Reading Fanatic Reviews
Romantic FantasyCall of Darkness by Isadora Brown
Available at Amazon only
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Call of Darkness*
Many Secrets Revealed in This Installment
Kelia is now a Sightless as punishment after all that transpired in the last book. Even though Drew had offered her escape, she wants to stay within The Society to learn more about why they killed her father. Rycroft is brutal and cruel, and he gets her to go along with a rather insane, harsh breeding program. Again and again, Kelia goes along with what Rycroft and others want simply because she wants to know the truth or wants to protect someone.
This is a dark, dark book. We don’t necessarily see all the darkness playing out in front of us, but it’s alluded to, and the effects of it are seen. Rycroft is pure evil. Drew risks himself by entering the fortress to see Kelia. Compared to the last book, he is active and bold. You can see the evolution of the way he cares for Kelia; it becomes something deep and meaningful (even if he still likes to goad and challenge her). Their relationship has changed them both, even if what everyone thinks—that they had a sexual relationship—is not true. Many secrets get revealed in this volume—and Kelia gets to understand more about her father than she wants to know–and the depth of the danger that Kelia and Drew have faced and are facing becomes increasingly evident. Those on opposing sides of this world both conspire for the downfall of Kelia and Drew and those who care about them in order to maintain the status quo or seek vengeance. The book is so horrifying at times, and it is a compelling read just to see what was going to happen next. What trouble would Kelia get herself into? How will she get herself out of it? Or will she be able to get out of it at all? When will Drew show up? Drews is such a complex character; he’s the kind of person I’d like to have my back.
Unfortunately, the book seems to have more than the average number of errors in grammar, punctuation, and usage; this was distracting at times. For instance, a word was randomly capitalized in the middle of a sentence; this word also needed some capitalization around it.
Goddess of Marriage by Fallyn Briggs
Available at Amazon only
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Goddess of Marriage*
Not Easy Being the Host of Hera
We first meet Zach and Helen when they are teenagers learning about Zeus and Hera in Greek history class; they believe themselves to be genuinely in love. It flashes forward to 10 years later when they are married and are parents to a little girl named Cassandra. She is two, and Helen is ready to go back to work, so they’re looking for a nanny but without much success until they interview Sebastian. He has experience taking care of his siblings as well as working as a nanny for three different couples. He’s hired. In his personal life, he’s engaged to Kat and has only recently moved to Elysium.
If you aren’t familiar with this series, characters in it become essentially possessed by the spirits of the ancient Greek gods and goddesses. This inhabitation is typically familial, as it is here for Helen and for the heroine in the previous book of the series. So she and Zach aren’t just Helen and Zach; they also hold within themselves the spirits of Hera and Zeus. These Olympians can make themselves heard in their hosts’ minds as well as make them act out; the hosts pass out and don’t know what has happened. If you’re familiar with the legends and myths of Hera and Zeus, you will understand that Helen and Zack are not having the best relationship.
Along with following Zach and Helen’s relationship, we also follow up Sebastian and Kat’s. He’s quite content to be a nanny, though he has other dreams as well. She is really pushing him to go back to school to learn about business.
I enjoyed the first book of this series, and I enjoyed this one as well. My goodness, Hera and Zeus really put Helen and Zach through so much. Those love-struck teens didn’t stand a chance once the Olympians possessed them. Hera is not happy that Helen is considering divorce. She is the goddess of marriage after all, and she cannot inhabit a divorced woman’s body, and her host must be married to the man who is possessed by Zeus. The drama on all sides made for a good read. The very end of the book was a total shocker that I didn’t see coming. Oh, my gosh! I won’t give it away, but it completely follows from what we know even though it is a surprise.
If you enjoy ancient Greek mythology, you might enjoy this series’ modern spin on it. I quite enjoy watching the gods and goddesses torment these poor humans; it’s cool to see the myths come to life.
Consumed by Magic by Kelli McCracken and Elena Gray
No Universal Book Link
Usually given away in BookFunnel giveaways, so if you are on author newsletters you may run across it
Consumed by Magic*
Short Story Packs in a Lot
Samara is frustrated by a spell. Soon she is distracted, though, by a voice speaking to her in what appears to be Latin. Zander, one of her harem, shows up, and they reconnect—literally. What else will the night hold for her?
For such a short read, this is surprisingly steamy. We meet one of her current harem and one she’s hoping to add—though it could be dangerous as he is a human, not paranormal—as well as her protectors. The writing is tight and descriptive but with a little more profanity and crude words than I like. Still, I think this is a good short to whet your appetite for this series.
Plague of Death by D. L. Armillei
Available at Amazon only
Free with Kindle Unlimited
Plague of Death*
New Challenges and Choices
Van and Paley are back. Van, after all that she went through the previous book, is a different girl than what she was before in many ways, yet still in others, she is that vulnerable and not-always-making-the-best-choice girl that she was back then. She has much to contend with in this book: the fact that she and Brux can’t be together because he’s her protector, her stepmother’s new boyfriend, her guide who pops up at the right moments but talks in riddles, the rougher part of the Living World she is exposed to, and of course, her new mission.
