Book Review: The Penniless Peer by Barbara Cartland

    I took an offer to listen to Barbara Cartland's The Penniless Peer on audio. Many thanks to NetGalley and Bolinda audio! 

 Barbara Cartland was a prolific writer and her novels number approximately 723 give or take, and they have been estimated to sell over a billion books.  The Penniless Peer was first published in 1974, and it is getting a re-release on audio as part of Bolinda's Eternal Collection. Cartland certainly has cemented herself in the romance world with such a prolific body of publications. 

I was pretty excited to read The Penniless Peer!  With the success of Bridgerton and The Buccaneers and the ongoing popularity of Jane Austen in the reading community, I felt like the Penniless Peer was certain to be a winner. And, I did want to find out something of the Queen of Romance. 

In short order, this is the story of Fenella - an adorable young woman without guile who is entirely infatuated with with Second cousin Periquine. 

ALAS- Periquine is infatuated with Hettie, a beautiful young woman who does seem to be, however, highly focused on finances - of which Periquine has none. Alas... Alack... oh dear...

   Fenella and Periquine get up to several wild escapades in order to secure funds until a kindly uncle puts an end to this entirely inappropriate behavior and takes a strong hand to both Fenella and Periquine - hoping to shape their future. Periquine is off to India until a sudden windfall occurs.

Fenella is presented to the Ton and is a raging success.  Her dear uncle expects her to make a superb match. 

Will she make such a match, or will her heart forever belong to Periquine? Will Perquine marry the snobbish Hettie now that funds have come through legitimate gain, rather than smuggling or stealing? 

You'll want to read to find out. 

   Susie Riddel does the narration and I felt it was delightful. There were lots of changes in inflection, and I never had trouble identifying which character was speaking. She made the story easy to follow and I was a bit sad when the story ended, as I would no longer have her bell like voice coming across my speakers. 

     I myself, am quite torn on this volume. This novel was originally published in 1974.  Although it is set in the Regency Era, it really does reflect 1970's ideals as well.   I am so curious as to how it will be received by modern romance readers.  For me, I did not find the character of Fenella to reflect a strong woman, nor did I like the choices she made in the end - making it one of the most unsatisfying "Happily Ever After" endings I've ever read! But, I am not all readers, and I did find it fascinating to discover the differences in romance over the decades. This would be a fun read for romance readers, especially those interested in how the genre has changed and evolved over the decades. 

First Published :  1974

Pages: 200

Available as an Audio Book :  Yes - Bolinda ~ 6 hours. 

Trigger Warnings: landed gentry poverty, dueling, gambling, thievery, skulduggery (this is not a full list, read responsibly)

Book Review: The Wicked by Rebecca Johnpee

  If you follow my reading escapades.... you know I dip from time to time into utterly dark romance.  I never want to limit my reading to just one genre, and I find that these romances are really enjoyable.    This one, was really something! 

This Mafia romance is set in Italy, which is wildly different from most of the ones I've read. There's also an overarching plot which involves a heist, and a quest for a missing piece of art. 

   Street  is a group of friends who are wildly talented at getting in, getting the goods (be it information, property or something else) and getting out without being seen. All of Street's members have nicknames that link them to terrifically traumatic pasts- Milk, Zahara, Dog, Devil and Upper. (to be frank, I didn't care for either the name "street" or the nicknames, but the book was so engaging I was able to overlook it) 

Elio is a man on a mission- shaped by a cruel background- he's the head of a mafia conglomerate and he refuses to have any weaknesses. This leaves him feeling empty, and alone. He's desperate for someone to care about him, but he's also not about to admit that. 

Worlds collide when Zahara and her team are found by Elio and essentially held hostage until they complete a difficult job. 

As the job unfolds, Elio has to face his growing attraction to Zahara. It's complicated and she's unlike any woman he's met before.  

Seems simple enough, but in fact, there's a complex heist plot that could at times overtake the slow burn romance.  Side characters have well developed pasts and complex issues of their own going on, which make the novel more interesting and engaging, as there's more than just a tortured romance. 

This is the first in a series and does end on a truly wicked cliff hanger. I do find I need book two asap! 

   The writing is good, there is a tendency to use plot devices for information dumping (the entire Street team spends one night telling each other the origin of their nick names- which one would have assumed they would have done earlier) and it is easy to spot the "twists" coming up- BUT- this somehow didn't take away from my enjoyment of the story. 

The characters all have intense trauma in their past and I do recommend looking at trigger warnings before reading or gifting this one. 

I am very appreciative of Macmillan Audio which allowed me to listen and review for you! 

