Review Sunday – Page 27 – Books-n-Kisses

August 22, 2019August 21, 2019

Kimberly reviews Templar Secrets by Andreas Enonomou

TITLE: Templar Secrets
CHARACTERS: Hiram & George
AUTHOR: Andreas Economou
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/26/19
ORDER LINKS: Amazon

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
FROM THE TEMPLE OF SOLOMON TO THAT OF THE FREEMASONS
Hiram—the tragic hero of Masonic tradition—is brutally murdered in Solomon’s Temple, three thousand years ago. An event which very much influences the founding of the Knights Templar two millennia later, and the discovery they made. But that not’s all! Largely because of it, Templars escaping the 1307 arrests go on to set up the precursor of modern Freemasonry.
Flash forward to the present day: George, a young Mason is struggling to unravel the origins of the institution he just joined. Was Freemasonry created by English medieval stonemasons, like they told him? And what do all its secret handshakes and passwords still protect? Can he solve these puzzles in time?
These questions (and many more) are all answered within this powerful, era-weaving journey.
If you liked Dan Brown’s “The Da Vinci Code” you’ll love this!

REVIEW:
I found this novel interesting if not all of it was true. I wish I knew exactly what part of it is true and which is not.

As with The Da Vinci Code it is based on truth with a splash of fiction. I have already found this subject interesting. There is so much mystery wrapped around the subject that again I am not sure exactly what part of the leaked information is myth or legend.

That being said the story makes you think and puts a new spin on the subject. The story is well written and interesting.

Any person interested in the subject will enjoy this story. Well worth the read.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

August 15, 2019August 12, 2019

Kimberly reviews Womby’s School For Wayward Witches by Sarina Dorie

TITLE: Womby’s School For Wayward Witches
SERIES #: Not So Cozy Witches 1-5
CHARACTERS: Varies
AUTHOR: Sarina Dorie
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/10/19
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A magical boarding school. Budget cuts. Missing teaches. A not-so-cozy mystery.
You think you know the world of magical boarding schools? Not from a teacher’s perspective at a school for at risk youth.

This book bundle includes: Tardy Bells and Witches’ Spells, Hex-Ed, Witches Gone Wicked, A Handful of Hexes, Hexes and Exes, and BONUS MATERIAL. Personal Ads for Witches and Thirteen Ways to Tell if You are a Witch are also included in this bundle.

Book 1: Tardy Bells and Witches’ Spells (A prequel before Clarissa teaches at Womby’s School for Wayward Witches.)
Most of us have faced the fact that an owl will never come with our acceptance letter to Hogwarts. Find out what this teen does to take matters into her own hands. Will she become a witch, even if the price is higher than she expects?

Book 2: Hex-Ed
Consider what would happen if a bumbling character like Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum had been told with the quirky voice of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and she was trying to get a job at Hogwarts.

A gang of evil Fae wants to kidnap and enslave Clarissa for accidentally using magic at the wrong place and the wrong time. Clarissa must escape little old ladies in gingerbread cottages, the evil school district psychologist who has always been out to get her, and a hoard of harpies before she can prove to the Witchkin that the bad apple falls farther from the tree that they’d guessed.

If she can do this, then maybe, just maybe her dreams will come true and she’ll land that job teaching the dark arts and crafts.

Book 3: Witches Gone Wicked
As if being the new “arts and crafts” teacher isn’t hard enough at a school for juvenile delinquent witches, budget cuts are just as severe in the magic community, administrators are as unrealistic in their expectations of teachers, and the job is a hazard if the students find out you can’t actually do magic.

As if this isn’t enough pressure, she has to figure out why teachers are mysteriously disappearing. If she doesn’t, she might be next.

Book 4: A Handful of Hexes

When Clarissa finds her mother’s diary outlining her experiments with the Fae Fertility Paradox, she is desperate to uncover the mysteries of her mother’s past that will help with her own magic problems of the present. She suspects this book will solve the feud between Fae and Witchkin.

Either that or it will cause an all-out war.

Book 5: Hexes and Exes
Dear Jezzy: Love Advice for Paranormals

The ghosts of boyfriends past are haunting Clarissa Lawrence, the most unmagical teacher at Womby’s School for Wayward Witches.

When Clarissa’s problems aren’t filled with her exes, they are filled with hexes. Everything in her life revolves around letting go of her past so she can accept her future. Clarissa must save Derrick before the Raven Queen gets him for good, even if it means she must join the dark side to do so.

