Monthly Archives: September 2024

Winning Bid (Highest Bidder 3) by Charlotte Byrd-review

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Winning Bid (Highest Bidder 3) by Charlotte Byrd-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 31, 2024

He ended a life to save mine. Now the walls are closing in.

They hunt us, seeking our weaknesses. I may have to sacrifice myself to save him.

I never meant to love him.

Yet now I’m enthralled, ensnared by his every word, his every look.
The way he moves, the way he undresses me with his eyes.

I can’t let go. Not when his touch sets me ablaze.

My job with his father’s worst enemy is an existential threat. I’m undercover in enemy territory and I can’t trust anyone.

If we can endure the gathering storm, our bond might save us.

Yet a betrayal whispers in the shadows, one that could shatter us for good.

••••••

REVIEW:WINNING BID is the third instalment in Charlotte Byrd’s contemporary, adult HIGHEST BIDDER erotic, romantic suspense series focusing on attorneys Anderson West, and June Devlin. WINNING BID should not be read as a stand alone as it picks up after the events and cliff hanger of book two BIDDING WAR.

SOME BACKGROUND: Throughout most of her adult life and law school, Anderson West bullied and tormented our story line heroine for no apparent reason then he was able to and allowed. Desperate to pay off her student loans, June Devlin offers herself up in a private charity auction only to find herself ‘purchased’ by none other than our story line hero  Anderson West.

NOTE: If you have not read the previous instalment, there may be spoilers in my review.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Anderson and June) WINNING BID follows after the events and cliff hanger of book two. A body has washed up on shore, and Anderson West and June Devlin are the prime suspects having been the last people to see the dead man alive. As law enforcement close in, June and Anderson come to a decision about their future but charges are laid, and Anderson is fighting for his life.

Meanwhile, June has started working for the enemy but having been blacklisted in Boston in the wake of her relationship with our story line hero, June’s options were limited if not questionable at best. As June begins to dig deeper into her latest assignment, she will quickly discover that her job is a ruse, a means to enact revenge for someone else.

The world building continues to focus on the building and highly sexual relationship between our story line couple; on Anderson’s contentious relationship with his father; on June’s embattled relationship with her dad; and on the police investigation into the murder of the man who attacked our story line heroine.

The relationship between June and Anderson is provocative, intense and erotic. Nothing is off limits, and Anderson is desperate to permanently claim June as his own.

WINNING BID is another story of power and control, secrets and lies, dysfunctional family values, acceptance and love. The premise is dark, tragic and sensational; the romance is intoxicating; the characters are desperate, dogged and tenacious. WINNING BID ends on a happily ever after -for now.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Highest Bidder
Bidding War

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Daddy By Design / Taming The Boss by Taryn Quinn -reviews

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Daddy By Design / Taming the Boss (Crescent Cove / The Moguls) by Taryn Quinn -review

Daddy by Design
Crescent Cove 16
by Taryn Quinn
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, romance

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 21, 2024

Enemies to Lovers meets Beauty and The Beast with a redemption arc and a Victorian ghost for some spice.

Beauty:

The night I accidentally attacked his truck in a case of mistaken identity started us off on a very wrong foot. Or maybe not, because for me and my Beast, fighting is foreplay.

The gothic Victorian house on the lake was made for me. From the turrets to the intricate gingham details, it’s an interior designer’s wet dream. I’d spend my lunch break coming up with wild ideas on what to do with it when I could afford it one day.

Then a sold sign appeared.

Some beastly artist named Nolan Devereaux bought it—and hired my firm, Designing Women, to help decorate it. He’s an infuriating know-it-all with his grumpy nature and complete lack of understanding of the perfection of what he has.

Now we’re fighting—and making up in very non-professional ways—over renovating his house. Though he’s footing the bill, his ideas go against the usual rules for homes of significance. And the standards of the matchmaking ghost determined to keep us together.

Beast:

When my sister, Macy, moved to small town Crescent Cove, I thought she’d lost her mind. Then she started building a life—one that didn’t include me. It didn’t bother me at first.

Until the accident.

Until the scars on the inside now were on the outside for all to see.

The minute I saw that Victorian house on the lake, I knew it was where I belonged.

But this loud and opinionated designer keeps trying to dictate my renovations. Except the more she pushes her way into my life, the more I wonder if she’s been the missing piece all along.