First Published :  11/25/25

Pages: 512

Available as an Audio Book :  yes ~11 hours

Trigger Warnings:   death, violence,  parental loss,  Suicide, references to past SA, Suicidal ideation, drug use, on page sexual encounters,  (this is not a full list, read responsibly)

Book Review: Call Me Traitor by Everina Maxwell

 Call Me Traitor by Everina Maxwell is a new release for December from Macmillan/Tor. 

I was so excited about this book coming out that I requested a digital ARC from netgally and Tor.  I did not wait to see if an audiobook was coming, I just could not wait. It did take me... a hot minute to read it with my eyeballs, but I really really enjoyed the pleasure of sinking down into my couch, and opening this one up- instead of consuming this while traversing the highways and by ways. 

      Maxwell did not disappoint!  This book, for me is the whole package. It's Romantasy, but it's romantasy that really is a true fantasy. In other words, this is not a romance with a few castles and dragons added in. It really is a solid fantasy, and a solid romance, either could stand without the other. This book will reward fantasy readers with delicious, detailed unique world building, a plot with a bit of a mystery that slowly unravels and reveals itself, and complex characters that are really easy to fall in love with!  For romance readers, the world building may seem overly detailed, but the yearning between our two love interests in this slow burn will more than make up for any confusion over the world building. And, it's sapphic. 

  Now, with out any spoilers- because of course, spoilers are the worst - here's a synopsis. 

   En is a super soldier imbued with magic and programmed to obey orders no matter the cost. She's sent to support a team that is extracting traitors from a wild, rough area known as the upper peninsula.  Things, of course, do not go as planned! She encounters Tamol, who is also a soldier - who's got magic more of less in her soul. Tamol, in direct opposition to En is not programmed for anything, and seems to be the human embodiment of chaos. As events continue to push this unlikely pair together, they discover that together they have greater power. Can En and Tamol stand against all odds?  You'll want to read to find out. 

   Some readers may note that many of Maxwell's books do contain a steady solemn partner and one who's a bit flighty. Despite this similar set up- the story is wholly original and the characters are wildly different than her previous two books- Ocean's Echo and Winter's Orbit. The strength lies in the deep character development that Maxwell creates.  She doesn't info dump a tragic story over her character, instead her characters show through actions, and little moments how their life has created each flaw or strength possessed.  I felt like I'd recognize not just En and Tamol but a few of the supporting characters as well- if I saw them in line at my local coffee shop.  

On top of being a grand adventure, and romantic story, I did take some inspiration that even when one feels weak or damaged, it's still possible to make good choices and uphold what feels right. I think we need more of this in our world. So Cheers to Call Me Traitor being out in the world soon! 

STATS

First Published: 12/1/26

Pages: 480

Available as an Audio Book :  Yes 

Trigger Warnings:  Violence, magical coercion, mind control, Deception, physical injury and pain 

(this is not a full list, read responsibly)  

 

Book Review: Married to the Mafia by Lucy Smoke

 I had a lot of fun with this one!  This is such a fun read and great for folks who have wanted to do their toes into Dark Romance, but didn't maybe want to dive in, without checking out the waters a bit 

I requested this audiobook on Net Galley on an impulsive whim.     

The cover was AMAZING  and I do find it hard to resist a good cover. Like many romance readers, I like a good mafia romance.  I am entirely convinced that any actual crime syndicate doesn't operate like in the romance novels, but...I can suspend reality all the time when I read fantasy novels. If I can enjoy an find a book about an alien snail race taking over the globe, a mafia romance... is not really as far a stretch.  

   Lucy Smoke is a new author to me, and I loved this book. It reminded me of the giggly fun feelings I get when reading Brynne Weaver's series about Serial Killers who fall in love. 

   As a synopsis:  Daisy is a new college graduate and she and her college bestie move to NEW YORK CITY to experience life and make their mark on the world.  New York isn't particularly kind to the girls and they find themselves getting by with temp jobs and a shared loft. Daisy's picked up a shift at a wedding, hoping for tips when she finds herself stuck in a room with a lot of good looking me, and one very very un-alive bride. 

 Julio is a "member of the family" but he's been told it's time to marry if he wants to move up. He's picked his bride and arranged the marriage and is quite put out to find the woman he needed to marry- very very un-alive. 

Readers of romance, know that this wedding must go on, and of course, Daisy, the server fits the dress perfectly. (or ALMOST perfectly) 

Daisy figures she's standing in so the man doesn't lose face, and it's only quite a bit later that realization dawns, she's really and truly married to a stranger- and not just any stranger, one who seems VERY VERY dangerous. 

   What's a girl to do? 

