This was my first SAA book, but it definitely won't be my last! Lost Lake is a hard book to categorize, it's like realistic fiction with a dash of whimsy and magic. That in itself sold me on it. I loved the feel that this book had, like maybe anything was possible. The setting had this same feel, it was enchanting, this hideaway resort for misfits. I only wish there was a real Lost lake, I'd make a reservation in a heartbeat!!

There was quite a ragtag group of individuals in this story. 3 generations of people just trying to figure things out and be happy. I loved this! I liked being able to see the different ways, from young to old, and in between, that people looked at live, love and happiness. It was also nice to see the grownups remember how magical the world was through a child's eyes, and recapture a glimmer of that for themselves.

My only real complaint was that I wish the ending would have been a little more filled out. It was kind of ambiguous. It did make sense with the story that the author gave you enough to feel hopeful, but you needed to imagine for yourself what would come of all these loveable characters. I guess I just enjoyed them all so much, and enjoyed their journey, I would have really liked seeing them get the things they wanted in the end. I wanted to see them in their happily ever afters. All in all though, this was a delightful book and I really look forward to reading more by this author soon!

This novella was short and sweet. I mostly liked the characters, and it seemed like a pretty accurate depiction of life around the 1940's. If anything this book probably held women in a higher rearguard than was actually the case. There didn't seem to be much adversary for a free thinking, independent type of woman, so that was particularly nice to see.

This was about a woman whose husband had died young, and her trying to pick up the pieces and maybe even build herself a new life with someone special. I liked Delilah. I enjoyed her quirks, and her desire to be independent and provide for herself. Especially in an era where many women's biggest aspirations were to marry well and produce offspring. Not that she didn't want those things out of life, she did, but she also worked hard, and took care of herself.

I think the lesson learned by the end was my favorite part of the story, but I wouldn't want to ruin it for those of you that haven't read this yet. I was not a fan of the way overdone references to everything being God's plan or his will, but that's just my personal opinion. Some people might really enjoy that aspect, I unfortunately tired of it after so many references. To each his own though

I thoroughly enjoyed the change of pace in this addition to the Reveler series! I liked seeing how well Jordan carried herself, mostly, on her own. She’s come very far since the first book. It was also nice to see some of the other characters in different lights. We got to see a softer side to Rook, and some people we thought that were squarely on one side of the board hop on over to the other side.


I’m, as always, in awe of this interesting world of dreams, and the people who can master them, that Kellison has created. I’m completely intrigued by these nightmarish creatures that originated in the scrape, and the scrape itself. I am dying to get to know more about what kind of awesome their offspring are! I have a pretty good idea the stars of the show in the next book, and I’m really looking forward to getting their story! Hopefully glean a little more information about young David as well.


I do wish these books were a little longer, but I still enjoy the stories non the less. I’m really looking forward to what happens next!

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review

The Labyrinth was the epic conclusion to the Nightfall Gardens trilogy. This book was everything I was hoping for with a few added gut-wrenching twists and a bittersweet end. After the other two stories in this series, it was apparent that we were heading towards a war of epic proportions in this book. I knew that the gardens would fall one way or another. What I was not prepared for was everything that would be lost in that happening! This book will send you in a tailspin of emotions. I thought I knew what I wanted when I started reading this, I was all jacked up and ready for this incredible battle. I was ready for this! Until I wasn't. As this battle was raging, in multiple locations, I then started having some doubts, did I really want this to happen? OMG what if something happens to one of these many characters that I have grown to love so much? Seriously at one point I was chanting, "No, not Arfast, oh god no, nothing better happen to him!" This trickster held a special place in heart! So I finally started to realize what this bloody battle to the end would mean, and I was struck with fear and longing for my favorites to all stay intact.


It might have been even more unnerving considering how split up everyone was, half the brigade defending the Nightfall Manor, and the other troupe braving the most mysterious of gardens, the Labyrinth. Which by the way, the Labyrinth was, in one word, awesome! I loved that this housed most of the Gods of old. I immensely enjoyed the new characters that we met there, who were just full of surprises. Furrina brought a much needed comic relief to the savageness of the situation they were in. They were how I always envision the old world gods, strange, mysterious, kind of off their rocker, rather flippant, and having no real concept of mortality and the fragility of it. I loved this!