And so is the baby she’s carrying…

•••

REVIEW:DADDY BY DESIGN is the sixteenth instalment in Taryn Quinn’s contemporary, adult CRESCENT COVE erotic, romance series. This is thirty-five year old, artist/business owner Nolan Devereaux, and designer Dahlia McKenna’s story line. DADDY BY DESIGN can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. Nolan is Macy Devereaux’s estranged brother (Daddy in Disguise 7)

NOTE: DADDY BY DESIGN is a slightly paranormal romance with a haunted house and a heart broken ghost.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Nolan and Dahlia) DADDY BY DESIGN follows the building but contemptuous relationship between our story line couple. Nolan Devereaux is a cantankerous, thirty-five year old artist, who has moved to Crescent Cove to be closer to the sister he left years before. An accident left Nolan deeply scarred, and in this, Nolan keeps to himself, never letting the world see what happened or why. An ‘accidental’ meeting with Dahlia McKenna brought Nolan up close and personal with the woman with whom he would fall in love but not before Dahlia discover Nolan but the old haunted mansion Dahlia has so wanted to own. What ensues is the building but tempestuous relationship between Dahlia and Nolan, and the potential fall-out as Nolan continues to push away the woman with whom he is falling in love.

The world building focuses on the remodel of a haunted house, and the ghost who struggles to move on from the past. Dahlia is a woman on a mission to uncover the truth, a truth that is heart breaking for our heroine, and the former owner of Nolan’s new house.

The relationship between Nolan and Dahlia is an enemies to frenemies to lovers. Nolan’s first impression of Dahlia was dark and damaging, and Dahlia struggled with someone else owning the house she had always wanted. The $ex scenes are intimate and provocative.

We are introduced to Nolan’s friends Archer Baldwin, as well as the return of Lyric Bledsoe, Macy and Gideon.

DADDY BY DESIGN is a story of family and friendships, acceptance and love. The slightly paranormal premise is emotional and engaging; the romance is seductive; the characters are stubborn and sassy.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Have My Baby
Claim My Baby
Who’s The Daddy
Pit Stop: Baby
Baby Daddy Wanted
Rockstar Baby
CEO Daddy
My Ex’s Baby
Daddy Undercover
Wrong Bed Baby
Lucky Baby
Daddy on Duty
Cop Daddy Next Door
Protector Daddy
Baby, Be Mine

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

________

TAMING THE BOSS
The Moguls 1
by Taryn Quinn
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, romance

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 19, 2024

Falling for my grumpy new boss was unexpected. Falling into his…shower and not taking precautions? Even more so.

Stumbling over the ad searching for a nanny changed my life. And the address led right to the fancy big house on a hill overlooking Crescent Lake…

The one that had just come off the market in a high-stakes bidding war.

Owned by a secretive, hot newcomer in town everyone was speculating about. He had complicated, secret connections in the Cove about to rock one of the town’s founding families.

Not to mention, an adorable little boy he just discovered—with no mother in sight.

Apparently, I was going to be his new nanny. Or maybe his son’s new mommy?

And potentially, once that pregnancy stick reveals two lines, the wife of the Cove’s newest billionaire mogul in the making…

••••••

REVIEW:TAMING THE BOSS is the first instalment in Taryn Quinn’s contemporary, adult THE MOGULS erotic, romance series, a spin off , set in the Crescent Cove series. This is thirty-three year old, billionaire businessman/ single father Jude Keller , and twenty-one year old, nanny Maddie Masterson’s story line.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Maddie and Jude) TAMING THE BOSS follows Jude Keller’s arrival in Crescent Cove in the wake of the discovery of a son he never knew. A new home, a new town, and a child of three, Jude’s attitude leaves something to be desired, an attitude that requires a nanny and a strong hand. Enter Maddie Masterson, the woman with whom Jude will fall in love. What ensues is the building relationship between Jude and Maddie, and the introduction of Jude’s extended family and their surprise revelations.

The world building focuses on Jude’s struggle as a single father, oblivious to just about everything a child needs or wants. As Maddie dives head first into the world of nanny and cook, Jude discovers his lack of parenting skills is matched by his lack of the basic knowledge of how the real world runs.

