#BookReview ~ Tarnished Beginnings (Soul Dance, Book 1) by Ann Gimpel ~ @AnnGimpel #Shifter #Fantasy #Novella

Tarnished Beginnings by Ann Gimpel

Book Details:

Kindle File Size: 438 KB
Print Length: 111 pages
Publisher: Ann Gimpel Books, LLC
Publication Date: June 29, 2017
ASIN: B073JT64DP

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About the Book:

Tarnished Beginnings is the prequel to the Soul Dance series. Novella length, it's shifter fantasy, but not a romance. The other three books in this series are full length romances with HEAs. Join Tairin as a young woman struggling to survive in 1700s Egypt. You'll meet her again in Tarnished Legacy, book two of Soul Dance.

1700s Egypt is a haven for magic-wielders of all kinds. Vampires hold court, staying one step ahead of the priests and priestesses who want them dead. Gypsy caravans roam the Nile from north to south and back again, plying their wares, telling fortunes, casting Tarot cards, and stealing from the gadjos.

Tairin Jabari was born in a caravan and has always believed she’s Romani. Why wouldn’t she? Her mother and father never suggested otherwise. The Rom have harsh rules. When Tairin’s first shift catches her unaware at thirteen, her father disappears, and the elders move with deadly speed to punish her mother for mating outside the blood.

Hurt, lost, confused, and fearing for her own life, Tairin runs away, leaving her mother’s smoking funeral pyre behind. If she could only find her father, he’d welcome her. He’s always loved her, hasn’t he? Only problem is he’s in a shifter settlement. With her mixed blood, they won’t welcome her any more warmly than the Romani. It doesn’t take long before Tairin discovers how desperately unprepared she is for life outside her protected caravan. With her survival on the line every single day, she and her wolf face hard choices.

My Review:

Tarnished Beginnings takes us on an adventure in 1700s Egypt. Tairin is the product of a Romani gypsy and a shifter – a union that, if known, results in the death of those who dare mate outside the gypsy clan. Additionally, the shifter clan will not acknowledge her either due to the dual heritage. She learns rather quickly that the world is neither kind nor safe outside the confines of the gypsy caravan; however, there is no turning back.

Get ready for the intro to what is sure to be a wonderful shifter fantasy series. I enjoyed the set up for the series in Tarnished Beginnings. Tairin’s character is young yet forced to grow up quickly in order to survive in a land where women were possessions with no rights or protections. The world building is done well and the reader will find themselves magically transported to Egypt in their mind’s eye. The dialogue was smooth and believable and I was engaged in the entire story.

Ann Gimpel is one of my favorite authors. Her stories are fresh and unique and her characters are strong and captivating. Her characters are real. They have real emotions, are likable, and are written in such a way that no matter their genre (paranormal, steampunk, historical), the reader will connect with them.

As of Oct. 4, 2017, this book is from my private collection. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Review previously posted on Sapphyria's Books.

My Rating:

Visit the Author:

https://anngimpel.com/

Book Review: Harsh Line (Cataclysm, Book 1) by Ann Gimpel ~ #UF @AnnGimpel

Book Details:

Print Length: 240 pages
Publisher: Ann Gimpel Books, LLC
Publication Date: April 13, 2020
ASIN: B083LFLPW6

About the Book:

My very existence is under attack. I’ve kept a low profile, told myself the craziness sweeping the world would pass me by. Yeah, it was wishful thinking, actually an outright lie, but it’s kept me sane.

I’ve been hiding out forever in one guise or another. Currently, I run a nightclub. Ascent is an “ask me no questions, and I’ll tell you no lies” haven. For everybody. I’m a Vampire. Far be it from me to judge.

My closest ally is a shapeshifting dire wolf. I adopted him when he was a scrawny puppy, but I’m getting ahead of my tale.

The fragile détente between supernaturals and humans has crashed and burned. I can’t avoid the truth any longer. Lucky for me, mortals don’t know exactly what I am. When I moved to Seattle, some vampiric sixth sense urged me to play my cards close to my vest, but I’m done burying my secrets.

And my power.

It’s past time for supernaturals to get over their stupid infighting. Meh. So what if Witches hate Druids? Or Fae never deal with Sorcerers? We have to pull together, or we’ll have no chance at all.

