Short & Sweet Book Review: Cursed

Title - Cursed

Author - Kat Cotton 

Series - Belford Vampire Brothers #1

Genre - YA Paranormal Romance

Format - Kindle Unlimited 

Published - March 21st 2021

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Synopsis 

Her first love is the most forbidden love of all.

Vampires are immortal but not Flynn Belford. A family curse puts a timer on his life with only one way out: find his soulmate.

Rebel Miller yearns to grow up, yearns to leave her small town, and yearns for her first kiss. One glimpse of Flynn is enough to ignite an unquenchable fire within her and, while Flynn denies that wild and rowdy Rebel could ever be his soulmate, he can't fight their undeniable chemistry.

Two seemingly opposites, and yet, they're bound together, with binds heavy with family secrets and a dangerous past.

Rebel's falling hard for Flynn but will she the one to break the curse?

Cursed is a slow burn young adult paranormal romance. Warning: cliffhanger ending!

Review

I've had Cursed on my TBR for a while and the stunning cover is why I picked it today. Bonus it fits for one of my current reading challenges. Rebel's lives in small town where nothing interesting happens. Her only prospect is Yoshi till she has a encounter in the woods with Flynn. Flynn changes the game but he's keeping secrets and when her parents find out they are determined to keep the pair apart no matter what.

This is my first book by the author so I wasn't sure what to expect. I wanted to love this one because the synopsis sounded amazing. I sadly love it as much as I would have hoped. I felt that I was reading a cross between Twilight and Vampire Diaries the idea was great but the execution was lacking. I feel like I just wasn't able to connect with Rebel or Flynn. I wanted to love the story but I didn't. I don't think it was my cup of tea but I'm sure others will love it.

Book Review: My Dress-Up Darling Vol 3

 Title - My Dress-Up Darling Vol 3

Series - My Dress-Up Darling 

Author - Shiniichi Fukuda 

Genre - Manga

Format - Physical Manga 

Published - May 25th 2019

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Synopsis 

A loner boy and a flashy girl find common ground via cosplay in this sweet and spicy romcom!

Wakana and Marin make it through their very first cosplay event, and not long after, Marin's heart undergoes a change...?! But that's not going to stop her cosplaying! To research their next project, the duo decide to watch the anime it's based on...but on screening night, they wind up alone together...?! And with JuJu, another gorgeous cosplayer, dropping by Wakana's house...it seems like a love triangle is abrew!

Review 

Wakana Gojou keeps to himself till he unintentionally puts himself into Marin Kitagawa's path. Finding that he can sew she ropes him into making a cosplay costume for her to wear to events. Raised to make traditional dolls has made him have a gift for details and skilled with making clothes comes naturally. Together they find an unlikely friendship bonding over the art of cosplay which is only just the beginning. 

My bestie picked out this series for us to read together I didn't know anything about it before we started it but quickly turned into a fan. I love the story it's sweet each installment is loaded with new characters and new cosplay adventures. It's a very addicting series I ended up reading three volumes in a row only stopping to have to do real life stuff. My Dress-Up Darling is an adorable story with cute art. I loved every moment. Can't wait to finish the series and watch the anime next. 

Book Review: My Dress-Up Darling Vol 2

 Title - My Dress-Up Darling Vol 2

Series - My Dress-Up Darling 

Author - Shinichi Fukuda 

Genre -Manga

Format - Physical Manga 

Published - Novembver 14th 2018

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Synopsis 

Wakana Gojou is a fifteen year old high-school boy who was socially traumatized in the past due to his passion for dolls and doll-making. That incident left a mark on him that made him into a social recluse. But one day he was caught talking to his doll by Kitagawa Marin, a sociable gyaru who is perfectly open about her otaku interests -- in short, the complete opposite of him.

Instead of making fun of him, she's amazed by his skill on the sewing machine, and asks if he'll help her make a cosplay! Through sharing their passions, they end up in an odd but supportive relationship.

