Book #Review: The Champion (Bryn and Sinjin, Book #7) by H.P. Mallory ~ #Vampire #Romance

Book Details:

Ebook
Publication Date: February 9, 2020
ASIN: B084NQC4GM

Paperback

Page Count: 339 pages
Publisher: Independently published 

Publication Date: February 16, 2020
ISBN-13: 979-8614698225
ASIN: B084Q9VTT5

Purchase from Amazon

About the Book:

When Bryn finds out she’s pregnant, she’ll have to deal with the fact that Sinjin doesn’t believe the baby is his—how could it be? He’s a vampire, after all, and incapable of reproducing. At least that’s what everyone thought…

As if dealing with Sinjin isn’t enough, Bryn and Dureau have decided to move forward with their plan to contact Luce’s tribespeople through their dreams. Bryn and Dureau both hope to enlighten Luce’s people that they’ve been fed nothing but lies and that a better future awaits them if they agree to join Jolie’s court. But, that plan doesn’t exactly go as Bryn and Dureau hoped it would…

How will Dureau respond when he finds out Bryn’s pregnant? And what happens when Bryn and Dureau are forced to accept the help of Monsieur D? And will Sinjin ever believe he’s the father of Bryn’s child?

The Champion is my first taste of the Bryn and Sinjin series by HP Mallory. I'm no stranger to HP Mallory's books or writing style and The Champion fits right in with my love of all things HP. When Sinjin informs Bryn she's pregnant both characters kind of go off the deep end. Sinjin is positive the baby can't be his because vampires are unable to reproduce. Bryn needs further proof she's pregnant because her disbelief overshadows any rational though. Besides, she's a warrior, not mother material and her past abuse has proven her barren. 

Along with the pregnancy crisis, Sinjin, Bryn, Dureau, and several others of the court of Jolie, Queen of the Underworld, are dealing with a madman who is creating an army of Daywalkers. In an effort to prevent war and bloodshed, Bryn and Dureau try to infiltrate the dreams of Luce's tribesmen and tribeswomen with thoughts of truth. They try to inform every dreaming member about Luce's lies and deception. Coming up against roadblocks, the group must succumb to asking for the help of Monsieur D. 

The interactions between Bryn and Sinjin are wonderful. Their characters belong together. I love Sinjin's jealousy of Dureau (once he gets beyond his stupidity regarding Bryn's pregnancy). It's good to keep a vampire who's been through 6 centuries on his toes. His humanity shines through in so many ways in The Champion. I love and admire Bryn's strength and endurance. She's a warrior, seen and been through more than anyone should have ever had to, and came out on the other end. She's not unscathed but her experiences aid her in making sure she tries to save all of the captives in Luce's camps.

The story is well-paced and flows along nicely. I enjoyed to the character development and world building. The characters are original and the story is fresh. The story and characters captivated me and kept me engaged. 

I was given a copy of the book to read.

My Rating:

Children's Book Review ~ The Coffee Monster and the Land of Coffee by Nate Friedman ~ Children's Book #PictureBook ~ @MirrorWorldPub #NateFriedman #Coffee

About Coffee Monster and the Land of Coffee:

The Coffee Monster’s family has a secret. 

The Coffee Monster has been a part of a great family for as long as he can remember. There’s mom and dad, Jenna and James. Everything in the Coffee Monster’s life is perfect until he learns of the place he came from, The Land of Coffee, and is given the chance to visit. There, he’ll learn all about his heritage and the extended family he never knew he had. 

In this sequel to Nate Friedman’s debut children’s book, our lovable Coffee Monster is confronted with the truth of his past where he learns the true meaning of family through a journey to the land of his birth.

My Review:

The Coffee Monster and the Land of Coffee is a short picture book suitable for children and adults. Children will love the colors and silly characters and adult will love the lessons the Coffee Monster teaches to the children. Easy to read, The Coffee Monster and the Land of Coffee will become one of your children's favorite bedtime stories.

The characters, underlying story, and vibrant pictures make this book enjoyable. The watercolor-type illustrations are wonderful and well-done. Cute book, great story, and easy to read. Highly recommended.

I was given a copy of the book to read.

