Dragonwatch: Return of the Dragon Slayers Book Review

ABOUT THE BOOK

The magical world teeters on the brink of collapse. The Dragon King, Celebrant, has united the dragons into a vengeful army, and only a final artifact stands in the way of them unleashing their fury against humankind. With established allegiances shifting under the strain, Seth and Kendra find themselves in desperate need of new allies. Seth must face his most dangerous quest—the fulfillment of his pledge to the Singing Sisters. With only Calvin the Tiny Hero at his side, Seth needs to collect the pieces of the Ethergem, including the stones from the crowns of the Dragon King, the Giant Queen, and the Demon King.

Halfway across the world, Kendra finds herself torn between her duty to Dragonwatch and her desire to rescue Bracken. Can she challenge Ronodin's control of the fairy realm without leaving the five legendary dragon slayers to be hunted by Celebrant and his sons?

Left behind at Titan Valley, Knox and Tess must survive the aftermath of the Giant Queen's fall. Will the secret crown in Knox's possession prove too much for him to handle?

In this fifth and final volume of Dragonwatch, our heroes make their last stand at the hidden Kingdom of Selona. For the defenders of light to stand a chance, the legendary dragon slayers must arise, lost secrets must be uncovered, and ancient powers must awaken. Get ready for the gripping, revelatory, and unforeseen conclusion to the epic ten-volume New York Times best-selling Fablehaven and Dragonwatch series.

REVIEW

The Dragonwatch series has been a fun series to read. I've loved the fantasy elements, the main characters' development and growth over the series and the layers of conflict that the characters have to unravel and solve. Dragonwatch: Return of the Dragon Slayers finalizes the Dragonwatch series. The book's recommended age is 8-12, but I think some of the parts of the book might be a little scary to an eight year old depending on their level of maturity and understanding. The author did a good job with the pacing of the story and the development. There's a lot of action and drama that makes this book exciting and enjoyable. Surprising twists and turns kept me guessing as a reader. This is one of the best middle-grade fiction series on the market. The world-building in this series is amazing, creative and interesting. I would highly recommend reading this series for kids to adults. To learn more about Dragonwatch: Return of the Dragon Slayers, click here.

Please note that I received a free ebook to read, however, I shared my honest opinion. This post contains Amazon affiliate links that help support this blog. This post is in cooperation with the publisher.

Her Unsuitable Match Book Review

ABOUT THE BOOK

Lady Philippa must wed to gain her fortune and freedom. A former soldier wants only peace and seclusion. Marriage to each other is their best solution.

Lady Philippa Gillensford is three and twenty, an heiress, and sister to a penny-pinching earl. After rejecting every bachelor her mother approves of, Philippa is ready to take her future into her own hands. Though she doubts she’ll marry for love, she is more than willing to marry for freedom from her family’s influence.

Myles Cobbett has withdrawn from Society, content to remain alone after surviving the horrors of the Napoleonic wars. When a friend convinces Myles to attend a ball benefiting wounded veterans like himself, Myles meets the lively Lady Philippa. Shortly thereafter, to help Philippa avoid scandal, Myles rescues her from a complete cad.

Sensing a chance to escape her family’s control, Philippa convinces Myles he must marry her to save her reputation. In exchange for this favor, Philippa promises him the very thing he thought he always wanted: a quiet life, alone in the country.

While the two put on a show of marital happiness for their neighbors, both realize they want much more from this arrangement. Can they take a marriage of convenience and turn it into a love match?

Her Unsuitable Match is a sweet Regency romance and can be read as a stand-alone or as the sequel to Sally Britton's previous novel, His Unexpected Heiress.

It is also part of the upcoming Supposed Scandal series.

REVIEW

I would recommend reading Her Unsuitable Match. The main characters were dealing with a lot of intense situations from battling inner battles, to figuring out a place in society, dealing with bullies, family strife and more. It wasn't necessarily a "relaxing" read, but it was a good read. There was a lot of conflict going on in the story and the characters struggled to find their happy-ending. The villains were entitled, selfish, manipulative and caused a lot of mischief. There were several lessons that could be pulled from this story. The main characters were likeable, felt genuine and grew as the story progressed. I like when characters change and develop in a story. It feels more realistic and you can gain more from the story itself. Her Unsuitable Match was well written and developed, however, I would recommend reading His Unexpected Heiress first. The book mentioned several characters and experiences from the first book and I think it would be better to read as a sequel rather than a stand-alone. To learn more about Her Unsuitable Match, click here.

Please note that I received a free ebook to review, however, this is my honest opinion. Please note that this post contains Amazon affiliate links that help support this blog. This post is in cooperation with the author.

