Now in My Bookbag: Reading Up a Storm, by Eva Gates

I was given an advance copy of this book by the publisher, in exchange for an honest review. Expected release date: April 5th, 2016

I really enjoyed this book. It is the third book in the Lighthouse Library Mystery Series. It is a lighthearted murder mystery that is a cross between Nancy Drew, and Murder She Wrote. I like the characters, the setting, and the idea that a library could exist within a venerable old lighthouse. I truly love Charles, the cat, who seems to be imbued with knowledge and powers beyond the scope of a normal cat. I applaud author Eva Gates for supporting the concept of a public library system, and for her emphasis on engaging younger generations in the love of reading. Despite a couple of holes in the logic process of the story, I find the book charming. 4 stars

Now in My Bookbag: Perfekt Control, by S. T. Bende

I liked this book. It definitely had a different feel than book one of The Ære Saga, Perfekt Order. While written with the same basic cast of characters, this story contained much more high fantasy. It was told from the perspective of Brynn, the Valkyrie and bodyguard for the God of War. However, the Brynn in this book seemed like a completely different character than the Brynn from book one. I found that a little confusing.

Author S. T. Bende made this story so much more fantastical than book one. Brynn and Henrik visited many of the nine realms of Norse Mythology while on a very important mission. The story included giants, dwarves, and dragons. It wasn’t really what I expected, and I wasn’t quite as involved with this story as I was with the story in book one. I did, however, find this book entertaining and enjoyable. 4 stars

Now in My Bookbag: PERFEKT ORDER, by S. T. BENDE

I really enjoyed this book. It was a different take on Norse Mythology, and I liked the uniqueness of it. I thought that the incorporation of high tech gadgets, and interesting powers, gave flavor to the centuries old myths. I also liked the inclusion of actual major and minor gods, in addition to Valkyries and warriors.I loved the characters and found them very entertaining. I found Mia’s internal monologue funny and engaging, and I thought the story was captivating. Author S. T. Bende imagined, and wrote, an excellent book. Perfekt Control gets 5 stars

Now in My Bookbag: Soulless, by Sarah J Pepper

I was given an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Much is made during the book about Piper being the mirror image of Declan. So too, this story is the mirror image of a traditional fairy tale. Though the title is Soulless, each of the aforementioned characters are written to have a softer side… the remainders of a soul. This element gives each of these characters a polarity of their own

Making reference to other fairy tales, author Sarah J Pepper twists them into the mix, some more successfully than others. I believe the book might be more cohesive with fewer of these fairy tale twists, so the flow of the story gets lost in a couple of places.

Without revealing too much of the story, I will say that much of the book is well thought out and imaginatively written. 4 stars

Now in My Bookbag: In All My Wishes, by Ciara Knight

I truly enjoyed this sweet romance, set in Riverbend, Tennessee. Anna and Liam’s story was both moving and mysterious. There were familiar characters from Knight’s Sweetwater County Series, and more of the story of Cynthia and Mitch, (from the Riverbend Novella).

The flow was good, and the characters very likable. Author Ciara Knight was very successful in creating the history, struggles, and future for Anna and Liam. I definitely felt a part of their story.

I wished that the resolution had been a little more drawn out, and that there was more development of the plot line concerning Anna’s father.

Otherwise, I found this book very enjoyable. I found it to be a quintessential, sentimental and sweet romance. 4 stars

Now in My Bookbag: Riverbend, by Ciara Knight

This is a lighthearted, feel-good read. Author Ciara Knight delivers a sweet romance novella as an introduction to the Riverbend Series.

The characters are likable and the story is a classic romance. I love that both Mitch and Cynthia compare the development of their relationship to that of Anne and Frederick in Jane Austen’s Persuasion.

I wish that the settings in Riverbend were a little more descriptive. I am sure that In All My Wishes, the next book of the Riverbend Series, will include more detail and draw a better mental picture of the town.

Overall, I find the book to be a likable read. 4 stars

In My Bookbag Again: Clockwork Angel, by Cassandra Clare

It has been a very long time since I first read this book. I have read it several times since then, but I have never written a review.

This book is captivating from the very start. Author Cassandra Clare does a fantastic job of world-building, not just the Shadow World, but also the world of London during this time period. I easily find myself transported there.

I love the characters. Tessa is lovable, interesting, and a complete mystery. She loves to read, and often displays her knowledge of great literature. Will is the handsome, brooding warrior… his heart inside a self-built fortress. He, also, is a voracious reader with a nearly photographic memory. He is often quoting lines from literature that fits the situation in which he finds himself. Jem is the Prince Charming who is flawed. He is kind, loving, and caring. He is also the most tragic of the three because of what he endures. These characters are complex, and I find myself easily attached to them. Even the ancillary characters are developing toward a complexity.

The story is full of action, friendship, and a different sort of family. It is also a testament to the politics at work in any organization, even one with a mandate. All of the elements, large and small, make this a story worth reading over and over. The little details draw me in, and make me want to stay with the Shadowhunters in their Institute. This book would make an excellent movie… if the movie follows the feel, facts, and circumstances of the book.

Excellent work. 5 stars

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Now in My Bookbag: The Secrets of Dargon, by Ciara Knight

It took a while for me to get caught up in this story, and it therefore took me longer to read. The previous book of this series, The Curse of Gremdon, captivated my imagination from the very first word.

The beginning of The Secrets of Dargon felt a bit sluggish, but the story began drawing me in about a fourth of the way through. Once it grabbed my attention, it began to reel me in. About halfway through, I was completely hooked.

From that point on, the story developed a better flow. The characters were strong, and became more complex as the rest of the story unfolded. Author Ciara Knight did a fantastic job of world building. She used descriptive words wisely without overdoing it. I felt a part of the story without feeling smothered by too many details.

The book was edited, and proofed, well. That certainly helped me stay within the story’s flow. I definitely appreciated that.

I enjoyed all of the action at the end. However, my favorite thing about the book was the major twist at the end. I did not see that coming, at all!

Overall the book was good, and I liked it. 4 stars

Now in My Bookbag: The Hunter Bride, by Cynthia Woolf (Hope's Crossing - Book One)

I liked this book so much! I really liked the characters, plot, and setting. This book was very engaging, and a joy to read. I was drawn in immediately. It was such an interesting story line. The relationship between Sam and Jo was communicated wonderfully, and the flow of the book was decidedly well done.

I appreciated Woolf’s attention to the story’s details. Western Romances hadn’t been my genre of choice for a long time. However, I decided that it was going back on my list… especially if it was written by author Cynthia Woolf.

I was very disappointed to find so many grammatical errors throughout the book. I marked more than 30, so this book definitely needed another proofing.

If not for the many grammatical errors in the book, I would have rated this book 5 stars. As it was though, I could only award 4 1/4 stars… which translates to a 4 star rating via amazon and Netgalley.

I was provided a copy of this book, by its publisher, in exchange for an honest review.