In the Dark (Jonathan Stride, #4) by Brian Freeman

In The Dark by Brian Freeman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Loving this series; Jonathan Stride, Serena, and Maggie continue to wiggle their way into my favorite characters; especially with this book; Jonny revisits his teenage years and time on the police force. Cindy's sister, Laura was murdered on the beach on July 4 and now 30 years later, a old friend, Tish is writing a book on Laura's murder and needs answers. But what transpires are lies, mysteries, and betrayals! Also Jonathan and Maggie are investigating a peeper who is terrorizing teens, all the while Tish continues to lead Jonny with clues, etc. I could not put this book down, will be reading #5 soon enough----love Brian Freeman's plots, suspense, characters! I am also going to try the Frost Eaton series as well.

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The Deal (Off-Campus, #1) by Elle Kennedy

The Deal by Elle Kennedy
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the first Elle Kennedy romance I have read and oh did I enjoy Hannah and Graham. They were both believable college students, Graham the jock and Hannah a music Major. But they bring their real selves to their friendship which begins with Graham stalking Hannah to tutor him so he won't get kicked off the ice hockey team. As Captain, Graham has lots of friends and girls who chase him. But Hannah works, is a good student and is in the annual music show, and she does not have many friends, does not drink and does not go to frat parties. I liked the slow way their bickering friendship proceeded and as they begin to tell each other things that they have not told to too many people, my fingers were crossed. A really great book to begin the Off-Campus series, I can't wait to read more Elle Kennedy romances!

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The Shadowshaper Legacy (Shadowshaper, #3) by Daniel Jose Older

Shadowshaper Legacy by Daniel José Older
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this series so much and this 3rd book did not disappoint! Sierra has so much going on as the Lucera, in charge of all things in her world of Shadowshaping, while her brother and boyfriend and another girlfriend, Izzy are in jail. This book also takes the reader and Sierra back to the history (her history) in the world of the Shadowshapers. I could not stop turning the pages as all hell breaks loose, betrayers try to take over and Sierra's control of the Deck of Worlds Cards. Hang on to the edge of your seat for the past colliding with the present. I loved the author's word choice, his world building, the good vs bad fight---if you have not read this series---you must NOW because this is the final thrilling book in the series!!!

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It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time by Kylie Scott
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this romance between Adele and Peter. Switching back and forth in time, Adele has always been best friends with Pete (also in love with him too) who works in construction with her father (eventually become partners)but only visits summers because she lives with her mom (divorce). Adele waits until she is 18 years old to reveal that she loves Pete and that is a huge mistake. What happens is that Pete won't forgive her, Adele does not return for seven years and it is her father's marriage to Shanti that brings her back to Pete. I rooted for Adele and Pete, but Pete has issues and it takes alot to become friendly with him, having best friends talks again in the short time Adele has before she goes back home. A great cover and a burning romance!

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Season of Fear (Cab Bolton, #2) by Brian Freeman

Season of Fear: A Cab Bolton Thriller by Brian Freeman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Loved this 2nd Cab Bolton detective mystery! As the book begins a political fundraiser turns muderous as three a gunned down by a masked man in black. Fast forward 10 years later and Diana Fairmount, like her husband, is now running for governor, but the threats begin threatening revenge. Who is doing this and is it the same person from 10 years ago. I love Cab Bolton as much as I love Jonathan Stride- they are both very good at what they do as detectives and they have messy lives, but this means the reader will be turning those pages as the mystery, lies, suspense, murders add up. I loved Peach Piper, her secret relationship with her coworker, Justin and ached for the awful life she had as a child and how this impacts her (no friends, trust issues, secret squirrel) but the mystery was deep and I lost myself in this page turner. Looking forward to more Cab Bolton thrillers, for now I will pick up more Jonathan Stride mysteries!!!

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The Empire of Dreams (Fire and Thorns #4) by Rae Carson

The Empire of Dreams by Rae Carson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Just as I loved The Girl of Fire and Thorns series, oh did I really LOVE Red Sparkle Stone. She was a dynamo who survived so much in her life, that she has some left over issues like startling when she hears loud sounds, sleeping on the floor or not sleeping at all. As her life with Elisa and Hector and Rosario and Mena is upended when her adoption is thwarted; Red decides to join the elite Royal Guard while the Queen takes a journey. Leaving behind Rosario on the throne, Red pledges her support while she trains for the guard. But something is wrong...and it takes all of Red's strength, fighting ability, and sleuthing to find out what is going on. What I liked about her training with the guard: many were against her for being a woman, being part of the royal family, and people assuming she is part of a lower caste, but Red's fighting ability soon begins to help her recruit friends and garner her some admiration. Even though Red is prickly, she can't tell a lie, so I enjoyed getting to know her from her past up to her time with Elisa and Hector. She is a strong presence, she fights for what she believes in, yet she also doesn't see herself the way others see her and that trait helped her time and time again as she tried to help Rosario and her friends in the Royal Guard. Can't wait to read the next book!!! Rae Carson has done it again!.

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The Witches of Willow Cove by Josh Roberts

The Witches of Willow Cove by Josh Roberts
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to @joshwhowrites (Josh Roberts), #BookJunkies, Owl Hollow Press, Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members’ Titles, for allowing me to be an early reader of The Witches of Willow Cove by debut author, Josh Roberts, in exchange for an honest review. I loved this middle grade magical mystery! Best friends, Abby and Robby, get the surprise of their life on Halloween when they ride a witches’ broom through the sky! Quickly Abby finds out she is a witch from Miss Winters (a witch herself) but posing as a substitute teacher. With Miss Winters urging Abby identifies five other witches, but everyone must keep this secret, which is a problem for Abby because this secret causes a rift in her friendship with Robby. Robby is perplexed by Abby’s behavior and they grow apart. What I totally enjoyed about this debut novel was the quick and suspenseful pace of the plot; I could not stop turning the pages. As Abby and her “new” witch friends learn more about their powers from Miss Winters, Abby is also trying to figure out what happened to Robby’s mom and most recently, the disappearance of Robby’s stepmom. At the same time, Robby is trying with two friends to find out more about the Abby, the witches and their history in Willow Cove. Is the disappearance of his mom and stepmom connected? The pacing of the plot, the mysteries as they are revealed, and the friends’ relationship drama was authentic and gripping. Readers will relate to the friends’ drama; both Abby and Robby do not want to expose their friends to any danger, so they keep secrets and this causes judgments on both sides. I really enjoyed this debut novel, the teen witches, and the past of Willow Cove which definitely includes witch history. What will happen to teen witch Abby and her witch friends? Readers will be treated to an exciting, suspenseful read; highly recommended!

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