Not that it’s likely, but if any mortals see the light and sign up for our side, we’d damn well better welcome them.

I’m Ariana Hawke. No more skulking in the shadows for me.

My Review:

Harsh Line is the first book in Ann Gimpel's Cataclysm series. Ariana Hawke is an ancient vampire who has managed to blend into a human world that would like nothing more than to see all supernatural creatures be eradicated. She runs Ascent, a nightclub that caters to everyone and employs the very creatures the humans who patronize the club want put to their eternal deaths. Ariana's sidekick is Conan, a mysterious dire wolf she rescued as a pup and nurtured, contrary to a vampire's nature. Ariana and Conan unlikely companions who have ever other's backs - Always! But they both harbor secrets; secrets that may cause their ultimate demise.

Harsh Line is a wonderful book that has author, Ann Gimpel, creating vampires on the side of good,when her vampires are generally on the opposing side. I loved Ariana and Conan's characters. An unlikely pair, their bond is strong and the trust they have for one another runs deep. Her ability to run a club that employs other supernatural creatures that tend avoid vampires at all cost prove her leadership ability. Ariana is not a typical vampire, a fact a newly arrived vampire, Nickolas, discovers after meeting her.

All of the characters are strong and multi-dimensional. Ariana's character is strong but we learn a lot about her past and what makes her tick. We don't get a lot out of Conan's past at the beginning, however, as the book progresses, he character unwillingly opens up and we find out more about him. The world building creates a sense of belonging at Ascend. I felt like I was in the story, hearing the words, visualizing the scenes, feeling the emotions.

I look forward to the next book.

I requested and was provided a copy of this book to read. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

My Rating:

Book Review ~ A Case for the Winemaker (Ainsley McGregor, Book 1) by Candace Havens ~ #CozyMystery ~ @CandaceHavens

A Case for the Winemaker 

Ainsley McGregor Book 1 

by Candace Havens 

Genre: Cozy Mystery 

About the Book:

The closer she gets to the truth, the more she finds herself drowning in trouble.

It’s an exciting time in Sweet River, Texas, and the whole town's talking. Maybe, a little too much. Former English professor Ainsley McGregor has gambled everything on her new business: Bless Your Art, an artisan market where local artists sell their wares and teach classes.

The bright, white space is filled to the brim with colorful art, yarn, jewelry, pet treats, antiques and even a few medieval weapons. Oh, and there are wine tastings. Everything's better with wine. Ainsley is surprised by how well things are going–right up until the moment her Great Dane finds a dead body. With her friend accused of the murder, it’s up to Ainsley to find the real killer.

As the suspect list grows longer, Ainsley has her work cut out for her. The task is made more difficult by the fact her brother, the sheriff, doesn’t seem to want her help. If she doesn’t wrap up the case soon, she might be the next wine, um, one to die. 

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My Review:

A Case for the Winemaker is the first book in the Ainsley McGregor series by Candace Havens. Ainsley McGregor opened up a cooperative store called Bless Your Art where she rents spaces to local artisans. This concept is what drew me to the book. Back in the early 2000s, my mom and I were serious crafters and we rented a medium sized space in what the owners named "The Antique and Craft Mall." We would have been lucky to have worked with anyone as nice and friendly as Ainsley. We rarely saw the owners of the business and it didn't seem as though they were as serious about making the craft mall work. Their lack of enthusiasm is probably why I received a frantic phone call from their front desk person one morning telling me they were closing and I had to get in a get our stuff by the end of the day. Bummer. It was fun having an outlet for our products. Hopefully nothing like this happens to the fictional shop created by the author.

When Ainsley's dog, George Clooney, finds a body outside near the shop, one of Ainsley's friends in implicated in the death. Having been seen publicly arguing with the deceased tends to sway the detectives in that direction. Ainsley knows her friend is innocent and something more sinister is afoot.  The mystery was set up and executed well and I enjoyed trying to figure out who did it an why.

Ainsley is a wonderful character with business know-how and impeccable customer service skills. Her brother, Greg, is the local sheriff, and he tries to keep her from interfering with the case but with  his sights only set on Ainsley's friend, she knows she can't sit on the sidelines. Jake is a firefighter, friend of Greg's, and Ainsley's closest neighbor. Together, the three of them along with Ainsley's friends, make up a great cast of characters.

