Shannon O'Connor's Blog, page 2

Nows

Nows by K. Leigh

5/5 Stars

This collection of poetry perfectly embodied motherhood. The want to see your child, how much you love them, and how bittersweet it is to see them grow up.

“This is the youngest you’ll ever be.”

Home For Christmas

5/5 Stars

It’s no secret I love Charity Ferrell’s books, so when she popped this one into her reader group I had to devour it. I’m a sucker for a Hallmark holiday romance and this one delivered. Mariah and Miles are a couple torn apart by family, only to get a chance to reunite several years later. I loved the pacing, for a short story it kept me invested and didn’t make me feel like I missed anything. This is a freebie you should definitely pick up.

December 2021 Wrap-Up

5/5 Stars

This is probably one of the spiciest books I’ve ever read. I’m not typically one for a book of smut but this cover is so incredibly gorgeous my interest was piqued. It’s almost like a smutty rom-com, is that a thing? It starts of sweet and romance novel like, and then bam! lots and lots of sex. Don’t let the cover fool you, I’ll be the first to admit this was some spicy, steamy, sex. But there were also tender moments. I was rooting for the characters and it kept me interested until the end. It’s also a really short read, I’m looking forward to the Valentine’s day edition.

1/5 Stars

I was not taken away by this collection. None of them stood out or were thought provoking. I was kind of bored tbh.

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4/5 Stars

Christmas Wish by Brigitte Ann Thomas

This story was cute and quick! A mistletoe kiss possibly starting a new queer romance.

5/5 Stars

This collection of poetry perfectly embodied motherhood. The want to see your child, how much you love them, and how bittersweet it is to see them grow up.

“This is the youngest you’ll ever be.”

4/5 Stars

a lil re-read before diving into Sam’s story, just wanted to refresh of who’s who. Rodriguez published this in the Evil Queen Anthology. It does give a premise to the type of person Sam’s wife is and that not everyone is innocent.

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

5/5 Stars

It’s no secret I love Charity Ferrell’s books, so when she popped this one into her reader group I had to devour it. I’m a sucker for a Hallmark holiday romance and this one delivered. Mariah and Miles are a couple torn apart by family, only to get a chance to reunite several years later. I loved the pacing, for a short story it kept me invested and didn’t make me feel like I missed anything. This is a freebie you should definitely pick up.

/5 Stars

Top 21 of 2021

21 books that I loved reading in 2021. Some were published in 2021, and some I finally got to reading in 2021. These books still sit with me and their stories or lines of poetry left an impact on me. I read over 130 books this year but these were the top 21 I recommend everyone read in 2022 if they haven’t already.

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Dipped in Holly

5/5 Stars

This is probably one of the spiciest books I’ve ever read. I’m not typically one for a book of smut but this cover is so incredibly gorgeous my interest was piqued. It’s almost like a smutty rom-com, is that a thing? It starts of sweet and romance novel like, and then bam! lots and lots of sex. Don’t let the cover fool you, I’ll be the first to admit this was some spicy, steamy, sex. But there were also tender moments. I was rooting for the characters and it kept me interested until the end. It’s also a really short read, I’m looking forward to the Valentine’s day edition.

November 2021 Wrap-Up

This month was a LOT of Arcs! I was a bit behind since last month I only read two books, this month acted as a catch up. Some were highly anticipated on my end, some entirely new authors to me.

4/5 Stars

***I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***

4/5 Stars

***I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review***

Sweet Blasphemy by Sara Cate (Featured in Twisted Christmas)

This was an incredibly spicy and festive short story! I've never been one for the father/nun romance but this one blew it out of the park. Cate's writing it amazing as always and this story was great.

5/5 Stars

I don’t typically review children’s books (I have a 1 year old and we read a LOT of books) but this was written by an indie author and I think it deserves more attention. I love this book! Such a cute and awesome way to introduce therapy to kids. It's explained as a completely normal thing which it should be!

5/5 Stars

I grabbed this for free from BB Easton’s Newsletter. I’ll eventually read all the stories but I started with hers.

May: Operation Mile High Club by B.B. Easton
I freaking loved this story😂 the same vibes as 44 chapters about 4 men, so if you loved that grab this for even more laughs

3/5 Stars

***I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review***

This collection just wasn’t for me. It had some strong lines that I highlighted and a few poems that I bookmarked. Such as, “7:14am, It feels like every love letter, & I slept with your sweatshirt on…”. It’s quite possible this collection just wasn’t a perfect fit for me and it might be for others.

2/5 Stars

***I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***

I had heard great things about her previous books so I was excited to get approved for this one, but my excitement ended there. I’m just really not a fan of an entire book of blackout poetry. Some of them were okay. I’m also not a huge fan of political poetry so all in all this book just wasn’t for me. One or two blackout or political poems could have been okay, but the collection reads as a social studies textbook someone let a teenager color.

5/5 Stars

***I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review***

Evil Queen Anthology

Each short story is featured in the Evil Queen: A Charity Anthology

5/5 Stars

I loved this! Such a great taste of what’s to come. I loved seeing Isaac and Zoe from According to Plan, and getting a sneak peek of Birdie! I was already impatiently waiting for Dee’s next novel but now I’m even more excited!

5/5 Stars

I LOVED this story! Darce is SUCH a badass! An MMA fighter main character that literally packs a punch. I would love to see this extended and see her romance with Trayne grow.

4/5 Stars

I liked this story a lot. The chemistry was there and the writing was amazing, it honestly reminded me of a Tarryn Fisher novel. The female MC was hard to root for, troubled in her own ways. I look forward to checking out the series this short story is written about. 

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5/5 Stars

This makes me even more impatient for Avery's book! I love the men of bird's eye world and I loved this short story. Blythe and Monroe deserve their own series, I love love love them.

4/5 Stars

I was a little confused as to where this was going. I felt torn about rooting for the couple, I loved the writing but it felt almost unfinished. Like I definitely need to get a full length of this to see this play out.

5/5 Stars

Breaking Mercy by J.R.Rogue

First off, we LOVE a bisexual queen. Positive bi rep is always amazing. This story has just the right amount of everything. I can’t WAIT for this to be full length!! & maybe another book with Chevy as the MC??

5/5 Stars

I CANT WAIT for this to be full length. Isla is such a badass with honest sass and is such a mood. I can’t wait to find out what happens next!

to be loved to the bone

to be loved to the bone by Beverly Maier

/5 Stars

White Ibis

White Ibis by Wendy Dalrymple

5/5 Stars

***I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review***

Honestly this story fucked me up. I read it last night and I’m still thinking about that ending. A great quick read to add to your spooky tbr. If you’re looking for something spooky and short grab this.

October 2021 Wrap-Up

This was an unusually low wrap-up month for me. I’m in the process of having my wisdom teeth removed so I’ve been in too much pain to do too much of anything. Hopefully next month there will be more to wrap-up!- Shannon

4/5 Stars

Somehow this story was cute and steamy at the same time. A great taste if you want to try Mitchell’s writing and check out her new series.

5/5 Stars

***I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review***

Honestly this story fucked me up. I read it last night and I’m still thinking about that ending. A great quick read to add to your spooky tbr.

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5/5 Stars

A great resource for any writer, new or experienced.