Well- I won't spoil it, readers will want to read- or listen to find out.   The audio book features a smooth, but upbeat dual narration from Gomez Pugh and Lisa Zimmerman.  Gomez took on the sometimes tough job of a stereotypical New York wise guys accent and was able to make it sound natural- with the accent getting stronger and fading at different moments, just as it would in natural speech- never totally gone but sometimes coming out bold, and other times softening. Lisa as Daisy was Hilarious! She injected all the spunk and sassiness that was needed to bring Daisy's inner monologue out to play. 

I loved the audiobook, and my entire reading experience with it. 

This one popped on shelves on April 21- so I hope someone will pick it up because I want so badly to giggle over certain moments, and to discuss predictions- I suspect there's a second book involving Daisy's bestie Michelle.  

STATS

First Published: 4/21/26

Pages: 352

Available as an Audio Book :  YES  ~ 9 hrs

Trigger Warnings:  violence, Death, gun violence, reference to Suicide, Foster Care flashbacks, more death, on page sex, cursing. 

(this is not a full list, read responsibly)  

Book Review: SoulGazer by Maggie Rapier

 Soulgazer by Maggie Rapier is a full blow Pirate Romantasy that I ate up with no regrets!

  I found the book on NetGalley and decided to give it a go to see if I would enjoy it. I love pirates and I like romance but I've been reading some disappointing romantasy lately so I didn't have high hopes. 

I honestly have no idea why Book Tok hasn't discovered this gem as it is EVERYTHING that Book Tok loves. I LOVED it too! 

   If you are a reader who really enjoyed Fable and Namesake by Adrienne Young, you are going to love Soulgazer! There are a lot of similar themes, as well as boats and pirates and passion, but the two stories aren't copy/paste at all. 

Soulgazer falls out of the YA area and is solidly for adult romance readers, allowing a lot more "romance" to occur on page. Magic and old celtic traditions inspire Soulgazer giving it a distinctly different feel than that of Fable's rough and ready "The Narrows". 

That said, I enjoyed both immensely. 

   

   As a synopsis, Saoirse's been raised to believe she was cursed with a difficult to control magic that causes more harm than good.  Isolated from the world, she dreams of legends- like "the wolf of the wild".  Saoirse longs for acceptance and to contribute to her family and society. She knows she going to have to follow her father's wishes and wed a cruel stone king, but, on the eve of her marriage she seeks out the Wolf,  Faolan, and takes matters into her own hands. Faolan recognizes her magic for the power it is and desperately needs her to help him navigate to an Island of lost souls.  Saoirse knows this is madness, and thus exerts the only power she has by forcing Faolan into a handfasting.  The two- now linked- pursue the isle. Saoirse learns that she's not the only one with a secret blessing or curse and comes into her own to wield her power. By the end of the book I knew I had a new "Book Boyfriend" in Faolan.  

    Readers are left with a Happy for Now ending with clearly more story left for book two.  I can't wait for it to come out in August!

STATS

First Published: 7/8/2025

Pages: 480

Available as an Audio Book :  YES  ~ 12 hrs

Trigger Warnings:  violence, death of sibling, death of child, magic, pirates, on page sexy times, almost forced marriage, almost patricide

(this is not a full list, read responsibly)  

 

Book Review: Taken to Nobu by Elizabeth Stephens

   Book pals,  I STRUGGLED through this book. 

I wanted to LOVE it.  Fated mates, alien planet, a tough warrior human surviving amongst the aliens. 

In the end, I am glad I finished it because the second half of the novel is pretty enjoyable. The first half, just let the miscommunication trope stay too late at the party. The worst part about this was also that frankly speaking, as the reader I wasn't let in completely on the miscommunication- so I was left essentially guessing- and I am especially NOT a fan of that.  The world building was pretty much non-existent.  I fear all of it was used up in the first book which had pretty interesting world building.  This felt like it could be taking place on antarctica, not a cold outpost in outer space. 

Secondly I was not a big fan of the particularly sexy fun times in the book.  They didn't sound that fun to me, but given that other people love this book, I might have just been reading it at the wrong time. 

So, If you are looking for some alien romance, this could be one for you.  I'm undecided if I want to pursue more in this series.  If I do it will be a while.  I suspect this was the wrong time, wrong book situation more than a bad book, so if you do want some kinky alien romance, check this one out, it is on Kindle Unlimited and I got an audio copy from my library! 

STATS

First Published :  06/16/2020

Pages: 370

Available as an Audio Book :  YES (~9hrs) 

Trigger Warnings: Dubious consent, sexual activity, rape flashbacks, violence, (this is not a full list, read responsibly)

Book Review: A Whisper of Secrets and Ashes by Jada McCrary

 

 Jada McCrary is an Indie author who writes mainly fantasy/romantasy. When I saw this very short novella in audiobook format on Net Galley I rushed to request it! I love a short read, or listen! It gave me an opportunity to get to know McCrary as an author without diving in to a full length novel.  

