Southern Refuge - Cowboy Found: Healing, trust, and redemption

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Southern Refuge - Cowboy Found by Eliza McJames is a captivating blend of romance, mystery, and personal growth that keeps you turning pages long into the night. Ruby, the heroine, is a force to be reckoned with—a resilient and fiercely independent woman shaped by a difficult past. Raised as an orphan and constantly told she was a "nobody," Ruby’s exterior is hardened by the scars of her traumatic experiences. But beneath her brave face lies a raw vulnerability, and her journey to overcome her demons is as compelling as it is moving.

BookHookup Review: Southern Refuge: Cowboy Found

Michael, the charming and thoughtful cowboy turned medical student, offers the perfect counterbalance to Ruby’s emotional turmoil. However, Michael is not without his own baggage. Like Ruby, he carries the weight of past wounds that have shaped who he is today, and this emotional complexity adds depth to his character. He sees through Ruby’s tough exterior, recognizing the woman struggling to find peace within herself. Their chemistry is undeniable, and the tension between them builds beautifully throughout the story, keeping readers invested in their love story. But Southern Refuge: Cowboy Found is more than just a romance; it weaves in layers of danger, mystery, and heart-pounding moments, making it a unique and well-rounded read.

The author masterfully balances Ruby’s inner struggles with the romantic tension between her and Michael, creating a compelling plot that explores themes of healing, trust, and redemption. It’s one of those books that will have you saying, "Just one more chapter" long after you've reached the end. Eliza McJames delivers a heartwarming, unforgettable read that leaves a lasting impact.

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A Measure of Rhyme: Gripping supernatural conflict

 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

After finishing A Measure of Rhyme, the second book in Lloyd Jeffries’ Ages of Malice series, I find myself captivated by the emotional depth and the intensity of supernatural conflict that unfolds. While I missed the first book, A Portion of Malice, I plan on revisiting it after experiencing the gripping events of this sequel.

 

About the Book: A Measure of Rhyme

The story centers around Rhyme Carter, who finds herself caught in a dangerous love triangle. Married to the Antichrist—Cain—she is forced into a heart-wrenching decision between her duty and her love for another man, Emery Merrick. While the notion of the Antichrist may spark interest, it's worth noting that this interpretation may not align with traditional biblical teachings. The narrative is thick with emotional turmoil, as Rhyme’s love for Emery becomes the driving force for her to reclaim her life, all while facing her powerful, and manipulative, husband.

BookHookup Review: A Measure of Rhyme

What makes this book stand out is not just the perilous stakes but the complex relationships that define it. Rhyme’s struggle is both personal and global—her choices will impact her love life, her survival, and the fate of humanity. The moral dilemmas she faces challenge the boundaries between right and wrong, all within a world where the supernatural is very real. This deep dive into human emotions and ethical complexities is masterfully done, balancing internal conflict with external pressures.

Lloyd Jeffries doesn’t disappoint with his vivid storytelling. The imagery is immersive, pulling readers into both the heavenly realms and the darkest corners of Earth. His characters, both old and new, continue to evolve in unexpected ways, keeping you on the edge of your seat. Rhyme is a standout character—one of the strongest female leads I’ve encountered in recent memory—and her journey from librarian to world-saving heroine is as thrilling as it is inspiring.

The book seamlessly chronicles the saga of a secret society’s quest for domination, building tension as the world moves closer to an apocalypse. There are so many layers to this story: love, betrayal, redemption, and the looming threat of annihilation. It’s an emotional rollercoaster, where survival isn’t just about physical battles, but about holding onto hope when everything seems lost.

Fans of supernatural thrillers and epic sagas will find themselves hooked, as the action and suspense escalate in each chapter. The stakes are high, the characters complex, and the plot never slows down.

Though I came into this story without the context of the first book, I am now eager to experience it and learn how the saga began. A Measure of Rhyme is a fantastic continuation, and I am already looking forward to what comes next in this dark, high-stakes series.

What Happens in Montana - captivating friendship and secrets read

What Happens in Montana by Kim McCollum is a captivating story about friendship, secrets, and the unexpected ways our past shapes us. Set at a retreat in Montana, the novel alternates between multiple points of view, including that of Simone, a ghost haunting the property. Along with the various points of view, the story unfolds with shifting timelines, weaving Simone’s tragic history with the present-day struggles of four women facing midlife.