Review 

Wakana Gojou keeps to himself till he unintentionally puts himself into Marin Kitagawa's path. Finding that he can sew she ropes him into making a cosplay costume for her to wear to events. Raised to make traditional dolls has made him have a gift for details and skilled with making clothes comes naturally. Together they find an unlikely friendship bonding over the art of cosplay which is only just the beginning. 

My bestie picked out this series for us to read together I didn't know anything about it before we started it but quickly turned into a fan. I love the story it's sweet each installment is loaded with new characters and new cosplay adventures. It's a very addicting series I ended up reading three volumes in a row only stopping to have to do real life stuff. My Dress-Up Darling is an adorable story with cute art. I loved every moment. Can't wait to finish the series and watch the anime next. 

Book Review: My Dress-Up Darling Vol 1

 Title - My Dress-Up Darling Vol 1 

Series - My Dress-Up Darling 

Author - Shiniichi Fukuda  

Genre - Manga

Format - Physical Manga 

Published - April 14th 2020

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Synopsis 

A loner boy and a flashy girl find common ground via cosplay in this sweet and spicy romcom!

Traumatized by a childhood incident with a friend who took exception to his love of traditional dolls, doll-artisan hopeful Wakana Gojou passes his days as a loner, finding solace in the home ec room at his high school. To Wakana, people like beautiful Marin Kitagawa, a trendy girl who's always surrounded by a throng of friends, is practically an alien from another world. But when cheerful Marin--never one to be shy--spots Wakana sewing away one day after school, she barges in with the aim of roping her quiet classmante into her secret hobby: cosplay! Will Wakana's wounded heart be able to handle the invasion from this sexy alien?!

Review 

Wakana Gojou keeps to himself till he unintentionally puts himself into Marin Kitagawa's path. Finding that he can sew she ropes him into making a cosplay costume for her to wear to events. Raised to make traditional dolls has made him have a gift for details and skilled with making clothes comes naturally. Together they find an unlikely friendship bonding over the art of cosplay which is only just the beginning. 

My bestie picked out this series for us to read together I didn't know anything about it before we started it but quickly turned into a fan. I love the story it's sweet each installment is loaded with new characters and new cosplay adventures. It's a very addicting series I ended up reading three volumes in a row only stopping to have to do real life stuff. My Dress-Up Darling is an adorable story with cute art. I loved every moment. Can't wait to finish the series and watch the anime next. 

Book Review: Hartford Cove 1-5

Title: A Girl and Her Wolf, A Grave of My Own, The Forest Sta
res Back, Magic in the Making, The Great Curse Breaker

Series - Hartford Cove 1-5 

Author - L.L. Frost

Genre - Romance Paranormal

Format - Kindle Unlimited 

Published - October 20th 2021

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Synopsis 

Rowe has one goal: get to grandma's house.

After her life falls apart, there's only one place for Rowe to run to, but the little town of Hartford Cove holds secrets, both to her past and to the town itself. As they say, there's no place like home, but did Rowe ever know what home really meant?

Review 

Rowe is on the run with her wolfdog best friend and she heads to the only place she feels safe her grandmothers house. Things have changed since she last visited as a girl including the once the people. The more time she spends in the town the more she learns about her family. However, the town is full of secrets that will change her life forever. 

I've read the first 5 installments in the Hartford Cover series and since they are short novels I feel like one review will do for them all. I love Rowe she's a sweetheart who cares so much for her bestfriend Tris the wolfdog. I like the guys she meets when she returns to Hartford. I can't wait to see where the series will go. This isn't my first series by L.L. Frost she's one of my favorites authors and her serial are full of steam, and comedy. I truly enjoyed everyone moment and have the whole collection on my kindle that I'm working on. 

Book Review: The Inferno

Title - The Inferno

Author - L.L. Frost 

Genre - Reverse Harem

Published - January 5th 2018

Format - Kindle 

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With an ignis demon on the loose, it’s up to Adie and the guys to track Torch down before he catches more than her bakery on fire. If he exposes demons to humankind, it puts everyone’s life at risk. Adie’s determined to safely bring Torch home, but Tobias, Kellen, and Emil’s plan involves something less pleasant. 

