Faery Swap by Susan Kaye Quinn
January 24, 2025 by marianne h donley in category Apples & Oranges by Marianne H. Donley, Book Reviews tagged as Faery Swap
Faery Swap
Susan Kaye Quinn
ISBN: 9798348298463
Publisher: Twisted Spaces LLC
Pub date: 12/12/2013
Two souls, one body. A missing brother. A missing father. Stonehenge. And math-based magic. All the elements necessary to conjure up an engaging and fast pace story that will keep kids (grades 3 to 6) on the edge of their seats.
Both Finn, the 14 year old whose body gets snatched trapping him in the Otherworld fighting spriggans and faeries and walking trees, and Zaneyr, the faery who does the snatching and must fight off his father’s seekers, have compelling and sympathetic reasons for the choices they make.
Finn needs to get out of the Otherworld to protect his sister from Child Protective Services and neighborhood bullies. Zaneyr wants to hide himself from his father who is planning a World and Otherworld catastrophe—regardless of the humans or faeries he destroys.
Add to all of this is the ticking clock of Midsummer’s eve. Once it’s over, the boy and the faery are stuck just where they are—likely for a lifetime.
The book is published in ebook (free for January 2025), paperback and audio. There are links in the back for a cool two minute book trailer, a virtual author visit video and a downloadable teacher’s guide. The teacher’s guide included discussion questions, activities, and a card game for classroom play.
The Last Mile: A Review
June 2, 2022 by marianne h donley in category Book Reviews, Spotlight tagged as Kat Martin, Kensington, New book release, New York Times Best Selling Author, romantic suspense, The Last Mile
The Last Mile
Kat Martin
Kensington
May 31, 2022
978-1496736802
A treasure map, a treasure hunter, the Devil’s Gold, suspense, romance and a lot of twists and turns.
Abby Holland inherits a treasure from her beloved grandfather, King Farrell. Farrell was a famed explorer and treasure hunter until he allowed his obsession for the Devil’s Gold to destroy his reputation. With map in hand, Abby vows to find the gold and restore her grandfather’s good name.
Knowing she is out of her league and that others will stop at nothing to steal her treasure map, she hires another professional treasurer hunter, Gage Logan, to help her.
Gage is skeptical but still intrigued by the map and Abby. At first, he tries to dissuade her expedition. But when he realizes she’s determined to go with or without him, he reasons that the least he can do is to keep Abby safe while she uncovers the hidden messages left by her grandfather.
Heat, flash floods, winds, and a host of bad guys compound the problems Abby and Gage encounter while racing across the Superstition Mountains following King Farrell’s clues. Their growing attraction to each other doesn’t help the situation.
Abby and Gage must decide if finding the Devil’s Gold and restoring King Farrell’s reputation is worth the danger they face.
Note: I received a free e-book from Net Galley in exchanged for an honest review.
Buy Links for The Last Mile
Other Books by Kat Martin
A Review of Neanderthal Seeks Duchess by Laney Hatcher
May 16, 2022 by marianne h donley in category Apples & Oranges by Marianne H. Donley, Book Reviews tagged as Laney Hatcher, Neanderthal Seeks Duchess, new release, Penny Reid Universe, Regency Romances, Smartypants Romance
Neanderthal Seeks Duchess
Laney Hatcher
978-1949202977
Released wide May 3, 2022, and to Kindle Unlimited May 5, 2022.
Goodreads: https://bit.ly/33Yj8cQ
Neanderthal Seeks Duchess A Review by Marianne H. Donley
Holly cow. What could be better than Neanderthal Seeks Human but set in Regency England?
Three things you need to know about me:
- I may have squealed with delight when I heard about this book.
- 2. I one clicked bought it way back in March.
- 3. I still signed up for a digital ARC so I could review it before its release. (Yes, I will have two copies of this book.)
If you enjoyed Penny Reid’s Knitting in the City series, you’re going to love reading Laney Hatcher’s Neanderthal Seeks Duchess.