REVIEW:
This is the first 5 in a series that I would describe as an adult version of Harry Potter. Maybe not as well written but still a really good series.

Clarissa finds out she is a witch and ends up teaching at a magical school. But she finds out that no one wants her in the school because of her heritage of her descendents being an evil witch.

What I liked best is this is a boxed set so I was able to start at the beginning and continue reading. This is still ongoing so I look forward to continuing the series.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

August 14, 2019August 12, 2019

Kimberly reviews When He Vanished by TJ Brearton

TITLE: When He Vanished
CHARACTERS: Jane & John
AUTHOR: T.J. Brearton
PUBLICATION DATE: 05/14/19
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A HEART-POUNDING THRILLER WITH A STUNNING TWIST

WHAT IF YOUR HUSBAND DISAPPEARED AND THE POLICE THOUGHT YOU MIGHT HAVE KILLED HIM?

Jane Gable returns from her shift at the hospital one night to find her two children asleep in bed and her husband gone, his phone and wallet left behind.

John has long been a responsible and dependable man, maintaining a predictable schedule. He is a former alcoholic, and so Jane fears he has relapsed and may be in trouble.

An ‘old friend’ of John’s, Bruce Barnes, turned up on their doorstep the day before his disappearance.

Jane’s son Russ had seen a mysterious blonde woman at the house.

An SUV keeps showing up. Jane feels watched and under threat.

Then John’s abandoned car is found with blood on the steering wheel and Jane fears the worst. And there is a revelation that will make her question her own sanity.

Jane desperately begins investigating on her own. Suspects include her ex-husband, her stepbrother, and the mysterious blonde.

Is she being framed? Can she even trust herself?

HOW FAR WILL SHE GO TO SAVE HER FAMILY?

Perfect for fans of Rachel Cain, Harlan Coben, or Julianne MacLean.

REVIEW:
Review featured at www.books-n-kisses.com

3.75 Hearts This is a true psychological thriller that makes you a bit unsure of your own surroundings.

When Jane’s husband goes missing the cops automatically look at the wife as the suspect. So Jane takes the role of detective on to herself.

What she finds puts her (and the reader) into a suspenseful mindset.

I really found this story interesting and kept me on the edge of my seat. I had a hard time figuring out who-dun-it. Everytime I thought it was one thing a twist turned my thoughts around.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

August 13, 2019August 12, 2019

Kelly reviews Protect The Prince by Jennifer Estep

TITLE: Protect the Prince
SERIES #: Crown of Shards #2
CHARACTERS: Everleigh Blair, Lucas Sullivan,
AUTHOR: Jennifer Estep
NARRATOR: Lauren Fortgang
RUN TIME: 12 Hours & 40 Minutes
PUBLICATION DATE: July 2, 2019
ORDER LINKS: Audible | Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Magic, murder, adventure, and romance combine in this second novel in the exciting Crown of Shards saga from New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jennifer Estep.
Everleigh Blair might be the new gladiator queen of Bellona, but her problems are far from over.
First, Evie has to deal with a court full of arrogant, demanding nobles, all of whom want to get their greedy hands on her crown. As if that wasn’t bad enough, an assassin tries to kill Evie in her own throne room.
Despite the dangers, Evie goes ahead with a scheduled trip to the neighboring kingdom of Andvari in order to secure a desperately needed alliance. But complicating matters is the stubborn Andvarian king, who wants to punish Evie for the deaths of his countrymen during the Seven Spire massacre.
But dark forces are at work inside the Andvarian palace, and Evie soon realizes that no one is safe. Worse, Evie’s immunity to magic starts acting in strange, unexpected ways, which makes her wonder whether she is truly strong enough to be a Winter Queen.
But Evie’s magic, life, and crown aren’t the only things in danger—so is her heart, thanks to Lucas Sullivan, the Andvarian king’s bastard son and Evie’s . . . well, Evie isn’t quite sure what Sullivan is to her.
Only one thing is certain—protecting a prince might be even harder than killing a queen…

REVIEW:
4.75 Hearts Protect the Prince picks up shortly after the end of Kill the Queen with Queen Everleigh Blair becoming the Queen Bellona. Becoming Queen has not been fun so far but it is what Evie had expected. The next step in Evie’s journey is to make amends with the Andvari people. Once in Andvari Evie must face off with a whole new set of problems from the Andvari Royals, a King that asks too much, an assassin who doesn’t know when to give up, and a trader who wants to take everything.

