I was provided a print arc and an audio arc of this book via Netgalley and the publisher. This book releases on May 31, 2022. Thank you to Macmillan Audio and Minotaur Books for the ARC.
I thought the two female narrators did a great job with Leah and McKenna. It was nice to have two distinct voices for both women. I wasn't so sure about the addition of the male narrator for Detective Harrison. While the narrator did a great job, his presence as a narrator doesn't appear until about 40% into the book and he isn't a constant narrator. While skeptical about this addition to the audiobook, Detective Harrison's part was actually very well done and thought out. I thought his perspective was crucial to providing the outsider's view to theses women's lives.
This follows Leah and McKenna two very intelligent, beautiful women who don't know each other. They happen to shop at the same liquor store one evening, but other than that their paths have never crossed. Unbeknownst to either of them, their lives are more similar that they can ever know. They both are married to very charming, handsome, successful men who on the outside appear to be the perfect husbands. Behind closed doors McKenna and Leah know differently. Very quickly their lives are about to become entangled in a way neither of them expected.
I found this to be more of a police procedural as Detective Harrison tries to uncover the truth as opposed to a thriller. There really aren't any big twists and turns that you would expect from a thriller, and the guilty party is known to the reader all along.
If you are triggered by domestic abuse, verbal abuse, alcoholism, and the mention of miscarriage I'd stay away from this one.
While I enjoyed this book and thought it was well written, the abusive husband trope is not something I enjoy reading as a preference. That is a heavy focus of this book. I thought the author did a very good job discussing the topic of coercive control when it comes to abuse and how very well educated women become victims in abusive relationships. They are slowly manipulated into believing they have no other choice and o one would believe them if they claimed their husbands were abusive. Unfortunately this is a very real problem. As an outsider looking in, it is easy to say "why didn't she just leave?", but it isn't that easy as Detective Harrison uncovers through his investigation of both women as suspects. I've seen several reviews almost victim shaming the two main characters for not leaving sooner or drinking too much to cope with the terror they face every day. This too is a very real problem that women face in reality. Battered and abused women don't deserve your criticism, they deserve your kindness and support.
Overall, this is a solid debut from the author. You can tell that her experience as a lawyer specializing in domestic violence aided in crafting this novel. While Leah and McKenna were fictional, the author's note goes on to explain the harsh reality that real women face daily.
I was provided a print and audio arc of this book via Netgalley. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me a copy of this awesome thriller! I loved it! I highly recommend the audiobook, the narrator did a wonderful job with the different characters. Justis Bolding certainly made Lake extra creepy!
Scarlett is your typical 17 year old, she wants to hang out with friends, go to parties, date boys, make mistakes, and live her life. Her mom on the other hand is a bit overprotective and keeps her on a tight leash. We learn early on in the book why Gina, Scarlett's mom, has been so paranoid and protective, when two FBI agents knock on their door. Scarlett is thrown into a world she didn't know she was a part of when she finds out she is the daughter of a famed serial killer, who happens to be on his deathbed. His parting wish is to meet is estranged daughter in exchange for information on previously undisclosed victims.
If you are like me and you enjoy shows like Criminal Minds, crime documentary shows, and Unsolved Mysteries just to name a few, I think you will really enjoy this book. This reads a bit like a documentary, where you are learning about the killer and the people in his life. We learn about the people he charmed and fooled, those he hurt, the trial, and about the people he is still impacting in his final days. I really thought it was well done and enjoyed it!
I thought Scarlett had decent character development. There is some normal 17 year old teenage angst which is only magnified by the drama that ensues when she and her mother come out of hiding. Scarlett already deals with anxiety and she has to deal with that and the other emotions that come with the revelation that she has a serial killer for a father. Not only that but she has to deal with the repercussions of her mother's decision to hide away from the aftermath of her father's deeds and trial, reporters begin to follow her and people want to ask her questions about him and what he tells her when she visits. Fortunately Scarlett has a good support system and is quickly able to figure out who her real friends are. Scarlett very much has to deal with her father's antics as he comes to terms with is looming death, and has to cope with him wanting her to be his final prize and victim before he goes. The character of Jeff Lake was really creepy I thought the author did a good job weaving the coming of age story in with the thriller aspects. As Scarlett gets to know her father, she quickly has to get to know herself and figure out what to do with the knowledge she has quickly been given and figure out how to process it and what to do with it.
This is marked as YA, but it does have some mature themes. There is alcohol and drug use both recreational and prescription. There is sex but it is closed door and not very detailed, but it is mentioned.
I was provided an ARC of this book via Netgalley. As always all opinions are my own. Thank you to Tor Nightfire for reaching out to me and providing me with an ARC of this book. I loved it!
