Science Fiction

increasing energy, it can also be used for evil, and that’s what Sabine believes is going on. In her hunt to Iind the cerecite, another situation arises that requires her attention. When an incident leads Sabine to believe that someone might be trying to destroy Ithical, it is a race against time to Iigure out who is behind everything that has been going on. They have to Iigure out who is trying to destroy the shield generators before Ithical is gone. Will Sabine and her friends be able to Iigure out who is responsible and save Ithical? Or are they doomed to fail and watch Ithical be destroyed?

Tamara Grantham has written an enjoyable second novel to her Chronicles of Ithical series and has built a fascinating world that readers can escape to for a few hours. There is an interesting array of characters and an interesting whodunnit which holds on until the end. There are a lot of nice aspects to the worldbuilding and a great plot that moves at an even pace. It would be a good idea to go back to the Iirst book in the series to learn a little more about what’s going on. It’ll be great to see where it goes from here. But those who have read book one will enjoy this next instalment. “The End of Never” is one to download to the e-reader this spring season.

Lynn-Alexandria McKendrick

Glacial Heat (Fantasy Resorts Book 3)

Lizzy Gayle

When Rosi Sanchez wins an all-expenses-paid dream vacation to the Glacial Palace Resort in the Arctic, she expects to have the expedition of a lifetime. What she doesn’t plan for is the intense attraction she feels toward the resort’s handsome poster-boy, Austin Cooper. She also doesn’t expect how the mysteries the Arctic holds in its depths pull her in. Meeting Rosi is not what Austin Cooper planned for the resort’s grand opening, but the chemistry between him and Rosi is undeniable. When strange things start happening at the resort, putting the guests in danger, Austin and Rosi Iind themselves thrust together, and they take it upon themselves to uncover the secrets of the Glacial Palace Resort. But Austin has a deadly secret of his own that might just unravel the bond he’s formed with Rosi and destroy the one chance they both have to Iind real love.

This sci-Ii romance keeps the reader on their toes from start to Iinish. Set in the twenty-second century, the Arctic resort setting is the perfect blend of modern times and advanced technology. The story is told from both Rosi and Austin’s points of view, and the steamy chemistry between the two characters is enough to satisfy any romance reader’s needs.

“Glacial Heat” dives into the mysteries of the unknown with a mythological twist toward the Inuit cultures, while still maintaining all the elements of a enthralling modern romance. For lovers of sci-Ii, mythology, and hot romance, this novel is sure to be hit!

Nicole Harlowe

The Clockwork City - Lady Georgia Brunel Mysteries, Book One

Shelley Adina thrilling amount of action! The two Ladies Brunel prove to be an alarmingly resourceful duo who are unafraid to step outside their comfort zone to solve a crime they feel indebted to see to its conclusion. With the help of some amazingly well-written and well connected secondary characters, their sleuthing skills are put to the test. Readers will delight in their thrilling adventures and narrow escapes. Ms. Adina manages to release the kraken and submerge readers into the murky depths of murder and mayhem found in the canals of a decadently reimagined Venice, Italy, abound with political maneuvers, courtly manners, and a dash of mystical assistance.

Tonya Mathenia

STEAMPUNK: Widowed Lady

Georgia Brunel and her Aunt-inlaw Millicent embark upon a much deserved holiday to Venice, Italy. Their plan is to take in the sights, see some exhibitions, and possibly try their hand at painting some of the beautiful scenery. After meeting Sir Francis Thorne and his lovely young daughter, Cora, at an exhibit, Georgia Iinds herself receiving unwanted attention from Sir Francis during a TBT ball, held by Venetian royalty. She and Aunt Millie escape the ball to return to their villa, only to discover his body on their stairs the next morning. Unhappy with how they are treated by the polizia, they decide to take matters into their own hands to discover the truth. Taking young Cora under their wings and using their connections, the two ladies Iind themselves delving into the mechanical machinations of a maniacal madman, hell-bent on making himself king by any means necessary.

"The Clockwork City" delivers a suspenseful steampunk mystery with a tick of romance. It rings with charm and provides a

Under Pressure: From the CaseTiles of Detective "Mal" Malone (The Detective Malone Mystery Series

Book 3)

Jen Flanagan able to act soon, but their one ace in the hole, an illegally planted bug in the conference room of underground criminals is running out of battery life. To complicated things, Mal is given a side case tracking suspicious activity at a nursing home and another investigating a mysterious customer at a pet store. Just when things are getting rougher, Dessi ups his game of cat and mouse. With so much going on, and the stakes getting higher, Mal and friends are going to need a lot of coffee and a lucky break to beat him at his own game for good!

