Tag: book review

Audiobook Review: Jake (The Protectors #26) by Teresa Gabelman

Posted on by Kim

Jake (The Protectors #26) by Teresa Gabelman

Read/Listened to: 23rd–25th July 2026

Publication Date: 28th June 2023

Audio Publication Date: 23rd June 2026

Audiobook Published by: Tantor Media Inc (Recorded Books)

My Rating: 5/5

So, before we get into what I thought about Jake, a little disclaimer. I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook from Recorded Books for an honest review. All opinions are my own. Thanks for the copy.

Jake — Worth Every Emotional Punch

If you’ve read any of my reviews before, you’ll know that I don’t post spoilers of any kind or reveal any plot twists in my book reviews. Here’s what the official blurb has to say about the story:

After a tragic accident, Jake, former Dark Guardian, not only mourned losing his wife but carried the burden of a secret that only one other living person knew. Confronting that secret was the only way Jake could fight his heavy guilt when a beautiful ballerina dances into his life.

Jessie Reed loves everything about dance, but it didn’t pay the bills. Getting a job working with Nicole Callahan, Jessie is thrown into the VC Warrior and Dark Guardian world where she meets Jake, who saves her life not once, but twice.

Tormented by his feelings for Jessie, Jake still can’t seem to stay away from her, not realizing she had battles of her own. Slowly they build a bond that is shaky at best. As Jake and Jessie fight against the guilt that weighs heavily on them, neither realizes that a message from beyond the grave can give them the freedom of happiness.

Contains mature themes.

Each book in this fast-paced series focuses on the romance between one Warrior and his mate. However, the demon threat story arc began in previous books. Be warned, future books will continue this story arc. Although Teresa weaves the main points about any previous story-lines into this one, in all honestly, I’m unsure whether Jake can be read as a standalone story. I think you’d miss the nuances of knowing the existing characters, understanding the dynamics of relationships, and be familiar with the adventures to date if you jump straight in.

I am a huge fan of Teresa Gabelman’s writing, and this series has had my heart in a vice grip from the very beginning. Jake was no exception; if anything, it tightened that grip considerably.

A Character Whose Story Was Long Overdue

Jake has been a presence in the background for several books now, and I’d always been intrigued by him. On the surface, he seemed like your archetypal Dark Guardian: a rule-breaking badass with killer instincts, someone who would fight demons — literally — by any means necessary. But there were glimpses of something deeper beneath all that. Flashes of a pain he carried quietly. A tragedy he’d never quite found his way through.

This book finally gave Jake the spotlight he deserved, and I found his story genuinely moving. His backstory is heartbreaking, made all the more so because we only ever saw fragments of it before. Knowing what we know about him now, those earlier glimpses take on a whole new weight. Teresa handled his journey with a sensitivity and emotional depth that I wasn’t quite prepared for — and I mean that as the highest possible compliment.

As with all of Teresa’s alpha characters, Jake’s over-protectiveness occasionally veered into the territory of utterly, frustratingly smothering. But then his capacity to love — body and soul — would come roaring back, and all was forgiven.Every single time. Lol!

Jessie Reed — An Instant Girl-Crush

I’d been introduced to Jessie in A Warrior Thanksgiving, and from the moment she appeared on the page I adored her. She held her own with the Warriors, completely unfazed by huge, muscled — and occasionally intimidating — vampires. She could banter. She had backbone. In short, Jessie was exactly the kind of woman I love seeing in this series.

Watching her and Jake find their way towards each other was a joy, even when it was painful. They both carry such a weight of guilt, and I loved how Teresa allowed those wounds to exist alongside the growing connection between them rather than rushing past them. The bond they build is tentative and unsteady at first — shaky at best, as the blurb puts it — and that felt entirely right.

Teresa’s Ever-Expanding World

One of the things I love most about this series is how Teresa continues to grow and evolve the world she’s created. The danger these characters face doesn’t come from a single source — it comes from all directions, often when you least expect it. Just when you think you know what you’re in for, she pulls the rug from beneath your feet.

Jake was no different. I found myself gasping at moments I genuinely didn’t see coming and, yes, there may have been some ugly crying involved. But as always, the humour and warmth shine through too, and Teresa strikes that balance beautifully — the lighter moments breathe without diminishing the emotional stakes.

Jeffrey Kafer — Still the Voice of the VC Warriors

Jeffrey Kafer remains, for me, the definitive voice of this world. His narration brings every character to life with an ease and authenticity that makes listening feel like coming home. He captures Jake’s complexity — the gruffness, the grief, the dry humour — with remarkable nuance, and the emotional moments land exactly as they should. I was never confused about who was speaking, even in the busier ensemble scenes. Jeff simply IS these characters, and I honestly can’t imagine anyone else in this role.

A Stunning Addition to the Series

Jake delivered everything I’ve come to love about Teresa Gabelman:

  • ✅ gripping action,
  • ✅ emotional depth,
  • ✅ romance with real heat, and
  • ✅ characters who feel utterly real.

More than that, it gave a character I’d been quietly rooting for the story he richly deserved.

I closed this audiobook with a full heart and that familiar, slightly bereft feeling that comes at the end of a brilliant read. Fans of the series will not be disappointed — and I am already desperate to know what comes next.

Warning:
Because of the graphic violence and sexual content, I recommend Jake to adults who can handle such scenes and enjoy relationship and romance stories with gritty plots and plenty of passion.

So, has my review of JAKE (THE PROTECTORS #26) encouraged you to find out more? I really hope so. Just click on the links below to check out the book yourself or to find out more about the author.

See JAKE on Goodreads.com

Visit TERESA GABELMAN‘s own little corner of the web. Support her by buying a copy of this (or any of her books) directly from her website!

Take a look at my profile on Goodreads to see the other books I’ve read, or read more reviews here on The BG Blog.

Review: Viktor (The Protectors #14) by Teresa Gabelman

Posted on by Kim

Viktor (The Protectors #14) by Teresa Gabelman

Read: 6th – 7th May 2019

Publication Date: 27th April 2019

My Overall Rating: 5/5

Plot: 5/5 – Flow: 5/5 – Character Development: 5/5 – World Building: 5/5

Quote from Viktor

“Okay, maybe she [Lacey] hadn’t been had. She stared at his fangs and frowned. One looked a little crooked. Did vampires need braces? That thought had her clearing her throat to cover the chuckle she felt building. Thankfully, the waiter picked that moment to come to their table.”

So what’s this book about?

Viktor is the thirteenth book (approx 287 pages) in Teresa Gabelman’s highly popular paranormal romance series, The Protectors. The series is about an elite group of vampire warriors who work for the Vampire Council. The Warriors police their laws and protect the innocent, whether human or those of their own race. This story takes place in and around Cincinnati, USA. We have known about the existence of vampires for less than a decade. Werewolves only came out a year ago, and it seems that more of the paranormal world is on the brink of exposure to the human world.

If you’ve read any of my reviews before, you’ll know that I don’t post spoilers of any kind or reveal any plot twists in my book reviews.

So here’s what the official blurb has to say about the story:

After having his life shattered by the woman who held his heart, Viktor Valentino put work before everything. Many years later, learning the truth behind his lover’s deceit, his anger shifts to the man responsible for not only her betrayal but her gruesome death. Viktor throws himself into finding him to not only appease his rage but to possibly save humanity.

Lacey Cruz has always wanted to be a writer, but she’s never had the chance to pursue her passion. After being fired from a company she was employed with since graduating high school, she now has plenty of time on her hands.

Lover of all things paranormal, Lacey sets out to do research in hopes that special something will fall in her lap. Something does in the guise of a powerful vampire warrior. What Lacey doesn’t realize is she may be the heroine in her own real-life novel.

Each book in this fast-paced series, focuses on the romance between one Warrior and his mate. However, the main story arc regarding the warlock Orjyll and the demon threat, began in the previous books. It is left to run into subsequent ones, too. Ms Gabelman weaves the main points about any previous story-lines into this one. But in all honestly, I’m unsure whether Viktor can be read as a standalone story. I think you’d miss the nuances of knowing the existing characters, understanding the dynamics of relationships, and be familiar with the adventures to date if you jump straight in.

So, what did I like about it?

I am already a huge fan of Teresa Gabelman’s writing style. I find her books easy to read, her plots are gripping, the pace is fast but never feels rushed. I’m further drawn into the world with strong main characters, and a fantastic array of supporting cast (both human and supernatural). Her characters are totally believable and leave me addicted, desperate for more! Viktor was worth waiting for.

I must be honest and confess that when we met Viktor Valentino in The Invisible Warrior my heart did a little pitter-patter; he’s exactly the sort of alpha that gets my tummy tingling. I couldn’t wait to read his book. Lacey Cruz is also everything that I look for in a lead female character; she’s intelligent, got a lovely sense of humour and definitely has gumption. I love that she’s an aspiring paranormal romance author and computer expert. Lacey’s another first class female lead to join the ranks with the other amazing women in this series.

And while we are talking about the other characters in this book, what would we do without Steve; he continues to be the comic relief and had me laughing my arse off numerous times throughout this book (until you made me cry Ms Gabelman). My favourite VC Warrior, Jill, stole quite a few scenes and is still as fabulous as ever! In fact, I loved the way that a lot of the other couples relationships developed in this book too. Seasoned VC warriors having to come to terms that there are things in this world that they are powerless to protect against. Oh, and I enjoyed meeting Charger, a fellow vampire and a Dark Guardian. I really hope we get a spin-off series about these alpha heroes too.

I love the VC Warriors, they all hold a special place in my heart. The paranormal world that Ms Gabelman has created for them is changing and growing. It’s expanding to include more supernatural beings such as the witches, warlocks and demons that we have recently encountered. Where magic is involved the Warriors have to evolve and change their tactics to succeed. I am looking forward to reading how the series evolves, along with our swoon-worthy vampire Warriors.

I loved that this book had me blubbering like a baby, got my blood boiling with anger and frustration, had me biting my nails with tension but also had me laughing my socks off, sent tingles of titillation to all the right spots *blush* and warmed my old romantic heart.

So, ummm, was there anything I disliked about it?

There wasn’t anything about this book that grated or niggled, which is why I rated it 5 stars.

I will just also say that The Protectors series has some long running story arcs — Crimson Rush (the illegal trade in vampire blood), human trafficking, and the rise in dark witch related crimes — to name but a few. I will confirm that some mysteries are concluded within these pages, while others are left to continue. But, there is no life-or-death cliffhanger ending for our romantic couple.

Ms Gabelman does attempt to weave basic details into her books so that new readers are not completely lost. However, I don’t think that you will get as much enjoyment from Viktor without having read at least the last couple of books in the series first. I feel that you’d miss an awful lot jumping straight in.

So, basically what I’m saying is…

This book left me breathless; I couldn’t put it down! It’s got everything that I look for in a 5 star book: action, romance, a gripping story-line, humour (like most Brits, I love good banter), and well written, erotic sex scenes.

Due to the graphic violence and sexual content I’d recommend Viktor to adults who aren’t offended by scenes of this nature who are fans of relationship and romance tales with gritty story-lines and oodles of passion.

So, has my review of VIKTOR (THE PROTECTORS #13) encouraged you to find out more? I really hope so. Just click on any of the links below to check out the book yourself or to find out more about the author.

See VIKTOR on Goodreads.com.

Visit TERESA GABELMAN‘s own little corner of the web. Support her by buying a copy of this book (paperback, ebook, or audio) directly from her website!

Check out my profile on Goodreads to see the other books I’ve read, or read more reviews here on The BG Blog.

Guest Post: Rosie’s Book Review Team

Posted on by Kim

Hello everyone. Today is a Guest Post: Rosie’s Book Review Team.

At the beginning of the month, I introduced you all to Rosie @ Rosie Amber in my Book Bloggers Unveiled post. In that interview, Rosie told me that she also runs a book review team. A collection of book bloggers who review a wide range of stories.

I had to know more!

I’ve invited Rosie back today to The BG Blog to tell us more. This guest post will reveal how her team of book blogging reviewers came about. Why she feels RBRT is a great resource for self-publishing authors and smaller independent publishers.

It’s over to you, Rosie.

Rosie’s Book Review Team

new round Rosie's Book Review Team #RBRT

I started my book blog ten years ago. For the last eight years, I’ve successfully run a review team alongside my own reading list. 

During that time, we have done our best to spread the word about novels, novellas, short stories and non-fiction from self-published authors and independent publishers – to showcase talent found outside the mainstream publishing world.

The team idea came about because I was getting many submissions for books in genres that I was less keen to read. 

Also, I wanted to encourage more readers to write reviews. I created a book review challenge project, which was a great success; I then asked several of those who had taken part if they would like to join a team.  Happily, most of them said yes!

Each month we are inundated with review requests from authors and publishers alike.  Every book that I accept is passed on to my team of twenty readers, which is made up of an international mix of book bloggers, writers, editors, creative writing tutors and the reading public.  Most books gain just one or two reviews, but once in a while a gem comes along that piques the interest of several team members and receives highly favourable reviews across the board.

We mainly use e-books which can be sent as .mobi  or e-pub file to us. This involves little or no cost to the author. Once a month or so, I send a list of accepted submissions to the team, and they pick which one(s) they would like to read. I ask that they review the book within 4-6 weeks, but I don’t give deadlines.

The reviewer will post the review on at least two sites; Goodreads and Amazon are where most authors like to see a review, but some also post to other sites like BookBub.  Most of the team have their own book blog (though this is not a requirement) where they post any team review; they will also send me a copy to post on my blog at a later date, with full credit to the reviewer.

From the author’s point of view, the benefits of submitting to my review team are many.

Often, a book will be chosen by more than one reviewer, which saves them having to apply to multiple book blogs.  Once read, an author will have the review of their book posted on up to six sites. 

As for the team, I am delighted to say that we all get on so well, and some of us have met up a few times in real life.  I never anticipated that running my book blog would make me some great new friends – this was an unexpected bonus!

The team is constantly evolving; over the years members have come and gone; sometimes life gets in the way and a person may not have the time or headspace to review for a while, but obviously, I understand this and there is never any pressure.  I am lucky to have a core of supportive, reliable reviewers who have read for me month in, month out, over the years.

To date, the team have reviewed over 2000 books in a wide range of genres.

If you’d like to join our team you can find out more about it here.

Or, if you would like to submit a book for review, then here is the page that you need.

Find team review posts on Twitter using #RBRT (Rosie’s Book Review Team)

Thank you, Rosie, for giving us an insight into your fabulous team of book reviewers.

Before you go, if you missed it, why not read Rosie’s Book Bloggers Unveiled interview now. Find out more about her life on and off the blog.

Help Your Favourite Author – Write a Book Review

Posted on by Kim

Good book reviews are an author’s bread and butter.

The publishing world is full of great books. Publishers spend huge amounts of money marketing their authors’ books. However, many authors choose to self-publish their novels so they don’t get the financial backing or a marketing or PR department showcasing their book. Help your favourite self-published author by leaving a review on the retailers website.

Hello fellow book lovers. It’s lovely to be back on The BG Blog. My last post about Kindle Unlimited was so well received that Kim asked me to write another post. This time I decided to share a “How-to” post. Today, it’s how to write book reviews.

I’ve been writing and publishing my book reviews for over four years now but before that I was an avid reader.

I know that other readers will be interested in my opinions about the books I read because before I buy a book, I always check out its ratings and reviews. C’mon, I’m not alone, you do too, don’t you? Whether you’ve loved the book or not, I think that if you give your honest thoughts and reasons why, then you will be helping people to find new books that are right for them.

Of course, at first I didn’t know how to start or what to write so I went online and read loads of how-to articles and blog posts. My best advice? Imagine that you’re talking to someone who’s asking you whether they should read the book. Don’t copy anyone else’s style – be yourself!

These are the 6 aspects that all of my reviews have in common and a few tips on what to think about as you start writing.

 1. Start with a couple of sentences describing what the book is about

What genre is it? What world is it set in? As a general rule, to avoid giving any spoilers or revealing plot twists, don’t mention anything that happens from about the middle of the book onwards; I usually include the book’s blurb in my opening which covers that. If the book is part of a series, it can be useful to mention this and whether you think you’d need to have read other books in the series to enjoy this one.

2. Discuss what you particularly liked about the book

Try to focus on your thoughts and feelings about the story and the way it was told. You could try answering a couple of the following questions:

  • Who was your favourite character, and why?
  • Did the characters feel real to you?
  • Did the story keep you guessing?
  • What was your favourite part of the book, and why?
  • Were certain types of scene written particularly well – for example sad scenes, tense scenes, mysterious ones…?
  • Did the book make you laugh or cry?
  • Did the story grip you and keep you turning the pages?

3. Mention anything you disliked about the book

Talk about why you think it didn’t work for you. Be a critic not a nasty bitch. For example:

  • Did you wish the ending hadn’t been a cliffhanger because you found it frustrating?
  • Did you find it difficult to care about a main character, and could you work out why?
  • Was the story too scary for your liking, or did it focus on a theme you didn’t find interesting?

4. Round up your review

And lastly you should summarise some of your thoughts on the book by suggesting the type of reader you’d recommend the book to. For example: younger readers, older readers, fans of relationship drama/mystery stories/comedy. Are there any books or series you would compare it to? Are there any triggers or content that could offend?

5. You can give the book a rating, for example a mark out of five or even ten, if you like!

I use the Goodreads rating system to keep it simple, although I’ve started adding mini ratings for the book’s plot, the general flow and pace of the tale, character development throughout the book and the world building.

6. Include the links back to the author and any purchase links for the book

I’m writing reviews to help fellow readers find their next can’t put it down book so I don’t want to leave them without saying where they can buy it from! I also add a link back to the author’s website and where they can be found on social media – Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc.

So, that’s it!

If you haven’t written a review before I hope that this has de-mystified the process a bit for you. Feel free to check out the reviews I’ve posted on my blog (Flora’s Musings). Or alternatively, leave me a comment below.

Authors need book reviews, especially those self-publishing their own books. They rely on word of mouth recommendations and every review counts, even if it’s only a couple of sentences. Remember, your opinions matter.

Bye for now, I’m off to read a book!

Flora x

Review: The Lasaran (Aldebarian Alliance #1) by Dianne Duvall

Posted on by Kim

The Lasaran (Aldebarian Alliance #1) by Dianne Duvall

Read: 16th – 18th May 2020

Publication Date: 21st April 2020

My Overall Rating: 5/5

If you’ve read any of my reviews before, you’ll know, I don’t post spoilers of any kind or reveal any plot twists in my book reviews.

Here’s what the official blurb has to say about the story:

New York Times bestselling author Dianne Duvall brings readers the first novel in a thrilling new sci-fi series full of action, intrigue, humor, and romance.

Taelon searches the galaxy for his younger sister, who mysteriously disappeared while on a diplomatic mission. When an ally reveals that she was seized and is being held prisoner on Earth, Taelon descends upon the blue planet, intent on freeing her and exacting vengeance. However, all does not go as planned. Before he can find her, Taelon is captured and becomes the subject of torturous experiments. For what feels like an eternity, all he knows is pain and fury… until a mind tentatively touches his own and a woman’s voice forever changes his world.

After suffering tragic losses, Lisa is finally beginning to carve out a future for herself when chance sends her to the Anomalous Cognition Research Institute. What at first appears to be a benign organization seeking participants for a psychic study instead turns out to be a government facility harboring a much darker intent. Lisa discovers this too late and soon becomes the unwilling subject of a terrifying experiment. Just as fear and desperation threaten to consume her, a deep, compelling voice penetrates the looming insanity and lends her hope.

Having seen only the worst of humanity, Taelon is shocked when Lisa risks everything to free him. Together the two make their escape, and Taelon finds himself fascinated by the small human woman who—despite all she’s suffered—can still laugh and tease and lure smiles from him. Friendship swiftly grows between them as they work together to evade soldiers intent on capturing them and find themselves hunted by mystifying preternatural beings. Through it all, Lisa steadfastly remains by his side, stealing more of his heart each day while she helps him unravel the mystery of his sister’s fate. Can they find his sister before the hunters find them? If they survive their quest, will Taelon have to bid Lisa farewell… or can he coax her into leaving her planet and joining him for the adventure of a lifetime?

So, what did I think about it?

I really love Ms Duvall’s writing style and find her books very easy to read (but impossible to put down! Lol!). She writes intelligent, engaging stories with a collection of well written characters, set against an imaginative world that cleverly mixes fantasy and reality. She makes it so easy to submerse oneself completely in her books. The pace of her stories are usually fast, full of action and contain a couple of plot lines that run alongside the main romantic story arc. But fear not lovely readers, she always manages to pack it all in without making you feel overwhelmed, bewildered or lost.

The Characters

If you’ve read my reviews before, then you’ll know that I connect to a story more when the main female character is intelligent, resilient, self-reliant and has plenty of gumption. I wasn’t disappointed here. Lisa was amazing and someone I could believe in, she certainly had oodles of gumption and a great big heart. In fact, it’s because all of the characters within these pages have been written with personalities that we can see in the real world around us adds that level of believability to this tale for me, even though the majority of them are mythical or extra-terrestrial beings.

I loved The Lasaran and couldn’t put it down! This book had everything that I look for in a 5 star story.

  • ✅ Intelligent writing style that showed us rather than told us.
  • ✅ This was very easy to read and understand the intricacies of the plot.
  • ✅ The main protagonists – Taelon and Lisa – had personalities that felt realistic (even though they’re fictional, fantasy creations).
  • ✅ There was a range and depth of character in the supporting cast that all played their part in the story.
  • ✅ The background to the story and the setting felt believable.
  • ✅ There was a good balanced mix of relationship and/or romance scenes to action scenes.

I was left breathless, wondering where on earth Ms Duvall would take us next in this addictive series! (Pun definitely intended!) 😉

Content Warning!

Due to the graphic nature of the violence and sex scenes, I would only recommend this book to adults who are not offended by content of this sort. Readers who enjoy stories with strong alpha heroes and independent capable heroines, tense and often traumatic and brutal confrontations and hot lust/romance scenes.

This is Dianne’s first foray into the science fiction genre. As a newbie to the genre myself, I was completely captivated and can’t wait to read more.

Find out more about other books I’ve read, take a look at my profile on Goodreads.

Visit DIANNE DUVALL‘s own little corner of the web. Support her by buying a copy of this (or any of her books) directly from her website!

Thank you for stopping by and for taking the time to read my review. I hope that you’ll add this amazing book to your already towering TBR piles! 😉

Review: The Ghost of Marlow House (Haunting Danielle #1) by Bobbi Holmes

Posted on by Kim

The Ghost of Marlow House (Haunting Danielle #1) by Bobbi Holmes

Read: 25th – 29th January 2019

Publication Date: 30th August 2014

My Overall Rating: 4/5

Plot: 4/5 – Flow: 4/5 – Character Development: 4/5 – World Building: 4/5

Quote from The Ghost of Marlow House (Haunting Danielle #1)

“Walt Marlow had adapted to his solitude though there were times he missed sharing a brandy with one of his friends or admiring a pretty young woman”

So what’s this book about?

The Ghost of Marlow House is the first novel (approx 258 pages) in Bobbi Holmes’ cozy paranormal mystery series – Haunting Danielle. Currently 20 books, about a young woman who starts her life anew after she inherits an old house in the seaside town of Frederickport in Oregon.

If you’ve read any of my reviews before, you’ll know that I don’t post spoilers of any kind or reveal any plot twists in my book reviews.

So, here’s what the official blurb has to say about the story.

When Danielle Boatman inherits Marlow House, she dreams of turning it into a seaside bed and breakfast. Since she’s never visited the property, Danielle’s not sure what awaits her in Oregon. She certainly doesn’t expect to find one of the house’s previous owners still in residence. After all, the man has been dead for almost ninety years—shouldn’t he have moved on by now?

Charming Walt Marlow convinces Danielle the only way he can move on is if she solves the mystery of his death. Danielle soon discovers her real problems may come from the living—those who have their sights on Marlow House’s other secrets.

There are no cliffhangers and the “mystery” is solved by the end of the book, so, I think that The Ghost of Marlow House could be read as a standalone title. Although I am keen to find out what Danielle uncovers next.

So, what did I like about it?

The Ghost of Marlow House is currently free on Kindle so I added the audio version as it was offered at a reduced rate too. I alternated between reading and listening to the narration before bed, which has become my favourite way to “read” a book.

Bobbi Holmes is a new-to-me author and I really liked her writing style. I found this book very easy to read. I liked the pace at which her tale progressed and way she wove all the mysteries of this story together – both past and present. Admittedly, I usually work out the mystery in these sorts of books before the big reveal at the end but that wasn’t the case with this one. I loved that! As a narrated book, I was impressed with Romy Nordlinger’s performance. Loving the pace at which she read the story and her tonal adjustments for the dialogue. I would definitely buy books narrated by her in the future.

I loved that the characters, both living and dead, were complex and multi-dimensional. Each character with their own stories; I liked the twists and quirks that Ms Holmes created for them — it made them all feel very believable. I must also add that the fictional town of Frederickport was also richly drawn; steeped with history and charm and so well described, I was easily transported there.

I prefer to read stories with intelligent, witty heroines who have plenty of gumption and resilience and who never give up. Our leading lady here does not disappoint, and her best friend, Lily, isn’t too shabby either.

Although I wouldn’t class this as a romance novel, I did enjoy how the friendship between Danielle and Walt that built throughout this book. As well as the romance between her best friend Lily and mystery man, Ian; the pace felt very natural and realistic in both.

So, ummm, was there anything I disliked about it?

No.

I am pleased to confirm that as there are no cliffhangers (Woop!). The “mystery” is solved by the end of the book. Therefore, I think that The Ghost of Marlow House can easily be read as a standalone title. Although, I am keen to find out what Danielle uncovers next.

So, basically what I’m saying is…

I really enjoyed this book. It’s a great ghostly cozy mystery that has everything I look for in a good story.

  • ✅ Some wonderful characters
  • ✅ A plot that made me chuckle with gentle humour,
  • ✅ Scenes where I shed a tear or two and
  • ✅ a romance that made me root for a happy ending.

I don’t think there is anything in this book that could cause offence. Therefore, I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys ‘cozy mysteries’ with a paranormal focus. I have already added the whole series to my Amazon wish list. Lol!

So, has my review of THE GHOST OF MARLOW HOUSE (HAUNTING DANIELLE #1) encouraged you to find out more? I really hope so. Click on the links below to check out the book yourself, or to find out more about the author.

See THE GHOST OF MARLOW HOUSE on Goodreads.com

Visit BOBBI HOLMES‘ own little corner of the web. Support her by buying a copy of this book directly from her website!

Check out my profile on Goodreads to see the other books I’ve read, or read more reviews here on The BG Blog.

Review: Tom Fool (The Unhappy Medium 2) A supernatural comedy by T.J. Brown

Posted on by Kim

Tom Fool (The Unhappy Medium 2) A supernatural comedy by T.J. Brown

Read: 11th – 15th August 2017

Format: Kindle

My Goodreads Rating: 5 Stars

So, before we get into what I thought about Tom Fool, I want you to know that I was lucky enough to be given a pre-publication digital version for free from the author, Tim Brown, for an honest review. Thanks for the advance copy.

The publication date was 6th August 2017

…So what’s this book about?

Tom Fool, a novel of approx 356 pages, is the second outing into the world of The Unhappy Medium. It is a paranormal novel that features ghosts and other strange creations with a definite satirical point of view. I think would happily sit in the urban fantasy or science fiction genres due to the content/plot.

The world created for The Unhappy Medium books is set in our modern day world. It features evil dead people, evil living people and those tasked with the thankless job of thwarting their evil plans all the while keeping the secrets of the afterlife obscured from human knowledge. The evil doers and adventures change with each book. However, our heroes – called the Purgatorians – remain the same. We have disgraced physicist, Dr Newton Barlow, his resourceful girlfriend, Viv, his ‘Goth’ daughter, Gabby, and the enthusiastic C of E warrior vicar, the Reverend J M Bennet. Other Purgatorians include my personal favourite Neolithic kickass hero ever, the Bonetaker. Oh and I’d better not forget Newton’s line manager and supervisor, Mr Jameson. From the other side of the curtain there’s Dr Alex Sixsmith, Newton’s dearly departed friend, the ever lamenting prison warden in Purgatory, Eric the Greek and the officious but frustratingly anonymous Purgatorial council.

If you’ve read any of my reviews before, you’ll know, I don’t post spoilers of any kind or reveal any plot twists in my book reviews.

Here’s what the official blurb has to say about the story:

Dr Newton Barlow and the Purgatorians are back.

Now that the fight between good and evil has become routine, one-time sceptical physicist and unhappy medium, Dr Newton Barlow, is badly in need of a challenge.

It arrives in the shape of a crime so cunning in its planning, so dastardly in its execution, that even the hyper-logical Dr Barlow will struggle to prevent it.

But with Barlow and his team navigating a flood of mind-curdling distractions, and an adversary that seems to know their every weakness, things are destined to get a little messy for the Purgatorians. Plus, with his girlfriend demanding a slice of the paranormal action, his old employer getting a bit too close to his personal life and his current employer using his home as a hotel, Newton’s challenges are hardly the kind he was seeking.

Missing links, an enigmatic jester and the unexpected nature of portraiture, Tom Fool is a fast and furious comedy about the perils of notoriety.

So, what did I like about it?

Goodness me, practically everything! Where do I begin…

I only discovered Tim Brown this year but I’m becoming quite the fan. His writing style is very easy to read, his descriptions, characters and plot development engage me from the very first page and keep me reading. Oh, and I love the way that he weaves facts, stories and theories from history and science throughout his tales. I really relate to his sense of humour (think Horrible Histories for adults or Pratchett’s Discworld irreverence). Tom Fool did not let me down.

There are a lot of great characters in this book. Some we met in the last book, and some are new to this one. But all of them have their own back-story, complexities and foibles that make them feel real (even the supernatural ones). I loved how both Viv and Gabby developed in this book, and enjoyed witnessing their intelligence and strength thrown into the fray. Some of my favourite scenes featured The Bonetaker; I love his softer side and enjoy seeing him kick some well needed evil arse.

Now of course, being a ‘supernatural comedy’ I found myself smiling, chuckling and outright laughing at the cleverly penned wit. But, the emotions didn’t stop there, the main mystery kept me intrigued, the action and fighting had my adrenaline pumped and the growth of the friendships/relationships made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. In other words, this story kept me guessing and kept me turning the pages – I was gripped.

So, ummm, was there anything I disliked about it?

Nope – hence the 5 stars!

…So, basically what I’m saying is…

This is a great supernatural tale, I really enjoyed it; it was such a fun read! The characters were entertaining, the plot was interesting and I enjoyed the twists & turns. Mr Brown has created a great new world that I hope we’ll see further instalments from.

I would recommend this book if you like adventure stories featuring ghosts, gun toting clergy, irritated physicists, kickass girlfriends and quick minded but sullen teenagers from paranormal, urban fantasy or science fiction genres that are told with a definite tongue in the cheek.

So, has my review of TOM FOOL: THE UNHAPPY MEDIUM 2: A SUPERNATURAL COMEDY sparked your interest in this book, the Unhappy Medium world or the author? Just click on any of the links below to check it all out for yourself.

See TOM FOOL on Goodreads.com

Visit T.J. BROWN‘s own little corner of the web. Support him by buying a copy of this book directly from his website!

Check out my profile on Goodreads to see the other books I’ve read, or read more reviews here on The BG Blog.

Review: Kissed by a Dark Prince (Eternal Mates #1) by Felicity Heaton

Posted on by Kim

Kissed by a Dark Prince (Eternal Mates #1) by Felicity Heaton

Read: 4th – 5th October 2014

Re-Read: 6th – 10th June 2017

Format: Kindle

My Goodreads Rating: 5 Stars

…So what’s this book about?

This is a paranormal romance novel (approx 283 pages) mainly featuring humans and Elves with shapeshifters, demons and witches also making appearances and is set in the same world as Ms Heaton’s Vampire Erotic Theatre romance series. Kissed by a Dark Prince is the first book of Ms Heaton’s Eternal Mates series (currently 11 books in the series) but can be read as a standalone story as the romance aspect of the tale is concluded by the end of the book in Ms Heaton’s signature HEA style.

Now as my regular followers will know, I never post any spoilers or reveal plot twists in my reviews, so this is what the official blurb says:

Olivia thinks it’s her lucky night when a dangerously handsome unconscious fae ends up on her inspection table. He’s her chance to redeem herself with her employer, the demon-hunting organisation, Archangel. But when the tall, dark and deadly immortal warrior awakes, she gets much more than she bargained for…

Attacked by his enemy in the elf kingdom, the last thing Prince Loren expects when he comes around is a beautiful angel watching over him and medical technology of the mortal realm. Hazy from his injuries, all he can focus on is the pulse ticking in her throat and the sweet allure of her blood.

One single bite reveals she is his eternal mate, triggering a bond between them that will leave him weakened until it is complete… or broken, and pulling Olivia into the crossfire of his ancient feud.

To protect his people and his mate from the machinations of a madman, Loren must risk everything by working with Olivia at Archangel to find a way to break the bond blossoming between them.

But will Loren be strong enough to place duty before desire and give up the one thing he has waited millennia for and craves above all others—his eternal mate? And will Olivia be able to resist the incredible heat that burns between them and the temptation of her dark prince’s kiss?

…So, what did I like about it?

I am already a fan; I love Felicity Heaton’s writing style and find her stories very easy to read. I feel transported into the paranormal world she creates, love her complex, multifaceted characters and enjoy the twists and turns she builds into her plots. This story didn’t disappoint.

Now, I’ve gotta mention the sex; this is quite an erotic paranormal romance tale but I love the way Ms Heaton makes the most explicit sexual scenes very romantic (I think she’s a very talented writer to accomplish this), these erotic acts are balanced nicely with beautifully written descriptions and the characters’ internal dialogue. For me, a story is only really erotic if I’m emotionally connected to the characters involved, Ms Heaton gives her characters such depth that they become real. So of course, I got caught up with the naughty shenanigans (who wouldn’t *blush*) but the tender insights into both Loren and Olivia’s doubts and feelings and the growth of their trust in each other’s love was heart-warming to read.

This PNR made me chuckle, I shed a tear or two, the fighting and action fed my adrenalin and the passion put fire in my blood. In other words I was gripped and couldn’t stop reading.

…So, ummm, was there anything I disliked about it?

Nope – hence the 5 stars!

…So, basically what I’m saying is…

I loved this book! Great world building, multi dimensional strong characters and a gripping background story! It’s a tale of epic battles, secret histories & hidden foes, uneasy allies & new friendships and all consuming emotions but underlining all of that – it’s a passionate rollercoaster of a love story.

Due to the sexual content, I’d recommend this book to adults only – it’s definitely steamy – who are fans of relationship and romance stories.

So, has my review of KISSED BY A DARK PRINCE (ETERNAL MATES #1) sparked your interest? Just click on any of the links below to check out the book yourself.

See KISSED BY A DARK PRINCE on Goodreads.com

Visit FELICITY HEATON ‘s own little corner of the web and support her by buying a copy of this book (paperback, ebook, or audio) directly from her website!

Check out my profile on Goodreads to see the other books I’ve read, or read more reviews here on The BG Blog.