Book Review: Bella's Boys: A tale of cosmic horror By Thomas R. Clark

Bella's Boys: A tale of cosmic horror
Thomas R. Clark
Published: July 14, 2020
Purchased at NoCoCon

It's March 1993, and a storm is coming ... On the eve of a massive Nor'easter menacing the Eastern Seaboard. Singer Corey Collins meets Sandy Bellavia at a karaoke bar in upstate New York. Corey thinks he's met the girl of his desires, and follows "Bella" to her home for shelter from the storm. Soon Corey finds himself fulfilling a bucket-list sex and rock-n-roll fantasy.

Until Corey hears a legion of taunting voices in his head, whispering madness ... and nightmares invade Corey's dreams. Now trapped in the heart of a raging blizzard as snow accumulates by the foot, Corey learns his lover isn't who, or what, he believed. She's something terrifying, ancient...

...and hungry.

Review: I picked this up from a local authors booth at the comic con this past weekend. I read the first few pages while manning our booth and it caught my interest. When I got home, after doing all my wifely and motherly duties (Why do kids always wait until 6pm Sunday night to say hey mom I got homework?) I plopped my butt down on the couch and read this straight through, something I haven't done in a very long time.
From the beginning I was hooked, you could tell there was something quite not right yet also weren't sure what it was. It was intriguing and made me keep reading to figure out what was up with this mysterious woman. Corey was a likeable character and, having live in Northern New York my whole life, I could empathize with his plight of dealing with the snow and being snowed in. Also the way Mr. Clark described the weather actually gave me chills.
The plot moved along at a good clip, but it was a little jarring at times with the sudden POV shifts. Yet they did add to the story, and once I knew it could happen it wasn't as jarring, so I was able to forgive them. I will say if you are squeamish then this might not be the book for you, as it reminded me of the old fashion horror movies like The Thing or The Mist.
I enjoyed Mr Clark's writing style and his reference to Boris Vallejo made me stupidly happy. Although unless you are a fantasy nerd you probably wouldn't get the reference. I really enjoyed Bella's Boys and will be looking to get more from this author. 

  

Book Review- The Alion King (Paranormal Dating Agency #6) by Milly Taiden

The Alion King (Paranormal Dating Agency #6)
by Milly Taiden 
Published July 10th 2015 by Latin Goddess Press
How I got it: Bought 

Isabella Barca is great at organizing-not so great at keeping her nose out of trouble. When Bella goes to work as Mrs. Wilder's assistant, the opportunity of a lifetime pops up: travel with Gerri to another planet, a shifter planet, and help Gerri find a lion king his mate. Alyx Treyvaal isn't known for being patient. A lion doesn't ask for help. A lion doesn't apologize. And he most certainly does not purr. But once he meets Bella, he finds himself doing all of the above...except for purring. He will not purr. With wolves stirring all kinds of trouble for them and a cousin who would like to shred Bella to ribbons, things are not simple for the couple. Not at all. One thing's for sure, when his mate is taken and threatened, the entire planet will hear the lion king's roar.

Review: Super disappointed! I was loving this series up until this book. For whatever reason Ms. Taiden decided to jump the shark with this one. Shifters are aliens! Now yes I had a bit of an idea what I was getting into, yet I wasn't really expecting this. Unlike the other heroines I just didn't like Bella. For whatever reason, I still can't pinpoint, I just didn't find her likeable. It felt as if this book was just going through the motions. As if Ms Taiden had run out of ideas and was just going with a formulaic story. The plot was basically her other books, girl meets hot guy, things happen, girls gets in trouble hot guy saves her HEA. After being disappointed by a few other books, I was hoping going back to a series I enjoyed would break the streak guess I was wrong. 

Audio Book Review- The House (Pen Pals and Serial Killers #4) by Jo Michaels

The House
(Pen Pals and Serial Killers #4)
by Jo Michaels
Published June 4th 2018 by CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Narrated by Julia Whelan

This house is cursed, and everyone who lives there is in grave danger.

Ever wonder what stories you’d hear if walls could talk?
What if those walls witnessed unimaginable horrors?
Inside these pages is the story of one such house. What it sees, the people it meets, and what happens when a terrified spirit is invited to stay.

Story 1 – The Butcher
Story 2 – Marna, Fred, and Kimberly McDade
Story 3 – Lacy Mae Ritter
Story 4 – Mark and Olivia Cullpepper
Story 5 – The Writer

The House is a collection of short stories that ties in with the Pen Pals and Serial Killers series by Jo Michaels. You’ll find a couple of those characters named, and discover how one grew the teeth he used on the women he captured later.