 

  

     I very much enjoyed A whisper of Secrets and Ashes!  While it clocks in at 52 pages and about 58 minutes of audio, McCrary shows her ability as an author as I didn't feel like there was much missing from this novella. With the details sprinkled into the novella, I was able to visualize the world with ease, and while I didn't have ALL the tea on the two main characters, I felt like they fit the mold of many romantasy characters, so I kind of felt like I understood the motivations of both female and male leads.  In some ways, this was much more enjoyable than having to read through a character having a flashback or dream (to show readers why they have come to be who they are at the time). Instead, we jump right into an adventure.

No Spoilers here:  Our FMC is a healer facing down a plague that seems to have no cure, while our Main man has lost something that is may be quite related to the current plague. Faelynn (FMC) is in service to the Fae God who directs her to Dreythis (MMC) as she works for a cure. Neither is really interested in love, but in a world of magic and mayhem, sparks will fly. 

  The novella is done in dual narration and it was very well done. Narrated by Jacci Prior and Anthony Palmini, the quality is high, and I felt like both narrators really hit it out of the park, imbuing the story with lots of emotion, and propelling it forward without going into the maudlin- which is pretty easy to do with romantasy content! The dual narration was extra special, and I always enjoy a dual narration! 

I enjoyed this novella, and I will be looking for more from this author! I'm invested, and I found this to be a lot of fun interspersed in between some of the heavier reading!  If you are interested to learn more about the author, HERE is a link to her actual webpage.  Her novels are some of the most beautiful ones I've seen in a while. 

                                                                               STATS

First Published : 2025 in an anthology, now as a standalone. 

Pages: 52

Available as an Audio Book : Yes (58 min) 

Trigger Warnings: strained family ties, magic, references to God (a Fae god) - please read responsibly.

Book Review: Son of the morning by Akwaeke Emezi

 Son of the Morning was a total surprise. 

  I blame it on the cover that accompanied by audiobook from the Library. 

Frankly, I had very little idea about what to expect, even after I read the blurb. Emezi has been hit or miss with me.  I have always felt that their writing was tight and sparkling, but I didn't always enjoy their novels.  So frankly they write exceedingly well, my brain may not always be equipped to accept what they lay down! So despite that, I thought why not try this one out, it seemed different from the others. 

And YES, this is different. 

Firstly - after I started to dig around a bit I found THIS cover...

This cover indeed reflects the novel much better. 

  In some ways (hear me out people), this novel reminded me of the first book in the Blood and Ash series by Jennifer L Armentrout.  Our main character Galilee has been raised to know she's special, but not to quite understand how special. Her family is dismayed that she decides to move off sanctified land to pursue a life that seems less protected.  Gali thrives in the city, making new friends, and she's honestly loving her space from her family, when she meets Lucifer Helel.  Is he really *THE* Lucifer?  Well, you'll want to read this steamy spicy paranormal tale to find out.  While Gali thinks she's just a "regular girl" Lucifer knows immediately that she isn't quite human. Does he tell her this? Err well, much like The Blood and Ash series- and Poppy and Cas- things remain pretty muddled for a while. 

   

I am taking a pause here to note that while I love The Blood and Ash series and JLA,  the two books are very distinct, no one would ever- reading both- believe that they were really related.  I just did note that one theme- (ordinary girl discovers super powers- which have been apparent to others prior to her discovery)  which is fairly common in romance/supernatural literature. The two novels are...otherwise incomparable.  One of the biggest things that I adore is that Son of the Morning is a complete story in itself.  No cliff hanger, no onward battle. There is some room for a second or third novel featuring the same characters/world, but there is no desperate need created by the conclusion. 

 

  The novel takes place almost entirely over one day where Galilee's true self is revealed, alliances are shattered and remade, as a literal unseen war for souls is occurring. Characters are well developed and there is a lot of diverse representation. 

    It was amazing to read as Galilee stepped into her whole self, owing it with confidence. Along the way there are deep friendships, true familial love, and some steamy love triads and more. I enjoyed it thoroughly, and spent a bit of time texting my romance girls to let them know not to sleep on this one. I feel that this will have a bit of a broader appeal than some of her other novels might have, but it still is distinctly Emezi.  The writing is sparkling, the plot moves at a good pace with enjoyable ebbs and flows- highs and lows as one travels through a whirlwind of time/emotion - with some room to contemplate moral situations and obligations. 

In short, this is a fantastic novel.  I recommend it for someone looking for well written romance with a fantasy element. The audiobook was well narrated and I do recommend it, I had no issues with the narrator. 