I also loved that even in the face of seemingly inevitable doom, Lily's sense of right and her courage never wavered! She was a force to be reckoned with in this book, and I appreciated it so much more considering how far she has come from the vain and selfish girl she was in the first book. Silas, since the very beginning, always seemed to have a steadfast and truly good heart, and I loved him for it. But Lily's journey to becoming everything she was by The Labyrinth sky rocketed her into a top position in my heart! Even some of the reformed creatures from the gardens weaseled themselves in there! Polly with her utter devotion to Lily, decrepit Ozy the ever faithful servant to the Blackwood family, Osbold the pet gargoyle, Raga the witch, Erasmus P. Meriwether, Colonel Jackson, and many others! It was a fantastic line up of characters to care for, but it was also a large list of loves to say goodbye to.


On a final note I just want to say that one of the things I loved most about this trilogy was that this story felt ageless. It was one of those rarities along the lines of Harry Potter, or Percy Jackson, where I think someone at any age would find this tale enjoyable. It was extremely imaginative, well written, and centered around the timeless struggle of good vs evil. I was completely bewitched by Nightfall Gardens, and my only hope is that many, many other people will be too!


**A special thanks to the author for providing copies of the whole trilogy in exchange for honest reviews.**

****Pulled from the blog; joint review with my blogging partner in crime, Jennifer****
original review with extras can be viewed here:
https://bookwormcoalition.wordpress.com/2015/03/05/bound-by-spells-by-stormy-smith/#more-1253

I feel like any book starts off with a line like, “I woke up naked-again.” is going to be something special. I feel as though I needed to be there for him, just can’t have him waking up all naked… with no one around… I volunteer as tribute (wait, wrong book, it’s okay, I’ll still watch over him) In this case, I was definitely right! Bound by Spells took all the things that I loved about the first book, Bound by Duty, and made them all ten times as awesome!


I absolutely adored the duo point of view with both Aidan and Amelia. It added so much to the story to be able to see each of them taking their own journey and growing towards the bigger picture. Aidan really shined in this book. *swoon. I couldn’t get enough of his story. Sometimes you need to look back and understand the past to be able to move forward and really devote yourself to a future. This couldn’t have been more true for Aidan. I was really surprised where the story took him, but in the best way. Amelia was fantastic in Bound by Spells. There was so much growth from the first book till this one. Here’s the thing about a good heroine, they don’t have to have it all figured out, they can be scared, or unsure, just so long as they’re strong, compassionate, and use the fear to fuel them to do what is right. Amelia is a great heroine, she was the embodiment of all of those things I believe to be good. I enjoyed watching her grow. She’s still struggling with her power in this book, but she’s learning, and she’s got an iron will, so you know that it is only a matter of time. I think this journey to get there is what is going to make her into someone strong and well rounded enough that can actually control the power she has inside of her, which is crucial.

If I’m being honest here, all the characters really were enchanting in this addition to the series. I feel like the fantasy element stole the show in BBD, which I loved, but I also appreciated the balance that Bound by Spells brought by giving us such rich, multidimensional characters to really root for, or against. That’s right, even the evil Queen was a star in this show! Micah’s dear old mum was much more heinous than I was anticipating. Queen Julia really stepped up her evil game, and I hated that I loved it so much! I am appalled by her actions, but I also couldn’t look away. It was interesting to learn some things about what started her down the dark path she is on now. It always starts with a dash of heartbreak doesn’t it?

Jen can we finally just agree that Micah is not a douchecanoe? I saw where you had some reservations in Bound by Duty, but come one, he had to have redeemed himself enough to appease even you in this one…..right? Say it Jennifer! You say you like Micah now! NO, I WILL NOT.


NO I DON’T, AND I QUOTE “You could have done something – ANYTHING – and you did NOTHING. THIS IS YOUR FAULT.”


Ok. Now one thing I know Jen and I both agree on is how absolutely kickass Bethany is! So many secondary characters seem to fall into two categories these days, the first of which, and maybe most used, being what I like to call the stepping stone category, which means that they are simply there to accentuate all the good things that your main character is, by being everything that person is not. EX…. The whore to the virgin, the liar to the honest, the shallow to the soulful and deep, I think you get my drift. Or the second category, the filler category. Which is quite simply someone you get to look upon briefly who is not your main characters but really brings nothing substantial to the story by being there. Bethany basically gives the middle finger to both of those categories, and then curtseys, because she’s polite and just plain awesome like that!


Now I’ll stop blabbing on and on and let Jen get a word or two in here!