This is a compilation of a dozen horror stories from some of the great horror writers of today. If you are like me and have not read all of the authors this is a great way to experience them all! Each of the stories took me 30 minutes to an hour to read, and while I didn't find any one of them particularly terrifying, they all had some sort of creep factor of gave me that what did I just read sense of unease that I want from a horror story. I thought all of them were well written and well developed despite them all being short stories. I feel like there is a story for everyone despite the type of horror you gravitate towards. There are varied levels of violence and gore in each story, with some being more psychological and some are mores straight forward.
I don't think I disliked a story in the collection. I really enjoyed the variety of the collection and getting to experience all of the various writers. If nothing else this has inspired me to check out each of the authors and see what horror offerings I've been missing. If you are a horror fan I highly recommend this!
Big Duke Energy, an all-new enemies to lovers romantic comedy from New York Times bestselling author Emma Hart will be here June 21st, and we have the gorgeous cover!
When bestselling romance author Ellie Aarons finds herself with chronic writer’s block, she’s pretty sure all she needs is a change of scenery. A beautiful lakeside cottage with her cat seems like a good idea. She’s wrong. She needs more than a change of scenery—she needs a muse. Which is why it’s so irritating that she’s drawn to the enigmatic but grumpy Duke of Windermere who owns the estate she’s staying on. They don’t get along—not in the slightest. They could not be more different, which is why it’s so irritating that Max seems to be the muse she’s been looking for. No matter how hard she tries, she can’t help but picture him as the hero in her next book. Oh, well. There’s really not a lot she can do about it. The muse wants what the muse wants. Except Sir Winston Purrchill keeps exploring the goat barn, and Max’s delivery of him for the fiftieth time means he sees her manuscript open on her laptop. He knows instantly that she’s writing about him. The story she’s written reflects their entire relationship until now, but that spicy scene? That hasn’t happened. Yet. Max is ready to compromise—he’ll give her the inspiration she needs for her novel, but she has to stop asking why he’s so against the relationship his grandmother desperately wants him to have. With her deadline looming, Ellie has no other option but to agree. She just hopes that she won’t do what her heroine is doing. And fall in love with the duke.
Big Duke Energy will be a live release and free in Kindle Unlimited!
About Emma Hart Emma Hart is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over forty novels and has been translated into several different languages. She is a mother, wife, lover of wine, Pink Goddess, and valiant rescuer of wild baby hedgehogs. She lives in North Wales with her family, three cats, one very large dog, and an undetermined number of chickens and ducks. She's known for her hilarious, sarcastic romantic comedies with wildly inappropriate grandparents, and has been dubbed "The RomCom Queen" by her readers.
Folk Around and Find out, a small town, contemporary romance from New York Times bestselling author Penny Reid is coming July 21st, and we have the amazing cover!
Pre-order your copy today! Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3P7H5RL Amazon Worldwide: https://mybook.to/folkaround Apple Books: https://apple.co/39feVnq Nook: https://bit.ly/3w6Dpby Kobo: https://bit.ly/39egHoz Google Play: https://bit.ly/39UKTWk Smashwords: https://bit.ly/39btc4m
Meet Penny Reid Penny Reid is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of the Winston Brothers and Knitting in the City series. She used to spend her days writing federal grant proposals as a biomedical researcher, but now she writes kissing books. Penny is an obsessive knitter and manages the #OwnVoices-focused mentorship incubator / publishing imprint, Smartypants Romance. She lives in Seattle Washington with her husband, three kids, and dog named Hazel.
I was provided a print and audio arc of this book via Netgalley. The audio narration was good, the narrator did a good job with the alternating perspectives and gave the different characters their own voices and personalities so you knew who was speaking when there was dialogue. I did think that the alternating timeline felt a bit disjointed, but if you have read any of my reviews before you know that I am not a fan of timeline jumping. This alternates between Michael and Natalie in the present, and jumps to Natalie in the past before she goes missing. It almost feels like there are 3 points of view instead of 2.
I've been a DJ Palmer fan for quite some time, and I was really looking forward to this book. I think I'm in the minority when I say this isn't my favorite of Palmer's works. It was a decent read, but I found it a little slow paced and repetitive for my taste. I never got that suspenseful feeling as if any single one of the characters was in peril of any sort. If anything Natalie was a danger to herself and the kids.
This follows Michael and his wife Natalie, a couple who are having issues stemming from Nat's insomnia. Anyone who has suffered from insomnia knows that it is miserable. It is so much more than "I didn't sleep well last night" Because of her insomnia and other life stress from work and the kids, Natalie and Michael have hit a rough patch in their marriage. Nat begins to suspect Michael of being unfaithful which only puts more distance between them. Determined to find proof of his affair to protect herself and her kids, Natalie begins her own investigation into her husband and finds more than she bargained for. She hatches a plan to run away and protect her kids while on vacation in NYC, but Michael loves his family and he wants to make sure they are safe. Natalie's insomnia itself almost becomes a suspect in this as she begins to hallucinate and is almost delusional at times. Michael is no angel either as he harbors secrets, making him a convenient suspect and easy target. All of the characters were unlikable, and they were all up to something. You could tell they all hiding something.