The third installment in this mystery series, “Under Pressure” concludes the three-part mystery around Dessi and his crime. Though the side cases are started and completed within this book, readers may want to start with book one to fully understand all the characters, their stories and just how they ended up connected to Mal. Mal herself is an interesting blend of independence, determination, and a little doubt. Her relationship with Rhodes is realistic and yet full of sparks. Her friendships are admirable, and the interplay between Mal and some of the local gangsters is delightfully convoluted. Overall, fans of mysteries with geeky references, solid characters, an interesting mystery, and levels of depth to their characters should deIinitely give this book a look!

Sarah E Bradley

Mal and her team are determined to put the gangster Dessi in jail once and for all, but after a string of dead ends, they are running out of leads. With Rhodes on her side, and both old and new friends to rely on, Mal is sure they will be

A Sour Note

Jill

Piscitello

Maeve Cleary left her youthful home of Hampton to attend college in New York and pursue her dream job. Ten years later, she returns to home with a battered heart and worries about rebukes from her mom, Jules. Jules owns The Music Box, which becomes the foundation of the relationship shift between mother and daughter. Maeve and her childhood friend, Paige, reconnect at the Happy Bean run by Finn, Maeve’s high school sweetheart. Finn reminds Maeve of their once close relationship igniting the embers. When Paige and Maeve discover a body in the dumpster, the police get summoned. Trixie Bell, the victim, had a love-hate relationship with many people in Hampton. Everyone is hiding secrets, and Maeve decides to uncover the murderer. Could Maeve’s bold moves be her undoing or help her to rekindle a lost love?

Readers of cozy mysteries will enjoy Iinding their life reIlected in Hampton as the original story delivers a unique whodunit not to be missed! Ms. Piscitello creatively releases the distinctive characters’ personalities with small precision moves designed to pique the reader’s interest. The storyline is simple, viable, and intricate as Maeve the sleuth reveals her desire to protect her friends and Iind the truth, with clues taking readers down various twisted paths to reveal multiple suspects with possible motives. The smalltown gossip mill is active and sometimes accurate as Maeve renews friendships and recalls personalities unchanged in ten years. The fast-paced storyline and realistic dialogue make this mystery fun, prompting readers to turn the pages faster to the surprising end!

Simone Dober

something to do with it. With seemingly no concrete clues to set them on the right path to solving this mystery, tensions run high throughout the department. There are more questions than answers, and no matter how good Benoit, Dayne, and all of her ofIicers are, can they solve the convoluted crime before it’s too late?

Straight for the Kill (Benoit and Dayne Mystery, Book 3)

Winter Austin

While trying to recuperate from an emergency appendectomy, Sheriff Elizabeth Benoit is beyond dismayed when one of her deputies, Lila Dayne, Iinds a murdered girl in the woods… everything about the case seeming identical to an unsolved case from 25 years ago – when the sheriff’s best friend was killed. Elizabeth refuses to stay out of the case once she learns of the similarities. When people from the community begin to disappear without a trace, she can’t help but wonder if the corrupt ex-sheriff she’s been trying to nail has

As book three in this series, readers may feel somewhat out of their depth and a little confused when it comes to the obvious carryover threads for many of the characters, as this tale seemingly picks up very soon (if not immediately) after the last one ends. For this reason, reading the series in order would be greatly beneIicial. As for the murder mystery this case focuses on, hold onto your hats, folks, because it’s a doozy! Readers will Iind themselves on the edge of their seats waiting to Iind out what’s going to happen next. The mystery is well done with a thoroughly satisfying ending. Kudos to Ms. Austin for writing such a gripping whodunit tale with the perfect amount of adrenaline-fueled tension!

Piper Valentine

Here I Go Again (The Detective Malone Mystery Series Book 2)

Jen Flanagan together and what happened, but starting at book two doesn’t take away from the overall feel of the novel. Readers will enjoy going on a journey with Mal and her motley crew. A good mystery that holds off until the end for the big reveal. For those who enjoy mysteries, this is one they’ll be able to get their teeth into. DeIinitely a good read to pass the time with this spring.

Lynn-Alexandria McKendrick

thoughts of his own working alongside Ashley.

Detective “Mal” Malone thought she had everything under control, but sufIice it to say that her life takes somewhat of an interesting turn. With a new employee taking over her ofIice and a wannabe detective thrown into the mix, it does not make for a convenient or calm work space. When an old Ilame walks back into her life while she has a case of stolen jewelry to solve, Mal Iinds herself in an interesting and busy situation. Everything is at stake as they make their way through the case and the real question isn’t who stole the jewels, but who will survive this case? Has Mal bitten off more than she can chew?

There is a fun cast of characters in “Here I Go Again” and the title really speaks volumes for how poor Mal is feeling as she tries to get used to the new work situation she Iinds herself in. Though the plot generally moves at an even pace, in some spots it slows down almost to a grinding halt—but push through those because the story does improve. It might be worth going back to the Iirst book in the series to see how the characters came to be

Lost in the Dark (Camden Point Romantic Suspense book 3)

Gail Chianese

Ashley Medearis – a cop – is trying to come back to her old self after being shot in the Iield. However, Ashley soon realizes that it might not be that easy to be normal again because there is someone stalking her. And this just isn’t anyone; it’s someone who is dead. With her newfound ability to see and talk to the dead, and her sabbatical bringing her to a small town in Camden Point, she Iinds herself in the middle of a missing person’s case. But she isn’t working alone. While Ashley has her hands full with the missing person’s case, she is forced to work alongside her old Ilame—Nate who seems to have

In this steamy paranormal romance, Gail Ghianese brings two old Ilames together by unusual circumstances. With the spiciness of the two characters, “Lost in the Dark” is an adult read showing how two different people can come together while not really knowing the other person. The attraction between Ashley and Nate is felt through each savory word the author writes showing her cleverness to connect the reader with the characters of the story. Not only does the author connect the readers to the characters within her story by her Ilavorful descriptions of their emotions, but pulls the readers in by explaining both sides to the story which gives a better view of what is happening with the other characters – not just the main ones. With this thorough explanation of each side of the story, this book can be read as a stand-alone. A haunting page turner, the story turns in the direction where the reader least expects, keeping one glued to the page!

Stephanie Bell

Island Heat - The Carolina Series, Book 2

Debby Grahl

Suzanna Shay wins a mystery themed cruise from her bookstore job where she meets Austen Kincaid, a Iledgling suspense writer. Their mutual love of mystery books and an instant attraction promises to make their Iive day voyage a fun and exciting adventure. Unfortunately for Austen, he Iinds himself in the crosshairs of the man-eating Haley Henderson, an accomplished writer and wife of Brad Henderson, owner of H&H Publishing. Suzanna and Austen continue their romance once they hit land. However, lies and scandal soon rock their world and cause a rift in their budding relationship. Will they be able to sail through the stormy seas of betrayal and get back together? Will their sleuthing minds help them solve a real murder that might actually put Suzanna in mortal danger?

Swimming with mystery, suspense, and romance, "Island Heat" is a steamy tale perfect for reading while cruising the ocean blue or lounging by the pool sipping cabernet! Readers will be immediately engrossed in the plot within a plot story. Suzanna and Austen are relatable characters with white-hot chemistry and inquisitive minds. The ensemble cast of secondary characters are superbly written as they play their part to keep readers guessing whodunit. Haley Henderson plays her part so well, readers will truly hate her entitled and lecherous ways. The island and shipboard locales are described so well, readers will be ready to purchase a ticket for a visit or a cruise of their own. Ms. Grahl's second installment in her Carolina Series delivers a perfect storm of mysterious mayhem, sultry sexiness, and hints of humor that guarantees readers won't be disappointed!

Tonya Mathenia

Her Dangerous Journey Home (No Man is Her Mater Book 3)

Lee Swanson of nail-biting plot twists and adventures galore that will keep readers on the edge of their seats! This is the Iinal book in the No Man is Her Master series, but really reads like a debut novel. Sure, there is a little bit of confusion at times about what is going on, yet it doesn’t really detract from the story. Of course, just to get the background of the main protagonist, Christina, it might help to start out from the beginning. Christina keeps many secrets, including her true nature and, despite her posing as a male, is still easily relatable. Lee Swanson has penned a beautiful, visually stunning novel that will leave readers breathless!