My Rating:

Book Details:

Series: The Coffee Monster (Book 2)

Paperback: 40 pages

Publisher: Mirror World Publishing 

Publish Date: February 17, 2020

ISBN-10: 1987976606

ISBN-13: 978-1987976601

Purchase Links:

Mirror World Publishing

Amazon

Re-launch of The Coffee Monster, Book 1

About the Book:

There's a little 'Coffee Monster' in all of us...

In a pleasant little town lives a normal family with a mom, a dad and two beautiful children. There is just one thing that makes this family different from most other families; they don't have a dog, a cat, or pets of any kind. Instead, they have a Coffee Monster! Follow Jenna and James as they try to deal with the Coffee Monster's antics and help him overcome a personal struggle. Through this simple, but comedic tale, learn about the value of telling the truth, taking care of oneself and each other, and how to work-through everyday issues. Most of all, you just might learn that there's a little 'Coffee Monster' in all of us...

Read My Review of Book 1:

Amazon

Book Details:

Series: The Coffee Monster (Book 1)

Paperback: 36 pages

Publisher: Mirror World Publishing 

Publish Date: July 1, 2015

ISBN-10: 0994749015

ISBN-13: 978-0994749017

Purchase Links:

Mirror World Publishing

Amazon

Follow the Book Tour:

https://saphsbookpromotions.blogspot.com/2020/02/book-tour-schedule-coffee-monster-and.html

Meet the Author:

I want to change the world, one smile at a time!

A writer from Windsor, Ontario, Canada, Nate graduated from the Kinesiology program at the University of Windsor. His education has fuelled a keen interest in how people think and what drives them to be their best. Comedy is his first love and his desire to be creative has directed him towards writing children’s literature. He enjoys reading to his nephews, two of his biggest fans.

Connect with Nate:

Website

Facebook

Publisher Website:

Mirror World Publishing

Release Day Book #Review ~ My Bestie's Ex (The Rooftop Crew, Book #1) by Piper Rayne #ContemporaryRomance #Romance @PiperRayneRocks @WildfireMarket1

I can’t borrow him.

He’s not a sweater or a skirt. 

He’s not even her favorite dress—the lucky one she wears on first dates. 

The one she probably wore on her first date with him. 

Book Details:

Print Length: 279 pages
Publication Date: February 18, 2020
ASIN: B07XXF916M
Amazon
About the Book:

In my defense, I didn’t know who he was. To me, he was a cool, calm, confident stranger. He was perfection for the entire hour and a half train ride while the concrete jungle turned into a rolling green landscape.

To an outsider, we probably appeared more friends than hopeful lovers. But my blush came quickly, and his dimples indented with every smile. We definitely shared a spark of what could be.

Too bad I didn’t know who he was before I fell for him, because he can’t be mine. 

My Review:

Blanca recently reconnected with Sierra, her childhood best friend, who convinces her to move in with her in a new town. Eager to reunite and start the next chapter of her life, Blanca leaves her hometown. She also gets a new job at a local newspaper. On the train back from the city and toward her new life, Blanca meets a handsome stranger and they connect immediately. They meet again on Monday - Ethan is now one of her co-workers.The chemistry between Blanca and Ethan is electric and undeniable. Yet, Ethan doesn't seem as eager to bend his rules to not date co-workers as Blanca is for him to break them - and this isn't even the main conflict in the story. Once Ethan tosses caution to the wind and starts dating Blanca proper, the next roadblock on their path shows up. Ethan is  Blanca's bestie's ex-boyfriend, bring along a whole new set of problems.

Another fantastic book by Piper Rayne. I love the realism, likable characters, and hot chemistry between the hero and heroine. My Bestie's Ex is one of those books that draws you in and keeps you engaged. I rooted for Ethan and Blanca even with Sierra hanging between them. Blanca is a strong character and I was excited to see her become even more independent and grow. Ethan is a wonderful character with rules to protect himself. His backstory is sad and how he reacts to familial situations made me tear up. He's been holding on to so much baggage that doesn't allow him to see his family for what it is currently; he only sees and feels things from the past. Fortunately, Blanca and Ethan are perfect together and their relationship allows for revelations of his past and personal growth that benefits not only himself but his family, as well.

This book as all the feels and I loved everything about the story, the characters, the setting, and romance.

I was provided a copy of this book to read.