The relationship between Jude and Maddie begins acrimoniously as a flustered Jude struggles with real world problems. Having already applied for the position as nanny, Maddie begins to take charge before agreeing to help raise Jude’s son Owen. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The secondary and supporting characters include businessmen Xavier Hastings and Gavin Forrester, Jude’s sister Sydney Keller brothers Oliver and Seth Hamilton; father James Hamilton, as well as Jude’s ex Melissa Smith; and Maddie’s extended family and over protective brother Christian.

TAMING THE BOSS is a story of secrets and lies, family and friendships, relationships and love. The character driven premise is inviting ; the characters are sassy and animated ; the romance is spicy .

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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VAMPIRES NEVER SAY DIE (Slaying It 2) by Gloria Duke-review

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VAMPIRES NEVER SAY DIE (Slaying It 2) by Gloria Duke-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 20, 2024

You thought life was hard for a vampire? Try being the newest Slayer on the block. Yet just when Carrie Adams thought it couldn’t get any worse, she learns that in the world of the unexpectedly supernatural, nothing is ever what it seems. Meet Carrie Serious. Disciplined. Focused. But as an aspiring actress, she’s at the mercy of casting directors who barely glance at her headshot before making snap judgments about her talent based solely on her looks.

She feels powerless…until one night she goes from snarling at her obnoxiously attractive coworker (musician-slash-bartender Nick Stokes) to wanting to kill him. Literally. Turns out Nick has become LA’s latest vampire and she is his chosen Slayer…a decidedly unwelcome job that comes with an overnight super-bodybuilder-buff physique, the ability to conjure a sword made of fire, and a new gang of supernatural enemies out for her blood. Nick swears he’ll help her. Carrie swears she’ll figure out how to help herself. But in a Hollywood-bright world of typecasting, can a Slayer and her sworn vampire nemesis break free of their assigned roles…and discover the deeper emotions there for the staking?

•••••

REVIEW: VAMPIRES NEVER SAY DIE is the second instalment in Gloria Duke’s contemporary, adult SLAYING IT paranormal, romance series. This is twenty-four year old, bartender/Slayer/ struggling actor Carrie Adams, and bartender/musician Nick Stokes’ story line. VAMPIRES NEVER SAY DIE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

Told from first person perspective (Carrie Adams) VAMPIRES NEVER SAY DIE focuses on the relationship between Carrie Adams and Nick Stokes. Carrie Adams and Nick Stokes are co-workers but have never gotten along but things go from bad to worse when, one morning, Carrie Adams wakes up, jacked with new muscles and supernatural powers, and her target is our hero Nick Stokes. Nick is a recently turned vampire and his presence has turned Carrie into a vampire slayer, a slayer who wants nothing to do with killing our story line hero. What ensues is the building but tempestuous relationship between Nick and Carrie, and the potential fall-out when Carrie meets another Slayer who is determined to take down the man with whom Carrie is falling in love.

The world building focuses on the vampire/ slayer relationship; Carrie’s overwhelming need to kill that which she doesn’t understand, issues of body image and Hollywood’s expectations, and Nick’s need to prove not all vampires are evil or dark.

The relationship between Carrie and Nick is an enemies to frenemies to lovers in which Carrie is battling that which comes naturally, and Nick struggles to keep his vampire in check. Working side by side proves easier as time passes by but someone else is targeting our story line couple. The $ex scenes are limited but passionate.

We are introduced to Carrie’s friends Liv and Heather, slayer Jenn Muldoon, as well as Nick’s bandmates and fellow vampires Quentin and Zach.

VAMPIRES NEVER SAY DIE is a story of secrets and lies, power and control, vampires and slayers, acceptance and love. The premise is entertaining but dry -touted as a rom-com, the laughable moments were missing. The characters are energetic ; the romance is tepid, I didn’t feel the palpable sexual attraction.

On a side note, I am not a fan of the cover, just no.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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A VAMPIRE’S MATE (Dark Protectors / Rebels) by Rebecca Zanetti

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A VAMPIRE’S MATE (Dark Protectors 16.5/ Rebels) by Rebecca Zanetti-review tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 3, 2024

There’s nothing Jasper Maxwell likes better than a good chase. He is patient and cunning, and he is known as one of the coldest hunters in the immortal realm. As a vampire with a hint of demon blood in him, he stands out even amongst the finest trackers in the shifter world. So the fact that his mate has managed to escape him for the past five decades is something that keeps him intrigued and more obsessed with every passing year. The game is beyond delicious until a century old enemy resurfaces, putting his sweet little mate in danger. At that point, he has no choice but to secure her.

