Science Fiction

on within it. This is de=initely one of those books that sci-=i lovers will adore and enjoy with a cup of tea on a lovely spring night or even by the =ire under a blanket. Beware, it is a page turner and hard to put down.

Lynn-Alexandria McKendrick

Coup de Grâce

Paul L. Centeno

The world is an extremely dif=icult place to live in. Kaimo de Morté is an optometrist but cannot afford to start his own business so he makes do with what he can. Little does he know that an encounter will change everything he knows and pull him into a battle that could see all life around the world eradicated. While he has absolutely no idea what he is doing, Kaimo will discover more about himself than he ever thought possible and he will not only have to =ight for his life, but for the future of mankind. Will Kaimo be able to help save mankind? Or will he perish along with everyone else in the world?

“Coup de Grâ ce” is a fascinating book which fans of steampunk will devour and adore. The descriptions are great and really help to build an image of the world in the readers mind. Kaimo is an interesting character who =inds himself throughout the book after a little bit of a rough start. The book has a real regular guy to hero feel and Paul Centeno has done an awesome job of building a world and characters that create a great story and has a lot of themes and aspects going

The Golden Cage Kate L.

Mary

For centuries, the island of Sansara has been cut off from the rest of the world, choosing to keep its distance from the rest of society. There, they have gotten the role of women down to a science – quite literally. At the tender age of six, girls are classi=ied and separated to perform their chosen duties. For some, that might mean taking care of a house and husband; for others, it is to be beautiful and adored, while still others are forced into hard labor behind the scenes. Elora, Rose, and Odette are three different women with three very different dreams who live polar-opposite lives. As they rise above, desperate to gain their version of happiness, each must choose to succumb to the system that made them – or break free from its grasp.

“The Golden Cage” is rich in detail and drama, making it a book to savor! The dystopian setting isn’t bogged down with extra information, giving the readers just enough to make the world real without it being boring. These women are featured as leads, and each has her own unique journey as she tries to survive the devastating world they live in. Ms. Mary has a poetic way with words which creates a beautiful =low on the page. There is a lot going on, so much so it’s almost impossible to =it it all into one book! Readers will become absorbed in the stories of Odette, Elora, and Rose, and root for their happiness. It should be noted that there are triggers for sexual assault present in the novel. Overall, this is a gem that will resonate with readers long after they turn the last page!

Chelsea Andersen

The Earl’s Timely WallLlower (Taken by Destiny Book 1)

Aurrora St. James

Lily Bennett is trying to =ind a place to =it in after both her siblings =ind lives of their own. When she comes across an intricate timepiece at work and sets it to midnight, she suddenly =inds herself in Regency England! She is rescued by Violet, who brings her home to her brother, Gabriel Hawthorn, Earl of Rothden. He =inds her tale of being an American from the future fantastical, but has her stay since she has nowhere to go. He is having a house party for some relaxation before the London Season. The sizzle starts immediately between Gabriel and Lily. She befriends Gabriel’s friends, including the eccentric inventor, Christian Albury, Earl of Huntington. Lily’s =irst priority is to =ind the clockmaker who made the time device so she can get home.

“The Earl’s Timely Wall=lower” is a vividly created “=ish out of water” tale. Great dilemma for Lily – should she stay or go, if given the chance. Lily, Gabriel, and Violet are extremely colorful characters who carry the story. Most of Gabriel’s friends, with the exception of Christian have a tendency to remain one dimensional. It is not quite believable when Christian assembles a delicate invention while riding horseback as part of the hunt. Gabriel is too lenient on his ex-mistress when she shows up, making him seem weak. It is too obvious too soon what Christian is working on, which takes some of the surprise away from the story. The pacing is excellent, and the tale is dif=icult to put down once started. An unusual story combining time travel and historical facets, fans of both genres will absolutely love this novel!

Belinda Wilson

a home. Instantly sucked in, both Ellie and Harry suddenly =ind themselves in the 14th century. With no way to get back, Ellie learns she must see life through a different lens before she will be allowed back to her children and the 21st century.

The Veil Between Worlds

Hope Carol

This engaging time-travel story is a mix of fabulous 14th century tidbits woven in to enlighten a 21st century mind. The set-up is well constructed. Ellie, as a specialist in all things of that era, including the odd early English language, helps the reader see things through a creative and believable prism. Oddly, there are some jarring inconsistencies in other areas, however, from the songs they sing to the switching of characters names, to the characters actions. Ellie is a terribly pessimistic character as well, making it dif=icult to like and enjoy reading about her. Overall, the story stayed =irmly on the surface with little depth, especially in the romance department. Still, the setting and story are truly lovely to experience overall. One can truly emerge themselves easily and experience a bit of an era long gone but rich with history!

Ruth Lynn Ritter

TIME TRAVEL: When Ellie

Hartford, a divorced American Middle English professor, and her two daughters traveled to England to visit old friends, she had no idea of the adventure that awaited her! First is meeting Harry, a very handsome neighbor, then having her ex-boyfriend, John, show up at the house in manacles, bruised and bleeding! To explain what happened, John takes Ellie and Harry to an odd labyrinth behind his old castle of

Savoring Christmas (Rodeo Romance Book 10)

Shanna Hat=ield

Troy Lucas has committed his future to being a rancher and farrier, with a little team roping on the side with his cousin. A former rodeo star, he gave up the constant travel to help his grandmother run the family ranch. Chef Lark Gibson is determined to make her food truck a success and then open a restaurant in Portland. When a runaway steer brings the pair together, they =ind something sparking between them that neither of them thought they’d ever =ind. But Troy’s dreams keep him at the family ranch, and Lark’s dreams take her away from both. As Christmas approaches and old fears begin to resurface, both Troy and Lark will have to determine just what they really want in life.