Van is taking her role that she must play for her people very seriously. She’s working hard to train her body and get better control of her mind and emotions. This doesn’t always work. She feels a darkness within herself that she doesn’t like but doesn’t know to handle. She is definitely more serious in this book, though she still acts like a teenager at times, especially when she’s with Paley. This author does seem to have a good insight into the way that a teenage mind works, especially when that teenager has so much going on and so much riding on her. At times, Van takes stupid risks, just like the last book.
While I would definitely recommend that the first book be read before this one, the author does an excellent job of pulling in little facts and tidbits from book one so that if you start with this book, you won’t be at all complete loss. Although to fully understand this very complex society and its two worlds, I would strongly recommend reading the first book before diving into this one.
I look forward to further adventures in this well-built world of realistic characters.
‘Til Health Do Us Part by Julie Rooney
Available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Kobo, Mondadori, Angus & Robertson, and Indigo (Chapters)
'Till Health Do Us Part*
One Woman’s Story of Bravery and Healing
In this amazing book by Julie Rooney, she details her journey from sickness to health in a way that is uplifting and gives hope to those who have suffered in any of the ways that she describes. The book begins with her telling her family that she is going to make a change and follow her daughter to Hawaii and try to reclaim some of her life. It ends up to be a decision that most likely meant the difference between life and death for her. There, she meets a man who helps her on her journey to physical, mental, and spiritual wellness. It is not an easy path for her by any means—but neither has the path been that her illnesses have forced her upon.
The author is breathtakingly honest about all that has happened to her in her distant past, recent past, and the advancing present that she details in the book. The narrative weaves seamlessly between what is she experiences in Hawaii, her childhood and young adult years, and the years during which her diseases progress. When she discusses the evolution of her illnesses, she backs it up with actual doctors’ notes and laboratory results, allowing the reader to see her as she was seen the medical establishment. She’s able to show how the progression altered her, her family, and her prospects for the future. It is harrowing to read how so much was affected by what was happening to her body.
I am an RN myself, so I understood a lot of what she was saying from a medical standpoint. But the point of this book is more about the juxtaposition between that model and what she found on Hawaii. She gained so much. She truly got her life back in a miraculous way. While I have not struggled with multiple diseases like she had to do (just one, but a life changer), I have I had my own journey that reflects a fraction of hers, so I can understand how much that means. For me, reading this book became personal as I could relate to her medical struggles, path to wisdom, and the importance of wholeness and wellness. I thank her for her willingness to be open, put it all down on paper, and share it with others; she has given me insights that will help me further my own continuing quest for total wellness.
Mermaids Be With You by Jamie Brindle
Available at Amazon only
Free with Kindle Unlimited
Mermaids Be With You*
Funny Send-Up of the Fantasy Genre
If you ever thought that fantasy fiction takes itself too seriously with its world-defining quests and fickle kings and queens, you should read this series. It’s like Monty Python meets Princess Bride. It clearly, and definitely, spoofs the tropes of the fantasy genre. From the offbeat names to the characters’ quirky self-awareness to the strange situations the characters find themselves in, everything (and everyone) is up for ridicule and laughs in this book. I find the book is best taken in small doses. Trying to read it quickly will not allow time before they humor to mellow, and it might get to be a bit much. Some of the interior monologue and self-awareness of the characters is truly funny. The authors clearly enjoy lampooning this genre.
And, yes, tell me more about the Age of Gerbils!
If you’re expecting serious fantasy when you download this book, you will be disappointed. Go into it knowing that it’s firmly tongue-in-cheek, and let yourself just go along for the ride. If you do so, you will most likely enjoy the trip.
My Earl of Depravity by Lisa Brooks
Available at Amazon only
Free with Kindle Unlimited
My Earl of Depravity*
Farce or Real Romance Novel?
Rebecca is a blacksmith’s daughter, and she immediately catches the fancy of passing Sir William Courtenay, Earl of Devon. Her ethereal beauty entrances him. He enters into a correspondence with her and decides that he wants to train her to be a proper lady so she will improve her lot in life.