Bound by Spells was pretty much everything I want in a sequel. It isn’t always about the main characters, sometimes it’s about the secondary characters, the ones who build up the back of the story. Not only did I fall back in love with Amelia and Aidan, I fell in love with some unexpected characters too (NO NOT MICAH, STILL A TOOL. NO TRICIA YOU CAN’T CHANGE MY MIND).

Still at the top of my list for favorite characters is Bethany! I love her, I love her attitude about the entire situation. Even faced with being “human” she didn’t back down. Even with facing her kidnappers, she stood her ground. She is the type of person you want in your corner at all times. Bethany has enough spunk to put the most vicious person/animal in its place.

I can say with a lot of honesty that I walked into this book thinking that I would only like the cast of characters the way they are, and no more. I love them more now, and there’s more of them to love too. My heart broke for Elias and Dillon, but the end spin on Bound by Spells just about had me in tears of happiness. I never would have imagined that outcome. I felt like the Grinch.


Which leads me to the crazy, off her fucking rocker, all Heil Hitler, little miss genocide Queen Julia. and if you think for a minute that my description above is over exaggerated then you just wait my friends.

“Mages were put in charge of the people because we are the purest lines. We are not animals.”

“Ensuring that our bloodlines are pure and we have eradicated all those animals.”

“I have spent my life trying to cleanse our people of these mixed races and put the classes back where they belong.”

I mean seriously, Queen Julia is…. I really have no words for what she is, I feel like every time I read something that comes out of her mouth, I need to gear up for WWIII. No joke, this woman is batshit crazy. I felt the need to apologize to all Immortal on behalf of the Genocide Queen. She actually made me chuckle a few times with the amount of crazy that was spewing out. The Queen in all seriousness reminded me of Hitler, and somehow I don’t think she’s going to let up anytime soon.

And this also leads me to one of my most unlikely favorite characters, Baleon. I didn’t think I would ever say it, but he is one of my favorites and I have a feeling it has to do with a certain someone being bound by a spell (heehee) and a Hunter who put it there. I think that Baleon was that Hunter, and for that he saved someone who is extremely important.

I can’t wait for the next book. But these cliffhangers are killing me!! KILLING ME, I TELL YOU!!! Pretty please don’t make us wait long!


Thank you so much Stormy Smith for giving us the opportunity to read and honestly review Bound by Spells!!

4.5 stars

Where do I start?! Shadow Scale was an epic follow up to Hartman's first hit, Seraphina. I enjoyed Seraphina, but man did I love Shadow Scale. I mean what's not to love, there are freaking DRAGONS! And as if that weren't awesome enough, there are half dragon/humans.....with special abilities!

I absolutely adore the way dragons are portrayed here, their cool, logical demeanor, and the way they can go from dragon form to human form. It made for such an interesting story to see the way the humans affected these emotionally stunted dragons with all their many feels.

I loved seeing the consequences from these human-dragon intermingling. In Shadow Scale the dragons were a race divided, and the brewing war between them was now affecting everyone, human and dragon alike. Especially considering one of the sides considered humans to be silly little creatures guided by not sense but emotions, which was basically tantamount to having coodies on the playground. Except for all the dragons wanted to just eradicate all the dumb coodie-ridden humans.

One thing that sucked me into this story to begin with in the first book, was Seraphina and her intriguing little garden of grotesques. What an amazing addition to have these inhabitants of the garden be found in the real world throughout this story. Each one of these Ityasaari (half-dragons) had such an interesting story to tell. I so enjoyed getting to know each one of them, of course some more than others, but each of them were compelling in their own ways.

I do feel as if this story started off a little slow, but that realistically could be the fact that this is a really in depth fantasy book, and I read the first one almost two years ago, so it took me a bit to get back in the swing of all the foreign terminology again. Once I had it down though the story really took off. It was nice to get a broader look on this world Hartman created. Seraphina traveled to many lands in Shadow Scale, and I really liked seeing the differences between the communities and the way they think and feel about the dragons and the Ityasaari. I rooted for dear Seraphina to finally all the answers and the peace that she was looking for.

The ending could not have been more perfect! That was a freaking 10 out of 5 star ending. I felt so many things at once! I adored EVERYTHING about it. I think Hartman took some risks here, and in my opinion they paid off in a huge way! Nothing truly ended the way that I had initially expected, it was 1,000 times more awesome. I also want to mention the writing in this book, it is incredibly beautiful! The imagery created here was breathtaking. Such a wonderful story, told in such a eloquent way.

*Sigh* Why can't there be dragons in real life.