Protect the Prince is the second book in Jennifer Estep’s Crown of Shards series and this second book was just as good as the first. There were times while listening that I was not sure my heart would survive the journey. I truly love this series and can not wait for the third and final chapter in The Crown of Shards series.

Once again I let the talented Lauren Fortgang read this book to me. Lauren did a wonderful job of bringing these characters to life for me. I look forward to listening to the next book in this series too.

Disclaimer:
I purchased this book from Audible.com and it is an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

August 8, 2019August 5, 2019

Kimberly reviews Asylum by Jack Adams

TITLE: Asylum
SERIES #: Delaney & Murphy #1
CHARACTERS: Nathan Delaney & Adam Murphy
AUTHOR: Jack Adams
PUBLICATION DATE: 08/02/19
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Something happened here. Behind these walls, in these rooms, on the grounds, at the river. The inmate sketched it all – fine lines. See there, in the negative space, the truth in the pencil strokes. Then he was gone.

Joe was their friend; the man they spoke to through the wire fence of the Lunatic Asylum, and 10-year-old best friends, Nathan Delaney and Adam Murphy, knew he wasn’t insane. Then, one day, Joe was gone. Now hitting their thirties—jobs and divorces in their wake—ex-cop, current P.I. Nate and psychologist Adam decide to share office space and a receptionist. That’s when the letter arrives advising them that they have received ‘Expectations’. A quaint, old-fashioned bequest delivered by a solicitor which amounts to an inheritance for two boys – left by Joseph O’Connell, a missing-believed-deceased former patient at the River Park Lunatic Asylum.

REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts I have never read anything like this book which I found very amazing considering how much I read. But this book was different and kept me intrigued throughout most of the story. I saw most because there did seem some extra side stories that were a bit out of the flow of the book but even with that being said the story of Nate and Adam, as well as Joe.

I liked the relationship of the boys/men. As boys, Nate and Adam, became friends with Joe, a patient at the Asylum but years later as men Joe shows up again and there are a lot of questions.

I found this really enjoyable even if there was a bit that didn’t need to be added. I liked that the book didn’t make the patients into insane monsters. They were people who need help and shows them as lonely and kind.

Better than I thought.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

August 7, 2019August 5, 2019

Kelly reviews Even Tree Nymphs get the Blues by Molly Harper

TITLE: Even Tree Nymphs get the Blues
SERIES #: Mystic Bayou #3
CHARACTERS: Ingrid Asher & Rob Aspern
AUTHOR: Molly Harper
NARRATOR: Amanda Ronconi
RUN TIME: 3 Hours & 3 Minutes
PUBLICATION DATE: June 6, 2019
ORDER LINKS: Audible

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A hilarious new standalone novella brimming with otherworldly charm from the reigning queen of paranormal romantic comedy Molly Harper!
Ingrid Asher is the newest resident of Mystic Bayou, a tiny town hidden in the swamp where shapeshifters, vampires, witches and dragons live alongside humans.
Ingrid doesn’t ask for much. The solitary tree nymph just wants to live a quiet life running her ice-cream shop in peace. Unfortunately, she can’t seem to shake her new neighbor, Rob Aspern, head of the League’s data science department and so good looking it just isn’t fair.
If there’s one thing Ingrid doesn’t need, it’s someone poking around in her business. But the more she gets to know the hunky mathematician, the more she finds herself letting her guard down. Can she trust him with her secrets, or will her past destroy everything?

REVIEW:
Another great installment in Molly Harper’s Mystic Bayou series. Even Tree Nymphs Get the Blues introduces us to Ingrid Asher the newest resident of Mystic Bayou. Ingrid is looking to start a new life and work on her love for all things ice cream.
There were a lot of funny events that happened in this short story. But my favorite scene was with a tree, Mayor Zed, Sheriff Bael and Ingrid. I laughed so hard.
If you are a Molly Harper fan you will love this little gem. I am already ready looking forward to the next installment in this series!!

As always Amanda Ronconi does an amazing job bringing all the characters to life. I love that Amanda is able to bring the right level of sass to this series and all of Molly’s books! Looking forward to the next narration by Amanda.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Audible.com in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

August 6, 2019August 5, 2019

Kimberly reviews Life And Other Inconveniences by Kristan Higgins

TITLE: Life And Other Inconveniences
CHARACTERS: Emma & Genevieve
AUTHOR: Kristan Higgins
PUBLICATION DATE: 08/06/19
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
From the New York Times bestselling author of Good Luck with That comes a new novel about a blue-blood grandmother and her black-sheep granddaughter who discover they are truly two sides of the same coin.

