Paranormal urban mystery and suspense

The Beached Ones by Colleen M. Story delivers an eerily haunting story around Danny, a young man who grows up in a rundown Butte trailer park with his single mom and younger brother Tony. Danny is the responsible one in the family, doing his best to protect Tony from the dysfunctional consequences of a mother who drinks, works longs shifts, and entertains an endless line of no-good boyfriends at the expense of her children.

When Danny graduates from high school and can finally escape the trailer they call hell-hole, he is torn about leaving Tony behind. But it is the only way things can change. Danny leaves and achieves his dreams but then something happens. He wakes on a beach littered with stranded whales and has no memory of how he got there. As he searches for answers he runs into one strange occurrence after another. Clues are cleverly delivered from Danny’s POV that take him on a bizarre trip as he pieces together his past and present to figure out what is going on as he races against time to pick up his brother from camp.

@donnasundblad Beached Ones #bookreview #bookreviewer #bookrecommendations #booktok #bookworm #booktour #paranormal #urbanfantasy #thebeachedones ♬ original sound - Donna Sundblad

Book review: The Beached Ones

The glue of this story is the unbreakable bond between Danny and his younger brother. Colleen Story’s masterful sensory details offer subtle clues to help figure things out, as she weaves Danny’s memories of the past with the present into the unpredictable with page-turning urgency as he meets up with his ex. A girl who see ghosts. Story delivers the coup de grâce as all the emotionally charged pieces come together with a clear resolution.

I award The Beached Ones with a strong 4 stars and recommend it for readers who enjoy paranormal, vampire, drama, and suspense. However, I do add a caveat for those who are sensitive to the topic of suicide. Those who have been touched by this tragedy may not enjoy this book, but others who have contemplated taking their lives may find it helpful. I can’t predict which for every individual. For me, it left me feeling melancholy but found it a very good read. 

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I received a copy of this book through Black Phoenix Book Tours and have not been compensated 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.

 

About the Author

Colleen M. Story is a novelist, freelance writer, writing coach, and speaker with over 20 years in the creative writing industry. Her latest novel, "The Beached Ones," released from CamCat Books on July 26th, 2022. Her previous novel, "Loreena's Gift," was a Foreword Reviews’ INDIES Book of the Year Awards winner, among others.

Colleen has written three books to help writers succeed. "Your Writing Matters" was a bronze medal winner in the Reader Views Literary Awards (2022). "Writer Get Noticed!" was a gold-medal winner in the Reader’s Favorite Book Awards and a first-place winner in the Reader Views Literary Awards (2019). "Overwhelmed Writer Rescue" was named Book by Book Publicity’s Best Writing/Publishing Book in 2018.

With over 20 years as a professional in the creative industry, Colleen has authored thousands of articles for publications like “Healthline” and “Women’s Health;” worked with high-profile clients like Gerber Baby Products and Kellogg’s; and ghostwritten books on back pain, nutrition, and cancer recovery. She continues to work as a full-time freelance writer, helping clients create informative and inspiring communications in a variety of media formats.

Colleen frequently serves as a workshop leader, writing coach, and motivational speaker, where she helps attendees remove mental and emotional blocks and tap into their unique creative powers.

A lifelong musician, Colleen plays the French horn in her local symphony and pit orchestras. When not writing, she’s reading, practicing yoga, listening to music, exploring the beautiful Northwest, and making up more challenging games for her smart German Shepherd to play.

Find more at her author website (colleenmstory.com), motivational website (writingandwellness.com), and mystical blog (lifeandeverythingafter.com), or connect with her on Twitter (@colleen_m_story) and YouTube (youtube.com/c/ColleenStoryteller).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Closed door romance charged with tender passion

Set in mid-eighteenth-century England, The Heir and the Enchantress by Paullett Golden, (The Enchantresses Book 5) delivers a romance that woos seventeen-year-old Hazel Trethow and twenty-year-old Harold Hobbs into a relationship neither wants. While this romance novel is part of a series, it is a complete story and can be read without reading the previous books. My only regret is that I haven’t read the first four books. 

 

About the Book: The Heir and the Enchantress

As the story opens, Hazel has her mind set on marrying for love rather than getting trapped in an arranged marriage with the man she was betrothed to as a child. She fancies herself a matchmaker and puts a scheme in place to find a love match for herself and her best friend, Agnus. The consequences are disastrous and she finds herself trapped in a scandal that will ruin them both.

Harold Hobbs, her betrothed, is busy trying to save his family from ruin due to his father’s poor choices. He has no intention of marrying Hazel but before he makes the announcement to his father, he meets her. The encounter surprises them both as attraction sparks a change of mind. But then the scandal erupts and in a very clever plot twist they end up married. I’ll say no more because I don’t want to spoil this multi-layered plot that pits the young couple against the manipulation of their controlling fathers. The author throws a very interesting, non-conventional Nana into the mix that adds humor and much more.

@donnasundblad Book Hookup Review The Heir and the Enchantress #bookhookup #bookreview #bookreviews #bookrecommendations #cleanromancebooks #cleanromancebooktok ♬ original sound - Donna Sundblad

Book Review: The Heir and the Enchantress

The Heir and the Enchantress is emotionally satisfying and delivers an optimistic ending. The unpredictable plot is rife with secrets, obstacles, and family challenges. The complex characters' strengths and weaknesses make the drama believable. As for the romance, Golden embraces a closed-door approach charged with tender passion. Her tasteful portrayal of desire made me melt. I think people who enjoyed the Carla Kelly's Regency Romances Series will find The Heir and the Enchantress to their liking. I loved every aspect of this book and am happy to give it 5 stars. I recommend it to people who enjoy historical romance, closed-door romance, and regency romance.

Other books in this series include:

The Earl and The Enchantress (The Enchantresses Book 1)

The Duke and The Enchantress (The Enchantresses Book 2)

The Baron and The Enchantress (The Enchantresses Book 3)

The Colonel and The Enchantress (The Enchantresses Book 4)

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As BookHookup, I am a longtime book reviewer. I received a free review copy of this book from BookTasters 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.

 

About the Author: Paullett Golden

Celebrated for her complex characters, realistic conflicts, and sensual portrayal of love, Paullett Golden writes historical romance for intellectuals. Her novels, set primarily in Georgian England, challenge the genre's norm by starring characters loved for their flaws, imperfections, and idiosyncrasies. Her plots explore human psyche, mental and physical trauma, and personal convictions. Her stories show love overcoming adversity. Whatever our self-doubts, love will out. 

 

 

Fast paced fantasy for Middle Grade and older

Revenge of Queen Rose is author Valinora Troy’s second full length middle grade children's fantasy and book two in her Lucky Diamond series. I had the privilege of reviewing book one, The Lucky Diamond and with that am now a fan of this author. One thing I find refreshing is that Troy’s books are full length and can be read as a stand-alone story, though reading the series to understand all the nuances and backstory enriches the reading experience.

 

About the book: Revenge of Queen Rose

Revenge of Queen Rose continues with the quintet of plucky orphans: Yvonne, Vicky, Susan, and the twins Kathy and Allen who were introduced in The Lucky Diamond (book 1 in the Lucky Diamond series). They are joined by their friends Paul, Charlie, and Lucky. In this storyline, we learn more about Paul’s country where he has stepped into his role as King only to come against a host of unexpected and mysterious challenges. All these characters, along with the children’s Uncle Tremere face new and even more dangerous adventures on more than one front. 

 

@donnasundblad Book Hookup Review Revenge of Queen Rose #book #bookreview #bookreviewer #middlegradebooks #middlegradereads #middlegraereader #bookhookup #bookrecommendations ♬ original sound - Donna Sundblad

Book Review: Revenge of Queen Rose

As a children’s fantasy author, Troy does an excellent job crafting a magical world with shape-shifting diamond folk, lizard people, the peaceful Nilkens, along with a couple of special creatures introduced in Revenge of Queen Rose, including the firebird and a lizard named Chez. For me, coming off the adventure and action of book one, this book started off on the slow side as Troy put things in place for the plot, but by the middle of the book I didn’t want to put it down. Without spoilers, I can say readers come face to face with a huge snake named Fang that encircles the city ready to eat any who dare to leave, their diamond friends are sealed inside their mountain, and Susan and Vicky disappear. And as the title suggests, even though Queen Rose is banished, she is involved.

The unpredictable plot scatters the main characters in different directions, and takes readers to locations unvisited in book one. Revenge of Queen Rose introduces new magical elements, additional characters, as the kids gain a deeper understanding of their magical gifts. A grabbing plot that keeps the pages turning as the children face an array of threats and hazards with plenty of unexpected twists and turns.

For those who read my review of The Lucky Diamond, you’ll remember I said it left me with an unanswered question. The Revenge of Queen Rose answered that question, and I am happy to give this book a strong 4 stars. I recommend it to fantasy readers both young and old who enjoy books like Narnia or Harry Potter. 

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As BookHookup, I am a long-time book reviewer and received a free review copy of this book in collaboration with Blackberry Book Tours. I have not been compensated 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.

 

About author Valninoia Troy

Valinora Troy has been writing since she could read, if not earlier. Her first book, started at the age of six, featured a girl finding a magic diamond. It took her all summer to write the first few pages. Since then, she has written many stories, both short and full length novels. THE LUCKY DIAMOND, her first full length middle grade children's fantasy, was published November 2021. Its sequel REVENGE OF QUEEN ROSE followed in June 2022.

 

Fast paced action for Middle Schoolers complete with monsters, evil witch, and a magical land

The Lucky Diamond by Valinora Troy is book 1 in a Middle Grade magical fantasy quest series. It delivers fast paced, unpredictable action, complete with monsters, an evil witch, and the stunning, magical land of Nivram wrought with danger. 

 

About The Lucky Diamond

The story centers around five orphaned children who eke out an existence, surviving in hiding from the authorities in Lowdar. Outside the gates of Lowdar is the threat of the Great Forest, where monsters lurk, ready to kill. The oldest of the orphans is Yvonne, who does her best to keep her younger siblings, Susan, Vicky, Cathy and Alan, safe. Each child cherishes a gift left to them by their parents, except for Alan, who not only lost his gift but can’t recall what it is.

The Lucky Diamond opens as dusk settles on Lowdar. Cathy’s twin brother plays a game with the other boys in the street. The last through the gate is a colonel from the Nivram National Army. The bell tolls, and the gate clangs shut, signaling that curfew is about to start. Cathy worries as she waits for her sister, Vicky. The authorities take her brother into custody with threats of being thrown into the Great Forest.

This day changes the lives of all five siblings when Cathy finds a three-inch diamond on the way home. But it is no ordinary diamond. It’s a shape-changing species who introduces itself as Princess of the Ancient Order of Diamonds—Lucky.

The children escape Lowdar to return Lucky to her home. Along the way they meet challenges at every turn, and the adventure becomes one of self-discovery for each of them. During the journey, the five children are unaccompanied by adults, meet magical creatures, and learn valuable lessons. But the story is totally different.In many ways, this story has a Chroniclesof Narnia feel but also reminds me of the Hogwart's at times. 

@donnasundblad Book Review The Lucky Diamonds #luckydiamond, #books #booktok #bookworm #booksforkids #bookrecommendations #bookreview ♬ original sound Donna Sundblad

Book Review: The Lucky Diamond

The Lucky Diamond is a fast paced imaginative read and a perfect choice for Middle School readers who enjoy fantasy with plenty of action. Though I must give parents a heads up that the story is charming, but does have some scary characters, so if you have a child troubled by monsters, they might not be ready for this book. I also recommend this entertaining read to older readers who appreciate magical fantasy like Harry Potter or the Chronicles of Narnia. I had one unresolved question, but I’m about to start reading Revenge of Queen Rose (The Lucky Diamond series book 2), and hope to have it answered there. While the world building depicted a believable world, I thought the plot felt rushed at times and could be more developed. However, with that said, the story flowed well, never stalled, and held my interest. I am starting book 2 and looking forward to it.

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As BookHookup, I am a long-time book reviewer and received a free review copy of this book in collaboration with Blackberry Book Tours. I have not been compensated 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.

 

 

About Author Valinora Troy

Valinora Troy has been writing since she could read, if not earlier. Her first book, started at the age of six, featured a girl finding a magic diamond. It took her all summer to write the first few pages. Since then, she has written many stories, both short and full length novels. THE LUCKY DIAMOND, her first full length middle grade children's fantasy, was published November 2021.