Roslynn Ernst the Las Vegas pack on one side and vampires on the other, they’ll be lucky to make it back to Montana by the full moon. Haley Fern is alpha of her Montana pack and gave Diego permission to go. Meanwhile, her mother shows up earlier than expected and her human boyfriend, Leland, is acting strange. Leland has a lot on his plate, including bad news from his old job. With Halloween approaching and a full moon, there’s plenty happening to keep everyone on their toes.

HISTORICAL: A year ago, Christina Kohl was a simple girl and a wealthy merchant’s daughter. Then pirates destroyed Christina, and uprooted her entire life, so the girl has ceased to exist. To the rest of the world, Christina is Sir Frederick Kohl, her missing brother, whom marauders have cruelly taken from her too. Christina trains daily with her faithful friend and mentor, Kurt Ziesolf, even being knighted by King Edward. Then Christina is ordered to escort Lady Cecily Baldewyne, whom she also secretly loves, to the protection of Westminster Palace. Christina realizes that the deep affection she holds for Cecily must be abandoned because Cecily is betrothed to another. After Christina does so, she is determined to Iigure out what happened to her father and brother, even though the journey is quite perilous and could cost Christina her life.

This LGBTQ book is a wonderful, seaworthy tale that is undeniably spellbinding! This detailed, action-packed story is chockfull

Night is for Hunting (Moonrise Book 2)

Jules Kelley

“Night is for Hunting” entertains with a blend of humor, drama, and suspense! Diego steals the show with his mouthy bravado combined with vulnerability. The characters are well drawn and distinct. Haley deals with insecurity over her leadership as pack leader, while Leland and Val must face their past and its impact on the present. With two main storylines and every chapter in a new point of view, it takes time to become invested in the story events. The worldbuilding is interesting but needs more explanation. The Las Vegas story is fast paced and continuously raises the stakes. The Montana story seems focused on the characters’ internal struggles. “Night is for Hunting” offers a paranormal tale Iilled with memorable characters in a world of intriguing possibilities!

Tricia Hill

PARANORMAL: Diego Sanchez is adjusting to life as a werewolf. Now he is driving his vampire friend, Val, to Las Vegas, the city of Diego’s birth and home to his family. Val is determined to right a wrong, which means an audience with the highest vampire authority. As he and Diego track down their quarry, the attraction between them grows. But with stories intertwined in this story as well, and they are beautifully written. The world building is realistic and raises a lot of questions about the future of the world, questions that will resonate with readers long past “the end”.

Departures

E. J. Wenstrom

YOUNG ADULT/ SCI-FI: Evalee has known the day she was going to die since the day she was born. The date is even tattooed onto her body. She’s been planning her departure party for weeks, wanting it to be just right. When the moment Iinally arrives, Evalee Iinds herself quite the opposite of dead. The Directorate doesn’t want this nasty secret getting out. Her sister, Gracelyn, seems to know something is up. She uses her being a model citizen as the perfect cover for her digging behind the scenes at the Directorate ofIice. In doing so, she learns that everything is not quite as it seems. Evalee narrowly escapes Directorate conIines thanks to a group of rebels, Evalee is thrown into a world she never knew existed – one that goes against everything she’s ever been taught, and one that gives her a chance to actually have a purpose in life.

Unique and immersive, “Departures” pulls readers in and doesn’t let go until the Iinal page. Evalee is a compelling heroine who instantly gains sympathy as she is thrown into a world of corruption. Gracelyn acts as a secondary narrator whose perspective helps Iill in some of the gaps from the life Evalee left behind. There are two romantic

Ms. Yetter gives a strong performance! Her emotional connection to both the perspectives in the novel is strong. It is easy to get lost in her voice and listen for hours. She keeps the pacing on point so that even the slower, more detailed portions remain interesting. The action scenes are enhanced! Her ability to create character differentiation with a slight change in tone is fantastic! Every so often, Evalee and Gracelyn sound similar, but the confusion is only present for a few seconds.

This is a great tale for lovers of YA and dystopian adventures!

Chelsea Andersen

with a dead rattlesnake, and a spinner with the numbers two, four, and six on it. All of them are the trademark of a serial killer known as “Hollywood” who likes to kill his victims with the contents of the jar in the number of days the spinner points to. Homicide detective Nicole Stone is the Iirst on the case. She takes Danika’s best friend, Fallon, to safety, and the two of them must put their heads together to Iind Danika before time runs out. There is a game afoot, because Hollywood intends to kill Detective Stone too. The number on the spinner is how many days she has left to stay alive as well.

“Stone’s Throw” is a clever mystery with a devious killer that will give readers chills! Fast paced, full of action and twists, this book will keep readers invested in the drama unfolding! There are a few moments where details are glossed over and explained a bit more than they should be, rather than painted in a way where the reader can imagine them. The plot is a typical mystery/suspense line, but has enough unique elements to keep it fresh! Overall, this is a very entertaining tale, great for a dark night in!

Stone’s Throw

R.J. Jagger

SUSPENSE/THRILLER: Budding

Hollywood starlet, Danika, is taken captive in the middle of the night from her best friend’s home. The only clues left behind are a jar

“Stone’s Throw” has several actors involved in the production. They do well bringing the story to life. The lead narrator reads a bit slowly and in a slightly over dramatic fashion. The female cast members do an amazing job bringing their characters to life! Their emotional connection to their respective characters is clear and really helps keep readers hooked. In the background are a number of music tracks and sound effects. All of this makes it hard to get fully absorbed into the production because it is a bit distracting. Voice acting and characterization are very well done, though!

A great story for lovers of thrillers and suspense!

Chelsea Andersen vengeance on his father for the rejection he’s had to face his entire life. Upon taking Lady Claire captive on the road, Tye has a plan to lure the man who refused to acknowledge him out into the open. What he doesn’t expect is to be captivated by this woman. Unfortunately for him, she hates his guts. little slow however, but once the book picks up speed, it barrels forward and keeps readers hooked!

A Knight's Seduction (Knight’s #5)

Catherine Kean

HISTORICAL: Lady Claire

Sevalliere has her whole future planned. She knows who she will marry, and the life she will build in their home together. All of those plans are shattered when her beloved is murdered while trying to prevent a prison break— murdered by none other than Tye, the bastard son of Lord Geoffery de Lanceau. Tye wants to get

“A Knight’s Seduction” is an enemies to lovers romance that hits all the right notes! The story begins with action and emotional drama, bringing the reader in. Claire is a strong woman in a time where women are undervalued. She’s clever and holds to her ideals. Tye is a classic rogue with a heart of gold! He’ll make readers swoon. Their chemistry is instant, and the build in their romantic tension is well paced until its satisfying release. Every so often, Tye’s mother, Veronique, is the lead POV, and her perspective adds a delicious layer of malice. The book keeps true to the historical time period. The setting is painted vividly, and the relationship dynamics of the period are well preserved. Some of the plot turns are familiar to fans of the genre, but they are done in an entertaining fashion all the same. A few moments do feel a

Mr. Gillies is a talented narrator who expertly brings the book to life. He helps set the pace for the novel and keeps slower parts moving. His accents are great, and it’s clear he’s connected to the characters he is portraying. Each has their own distinct sound, making it easy to tell everyone apart.

This is a great listen for lovers of historical romance!

Chelsea Andersen

Hepburn’s Necklace

Jan Moran

WOMEN'S LITERATURE: A 1950s movie starlet, Ruby Raines is very young to be in Italy alone. At seventeen, Ruby is rubbing elbows with Audrey Hepburn, Gregory Peck, and a handsome young man named Niccolo. On the set of her Iirst movie, Roman Holiday, Ruby discovers the two parts of her destiny. One blooms, while the other is lost. Decades later, Ruby’s grand-niece, Ariana has had enough of her Hollywood boss, her callous Iiancé , and her life in general. Unfortunately, she comes to these conclusions all at once while standing at the altar. If there’s one thing Ariana has inherited from the women in her family, it’s a very poor sense of timing. When Aunt Ruby decides to buy a villa in the Lake Como region of Italy, three generations of women are thrown into the wreckage of their poorly timed decisions. Will Italy offer them all a second chance?

Fans of “Under the Tuscan Sun” and “Letters to Juliet” will love this atmospheric, multigenerational tale of second chance romances. “Hepburn’s Necklace” is a sweeping story that switches seamlessly between 1952 and 2010. Captivating family drama plays out against an alternating backdrop of glamorous silver screen Hollywood and stunningly depicted Italian landscapes. Some readers may Iind the plethora of description slows the pacing, but others may savor the leisurely story-telling style. Jan Moran has created a charming heroine in Ruby Raines, and a delightful cast of secondary characters. The twists and revelations towards the end are well worth the wait.

“Hepburn’s Necklace” is a thrilling tale with delicious settings, and characters that will live on in the readers’ hearts.

Starling Gray