My Rating:

#Book #Review ~ The Great Witches Baking Show (Book 1) by Nancy Warren ~ Culinary Cozy #Mystery @partnersincr1me @NancyWarren1

The Great Witches Baking Show
by Nancy Warren

About the Book:

A baker with secrets
Witches in trouble
The cameras are rolling
Ready, set, die.

Poppy Wilkinson is thrilled to be chosen as a contestant on The Great British Baking Contest. As an American with English roots, winning the crown as Britain’s Best Baker would open doors she’s dreamed of. In more ways than one. Appearing on the reality show is her chance to get into Broomewode Hall and uncover the secrets of her past.

But strange things are happening on the show’s set: accusations of sabotage, a black cat that shadows Poppy, suspiciously unsociable residents at Broomewode Hall—and the judges can be real witches.

There are murmurs that Broomewode is an energy vortex. It certainly makes Poppy see and do things that aren’t exactly normal, and seems to draw interesting characters to the neighborhood.

When a fellow contestant dies in mysterious circumstances, Poppy has more to worry about than burned pies and cakes that won’t rise. There’s a murderer on the loose and it’s up to Poppy and her new friends to solve the crime before it becomes a real show-stopper.

From USA Today Bestselling Author Nancy Warren, this delicious series of cozy paranormal mysteries will have you guessing until the end. Includes recipes.

Book Details:

Genre: Culinary Cozy
Published by: Ambleside Publishing
Publication Date: January 15th 2020
Number of Pages: 250
ASIN: B07ZL472PK
Series: Culinary Cozy #1
Purchase Links: Amazon  | Goodreads

My Review:

The Great Witches Baking Show is a wonderful first book in a new series by Nancy Warren. As a fan of the television show The Great British Bake Off, the premise of this book piqued my interest. I was not disappointed at all in book one. 

The Great Witches Baking Show begins the adventure of Poppy Wilkinson, born in England, raised in America, and recently returned to England. Happy to be back in Europe, Poppy has more than one reason for entering the The Great British Baking Contest. She's looking for ties to her birth mother and any family members she can find. She also discovers certain traits she possesses are not all that unfamiliar to the show's hosts. 

The baking contest gets off to a rough start when one of the contestant's continues to have his baking station sabotaged. Things escalate and the contestant is later found dead by his oven after hours. Now there may be a murderer in their midst. Poppy then feels obligated to figure out what happened to the contestant. Already nervous to be in the televised baking contests, Poppy finds herself completely overwhelmed with everything going on around her. 

All of the characters are great. Poppy is a wonderful, down-to-earth person who just wants to know and understand her heritage. She learns a few things about her past in hopes of finding her birth parents but also discovers additional parts of her heritage that is a total surprise. The hosts, other contestants, crew, and estate residents all lend realism to this wonderful story. 

Filled with paranormal and witchy references, this story is fantastic and pulled me into a fabulously created world with realistic and likable characters. The murder mystery was engaging and I was just as focused on solving the mystery as Poppy. The author did an amazing job keeping the identity of the murder under wraps until the appropriate time. I may have had a tiny idea of the culprit but wasn't entirely sure until the person was revealed. I look forward to the continuation of the series.

I was provided a copy of this book to read.

My Rating:

Book #Review ~ Lessons in Trust (Lessons, Book #2) by Kate Davies ~ #Romance #Suspense @EntangledPub

Book Details:

Print Length: 147 pages
Publisher: Entangled: Indulgence
Publication Date: August 21, 2017
Sold by: Macmillan
ASIN: B074DZ9369
Amazon

About the Book:

Princess Lucia du Charbonneaux has worked hard to create her life of relative autonomy. But her new bodyguard refuses to play by her rules. Even worse than him cramping her style are the heated looks he gives her that threaten to melt her carefully constructed Ice Princess facade.

The princess may be a royal pain, but Eric Delmonico is a professional, and he promised her brother he’d keep her safe. No matter how much sleeps he loses while protecting her sinfully sexy body, he’s determined to stay until the threat against her is neutralized.

When an attempt is made on Lucia's life, Eric whisks her away to where he can best keep her safe, but they have to learn to work together before Lucia's safety—and their connection—are lost forever.

