ARC Review: If You Leave Me by Crystal Hana Kim

Pub. Date:	Aug 7, 2018
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Length:	432 pgs
Source:	Publisher

If You Leave Me is the debut novel by Crystal Hana Kim, a poignant tale of life and survival during and following war-time. I stepped out of my comfort zone with this one, and am glad for the experience. The author's writing drew me into the story and kept me interested, and I liked her overall writing style.

The story begins about a year after the start of the 6-2-5 war between North and South Korea. Admittedly, I didn't know much about this war and found myself googling as I went along, and hitting up Wikipedia for a basic overview at the outset. Not knowing much about the countries, the motivations, or the war, I liked this aspect of the book. Not because I liked that people were suffering in a war-torn country, but because it was something different and educational for me, and opened my eyes to a little more diversity and culture.

ARC Review: Dr. Strange Beard by Penny Reid

Series:	Winston Brothers #5
Pub. Date:	July 30, 2018
Publisher:	Cipher-Naught
Length:	350 pgs
Source:	Author

Dr. Strange Beard is the fifth installment of Penny Reid's Winston Brothers series, set in one of my favorite fictional locations - Green Valley, Tennessee. If you haven't been following the series, I guess you could technically read this one as a standalone, but why would you? Start at the beginning so you get the full affect of this beautiful small southern town on the cusp of the Smoky Mountains, and come to know and love the Winston brothers (and sister) as much as I do. 

Audiobook Review: The Devil of Dunakin Castle by Heather McCollum

Series:	Highland Isles #4
Pub. Date:	May 8, 2018
Publisher:	Entangled Tantor Audio
Narrators:	Tim Campbell
Length:	6 hrs 49 min
Source:	Publisher

This is my first read by Heather McCollum, and I'm sorry that I haven't already read the rest of the Highland Isles series. I quite liked this one! If you are just discovering this author like me, I don't think its absolutely necessary for you to read the earlier books. There are some references to events in earlier books, and maybe a slight spoiler, but nothing major. 

Our heroine is an English lass, Grace Ellington, who has been living on the Isle of Mull with her sister (heroine of a previous book). The only thing I missed by not reading the earlier books was Grace's backstory. I wanted to know how she got to Mull, what happened in her past (it was referenced a few times but not explained), and how she became a healer. While Grace had a couple of reluctant moments early on, she didn't grind on my "reluctant heroine" nerve, and I liked her quite a bit. She was assertive and not afraid to speak her mind, particularly when it came to our hero. She was intelligent and kind and brave. All great qualities.

Audiobook Review: Deerskin by Robin McKinley

Pub. Date:	May 15, 2018
Publisher:	Tantor Audio
Narrator:	Xe Sands
Length:	11 hrs 54 min
Source:	Publisher

This is my first read from Robin McKinley, and the beautiful cover with the hound really drew my eye. Deerskin was first released in the early 1990s, but is just now being brought to audio by Tantor Audio. The narrator, Xe Sands, did a great job with the performance, pacing and characters.

This is the story about the coming-of-age of Princess Lissla Lissar, a quiet child largely ignored by her larger-than-life parents. The King and Queen were beloved by their people, seemingly more for their beauty and fairytale origins than for any good deeds or benevolence. When the Queen's beauty fades and passes away, Lissar is thrown more into the spotlight than she has been in the past. This draws some horribly unwanted and incestuous attention from the King, which leads to a series of tragic events. Trigger warnings weren't the thing back in the 90s, but this story probably warrants one with today's societal trends.

ARC Review: Every Time You Go Away by Beth Harbison

Pub. Date:	July 24, 2018
Publisher:	St. Martin's Press
Length:	336 pgs
Source:	NetGalley

It seems like it's been a while since I've read Beth Harbison, so it looks like I have some titles to catch up on. And maybe a re-read of some old favorites like Hope in a Jar and Shoe Addicts Anonymous. This story is more in the realm of women's fiction than chick lit, which is not always my preferred genre, but good writing is good writing and I found that I didn't need the romance hook to draw me into this story.

ARC Review: Disorderly Conduct by Tessa Bailey

Series:	The Academy #1
Pub. Date:	Aug. 29, 2017
Publisher:	Avon
Length:	354 pgs
Source:	Publisher

I hear people rave about Tessa Bailey all the time, and her steamy dirty-talking heroes. This is my actual first time reading her, and though this story was not for me, I did like her writing style and will be reading her again in the future. I will probably even continue with this series as I think I will like the other lead characters to come.

Audiobook Review: Beard in Mind by Penny Reid

Series:	Winston Brothers #4
Pub. Date:	Nov. 8, 2017
Publisher:	Cipher-Naught
Narrator:	Chris Brinkley Angela Dawe
Length:	13 hrs 19 min
Source:	Audible

Beard in Mind is the fourth installment of the fun and quirky Winston Brothers series, set in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee - a place very close to my heart. Reading and listening to this series never fails to make me nostalgic for home, even if Green Valley is a fictional place (based on one of the many similar towns in and around the mountains). 

Audiobook Review: Queen takes Knights by Joely Sue Burkhart

Series: Their Vampire Queen #1 Pub. Date: May 8, 2018 Publisher: Tantor Audio Narrators: Tristan James Cassandra Myles Length: 5 hrs 31 min Source: Publisher

So my friend Deanna has been raving about a lot of reverse harem lately, a new trend/trope in the romance community, particularly with indie authors. It seems that most of these stories are written in the young adult and new adult age groups, but I wanted to give it a shot and see what all the hoopla is about. The Their Vampire Queen seemed liked a good and steamy place to start, with each book being a quick read of about novella length.