First Published :  November 2025

Pages: 400

Available as an Audio Book : Yes  

Trigger Warnings: paranormal beings,  war violence, child birth, murder, supernatural beings, (this is not a full list, read responsibly)

Book Review: Irehide by DeAndrea Pete

 Irehide is a novel that's been out since October 2025.  I saw the cover on NetGalley and, although I am not doing many ebooks this year, the cover and the premise drew me in!  I'm very appreciative of the author and NetGalley for providing me with a review copy to read and review for you! 

Irehide sits firmly in the historical fiction/romance genres, but it really more firmly falls into that odd genre "women's fiction".  This is most assuredly a book that so many book clubs would enjoy as there are so many themes and relevant ideas to unpack- set within a very engaging romance between two somewhat broken characters, Florence and Ben. 

     With no Spoilers- (hopefully)  Irehide is set against the backdrop of 1968 America, a time of great change and strife. Our main characters are essentially two sides of a coin, with their determination to be more than the status quo bringing them together. 

Florence is an ambitious young black woman who is making her way in a world that would rather minimize her to an expected stereotype. She's determined to not settle in life, even as she knows this determination may make her life more challenging. Despite her determination, Florence, like many people, experiences lots of second guesses, as opportunities present. She's walking on a tightrope as she navigates her life. 

Ben, on the other side, has been raised with all advantages, and all expectations placed on him.  He sees the injustice in the world and is determined to use his position to balance out some of this- regardless of the costs to his personal and professional life.  A new veteran of the Vietnam war, he's faced a lot and is ready for change.  He makes many mistakes attempting to be a changemaker, and in many ways, finds himself also walking on a similar tightrope- though decidedly with a more cushioned fall- should he fall. 

As this pair orbit each other, coming closer and closer with each rotation, I was on the edge wondering the age old question- Would LOVE be enough to overcome backgrounds, social expectations and norms, and personal forces designed to pull them apart? 

Obviously you'll want to read to find out! 

I can say that the ending was quite satisfying. 

This is a well crafted novel - that does contain some minor pacing issues which were easily overcome.  Recommended if one is looking for historical romance with nuance, book club reads, indie authors or just a good story in a somewhat unique time setting.

 STATS

First Published : 10/07/2025

Pages: 336

Available as an Audio Book : No. 

Trigger Warnings: racism, sexism, bullying, violence  (not a complete list- be responsible!)

BooK Review: Psycho Fae by Jasmine Mas

 So after reading a bit of a science-y book, I was pretty excited to find that I had been approved for an Advanced Listener Copy for Psycho Fae by Jasmine Mas. 

I buddy listened to it with a friend who also had the advanced copy. 

WE LOVED IT. 

LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVED IT. 

This novel is not great literature, at all. It's awesome, fun, current and a wild ride of entertainment. 

In this installment - our main character Sophie, who's just learned she can shift into an enormous Saber Tooth Tiger, is swept into the Fae Realm with her Alpha entourage. There,. they must compete in some deadly fae games in order to survive. 

I will say that I had guessed at Sophie's discoveries about herself and her origins, well before they were revealed and that I did feel like maybe this could have been a few chapters shorter, but overall, I just really enjoyed this one. While I guessed at Sophie's discoveries, I was not prepared for where the band of found family ended up, and I am highly amused that this somehow ended up being both a paranormal romance and now kinda mafia romance... I mean... who would have thought? 

The book has been out for some time, but this narration is special as it brought together several of the big names in Romance narration, like Jeremy York, Teddy Hamilton, Mollie Stark and Jaime L. Smith. Not to forget Tyler Donne and Stella Ripley.  As there are so many male characters in the novel, and many of them behave very similarly throughout the novel, having the different distinct voices did help me to distinguish them. I definitely recommend the audio version, as the inflections just really just capture each bit of snark, and suggestion throughout the read. 

Am I excited for Psycho Beasts?  Well, YES.  yes I am .   I hope I can wait until March! 

STATS

First Published : 1/13/2026

Pages: 374

Available as an Audio Book : YES  (~ 11 HRS) 

Trigger Warnings: violence,  references to childhood trauma/abuse, blood, death, grief, medical situations,  (not a complete list- be responsible!)

Book Review: Squib by Helen Harper

 Big Thanks To Tantor Audio for an advanced listener copy of Squib by Helen Harper.

Squib is a novel I'd recommend for anyone who wanted to dip into paranormal romance, but was not sure how they really feel about PNR!  It is an excellent, palate cleanser novel after a heavy read, and although there was some violence, and mentions of a possible war in the future, this really fell very heavily into the realm of Cozy Paranormal Fantasy/Romance. 