Love Off-Limits Book Review

ABOUT THE BOOK

Tyler is hard enough to resist. Put a baby goat in his arms? Oh, I’m a goner.

Romance is the last thing on my mind when I meet Tyler at a wedding.

Yes, he’s gorgeous. Yes, we have instant chemistry.

But I can’t go there with him. I’m too busy convincing my skeptical parents I’m ready to run our family farm to give Tyler’s smoldering smile a passing glance.

Fine. I glanced. And possibly . . . kissed.

But then I went home all the way in a different state. See? Crisis averted.

Until Tyler shows up in North Carolina looking for a job. Of course, I give him one. We’ve already established I’m terrible at resisting his charm.

It’s a disaster waiting to happen, really. Tyler doing manual labor within easy sight of my office window. 

Me trying NOT to randomly tumble into his arms. But no matter how cute he looks holding a baby goat (or how much I wish I was that baby goat), he’s off-limits until I earn my dad’s trust.

The trouble is, there’s always a risk when you push away something good. If you push too hard, you just might lose it forever.

Love Off-Limits is a stand-alone novel in a connected series. Enjoy the charming small-town appeal of a mountain farm, characters with closed-door but still sizzling chemistry, and of course, a baby goat named Penelope to tug on all your heartstrings.

REVIEW

Love Off-Limits is a fun, romantic comedy by Jenny Proctor. The characters were likeable, entertaining and interesting. This book is part of a connected series, but unlike most connected series I felt like this could be really be read as a stand alone novel. I loved the setting of the story and found some of the background information interesting like the ins and outs of making soap out of goats milk, how new goat mothers handle their young and the troubles with family owned businesses. The romance was clean with mild-kissing scenes. I enjoyed the side characters and some of their quirks. This is a fun, enjoyable, and easy-to-read romance. To learn more about Love Off-Limits, click here. 

Please note that I received an ebook to review, however, this is my honest opinion. This post contains Amazon affiliate links that help support the maintenance of this blog. This post is in cooperation with the author.

Maid in the Stars Book Review

ABOUT THE BOOK

She loves gazing at the stars and never expected to fall in love. 

Lilith Bradley wasn’t born to the serving class, but with her father’s death, she finds herself in the position of scullery maid on Earl Norwood’s country estate. Hard work isn’t supposed to lead to love, but a handsome man and stargazing turn into an emotional disaster as she can’t stop thinking about him while she scrubs dirty floors and empties chamber pots. 

Nate Richardson is a lover of science and dreams of joining the Royal Astronomical Society to work alongside the greatest minds in the field. Everything changes when he meets a guarded and mysterious lady who refuses his courtship and discussion of anything personal. When he realizes she doesn’t care about his wealth and is only there for stargazing, he finds his scientific goals no longer matter. He must win her heart. 

Lilith and Nate discover nothing in life is simple, especially when it involves family and societal expectations. However, following one’s heart shouldn’t lead to pain, especially if the relationship is made in the stars.

REVIEW

Maid in the Stars shares a sweet romance between two star crossed lovers who also happen to love the stars and a secondary story that felt like a retelling of the Frog Prince. I love the intertwining stories, characters and how it all comes together. The story was well told and was an entertaining page-turner. The characters felt well-rounded and likable. I felt like it was well-written and developed, and I especially liked the message of forgiveness and second-chances. This story has a lot to offer to the reader. If you enjoy Regency romances, I suggest checking it out. To learn more about the Maid in the Stars, click here. 

Please note that I received a free ebook to review, however, this is my honest opinion. This post also contains Amazon affiliate links that help support this blog.

The Explorer's Daughter Review

About the Book 

When Adeline Dawson arrives at Fairstone Hall, her past is enshrouded in mystery. She comes as if she's running from something, with nolady's maid and little to carry. The only thing of importance she brings with her is an invitation - because the residents of Fairstone Hall are technically family. 

William Wakefield is the young, brooding earl who resides at the grand manor. He knows Adeline only as his recent sister-in-law, but has never laid eyes on her until she came to his home. After less than amiable first impressions, the two seem unlikely to be friends. But as William observes her, he sees her kindness, resilience, and an invisible burden she carries. He becomes determined to overcome his broody demeanor to to help her if he can - but could never predict that his heart would be at risk. 

Della is equally determined to protect herself - and her secret. But as she races the clock to save the things she loves most, she fights an unexpected battle between love and loyalty. Things begin to spiral out of control, and she begins to doubt both herself and her ability to choose what's right. 

As the mystery of Fairstone Hall unravels, the truth seeps into the light: one of love and burdens that surround the standoffish earl and the explorer's daughter. 