This books was an enjoyable, fast read that keep me engaged. I loved the setting: an artisan market, the characters were wonderful, realistic, and relatable. The world building allowed me to visualize the scenes and I felt like I was there with the characters as they lead their normal, everyday lives. I couldn't put the book down.

I was provided a copy of this book to review. All thoughts and opinions of this book are my own.

My Rating:

Book #Review ~ Murder in the Secret Maze (A Tory Benning Mystery, Book 1) by Judith Gonda ~ #CozyMystery

Murder in the Secret Maze

A Tory Benning Mystery, Book 1

 Judith Gonda

Cozy Mystery 

Beyond the Page Publishing 

February 26, 2020

Paperback: 273 pages 

ISBN-10: 1950461386 

ISBN-13: 978-1950461387 

Digital ASIN: B084HNMVGV

About Murder in the Secret Maze:

First in a new series featuring California landscape architect Tory Benning!

Landscape architect Tory Benning knows the lay of the land, but she’ll have to dig through the clues to unearth a killer . . .

After a whirlwind romance and a glorious wedding at the luxurious Hotel Santa Sofia, Tory Benning is ready to let down her hair, slip into her dancing shoes, and celebrate—until she discovers that her newly minted husband has vanished. The police suspect cold feet and second thoughts are behind Milo’s disappearance, but Tory’s certain he’s met with foul play. And since she designed the plush resort, she knows every nook and cranny of the grounds and adjoining secret maze, and wastes no time delving into her search.

As clues begin to emerge that Milo may have taken his last breath in the maze, Tory steps up her sleuthing, even as she learns she’s the prime suspect of a cop with a chip on his shoulder and is squarely in the sights of a menacing stalker. And when a second body is found on the grounds, Tory fears she’s up against a killer determined to silence any and all who get in the way. .

Not to be deterred, Tory forges ahead, navigating a case with more twists and turns than the maze itself, until the labyrinth of clues leads her to shocking revelations about her husband, her family, and the identity of a killer who’s dead set on making her the next victim . . . .

My Review:

Tory Benning is part of the family that own's a California landscaping company. On the day she marries her husband, Milo, after a short, whirlwind courtship, he disappears. After a brief text to Tory, Milo misses his and Tory's wedding reception. His car is missing and phones calls go right to voicemail. A cop with a vendetta against Tory tosses her concerns aside and chalks Milo's disappearance up to cold feet. Tory is sure Milo didn't disappear on his own accord. Clues eventually start emerging inside the maze on the luxury hotel's property where the wedding was held, confirming Tory's suspicions. Milo didn't get cold feet and just leave her minutes after the wedding ceremony.

Even as her worst fears are coming true, the cop with the vendetta is determined to pin the mysterious and violent disappearance of Milo on Tory. When the body of a second person is found in the maze, Tory knows What follows is a murder mystery so tangled up it makes the secret maze look like a run in the park. As Tory and her friends unravel the clues, Tory discovers shocking information about every facet of her life, and they all boil down to desperation and greed. Now, Tory just has to stay alive while pinpointing exactly what happened and by whom.

The author created a diverse cast of characters and several viable suspects. I found all of the characters believable for the most part. They worked will together and were able to realistically investigate the clues. I enjoyed the interactions between Tory and her family and friends. I did find Tory's lack of emotions throughout the book to be pretty off-putting, however. Her ability to hunt down clues, examine them, and still be able to go to work, and act normal just didn't sit quite right. I realize people deal with grief in their own way but Tory was stony and didn't show any emotions of loss of sadness. I didn't find her character believable in that regard.

Despite the lack of the appropriately grieving widow aspect of Tory's character, I enjoyed Murder in the Secret Maze. The mystery was intriguing and, although I suspected who the murderer was, the motives behind everything were shocking and a complete surprise. The author did an amazing job weaving together this cozy mystery. The book was fast-paced, easy to follow, and full of twists and turns. There is a great foundation for this series and I look forward to the next book.

I was provided a copy of this book to review.