At odds with each other, it becomes a race through the city to see who will find Torch first. Will Adie risk more than her unstable relationship with the guys to do what she feels is right? And will the consequences be something they can all live with? 

Follow Adie on her continuing (mis)adventures filled with troublesome demons as she strives toward achieving a quasi-normal life among humans. 

Review
Adie is a succubus who may have rushed a little when it came to getting a human body. Which has caused her not to be able to enter the dream world by herself, as other succubi can do. She's accepted a deal with 3 powerful demons granted she altered it just a little but enough to get what she wants plus her bakery. However, the more time she spends with the guys the more she learns about herself. It's time to study up and learn what she's missing about being a succubus because she's doing it wrong. 

Adie is finally getting to open her bakery but on the night of a soft opening, things go wrong when her little ignis demon runs off leaving a trail of fire in his wake. The guys set out after him with her but she knows that she needs to be the one to find him or they will just destroy him. When she finds him she does the only thing she can do to save him she draws in his energy but in doing so his fire burns her body forcing her to let her inner succubus heal her physical body. 

I've had my eye on this series for a while but waited till a few more came out before diving right in. The reverse harem concept is growing in popularity and I'm becoming a quick fan. As the series is short novellas I figured it was better to combine them together plus that way I wouldn't be giving anything away. I love Adie she's a great character you can't help cheering her on as she overcomes everything that is thrown at her. At first, I wasn't sure about our demon trio but the more we get to know them the more I like them. I'm curious to see how this is all going to work out. I highly recommend this quick read series it's easy to get lost and read them all in just a few short hours. One of my new favorites and I can't wait for the next one to come out.

S&S Review: The Naughty List

Title - The Naughty List

Author - Bella Holiday, Nicole Marie

Genre - Reverse Harem

Published - November 29th 2017

Format - Kindle 

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Christmas is just around the corner and the streets and people of New York are bustling with holiday cheer. 
Well, everyone except me. 
After years of working retail, I’ve had it just about up to my neck with tacky holiday ornaments and the cringe-worthy jingles that blast on repeat throughout the Bloomington’s department store. I’ve grown to resent the holidays, and am looking forward to the calm of the New Year. 
I think it’s safe to say, I just really hate the entire season. 
To top it all off, my boss tasks me managing this year’s Christmas display. A display, he says, that should to be new, innovative, and needs to rival our competition and impress the shoppers beyond measure. 
I might as well have died and gone to hell. 
But things look up when a brilliant idea strikes me, and my best friend Lucy and I decide to deck the Bloomington halls with a sexy and spicy holiday surprise. 
A surprise that, turns out, perhaps wasn’t all too appropriate for a family-oriented department store. 
Now, not only am I in deep Christmas shit with my boss, but go from bad to worse when two men claiming to be elves show up to bring me to the North Pole. 
Surely the stress of the holidays has finally made me crack. 

The Naughty List is a fun Christmas-themed reverse harem serial. New instalments coming every week until Christmas, after which they will be bundled into a complete boxed-set edition. 
Come celebrate the holidays with Holly and her sexy elves.


Reverse Harem Serial.

Review
The Naughty List is a reverse harem serial with several parts put into one novel. I actually only read the first in the serial but I haven't gotten a chance to read the rest of them. I like Holly she has some issues but she's doing her best and when things go sexy in the department store instead of kid-friendly she finds herself in deep water. Will the Elf's be able to turn things around? 

I didn't love it as much as I would have hoped which is odd because I actually liked Holly. Just too many issues with the concept as unbelievable. I can't imagine someone setting up a sexy Christmas town instead of a child-friendly one as was wanted. It just didn't work for me as much as I would have hoped. I do hope to check it out and learn more about Holly and her elves but I'm in no rush.