While I found some of this book to be formulaic and predictable, I certainly didn't see the final reveal coming. That was a nice twist. I love it when I don't see the ending coming! There were a few red herrings to mislead you and quite a few twists and turns along the way to keep you on your toes. While I didn't enjoy this one as much as I have enjoyed some of Palmer's other works, I would still recommend it. If you like car chases, and domestic thrillers in general I say check this out.
“Full of all the swoons, a dash of mystery, and punches of humor, you are going to fall head over heels with Neanderthal Seeks Duchess." - Catherine Cowles, author of Tattered Stars
Neanderthal Seeks Duchess, an all-new charming historical romance from debut author Laney Hatcher, is available now in Kindle Unlimited! Laney introduces readers to Smartypants Romance’s new and exciting Out of This World imprint with her Penny Reid universe re-imagining.
There are three things you need to know about Lady Jane Morrison:
1. She frequently finds herself the talk of the ton and for all the wrong reasons.
2. A dashingly mysterious gentleman has caught her attention and even more dangerous...she has caught his.
3. She’s rubbish at embroidery.
After scandalous events during the London season, Lady Jane is attracting the wrong kind of attention. Her reputation is at risk as well as all her carefully laid plans for the future. And for better or worse, a chance encounter with a mysterious lord sets forth a series of events that will change their lives forever.
‘Neanderthal Seeks Duchess’, a Penny Reid Universe Reimagining, is a full-length historical romance, can be read as a standalone, and is book #1 in the London Ladies Embroidery series, Smartypants Romance Out of this World, Penny Reid Book Universe.
“You desire the life of a spy then?” I could tell he was teasing, but it didn’t seem the mean sort of mocking I was so often accustomed to.
“Oh, of course. I am definitely spy material. I’m sure the War Office will come calling any day now,” I managed to tease back, indulging in a mirthful laugh. Were we having a flirtation? I wondered if I was doing it right.
I was suddenly struck with a bout of nerves. I didn’t know how to carry on a flirtation with a man. Being with John didn’t require flirting on my part. We simply conversed. I never made a concentrated effort to amuse John and be amused in return. Coy and coquettish were more in line with Cassandra and her interactions in a ballroom. She laughed loudly and often, usually flapping her eyelashes in a pleasing manner. Lords were simply drawn to her. Now that I considered it, it was likely just her outgoing personality. I was… not like that.
This bantering, the back-and-forth with Q in the garden, was multifaceted. I warred between self-consciousness and butterflies erupting behind my sternum.
His eyebrows remained amused and my pulse leaped once more. “Well, I hope the crown doesn’t steal you away just yet.” Warmth pooled low in my belly at Q’s admiring look. Those butterflies were approaching maximum velocity.
In a show of sheer survival instinct, I straightened on the bench. “I should probably get back to work.”
Q’s gaze was questioning. Perhaps signs of self-preservation weren’t evident in my expression, but I felt certain he could read some inner turmoil there. Q stood slowly and held out an arm. “I’ll escort you back to the library, if that’s all right?”
I nodded and felt grateful I hadn’t ruined our time together with my abrupt decision to depart. These feelings were so new and utterly overwhelming.
We made our way along the gravel path, through the kitchens, and up the service staircase in quiet contemplation before emerging in the long hallway of the third floor. His heat and nearness were addicting. The simple act of walking by his side was fraught with tension—the good kind. The best kind.
“Perhaps you could enjoy a picnic in the gardens another day. I could let Betty know in advance and she could pack a few items for you. So you wouldn’t feel like an imposition,” Q said as he slowed our progress outside the library doorway.
I appreciated his consideration for my concerns and for Mrs. Hooper’s time and energy. “If it’s not too much trouble, that sounds lovely. Thank you.” Genuine pleasure sufficed my demeanor, chasing away my previous doubts.
“And perhaps I could join you.” At these quietly uttered words, my head snapped up abruptly to meet Lord Dashing’s patented intense stare. “If that’s agreeable, that is,” he murmured, seemingly unsure of his welcome.
I smiled then. Full and wide. I often had difficulty interpreting the reactions of others, their hidden smiles and secretive expressions. Conversing with nobility was often an exercise in subterfuge and subtlety. Both elements I struggled with and didn’t see the need for. I preferred honesty and directness. Therefore, I wanted Q to read the authenticity in my smile when I replied, “I’d like that very much.”
