little sister, Eleonore “Ellie” Kent, to become Edric’s assistant as a way to get inside info. Things are further complicated when Ellie falls in love with Edric and Cassie with Charlie.

I enjoyed the relationship between Edric and Ellie. They’re very genuine with one another, even though Ellie has had to put up with so much. Despite her being clearly very loved, she’s a doormat. Personally, I see a lot of myself in Ellie back then, especially with my lack of confidence, people pleasing, and my desire to save people (even if everything’s fine). That being said, I don’t think I would’ve put up with Edric’s behavior. Ellie has trouble advocating for herself, and Cassie’s always been in her corner, so it’s natural for her to defend her sister. 

Which is why what she does in the book irritates me. Tremendously. She could’ve continued her private investigator business with a tight nest egg. She didn’t have to pressure her sister to take a job she didn’t want, nor did she have to steal blueprints all in the name of “love.” But she did. True, she and Ellie have been through some tough times, but her behavior, like Edric’s, would be enough for me to consider going low to no contact. I’m glad she comes to her senses towards the end, but she had me tearing my hair out.

Then again, it’s not surprising; when you dangle money in front of someone who’s struggled all their life financially, it’s easy to reel them in. The promise of love made the deal sweeter, I’m sure. But for all the bragging Cassie does, she’s certainly quick to lower her standards. 

So for all its dark potential, I was disappointed that Cassie and Charlie’s relationship wasn’t fleshed out more. Even though they were already set up as foils, adding more detail to Cassie and Charlie’s interactions would’ve better foreshadowed Cassie’s internal conflict. The build-up would’ve made the last scene in the book more satisfying. 

That being said, I enjoyed the story and would give the book a 3 out of 5 stars. 

Book Review for Lessons in Evisceration, edited by Ryan Marie Ketterer

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

Welcome to Your Body: Lessons in Evisceration is a short story collection that explores the gruesome ways our body parts fuel our paranoia. The collection is separated into 4 sections. The Head details all the horrifically delightful ways we can destroy our minds physically or mentally. The Limbs delve into the importance of our arms and legs, especially legs. The Middle denotes the organs in the abdomen and the correlation between the abdomen and the horrors of motherhood, and The Rest showcases other terrors the body has to offer. 

When I was in medical school, we had an anatomy lab where we would dissect dead bodies. When my classmates and I got there, we were greeted with the sight of corpses stacked on top of examination tables. Some were old, others young, some men, others women; all were preserved for our learning convenience. They reeked of iodine. Their eyes were closed, and their limbs were limp. The professor handed us a scalpel and told us to start cutting. He also gave us a chart to identify different organs we’d carefully cut (tear) into. After that, I swore off meat for about a week.

This collection reminds me of that. Whether it be because I had to cut into someone’s brain or because I’m a counselor, my favorite section was The Head. I loved the image of squirming maggots tunneling their way into a woman’s brain, however strange that sounds, or someone having to kill other people just because they’re overstimulated. And of course, this morbid fascination with psychology also includes The Limbs, where you hallucinate parasites munching on your leg, or the leg of your dead daughter actually being your daughter. 

But what got my attention was a story in The Middle called Wandering But Not Lost. The short story was about a man, Dr. John Wurth, who wants everything on his timeline. It doesn’t matter if his wife was uncomfortable with the idea of children right now or that he had debts to pay; he’d rather put her through undue misery than expose his ego to any more “abuse.” So when he takes matters into his own hands, he’s horrified. The consequences of my own actions? Did not see that coming. 

I thoroughly enjoyed this collection. I would show any potential colleague this book and ask them to identify any symptoms of psychosis, which organs correspond with which place, and what they would do if their uterus suddenly went missing. As such, I would give this book a 5 out of 5 stars.