I received a copy of this ARC from Random House Chikdren's via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

This is my 2nd Alice Clayton book, and she is quickly on her way to becoming a favorite author of mine. All the things that I enjoyed in the first book, Wallbanger, were present again in Rusty Nailed, and the one thing that I wasn't a fan of in Wallbanger was almost non existent in this book! That's right, no more multiple "O" references. YAY!! I couldn't have asked for anything more.


I think my favorite thing about this book, besides Clive because....I mean Clive is the best! OK, so Clive excluded, my favorite thing, is easily the fact that Clayton manages to relentlessly grab your attention and enrapture you with the beauty and the struggle of the mundane. So many contemporary romances now seem to have some huge drama going on, past traumas, stalkers, etc., and while I do immensely enjoy a bunch of those stories, sometimes it's also nice to get something different too.Sometimes just figuring out how to navigate life, a new relationship, or even just keeping a romance going after the "honeymoon" period is over, can be enough to keep a reader engaged. It was more than enough in this story. I loved seeing Caroline and Simon growing together, learning more about each other, and learning how to progress together, in their relationship and in life. It was through lots of trial and error and I found a lot of it to be incredibly relatable.


I also enjoy the fact that even the secondary characters are interesting. I just love the whole dynamic of this mashed up group of friends coming together! Even when some of them are at odds with one another they are an absolute riot. That's definitely another favorite thing of mine in this series, the humor. These books are full of honest to goodness laugh out loud moments. You don't even know how many times I burst out laughing while reading this, which of course got me some funny looks from my family, but it could not be contained.


I couldn't put Rusty Nailed down! Just like with Wallbanger, I devoured this in one night. It kept me up until the wee hours of the morning, and I wouldn't dare complain about a missed minute of sleep, it was totally worth it. If you're looking for a well written, light hearted, hilarious and fun contemporary romance, than look no further, because this is the series you need to start!

I have read, and loved, plenty of Nalini Singh books before, all of which were Paranormal Romance. So it was interesting to read Rock Hard and see what this author could do without that Paranormal aspect. Honestly, this book was well done. As always the characters Nalini writes were compelling and there's that same, almost tortuous, but completely delicious, build up of sexual tension.


There was a more serious plot line here, as Charlotte was dealing with moving forward and healing after a traumatic experience in her past. But it still managed to have it's lighter moments with their cute little idiosyncrasies like their hysterical pet names for each other, T-rex and Charlie Mouse. The chapter titles were always good for a quick giggle as well.


The romance here was a fair mix of smoking hot and sweet. Charlie and Gabriel's romantic relationship may have moved slowly in most aspects, but Gabriel's filthy mouth had the heat level up to hells fire. I may have even blushed myself a time or two, and I'm no mouse like Charlie was! Charlotte was painfully shy at the beginning, I rather enjoyed that Gabriel constantly pushed her buttons to get her mad enough to stand up for herself, rather than cower in the corner.


All in all this was a good contemporary romance book. I'm not really sure if I will love this series as much as I do her PNR Guild Hunter series, but I'd definitely keep on reading and see where it all goes.


I received a copy of this book from TKA Distribution via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

4.5 stars


Another great addition to the Reveler series! This might actually be my favorite Reveler book yet! There was so much going on in this one, it was non stop pulse pounding action. A lot of really huge things happened for it being such a little book. I really dug the Inception/Matrix vibe it had going throughout this one. It is unnerving to imagine being able to tell the difference between dreams and reality anymore, and I thought that added an extra layer of intrigue to this story.

The nightmares are now running a muck in the waking world, and basically all hell is breaking loose, while our favorite rag tag team of Revelers are trying to fight the powers that be. I love the idea of these nightmares! I kind of picture them along the lines of Dementors from Harry Potter, all dark, ominous and like soul sucking leaches.

I think it's truly frightening that they are now venturing beyond the scrape and terrorizing and ultimately stealing people from the waking world. I also LOVED that we got a glimpse of the legendary Sandman. He was more than I was bargaining for, and I can't wait to find out even more about him! I also really like the idea of these halflings, half nightmare, half human. Mirren was really interesting, and I thought it was pretty awesome that she could control the dream sand, which essentially makes up everything in dreams. Her and Vince hooking up was a pretty cool combo too. I actually came to appreciate Vince's crazy by the end of this too.

This world that Kellison has created just seems to keep getting better and better! I am really looking forward to seeing what see comes up with next!


I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review