Mallory is a squib, a person with no magic.  She's chosen to live in Coldstream which is full of magic, and she's happy there. A ray of sunshine, she has a business of trading in information and secrets.  Mallory does not accept cash payment, just payment in favors, which seems quite clever, but I did wonder all along how she managed to eat.  After all, it would take loads of time to settle on a grilled cheese sandwich sized secret every time one want one.  Anywhooo-  Mallory is well regarded and has a great business going in this magical town.  

All this changes rapidly with a chance encounter with Alpha Werewolf  McTire.  He's obviously an Alpha and a bit bossy.  Mallory is more of a free spirit, but at her core, she's a business woman, so when he proposes a business deal, she accepts.  She's to find him his perfect First Mate. Tricky business as the First Mate is somewhat akin to a "First Lady" and must meet a lot of requirements. 

As Mallory and McTire spend more time together, sparks fly - but  will Mallory and McTire fan the flames or dim them?  You'll want to read to find out!  Mallory is fun, sunny, smart and sassy.  McTire is of course broody and bossy and prone to impulsive behavior. 

I did find the town of Coldspring to be enjoyable to read about. There's magic, and lots of magical creatures all going about daily lives, which was well done and a lot of fun.  To me the book did read a bit like a Young Adult novel - and I thought it was one until that one last scene!  I think this is likely appropriate for todays 16-18 year olds and beyond.  

  This cozy Paranormal romance was narrated by award winner Ruth Urquhart.  I was delighted to find out that she is a real human who was nominated  for a Voice Arts Award, as there was some discussion on the interwebs about AI use for narration of this book and I do not support synthesized voices in finished copies of books.   Her accent was charming, and I really found that the narration flowed, making this book an "easy listen" for me. 

I will say, personally, I am not a fan of the cover. It has an AI look to it, and no cover designer is specifically listed.  It is very possible this is a real graphic design art work. I have reached out to the author on her page and will update if she gives me an artist to credit.  

 UPDATE:  The cover was done by a Creator "Covers by Juan"   Juan appears to specialize in romatasy style covers, and looks like he offers a lot of pre-made covers that are adaptable to a variety of books.  

It is specifically noted that they " Do not use AI generated images".  I still can't say that I like this cover, even with this additional information.   But it is bright and colorful, and will likely appeal to others! 

STATS

First Published : January 13, 2026

Pages: 298

Available as an Audio Book : YES (~8.5 hrs) 

Trigger Warnings: violence, blood, medical situations, Paranormal sexual situations  (mild) , magical situations, lack of coffee,   (not a complete list- be responsible!)

November Reading Wrap Up!

  November has been a month of complete and utter chaos. 

Mid Month, I started a new job. I went part time at my old job , but it seems they may have a different idea of part time. So I've been...working a lot. Work is good. 

My grand total for November- 14 books.  A fairly light month. 

TO be fair, I DNF'd a lot of books, and started a few and just haven't finished them. 

 So lets see how things stacked up!

 Books in Translation:  2/14 ~ 14%  Neither one was a favorite.  Alas.  Both did expose me to different perspectives. 

Books by Diverse Authors: 4/14 ~ 29%  Probably could have been more. I slipped into some monster romance, why choose- and to be honest, I don't know much about those authors- many using a pen name/alternate identity.  

Favorite Read of the month?

 Hands Down Artifact Space by Miles Cameron. 

A book that deserves an honorable mention: Sanora Babb's An Owl on Every Post.  It should be more widely read. 

What was your favorite from November? 

 

Book Review: Broken Souls and Bones by LJ Andrews

  Many Thanks to Net Galley and  ACE publishing for a reader copy of Broken Souls and Bones by LJ Andrews. 

LJ Andrews is well known in the romantasy world -  She's published a number of books independently and Broken Souls was picked up by Ace, a division of Penguin.  I personally had never read any of her novels, so when we saw this on Net Galley, my reading buddy and I both were granted a copy and did a buddy read. 

 Interestingly, i chose it because I thought it would something my buddy would just be all about, in the end, it was me who liked this book better!

NO SPOILER review-  BECAUSE SPOILERS ARE THE WORST! 

This is a romantasy inspired by Norse mythology and customs. 

Lyra has been stolen from her people, and hidden away as she possesses a certain magic that's prized above all others. She doesn't know about it or how it works, she just knows she needs to remain hidden.  She serves in the household of a Jarl and disguises tell tale markings with a special dye. All goes well until she's discovered in a raid and taken - along with her steadfast friend and protector - to a frightening kingdom. There, she learns to practice her craft, and finds herself strangely attracted and repelled by a guard who only speaks with his hands.  As time passes, raids on the area increase and tensions rise within the settlement. Lyra is forced to face who she is and could become, and to address her growing feelings for the guard. 

