Warriors of Wing and Flame (Sisters of Shadow and Light Book 2) by Sara B. Larson {Review}

Warriors of Wing and Flame (Sisters of Shadow and Light Book 2) by Sara B. Larson

379 pages

October 27, 2020 by Tor Teen 

Source: Audiobook and I own a copy of the book

 

 

The doorway between the magical Visempirum and the human world has been reopened. Paladin are once more living in the citadel where Zuhra and Inara grew up completely isolated by the magical hedge that trapped them there. Amidst the brewing conflict between the Paladin and humans looms the threat of Barloc, who has stolen Inara’s immense power and continues to elude the Paladin who are desperately searching for him.

In this sequel to Sisters of Shadow and Light, Inara and Zuhra must navigate the treacherous paths of self-discovery, their love for each other, and for the boys who have captured their hearts. Together, they search for the strength within themselves to bridge the divide between the two worlds they inhabit, even as war threatens to destroy everything—and everyone—they love.

   

My Review: 4 Stars

Zuhra and Inara have a sisterly bond like no other and I love that. I have two sisters myself and love that intangible thread that ties us together, although theirs extends a little more than mine does through magic. Just a warning--this is the second book in the duology and MUST be read after the first. 

I enjoyed this book a bit more than the first, due to the fact that there was more action and romance verses world building. I loved watching these sisters gain strength and confidence in the roles they were thrust into and it was satisfying to watch the people come together for a common cause. The points of view alternated between the sisters and there were times when it was murky trying to figure out who was speaking, but I loved getting the insights from both sides.

It's no secret that I'm all about the romance and the sparkles of attractions that glimmered through the conflict and suspense were life. Larson did a good job of tying all these wonderful fantasy elements together--magic, friction, loyalty, and love. 

Content: mild romance; mild violence/peril

Love & Olives by Jenna Evans Welch {Review}

Love & Olives by Jenna Evans Welch

Audiobook, 15 pages (Hardback, 512 pages)

Published November 10th 2020 by Simon & Schuster Audio

 

Liv Varanakis doesn’t have a lot of fond memories of her father, which makes sense—he fled to Greece when she was only eight. What Liv does remember, though, is their shared love for Greek myths and the lost city of Atlantis. So when Liv suddenly receives a postcard from her father explaining that National Geographic is funding a documentary about his theories on Atlantis—and will she fly out to Greece and help?—Liv jumps at the opportunity.

But when she arrives to gorgeous Santorini, things are a little…awkward. There are so many questions, so many emotions that flood to the surface after seeing her father for the first time in years. And yet Liv doesn’t want their past to get in the way of a possible reconciliation. She also definitely doesn’t want Theo—her father’s charismatic so-called “protégé”—to witness her struggle.

And that means diving into all that Santorini has to offer—the beautiful sunsets, the turquoise water, the hidden caves, and the delicious cuisine. But not everything on the Greek island is as perfect as it seems. Because as Liv slowly begins to discover, her father may not have invited her to Greece for Atlantis, but for something much more important. 

   

My Review: 4 Stars

A cute boy. A gorgeous location. Reuniting with your long lost dad. What could be better? Liv hasn't seen her dad for years, but is now in Greece, helping him and his cute assistant, Theo, with a documentary on the lost city of Atlantis. It might seem like fun and games, but there are a lot of bumps on this road to coming-of-age.

Welch does a great job of transporting the reader to a beautiful setting on a multi-level engaging adventure. This story isn't fast-paced, but made me feel like I was there, working on this age-old mystery and coming to know Santorini and its residents, as well as unraveling the reasons why Liv's father has been missing from her life for so many years. 

There are some twists and turns embedded in the angst, and the characters are real and flawed, with vivid emotions. Although I liked Theo, it took me a minute to warm up to him, as well as to Liv's father. 

All in all, this Mama Mia inspired tale was an enjoyable diversion.