Book Review: Desperate Measures

Title - Desperate Measures

Author - Staci Hart

Genre - Zombie Romance

Published - October 30th 2016

Format - Kindle 

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* 11,000 word novella * 

A girl's got to have priorities, even in the zombie apocalypse, including, but not limited to: 

1) Cheese Doodles 

2) Trusty dog 

3) Swedish porn 

4) Batteries 

Annie's survived for two years all by herself. But what she finds when she finally leaves her shelter is better than all of the above.

Review

Annie was a fan of the walking dead and prepared for the time when the walking dead weren’t just on tv anymore thankfully she is safe inside her little fortress in the basement. After two years she now forced to return to the surface in hopes of re-stocking her supplies, as she’s run out of batteries. On her first encounter outside in two years she meet’s a guy who may just be what she needs. 

I’ve been craving a little post apocalypse romance and Desperate Measures doesn’t disappoint at all. I like Annie a lot she’s takes planning to a whole new level, she’s even planned for more than just survive like entertainment to pass the days away. I enjoyed the story it was a quick paced story that I found hard to put down. The concept is interesting I can’t imagine being alone for 2 years with just my dog in a basement. The characters are great easy to connect with. I hope this isn’t the last we see of Annie and Beck my fingers are crossed for more. This is my first book by the author but I plan to check out her other books. My only complaint was I wanted more it was to short, the story is fun and I enjoyed it a lot. 

S&S Book Review: Unleashed: A Fangs and Fur Novella

Title - Unleashed: A Fangs and Fur Novella

Author - Sotia Lazu

Genre - Paranormal Romance

Published - November 27th 2015

Publisher - Acelette Press

Format - Kindle Freebie

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Grayon is ousted from the only life he knows, for trying to do the right thing. The Earth plane is his punishment, and both his human and wolf nature hate the smell of London and long to return to The Forest, but for now he has to accept the hospitality of the local vampire Master and the annoying undead chick that comes with it. 

Raven loves nothing more than control. Her life was all mapped out, as was her death. The only thing she hasn’t planned for is this hot piece of shifter that grates on her nerves, with his cocky grin and sculpted body. 

Vampires and shifters were enemies till recently, and some still consider this to be the case. It’s up to Grayon and Raven to decide if they will hate each other or…

Review

Grayon did what was right but in turn it got him kicked out of his home banished to earth. Thankfully he lands on the doorstep of a vampire he’s familiar with. He’s just not the vampire that he met after coming through the door but Raven who’s guarding the portal. Raven has her own issues struggling to make her own way after everything she’s overcome. Grayon can’t deny he’s attracted to Raven but shifters don’t date vampires much less fall I love. After all he hopes to earn his way back into The Forest. However, the more time he spends with Raven the less he wants to return. When the time comes will he choose Raven or return home in through the portal.

I’ve been craving a quick shifter romance so I picked this one based on the cover and didn’t read the synopsis. So the story was a pleasant surprise a whirlwind romance between two unexpected to fall in love. I love Raven she’s not the typical vampire her reason for changing into one was is relatable and she doesn’t act like you would expect from a fledging vampire. The chemistry between the two is on fire, and they work well together. I found the characters easy to connect with they are hard to not like. This is my first book by the author but it was enjoyable a quick action packed read. I’m looking forward to checking out other books by the author. 

S & S - Book Review: Surrounded by Death

Title - Surrounded by Death

Author - Mandy Harbin

Series - Woods Family

Genre - Paranormal Romance

Published - September 11th 2012

Format - Kindle Freebie

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His family speaks of his death as a tragic example of why it’s too dangerous for the Woods men to be around available women.

Eric Woods is now dead, but was his last night as a living, breathing mountain lion shifter as horrible as his family has always believed?

Experience Eric’s last night with Simone--a woman whose need for carnal pleasures for exceeds all rational thought.

Review

Surrounded by Death is a quick little prequel in the Woods family series. This story reveals what really happened to Eric and the truth surrounding his last night. I found it interesting to get an insight into what happened because in the first novel he’s mentioned but we don’t get a lot of info as to what happened. It’s a quick little story that centers around one magical night. I enjoyed the glimpse it’s steamy and entertaining. It leads into the series really well. I enjoyed the story but it’s just too quick I wanted more.