Leah Ferry enjoys immortality almost as much as she thrills at the cat and mouse game she’s playing with the Maxwell hunter. Once human, she figured she’d live her life wearing pearls and vacuuming in pressed dresses only to be thrown into the immortal world where freedom is intoxicating. On a mission to take down degenerate humans and make them pay, things go wrong, so per her usual arrangement, she starts to run. But this time, her sexy and deadly vampire mate stands in her way. She quickly learns that the sensual chase between them was nothing compared to the real danger coming for her.

••••

REVIEW:  A VAMPIRE’S MATE is instalment 16.5 in Rebecca Zanetti’s contemporary, adult DARK PROTECTORS / REBELS crossover, and a part of the multi-authored 1001 Dark Nights series. This is four-hundred year old vampire Jasper Maxwell, and spy Leah Ferry’s story line. A VAMPIRE’S MATE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary but some prior knowledge or background information may be required.

Some background: The vampires and their enemy the Kurjans are currently existing in a tepid détente but all is not well as it concerns the Maxwell family. The brokered peace is not acceptable by the family that continues to blame the Maxwell’s for thousands of years of war.

Told from dual omniscient third person perspectives (Leah and Jasper) A VAMPIRE’S MATE focuses on the tempestuous relationship between our story line couple. In 1944, Leah Ferry worked as a spy but a mission that went all to h*ll left Leah battling to survive if not for the intervention of vampire Jasper Maxwell.Jasper Maxwell knew Leah was his mate, and he desperately wanted to save the woman who would become the bane of his existence. Fast forward to present day, Jasper returns to claim the woman with whom he had fallen in love but Leah’s latest assignment place the couple in jeopardy as the hunt for the leader of a child trafficking ring takes aim at both Jasper and Leah.

The world building focuses on Leah’s determination to hunt and take down the men who procure and use humans as their playthings and slaves. Jasper Maxwell has reached the end of his tether, and his need to re-claim his mate is paramount to their survival.

The relationship between Jasper and Leah begins as a rescue but Leah wants nothing to do with being tied down to a man for all eternity. As an enhanced female, Leah is the perfect match for our story line hero but Leah’s need to be independent threatens the relationship going forward. The $ex scenes are limited but passionate.

The secondary and supporting characters include Jasper’s brothers Klyde and Dax, their mother Odette, and sister Nia. The requisite evil has many faces.

A VAMPIRE’S MATE is a fast paced story of power and control, secrets and obsession, family and friendships, relationships and love. The action packed premise is enchanting and consuming; the romance is limited ; the characters are determined, powerful and dynamic.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Fated
Claimed
Tempted
Hunted
Consumed
Provoked
Twisted
Shadowed
Tamed
Marked
Teased
Tricked
Tangled
Talen
Vampire’s Faith
Demon’s Mercy
Vengeance
Alpha’s Promise
Hero’s Haven
Vixen
Guardian’s Grace
Vampire
Rebel’s Karma
Immortal’s Honor
Garrett’s Destiny
A Vampire’s Kiss
Warrior’s Hope

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Rebecca Zanetti has worked as an art curator, Senate aide, lawyer, college professor, and a hearing examiner – only to culminate it all in stories about Alpha males and the women who claim them. She writes contemporary romances, dark paranormal romances, and romantic suspense novels.
Growing up amid the glorious backdrops and winter wonderlands of the Pacific Northwest has given Rebecca fantastic scenery and adventures to weave into her stories. She resides in the wild north with her husband, children, and extended family who inspire her every day—or at the very least give her plenty of characters to write about.

Website  * Facebook * Amazon * Goodreads

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Furever After by Sofie Kelly – a Review

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Furever After by Sofie Kelly – a Review

 

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Description:
Kathleen is busy running the library and planning her upcoming wedding to detective Marcus Gordon when she suddenly stumbles across a body in the library. She is surprised to learn that the deceased was in the middle of an unlikely heist—it seems he was trying to steal one of the paintings that had been in a box in the library’s workroom. Kathleen never knew any of the library’s rotating artwork was valuable and can’t imagine what the dead man wanted with it.