Lord Dashing escorted me the remaining distance to the library before lifting my hand from his arm. I assumed he’d simply deposit me at my desk and be on his way, but he lingered. Twining our fingers together, Q raised my hand to his lips. Slowly and quite deliberately, he rotated my hand and placed a kiss on the inside of my wrist just beyond the fabric of my kid gloves. The heat from his mouth was deliciously obscene and I felt my breath stutter on an inhale. I should have been shocked by his behavior and scandalized by his forwardness. And yet… All I could muster was a sense of regret that I’d cut our afternoon short in a moment of weakness.
Eyes locked, Q pulled away from my skin. Lowering my hand to my side, he retreated a pace before turning slowly and exiting the room. I stood frozen in place, staring after his departed form. With my opposite hand covering my inner wrist, I could feel the heat from his scandalous touch and sought to trap it within.
What was happening?
I spent the afternoon mostly absorbed by the ledgers lining my desk, but couldn’t help but allow my attention to stray to the gardens a time or two, remembering the sun on my face, the man at my side, and the butterflies wreaking havoc on my carefully laid plans.
About Laney Hatcher
Laney Hatcher is a firm believer that there is a spreadsheet for every occasion and pie is always the answer. She is an author of stories that have a past, in a language of love that’s universal. Often too practical for her own good, Laney enjoys her life in the southern United States with her husband, children, and incredibly entitled cat.
Samantha Young has revealed the cover for Be With Me!
Releasing: July 12, 2022
Cover Design: Hang Le
Photography: Sara Eirew
Models: Quinn & Honey
It was the friends-with-benefits proposition he never saw coming...
While Arran Adair might have followed the call of wanderlust in his younger years, it isn't the reason he stayed away from Ardnoch. Home now, desperate to put the sins of his past behind him, and rebuild his life in the Scottish Highlands, Arran could never have predicted Eredine Willows. The Ardnoch Estate Pilates instructor is a complicated mystery and one Arran can't help but want to solve.
Eredine has spent the last eight years hiding in Scotland and building walls between her and the people she cares about. Arran is the first Adair who doesn't treat her as if she's fragile and demands a genuine friendship. Yet, the attraction sizzling between them is undeniable. So when she realizes she trusts him, Eredine surprises them both by offering Arran one night of no-strings passion.
Arran knows one night will inevitably lead to a desire for more and he's willing to stay by Eredine's side for as long as it takes to convince her there's something real between them. However, just when Arran thinks they might build a future together, Eredine's past returns to stalk her. And Arran won't just have to battle her demons to keep them together. He'll need to battle his own.
Samantha Young is a New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author. She's been nominated for several Goodreads Choice Awards. Samantha writes adult contemporary and paranormal romance, YA urban fantasy and YA contemporary fiction and is currently published in 31 countries.
Smart Mouth, an all-new opposites attract romantic comedy from Emma Lee Jayne, is now available in Kindle Unlimited!
The rockstar
There are lots of assumptions people make about rockstars. Shallow. Player. Addict. The truth? I’m none of those.
The even bigger truth…the only opinion I care about is her’s and she hates me. Her as in Gwen Matthews, my twin brother’s best friend, the unrequited love of my life. She thinks I’m a liar and a jerk which is why I pretend to be my brother when she needs help one night.
Except Gwen is a genius. Literally. So it doesn’t take her long to figure out it’s me and not my brother, but maybe, just maybe, she’s willing to give me a second chance. Because maybe when she looks at me, she only sees a rockstar with her best friend’s face, but when I look at her, I see my other half. She centers me in a way that no rhythm or line of lyric ever could.
The scientist
I have three priorities in life at the moment: finish my research, defend my dissertation, and get my Ph.D., so that I can actually figure out what I’m supposed to do with my life. Tom Mendoza won’t help me achieve any of those things. Yet I can’t help the sudden feeling that I’ve been completely wrong about him all this time.
The day we first met when we were both teenagers, I saw a glimpse of a sweet, funny boy that felt very much like a kindred spirit; awkward and full of energy and dreams. But that guy seemed to disappear and in his place was this stereotypical stupidly hot rock star that did not make sense in my world.
Being a scientist means being willing to admit when you’re wrong and reevaluating everything. I might not understand much about human behavior, but I can clearly see the tender underbelly that Tom protects. The subtle rituals he uses to stave off his anxiety. Yes, he’s ridiculously hot, but his soul just might be more beautiful than his face and I’m not sure what to do with that.
Especially when I find out that he’s in love with me.
'Smart Mouth' is a full-length contemporary romance and can be read as a standalone. Book #4 in the Work For It series, Educated Romance World, Penny Reid Book Universe.
I’ve done a lot of stupid things in my life, but kissing Gwen is the best stupid thing I’ve ever done.
I know it’s a mistake. I know James will probably kill me if he ever finds out—and he will find out.