S&S Book Review: The Trouble With Pixies

Title - The Trouble With Pixies

Author - Gayle Ramage

Series - Edinburgh Elementals

Genre - Urban Fantasy

Format - Kindle Freebie

Published - December 25th 2012

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Michael has just moved to Edinburgh, Scotland, to make a fresh start with his three children. While they're out exploring the city, he's relaxing with a glass of wine.

That is until a knock on the front door leads to a bizarre revelation from a strange, red-haired woman, and an encounter in the attic with some grumpy, swearing pixies.

Review

Michael moved into the house after the prior resident has passed away little did he know that she left him something in the attic. When a strange shows up on his doorstep looking for the prior owner she reveals that she must remove something in the attic after a trip up and unusual hunting trip she finds exactly what she was looking for leaving Michaels eyes open to everything he had no idea existed.

While it’s a short novel we have just a taste of Hattie who swoops into Michaels life quickly. I actually really like her character a human who sees the not so human acting as a mediator. While it’s a brief intro I feel like I really could connect with Hattie she’s one of those types of characters I enjoy plus it’s a supernatural world.

I picked this one up earlier this month as a kindle freebie based on the cover it sounded cute. I found the concept interesting the fact that the humans live among the supernatural is always one of my favorites ideas and that Hattie is human but in the supernatural world fits. The story while flows along into a whirlwind action packed adventure. I enjoyed the authors writing style it’s captivating it was easy to read in one sitting. My only real complaint is I want a 300+ story about Hattie it’s just not long enough for my taste. I do plan to check out the rest of the series in the future.  

S & S Book Review: Taming a Bear

Title - Taming a Bear

Author - Stella Bryce

Series - Moon Seduction

Genre - Paranormal Romance

Published - April 30th 2014

Format - Kindle Freebie

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(Complete story, no cliffhangers!) Anna Brentwood isn't your average fox. She’s smart, sassy, plus-size, and stubborn. The rare red moon is coming and Anna is afraid her primal urges will betray her, like Matt Stryker once did. He shattered her heart, leaving her to pick up the pieces alone. 

Matt knows Anna is his chosen one, and will do anything to get back in her good graces. Anna is his only need and he’ll do whatever it takes to win her over. Only Bunny St. James, local reporter and sexy rabbit, has other plans for Matt. She’s had her eyes on Matt for longer than she’s willing to admit. 

Can Anna and Matt find love again? Or will Bunny’s wicked scheming change everyone’s fate? When Matt’s bear comes out, his primal beast must decide what he truly wants and needs. His human knows…but his bear will make the final decision. Seductive pleasures await you in a heated romance. “Taming a Bear: Not Your Average Fox” is a BBW shape shifter romance story that will captivate your imagination and enchant your heart. (Complete short story...No cliffhanger) 

Review

Anna and Matt had chemistry but things went south when he breaks it off with Anna heading after Bunny on the night of the red moon. Little did Anna know that it was a cover for a secret that would put her at risk and that he couldn’t divulge to her. A year has passed and Matt is more determined than ever to win back the only woman he loves. Only Anna has been hurt before by Matt even though she loves him she’s not willing to risk the heartache again.

I like Anna she’s not your typical heroine but a curvy girl with a little more to love and it doesn’t change the way Matt feels about her. I wasn’t sure about Matt at first but he earned some redemption as we learned the real reason it was broken off with Anna. While Anna may be pushing away it’s clear that the chemistry between the two is hot.

I’ve not read a lot of bear shifter romance novels until recently and I’ve become a quick fan of them. The concept for the Red Moon which make all the shifters act like horny teenagers was an interesting spin on the shifter concept. I like the fact that the shifters didn’t choose mates by species but by who they really felt was the one so we ended up with fox and bears. The characters are easy to connect with I felt myself taking Anna’s side right from the start but it all works out in the end. I think Taming a Bear is perfect for someone craving a quick shifter steamy romance. 