I had barely started reading this book when I went back to the book review site where I downloaded it to double-check what genre/categories the author considered it to be. I thought it might be humor or farce. But no, the author listed the categories of this to be historical fiction, historical romance, and sweet romance. Since the author wants me to take this book at face value, I have to say it is a rather odd, poorly written book. The language was so over-the-top I actually did think it was farce or satire of the genre. The insta love on the part of the earl was unbelievable. The author doesn’t seem to have a sense of the proper way to do English addresses regarding titles. For instance, William’s valet called him “Your Grace,” which is the way that one addresses a duke, not an earl. Even in the title she has given him, he wouldn’t be called a “sir” (that’s for knights and barons); he would be referred to as a lord if he is an earl. The author doesn’t seem to appreciate the difference between a lady and a Lady. Since there is an actual Duke of Devonshire, it seems odd to have an Earl of Devon; she could have made up any sort of name or the earldom, which most fiction writers do and would have been better. Some of what happens in the “training of a lady” portion is just flat-out wrong as well. The way that the author depicts the accent and dialect of the lower-class blacksmith and his daughter I believe some would find offensive.
I think the author was trying to go for a My Fair Lady/Pygmalion vibe with a romantic twist. It fell far short of the mark.
Bridge to Eternity Romola Farr
Available at Amazon only
Free with Kindle Unlimited
Bridge to Eternity*
Not Just Any Property… or Place
Audrey decides to buy an old boarding school in the north of England; she’s from the south. The place has been empty for a long time, and she was able to get it at a reasonable price. The realtor wasn’t pleased to get this assignment, as she felt that it would never sell. But it did; Tina feels guilty that she didn’t disclose the place is supposedly haunted. Even as Tina tried to prepare the property for sale, it gave her a creepy feeling. When’s Audrey moves in, we meet a quirky cast of characters from the neighboring area. Audrey finds an old diary that details events of a particular time at the school. Audrey even meets a widower who is of interest to her, but what secrets is he hiding?
I felt this book meandered a bit. The writing could have been tightened. Quite often, I just didn’t feel like much was going on, or I wasn’t sure where a scene was supposed to take me. The book also jumps around a bit in time, which seemed a little confusing on occasion. There is an essential mystery here, but I felt like its resolution was abrupt. The main text takes up about 82% of the book. The rest is the first act of a play that Audrey and Tina supposedly act in.
Truth in Our Times by David E. McCraw
Available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Kobo, and Angus & Robertson
Truth in Our Times*
Big, Smoochy Kiss for the First Amendment
I am not quite sure what I was expecting when I chose this book, but it was a far more compelling and insightful read than I imagined it would be. I was drawn to it because I wanted to see what the lawyer for the New York Times had to say about the topic since The Times seem to have been embroiled in a battle with the Trump Administration since the president’s inauguration. I was curious about The Times side of the story.
While the book does spend a good portion discussing The Times versus Trump, it is far more than that. It is a riveting combination of legal history about the First Amendment as well as an in-the-moment professional memoir of the fight to keep one of our most sacred amendments to the law of the land intact. Trump is not the only one looked at here; any politician who has attempted to diminish the First Amendment up for scrutiny.
The author pulls you into the surprisingly fascinating world of a media lawyer to a big-name news outlet that is regularly called out by those in the highest government positions. He calls himself a “raging moderate,” which is a phrase I love and might adopt myself. You get the sense that he not only appreciates the First Amendment because it is a part of his job, but instead, he sees it as one of the cornerstones necessary for a true democracy. Shame on those who want to dismantle this freedom, either by blunt force or slowly chipping away at it. The book presents a solid case about why it is essential to have free speech and free press in a democracy. It lays bare the dangers if they are flouted or threatened.
I thought, perhaps, when I started reading the book that it might be an interesting subject but a boring read (legalese, you know), but I couldn’t have been more wrong. Because the author keeps us mostly in the moment, only summarizing occasionally, it was as much of a page-turner as any good thriller fiction. I think those on both sides of the debate of fake news should read this book to get a glimpse of how the First Amendment works from the inside, not just as an ideal. It gives you a better sense of the forces at work in the country today and what is at stake. It’s a big smoochy kiss to the First Amendment, and I think it needs a little lovin’ at the moment!
Thinner in an Instant Cookbook by Nancy S. Hughes
Available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, and Kobo
Thinner in an Instant Cookbook*
Tasty Collection of Healthful Instant Pot Recipes
In this delightful Instant Pot cookbook, the author shares a variety of recipes that are under 350 calories per serving. While many Instant Pot cookbooks exist, this author writes with an engaging personality that is both cheerleader and instructor. It feels as though she is not just helping you use your appliance for cooking healthier, but she also wants you to succeed in achieving your goals. The book has an excellent tip section with information about using the electronic pressure cooker as well as healthy cooking ideas in general, some of which go beyond the use of an Instant Pot.
The book’s organization is slightly unorthodox, not focusing on protein types, but usually on the kind of dish. Some recipes use the pressure cooker to precook ingredients for things like wraps, sandwiches, and salads. There are recipes as well for one-dish meals, soups & stews, and protein-side combinations. There are even healthy desserts. The recipes are simply written in an easy-to-read style, which I think is essential in Instant Pot cookbooks.
If you’re hoping to use your Instant Pot to help make not just fast recipes for your family but low-calorie ones, this book is full of tips and recipes that will help get you there.
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