Lightning Reviews
Lightning Review

Night of the Witch by Sara Raasch and Beth Revis

Night of the Witch

TW: Violence, violence to animals, death of parent Night of the Witch is part historical fantasy and part paranormal romance. It’s the first book in a series, but doesn’t really end on a cliff hanger and the romance gets a full arc by the end, so it’s fine as a standalone. I enjoyed the supernatural element of this book, but I really enjoyed the historical aspect as it was a time period I hadn’t read … Continue reading Night of the Witch by Sara Raasch and Beth Revis

Lightning Review

Sparrow Hill Road by Seanan McGuire

Sparrow Hill Road

Sparrow Hill Road was a 4 1/2 star Top Pick in the May 2014 RT Book Reviews magazine that Amanda and I recapped, and I was curious, in part because I didn’t recognize it. I know McGuire’s other series (Adam really likes the October Daye books) but this one had escaped my knowledge. I found the audiobook, narrated by Amy Landon, at my library, and I inhaled it. I got so much done because I … Continue reading Sparrow Hill Road by Seanan McGuire

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Wed by Proxy by Alice Coldbreath

Wed by Proxy

My friend recommended this book to me and I have to tell you I was hooked from the moment I read the blurb: ‘Thrice wedded, but never bedded’. I MEAN! YES PLEASE! This book scratched an itch that I thought I’d never be able to reach. I grew up on books by Jilly Cooper, specifically the series where the main character’s name was the title of the book. These were tempestuous novels with slammed doors … Continue reading Wed by Proxy by Alice Coldbreath

Lightning Review

Time to Shine by Rachel Reid

Time to Shine

I read this book in a day. A delicious day. A work day! In between meetings and emails I was reading this book. (Sorry, boss.) Landon Stackhouse, a hockey goaltender, has been called up from the Calgary farm team to play in the NHL as a backup goalie due to an injury. He’s riddled with anxiety in so many ways and tends to stick to himself. Casey Hicks, a star winger on the team, isn’t … Continue reading Time to Shine by Rachel Reid

Lightning Review

A Nobleman’s Guide to Seducing a Scoundrel by KJ Charles

A Nobleman’s Guide to Seducing a Scoundrel

Let’s start with the fact that I adore KJ Charles’ books. All of them. So I was well-positioned to love this one, especially as I had adored the first book in this series, which Carrie reviewed. Book two didn’t quite have the complexity of that first book, but I still loved this story and devoured it quickly. Rufus, a major in the army, has found out that he is in fact an earl, specifically the … Continue reading A Nobleman’s Guide to Seducing a Scoundrel by KJ Charles

Lightning Review

My Roommate is a Vampire by Jenna Levine

My Roommate is a Vampire

Usually when I DNF a book, it is quickly forgotten and I move on to the next book. I am rarely moved to write a review about a DNF. This case is an exception because it was so nearly good, but ultimately missed the mark. I managed to soldier through 55% of this book before it just got too frustrating. Cassie needs a place to stay. Frederick is renting out his spare room for a … Continue reading My Roommate is a Vampire by Jenna Levine

Lightning Review

Death in Soho by Emily Organ

Death in Soho

This was an excellent airplane book. I found it on Kindle Unlimited in the airport, and read it on a two hour flight. It held my attention, but was light enough that I could read quickly and not feel like I was taxing my tired brain. There is a lot of dialogue and in just about any other circumstance that would make me very happy. I love dialogue. But the characters do a lot of … Continue reading Death in Soho by Emily Organ

Lightning Review

Off the Map by Trish Doller

Off the Map

This book messed me up. Yes, I read it while I was going through a rough time, but the point stands: this is an emotionally intense book. The problem is that it is so well-written that it’s also un-put-downable so the emotional intensity is unrelenting. Carla is filled with wanderlust. She works in a bar to save up money and then travels the world in the Jeep her father gave her when he was diagnosed … Continue reading Off the Map by Trish Doller

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One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig

One Dark Window

Let’s start with what this book does well. It’s a really interesting premise and the world-building is good (if slow). A long time ago, the balance of magic was upset and now the Spirit of the Woods is taking over with a magical mist that kills people. Cue: a need to save the kingdom and those infected by magic. While the King is ostensibly trying to do this, he is prepared to sacrifice the captain … Continue reading One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig

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The Happy Vagina by Mika Simmons

The Happy Vagina

The Happy Vagina is a fun book, primed for gift giving, punctuated with inspiring quotes and featuring bold, fun illustrations. I took one look at it and thought, “I should give this to my daughter.” My daughter took one look at it and said, “It reminds me of those very ‘You Go, Girl!’ pamphlets about periods.” This book, with its teeny tiny nibble sized portions of important health facts, is either too darn peppy, or … Continue reading The Happy Vagina by Mika Simmons

Lightning Review

We Could Be So Good by Cat Sebastian

We Could Be So Good

CW: Homophobia on the page and mentioned in the past Cat Sebastian is an auto-read for me. She never lets me down. And she certainly hasn’t with this book. Nick Russo is on the city desk at the Chronicle, a progressive newspaper in New York. (Progressive because they don’t toe the party line and they dare to criticise the police.) He’s worked hard to get there and he’s good at his job. He’s brusque, respected … Continue reading We Could Be So Good by Cat Sebastian

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