The Beast Within(Mended Souls #2)
I loved the first Mended Souls book and was eager to read “The Beast Within.” I wasn’t disappointed; there was a mystery, suspense, romance, and my favorite part, angels. Lucas is a new angel trying to find his way while partnered with the man who hates him the most, Mike. They have much pain to work through while someone Lucas cares about has become part of heartbroken Mike’s revenge. On earth, Mike’s widow, Julie, comes across something unexpected on a walk along a beach, and she catches a killer’s eye. Conner is a skeptical cop with a massive attraction to Julie, who is still grieving her losses while finding her place as a mother and journalist. Together and separately, they attempt to find the killer, while from the other side, Lucas tries to help keep her alive in ways Mike can’t. A lot of healing must take place in both angels’ hearts so they can move forward, but Julie must survive for this to happen. This well-written story had a few twists I didn’t expect and a killer I didn’t guess. I hope there is another book because I’ve grown fond of these troubled angels. This is a story I can highly recommend.
Broken The Breach Chronicles #1
By Ivy Logan
“Broken” is a uniquely written YA fantasy about two generations of sorceresses. Caitlin is born a fully developed sorceress as a guardian of the earth who is warned by the wraiths about what could happen in her future. Her sister, Aster, helped an orphaned boy find a new home. These two events come together when Caitlin falls in love with a mortal, Michael. They have two children, Talia, a half-sorceress, and a magic-less son. Meanwhile, the orphaned boy grows into something Aster couldn’t have expected. Caitlin makes some poor choices out of love and her daughter Talia lives with the consequences of them. This was a story with strong female characters, which I appreciated. I enjoyed the family bond, especially between Talia and her little brother. An evil king, a conflicted dragon, and a desire to protect loved ones made this a fascinating read. A fast-paced story with a twist I didn’t see coming. I look forward to reading the next book in the series to see what happens next.
“Realms of the Mist” takes place in the mountains of Africa within the hidden areas where the gifted live. Kamau is a part of the Hadiza, who are guardians of the veil between the living and the afterlife. They not only repress their emotions but are separated from family. There was a mistake, and Kamau and his sister, Kimya, ended up together. When his sister suddenly dies, he questions everything before becoming a full member of this community. He starts a quest to find answers about his sister but finds more than he could have ever imagined. I love the people he meets along the way that join him. His best friend, Irina, is the first to help, and their relationship is a favorite. When Ninwe from another realm becomes a part of this quest, the exchanges and undercurrent between her and Irina are a lot of fun and, at times, painful. The settings and poetic descriptions were amazing as they weaved a special depth to this story. As Kamau learns more about himself and his quest, it only gives him more questions. Each stop in his journey added to his knowledge, and there were some twists I didn’t expect. Although the ending answered some questions, it left many unanswered, making me eager for the next book. This unique fantasy offers gods, love, danger, hidden agendas, duty, and a young man trying to do the right thing as he must figure out what, and who, he can trust. I can easily recommend this fast-paced story I found hard to put down.
I only post my 4 & 5-star reviews here! If I don’t like the book, I won’t finish it. It wouldn’t be fair to leave a review for an unfinished story, and life is too short not to enjoy my reading journey!
UPDATE:
I had a great break! First I went to Disneyland/Universal with my youngest daughter and renewed that inner child. After being back for a couple of days went on part two vacation with the hubby. Stayed close to home but enjoyed Halloween, and some much needed rain and snow! The Go-Bag was put away as I offically declared fire season over for this year 🙂 We drove to see the summit snow, did some fun couple holiday projects at home, and visted the Hard Rock Cafe in Sacramento. I posted some pictures on Instagram and Facebook of my adventures.
I won’t try to catch up but look forward making my rounds.
Embrace your inner child, and read a good book! D. L. Finn
Glad you had a great get away. I agree with your idea of embracing your inner child by reading a book!! Have a great week.
Thank you, Darlene 🙂 Reading sure does embrace that inner child and add some joy to life. I hope you have a good week too!
Thanks for the recommendations Denise.. I have some catching up to do..hugsx
Happy to share. You have some good reading ahead, Sally. Hugs back xo
So pleased you had a good break! Great reviews. Congrats to Jude, Jacquie, and Ivy. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Denise. Have a wonderful week 💕🙂
Thank you, Harmony, I sure did enjoy this break. You have a wonderful week too!
So glad you enjoyed your trip. Welcome back!
Excellent reviews, Denise. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Thank you, Staci 🙂 Happy to be back full of ideas again.
I’m glad to hear you had a good break, Denise. Congratulations to Jacquie, Ivy, and Jude on the excellent reviews! I drafted my review of Realms of the Mist yesterday.
Thank you, Liz 🙂 It was a very good break. It was such a unique read.
You’re welcome, Denise.
Wonderful reviews. Glad you had a good time away for a bit. I kind of need that, too.
Thank you, Craig 🙂 I was getting burnt out so a nice break sure did wonders for my mind set.
Welcome back, Denise! I’ve enjoyed all the pictures you’ve been sharing! Looks like a great time!
Great reviews to start off the week. Thanks so much for sharing!
