Tag Archive: fav-author



Shadow of Night (All Souls Trilogy, #2)Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

After a bit of research I realized that I read the first book, A Discovery of Witches, in 2011. That reading was a result of a recommendation by my cousin. I loved that book. Yet, I just took the quiz and found I only got 3 questions right out of 10. So maybe I should have read it again before reading this second book, Shadow of Night. I did feel lost at times, but the story kept me engaged and I didn’t want to leave the past to review the first book. Also, on my research I found that I didn’t have the Kindle version of the first book. I must have borrowed the hardback from the library. But I do have the Audible version of the book that I had listened to alongside the hardback.

With both books of the series, I was delighted by the narrator, Jennifer Ikeda. Her voice is exquisite, I love the way she can vary according to each character. I feel she could read the phonebook and make it exciting. But Deborah Harkness’s writing needs no help. Several times I’d have a sleepless night and want to read. I hated donning my headset just for a few minutes of reading. Those few moments lasted for sometimes hours. So yes, I know how well the writing is. With the duo of writer and narrator this story comes to life. And that is when Elizabeth I is queen.

I love time travel stories, but this was different in that it was due to witchcraft that made it happened. And that by a witch who doesn’t understand her craft. Okay, I won’t tell you any more about the story. Needless to say, it is worth the read. The characters alone can grab you. They are well developed, as is the plot. So much so that I couldn’t wait to get the next book and get involved. I highly recommend this series.

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The Elfling PrincessThe Elfling Princess by Cheryl Kaye Tardif

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

After a very stressful day and finishing two books that had me wishing for a bit more to fall asleep to, I pulled this one up on my tablet. It was fun. Just what I needed.

It is no secret that I love Cheryl Kaye Tardif’s adult books, but I worried that this would be too bland or too scary. It was just right. I loved the characters she created. Her illustrations were fun and sweet. I would have loved reading this to my daughter when she was little. And I can tell that the book she plans to follow this one with would have won over my sons way back when.

Anyway, for those with little ones in the home, this is a fun one to pick up. Enjoy!

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Shadow Burns (Preternatural Affairs, #4)Shadow Burns by S.M. Reine

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I have to admit that this is not my favorite novel or series written by Sara Reine. First of all, I don’t like that the main character is a hunky good looking guy. I prefer strong female leads.

But the redeeming characteristics for Cesar, the MC, are his self knowledge. He is able to make fun of his own faults while being perfectly honest about his abilities. AND even better, his sense of humor is tops! I spent many moments laughing out loud. That is a good thing in a book full of blood and gore. Oh, and it doesn’t hurt that he is a fan of Firefly and Dead Like Me! I did find those things endearing.

BUT my least favorite thing was the ending that makes me wait until the next book comes out. Grrr! At least it wasn’t a cliffhanger! AND the next book is centered on a female lead. Yay! I can’t wait!

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Like Water and WaterLike Water and Water by Sarah Ettritch

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I love Sarah Ettritch’s writing. She takes the reader deep into the heads of her characters. She pushes these characters into uncomfortable situations and lets them deal with it accordingly. This story is no exception.

I highly recommend reading this story. My only problem is just that, it is a short story. I always want more. I want to know what happens next. Maybe Ms. Ettritch will consider writing more about these particular characters???

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Hotter Than Helltown (Preternatural Affairs, #3)Hotter Than Helltown by S.M. Reine

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Disclosure: I was given this ARC edition, by the author, for an honest review.

For something as gruesome and dark as the name implies, Hotter Than Helltown was a fast, exciting read. And funny! I can’t tell you how often I laughed out loud! And there were places of philosophy to make a person stop and think. I like that in a book. I even had to highlight a phrase or two I thought noteworthy. But I don’t want to ruin anyone else’s read by pointing the gems out. Half the fun in is discovery for yourself.

I have grown to like the self-depreciating detective turned witch, Cesar, for his humanity. Though we see him as quite the hunk, he knows he’s not the catch women might think they want. Despite himself he is the reluctant hero of this particular series, Preternatural Affairs. Though you don’t have to read all the books of the series before it, I like that I have the knowledge of S. M. Reine’s worlds.

For an ARC I see less error than I do in many publications out there today. That just proves what a professional author is capable of. Well done, Sara! I can’t wait to read the next one, already cued up!

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Secrets (The Steamship Chronicles Book 1)Secrets by Margaret McGaffey Fisk

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Disclaimer: I feel I can claim I am friends with the author, Margaret McGaffey Fisk. She has been an important member of the writing group I belong to. I don’t think that comes into play in this review, first of all because I fell deeply into the world she created, and second because I was saddened to find myself back in reality when I finished this adventure.