But then an art history expert called in by the police identifies the almost-purloined painting as a piece that might have been part of a previous high profile art theft. Owen’s and Hercules’s whiskers are already twitching, and events soon make Kathleen realize that whoever killed the wannabe art thief has more than murder on their mind. Kathleen and her clever cats will have to work fast to prevent anyone else from getting hurt.

 

 

Review:

Furever After by Sofie Kelly is the 16th book in her Magical Cats mystery series. I have read a few books in this series, which are always fun. Our heroine in this series is Kathleen Paulson, the librarian of Mayville Heights, as well as her adorable two cats, Hercules and Owen. It is always fun to see Hercules and Owen find ways to give Kathleen little hints to help solve crimes.  Kathleen is planning her upcoming wedding to detective Marcus Gordon, and to her shock when she opens the library, she comes across a dead body.

Kathleen worries that her beloved library’s safety is at risk when they realize that the person was trying to steal a painting from the library.   Marcus takes over the case, but Kathleen does her own investigating; trying to figure out why the deceased was trying to steal one of the paintings.  She began to do research online with the help of Owen & Hercules; to find out if one of the paintings was considered valuable.  Both Marcus and Kathleen realize that who ever killed the victim, is still around to find the missing painting; working fast to prevent anyone from getting hurt.

There are so many wonderful secondary characters, and Kathleen will talk to the local people in trying to find clues. I loved Hercules and Owen, who were so much fun.  I also loved Kathleen and Marcus together, as they made a great couple.    

Furever After is a lighthearted, fun and comforting mystery, that was so very well written by Sofie Kelly.  Again, Hercules and Owen were delightful, as they always managed to get Kathleen’s attention ‘pawing’ out the clues. The story was fast paced, and kept me glued to my kindle.  If you want a fast cute fun mystery, I wholly suggest you read this series.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

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THE SUBSTITUTE (Single in Seattle 5.5) by Kristen Proby-review

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THE SUBSTITUTE (Single in Seattle 5.5) by Kristen Proby-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 20, 2024

Derek Langley can’t keep an assistant to save his life. He’s grumpy, demanding, and sometimes mean, which mirrors his reputation in court. Derek doesn’t have time to coddle an employee, so when the temp agency informs him their next placement will be the last, he knows he’s doomed.

Maya Sterling is excited to move to Seattle. She wants to be closer to her siblings and her new friends, and a position with a temp agency fits the bill for her new life in the city. She doesn’t plan on walking in and finding a sexy British grouch for a boss, but his gruff nature doesn’t really bother her. In fact, she’s attracted to his rough-around-the-edges nature.

They quickly realize the attraction is mutual and steam up the office. But Maya’s position with Derek is temporary, and she knows she must maintain a professional distance to preserve her sanity.

Will they be able to resist each other? Or does fate have other plans?

••••••

REVIEW: THE SUBSTITUTE by Kristen Proby is a contemporary, adult, erotic, novella found in the author’s SINGLE IN SEATTLE series, and a part of the 1001 Dark Nights multi-authored series. This is attorney Derek Langley, and PA Maya Sterling’s story line. THE SUBSTITUTE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. May is Grayson Sterling’s sister (The Scandal)

Told from dual first person perspectives (Derek and Maya) THE SUBSTITUTE follows Maya Sterling as she struggles with a direction in life. Having spent six months touring Europe, Maya returns home, excited about a move to Seattle but leaving her parents is hard, in the face of her mother’s ongoing failing health. Working for a temp agency, Maya begins a thirty day trial period with attorney Derek Langley, a man whose reputation as a difficult boss, and toxic environment precedes his introduction to our story line heroine but form the outset Maye refuses to bow to Derek’s demands, and in the end, places her own boundaries when they both cross the line. What ensues is the rapidly building relationship between our story line couple, and the potential fall-out as Maya’s time with Derek comes to a close.

The relationship is one of immediate attraction but Derek doesn’t do relationships; he’s demanding and over bearing; and expects perfection from everyone in his life. Falling for Maya was never in the future but Derek knew Maya was the woman to calm his heart. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate.

We are reintroduced to several members of Maya’s family including her brother Grayson Sterling, and both Maya and Derek’s parents.