Neanderthal Seeks Duchess absolutely lived up to my expectations. While the heroine and hero, Lady Jane and Q, are similar to Janie and Quinn, they are very much their own quirky characters.
Lady Jane is smart and a wizard with numbers, but not so great with people or social situations. She sometimes panics and gets herself into even more trouble—all the while trying to avoid gossip.
The enigmatic Q, also called Lord Dashing by Lady Jane’s friends, is direct but worried his identity will send Lady Jane running. Not an unreasonable fear. Associating with Lord Dashing will invite all manners of gossip.
So, what could be better than Neanderthal Seeks Human but set in Regency England?
Turns out—not much. This book was great fun, with a bit of a mystery, some nefarious characters, and a wonderful group of friends. I’m happily looking forward to the release of London Ladies Embroidery series, Book #2—Eliza’s story.
I received an ARC from the publisher for an honest review, but I bought the book, anyway.
About the book
“Full of all the swoons, a dash of mystery, and punches of humor, you are going to fall head over heels with Neanderthal Seeks Duchess.” – Catherine Cowles, author of Tattered Stars
Neanderthal Seeks Duchess, an all-new charming historical romance from debut author Laney Hatcher, is coming May 5th to Kindle Unlimited! Laney introduces readers to Smartypants Romance’s new and exciting Out of This World imprint.
There are three things you need to know about Lady Jane Morrison:
1. She frequently finds herself the talk of the ton and for all the wrong reasons.
2. A dashingly mysterious gentleman has caught her attention and even more dangerous…she has caught his.
3. She’s rubbish at embroidery.
After scandalous events during the London season, Lady Jane is attracting the wrong kind of attention. Her reputation is at risk as well as all her carefully laid plans for the future. And for better or worse, a chance encounter with a mysterious lord sets forth a series of events that will change their lives forever.
‘Neanderthal Seeks Duchess’, a Penny Reid Universe Reimagining, is a full-length historical romance, can be read as a standalone, and is book #1 in the London Ladies Embroidery series, Smartypants Romance Out of this World, Penny Reid Book Universe.
Grab your copy today!
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3h0HoOb
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3ByTl7t
Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/3I0hWo6
Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/3H4csre
Goodreads: https://bit.ly/33Yj8cQ
0 0 Read moreIsn’t It Bromantic–A Review
April 24, 2021 by marianne h donley in category Apples & Oranges by Marianne H. Donley, Book Reviews tagged as humor, Isn't It Bormantic, Lyssa Kay Adams, romantic comedy, The Bromance Book Club, Vlad and Elena
Isn’t it Bromantic
Bromance Book Club 4
Lyssa Kay Adams
Berkley
Available July 20, 2021
978-0593332771
With his passion for romance novels, it was only a matter of time before Vlad wrote one.
Buy Links
About the Book
Elena Konnikova has lived her entire adult life in the shadows. As the daughter of a Russian journalist who mysteriously disappeared, she escaped danger the only way she knew how: She married her childhood friend, Vladimir, and moved to the United States, where he is a professional hockey player in Nashville.
Vlad, aka the Russian, thought he could be content with his marriage of convenience. But it’s become too difficult to continue in a one-sided relationship. He joined the Bromance Book Club to learn how to make his wife love him, but all he’s learned is that he deserves more. He’s ready to create his own sweeping romance—both on and off the page.
The bros are unwilling to let Vlad forgo true love—and this time they’re not operating solo. They join forces with Vlad’s neighbors, a group of meddling widows who call themselves the Loners. But just when things finally look promising, Elena’s past life intrudes and their happily ever after is cast into doubt.
About the Author
Lyssa Kay Adams is an award-winning journalist who gave up the world of true stories to pen all-the-feels romances featuring sexy heroes and women who always get the last word. Lyssa lives in Michigan with her family and an anxiety-ridden Maltese who steals food and buries it around the house and who will undoubtedly be a character in a future book. Keep up with Lyssa on Twitter at @LyssaKayAdams.