Content: mild romance

The Printed Letter Bookshop by Katherine Reay {Review}

The Printed Letter Bookshop by Katherine Reay

Paperback, 324 pages

Published May 14th 2019 by Thomas Nelson 

Source: Audiobook

 

 

 

Love, friendship, and family find a home at the Printed Letter Bookshop

One of Madeline Cullen’s happiest childhood memories is of working with her Aunt Maddie in the quaint and cozy Printed Letter Bookshop. But by the time Madeline inherits the shop nearly twenty years later, family troubles and her own bitter losses have hardened Madeline’s heart toward her once-treasured aunt—and the now struggling bookshop left in her care.

While Madeline intends to sell the shop as quickly as possible, the Printed Letter’s two employees have other ideas. Reeling from a recent divorce, Janet finds sanctuary within the books and within the decadent window displays she creates. Claire, though quieter than the acerbic Janet, feels equally drawn to the daily rhythms of the shop and its loyal clientele, finding a renewed purpose within its walls. When Madeline’s professional life takes an unexpected turn, and when a handsome gardener upends all her preconceived notions, she questions her plans and her heart. She begins to envision a new path for herself and for her aunt’s beloved shop—provided the women’s best combined efforts are not too little, too late.

The Printed Letter Bookshop is a captivating story of good books, a testament to the beauty of new beginnings, and a sweet reminder of the power of friendship.

 

  

 

My Review: 4 Stars

 

This charming bookshop was the coziest setting and a wonderful place to get to know these three narrators and the way recently deceased Maddie affected each of their lives. I loved the personal letters that Maddie left for each of them with a list of personalized books for them to read.

 

Claire, Janet, and Madeline are each so different, yet they connect and bond in beautiful ways as they navigate life, joys, struggles, and more. There were pieces of each of them that were easy to identify with and it was a wonderful tale of friendship, finding oneself, and second chances. Don't we all make mistakes and deserve a second chance?

This story warmed my heart. I enjoyed watching the bookshop change the lives of these characters and their families and loved ones, and the way it played such an integral role for this small town.

Content: mild romance; very mild religion

My Second Chance (Ridgewater High #4) by Judy Corry {Review}

 

My Second Chance (Ridgewater High #4) by Judy Corry

Kindle Edition, 276 pages

Published October 12th 2018 

 

     

 

They broke the rules. He broke her heart. Does their love deserve a second chance?

Sixteen-year-old Juliette Cardini has been keeping a secret for months. Before she went to her semester abroad in Paris, she dated her best friend's older brother, Easton Stevens. What had started as a whirlwind romance filled with forbidden meetings, came to a crashing halt when they crossed a line together that neither of them could return from.

Now she's back in Ridgewater and has to face everyone she left behind. But there's one more secret she is afraid for anyone to discover. She's pregnant. And Easton is the father.

But she has a plan: go to her grandma's house in Buffalo for the next few months. Keep the baby a secret. No one will ever have to know. But when Juliette sees signs that Easton might want a second chance, she wonders if keeping everything to herself is the best choice.

Can a relationship built on such a rocky foundation have a chance at a happy ending? And what will Easton do if Juliette's secret comes out?

MY SECOND CHANCE is a standalone novel in The Ridgewater High series, a collection of simmering YA contemporary romances. If you like sweet romance with ballad-worthy chemistry, swoony kisses and endearing characters then you'll love Judy Corry's latest book.

**This is a clean romance with a positive message.

 

My Review: 4.5 Stars

 

This was a hard book for me to rate. On one hand, I absolutely loved it and the message it sent, but on the other hand, it was a tough topic to read about (or listen to, in my case). After listening to Book 1 in the series, I grabbed the others and this was the next one in line. I listened to the whole thing in less than a day because I just couldn't let it go. In some ways, it was like passing a car accident, all messy and concerning, but in other ways, it simply had a strong grasp on my emotions that just wouldn't release. I couldn't fathom what Juliette and Easton were going through and I could not imagine how things could possible resolve. I was more than invested in their lives for a time and I'm not mad about it.

 

Everyone makes mistakes in their lives--some just have more lasting consequences than others. The positive messages and vibes in this book were so encouraging, especially with the romantic tension oozing off the pages. One accident doesn't mean the game is over and lessons can be learned moving forward. I utterly loved these characters!