THE SUBSTITUTE is a story of family, friendships, relationships and love; forgiveness and acceptance. The fast paced premise is enthralling and captivating; the romance is fast and furious; the characters are determined, strong and dynamic.

Reading Order and Previous reviews
The Secret
The Surprise
The Scandal
The Scramble
The Score
The Set Up
The Stand In

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

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New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Kristen Proby is the author of the bestselling With Me In Seattle and Love Under the Big Sky series. She has a passion for a good love story and strong, humorous characters with a strong sense of loyalty and family. Her men are the alpha type; fiercely protective and a bit bossy, and her ladies are fun, strong, and not afraid to stand up for themselves. Kristen lives in Montana with her husband and their four pets, where she enjoys coffee, chocolate and sunshine. And naps.

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We’ll Prescribe You a Cat by Syou Ishida – a Review

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We’ll Prescribe You a Cat by Syou Ishida – a Review

 

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Description:
A cat a day keeps the doctor away…
Discover the award-winning, bestselling Japanese novel that has become an international sensation in this utterly charming, vibrant celebration of the healing power of cats.

Tucked away in an old building at the end of a narrow alley in Kyoto, the Kokoro Clinic for the Soul can only be found by people who are struggling in their lives and genuinely need help. The mysterious clinic offers a unique treatment to those who find their way it prescribes cats as medication. Patients are often puzzled by this unconventional prescription, but when they “take” their cat for the recommended duration, they witness profound transformations in their lives, guided by the playful, empathetic, occasionally challenging yet endearing cats.

Throughout the pages, the power of the human-animal bond is revealed as a disheartened businessman finds unexpected joy in physical labor, a young girl navigates the complexities of elementary school cliques, a middle-aged man struggles to stay relevant at work and home, a hardened bag designer seeks emotional balance, and a geisha finds herself unable to move on from the memory of her lost cat. As the clinic’s patients navigate their inner turmoil and seek resolution, their feline companions lead them toward healing, self-discovery, and newfound hope.

 

 

Review:

We’ll Prescribe You a Cat by Syou Ishida is a Japanese novel that became an international sensation.  The story is a vibrant and charming celebration of the powerful healing of cats.   The mysterious clinic is an old building in a narrow alley, that offers unique treatments, especially for patients who are struggling in their lives. The doctor is kind of weird, as well as the receptionist; depending on the patient’s situation, they prescribe a cat for their wellbeing. Each of the patients are given a cat, for two weeks or more, and surprisingly they do begin to reach their own self-discovery and healing.

Each cat is different, as they become wonderful therapeutic companions that help guide the owners with comfort, warmth and hope; with many of the patients wanting to keep their cat.  Each of the patients were had different issues; an unhappy businessman finds himself enjoying physical labor; a young girl at school having problems; a middle age man who struggles, a bag designer tries to control her emotions and another woman who tries to find her lost cat.

Each of the cat have their own interconnected short stories:

 Bee, female gray cat – around 8 years old
Margot,  female mixed breed – 3 years old
Koyuki – white kitten – 2 ½ months old
Tank – Male shorthair – 2 years old
Mimita – male Scottish fold – 5 months old

 Each of the owners will find their way to happiness and comfort; though some of the cats will be given back to the clinic, and eventually find their own cat.

We’ll Prescribe You a Cat was a cute story line, with people finding transformations in their lives, guided by the playful, adorable, and endearing cats.  We’ll Prescribe You a Cat was very well written by Syou Ishida.  This is a different kind of read, which has become an International sensation in Japan.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

 

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The Games Gods Play by Abigail Owen – a Review

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The Games Gods Play by Abigail Owen – a Review

 

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Description:

The gods love to play with us mere mortals. And every hundred years, we let them…

I have never been favored by the gods. Far from it, thanks to Zeus.

Living as a cursed office clerk for the Order of Thieves, I just keep my head down and hope the capricious beings who rule from Olympus won’t notice me. Not an easy feat, given San Francisco is Zeus’ patron city, but I make do. I survive. Until the night I tangle with a different god.

The worst god. Hades.

For the first time ever, the ruthless, mercurial King of the Underworld has entered the Crucible–the deadly contest the gods hold to determine a new ruler to sit on the throne of Olympus. But instead of fighting their own battles, the gods name mortals to compete in their stead.