S & S Book Review: What Zoey Doesn't Know

Title - What Zoey Doesn't Know

Author - R.L. Naquin

Series - Monster Haven #3.5

Genre - Urban Fantasy

Format - Kindle

Published - April 7th 2014

Publisher - Bottle Cap Publishing

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Maurice the closet monster is an amazing cook, efficient housekeeper, fantastic problem solver, and the best friend anyone could ever have. 

But nobody really knows what he does all day. 

Bank robbers, a rare disease, and a visit from a bad-luck pooka are no match for a closet monster with time on his hands. 

But don’t tell Zoey. She worries. 

7,00 words 

“What Zoey Doesn’t Know” is a short story in the same world as the Monster Haven novels from Carina Press. This story can be enjoyed without having read the novels, but it takes place between book three, Fairies in My Fireplace, and book four, Golem in My Glovebox. 

Review

What  Zoey Doesn’t Know is told from the point of view of Maurice her best friend and closet monster. I always assumed that he was just a housekeeper and cook during the day but this short story show’s that there is much more to Maurice that we always thought. First off he’s tasked with saving Zoey’s neighbors rom a sickness that they all seem to have caught that is affecting them. Next up is bank robbery; add in some quiches and you’ve got a busy day. However Maurice is like his own personal superman.

I’ve always been a fan of Maurice he’s the best friend that Zoey has needed and a perfect companion to guide her along on her journey as a protector. I honestly have always had a soft spot for Maurice and secretly wish that every time I open my closet he will pop out. Now having a chance to see what he deals with on a regular basis I found interesting.

I’ve had this one on my kindle for ages but it’s slipped my mind so since I’m reading the other novella’s it’s a perfect chance to add it to my list. I loved every moment of Maurice’s world it’s great seeing that’s he’s more than we all thought and how much he really helps Zoey out. I love the world that they all live in hidden from the humans a whole secret world. The characters are amazing and the stories are captivating. The author has done a beautiful job creating a unique series. One of my favorite Urban Fantasy and I highly recommend. 

S & S Book Review: Hidden Holiday

Title - Hidden Holidays

Author - R.L. Naquin

Series - Monster Haven #2.5

Genre - Urban Fantasy

Published - January 7th 2014

Publisher - Bottle Cap Publishing

Format - Kindle

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The holidays can be overwhelming for anyone, but Zoey is ready to explode when Maurice, her closet-monster roommate, takes celebrations to the extreme. When Zoey ducks out for a little fresh air, she finds a boy with a big problem -- a problem only a mythical creature can have and only Zoey can solve. 

6,500 words 

Hidden Holidays is a short story in the same world as the Monster Haven novels from Carina Press. This story can be enjoyed without having read the novels, but it takes place between book two, Pooka in My Pantry, and book three, Fairies in My Fireplace. 

Review

Zoey arrives home to find out that her home has exploded into holiday overload as Maurice decorates the house with everything he can borrow and get his hands on. Overwhelmed by the decorations that are happening inside the house she heads off for a walk coming upon a boy naked along the beach. She learns that the boy has lost his pelt because he’s from the sea. With some help they may just get it back so that they can join the festivities that are happening back at home.

I still adore Zoey she’s one of my favorite urban fantasy characters she’s unique a protector for the monsters. I have to admit if I would be the same way she is walking into an overwhelming house full of decorations. I love Maurice but he’s not really in this one it’s more about Zoey which is ok since she’s the main character. We also have a little bit more of Iris as well as an encounter with some new friends.

I’ve had this one on my kindle and hate to admit that I haven’t read the novella’s before for the Monster Haven series but I’m current on all the books. I quickly read Hidden Holidays which is a cute holiday story that touches the heart and made me smile. I love the unique world that Zoey lives in balancing her everyday life as well as protector it just works. She’s not your typical heroine but it works so well with her and she’s grown so much over the last few books. Can’t wait to read the next book waiting is the worst. Highly recommend if you’re a fan of Urban fantasy they are well written and worth reading.