Shara Isador grew up not knowing what she was or anything about her heritage. All Shara knew was that she was in constant danger, and both of her parents died protecting her. But when two handsome strangers come to Shara's rescue one night in the middle of Arkansas, it begins an enlightening and awakening for Shara where she will learn her true nature, potential, and power.

Audiobook Review: Grigori by Lauren Smith

Series:	Ash and Fire #1
Pub. Date:	April 24, 2018
Publisher:	Tantor Audio
Narrator:	Lucy Rivers
Length:	7 hrs 42 min
Source:	NetGalley

Grigori is the first book in Lauren Smith's Brothers of Ash and Fire series. It was my first time reading this author, and I was pleasantly surprised. This series follows three brothers who are centuries old... dragon shifters!!! Woo Hoo! You know how I feel about dragons. 

ARC Review: The Good Luck Sister by Jill Shalvis

Series:	Wildstone #1.5
Pub. Date:	May 1, 2018
Publisher:	Avon
Length:	144 pgs
Source:	Publisher

This is a second chance romance with a great little dog, and a novella following Lost and Found Sisters in the Wildstone series. I have not read the first book, but I felt like this one did okay as a standalone novella. 

ARC Review: The First Time at Firelight Falls by Julie Anne Long

Series:	Hellcat Canyon #1
Pub. Date:	May 29, 2018
Publisher:	Avon
Length:	366 pgs
Source:	Edelweiss

This was my first time reading Julie Anne Long, and I will be reading more of her in the future. I was at first skeptical as to whether I would like this book. I didn't think I would relate to the characters - a single mom and school principal... but I loved them! I really like Long's writing style. The romance was sweet and a little steamy, and she made our heroine's kid cute and entertaining.

Audiobook Review: Divorced Desperate and Delicious by Christie Craig

Series:	Divorced & Desperate #1
Pub. Date:	July 11, 2017
Publisher:	Dreamscape Media
Narrator:	Jennifer Woodward
Length:	8 hrs 37 min
Source:	Hoopla

I have seen this series floating around for quite a while, and I thought it sounded like fun. I'm not divorced (or married for that matter). I guess the desperate and delicious is up for debate... but I feel like I'm doing a little better than our heroine here. This series focuses on a posse of divorced femmes, seemingly obsessed with sex, and their lack thereof. 

Audiobook Review: The Shadow King by Heather Killough-Walden

Series:	The Kings #7
Pub. Date:	April 10, 2018
Publisher:	Tantor Audio
Narrator:	Antony Ferguson
Length:	6 hrs 25 min
Source:	Publisher

The Shadow King is the 7th book in the Kings series, which revolves around 13 paranormal kings of various supernatural species. These are quick reads that really work well as a binge series, and I find that I am having a hard time remembering some of the earlier books after waiting a few years between the first books and these last few. I do think this series is a candidate for the re-read pile though, so I will definitely look to binge them one day in the future.

ARC Review: Stray Magic by Kelly Meding

Series:	Strays #1
Pub. Date:	June 19, 2018
Publisher:	Avon
Length:	336 pgs
Source:	Edelweiss

Stray Magic is the first book in the Strays series, and my first read by Kelly Meding. I really like this author's writing style, and I'm so happy to have found another urban fantasy series to read. It seems like the genre has been slowing and not as many UF books are being introduced these days. This series has a unique cast of paranormal character, a feisty and interesting heroine, and the promise of steamy romantic entanglements.

ARC Review: Smoke and Iron by Rachel Caine

Series:	The Great Library #4
Pub. Date:	July 3, 2018
Publisher:	Berkley
Length:	448 pgs
Source:	NetGalley

I have been thoroughly impressed with Rachel Caine's The Great Library series since it's inception, and I'm so happy that we have more books to come. The world-building is complex and detailed, and just superb from beginning to end. I also love the diverse cast of characters from just about every walk of life - there is someone for everyone to identify with.

Audiobook Review: Forbidden by Beverly Jenkins

Series:	Old West #1
Pub. Date:	January 26, 2016
Publisher:	HarperAudio
Narrator:	Kim Staunton
Length:	9 hrs 27 min
Source:	Hoopla

Forbidden is my first read from the highly-acclaimed Beverly Jenkins, and it certainly will not be my last. I am not typically a fan of western romances, but I was drawn into this story and found myself enjoying it quite a bit. Jenkins certainly has a lovely writing style, which was complemented by this narrator, Kim Staunton, who had a very soothing voice. The cadence and pacing Staunton employed was perfect for the old west feel of this story.

ARC Review: The Risk of Rogues by Sabrina Jeffries

Series:	Sinful Suitors #5.5
Pub. Date:	July 2, 2018
Publisher:	Pocket Star
Length:	95 pgs
Source:	NetGalley

Drat, I realized as I went to start this book that I have missed the last couple of releases in the Sinful Suitors series! I don't know how that happened! So now I have some catching up to do, because I have enjoyed the installments that I have read thus far.

The Risk of Rogues is a short story novella, which was a nice diversion and easy to get through as I have been recovering from surgery this week. I think it can be read fine as a standalone, though I do believe there was some character crossover from the past couple of books.

ARC Review: The Highlander's Promise by Lynsay Sands

Series:	Highlanders #6
Pub. Date:	June 26, 2018
Publisher:	Avon
Length:	384 pgs
Source:	Edelweiss

Lynsay Sands' Highlanders series has been one of my favorites over the last year or so. I love the big rambunctious and loyal Buchanan family, and have enjoyed seeing each brother (and sister) meet their matrimonial end so to speak. But when I saw the blurb for this book and realized it was about Aulay, I got grabby hands. I feel like this may have been my most anticipated installment of the series.