Review
It’s no secret that I have enjoyed all of Lyssa Kay Adams’ book, but I especially love her Bromance Book Club series. They are laugh out loud funny, yet they manage to include complex subjects like failed marriages, sexual harassment, and family secrets. Isn’t It Bromantic is no exception.
Elena and Vlad have a modern marriage of convenience. She wants out and he wants a genuine marriage—what could go wrong?
Elena is wounded but strong. She’s used to being overlooked and ignored. While she’s convinced she doesn’t deserve Vlad, she doesn’t let anyone—not even Vlad walk all over her.
Vlad (also known as the Russian), may be my favorite character in the entire series. He’s just adorable, and he’s writing a romance novel! (I may have cheered when I read the tagline for the book: With his passion for romance novels, it was only a matter of time before Vlad wrote one.) This man seriously believes in romance, and he’s determined to have one of his own.
The Book Club bros, meddling neighbors, and a dog and cat who just show up every day for Vlad’s attention add to the humor. And seriously, the Cheese Man had better get his own book.
Isn’t It Bromantic is smart, heartfelt, and hysterical. You will laugh and cry—sometimes in the same scene. Lyssa hit a grand slam with the fourth installment of her series.
Available July 20, 2021, you can order Isn’t It Bromantic using one of the following Buy Links:
A Review of In Twilight’s Hush, A Thriller by Laurie Stevens
April 24, 2020 by marianne h donley in category Apples & Oranges by Marianne H. Donley, Book Reviews
In Twilight’s Hush
A Gabriel McRay Novel Book 4
by
Laurie Stevens
Price: paperback $14.99 e-book: $6.99
Available wide
Publisher FYD Media, LLC April 2020
ASIN B086DCY5RQ
ISBN 978-0997006827
As a Homicide Detective for LA County Sheriff’s Department, Gabriel McRay has been assigned cold cases to investigate while he recovers from being kidnapped and held captive by a ruthless serial killer. He’s given the case of teenager, Nancy Lewicki, missing since 1988. Every clue he uncovers in Nancy’s case leads to more questions, but answers are dead-ends or blank walls. To make matters worse, his partner, good-cop to his bad-cop, is in jail.
His personal life is in shambles.
He’s not sleeping. His future father-in-law delights in insulting him—both for his choice of profession and his lack of finances. His fiancé, Dr. Ming Li, turns up the pressure on him by insisting on a huge wedding and by maintaining that daddy can pay for it. She also becomes distance when her parents come stay with her for an extended visit. His only friend is his therapist who refuses to be his best man.
Enter a celebrity psychic.
Gabriel tries to juggle his professional life and his personal life when a wildly popular celebrity psychic, Carmen Jenette, offers very public help with his cold case. He’s not interested, but she pushes the issue both with the Nancy’s family, with her powerful friends in the District Attorney’s Office, and with the public via her TV show. When Carmen is physically attacked all evidence leads back to his cold case. Gabriel realizes someone doesn’t want poor Nancy Lewicki found, and they’ll kill to keep what happened to her a secret.
Why I liked the story.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading In Twilight’s Hush. Gabriel McRay, despite all his problems and flaws, is a very likeable character. He tries to do his best for Nancy Lewicki, her family and, even though he doesn’t trust her, Carmen Jenette. He also tries to balance his needs with Ming’s and understand her relationship with her parents without trying to fix everything for her.
Readers who like Lisa Gardner’s DD Warren series or Tess Gerritsen’s Rizzoli & Isles series will enjoy reading Laurie Stevens. In Twilight’s Hush is the fourth Gabriel McRay novel but it stands alone. A reader wouldn’t have to have read the other three to follow the action or backstory. Gabriel McRay is an engaging character, and Ms. Stevens does a great job of weaving a compelling story, so I suspect a reader will want to read them all. The other titles in the series are The Dark Before Dawn, Deep into Dusk, and The Mask of Midnight. This series has won twelve awards, among them Best of Kirkus Reviews, an IPPY for Best Mystery/Thriller, Library Journal’s Self-E Award, and Random House Editor’s Book of the Month.
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