The Explorer's Daughter is a clean regency romance and mystery. It is a standalone novel and Book 1 in The Reluctant Heirs series.

Review

The Explorer's Daughter easily captures my attention with the first few pages. The story is easy to read and an entertaining read. I did expect more of a reaction from characters when societal norms for the time period were pushed aside. The mystery was intriguing and I liked the build-up, but I was still left with several questions at the end that were never answered. I liked the twists and turns and the storytelling in this novel. The author does a good job with the flow of the story and the pacing was just right. The romance was sweet, clean and wholesome. To learn more about The Explorer's Daughter, click here. (Please note that the ebook is really inexpensive right now on Amazon.)

Please note that I received a free copy of this book to review, however, this is my honest opinion. This post also contains Amazon affiliate links that help support the maintenance of this blog.

Heart of the Frontier: A Western Romance Collection Review

 

ABOUT THE BOOK

The Gamble by Brittany Larsen 

British aristocrat Thomas Clayborne anticipated a grand adventure in America—but what he imagined is a far cry from the rough-and-tumble reality. When his journey West brings a bold young woman into his life, will he risk everything for true love? 

Her Frontier Bandit by Jen Geigle Johnson

When Rebecca and her physician father relocate to a frontier town in desperate need of a doctor, Rebecca believes it will be an opportunity to mend her recently broken heart. But she quickly realizes that no matter how far she runs, true love always finds a way. 

Sagebrush Sally by Jennie Hansen 

English rose Sally is finding it difficult to bloom in the rugged wasteland of the West. But with two handsome cowboys vying for her affections, it seems that even amid cattle thieves and gunfights, the truest danger lies in losing her heart. 

Celebration for Celia by Carolyn Twede Frank 

Though Celia generally adores Fourth of July festivities, she finds herself weighed down by uncertainties that dim her anticipation of the holiday. Then fate brings into her life a dashing stranger who is determined to give Celia a celebration she’ll never forget.

REVIEW

Heart of the Frontier shares four different western romance novellas set in the time of the Wild West. The stories are each unique, engaging and fit the western theme from bandits to cattle ranchers to pioneer fronts. 

The Gamble shares how a young woman's life changes and how she tries to help a British aristocrat from a cattle rancher's Ponzi-scheme. This novella was really interesting and I wished there was more background information in the back of the book on how the author came up with the idea and if there was any historical context. It was very different and I liked the boldness in the characters and in the story.  

Her Frontier Bandit has a mystery for the main character to discover. The story's suspense turned this into quite the page turner. It was well written and the characters seemed to come alive in the story.

Sagebrush Sally gave me several misdirects as a reader. I felt like the author did a good job in a short amount of time to provide a plot twisting, suspenseful story with exciting action scenes. 

Celebration for Celia is a sweet story on second chances and doing something for others. 

Although each of these stories are different, I found them to be diverting and captivating reads. To find out more about Heart of the Frontier, click here.

Please note that I received a free book to review, however, this is my honest opinion. This post also contains affiliate links that help support the maintenance of this blog.

Meet Me Under the Kissing Bough Review and Giveaway

About the Book

We wish you a merry Christmas and a happily ever after! This special holiday historical romance anthology featuring three heartwarming novellas proves that no matter the obstacles, ’tis the season for love.

Meet Me under the Kissing Bough by Josi S. Kilpack 

Deborah Winfrey hasn’t had the heart to host a holiday party since her husband’s death. But this Christmas, it’s time to move forward. The festivities bring renewed life to her home, and the attentions of two very different men promise a chance at new love.

Healing Hearts for the Holidays by Anneka R. Walker 

Julia Hunt is strictly forbidden from associating with the family in the nearby manor—including the handsome younger son, Esmond, who quickly steals her heart. With Christmas around the corner, an old bundle of hidden love letters may be the key to her own happily ever after.

 

A Christmas Correspondence by Sarah L. McConkie 

In this novella inspired by the timeless tale A Christmas Carol, John Charleston finds himself on an unexpected journey in the company of the insufferable Lady Carolyn Morleigh. But the magic of the season has a way of softening even the hardest of hearts.

Review

Meet Me Under the Kissing Bough shares three historical fiction romance novellas set in the Regency period in England. The stories are each unique ranging from a second chance to love, forbidden romance and a new twist on the Dicken's classic A Christmas Carol. I found each of these stories to be fun, enjoyable, and relaxing reads. I liked how they all explored accepting change and something new in their own way. The stories didn't feel like just a romance, but also seemed like they were trying to share stories of hope, forgiveness and love. I felt like these stories touched on the Christmas spirit in a fun and creative way. To learn more about Meet Me Under the Kissing Bough, click here.

