Review: Mirrors and Mysteries

Mirrors and Mysteries by Christina Bauer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Grayson is glad she no longer has to serve Lady R.  Her new position has her teaching shifter orphans at Thornfield.  Not only does she get to mold young minds, her boss is Dex, the sexy alpha.  Because of fairy tale life templates, things must go sideways.  Enter Jocasta, a witch that demands Dex and Grayson learn the truth about Rapunzels.  Will they be able to uncover the answer or will Grayson have to return to Lady R’s dominion.  As Grayson and Dex work closely together, will they come to terms with their feelings?

Mirrors and Mysteries is the ninth book in the Fairy Tales of the Magicorum series.  Goodreads says that this is the last book in the Dex and Grayson story, but it is not!  Bauer tells us in the author’s note at the beginning that she needed another book to explore everything with these characters and as readers make it to the end of the story they will be content with anticipation that there is more to come.  I enjoyed learning more background on these characters even as information about others was sprinkled throughout.  A fun, quick read that will have readers looking for more.

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Review: Omens Bite

Omens Bite by P.C. Cast
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Mercy and Hunter’s mother has been murdered and the role of protector of the Gates is now theirs.  These Gates lead to different underworlds where mythological and nightmarish creatures live.  Unfortunately, the sisters are no longer a team.  Can Mercy save the Gates on her own?  Will Hunter be able to fight the allure of a dark goddess? 

Omens Bite is the second book in the Sisters of Salem series.  It doesn’t matter if you don’t have a twin (I don’t); I believe everyone can relate to the issues Hunter and Mercy are dealing with after their mother’s death.  The mythology that is woven into the story is not overbearing and it was an enjoyable escape to learn some things about Egypt and its past.  Cast left this story incomplete, so readers will want to add the next book to their TBR list so that they will look for it in the near future.  Omens Bite was a fun and easy read that took me away for a while.

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Review: In a Garden Burning Gold

In a Garden Burning Gold by Rory Power
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Rhea knows her duty.  She must choose a consort who will ensure a prosperous season and then she must kill them.  This is how it must be … or is it?  An independence movement is taking root in their country and the power her father once had is diminishing.  They have power over the seasons, tides, and the stars, but do they have the power to keep their country intact? 

In a Garden Burning Gold is the first book in the Argyrosi series.  This is a fantasy series that includes a lot of world-building, but it is this same complex world that makes the storyline so captivating.  Rhea must face family deception head-on as she becomes her own person instead of the power wielded by her father.  Power has created a story that has the potential to be an epic adventure as the characters learn their strengths and overcome the many obstacles set before them.  In a Garden Burning Gold is the first book and readers will finish wanting to know what happens next.

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Review: Dig Two Graves

Dig Two Graves by Gretchen McNeil
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Neve has been convinced to attend a Glam Camp that promises to empower her and forge lasting friendships.  She makes friends with Diane and wonders if it might become more, but then she jokingly promises to kill Diane’s brother if Diane kills her ex-best friend, Yasmin.  Or at least Neve thought they were joking.  When Yasmin is murdered in her bed, Diane blackmails Neve into killing Javier, her stepbrother.  Neve pretends to go along, but she never really wanted anyone dead.  Will Neve be able to stop anyone else from dying?  What other tricks does Diane have planned for Neve’s life?

Dig Two Graves is a stand-alone mystery that had a promising storyline that didn’t pull through.  There were lots of twists and turns that kept me reading, but there were also sections that were just unbelievable.  McNeil has created a fun mystery that would be a good weekend or beach read, but not a page turner that will keep fans guessing.  I recommend Dig Two Graves for mystery fans but it doesn’t need to be at the top of your TBR pile.

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Review: Unravel

Unravel by Amelia Loken
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Marguerite has had many obstacles growing up.  Even though she is next in line for the throne (after her father) her uncle thinks a deaf person should not rule; he even broke her hand to keep her from signing.  Her uncle also fights against everything magical and since Marguerite is a witch, she must keep that hidden from him as well. After seeing her first witch trial, Marguerite runs away with a rescued child and her uncle takes his chance to seize the throne.  What will he do to keep Marguerite from the throne?  What obstacles will she need to overcome while fighting back?

Unravel is a stand-alone supernatural novel that was an amazing read with interesting characters.  Loken’s freshman novel broke the mold with a strong female protagonist that did not let her deficits become a disability.  This book had action and adventure with the reader discovering hidden truths around every turn.  One of my tells of a good book is thinking about it when I’m not reading it and that is what Unravel did for me.  Unravel is a great read that will have readers thinking differently about those who we call disabled.

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Review: The Recovery Agent

The Recovery Agent by Janet Evanovich
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Gabriela is good at finding lost items. She has been hired to find a variety of things, some small and some not so small. Her most recent job is to help her family, because of storm damage; they need money fast and believe the best way to that end is to find a hidden treasure that has become part of their family legend. The Ring of Solomon is rumored to be in the jungles of Peru and her ex-husband has the map. Gabriela and Rafer are now gallivanting around the globe in search of this ring, but they aren’t the only ones. There is also a drug lord and his henchmen close on their tail. The ring must be real because Gabriela’s family needs it, but can they find it before the others looking for it?

The Recovery Agent is the first book in the Gabriela Rose series. This newest novel by Evanovich is everything fans will hope for. There is the obvious action and adventure, but there is also a hint of romance and a splash of humor. I don’t know if it is because I’m about the age of the main characters, but I found myself laughing out loud (literally) with some of the one-liners they were spouting out. The only downside of this series is that it is new and there isn’t anything else to read next (yet).


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