Corry does a fantastic job of tackling a modern, sensitive topic and portraying some pretty accurate emotions and reactions. Juliette and Easton are fantastic characters and I was riveted to their story.  

 

Content: moderate romance (kissing, teen pregnancy) 

Meet Me There (Ridgewater High #1) by Judy Corry {Review}

 

Meet Me There (Ridgewater High #1) by Judy Corry

Kindle Edition, 266 pages

Published March 6th 2018

 

  

 A dark Chemistry lab. A fake British accent. It's all fun and games until somebody falls in love.

When sixteen-year-old, Ashlyn Brooks, runs into a sweet British guy in the dark Chemistry lab, she has no idea she's actually sitting in the pitch black room with her longtime rival, Luke Davenport. She also doesn't know that she's stepped into another one of the football captain's pranks. It isn't long before she's sharing things she's never told anyone, and starting to fall for the mysterious guy with a sexy accent who seems to understand her in a way no one ever has before.

When Luke's mom dies the summer before his senior year, he turns to pranking Ashlyn to keep his mind off his loss. But the more he gets to know her, the more he regrets using his fake British accent in the first place. Soon Luke is walking the thin line of keeping his lies a secret and wishing he could tell her that the boy she's falling for is really him.

Meet Me There is a standalone novel in The Ridgewater High series, a collection of simmering YA contemporary romances. If you like sweet romance with ballad-worthy chemistry, swoony kisses and endearing characters then you'll love Judy Corry's latest book.

 

My Review: 4 Stars

 

There's something so delicious about a secret identity romance and this one, set in a dark corner of a high school, was pure fun. Although I keep getting older, these teen romances will always hold a piece of my heart, catapulting me back to the good parts of my past.

 

Full of cuteness and fluff, I wasn't expecting the thick ribbon of depth that I found. I loved watching the story unravel, as the characters grew and matured. I loved feeling different emotions, without wading into too much angst, and the dancing scenes were an added bonus.

Content: mild romance (kisses); mild moments of seriousness (death, bullying, abuse, etc)

Review: Boo by Rene Gutteridge

Boo by Rene Gutteridge

Audiobook

Published March 10th 2005 by Books In Motion (first published September 16th 2003)  

My Rating: 5 Stars

Description:

The biggest thing to happen to Skary, Indiana, is renowned horror novelist Wolfe Boone, "Boo", as the locals fondly call him. For the past 16 years, the reclusive writer has been the towns greatest attraction, having unintentionally turned the once struggling Skary into a thriving tourist trap for the dark side. But when a newly reformed Wolfe suddenly quits the genre and subsequently starts to pursue Skary's favorite girl-next-door, Ainsley Parker, the little town becomes truly horrified. Soon, a scheme is plotted to put the fright back into Skary, and get their most famous resident out of love and back into the thrill business. Filled with humor, small town charm, and a gentle message of enduring faith, BOO shows how even the most colorful group of busybodies and hypocrites can become a community changed forever by God.
 

My Review:


My book club read this and there weren't many copies in the library. I grabbed an audio version and really enjoyed it! Michael Taylor does a great job with the voices and story.


Ainsley is pretty disgusted with Wolfe. He's turned her beloved town into a horror attraction without even trying. When he accepts God and starts to pursue her, she realizes that there might be more than meets the eye with him. Ainsley is a very sweet and obedient girl. She's a favorite of many and tries to make those around her happy. Wolfe is complex, but very enjoyable. I loved the story of how he came to write what he does. The novel is filled with interesting, unique, and meddling characters who really add to the feel of this small town. I enjoyed every one of them and the spark they each brought to the story.

There are a few little mysteries that are embedded in the storyline and the reader is privy to some of the conclusions. It was fun to watch things unfold and the climax was both sad and entertaining. I love that things are left open for more to happen in future installments.

Highly recommended for readers who enjoy a gentle story with a dash of mystery and romance, a helping of humor, and a Christian theme threaded throughout. Clean! 