Review: This was an interesting concept. Taking the old adage if this walls could talk and giving the house sentient. Getting through the first story, The Butcher, was a bit of a challenge. It was graphic and could be triggering for some people. With that said, the stories after were good. Each story is about an owner of the house, told through the house itself. It's very interesting and a concept I'd never encountered before. The stories pulled me in and the plot was well done keeping me reading. 
I was a bit confused with the houses ability to feel pain(?) at time and then it kinda being washed over at others. Yet all in all it was an enjoyable book. I liked the narrator as well, she did a great job and it helped set the mood for the book.

  

Book Review- Love and Other Wild Things (Mystic Bayou #2) by Molly Harper

Love and Other Wild Things (Mystic Bayou #2)
by Molly Harper 

Published March 19th 2019 by NYLA

How I got it: Purchased

Welcome to Mystic Bayou, a tiny town hidden in the swamp where shape-shifters, vampires, witches, and dragons live alongside humans. The town formed around the mysterious energy rift in the bayou, which helps keep the town's magic in balance. But lately the rift has been widening and destabilizing - threatening to send the town's magical population into chaos.

Energy witch Danica Teel has been sent by the League to figure out what's going on, with the help of bear-shifter Mayor Zed. While working on the case, Zed falls head over paws for Dani, but she's reluctant to engage in anything beyond a roll in his cave. Dani's family is counting on her to get the job done, and she has no time for distractions. But when an ominous presence begins stalking Dani through the bayou, they'll need to band together to make it out alive.

Review: Dani is an energy witch, hired by the League to study the rift. Zed is a werebear mayor of Mystic Bayou. He is a loveable teddy bear, who tends to be comic relief until he meets Dani and connects with her.
He's thinking long term she doesn't know how long she'll be in town. Highjinks ensue. Add in a little mystery and someone out to sabotage Dani's work or get her out if the way permanently. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I loved Zed in book one and was super happy to see him find his mate. Dani is perfect for him, she speaks her mind and has a thing for llamas which I found amusing.
While I thought the plot was a bit formulaic. As in they find each other, something drives them apart, girl ends up in trouble. Zed saves the day and HEA. I still enjoyed the story and it was a nice escape. Just what I expect form Ms. Harper. 

Cross Post w/ Airin My Dirty Laundry

Book Review- How to Date Your Dragon (Mystic Bayou #1) by Molly Harper

 

How to Date Your Dragon (Mystic Bayou #1)
by Molly Harper

Published July 23rd 2018 by NYLA

How I got it: Purchased

Anthropologist Jillian Ramsay's career has taken a turn south. Concerned that technology is about to chase mythological creatures out into the open (how long can Sasquatch stay hidden from Google maps?), the League for Interspecies Cooperation is sending Jillian to Louisiana on a fact-finding mission. While the League hopes to hold on to secrecy for a little bit longer, they're preparing for the worst in terms of human reactions. They need a plan, so they look to Mystic Bayou, a tiny town hidden in the swamp where humans and supernatural residents have been living in harmony for generations. Mermaids and gator shifters swim in the bayou. Spirit bottles light the front porches after twilight. Dragons light the fires under crayfish pots. Jillian's first assignment for the League could be her last. Mystic Bayou is wary of outsiders, and she has difficulty getting locals to talk to her. And she can't get the gruff town sheriff, Bael Boone, off of her back or out of her mind. Bael is the finest male specimen she's seen in a long time, even though he might not be human. Soon their flirtation is hotter than a dragon's breath, which Bael just might turn out to be...

Review: I'm a huge Molly Harper fan, I enjoy her writing style and wit. This book did not disappoint.
Jillian Ramsay is an Anthropologist with the League for Interspecies Cooperation, she's sent to Mystic Bayou a little town in Louisiana. Her mission is to figure out how so many magical creatures live together with the local humans in relative peace. Yet things are not always what they seem. When she arrives she greeted by the town's boisterous town mayor Zed who is a bear shifter and the gruff sheriff Bael, whos a mystery to her. The book is told from Jillian and Bael's points of view. This is one of those I'm attracted to you but you're an ass book. Bael is a dragon shifter and is naturally wary of outsiders, yet can't get Jillian out of his head. The longer she's in Mystic Bayou the more Bael wants to keep her. Of course, misunderstanding happens, toss in a serial killer and a magical rift that turns normal folk into magical folk, just to spice things up.
This was what I'd come to expect from Ms Harper, a fun romantic tale with a bit of mystery tossed in. The romance was sound, but the mystery a bit wishy-washy for me. Let's face it this is a paranormal romance first, the mystery was secondary to Jillian and Bael's relationship. Still, it added a little extra to the book and pushed the plot along so why not.
As an introduction to this series and town, I loved it and can't wait to read more.