My Review:

Lucia is a very independent princess. She doesn't live in the palace anymore because she wanted to have her own private space. She is still very active in royal society, as she should be, but her time outside her duties is truly her own. That is, until her brother Alex leaves for his honeymoon and a man in shadows of the wedding reception informs her he is her new bodyguard. She is uncertain why Alex has hired this man, as employment issues are Lucia's responsibility. Not easily cowed, Lucia tries her best to ditch this brooding man who insists on taking away all of her freedoms. Why now does she have a 24/7 bodyguard?

Eric has been hired by the Alex, the crown prince, to keep a watchful eye on his sister, Lucia. As head of his own security firm, Eric takes every job very seriously and he knows how important it is to keep the princess safe. She, apparently, has not been told about him or the impending threats to her, though. The power struggles between the pair are hot and the looks tossed about to each threaten to melt Lucia's heart and incinerate Eric's professionalism and will power.

Lucia and Eric are wonderful, strong characters. Lucia is not the Ice Princess she portrays to the world. She's very caring, considerate, and hard-working. Eric is a former military man providing job opportunities to others of the same. He is broody (but not too broody) and takes his role as Lucia's protector very seriously. They engage in witty banter that kept me smiling. I was engaged in the story from the get-go, enjoying almost every part of the plot. The only issue I had was the abruptness of the ending. The whole reason for Eric's protection was written off-the-page, leaving me a little let down that the discovery, confrontation, and take down of the threat wasn't included.

Lessons in Trust is the embodiment of romantic suspense novella. The book is a quick read and enjoyable. This is the first book I've read by Kate Davies and I love her writing style, wit, and combination of two unlikely characters finding everything they need in each other.

I was provided a copy of this book to read.

My Rating:

   

#Book Review ~ Evil's Ultimate Huntress (An Alexis Black Novel: Book Two) by Jenn Windrow ~ #UrbanFantasy #UF ~ @jennwindrow

Book Details:

Print Length: 280 pages
Publication Date: November 5, 2018
ASIN: B07FTTP932
Purchase Link: Amazon

About the Book:

Vampire Alexis Black just wanted to be human again. Now she just wants to stay alive…and undead.

Two months ago, Vampire Alexis Black almost killed Delano Melazi, an ancient blood-sucker hell-bent on eradicating the human race…almost. Ever since, he’s been trying to return the favor one pointy-toothed minion at a time. Now she spends her nights, along with her vampire-tolerating human partner and ghostly side-kick trying to keep Delano’s army from taking over her city.

Delano is small veins compared to the artery that is Andre, her twin. The brother that Alexis’ sire tortured and twisted into a monster. The brother who now leads her enemy’s army against her. The brother she doesn’t think she can beat. Now Alexis has a new mission—save Andre by finding his last spark of humanity or follow orders or do what she does best…kill vampires.

Evil's Ultimate Huntress is the second book in Jenn Windrow's amazing Alexis Black series. One of my favorite urban fantasy series' I couldn't wait to get my hands on book 2. The book is so good I devoured it as quick as I could. The timeliness of my review is not as impressive as the content of the book or my ability to devour it in a day or so. I read this quite a while ago, during the last semester of my master's degree (which included a master's thesis). I was unable to make time to write the review and am still playing catch-up. For such an amazing series I should made a much better effort.

Alexis's attempt to kill Delano Melazi did not go as planned and Delano is a bit sore at Alexis. He has amassed an army and is trying to destroy her town. The worst part of the situation is her twin brother, Andre.  He's leading the army set on destroying her along with the entire human race. Along with Reaper, Alexis must find a way to stop Andre - whether she manages to find his last bit of humanity or is forced to do her job, which means his death.

Alexis is an awesome character. She's strong and despite her vampire heritage, Alexis still manages to maintain a good portion of her humanity. She cares about humans, even ones who don't deserve her, and continues to try and protect everyone. Reacher is still Alexis's troubled partner. He's complicated and closed off. He continues to have a hard time trying to rectify his partnership with a vampire.

The author does a wonderful job world building. I was able to visualize the scenes in my head because they were descriptive, allowing to picture every event, emotion, and atmosphere relayed by the author. I really enjoyed the story and the plot. The character development continues and I felt like I was able to get to know Alexis, Reaper, Eddie, and the rest of the characters.

The book is fast-paced, action-packed, and suspenseful. There are twists and turns around every corner. I appreciate the uniqueness and originality of Evil's Ultimate Huntress and can't wait to see what happens in book 3.

I was given a copy of this book to review.

My Rating: