Jessie Belle by Jennifer Peel

Synopsis:

Jessica and Blake Summers know a thing or two about what it's like to be the latest and greatest news in their small town of Merryton. Their thirteen-year marriage has had more than its fair share of heartache and loss. Then the past comes knocking, in the form of a teenage girl, a daughter Blake never knew existed. The news sets the Merryton grapevine on fire.

In the wake of this revelation and amid the firestorm it creates, Blake and Jessica are forced to reevaluate their own relationship and priorities, all while learning that raising a teenage girl is not for the faint of heart. But during the chaos and uncertainty, they discover that Madeline may just be what the doctor ordered to heal their broken hearts and mend their own tattered relationship.

Will they have the courage to look forward and find a greater love than they could ever imagine? Or will past hurts and the town grape vine tear them apart?

My Review: 5 Stars

Y'all. Trying to find something I'm in the mood to read is always a challenge when life gets crazy. While looking through the books on my kindle, The Women of Merryton series jumped out and said... "it's time to read us again!" My brain said... "while you're at it, update your reviews!" Who am I to say no?! It's time to show old favorites lots of love!

Jessie and Blake will forever be favorites of mine. Their journey was definitely tough but one worth watching. Before I even finished the first chapter I was hooked. I sat back and held on tight while enjoying the emotional roller coaster that is Jessie Belle. I found myself cheering them on when things were going right, growling and getting frustrated when Blake was being dense or things weren't going my way, rolling my eyes at certain characters that seriously needed to be Gibbs slapped, laughing at the antics of teenagers, getting teary eyed at the sad and even tender moments, and letting out dreamy sighs throughout the whole journey. I seriously felt like I was right there in Merryton experiencing the whole journey with Jessie, Blake and Maddie. It. Was. AMAZING!

Have you ever read a book and decided that the characters needed their own theme song? Jessie's song would be Fight Song by Rachel Platten. Not only does she have to work on strengthening and bettering her marriage with Blake and learn to be the best stepmom ever, she also has to learn to love herself again. Her poor body and self esteem have taken hit after hit after hit and she doesn't even recognize herself anymore. It was a constant uphill battle for her. But dang it... she fought every step of the way!

I also discovered Blake's song for Jessie. It is absolutely perfect in my opinion. It's another Rachel Platten song... Stand By You. Blake did a lot of growing himself and one thing he realized was that he could not go a day without Jessie. He knew that he hadn't been the best of husbands and he knew he had a lot to make up for. And make up for it he did. He was her faith, courage and strength when she didn't know if she could go on the way they were going. He set out to prove that he was always going to stand by her no matter what! *dreamy sigh* Have I told you how much I LOVE Blake?!

Ms. Peel did another FANTABULOUS job of sucking me into yet another one of her books. Just like the first time around, I had the hardest time putting it down. Even though I've read the book before, I still found myself reading late into the night and waking up earlier than usual to continue their journey. Fully immersing myself into a book is the best feeling in the world! I loved every minute of it!

As for the casting... I literally saw Jessie from the very first chapter! She just totally fit! Blake took a little longer but I love him just as much as I love Jessie! What do you think?!

 

Below Fated Skies by Anna Hawke

Synopsis:

Fear of the flame is what keeps it burning.

An alpha werewolf born of a dark past, Riaz is a ruthless protector, but a caring leader. When the enemy develops a new weapon in his pack’s back yard and werewolves begin to turn rabid, Riaz spares no effort to eliminate the danger. Even if it meant inviting an uptight vampire into their midst.

Cortana is atoning for an unforgivable sin. When she loses the purpose she hid behind for centuries, she accepts a mission in werewolf territory. What began as collaboration quickly shifts to desire, and she is faced with a dilemma. If she opens herself to the charms of the fun-loving alpha, she risks losing control of the monster within her once more.

As they confront enemies and the mistakes of their pasts, will their bond withstand the trials of fire, or will they be consumed by the flames?

My Review: 5 Stars

Y'all. I am seriously hooked on this series and I no longer want to be an adult. Who wants to take my place so I can stay home and read? Anyone? Adulting is SO overrated.

To say Cortana and Riaz are complete opposites would be an understatement. Cortana has everything scheduled and organized, while Riaz is more laidback and is more of an organized chaos kind of guy. From their first meeting you knew there story was going to be rollercoaster of a ride, and let me tell you, it did not disappoint. Their banter and random nicknames will have you giggling out loud. While the more serious moments will have your heart breaking. But you will love every minute of it.

I wasn't every far into the book before I fell head over heels in love with Riaz. Y'all. That man is something special! He's protective, loving, loyal, and he's the one you want by your side always. Cortana on the other hand was a bit stubborn and strong willed. Don't get me wrong, she has the same characteristics as Riaz, but the tragic secrets in their past lead each of them down opposite paths when it came time to face their demons. Their story was another heartachingly beautiful one. Seeing these two finally get their HEA will melt your heart into a big ol' pile of goo. 

I am seriously in love with this series! It is such a fun one to get lost in. I literally count down the minutes until I can pick it back up again. I am usually over a fantasy series by book 5 but that's definitely not the case here! I just can't get enough of it! Whether you're a fantasy lover or not, you really need to start this series! It just keeps getting better and better! 

Ms. Hawke has definitely cemented herself onto my favorite authors list. Every single book of hers I've read sucks me in from the first page and holds me hostage until the very end. I lose all track of time when immersing myself into this phenomenal world she has created. I can't wait to see what she has in store for us next! 

As for my casting. You. Guys! The moment I found these two, I knew they were absolute perfection! I think this is one of my favorite castings so far! What do you think?!

Upon Shattered Bonds by Anna Hawke

Synopsis:

Every betrayal begins with trust.

After learning the lesson firsthand, Nina has guarded herself and her clan against any threat. When her defenses fail, an assassination attempt leaves her vulnerable. With their bitter history poisoning their mating bond, she can either accept Zeke’s help and stay alive—or fight alone.

Zeke prides himself on honor and integrity, but is haunted by a past riddled with tragedy. When Nina is injured, he’s desperate to protect her and bring the people who did it to justice. As a Raeth sovereign, he must choose between his clan or his fated mate.

Nina and Zeke find themselves tied together in a perilous game surrounded by lies and half-truths. The question will they survive, or will they let the past claim their lives?

My Review: 5 Stars

What. Just. Happened?! Like, seriously. What in the ever loving world just happened?! Speechless. I am absolutely speechless. This entire book has messed with all of my emotions, all of my feelings. Like ALL of them. Y'all. I just can't right now. 

Nina and Zeke, all though mates, have spent centuries apart. Neither seemed to want to have anything to do with the other. But there's more than meets the eye. Both have secrets that they've kept from each other. Both have been hurt. Both have been living in limbo. That is until an invitation from Kaien is extended for Zeke to attend his wedding. Once Nina and Zeke see each other, their fight to stay apart starts to diminish. The chemistry these two have is off the charts!

I always knew Nina was stubborn. I just didn't realize HOW stubborn the woman really was. Holy Hannah. Y'all. I can't even begin to tell you how many times I wanted to shake her and/or Gibbs slap her. The woman is maddening. But as the attacks on her and Zeke started happening more and more, it brought them closer together. While it still wasn't all sunshine and roses, it was heartachingly beautiful to see these two fated mates FINALLY come together and get their HEA that is long past due. 

Y'all. I thought the plot twist in Across Shadowed Paths was big. But my mind can't even remember what it was because the plot twist in this one?! Y'all. There. Are. No. Words! I'm still asking myself what just happened?! I'm surprised I've written as much of a review as I have because my mind is still reeling from this book. 

There's a quote on my blog that says "A book is proof that humans are capable of working magic." I am in complete awe of the world and characters Ms. Hawke has created. She seems to leave me speechless and craving more at the end of each book. Her books just keep getting better and better. Do yourself a favor and give her books a try. You won't regret it. I promise!

And of course no review would be complete without a casting. Love! I just love these two! What do you think?

Across Shadowed Paths by Anna Hawke

Synopsis:

Three days. Two people. One cabin. A mating bond triggered by a vampire’s bite.

Blair escaped the horrors of her past, but they never stopped haunting her. Driven by the need for revenge, she ventures into the heart of enemy territory. When she’s exposed as a vampire, being rescued strands her in the wilderness with her best friend’s brother.

Living in the shadow of his sister, Kaien fears he can claim nothing to his own merit. When he saves Blair’s life, he’s stripped of his abilities and trapped in a mating bond with a woman who refuses him. Thousands of miles away from his clan, he must battle against the need to claim her as his fated mate—and the one thing that could solely be his.

Away from civilization, the masks they wear crumble, and the scorching desire between them ignites. Sheltering together in a remote cabin, Blair and Kaien must survive the elements—and each other.

My Review: 5 Stars

Raise your hand if you have been known to hold a grudge against fictional characters. You didn't know that was a thing? Neither did I until I met Blair in From Tortured Fates. Y'all. That woman has had me fuming for 3 months and refusing to read her book. All because she did something to our beloved Circe and Luc that I did NOT approve of. IYKYK. 

Since I have been invested in this series from the moment I picked it up, I finally just said forget it. Pick up the dang book and read it. And so I did. I was not 100% sold on Blair going into the book, even though I was assured that others had the same feelings I did and ended up loving Blair. She's definitely rough around the edges and goes out of her way to be defiant. But about halfway through, she started growing on me. I may or may not have loved her by the end. 

Okay fine. I did end up loving her. But I believe that Kaien had a lot to do with that. The man was her perfect mate. He balanced her, strengthen her, protected her, smoothed out those roughened edges, and simply loved her. She has never had that in her life and didn't know how to react. Through Kaien's love, she was able to discover who she truly was and learned to love in return. *le sigh* I love love. 

As for the continued story, y'all. All I have to say is PLOT TWIST! I did NOT see that one coming and I'm even more invested than I was before. I cannot wait to see what happens next! 

Ms. Hawke has quickly become one of my favorite authors. The worlds she creates are unique and intriguing. Once I start one of her books, I have the hardest time putting them down. She is amazing! If you haven't read any of her books yet, I highly recommend checking them out!

As for my casting... *dreamy sigh* Aren't these two perfect?! Your answer should be a resounding YES! Hehe. 

2025 Genre/Trope Reading Challenge

Happy New Year my fellow Book Dragons! Welcome to my 6th Annual Genre/Trope Reading Challenge!

1. Romantasy: Across Shadowed Paths by Anna Hawke
2. Spy: Date with Danger by Jenessa Fayeth 
3. Suspense: 
4. Grumpy/Sunshine: Without Pride and Prejudice by Jennifer Peel
5. RomCom: 
6. Single Parent: 
7. Urban Fantasy: 
8. Christmas: 
9. Small Town: 
10. Marriage of Convenience: 

Happy reading my fellow Book Dragons!

2025 Reading Challenge

Happy New Year my fellow Book Dragons! Welcome to my 9th Annual Reading Challenge!

1. A book without people on the cover: 
2. A book with magic: 
3. A book that starts with an "U": Upon Shattered Bonds by Anna Hawke
4. A book you can read in a day: 
5. A book you've read but haven't reviewed: Made for You by Claire Cain
6. A book with a recipe inside: 
7. A book with a four word title: 
8. A book with pink on the cover: 
9. A book with a heart on the cover: 
10. A book that makes you smile: 

Happy reading my fellow Book Dragons!