Emma London never thought she had anything in common with her grandmother Genevieve London. The regal old woman came from wealthy and bluest-blood New England stock, but that didn’t protect her from life’s cruelest blows: the disappearance of Genevieve’s young son, followed by the premature death of her husband. But Genevieve rose from those ashes of grief and built a fashion empire that was respected the world over, even when it meant neglecting her other son.

When Emma’s own mother died, her father abandoned her on his mother’s doorstep. Genevieve took Emma in and reluctantly raised her–until Emma got pregnant her senior year of high school. Genevieve kicked her out with nothing but the clothes on her back…but Emma took with her the most important London possession: the strength not just to survive but to thrive. And indeed, Emma has built a wonderful life for herself and her teenage daughter, Riley.

So what is Emma to do when Genevieve does the one thing Emma never expected of her and, after not speaking to her for nearly two decades, calls and asks for help?

REVIEW:
Higgins is easily one of my favorite authors and I gladly grab any books that are available from her.

I enjoyed this story very much. It was simply about life. Emma was not one of my favorite characters but after a while I began to understand her a bit more. I enjoyed the background characters very much. Especially the grandmother. Feisty thing that she was.

As a fan of women’s lit this is a great story to read. Wonderful beach read. With a lot of angst and family love this is worth the read.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

August 5, 2019August 4, 2019

Kimberly reviews Summer On Moonlight Bay by Hope Ramsey

TITLE: Summer On Moonlight Bay
SERIES #: Moonlight Bay #2
CHARACTERS: Main Characters
AUTHOR: Hope Ramsey
PUBLICATION DATE: 08/06/19
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Only one thing can make veterinarian Noah Cuthbert return to Magnolia Harbor-his mother’s failing health. He’ll do anything to help his family, including taking a short-term gig at the local animal clinic. What he doesn’t count on is getting up-close-and-personal with the clinic’s new manager, a woman whose love and compassion for every stray that crosses her path has him rethinking his plans to head back to his big-city life…

After her time in the Navy, Lia wants nothing more than to settle down. The quaint seaside town is just what she’d been hoping for, and not just because her new boss is movie-star handsome. As they grow closer, Lia starts wondering if Noah could be the one. But when a town crisis forces Noah to take a stand that jeopardizes their new-found happiness, can Lia convince him that home doesn’t have to be a four-letter word?

Includes the bonus novel Then There Was You by Miranda Liasson!

REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts After Lia finds a hurt puppy in the street she heads to the closest vet office. Noah is called in to help the puppy and sparks fly.

Lia is trying to start over in life after getting out of the Navy. Noah plans on moving back to Charleston.

I enjoyed this story very much. The characters are written very well. The background story seems to be a lead in to the next in the series which I am interested in reading.

This is the second in the series but easily can be a stand alone. Great curl up and get away from it all read. Higgins is high on my read list and should be on yours too.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

July 31, 2019July 28, 2019

Kimberly reviews Secret Seduction by Jill Sanders

TITLE: Secret Seduction
SERIES #: Secret #1
CHARACTERS: Katie & Jason
AUTHOR: Jill Sanders
PUBLICATION DATE: 07/31/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:

To Katie life was simple. She wanted a little house in upper Boston, and four kids fathered by her best friend Jason, who she’s been infatuated with since she was eight. After a devastating family secret is exposed, all she wants now is to escape the media hype that follows her everywhere she turns. Leaving her family, friends, and Jason behind, she travels to places she’s only read about, to find a father she’s never known.

Jason is on a mission and he’s come halfway around the world to complete it. Despite his feelings for Katie, he won’t let her resistance deter him, even if it means she’ll never trust him again. As their world spirals out of control, their relationship will be tested and changed forever. If he can keep them alive and out of harm’s way, he may have a chance to make everything right.

REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts This is a sweet story of a woman who decides to take some “me” time but her best friend Jason follows.

There was a lot of things happening in this story but they were fun and enjoyable to read. The characters are written very well. I believe this is a re-release because it shows the date of 2013 and it does have a couple things I found dated but nothing that distracts from the story.

This is a great beach read. And easy read that takes you out of your head.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

July 30, 2019July 28, 2019

Kimberly reviews Highland Captive by Alyson McLayne

TITLE: Highland Captive
SERIES #: The Sons Of Gregor MacLeod #4
CHARACTERS: Gavin & Deidre
AUTHOR: Alyson McLayne
PUBLICATION DATE: 07/30/19
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
She wasn’t just his son’s savior.
She may be his as well…

Laird Gavin MacKinnon is a changed man―and not for the better. Ever since his young son, Ewan, disappeared two years ago, Gavin has grown callous and bitter. Scouring the countryside, his search leads him to a mysterious woman who maintains the boy is hers. He decides to take them both and ask questions later.