Hell, Gwen will kill me herself, if she ever finds out. Plus, she’s smart enough to get away with it—and to make it painful.
Despite all of that, I can’t sit here and let her think that I don’t want her. I can’t let her believe she’s repulsive or any other ridiculous idea. I can’t fucking watch her cry over it.
I’ve never really understood James and Gwen’s relationship. I’ve never understood how he’s been friends with this gorgeous, smart, awkward, frustrating woman without hitting on her. I don’t know how he made it through high school and college without kissing her, because, fuck it, I couldn’t make it through a thirty-minute car ride without wanting to kiss her.
I sure as fuck am not going to let her climb out of this car thinking she repulses men.
I don’t have a plan when I lean across the console and pull her to me. At least not beyond ridding her of this notion that I don’t want her.
But the second my mouth touches hers, I’m a goner.
About Emma Lee Jayne
I write the kinds of books I want to read. Fast-paced books with lots of world-building, snarky heroines, and swoony heroes. I love story, pop culture, gossip, and baked goods. I’m a modern-day hippy and certified LEGO nerd.
I live in the Austin, Texas hill country, with my geeky husband and two extremely geeky kids. We have dogs, chickens, cats, and more LEGOs than should be allowed by law. Oh, and I stress bake. So if my characters talk about food a lot, that’s why.
Emma also writes as Rita award winning author Emily McKay.
I was provided an ARC of this book, all opinions are my own.
This is the first reimagining and the first historical romance we've seen from the Smartypants collection. All of the other books are set in the Pennyverse, but this one is a retelling inspired by the Knitting in the City series set in London. If you haven't read Knitting in the City have no fear this reads as a standalone. It does share similarities with the original work Neanderthal Seeks Human as all retellings do, but this offers a unique take on the story and characters.
I very much enjoyed this imagining. I thought the author did a good job taking the original story and characters and moving them to regency London. She did a good job staying true to the original premise and characters while putting her own spin on things. I adored the original and it was so fun to relive Jane and Q's romance all over again through this different lens. My guess is she is going to continue on with the rest of the ladies in a similar fashion and I can't wait to see what she does with the rest of the embroidery circle!
I will say there were times where the author broke from the very proper language of the time and used common day language. Jane would be speaking or thinking in a very proper way then she would say/think "That was weird". While it fit the original Janie, it felt out of place in this book. Then again I'm not a big reader of regency romance, so that might be completely normal. Overall, I thought this was a really fun concept and I can't wait to see what the author has in store for the rest of the ladies of the "ton".
I was provided an audio ARC via Netgalley, all opinions are my own. I enjoyed the audio narration and felt the narrator did a good job with the characters and pacing of the book.
I really enjoyed this! I actually liked this more than Middlegame. This is a companion novel to Middlegame more so than it is a sequel. While you can read this as a standalone, I do highly recommend reading Middlegame first so you can understand all of the references to "The Doctrine", "The Impossible City", and Roger and Dodger's backstories. They do make an appearance in the book and while McGuire does a good job summarizing what you need to know, Middlegame was a complex book when it came to the alchemy involved and their journey. If you want a better understanding, I'd read that first. Personally, I want to go back and revisit Middlegame after reading this because its has been over 2 years since I've read it, and I feel like I might be able to better understand it now. That is a common thread with McGuire's books, I find they make me want to revisit them to see what I missed the first time.
This has a unique concept with the main characters each being tied to a season. I very much enjoyed the seasonal lore and the alchemical aspects of the book. Melanie is tied to winter, while Harry is tied to summer. Neither of them are aware of their ties to the seasons until they both collapse at football practice and a random girl named Jack shows up spouting a bunch of nonsense about crowns, seasons, and alchemy. Mel has a heart condition, so her collapsing has happened before, but Harry is in pretty good health so sympathetic fainting is not something he's done before. Harry and Mel have been in love since they were 7 or 8, and now as teenagers, they are faced with a very dark and deadly competition with Jack to guide them as best she can. Their relationship helps to ground and balance them, but they are unprepared to face what is ahead of them. As they embark on their journey to claim their seasonal crowns, they must accept that what they thought was folklore as their destiny. I enjoyed Mel and Harry, but I really enjoyed the concepts of the Jack's and Jenny's. Not only were they really great side characters, but they were unique in their purpose.
There were parts of this book that felt repetitive, and I agree with other readers that the ending felt a bit anticlimactic. I expected more from the labyrinth and the confrontation with Aven. This is much more character driven, and the action and plot suffer at the expense of the world building. There is alot of world building on the page, while some of the action takes place off of the page. This follows along with the author's unique style of storytelling. Like McGuire's other books, this is dark and at times violent. That being said I really enjoyed this road-trip style novel. It had a cool magic system, good world building, and I enjoyed the characters. I'm not sure if there are going to be more installments of this series, if so I'm 100% invested in what comes next.