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 ~ His to Defend (NOLA Knights, Book 1) by Rhenna Morgan ~ #RomanticSuspense #Mafia @RhennaMorgan

His to Defend

NOLA Knights, Book 1

Rhenna Morgan

Print Length: 384 pages

Publisher: Carina Press

Publication Date: October 14, 2019

ASIN: B07S6GGMRT

Amazon: https://amzn.to/37a5tMb

About the Book:

His world. His rules. Her love.

Though his methods may be rough, when it comes to protecting what’s his, Russian vor Sergei Petrovyh’s heart is always in the right place. That’s never been more true than when the gorgeous Evette Labadie asks him for a job. He knows enough to keep his hands off someone as beloved by the locals as Evie, but there’s something about her that calls to him—no matter how badly he burns to make her his.

Don’t think Evie hasn’t noticed the powerful Russian mafia boss who makes her favorite diner a regular stop. How can she not? He’s as hot as his reputation is dangerous. But everyone in her struggling New Orleans neighborhood knows he’s the man to turn to. And right now she needs money to get her son out of trouble.

Her other needs—needs she knows damn well Sergei can more than satisfy—will have to wait.

Evie soon finds herself playing Cinderella to a man who, despite what people believe, is definitely more prince than villain. She can’t help falling deeper in love with each passing day. But when a turf war between Sergei and a rival brings violence to her doorstep, Evie must come to grips with loving a man who will do anything to defend her…or walk away from her best chance at a happily-ever-after of her very own.

I absolutely loved Sergei’s book. His to Defend does not hide who Sergei is, what he does, or the life he leads. He’s a mafia boss, plain and simple. His methods and actions are not always legal and he’s known to be dangerous. Evette (Evie) is a wonderful character, a loving mother, and a local beloved resident. When she looks to him for a job, Evie doesn’t understand just how much her life is going to change. Evie enters a world she knows nothing about. Neither character expected the sparks to fly, but they do. When Sergei’s world collides with that of Evie and her son, Sergei will do anything and everything to keep them safe. Evie now must make the choice to let Sergei defend her or to walk away from the one and only man who cherishes and loves her.

The author constructed a very strong, sassy, and loving heroine in Evie. She has dealt with a lot over the years and is a single mother. The only family she has is a sleazy uncle she despises. She wants nothing more than to make sure Emerson is taken care of properly and desperate times call for desperate measures. She approaches Sergei Petrovyh for help and gets more than she bargained for, including uprooting her life and a wonderful romance – but also danger.

Things aren’t always easy with Sergei but he never once treats Evie or Emerson with anything less than respect and kindness. I enjoyed the chemistry between Sergei and Evie, the slow dance, the crescendo, the heat. The author writes incredible romantic suspense stories. The plot was smooth and the story was perfectly paced. I was never bored or overwhelmed with details. The dialogue between characters is realistic and conversational and I felt like I was there with them in the story. The events and storylines were well thought out and eventually they all came together in an explosive twist at the end. Be prepared to get lost in His to Defend.

I was provided a copy of this book to review.

My Rating:

#Book #Review ~ Unravel You: A Hot Billionaire Romance (Cole Brothers Series, Book 1) by Diana A. Hicks ~ @diana_hicks @XpressoTours

Unravel You

Diana A. Hicks

(Cole Brothers, #1)

Publication date: November 18th 2019

Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

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About the Book:

UNRAVEL YOU is the enthralling sequel to LOVE OVER LATTES and can be read as a standalone. It is also book one in the Cole Brothers series, a new family saga, binge reading experience: 5 brothers, 5 full-length novels in 5 months.

College graduate Valentina never expected to fall for the hot as hell and intimidating Derek Cole when she accepted his offer to rent his property.

From cottage to mansion, Valentina is certain she doesn’t deserve the fairytale unfolding. But Derek gets what he wants… and he wants her.

He’s “the one” for her, but before she says I do, she has to survive a month long trip to his family’s estate in Atlanta. Gaining approval from four brothers and an over-protective mother might just be her hardest test yet.

For billionaire Derek Cole, this homecoming is a chance to mend the damage he caused when he walked away from the family business.

Just when they think they have a handle on their happily ever after… their past and future collide.

Note: This is a steamy romance with explicit sensual scenes, happily ever after, no cheating, and no cliffhanger. Can be read as a standalone.