So why in the Underworld did Hades choose me–a sarcastic nobody with a curse on her shoulders–as his champion? And why does my heart trip every time he says I’m his?

I don’t know if I’m a pawn, bait, or something else entirely to this dangerously tempting god. 

How can I, when he has more secrets than stars in the sky?

Because Hades is playing by his own rules…and Death will win at any cost.

 

 

Review :

The Games Gods Play by Abigail Owen is the 1st book in her new Crucible series. Can’t tell you how much I was looking forward to reading this book. It’s from one of my favourite authors, and it’s a brand new (no spin off or rerelease) series. I love her Dominion series (that’s a YA read) and adore her Fire’s Edge and Inferno Series (Paranormal/shifter series).

But this book, has them beaten, this has the makings of an awesome series (well I hope it’s a new series, but I’ll take a trilogy/duet/or whatever the author throws my way) 

Myth with a modern day twist, can sometimes come off a stilled or weird! But not this author, she knows how to play the story out, give you just enough information without overload or boring page fillers! 

Characters are finished off to a tee. They jump off the page and into your heart. I read (no, inhaled the book) then sat and read it again, noting all the details that I might have missed. If a movie (true to the book) ever came out, then I’d be first in the queue. 

Details about the world had me clearly visualising it. You could almost smell and hear the story pan out with such great descriptions. 

Gods can be cruel and fickle beings, playing with mortals like dolls. Messing around with their lives, meddling and then watching with fascination. The Crucible is a game held every one hundred years , and the gods get to pick a mortal to be their champion. The mortal gets a prize, (and it’s an amazing prize 🤐) but the winning god gets to rule Olympus! So the gloves come off, cheating/rule breaking/ bending the rules, all in the name of winning!

I loved the games aspect of the story. (No Percy Jackson or Harry Potter challenges I’m afraid, it’s way better than that.) The champions have to do trials set by the gods, and they aren’t easy. The champions can 💀 and some do 😱 it is a little harrowing in places…. But the excitement and anticipation had me on the edge of my kindle 😜 

This isn’t a retelling of Hades and Persephone (which at first I wasn’t too keen on, theirs is a story I love reading) but of Hades and Lyra. Persephone is in here, along with many familiar gods, but we mix them up a little. (Which kept it fresh.) 

Morally grey hero/villain/or just misunderstood? Hades is the god of the Underworld, no surprise there. He’s devious, he’s cold, unfeeling and a total bast@rd!! Lyra maybe his champion, but to him (at first) she’s just a pawn, a tool to get him his prize…. The crown and throne of Olympus! He needs her to stay alive, so his investment of her training is just that, well that’s how it starts 😉

The main female character Lyra, took me a little while to warm up too. She’s a thief, but she doesn’t actively steal, she’s more of a watcher (she watches and helps the Den she comes from to navigate and avoid detection) The character came across too wishy washy, but with most of the author’s characters, they grow, they adapt, and they become one of your favourites. 

And what exactly happened to make Zeus curse her? 🤫 

The story is told by Lyra (which had me missing what Hades thought of his little star) and in one way it makes it a little one sided. (My opinion)  

A slow burn romance has to balance the chemistry with the eventual moment taking place… The sparks, the banter and the pure chemistry these two had, made me a little giddy! I giggled like a schoolgirl, I blushed and I had a nervous cough when things got heated. (Well that’s my fault for reading it on the train 😜) 

Additional characters are many!! Too many some would say. I would love a glossary maybe of the characters, but that’s my wish 😉 but none of them seem superfluous, even the champions of the gods. So as numerous as there are, they all seem to fit into the book. 

So why would Hades pick a regular mortal to be his “champion”? He’s got his pick of anyone! 

Cliffhanger warning for anyone who thought it was going to be easy 😝 a one and done read. Oh no! It’s not going to be that easy. There is also twists, turns, treachery, and betrayal! This isn’t a short read, at over 500 pages long, you’d think it would get bogged down. It doesn’t, the pages seemed to fly by, and I was wishing for more pages! 😆 I’m now hoping the next book is soon (though probably not 😔) 

Would I recommend this? In a heartbeat … open this new world … you won’t be sorry 😍

Reviewed by Julie

Copy supplied for review.

 

 

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