I was provided an ARC of this book via the author, all opinions are my own.
While this is part of the Green Valley Library series, you can read it as a standalone. I do recommend reading [book:Dewey Belong Together|56037396] to get Max and Jonathan's backstory, but it isn't necessary.
This follow's Norman and Lois, who knew each other as teenagers from afar. Norman is Jonathan's best friend and business partner, while Lois is Max's best friend and through circumstances has come to live in Green Valley with her. Lots of things have happened to Norman and Lois in the 10 years they have been apart when they knew each other as Peily and Deathdrop in the video games they played online. Life has taught them both many lessons the hard way, but circumstances have brought them together again and given them a second chance at love.
This is a fairly clean romance. The intimate scenes are behind closed doors with mentions of sex between the characters, but nothing occurs in much detail on the page. Sometimes you need that in a romance. I appreciate that Smartypants Romance puts a varied level of romances from not so steamy to super steamy, so there is something for everyone.
I really enjoyed Norman and Lois. I also really enjoyed that Norman was a disabled veteran. As a veteran myself, you don't see many vets represented in books, especially ones with chronic conditions. Sometimes disabilities are manageable while other days they are not. You don't have to be a veteran to suffer from chronic pain or a disability, and I appreciated that the author has tackled some tougher topics in her books when it comes to disabilities and mental health. I also really enjoyed Lois's storyline as a single mom, who guards herself and her daughter above all else but will also help anyone who needs her. I really enjoyed the development of their relationship as they got to know one another again as adults.
This was a great second chance, slow burn romance.
I was provided an audio arc via Netgalley, all opinions are my own.
I loved this! I've always loved Greek mythology and I'm really enjoying the retellings from the female perspective. If you enjoyed Ariadne or Circe, you are going to love this! I really enjoyed Ariadne by the same author, and was really excited to see she had another retelling coming out. This follows Elektra, Cassandra, and Clytemnestra who are all tied to the house of Atreus in some way. They were all mentioned in the mythology I've read over the years, but not in great detail. Most of what we know about the Trojan war focuses on the men Achilles, Paris, Hector, etc. with Helen being the main woman involved in the conflict. This spans the years before, during and after the war. While Helen is mentioned, Clytemnestra, Helen's twin is one of our main narrator's and she gives us alot of commentary leading up to the events that take place throughout the story. I really enjoyed Saint's poetic writing style and it works really well in the format of a retelling of Greek myths.
Each of the women give us a very different perspective of the events that are taking place throughout their lives. Each one of them has suffered great betrayals and has a very different view on the Trojan war. Clytemnestra is wants to save her sister, but is filled with rage by the acts of her husband. Cassandra is cursed by Apollo and is forced to watch her beloved city fall and can do nothing to stop it. Elektra, daughter of Clytemnestra and Agamemnon, is saddened by what her father has done, but like many Greeks accepts that it was necessary to please the gods. She cannot accept her mothers behavior and feels she has dishonored their family. In the end all three women end up in very similar situations and their lives are filled with violence and sadness. Some of the tragedy that befell them was of their own making, while some of it was at the hands of those they kept company with.
I very much enjoyed the audio narration. Each character is voiced by a different narrator so you can tell the different women apart while listening. I do think it would have been nice had they announced which perspective each chapter was from, which may be resolved in the final audiobook. I understand that the print book has the name listed in the chapter heading.
“Full of all the swoons, a dash of mystery, and punches of humor, you are going to fall head over heels with Neanderthal Seeks Duchess." - Catherine Cowles, author of Tattered Stars
Neanderthal Seeks Duchess, an all-new charming historical romance from debut author Laney Hatcher, is LIVE in Kindle Unlimited!
Laney introduces readers to Smartypants Romance’s new and exciting Out of This World imprint with her Penny Reid universe re-imagining.
There are three things you need to know about Lady Jane Morrison:
1. She frequently finds herself the talk of the ton and for all the wrong reasons.
2. A dashingly mysterious gentleman has caught her attention and even more dangerous...she has caught his.
3. She’s rubbish at embroidery.
After scandalous events during the London season, Lady Jane is attracting the wrong kind of attention. Her reputation is at risk as well as all her carefully laid plans for the future. And for better or worse, a chance encounter with a mysterious lord sets forth a series of events that will change their lives forever.
‘Neanderthal Seeks Duchess’, a Penny Reid Universe Reimagining, is a full-length historical romance, can be read as a standalone, and is book #1 in the London Ladies Embroidery series, Smartypants Romance Out of this World, Penny Reid Book Universe.
Grab your copy today!
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3h0HoOb
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3ByTl7t
Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/3I0hWo6
Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/3H4csre
Amazon Print: https://amzn.to/3FhHTi9
Audiobook: Coming this summer!