Cross Post w/ Airin My Dirty Laundry

Spotlight- Tillie's: A P.I.N.N.Y Investigation By SJ Sanford

New Release!

Tillie's: A P.I.N.N.Y Investigation

By SJ Sanford

Charlie co-owner and head chef of Tillie's restaurant has a problem. The ghostly previous owner of her restaurant's location has been harassing her. When his attacks turn violent she turns to Otis the tech guru for P.I.N.N.Y for help. But can she put old hurts aside in order to get rid of this bastard ghost?

Free on Smashwords

The Haunting of Cherry Point: A P.I.N.N.Y Investigation 

By SJ Sanford

Jayme has had the ability to see ghosts and spirits ever since she had an accident that required an eye transplant when she was little. This leads her to have an interest in the paranormal and create P.I.N.N.Y (Paranormal Investigations of Northern New York) group.

Her group is called to investigate Cherry Point Bed & Breakfast. Due to a mix-up, she forced to make nice with her ex-boyfriend, Chaz, and his crew of TV Star wannabes.

What should be a routine investigation turns very dark, when Chaz is possessed. Jayme's left with the problem of saving her cheating ex from this dark force, but she's not sure if she can or even wants to.

Free on Smashwords

Book Review- Tall, Dark and Panther (Paranormal Dating Agency #5) by Milly Taiden

Tall, Dark and Panther (Paranormal Dating Agency #5)
by Milly Taiden 

Published April 2nd 2015 by Latin Goddess Press

How I got it: Purchased

A BBW in search of love + a sexy panther shifter = Alpha Romance
Maya Zara is a curvy woman sick and tired of men who think she should settle. She loves her curves and wants to find someone who will love them too. When she meets Gerri Wilder and signs up for a date with a shifter, Maya has no idea what’s in store for her.
Noah Wright has had the hots for his curvy neighbor for months. Too bad she’s got a boyfriend. When he allows Gerri to set him up on a date, he never expected for her to get him the woman he and his panther have lusted after.
A stalking ex and a crazy family make Maya’s life a living hell. Both will try to tear them apart. She’ll have to figure out what she wants with Noah before losing a chance at love with the lonely panther.

Reader Note: This book contains panty-melting sex (the kind that makes you need fudge and a cold shower), adult language (we like some freaky dirty talk), and possible violence. If this is not the kind of stuff you like to read, skip this book. However, if you like dirty, raunchy sex with a sexy panther on one curvy sarcastic girl, then this is right up your alley. Enjoy!

Review: Mrs. Wilder is at it again in this book. Noah knows who his mate is, unfortunately for him she's already taken. Tired of his adoptive Mom, Mrs. Wilder, meddling he tells her he'll try letting her set him up. But only if it doesn't work she'll drop it. She agrees.
Maya has dumped her loser boyfriend and is looking for someone who will love her for her, curves and all. Luckily for her, Mrs. Wilder knows just the panther.
Like the rest of the books in this series, this was a quick fun read. I found it a bit more serious in some areas than the previous books. Yet it had a solid plot and lots of panty-melting sex. The characters were likable and Maya was a little spitfire. I did have to wonder about a few things that Noah did, which were a little creepy yet weren't really addressed. But all in all, this was what I have come to expect from Ms. Taiden.

Book Review- The Merman's Kiss (Mates for Monsters #1) by Tamsin Ley

The Merman's Kiss (Mates for Monsters #1)
by Tamsin Ley

Published January 27th 2017 by CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform 

How I got it: Purchased

Even Monsters Need a Mate

After the death of her child, Brianna seeks to end her life within the ocean’s final embrace. Instead, she falls into the arms of a sexy, sleek-tailed monster. He’s wild, seductive, and sets her blood on fire every time he touches her, and soon she begins to need him for more than his magic to breathe underwater. He might just give her a new reason to live.
Zantu has evaded the mate-bond for thirty-five years, dodging promiscuous mermaids with vile intents. Unlike mermaids, mermen bond for life, and Zantu refuses to accept the heartbreak most mermen die of. That is, until the glint of gold catches his eye, and a simple salvage mission turns to passion. Now he’s bonded to a human and begins to wonder if bonding to the right mate might not be so bad. The problem? A finless female won’t live long among the dangers of the sea.
Now Zantu must choose between keeping her at his side and keeping her safe. Either way, he’s sure he’ll end up with a broken heart.

Content Warning: Explicit love scenes, dangerous mermaids, and sexy merman secrets. Guaranteed HEA with no cliffhangers. Intended for mature audiences.