Deidre MacIntyre will go with the brooding laird if it will keep her son safe. Gavin has to admit that the beautiful lass has a bond with Ewan, and things aren’t adding up. When Deidre’s clan comes to claim her under threat of war, Gavin has a choice to make: fight for her or let her go.

REVIEW:
I have been waiting and waiting for Gavin’s story. It seems Gavin has been withdrawn since his son was taken away and we have wondered we he was in each story of the series.

Now we meet Ewan and the woman he calls “mother”. And it doesn’t take too long for Gavin to realize he is not given either up.

I had a hard time with Deidre when she was first introduced but she grew on me. And seeing Gavin differently and with his son was wonderful.

Loved this series and this story especially.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

July 26, 2019July 25, 2019

Kimberly reviews The Seekers by Heather Graham

TITLE: The Seekers
SERIES #: Krewe Of Hunters #28
CHARACTERS: Kerri & Joe
AUTHOR: Heather Graham
PUBLICATION DATE: 07/23/19
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
THE TRUTH IS SCARIER THAN FICTION

Kerri Wolf has joined the crew of The Seekers, a show that searches for paranormal phenomena, as they explore a supposedly haunted old inn on the road between Philadelphia and Harrisburg. The place is famous for its warm welcome—and infamous for being the site of an ax murder rampage in the 1920s. They’ve barely begun when a very real dead body is discovered in the basement. As a nonfiction author, Kerri is supposed to be the rational one, but she can’t explain a terrifying apparition that seems to be both a threat and a warning.

Former detective Joe Dunhill knows what she’s going through—the strange gift of being able to see and talk to the dead is a struggle he shares. A new member of the FBI’s Krewe of Hunters, he’s on the team investigating the disturbing death. The town is steeped in old-fashioned superstition, and the deeper Joe and Kerri plunge into the dark secrets of the inn, the closer they get to a devastating truth. Will a bloody history be repeated? Or can the spirits of the past reach out to stop a killer?

REVIEW:
This series is easily one of my favorites in the genre. What I like most is the setting. Graham always makes me want to jump on a plane and head to the newest setting of the series. Having spent some time is PA lately I wanted to head to the Philly side and see where she was talking about.

This is a series with a lot of books but all of them can be a stand alone. But as with any series reading from the beginning is best. But mostly the Krewe Of Hunters are detectives who use ghosts to help with their case.

I always have a hard time figuring out “who-dun-it” which I enjoy.

Any fan of suspense with a bit of paranormal will love this book and this series.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

July 24, 2019July 23, 2019

Kimberly reviews The Silent Ones by K.L. Slater

TITLE: The Silent Ones
CHARACTERS: Juliet & Maddy & Brianna
AUTHOR: K.L. Slater
PUBLICATION DATE: 07/24/19
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
This morning, I was packing up lunches, ironing, putting on the laundry I should have done last night. Now my precious daughter is accused of murder.

When ten-year-old cousins Maddy and Brianna are arrested for a terrible crime, Maddy’s mother Juliet cannot believe it. How could her bright, joyful daughter be capable of such a thing?

As the small village community recoils in horror, the pressure of the tragedy blows Juliet and her sister’s lives apart. And things get even worse when their daughters retreat into a self-imposed silence. Can anyone reach Maddy and discover the truth before her fate is sealed?

Juliet is crushed. Nothing will ever be the same for her darling girl. But she knows that to find out what really happened that day, she and her sister must unlock the secrets of their own terrible past, a past they swore never to speak about again …

The most unputdownable psychological thriller you’ll read this year from the bestselling author K.L. Slater. If you love The Wife Between Us or Gone Girl, you’ll be totally hooked on The Silent Ones.

REVIEW:
4.25 Hearts What a great suspenseful story. This one had me all over the place. Seems every time I thought I had the story figured out I was very wrong.

The family is interesting in their dysfunction. The girls are remaining silent. I mean totally silent which we do not understand. The mom’s are desperate and scared.

This is a really good story that will keep you turning the pages. Very few books keep me unsure of “who-dun-it” so long into the story but this one did.

Highly recommended. If you are a fan of the genre you will be thinking of this one for a long time.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.