Thanks Mar 🙂 I did have a lot of fun! It is a good way to start off the week with books. xo
I love when you list a lot of books I haven’t even noticed. Jacquie Biggar–I am reading one of her books, but not this one. Great reviews, Denise.
Isn’t it great to find new books we didn’t know about? Can’t go wrong with any of these, Jacqui. I just finished your latest, another hit!
Thanks for sharing your reviews of three books I haven’t read yet. Your recommendations are adding to my TBR pile, Denise. Congrats to Jacquie, Ivy, and Jude on the wonderful reviews. And I’m glad you had fun on your time away. You sound peaceful and ready for the coming cold. Hugs.
I always find books on your site too. Good thing my Kindle can take it…lol. Yes, a lot of fun on my time away. I am ready for that cold and winter weather now, we weren’t prepared since this is a bit early. Hugs xo
I love winter for everything slows down and gets quiet and cozy. I get the sense that you appreciate that too.
You are right, Diana 🙂 I am a quiet and cozy type of person.
Thanks for the reviews on the three books. We’ve also gotten a lot of rain in the past few days. We don’t have to worry about wildfires in our area, but I’m always relieved for others when that concern temporarily goes away.
The rain has been so nice, I bet you got more than us. It is a relief the fire danger is gone for us and hopefully others too. I enjoy it while I can.
Welcome back! I’m glad you had a great vacation and down time, Denise.
Congrats to all three authors on their reviews. I’ve read Jacquie’s The Beast Within. As with all of her work, it was wonderful!
Thank you, Mae. The downtime was much appreciated!
Yes, Jacquie doesn’t put out a bad story, I agree. xo
I’ve never been to Disneyland, but it looks like a blast! I’m glad fire season is over for another year. We’ve had two atmospheric rivers, the weatherman calls them, come through and it’s been barely enough to allow the salmon to spawn. Climate change is becoming all too real.
Thank you for the wonderful review of The Beast, Denise. I based this on a true story of feet washing up on our shores in shoes- so freaky!
Disneyland is my happy place. Never had a bad time there, but has gotten expensive and requires some skill to hit all the good rides. Not sure how many times I’ve been there.
Sorry for the salmon but not the rain. Those rivers do hit hard though. We got hit last year with 12 inches at once. Although, that helped us the rest of the year when we barely got rain after a couple more storms. The change is becoming very real on our coast, and nothing is the same. The snow we got was early and we weren’t ready for it but will take it.
I remember you talking about that and the feet in the shoes as I was reading that part. It made it all the more chilling in the story. xo
A foot of rain in one go? That must have been frightening!
It wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be, at least here. The ground seemed to soak it right up.
Super reviews, Denise. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, John 🙂
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These all sound like fabulous books, Denise! Thank you for sharing your thoughts on them. I am going to have to add to my TBR. 🙂
You can’t go wrong with any of them, Jan 🙂 Happy reading!
Denise, these are books that sound wonderful. I’ll check them out. Plus, a trip to Disneyland…a well-deserved rest and time to be a child again.
You can’t go wrong with any of these books, Karen 🙂 It was a wonderful trip and a much needed break for that inner child to just have some fun. Xo
I’m so glad your area got some precipitation! Good reviews, Denise! Itakali’s book in particular sounds awesome, the setting, the emotional stakes…
I was very happy, Priscilla, and even take the unusual foot of snow. I think you will enjoy it!
Denise, you’re back with a bang. Thanks for these great reviews. Congrats to Jacquie, Jude, and Ivy.
I know you are relieved to put that go bag away. Hugs on the wing.
Happy to be after getting some fun and then relaxation! Very relieved to put that bah away! Hugs right back xo
Hi Denise, thanks for the book recommendations. I’m so happy to know you had a well deserved break, and several holidays to re-energize, but …snow? Wow. I’m amazed you get it so early. Sounds like you like it, so that’s great. I hope all the snow misses us this year and goes in your direction! 😀
I’m happy to share, Eden 🙂 Thanks, It was nice to be carefree and have some fun. I do love the snow since we don’t have it all the time, but we weren’t ready for it. The poor trees have a few more weeks before they are. I won’t mind any precipitation coming our way this year after the drought 🙂 xo
Hi Denise, I am glad you had a good holiday with your daughter and also that fire season is over for you. After six months of no rain, we are no getting loads and loads of rain which is a great thing. I have read both Jacquie and Jude’s books and enjoyed them very much.
It was wonderful, Robbie. Nothing like a break to revitalize. So glad you are getting rain too. It is scary when it stops. Yes both greay reads 🙂 Thank you xo
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Congratulations to Jacquie, Jude, and Ivy on these great reviews. Thanks for sharing, Denise, and I’m glad you had a nice time with your family. 🙂
I’m happy to share those good reads, Mark. Yes, it was a much needed break and family time 🙂
Thanks for sharing your reviews on these three books Denise. I hope to catch up with some of Jacquie’s books on winter vacay. And welcome back from yours! <3
You will enjoy your reading on your vacation. Thank you, and hope your break is wonderful xo
Thanks Denise. Not quite time yet, but the days surely are passing quickly. <3