Review: I had mixed feelings about this book. Brianna is depressed, majorly, and in an unsupportive relationship to say the least. She decides that the only way out is suicide, by throwing herself into the ocean with weights tied around her. She is then found by Zantu who comes to, basically scavenge her body. Let's just say he gets way more than he bargained for.
The situation was weird, but ok we'll roll with it. I've read stranger. (Trust me.) My big problem with the book was how Brianna acted, so the whole reason she was killing herself was due to a promise she made her father that she would up and leave her husband like her mother had him. So by disappearing into the deep with Zantu isn't she breaking this promise anyway, I mean her logic seemed flawed.
There were aspects I did like, for example, the crazy mermaids and Ms. Ley's take on the merman anatomy. Oh and the boiling hot sex. The plot was ok, but I just had these nagging issues.
In the end it was a nice diversion, a steamy short with a decent HEA.

Book Review- Curves 'em Right (Paranormal Dating Agency #4) by Milly Taiden

Curves 'em Right (Paranormal Dating Agency #4)
by Milly Taiden 

Published December 5th 2014 by Latin Goddess Publishing

How I got it: Purchased

A BBW in search of love + two sexy wolf shifters ready to claim her as their mate = Sizzling Ménage Romance

Daniella Flores is looking for a good man. A man who will accept her as she is and go crazy for her curves. So far she’s had no luck in the romance department and is worried she might never find the right one. When Mrs. Wilder of the PDA offers to help, Dani is all for trying anything. Mrs. Wilder promises to find her love, romance and hot sex. What woman in her right mind would say no to that?

Kane and Blake have been searching for a mate to complete their Alpha triad. There’s just one problem: they’ve yet to find a woman they both want. Not to worry, Kane’s mother comes to the rescue and brings in the PDA. Unfortunately for them, Mrs. Wilder has something up her sleeve and it’s not a bra. When they meet their mysterious date, they know she’s the woman they need.

A masquerade ball brings Dani and the shifters together. The two men who are really good friends with Dani’s overprotective older brother. She’ll get one chance to finally live the fantasy night she’s always wanted with the wild wolves. Besides, it’s not like they could really want her for a mate. It will take some maneuvering for Kane and Blake to keep Dani, not lose their friend and their pack, and prove her curves are the only ones they want.

Reader Warning: This book contains panty-melting sex (the kind that makes you need fudge and a cold shower), adult language (we like some freaky dirty talk), and violence. If this is not the kind of stuff you like to read, skip this book. However, if you like dirty, raunchy sex with two men on one curvy sarcastic girl, then this is right up your alley. Enjoy!

Review: I have been enjoying these novellas from Ms Taiden, and this one didn't disappoint. Daniella has had the hots for her brother's friends Kane and Blake since she was younger. Yet had been kept at arm's length due to her brother being overprotective and thinking he knew what was best for her. When he goes out of town, things heat up between the three of them with the help of Mrs. Wilder. A masquerade ball held by Mrs. Wilder brings them together and proves to the men just why they haven't been able to find a mate. Dani doesn't believe that she could ever be a mate for the hunky alpha and omega, so decides to just take what she can get and enjoy the ride. Again don't get the omega thing but whatever.
I really enjoyed the story and found myself getting a little heated at Dani's obliviousness about how Kane and Blake felt about her. Yet it did add some tension to the book. The plot moves along and your left wondering about many things. There were a lot of little things that moved the book along and kept me reading. The hot sex didn't hurt either. All in all a very good read.

Book Review- Her Purrfect Match (Paranormal Dating Agency #3) by Milly Taiden

Her Purrfect Match (Paranormal Dating Agency #3)
by Milly Taiden 

Published October 24th 2014 by Latin Goddess Press
How I got it: Purchased

Alyssa Moran is tired of being the old cat lady with no man. She has very specific needs and goes to visit Mrs. Wilder at the Paranormal Dating Agency. Shockingly enough, she is promised a man who likes cats, wants kids, likes curves and will be wild in bed.

Grayson Green needs a mate. Fast. But he refuses to be pushed into anything. That is, until a curvy funny woman shows up in his territory saying she’s there for him. Who is he to argue with someone as delectable as Alyssa decides she wants to give herself to him?

Of course, not all is at it seems and some people want Alyssa gone and Gray dead. If Gray mates, the future of his pride will be sealed and no one can argue his place as leader. Unless it can be stopped before they ever get a chance to make some cubs. He will have to work hard at convincing a human she’s the only one for him or lose his pride and his mate.

