"The Lame and Forged Mail Order Bride" by Florence Linnington

When Belle learns that her Father planned to send her younger sister off as a mail order bride, Belle knew she couldn't let that happen. Instead, she left in her sister's stead, expecting to find an older or cruel man. But what she found was a man her own age, who had a small homestead and a young son. She marries him, but as he was expecting a woman named Susie, she tells him that her younger sister was named Belle. 

This was a sweet tale of two people finding love and overcoming a number of challenges and difficulties that come their way. It brings to the fore the question of whether love can be built between two people based on a lie, even if that lie was made with nothing but the best of intentions behind it.

Ms Linnington is very good at writing heartwarming tales that include a life lesson in them. Most often, those lessons involve being honest with one another, and not being afraid to tell someone what you are thinking and feeling. This one seems to be about the power of honesty and forgiveness. And even if you aren't reading Ms. Linnington's books for their life lessons, they are still very enjoyable and sweet tales that always have a happy ending, even when it looks like that might be a difficult ending to find.

I received an Advance Review Copy of this book from the author, and believe that if, like me, you enjoy mail-order bride stories, western romances, historical fiction, or have enjoyed any of Ms. Linnington's other books, then I am sure that you'll enjoy this one too.

This book may also be available through the following:

https://books2read.com/u/meXOgr

"Queen's Incubus" by Honey Cummings

Velechka is the First Crowned Princess of Aurelia, but she has been taught from early on not to questions the decisions made for her by others, regarding everything from what foods she wants to eat or what color and style of clothing she prefers, to who her father and the council intend for her to marry and when. She has been taught the hard way, not to disagree or ask for something other than what she is given. That is simply her life as a royal.

But things change when she learns that the "Whore King" has demanded that she was to become one of his harem, and instead of sending her, the council decides instead her younger, underage sister, should be delivered into a life of certain misery instead. Then Valechka finds her determination and her voice and stands up to the men running her kingdom and sets out to take control of her own fate. She makes a magical deal with the Advisor of Iniquity to train her in techniques of seduction that will aid her in gaining the title of Queen to the Whore King rather than merely becoming just another princess in his harem. The only requirement is that her petal (her virginity) must remain intact or the deal that was made with the Whore King will be void and war will likely overrun her country.

Starting out with the obvious, this is erotica, complete with a great deal of very graphic sex, and includes some trigger warnings for violence, rape, and abuse. It's no secret that I am not a fan of erotica, but was asked to read this book anyway. (I received an advance review copy.) And I was surprised by how entertaining I found the story.  The main characters were fascinating, and parts of this book nearly had me in tears for the fate that they seemed to be doomed and forced into. 

This book is a serial on the Yonder app. If you are a fan of very graphic and descriptive erotica, but also enjoy tales with an excellent story that drives the sexual encounters forward (as opposed to one where the sex is the story without much plot to move things forward) then you will likely enjoy this one. I know I was pleasantly surprised by it.

You can find this book in the Yonder app.

https://m.yonderstory.com/titles/1304

"The Sea of the Vanities" by Lou Kemp.

Cass has been traveling across the southern continent. She is a renowned singer who is fleeing a scandal and her memories, though no matter how far she goes, both still seem to find her.  She is currently taking passage on the sailing ship "Passat," hoping for a nice quiet trip. Unfortunately, fate seems to have other plans.

I received an Advanced Review Copy of this book, and enjoyed this seafaring tale of adventure, murder, pirates and a touch of the paranormal. It was set in the 1800s, and I found the story and the characters quite captivating.  Traveling across oceans in the days when pirate ships roamed free was often dangerous, and the pirates in this book were more than a little bloodthirsty. But they weren't the only dangers the Passat's passengers would encounter.

So far as I could tell, the setting and the characters in the book were fairly accurate portrayals for the time, and their stories added to my enjoyment of this book. I know that I'm being rather vague about this one, but I don't want to risk spoiling the plot for you. This was a companion book to a series that I have not read, though after reading this book, I want to track down Ms. Kemp's other books to find out what I've missed.

I think that if you enjoy tales of adventure, pirates, and ocean voyages, that you would likely enjoy this book too. Just be warned, there are some rape scenes in this book. And while most of it takes place "off camera" it leaves little doubt that rape was involved.

This book is also available through the following retailers:

https://books2read.com/celwyncompanion01

"Nothing Will Be Left" by October Kane

In the nice, quiet little town of Quill Point, something evil stirs as an unusual cloud appears, blotting out the sky. When the storm breaks, it brings a destructive earthquake. Phones stop working and cars won't run. Then, when groups of people start trying to walk to the next town, that's when things start getting really bad, and people start getting killed. But are the beings doing the killing aliens, demons, or something completely different? That's something no one seems to know, along with why it was happening. Or whether or not the whole world was affected or just this one town.

This was a very creepy horror novel. For me, it evoked a feeling of early Stephen King novels combined with old Twilight Zone episodes. It did manage to send some shivers down my spine more than once. This is a full-on horror story, complete with all the violence and gore you would expect to see in a scary movie. So if you enjoy reading books that are meant to frighten, then I believe this one might be right up your alley.

I received an Advance Review Copy of this book and will be watching for book 2 in this series to become available. I may not often read horror stories the way I did back when I was in high school, but this one left me wanting to know what happens next. And obviously for that, I'll need to wait for book 2 to be released.

This book can also be found through the following retailers:

https://books2read.com/quillpoint01

"Antique Magic" by Kait Disney-Leugers

Brie is a graduate student, sharing an apartment with her brother and looking for a part time job to help them make ends meet. She finds one working at what appears to be a small, not very busy antique shop. The owner seems to be a cranky, but sexy man, and the clientele are also rather odd, to say the least. And the strangest thing? Even though the store does appear to be open to anyone, part of her job is to chase away any tourists who wander in. What kind of antique shop doesn't want tourists to shop there? Clearly there's more going on than meets the eye.

This was a fun and interesting paranormal urban fantasy novel that I received a review copy to read. The customers of the store are all manner of magical beings, from fae, to vampires and everything in between. Many are friendly (some almost too friendly, like the incubus who visits the store), while others are not so friendly. Including one who actively dislikes her, and leaves her feeling threatened whenever he is around. Why though, comes as a bit of a surprise to her.

This was, in my opinion, primarily a paranormal romance with a number of twists along the way. I thought it a fun story, and one that I believe most people who enjoy paranormal fantasy books would enjoy. Do be aware that there are a few sex scenes in this book. Not many, but they aren't The "fade to black" style.

This book is also available through the following retailers:

https://books2read.com/magicloveandmischief01

"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