Safe Haven began this adventure for me. It precludes the series The Steaamship Chronicles of which this, Secrets, is book 1. I had already fallen in love with the characters, Lily and Samantha. To research the burbs and other reviews please check out Amazon and GoodReads.

Meanwhile, my review. Although this started sadly and then got exciting, it leaves me in the heads of Sam and the boy, Nat. I would guess this is the set up for much more fun ahead.

I wish Samantha was set free to do what she does best, but, again, that will happen, I’m sure, in the next books. There seemed to be times where I tended to put the book aside and attend to other shining things. I don’t remember having that problem in Safe Haven. Maybe it is all my own problems and not that of the author. Maybe I am not in the demographic the book is for. I do know I would have had fun reading this to my children, or had them read it to me way back when.

It is: A great bedtime story, a great for Young Adults as Sam learns to fit in her world. And fun for this old lady!

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Divine InterventionDivine Intervention by Cheryl Kaye Tardif

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is going to be one of my shorter reviews. I think.

Though I love Cheryl Kaye Tartif’s writing style and enjoyed her other books thoroughly, I don’t like murder mysteries. The saving grace was I liked the main characters.

There is an added feature of parapsychological talents involved in solving the crimes. But mostly is was a murder mystery.

Still, I will read the rest of the series, Gotta know what happens next, ya know?

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Silver Bullet Silver Bullet by S.M. Reine
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another quick read. The only reason it took me so long was because it was a bit too intense to read before bed.I must admit that even as distressing as the story became, there was enough humor to offset it.

This will not go down as my favorite S.M. Reine series. I like the others that are with female leads. Riley is so sweet and strong. Elise was a tough cookie and even though she ended up a demon, she always fought for what was good. Cesar is mostly boring to me. And the worst part of the story is that the women in this series are mostly arm-candy.

All that said, the story itself is engaging. I want to know what is going to happen next. And since this one is set in Reno-Tahoe area, I felt quite involved. AND I look forward to the next book in the series, Hotter Than Helltown.

Keep cranking them out, Sarah! Your books are always unique and fun.

By the way, this was a free read for honest review.

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Review: Witch Hunt


Witch Hunt Witch Hunt by S.M. Reine
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a nice short book. I thought it would be at least as long as Ms. Reine’s other books. But maybe that is just my own interpretation. Maybe it was as long and was just was a fast read? It was fun. Witch Hunt doesn’t align with my goal of reading about strong fem characters written by strong fem writers. In fact, I was a little disturbed by the ‘hunk’ male with ‘arm-candy’ females. One scene made me happy. To prevent a spoiler, I will only say the word: boils.

Now once I got past the MC being a guy, I found the story fun. At times it felt like the old detective movies. There were a couple lines I had to stop and read aloud to my husband. One of those I actually highlighted in my Kindle. Since I finished this early last night I started the next in the series that I was given for review. (I think the same might be said for this book?) Whereas Witch Hunt was located in Los Angeles, the next is in Reno. In both cases, I felt a part of the scene as I have personal experience with these areas.

One thing I can say for all of S. M. Reine’s work is it is exciting and keeps you engaged. As I have said of other books she has written, please go through the books in order starting with Six Summer Moons and then through each series in order (GoodReads has them listed on her page very well.) Although this book could do well on its own, Having acquaintence of the places and people of the other books adds depth to the read.

Once again, great job, Sara!

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Review: Safe Haven


Safe Haven

Safe Haven by Margaret McGaffey Fisk

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

First of all, I need to say that the author is a member of the writing group I belong to, and I consider her a friend. That said, I want to be as objective and honest as I can. But Margaret need not worry. I was impressed!

I must admit that at the beginning I felt the story a bit formulaic. I started reading once and got sidetracked by other books. But I got back in and put on my text-to-speech on fast to help me get engaged into the story. Once I was, I didn’t want to leave.

Lily, the main character, is a sweet, lovable soul who became real to me. Her sister, Sam, is cute as a button. Both are now orphans. Worse… they hide a secret from everyone. Even the law. Sam is a Natural. Naturals are against the law and put in an asylum.

At first I was confused by what being a Natural meant. But as I understand it now, a Natural is a person who can make and repair things made of metal gears and steam, seemingly as if by magic. To make matters worse, Lily finds herself falling for the local cop, Henry.

I was so sad to see the story end, even with a satisfying finish. Luckily, it seems there will be more to the story. I can hardly wait. Meanwhile, I have Ms. McGaffey Fisk’s other books on my Kindle shelves and ready to read. Great job, Margaret!

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