Review: I have to admit I probably enjoyed this book more than I should have. But A. I like big cats lions and tiger being my fave and B. I like broody possessive men. Sorry, not sorry.
Alyssa is looking for love, babies, and basically what many women want happily ever after.
What she gets is a broody, possessive, domineering tiger shifter. Well, she did want someone who loved cats and I mean this would make her the ultimate cat lady, right?
Anyway, enter Grey leader of a pride of tiger shifters. He has denounced love, and his guard/ friend signed him up for the PDA. You can see where this is going, can you?
To be honest, I might have enjoyed this a little bit more than I should have. I loved the banter between Gray and Alyssa. I loved Alyssa's sassy mouth and how Gray had to learn to be receptive to it. As a short, it moved along fast-paced. Yet Ms. Taiden had a wat of working these short fast-paced stories.

5 drinks

Book Review: Geek Bearing Gifts (Paranormal Dating Agency #2) by Milly Taiden

Geek Bearing Gifts
(Paranormal Dating Agency #2)
by Milly Taiden
Published September 21st 2014 by Latin Goddess Press

How I got it: Purchased

Nita Islas wants to find love. She's tired of the superficial relationships and is ready to give true romance a try. She uses the Paranormal Dating Agency and hopes they can help her where all others have failed. What she didn't expect was to find her date flat on his back in nothing more than a towel.

Ky Stone has been in love with curvy and funny Nita since they were in High School. When she moved away, she took his heart with her. Then one day Ky wakes up to find her leaning over him. He's sure he's died and gone to heaven. He has no idea what she's doing there, but he's sure as hell not letting her leave.

Fate, meddling family, and the PDA have brought them together again. The chemistry between them is explosive. But there are problems with Ky's neighboring clan and he's keeping secrets from Nita. He needs to find a way to open up to her or lies and unexpected danger could tear them apart... forever.

Reviews: I enjoyed this book, it was a cute story. Ky and Nita were best friends in high school. Both to shy to tell the other how they felt. Reunited by fate and Ms. Wilder. Yet, Nita can't tell that Ky is her friend all grown up and hunkified. You can see where this is going right? Especially since Nita's biggest pet peeve is being lied to.
This is a fun story, with lots of naughty bits, an overprotective bear shifter and a sassy curvey heroine. While fast-paced, the story is well thought out and keeps you entertained. The characters are fun and believable, well as much as you can believe in people that can turn into animals. Yet it wasn't really long enough that you became emotionally invested. While yeah I saw the blow upcoming and the inevitable makeup I still liked how everything turned out.

5 drinks

Book Review -Twice the Growl (Paranormal Dating Agency #1) by Milly Taiden

Twice the Growl (Paranormal Dating Agency #1)
by Milly Taiden 

Published August 29th 2014 by Latin Goddess Press

How I got it: Purchased

Talia Barca needs a date. Badly. She uses the services of the Paranormal Dating Agency hoping for a decent guy to take to a family wedding. A wedding her ex-husband has wormed his way into as a guest.
 Connor and Theron want Tally to complete their Alpha triad. She's sexy, curvy, and funny. But she's human. And they're not sure she'll go for a relationship with two men at the same time.
As if deciding to give two men a shot wasn’t difficult enough, Tally will also need to deal with a threat from the pack. She'll either prove she's strong enough to be an Alpha mate or find herself at the mercy of a vicious opponent.

 Reader Warning: This book contains lots of scorching sex (including a threesome so hot it will make your ereader sizzle), adult language (hanky panky with no dirty talk is no fun), and violence. If this is not the kind of stuff you like to read, skip this book. However, if you like dirty, raunchy sex with some sarcasm and two hot men on one curvy girl, then this is right up your alley. Enjoy!

Review: This was a fun quick read. Talia is a strong, curvy, sassy woman who's had some trouble with her love life. She needs a date for a family wedding, basically to show up her ex-husband who will be there. So she goes to her neighbor, who just so happens to run a dating agency, ending up with not one but two dates. Connor and Theron are your typical shifter hunks, who are horny as all get out and basically want to shag Tally three ways of Sunday.
Pretty much this is a diversion book, it's fun to read get a little hot and bothered by. The plots basic, girl meets two hunks, has to come to terms with being in a threesome, quickly realizes how fun it is and everybody lives happily ever after. Toss in a duchy ex and an overbearing shifter female just for kicks and shake. The big thing that threw me was why was Connor the omega and not the beta. Omega's are usually the bottom of the pack. It just seemed weird why he'd be part of the alpha triad, but maybe I just missed that part.
I enjoyed the story and it was a fun read. I'm looking forward to the other books in the series.

5 Drinks because were classy 'round here