 

At first, I had a little trouble connecting with the characters. The women were once close friends when their children were babies but have grown apart, over the years. As the story opens, their kids are ready to head off to college and one of the women, Brooke, plans a reunion at an old hot springs resort in Montana. At first, I felt like an outsider at a reunion, not quite knowing who everyone was. But as the story unfolded I got to know them better and started to appreciate the depth of their relationships and struggles. What initially felt like a story full of strangers soon turned into a rich narrative about women facing personal challenges and rediscovering the bonds that once held the friends together.

 

BookHookup Review: What Happens in Montana

⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

I’m typically not a fan of novels told from multiple viewpoints, as they often get muddled and confusing. It kept me off kilter at the start, but as the story progressed McCollum executed this structure flawlessly, giving each character a unique perspective that enriched the story rather than detracting from it.

I enjoyed how McCollum layered in seemingly trivial details that later proved unexpectedly significant, adding depth and complexity to the plot. The inclusion of the ghost Simone, a young woman murdered decades ago, is a brilliant touch, as is the character of Maude, the elderly, often cantankerous chef at the retreat. If I were to choose a favorite character in this story, it would be Maude. She is the uniting force that brings the story into a cohesive narrative. Through her, McCollum adds another layer, telling the story of three distinct generations of women.

Without giving away spoilers, it's clear that McCollum is subtly addressing the pressures placed on women—both physical and emotional—across different periods. I appreciated that the messages about society and women’s roles are woven into the narrative naturally, without being preachy or heavy-handed. McCollum manages to be pro-female without being anti-male, offering an affirming, empowering message that feels honest and heartfelt.

The emotional journey these women take, from confronting long-held secrets to rediscovering the importance of friendship, is powerful. The supernatural element of Simone’s ghost adds intrigue and mystery, but at its core, this is a story about real women facing the challenges of life, love, and change.

What Happens in Montana is an enjoyable, thought-provoking read that expertly balances character-driven storytelling with a touch of the supernatural. If you’re a fan of novels that explore complex relationships, personal growth, and a bit of ghostly intrigue, this book is well worth picking up. I’m happy to give it 4 out of 5 stars.

***

As BookHookup, I am a longtime book reviewer. I received a free review copy of this book from Black Coffee Book Tours and have not received compensation for reviewing or recommending it. Some links in this post are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to amazon.com and affiliate sites. 

A Discovery of Time and Space: A Mixed Review

Lesley L. Smith's A Discovery of Time and Space presents a thought-provoking premise wrapped in a science fiction tale that blends time travel, self-discovery, and friendship. The story centers on Tiffani Taylor, a college student at the University of Colorado, who finds herself in a bewildering situation when she wakes up in a crosswalk, aided by an older woman who looks eerily like her. From that moment, Tiffani's world begins to unravel, revealing that she may not just be an ordinary student with ADHD—she might possess the rare ability to travel throughout time and space.

BookHookup Review: A Discovery of Time and Space

⭐⭐⭐☆☆

The plot is engaging and certainly kept me turning the pages. Tiffani’s journey, alongside her three best friends, Rory, Lin, and Ethan, is intriguing as they try to uncover the mysteries surrounding her powers. The twists, the puzzles surrounding her identity, and the potential multiverse she’s navigating all contribute to a storyline that has the potential to be exciting for fans of time travel and science fiction.

However, the novel does have its flaws. Tiffani and her friends, while endearing in their loyalty and wit, often feel like they are behaving more like junior high students than twenty-somethings. This disjointed age portrayal was a bit jarring, as their dialogue and actions often came across as immature for their age. Another issue for me was redundancy. In particular, Tiffani's internal thoughts, followed immediately by her saying the same thing aloud, felt repetitive and detracted from the narrative. Additionally, certain details—like dorm rules and Tiffani’s condition—were repeated multiple times, which slowed the pacing. A little tighter editing could have helped eliminate these redundancies and sharpened the pacing.

Despite these critiques, the author's execution of the time travel and multiverse elements is impressive. Smith’s ability to weave complex ideas without bogging the reader down in scientific jargon is a major strength. The plot is carefully constructed, and the time travel logic is well-thought-out. I was especially intrigued by the concept of "future selves" meeting their present counterparts—a neat idea that adds depth to the world-building.

While A Discovery of Time and Space does an excellent job with its core concept and the time travel elements, the disjointed age portrayal of the characters and the occasional repetitiveness detract from the overall experience. I would rate it 3 out of 5 stars. It's worth the read, and I’d pick up the next book in the series to check it out. Fans of time travel stories and college settings will likely find it a fun read, but those looking for deeper character development may find it lacking.