Buy Links:

About the Author: 

Rene Gutteridge is the award-winning and best-selling author of more than eighteen novels, including the beloved Boo Series and Heart of the Country, her novelization release with director John Ward and Tyndale House Publishers. Her recent suspense titles include Listen, Possession and the award-winning Seven Hours project Escapement. She's been published by Bethany House, Tyndale House, WaterBrook Press, Thomas Nelson and B&H and novelized the successful motion picture The Ultimate Gift. She is teaming again with screenwriter Cheryl McKay for the romantic comedy Greetings from the Flipside from B&H and releasing her new suspense title, Misery Loves Company from Tyndale in 2013. Her romantic comedy Never the Bride won the 2010 Carol Award for Best Women’s Fiction. Her upcoming literary projects include the novelization of the motion picture Old Fashioned with Tyndale House Publishers and filmmaker Rik Swartzwelder.

Her adaptation of her novel My Life as a Doormat is in development with Kingdom Pictures and she is also a creative consultant for Boo, a film based on her best-selling novel, in development at Sodium Entertainment with Cory Edwards attached as director and Andrea Nasfell as screenwriter. She is also co-writer in a collaborative comedy project called Last Resort with screenwriters Torry Martin and Marshal Younger. Her screenplay Skid is currently in production and scheduled to begin filming in April of 2013. Find her on Facebook and Twitter or at her website, www.renegutteridge.com 

New Audiobook: The Bali Mystery by Linda Weaver Clarke + Giveaway

Audiobook Giveaway: You have a chance to win a Romantic Cozy Mystery Audiobook,
The Bali Mystery. 

                             To enter the contest, make a comment about why you like mysteries. 
                                             Please include your email address in your comment.

When reading a book, you picture the characters interacting with one another, but an audio brings everything to life as you listen to the dynamics of the narrator. You hear the anxiety, suspense, comedy, and romance in the person’s voice as you sit and relax in an easy chair or if you’re driving down the road to work. It’s entertainment at its best.
 

Red Mountain Shadows Publishing presents The Bali Mystery: Amelia Moore Detective Series by Author Linda Weaver Clarke. With narrator, Diane Lehman, she draws the listener in and helps you feel part of the adventure as she narrates the character’s feelings and conversations.

Diane T. Lehman is a professional musician. A piano teacher and vocal coach, she shows yet another talent to entertain us as she captivates the listener with each character she portrays. The inflections, intonations, and accents are amazing.

Author Linda Weaver Clarke travels throughout the United States, teaching people to write their family history. She is the author of eighteen books and has received raving reviews for her mysteries.

“Linda Weaver Clarke paints a beautiful portrait of the island of Bali,” wrote Socrates Book Reviews. “In fact, she made me wish I were there. I’ve read her books before and she has a wonderful way of drawing the reader right into her stories. Amelia and Rick were very realistic to me. I thought Rick’s Bucket List gave readers a great insight into his character. Throughout the book you couldn’t help pulling for these two to realize they were more than co-workers. The mystery and romance flowed beautifully through each page.”

Missing persons, bucket lists, romance, and mystery! Amelia Moore, the founder of the Moore Detective Agency, specializes in missing persons. When Mrs. Brody hires Amelia and Rick to find her missing brother, they find themselves in Bali, Indonesia. They are mystified why her brother quit his job, put his home up for sale, and ran off to this mysterious and exotic island without telling a soul.

“This is a cozy mystery, but there is also suspense, danger, and romance. Throw in two mysterious men in black – complete with black suits and sunglasses and you have all the makings of an exciting novel.” –Library of Clean Reads

 https://youtu.be/zJji4_CZL20
 

This book is available in audio form at Audible.com, Amazon.com, and iTunes. For more information or to read a sample chapter, visit www.lindaweaverclarke.com.

*To enter, you must be 18 or older and able to receive one of the above audio forms. Only one entry per person. Winner will be randomly drawn on June 26, 2015 and contacted via email. Winner will have 48 hours to reply and accept prize. After 48 hours, a new winner will be drawn.*