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Please note that I received a free ebook to review, however, I shared my honest opinion. This post also contains affiliate links that help support the maintenance of this blog.

The Inns of Devonshire Review

Three novellas, three times the romance, and three times the love . . . in this brand new Timeless Regency Collection: The Inns of Devonshire

THE SEVENTH STAR INN by Sally Britton 

After years of looking after one another, Susan Baxter and her mother view their neighbors in Totnes as family. When a new landlord inherits the leases on their homes and businesses alike, Susan dreads knowing her world could change at the whim of a stranger. But when she meets Collin Stonecroft and his inquisitive daughter, her feelings shift quickly from cautionary to hopeful. Collin has lived in the confines of London boarding houses all his life, and he’s determined to give his daughter more. They check into the Seventh Star Inn with plans to return to London as soon as possible, but both find Miss Baxter and her local history lessons far too enchanting to leave behind. When Susan learns of Collin’s proposed changes to her beloved neighborhood, will she be able to help him see that some things are perfect the way they are?

THE TRUTH ABOUT MR. BLACKMORE by Annette Lyon 

Leigh’s life at the Old Grey Inn is drudgery broken by flights of fancy thanks in part to novels by Simon Blackmore. When Mattias McGrady comes to the inn for a fortnight, Leigh captures his attention. A relationship develops, and she dreads the end of his stay, which will mean a return to an unhappy life. An urgent letter to Mattias leads to him inviting Leigh to an event that stands to change both of their lives forever. If all goes well, Leigh will have a life of her choosing after all. But half-truths and lies have a way of complicating matters. When their plans go awry, Leigh loses her reputation and Mattias almost surely loses his career. Can either of them find happiness?

THE COACHMAN'S CHOICE by Deborah M. Hathaway 

Ever-reliable Mary Thorne has helped her widowed mother run The Golden Mermaid Inn for years. She spends her days greeting guests, ensuring the inn runs smoothly—and dodging flirtatious remarks from passing coachmen. But she’s far too busy to pay any attention to such men, even the enticingly attractive Mr. Northcott. Known far and wide for his horsemanship, punctuality, and dallying reputation, Robert Northcott relishes his life as a coachman, especially his freedom to flirt with numerous women from inn to inn, all without the messy details of commitment. There’s just one woman who's immune to his charms: the lovely, single landlady of The Golden Mermaid. Robert is determined to win Mary over, just as heartily as she is determined to keep her distance from him. But his carefree life is threatened when his pursual of Mary becomes more than just a game...

REVIEW 

I found The Inns of Devonshire to be a fun collection of wholesome romance stories. Even though each of the novellas revolve around an inn and romance, I found the stories to each have a unique story, original characters, and to be a delightful, relaxing read. I felt like each of the authors did an excellent job at developing their characters and their storylines. The stories are clean and could easily be read from teen to adult. 

The Seventh Star Inn has a sense of beauty and magic in the telling of the story. The town of Totnes has hidden gems of character that draws the characters together. I love the sense of magic in this story not only in the town, but in Susan as well.

The Truth of Blackmore was full of fun twists and turns. I wasn't sure what would happen in the end and there were a few moments where my heart went out to the characters. 

The Coachman's Choice was driven by the characters trying to figure out their priorities and what matters most in life. It was a sweet romance.

I would recommend checking out The Inns of Devonshire. Click here to learn more.

Please note that I received a free copy to review, however, this is my honest opinion. This post also contains affiliate links that help support the maintenance of this blog.

October Giveaways (low to moderate entry)

 

I like entering low to moderate entry giveaways and I share each month some of the blog or social media giveaways I've entered, thought someone else might be interested in entering or that have been submitted to me through bloggers. Check back often throughout the month to see if I have posted more giveaways. If you are hosting a family-friendly giveaway on your blog and would like to see it listed here, please contact me (via email). If you have a won a giveaway that I posted, please leave a comment and share that you won.

$25 Watkins Shopping Spree (ends October 14, 2021)

Free Guy Movie (ends October 15, 2021)

Entenmann's Coupons and Vista Gift Card (ends October 18, 2021)

Disney Advent (ends October 19, 2021)

Entenmann's Coupons and Visa Gift Card (ends October 19, 2021)

Entenmann's Coupons and Visa Gift Card (ends October 20, 2021)

Entenmann's Coupons and Visa Gift Card (ends October 20, 2021)

Entenmann's Coupons and Visa Gift Card (ends October 21, 2021)

Baby Shark Movie (ends October 22, 2021)

Paw Patrol Movie (ends October 22, 2021)

Free Guy Movie (ends October 25, 2021)

$50 Pottery Barn Gift Card (ends October 30, 2021)