"To be Normal" by Jessica Salina

In the City of Riverpeak, Colorado, a group of friends have been helping a superhero who goes by the name of Hematite. Hematite can't die. He uses his powers to fight evil and try to rid his city of the corruption infesting the east side. Drugs are being produced and sold, and young women are going missing. When Hannah, a popular fantasy author moves to town, Hematite is suspicious. Is her arrival merely a coincidence? Or is she part of the drug ring?

I received an Advance Review Copy of this book. It was the second book in this series, and after reading it I want to track down book 1 to learn more about Hematite's origins. And then of course, I'll need to wait for the release of book 3. This series has captured my interest, making me want to learn more. As someone who collected and wide read a variety of comic books over the years, naturally a book about a small town superhero would capture my attention.

If you enjoy books about superheroes or, like me, enjoyed reading comic books as a kid, then I think you will enjoy this book just as much as I did.

This book can also be found from the following retailers:

https://books2read.com/riverpeak02

"The Quarter Mage" by Angelina J Steffort

Princess Sanja tried to run from an arranged marriage to a cruel man. But after being brought back & married despite her unwillingness, her new husband has her father immediately killed and has her stabbed with the two bodies disposed of. However the man who was supposed to kill her, once he has her away from her new husband, does what he can to heal her. Then he sends her off to hide in the neighboring faerie kingdom. Faeries, however, enjoy tormenting humans. And without the help of a human mage who takes her in as an apprentice, she would likely have been dead within a matter of days.

I received a review copy of this book, and I enjoyed it a great deal. The characters were interesting, and the human/faerie interactions made quite clear the often malevolent fascination that each had with the other. It also left me with some questions about the faerie prince that I hope will be answered in book 2 of this series. Because to me, he certainly seems to be more than a little interested in her, but it's not quite clear if in the future he is meant to become a friend or foe, both or neither.

This book left me wanting to read the next one in the series, which I plan on doing soon. I found it to be an unusual and interesting fantasy novel, and if you enjoy books involving the interactions of those who are born without magic, those who can learn it, and faeries, as well as stolen kingdoms, then give this one a try. I think you'll enjoy it too.

This book may also be available through the following retailers:

https://books2read.com/u/3GpzeL

“An Ideal Vessel” by Sarah Hans

Zuzanna has a job cleaning an exhibit at the 1993 World’s Fair. One night, after everyone else had left, one of the automatons in the exhibit comes to life. It claims that it is a spirit possessing the form and needs help. It is on a mission to hunt down a demon who has escaped from another realm and is wreaking havoc and death wherever it goes. The demon must be found and destroyed before it can commit even more harm than it already has.

This was a shorter book with a darker theme than I normally read, but I enjoyed this story. It ended feeling like there is or will be a sequel (and I may have to hunt it down.) But even if there is not one, this story is a complete and interesting tale, even if the theme is a bit darker than my usual tastes. In my opinion, it carries a bit of a Frankenstein’s monster theme about it that I believe many would likely enjoy.

This book may be found at the following retailers:

https://books2read.com/u/bWpzXY

"Bells and Bombshells" by Trixie Silvertale

The week before her wedding to Sheriff Erick Harper is a big one for Mitzi, full of unexpected surprises. First, Erick retires as the town's Sheriff, with Deputy Paulson, being named as acting Sheriff until the next election. So what will he be doing now? He has surprised her with the opening of Harper / Moon private investigations, where they will work together solving crimes. And just before their wedding, they have their first case… finding out who has killed 2 people, leaving Mitzi's mentor and friend Silas being blamed for the murders. 

This was the first book in the new Harper/Moon series and was just as good as the previous Mitzi Moon series. Watching the former Sheriff realize how much more difficult solving crimes without the authority he used to have helped to make this book even more entertaining. Watching him try to come up with an on the spot cover identity and backstory showed that in some ways Mitzy was ahead of the game in this case. I very much enjoyed reading this book and will be looking forward to the next one.

If you enjoy cozy mysteries, the previous Mitzy Moon books, or books with a large paranormal component, then I think you will enjoy this one too.

This book is available from the following retailers:

https://books2read.com/u/bPL5PA

 

"Us of Legendary Gods" by Nick Savage

The main characters are a group of high school teens, living ordinary lives, just trying to make it through to graduation and then go on to college. But are they really nothing more than anyone else? Or, as someone seems to believe, are they something else? Something dangerous that needs to be studied and destroyed? And what exactly is it that someone suspects they are? And why?

I really enjoyed this book.  It was a very unique take on the traditional vampire/werewolf/mythical creature stories; one that makes a lot of sense if you think about it, but at the same time was a concept that I had not seen previously explored. And as one might expect from a "monster" story, there is violence, bloodshed, as well as some other potentially triggering topics explored, though those subjects seem to be handled as carefully as possible.

And when I got to the end of the story, I wasn't ready for it to be over. Fortunately, book 2 is available already, and I immediately had to buy a copy. (In other words, the ending left me really wanting to know what happens next.) Obviously, I can't give the ending away, but it really left me holding my breath at the end and very glad that the next book was already available. 

If you like stories of the paranormal and new takes on old legends, vampires, werewolves, and other mythical beings, I think you'll love this book as much as I did. It's not your typical vampire or werewolf story. Recommended.

This book is also available from the following retailers:

https://books2read.com/u/b5WrNG

"A Baby for Florence" by Samantha Price

A pregnant Florence and her Husband Carter are over the moon excited that they will be welcoming a baby into their family. Will it be a means to reunite Florence and her stepmother, or will they continue to remain estranged. In the meantime, as always there remains drama among the rest of the Baker Family.

This ninth book in the Bonnet Sisters series is a sweet tale that lifts the reader's spirits. It showcases how things can always improve if you keep believing they can. It was is a quick read but very enjoyable and entertaining. Anyone who has enjoyed any of the previous books in the series or simply enjoys amish romance books will also enjoy this one as much as did.

"The Mighty Hook" by Mark Tarrant

Most everyone has heard the story of Peter Pan, the boy who never grew up, his lost boys, and the evil pirate Captain Hook. Well, this is a very different take on that story; one that made a lot of sense to me. After all, if Peter Pan was a vampire who was turned while young, he would always be the boy in the tale. But he clearly wouldn't be the "good guy" of the story. Which turns the story into one where Captain Hook is the hero instead. 

I will admit that it wasn't a twist that I expected, but one that made a lot of sense when thought about. And it was a very interesting take on the story. I was fascinated to learn how James Hook  became the famous pirate we are familiar with, met Peter Pan and his fairy friend Belle as well as Hook's nemesis, the infamous crocodile that took his hand. And there is a lot more to this twist on Hook's tale.

I  received a review copy of this book from the publisher and enjoyed it a great deal.  I believe that anyone who enjoys twisted fairy tales, vampires, and  Peter Pan/Captain Hook's rivalry will find it as entertaining as I did.

This book is also available from other retailers through:

https://books2read.com/mightyhook