The Girl in the Storm by Christopher Stanfield is a YA fantasy about seventeen-year-old Genevieve Reidell, who learns of her destiny from an angel after a school shooting.
What I really loved about Stanfield’s story was his writing. There were times where he pulled me into a setting just by his words alone. I really loved this.
Read MoreThe Scarring of the Roshanra by Kara S.B. Brown is a psychological fantasy novel with very dark elements. This book is not for all readers as it deals with torture, rape, and PTSD, which draws on experiences from the author’s life. This gives the book a very raw, real feeling for the intricately built world, and I think that really works for this heavily character-driven novel.
Read MoreWomen of the Woods by the Fabled Collective et. al. is a collection of dark fantasy and folk horror short stories, reminiscent of a contemporary style of Edgar Allan Poe, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Washington Irving.
I haven’t been so impressed by a collection of short stories in a while. If I could give this a 6/5, I would! Each story is polished, well-paced, great character development, and awesome stories.
Read MoreSoul on Fire by Shannon Lane is an uplifting story about friendship, love, and self-discovery.
Our protagonist, Kenna, deals with panic attacks, self-doubt, and depression. The recurring theme within this story is her willingness to accept herself, and to be, not just okay, but to be happy with her life. Yet, Kenna feels the burden of loss and rejection, which makes her believe she is incapable of change.
Read MoreProtecting His Night: The Men of River City by Nola Marie is a hot romance about a mobster named Rory and a stripper named Layla.
Once in love ten years ago, Rory leaves Layla, but he doesn’t realize all that he’s given up, not until he sees her again dressed up as a stripper, hiding her identity—and not just from him.
Read MoreFinding Innocence: Book 1 by Karen Keith is a young adult fantasy novel focused on 17-year-old Alexa Walker and her growth from living in an orphanage to starting new with a family and friends who love her.
The funny thing is, I’m not a big YA fan, yet I’m excited for book 2 to come out because I found the story so engaging. Don't get me wrong; it is very much a YA book.
Read MoreBroken Road by Shannon Lane is a sweet, contemporary romance with relatable characters and many surprises.
Our protagonist, Ellen Mannis, wants to escape her painful past and abusive ex-husband, so she finds a new job as a nanny and part-time assistant for one of the biggest names in Pittsburgh, Brennan Grant.
Read MoreThe Unnaturals by Dustin Dixon is a dystopian novel about two different life forms on earth: the humans and the unnaturals.
The story centers around one of the unnaturals named “UN-27.” Stolen from his golden-skinned comrades outside the human city, he is primed, like many of his other brethren, to be part of the fiercest fighting force of the humans the world has ever known.
Read MoreThe Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas is a story of love, adventure, and, most importantly, revenge.
Completed in 1844, the novel is one of Dumas' more popular works, similar to The Three Musketeers. Lesser known is the second author of the novel, Auguste Maquet. Maquet wasn't credited with the work to the same extent as Dumas due to a decision by the publisher. And since the story has two authors, there are many inconsistencies in the book, as well as slightly different tones of voice.
Read MoreNo Strings by Virginia Babcock is an endearing sweet love story with some great character development.
The story tells the tale of two characters who meet for purposes other than for romance. Our female protagonist Emory (who is a complete badass) wants a baby, but she doesn't want to have a relationship to get it. Ten, our male protagonist, happens to be in the right place at the right time. This was a fun and very unique story. I was really pining for the characters, and while the ending was a little more old-fashion for my taste, I still enjoyed it.
By Elizabeth Suggs
The Liberty Key by author Michael R Goodwin is when a house meets a person. This isn’t so much a paranormal story as it is the house is the living thing.
The story starts when [character name] is searching for a house after dealing with the death of his wife and child. When he finds The Liberty House, it’s much too big for him, but he loves it.
Read MoreHer Infernal Name & Other Stories is a collection of short horror fiction from the mind of author Robert Ottone.
Each story takes us on a journey on a different sort of nightmare. From one about an Instagram Famous model in “Her Infernal Name” to “Playing God,” each story plays on the nightmares of our modern society.
I like this collection, but I found some of the stories a little predictable or cliche. If that doesn’t bother you, then you’ll get a kick out of these horror stories.
Read MoreThe Axion: A Varsian Kingdom Adventure by Jason Hein is a high fantasy stand-alone novel based in the world of Varsia. The characters in this book play important roles in the Varsian Kingdom Series. Hein emphasizes that while the fourth book in the Varsian Kingdom Series is not required reading to understand the story, it may help build the world of the book.
Read MoreUnkillable Joe by Joe Vallen is what happens when two realities collide, bringing in action with comical writing. This story is about Unkillable Joe, Joe’s “fictional” characters, the narrator, and a frog. If you’re not paying attention, the high-intensity back and forth may get confusing, and while this could be a detriment, I think it worked for this book. We start with the narrator who talks about Joe, a comic book creator and his comic book characters.
Read MoreIf you’re looking for something with clever writing and an exciting plot, then read Riley’s Excellent and not-at-all Fake Exorcism Service by Sophie Queen. When I first started this story, I had no idea what I was getting myself into, and from page one, I was hooked.
Warning, this blog has some spoilers!
Read MoreIf you’re looking for something weird that touches on serious content, like dealing with autism, then you’ve got to read Brett Peterson’s new sci-fi anthology The Parasite from Proto Space & Other Stories. The book is dedicated to those on the “autism spectrum, those with mental illness, and those with disabilities both visible and hidden. My advice to you is to never stop pursuing what makes you happy.” I whole-heartedly agree with this sentiment.
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