 For me personally, I enjoyed the story- it has a slow burn build up to a very frenzied last few chapters where much is revealed. There were some very satisfying moments where some truly terrible characters get their due. I'm definitely interested in reading book two.  My friend pointed out that it's also available as an audiobook, and I listened to a bit of it, and really loved the narrators. 

   If you like romantasy and haven't picked this one up- I'm sure it would be for you, it's got all the tropes we love- secret identities, forbidden love, a unique and easy to understand magic system that's rooted in Norse myth/practice, and a main man who will burn the world for his love. 

STATS

First Published :April, 2025

Pages: 480

Available as an Audio Book : Yes!

Trigger Warnings: violence, blood, bullying, Non-traditional relationships, on page sex.

Not a full list - please read responsibly.

Book Reivew Unmarked & Unbonded by Lolu Sinclair

  Many Thanks To Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review Unmarked & Unbonded:  Bonds of Silence Book 1. 

    I loved the cover. 

 I definitely wanted to explore that as soon as I saw it. When I saw it was a Why Choose SCI FI, I thought that this was a read for me. 

With no spoilers- let me attempt a summary. 

   Our main character Rienna Vale, has grown up in a society that seems controlled by rhythms and frequencies. Upon coming of age, folks attend  a temple ceremony and hope to find their one bonded love. Marks appear on wrists and people are sure and secure in these connections. Rienna, of course, must go against this and become one who is unmarked and unbonded. She's not against love, but she wants to choose it for herself.  She gets by doing various jobs, and continues her life as a misfit until a strange occurrence in the desert allows not one, but three bond marks to appear on her skin. Rienna isn't ready for that, and seeks answers. As she seeks, she gathers her three soulmates (a rebel, a scientist and a solider)  and together they work to find a place and situation that will work for all four. 

   I loved the concept. I did not totally love the book.  This story has good bones, dare I say - excellent bones.  It unfortunately lacks the detail that I crave in this type of a novel. The world building is sparse so readers are left to fill in the blanks, which might be alright, but I found that I needed just a few more details about this world that we're drawn into. Is this a future earth? Another planet? Is it all a glass desert? Why is the Sanctum chasing after this one human woman, is she a threat to their way of life, or is the Sanctum just sort of cruel? What kind of end goal is there?  What about the frequencies and rhythms? Are they set up by the gods or coding or?  Is it all some fancy math? 

This could be an excellent Sci-Fi Why Choose with a bit more world building and back story, as it was, I didn't feel a strong pull to any characters in general and in the end, didn't care that much about their future.  In general, the tale was told as if we had some background information that readers definitely do not have. 

    I didn't dislike it though, I just felt like I was missing some key element.  Frankly, i read this one with my own eyeballs, and that should say a lot as I'm more prone to choose an audiobook these days. 

 I liked the writing very much, Sinclair has a way of making analogies that really grab a reader and avoid being trite. I also liked that the author brings in math and physics with frequencies and harmonics, I just wish I had a teeny bit more understanding of those pieces!  I will likely read book two as it ended with very little resolution and I want some resolution! 

So in conclusion, this is an interesting Why Choose, with lots of room left to imagine and dream.  If you like why choose, science-magic systems and are comfortable with filling in your own details, this could be a winner!  

STATS

First Published : December 2, 2025

Pages: 210

Available as an Audio Book : not currently

Trigger Warnings: violence, blood, religion, bullying,  Non-traditional relationships, on page sex, alcohol use. 

Book Review: Burn the Water by Billy Ray

  Billy Ray is maybe best known as the screen writer for The Huger Games films, but he is an author also! 

Burn The Water is his first novel and it's Billed as a YA dystopian romance set in 2425 London. 

With this being my year of reading Water themed books, i saw this on Net Galley and hit the request button so fast. 

Personally, I think this book is perfectly within the realm of an adult/YA novel.  The themes are not "coming of age"  as much as they are "forbidden romance" . One reviewer notes that it felt like a retelling of Romeo and Julie, but I felt like that was really a very surface look at the novel.  The themes are quite different from Romeo and Juliet and though the story is of course similar, it really really...isn't a futuristic Romeo and Juliet. Frankly, I think it's unique and does some great stuff while also hitting some familiar beloved tropes.  

Non-Spoiler "Synopsis" because Spoilers are not the best!  The novel is set in a future London/UK setting where most of the world is underwater. Communications are set back to more ancient times, and most technologic advancements have been lost to the water. Two factions are fighting over the last bit of land available for living. Enter Rafe and Jule- both leaders- but leaders of the different factions. Of course... love is in the air, or in the water as the case may be. These two star crossed lovers are really both desperately tired of this ongoing war and wish for peace, but find it hard to conceptualize how to make that come about. Within this environment, tension is building that threatens to break apart as foreigners appear on their shores.