Unravel You is an enjoyable steamy romance with a side of suspense. Not having ready any other books by this author, including Love Over Lattes (Desert Monsoon Series, Book 1) many references in Unravel You were lost on me. I was able to keep up with the story, however; and found Valentina and Derek a cute couple. Their romance seems a bit fast but when you find the love of your life, you just know. My husband and I have been married for 10 years and we moved in together after only knowing each other for 1 1/2 months. We got engaged a year later and married a year after that. Anyway, back to the story. 

One thing about the way the author wrote this book that stood out to me was the way our hero and heroine were not flawless. Sure, Derek is a billionaire but he has problems just everyone else. He's still fighting with events in his past. Having money does not mean everything in one's life is perfect. Valentina is still fighting the ghosts of her past, too. She caught the eye of the bachelor billionaire but her baggage and mistreatment has her doubting and second-guessing. When both of their pasts collide head-on it becomes time to open up, be honest, and trust one another. 

The chemistry between Valentina and Derek was strong, unwavering, and believable. Their characters are strong and written with realism. I was engaged in the story long before I began reading chapter one, since the synopsis in the book intrigued me. The book flows along perfectly paced, had a wonderful plot, side stories, and secondary characters. I began the book on a Sunday morning and finished it just past lunchtime. I could not put Unravel You down. I look forward to reading the rest of the books in the Cole Brothers Series.

I was provided a copy of this book to review.

Rating:

#Book #Review ~ House of Ash & Brimstone (Gatewalkers, Book 1) by Megan Starks ~ #Paranormal #Romance #PNR @fictivate

Book Details:

Print Length: 390 pages

Publisher: City Owl Press

Publication Date: October 22, 2019

ASIN: B07XZMQ2KQ

Amazon

About the Book:

Hell has come to collect…

…but Gisele Walker has no plans to pay the debt.

As a half-demon paranormal bounty hunter, Gisele is used to flirting with death, but stealing a curio and opening a portal to Hell’s demon court is more than your average day job.

Now, she’s partnered with an infuriatingly handsome demon, Shade, who has more levels of grey than she can count.

Who can she trust to help save the city as Baltimore burns to the ground and ghouls roam the streets?

With a white-hot attraction burning between them and secrets blocking their path, Gisele must face her past and venture into the twisted heart of the demon royal court.

But with no memory of her past…

…will she be able to save their future?

My Review:

House of Ash & Brimstone is the first book in a new paranormal romance series by Megan Starks. The main character. Gisele, is a half-blood demon and human who lives in the mundane world as a bounty hunter; avoiding Hell as much as possible and only with a large police escort. She also doesn't have any memories prior to the age of 11. She only remembers from the time she was placed in a convent for protection; although, protection is not at all what we learn she received. Shade is he new partner. He is dark, handsome and full of secrets. Shortly after being paired with Shade, Gisele begins to have very life-like dreams that appear to be from prior to the age of 11. She doesn't understand them and for the longest time brushes them aside. As the story moves forward she learns a lot about her past life and how is intersects with Shade.

The characters and character development are excellent. Gisele has a hard time accepting that her dreams are actually memories resurfacing. Shade is secretive and when asked any questions he either avoids the question, changes the subject, or deflects, causing Gisele to find him untrustworthy and just plain annoying. The natural progression of the story allows for circumstances that Shade is able to prove his trustworthiness, however; Gisele is jaded and either doesn't believe him or misconstrues what happens and why. The only issue I have is Gisele's stubbornness when it comes to Shade, who he is, why he's there, and what he means to her. Plus, she's pretty hot and cold for awhile. Her mood swings and beliefs gave me a serious case of whiplash as I tried to keep up with her.

The world building in this novel is so creative and vivid the story pops right off the pages. I was able to envision the story the author was telling and I felt like I was there. House of Ash & Brimstone is full of heart-pounding action and heart-stopping decisions. There are multitudes of twists, turns, and suspense. I couldn't breathe during certain scenes, as I waited in anticipation for things to be revealed. The story is romantic, dark, and full of betrayal. I was on the edge of my seat throughout most of the book.

I was provided a copy of this book to review but all thoughts and opinions are my own. 

My Rating: