Fisher of Men by Phoebe Alexander

Let me start this review by saying that if you want to read Fisher of Men by Phoebe Alexander, then you should be willing to step outside the box. No literally. I love her and follow her on social media. So trust me when I say that the woman speaks her mind, she so totally does.

With that being said, I loved reading this book. I loved the uniqueness of it. And how comfortable I felt reading it.

We get to meet beautiful, sweet and innocent Leah Miller, who was raised in a very religious family and community. Where she’s basically sheltered, and her believes are what she relies on to carry her through this thing called life.

Then we meet Captain Chris Sheldon – who is essentially the exact opposite of what Leah is. And by happenstance, they meet. And there is absolute chemistry there, but there is always that hesitancy that she was taught he’s everything that she shouldn’t even consider.

What we get with this book is the journey that Leah has to take as an individual, and she has to learn to make decisions for herself. She has to learn to balance her life and what she deems is important. And as for Cap, well he has to learn to give a little. And make decisions as well if what he truly wants is a chance with Leah.

Their journey is a beautiful one – albeit of their life choices. I mean, whatever rocks your boat!! But despite everything that stand in their way – I love them individually and together! Needless to say that this was a 5 Star Review for me! So thank you beautiful Phoebe for this wonderful and different book!

Playing It Up by Lisa B. Kamps

Like anything that Lisa B. Kamps writes, Playing It Up is nothing short of amazing. I absolutely fell in love with the characters and the storyline. She definitely didn’t disappoint with these characters. If you’ve read her books, then you know that even though they’re “part” of a series, this can be read as a stand-alone, if you’d like.

he chemistry that is explored within Haley and Zach is one that I thoroughly enjoyed!

We meet Haley Addison is the type of independent girl that I absolutely love reading about. She tries to take care of things on her own, and doesn’t seem to put up with crap from anyone. That is until something from her past catches up to her.

We also meet Zach Mummert – who happens to be a Hockey player for the York Bombers. Let me tell you, I’m not a die-hard fan of hockey, but absolutely loved his character – even though he was a total player! He always got anything and anyone that he wanted – until he met Haley. And even though there seemed to be a chemistry there between them, she didn’t want to give in.

The journey that these two characters take is an interesting one. They both have to learn to trust and rely on each other in order to move forward! I definitely considered this book a 5 Stars!!

The Hundredth Queen by Emily R. King

I first chose The Hundredth Queen by Emily R. King as part of my May First Kindle. And let me just tell you that I absolutely loved every second of it.

We meet Kalinda, an 18 year old orphan who has grown up a son a ward of the Sisterhood. A place where girls are trained. Unfortunately for her, she's a very sickly girl, prone to fevers.

One day, the Rajah decides to make a trek to the mountain temple to choose a wife. But just any, The 100th wife, which bears many honors. She happens to capture the eye of the Rajah, and because of unfortunate circumstances - she's chosen as his intended - to be taken to the Rajahs palace, where she must fight for her life and place, even though she wants nothing to do with either.

We also meet Deven - a high ranking palace guard, who holds honor above all else.

I like that they immediately bond - but in the friendship type. That is until they realize that we're the Rajah we're to find out of such friendship, it could possibly cost both of their lives. So they try to keep their distance.

I absolutely love the fantasy world build up.  It was such a believable and refreshing book.  I fell in love with her writing style and character developments. The twists that we get with the chatacters and what is going on with them has you on the edge of your seat.

I loved everything about this book.

This was a definite 5 Stars Read for me. I can't wait to get my hands on the next installment.

Edited to add: I originally read this book in May of 2017!

The Point by Lori Thomas Harrington

I think I fell in love with The Point by Lori Thomas Harrington within the very first pages. She surprised me as a writer. This was the very first book that I've read by her, and to say that I enjoyed the story line is putting it lightly.  

We meet Emma Ashby as she's headed back to the town of Leyton, TN – to Sinclair Hastings Plantation to be exact. Where she grew up with her mother and the Dalton family, who was more of an extended family to her. And Drew Dalton, her childhood best friend, and love of her life.  

Little does she know that going back home means facing her past and all that she left behind.  

This story is one of second chance, love, friendship and family. It was such a sweet and lovely read. I enjoyed every minute of it. From getting to know the characters to discovering how deep their connection went.  

There is a small twist, which explains why there was so much heartbreak, and it's what caused Emma and Drew to distance themselves. Other than that, this book had me in tears at some points. I won't give much else away, because then what is the point? Just fair warning – tears... But know that it was a beautiful book. I love that this was a stand-alone book, and can be enjoyed easily. I was able to read this book in one day. 

As a reader, I've found myself a new author that I'm sure I'll be enjoying from now on – if her writing style remains the same! This was a definite 5 Stars read for me. 

The Game (Carolina Connections) by Sylvie Stewart

I literally just finished reading The Game by Sylvie Stewart and I have to say that I was completely impressed with this storyline and the author itself. I have to be honest, this is the first book I've read by this book and was surprisingly impressed with what I got our of it.

I didn't realize that there were other "installments" by this author that go along with this book. But I was pleased that this can definitely be read as a stand-alone. I would call it an installment because there are other couples that I presume came before this book.

I loved how much I laughed throughout this entire book. I absolutely loved the characters and their easy and well-developed relationships.

We meet Emmerson Scott – a young 29-year-old who works in a law firm and has to try hard to prove herself. She's also taken on the responsibility of taking care of her 15-year-old half-brother, who seems to be a prodigy in baseball. 

Cue in Gavin Monroe – a coach at an Academy to help train for baseball – and a once upon a time super-star who would have had the chance at the major leagues had he not injured himself and ruined his career.

I love how both Emmy and Gavin meet, and how hard Gavin has to try at gaining and keeping her attention because of the simple fact that he's 24-years-old; which makes him 4 years younger than her. But in her views, he's too young and none of her co-workers would ever take her seriously.

Fortunately for her, and us the readers, Gavin doesn't give up. And I'm so glad that he doesn't. I'm glad that he's set his sights on her and is willing to do anything to win her over. I absolutely loved how their relationship developed. How it grew from friendship to something more, stronger and beautiful. I love that Gavin taught her to live and have fun – because life was too short.

Like I mentioned before, I literally laughed my butt off! I giggled throughout the book, and most of it had to do with the fact that Emmy's best friend – Ari was a total and complete hoot. She cracked me up. As well as a couple of the other characters. I loved Jay – Emmy's younger brother and how solid and mature he was for his age.

What I disliked was Emmy's father and how strict and rigid he was. I hated how he made Emmy feel that she had to literally had to prove herself to him, just because her mother was a free-spirit.

Please note that I was able to read this book in less than (1) day!! I would definitely say that this a 5 Star Review for me, as I'll definitely be reading more books by this author.

Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas

"Meet Celaena Sardothien.

Beautiful. Deadly. Destined for greatness.

In a land without magic, where the king rules with an iron hand, Celaena, an assassin, is summoned to the castle. She comes not to kill the king, but to win her freedom. If she defeats twenty-three killers, thieves, and warriors in a competition, she is released from prison to serve as the king’s champion. 
The Crown Prince will provoke her. The Captain of the Guard will protect her. But something evil dwells in the castle of glass—and it’s there to kill. When her competitors start dying one by one, Celaena’s fight for freedom becomes a fight for survival, and a desperate quest to root out the evil before it destroys her world."

~~~

About 4 years ago, I was browsing the library for new books to read in the YA section. That was when I first came across Throne of Glass. The book cover interested me, and the synopsis intrigued me. So I decided to bring it home with me and give it a try.

I remember opening the book and not wanting to do anything else in my life. Because that was it, I needed to know everything there was about this beautiful magical mythical world that the author had created. I needed to know more about this intriguing young woman who was the main character and what her life had been like.

We meet Celaena Sardothien while she's being moved from a prison / slave camp called Endovier. When I picture that I camp, I picture what was done to the Jews in the death camps. Pushed and forced to work until they were weak. Little did I know that Celaena was a total and complete bad ass, who had once almost - ALMOST - escaped this prison - the term she uses is "she snapped". Little does she know that in order to gain her "freedom" she has to compete to become the Kings' Champion - the same king that had punished her and sent her to this slave camp.

This is when she meets the Captain of the Guard - Chaol Westfall & Dorian Havilliard - Prince of Adarlan. They are both beautiful you men in their own way.

Little did I know how much I would fall in love with the characters - and not just the men. They were more meh. But with Celaena - her strength, courage, rage and compassion. Because even though she endured hell in her life, she was still able to find beauty in things. Like in reading books. Or finding a true friend in Princess Nehemia Ytger - Crown Princess of Eyllwe. A young lovely woman who was sent by her parents to try and learn the customs of Adarlan - the conquering nation of their lands.
The trials that she literally had to go through in order to survive are out of this world. Having to become an assassin at such a young age, training from the time that she was a little girl just to survive.

Although Prince Dorian is portrayed as more of a Playboy, ladies man - he seems to tone it down when Celaena comes into his world. Because there is something about her that calls to him and makes him want to be a better person / man. He tries to keep his distance at first, but can't seem to be able to do so. And even though going against his father, the King would cost him his life, he seems to find small ways to rebel against him. Like choosing Celaena to become his Champion for the competition.

Then there is Chaol Westfall - the always serious always brooding Captain of the Guard. His sole purpose in life is to serve the King and the Prince - even if it costs him his life. But little by little, Celaena seems to chip away at his armor -without him realizing it. He goes from being a brute and dead set on keeping his distance to completely caring for her.

I love the fact that I can literally loose myself within this world. What SJ Maas has created is beautiful and wonderful. The book is full of adventure, life and death situations - and romance. Because what is a YA book without the romance. I love that there were moments where I was literally on the edge of my seat while reading the encounters that our Assassin was going through.
Mind you, this is probably the 4th time that I've read this book, so just imagine how much more I'm enjoying the book. Because even though I 've experienced it many time, there are still new things that I'm discovering of realizing!

And even though I've read the book as many times as I have, I still feel a little sad for the ending. Not because she won the competition and became the Champion and proved herself. But because of whose heart was broken. I know that he wasn't right for her, but there is always that sadness that he has to deal with the heartbreak and the doubt that he was only being used.

World Tree Girl by Kerry Schafer

I was more than happy to pick up “World Tree Girl” by Kerry Schafer having just recently finished reading “Dead Before Dying” – and loving it.

It’s no secret that I enjoy reading Paranormal anything. So when I jumped into this book, I was more than happy to find out that it picks up right where “Dead Before Dying” left off.

We get Maureen Keslyn – a seasoned FBI detective for the Paranormal Division back, given that she’s the new owner for Shadow Valley Manor. And like before, she’s on the hunt for something unkind, something that her and her “partners” believe is on a killing spree.

Unfortunately for her, she also has to deal with the ghost of her old friend, and recently deceased Phil Ever – who use to be the owner of Shadow Valley Manor. She’s just not sure as to why he refuses to carry or move on. Thankfully, Sophronia – a young woman who seems to be on her team can communicate with ghosts and tries to help on that end.

Like the first book, this one is full of suspense. I was happy to find myself on the edge of my seat while I was reading it. I was more than thrilled to find that the author had managed to capture my attention and hold it for a good portion of the book. I felt like I was able to loose myself and enjoy the characters and their “adventures”. I felt like I was there with them, on the hunt for the unknown.

Again, Kerry has impressed me with the ability to create a world where I can get lost, one where it’s easy to follow and enjoyable. This is a definite 5 Star Review for me!!