Goodreads: https://bit.ly/33Yj8cQ
About Laney Hatcher
Laney Hatcher is a firm believer that there is a spreadsheet for every occasion and pie is always the answer. She is an author of stories that have a past, in a language of love that’s universal. Often too practical for her own good, Laney enjoys her life in the southern United States with her husband, children, and incredibly entitled cat.
It Takes a Woman, an all new modern marriage of convenience romance from Piper Sheldon, is available now in Kindle Unlimited!
Just because she’s getting married doesn’t mean she’ll fall in love.
Unapologetic bombshell Gretchen LaRoe is happy to play matchmaker to everyone else content in knowing she once had true love. When the best friends of the Scorned Women’s Society take it upon themselves to interfere in Gretchen’s love life, they shouldn't be shocked to learn Gretchen already has a plan of her own. A jaw-dropping plan.
Part-time Green Valley resident and work-a-holic Vincent Debono has been living in a fog since the loss of his wife. With the birth of his great-niece he can’t shake the feeling that he’s ready for change. After a secret kiss with the unforgettable redhead who already plagued his thoughts, Vincent decides to leap into a new adventure.
These two have made a commitment to each other but won’t let their hearts get involved. How hard can it be?
‘It Takes a Woman’ is a full-length contemporary romance and can be read as a standalone. Book #4 in the Scorned Women’s Society series, Green Valley Chronicles, Penny Reid Book Universe.
Grab your copy TODAY!
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3H8Vjwp
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3h6PMvz
Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/3sP43mk
Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/3rWf6Lf
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I threw my head back and blinked at how good this felt. So good. Like unsettling good …
“Gretchen?” Roxy called with a knock at the door. “Are you in there?”
In between kisses, I managed to call out, “Hi. Yes.”
Vincent wasn’t deterred by my sudden stiffness. He pawed at me like a greedy teenager.
“It’s almost time,” she said louder.
“Uh, coming,” I shouted.
“Not yet, you’re not,” Vincent whispered in my ear as a giant shudder shook my body.
Shocked—and more than a little impressed—I shoved Vincent off me.
“Have you seen Vincent?” Roxy asked. “He told me he’d swing by but I can’t find him.”
The man in question wiped his mouth and seemed to come back to his body with a dazed shake of his head.
“I’ll, uh, help find him,” I said.
“What’re you doing in there?” Roxy’s voice grew suspicious.
“Nothing,” I called.
Vincent came close and whispered in my ear, “Fixing your dress.”
I fought another shudder as I shouted, “Fixin’ my dress. Be right out and I’ll fetch him. I think I saw him head to the kitchen.”
“Thanks. And hurry!” Her footsteps stomped away.
I let out a long breath.
Just what had she interrupted? How far was I about to go? I hadn’t lost control like that in some time.
“Go ahead. I’ll be out right behind you.” He tugged at his pants. I raised an eyebrow, again, more than a little impressed. “I need a minute.”
“Okay.” I hesitated. How did one handle a hookup like this? Did I want this to continue? Nah. There was no point. “Well, I guess I’ll see you around.”
“Yeah, see ya.” He didn’t look up but there was tension in his shoulders.
That had been weird. A little more intense than I would have liked.
I shook my head, fixing my dress and headed back toward the group.
Oh well. All’s well that ends well.
Glad I got that out of my system. No need to ever think about that kiss or Vincent Debono ever again.
About Piper Sheldon
Piper Sheldon writes Contemporary Romance and Paranormal Romance. Her books are a little funny, a lotta romantic, and with just a little twist of something more. She lives with her husband, toddler, and two needy dogs at home in the desert Southwest. She finds writing bios in the third person an extreme sport of awkwardness.
I was provided an ARC of this book via Edelweiss however I ended up listening to the final published version of the audiobook via my library. As always, all opinions are my own.
This was such a lovely story with an even more lovely message. While this was a very whimsical tale that didn't resonate with me at first, and I suspect that will be the case with many adults, the longer I read it the more I came to appreciate the message of the story. Barnhill uses a fantasy story to teach us about the importance of kindness, sharing, and being a good neighbor. There are some good lessons about greed, selfishness, and judging someone by their appearance before getting to know them.
This follows a town that has fallen on hard times after a horrific fire has burned down their library. It was the center of their town and nothing has gone right for the townsfolk since. Their crops are failing, they have begun to mistrust each other, and the town is beginning to fall down around them. Outside the town an Ogress has moved in and built a house and a farm. Around the same time the library burned, a silver-tonged man became mayor, and all of the people in town love him. There is also an orphanage filled with children in need, but the town has forgotten that they used to help the orphanage and anyone else in town who was down on their luck. The town blames the Ogress for their bad luck, yet their anger is misplaced. The children of the orphanage, don't understand why the people are so angry and act so strangely. They see through the eyes of the innocent, the philosopher, and through logic. The children are determined to get to the bottom of what is happening to their town and fix what is broken.