With Ray's lauded cinematic background, it was not surprise that this novel reads a  bit like a screen play.  For me , this wasn't an issue, and Ray did an excellent job showing and telling at appropriate times.  I felt like this was a bit of cautionary tale for our future, and part plain old against all odds enemies to lovers romance. 

Very much enjoyed this one!  I hope it has great success! 

STATS

First Published : March 2025 

Pages: 304

Available as an Audio Book : not Currently

Trigger Warnings: violence, blood, death, grief, War, Death of child, 

How are those reading goals coming along?

 So, It's already Mid-November, and I am sitting here, bewildered at how it seems like it was just August. How are your reading goals going?  Did you want to read more books in translation? Dip in poetry?  Read a little more non-fiction? Are you short the number of books on your goal?  No worries! I've got help for you! Many of my recommendations are parts of series of short novels, so if you find something you like- there's likely more where that came from! 

But first, let me digress- and explain - if you've fallen behind on a reading goal- I ENTIRELY UNDERSTAND!

For me, this year has been a whirlwind. 

Earlier this year, my company was bought out by another, and while they assured me my job was "safe" I noted that there were some definite changes, and some very smart people, moving strategically elsewhere. Other changes in benefits, and a new very top down management style just weren't my thing.  So, I started looking. I didn't intend to be looking for another job, but the world is a changing place, and we do sometimes need to reinvent ourselves. 

I will say the job market currently is not a kind place, and especially for those like myself- with a very niche skill set and above the age of 30. While employers want decades of experience, they seem to still want someone who is too young to have those decades of experience!  So, most of this year was spent doing loads of interviews. With the help of strong references from former employers,  I finally was offered - strangely- a pretty ideal position, with improved pay and benefits, what appears to be a great leadership team  and  a 15 minute commute-- doing exactly what I'm trained to do. 

After that process, I will freely say, I  AM TIRED.  Until that offer became super solid, I had NO IDEA the amount of stress my body was holding.  So I wish anyone searching for employment, the best of luck and connections. I start that job next week and I will have to be "On" all the time so who knows what will happen! 

   That said, some weeks, I barely read at all because I was pre-occupied. If you have had a few weeks like that- maybe you're behind on your reading goals? 

Here are some great short options that check a lot of boxes! 

Georges Simenon is a master at creating immersive novels with short prose. 

I recommend any of his Maigret novels. For me, I was introduced to these by my Dad and devoured the entire series while in-between work assignments one summer. 

Read these if you want:

-a shorter novel

-Mystery genre

-books in translation

-Novels from the 1930's-1940's (and more) decade

Going WAAAY Back- I recommend Basho. 

Basho- born Matsuo Kinsaku is well know as a Haiku Master from the 17th century. 

One of my favorite editions of his work is The Narrow road to the Deep North and Other Travel Sketches 

  

Read this if you want:

-a short book (176 pages) 

-Book from a different century

-Book in translation

-Poetry 

Looking for Non-Fiction?  Look no further than the Object Lessons series! 

I read metronome earlier this year and it was a fascinating read about how the metronome, a seemingly bland tool in a musicians box shaped the way music was performed! 

Read this for: 

- A brief Non-fiction read (184 pages) 

-Non-fiction! 

-If the metronome isn't for you- the Object lessons series is a delightful series which includes other unassuming objects like lipstick, Taco, Snack, and Concrete, you'll be sure to find something to pique your interest. They are all a similar length and so interesting. 

If you just want something to make you forget the world we are currently living in- I really recommend Ruby Dixon. She has multiple Novellas most featuring space aliens or  various other out of this world characters.  There's nothing too serious, it all takes place in an unknown jungle planet, with no dire parallels to real life. 

 

Read this if you are:

 -Looking for escapism

-short novel (77 pages) 

-Looking for vampires

-Looking for romance

-Looking for some "spice" 

-Looking for a Happy ending! 

If you'd like something more serious- perhaps a classic? maybe a classic that isn't one that you were supposed to read in high school? 

Passing by Nella Larsen is a semi-autobiographical novella,  coming in at about 141 pages.  A mixed race woman decides to live her adult life as a white person. This novella looks at race and culture from several perspectives. 

Read this for:

 A book from decades past (1920's)

A short classic (141 pages) 

Diverse author and topic. 

  I've got a few more recommendations-  but I think these 5 are great to start.  All of these authors have other works of a Short nature, so if you find one you like, you know there's more where that one came from. 

 Happy Reading!