The pacing of this book was a bit slow for me, but I think it was fitting for the writing and the messages portrayed in the book. I think a faster pace would have allowed for more action, but the wonderful messages would have been lost and that is what I loved most about this book. This was such an uplifting book, which is exactly what we need in the world right now. Kids reading this may pick up on the political overtone of this, but the parents/adults who have experienced the previous presidential elections most likely will. The messages regarding kindness, sharing, treating people with respect, and helping your fellow man are still valid.
Checking You Out, an all new second-chance small town romance from Ann Whynot, is now available in Kindle Unlimited!
Lois Washington is at the end of her rope. Struggling as a single mother in an apartment the size of a closet is not the New York City adventure she dreamed of in her starry-eyed youth. When her job goes on the chopping block, she is ready for a major life change. Joining her best friend in Tennessee to become the newest employee at the Green Valley Public Library isn't exactly where she thought life would take her, but she feels up for the challenge. Only this relocation comes with more than she bargained for.
Norman Grant has had a string of online dating disasters back in Florida. Dealing with chronic pain, he's concluded that finding a woman who is understanding about his war wounds just isn't in the cards. That is, until he becomes quite taken with the single mother who's also a new arrival in Green Valley. The catch? Things are not quite what they seem.
When the past and present collide, Norman and Lois must face painful reminders from their youth. Now, at twenty-seven, Norman's about to find out just how deeply the wounds he left behind cut.
'Checking You Out’ is a full-length contemporary romance and can be read as a standalone. Book #10 in the Green Valley Library series, Green Valley Chronicles, Penny Reid Book Universe.
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Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/3uXA9yI
Binge the Green Valley Library series in Kindle Unlimited!
The truck door opened and the first thing I saw come out was a leg, then a cane.
“Norman! Get your ass over here for your hug,” Maxine practically yelled, and with a wide grin, the tall blond man exited the vehicle and limped over, looking as though he was leaning heavily on the cane in his left hand. Was he in pain?
Within moments, he was wrapped up in her arms. I kept my face as neutral as possible, open and friendly even, one might say. They might say it, but they’d be wrong. I felt fierce. What had happened to Norman? He hadn’t needed a cane back when we were seventeen. Of course, that was before themilitary. The military! He’d been wounded. I damn well knew it, he went to God knows where and was wounded. Was it a gunshot? An IED? Was he held captive?
I had to stop the train my thoughts were on right the hell now or I would be going places I couldn’t handle, especially at this moment. I had this tendency to do what, according to Dr. Google—the only doctor I could afford for myself, most of the time—was called indulging inapocalyptic thinking. Once I got started, I could be thinking about a glass half empty and end up picturing the glass exploding, sending shards flying everywhere and blinding a pack of nuns.
No more disastrous thinking about Norman and whatever happened to his leg. He was free of Max’s octopus-like hug and was managing to get around well on her arm, as though he were accustomed to the cane and it didn’t slow him down. He was, at present, examining the back of the truck, making sure, I guess, that the tarps held and everything was okay. That was when he looked up and made eye contact with me, flashing me a wide grin.
Max nodded in our direction and the pair walked over, saying, “I want you to meet my best friend in the world, Lois Washington, and her daughter, Elsa. Lois and Elsa, this is Norman Grant—Jonathan’s best friend and business partner. Now that y’all are acquainted, I’m going to spend some quality time with my man while you get to know each other better. Sound good? Great!” She clapped Norman on the back and took off. Great? No, not great! Rewind, Max!
“Lois, hello,” he said, smiling politely. “I’ve heard a lot about you and your daughter. Max talked about you when she visited us in Florida. She thought you’d make a solid addition to our League of Magecraft arena team.”
“Well, I don’t game anymore,” I said back, sounding, even to my surprise, quite a bit salty. He didn’t recognize me. I didn’t realize until that exact moment how much I wanted him to, and how much it hurt that he didn’t.
He nodded slowly, and stretched out his hand, saying, “It's nice to meet you, anyway.” I waited for any glimmer of recognition in his eyes; seeing none, I decided to take his hand in mine. It was warm and his skin a bit rough, him obviously working with his hands. I was touching Norman Grant. How many times had I dreamt of this moment? I suddenly felt dizzy, dropping out of the handshake then shaking my head to clear it. Focus, Lois.
About Ann Whynot
Ann Whynot has been writing stories since she was five, and always dreamed of one day being a published author. She is a voracious reader and book collector, and used book stores are her kryptonite. She also is passionate about video games, crafting, baking, laughing, and travel.
She lives with her family, dog, and two cats on the Canadian east coast, and is inspired by both the forest and sea.
The Favor by Nora Murphy