A charming romance between a rodeo rancher and a potato princess, Troy and Lark are delightful together as they reconcile their dreams with their budding relationship. Both main characters have had trouble with relationships in the past and must overcome doubts and fears concerning their new promising relationship. At the same time, Troy and Lark stand out in that Troy is reserved but not brooding. He is supportive and helpful to Lark, but he’s not infallible. Lark is hardworking and caring to Troy, but wary of giving up her dreams as well. Avoiding many tropes, their pairing is both realistic and natural to the point that the reader could easily envision meeting the couple in real life. Lovers of rural contemporary romance will =ind that this book is a fabulous choice!

Sarah E Bradley

Hot Magic (Cat’s Paw Cove #4)

Catherine Kean the layers of romance that includes a darker and more sinister plot spinning from the ancient King Arthur legends. Altogether, this is a wonderful blend of humor and drama. While it follows many of the familiar tropes for the genre, it’s still a fun novel to plow through! There is a happily for now conclusion with an implied sequel, all set in a continued universe that readers can pick up wherever they want.

Lucian Lord is the reincarnation of an ancient knight of the round table. He has died and come back again several times, and is faithfully served by his squire trapped as a cat—Galahad. In this current lifetime, he runs an antique shop for his grandfather in Cat’s Paw Cove. Molly Hendrickson has recently moved in, fresh off of a devastating break-up to her =iancé . To occupy herself, she has taken to cleaning out her mother’s old home. When she =inds an old necklace, she brings it to Lucian’s shop for an appraisal. The chemistry between her and Lucian is instant… or is it just an ancient curse pulling them together?

Ms. Kean takes a classic legend and turns it upside down! Full of adventure, romance, and magic it grips readers from start to =inish! Lucian is the de=inition of a smoldering hero, totally swoon worthy. It makes sense why Molly feels an instant attraction to him. She is a female lead that readers can get behind easily. On top of the main leads, there is a colorful collection of feline characters that provide sass and laughs amongst

Rebecca Winder gives an energetic performance, keeping the =low of the story going even in some of the slower moments. Her personi=ication of the characters gives them all a unique and distinct sound, even the cats! This combines together to make for a wonderful listen that makes it easy to press play and let it go until the end.

This is a great listen for lovers of urban fantasy and cozy towns!

Chelsea Andersen

Harper learns that her father plans to sell her to become the wife of a brothel owner. She is horri=ied, and discovers that she can become a mail order bride instead, and perhaps =ind a better fate by traveling to Colorado. Neil Thompson is a widower in Miner’s Gulch, Colorado. His wife passed away during a =lu epidemic four years prior, leaving him as a single father to a now 6year-old girl. When Lacey arrives in Colorado, she discovers that Neil has no idea that his family has gone behind his back to =ind him a bride, but Lacey is stuck, and has nowhere else to go. While the motivations are delineated for each of the main characters, the world-building is con=ined to the ranch in Miner’s Gulch, to a small part of Denver, and to a select few locations in Boston. The town of Miner’s Gulch has such an interesting name; it might have been nice to learn more about it as well. Additionally, it’s somewhat incongruous that Neil falls so quickly after declaring multiple times that he will never marry again; however, his mind is changed by a particular event. Nevertheless, this is a sweet story of creating second chances by =inding the strength to let go of the past and to forge a new path.

Learning to Trust Again (Mail Order Brides of Miner’s Gulch, Book 1)

Susannah Calloway

NOVELLA/HISTORICAL: The story takes place in the late 1800’s, and opens as Lacey

The narrator tries to give each character a distinct voice, but there aren’t signi=icant differences between the various voices within the recording. Additionally, many of the characters have southern accents, although the story occurs in Massachusetts and Colorado. Regardless, the production quality of the recording is strong, and there aren’t any unexpected noises on this recording. This is a heartwarming story about taking chances.

Carey Sullivan

US Flying Boats & Spies: A Nick Grant Adventure (Nick Grant Adventures Book 1)

Jamie Dodson

MYSTERY/YOUNG ADULT: Nick Grant is 16 but looks older; he longs for adventure and hopes to be a pilot and an engineer someday. This story is set in the spring and summer of 1935. The Depression is ongoing, and Nick’s father is in Oregon for work. Without additional income, the Grants may lose their home. After school, Nick works for a man named Mac at the Alameda Air=ield in California, maintaining and repairing planes. As the story opens, Nick meets Charles and Anne Lindbergh, and overhears a conversation about PanAm hiring in San Francisco. Meanwhile, Anne gives Nick a leather map case and instructs him to deliver it to a Mr. Grooch at Pier 22 in San Francisco--to tell no one of this errand, to keep the case closed, and to only give it to Grooch! Nick accepts the ‘mission’ and leaves school the next day to ensure the case is delivered, and to try to get hired to help his parents =inancially.

There are outside forces nearby that Nick is unaware of; thus, several challenges occur within the story, forcing Nick to make some tough choices. His growth arc is evident, yet the story begins with him already as a strong protagonist. This =ictional story is grounded in historical fact, which makes the story extra compelling! Nick’s motives are established at the start, and his character is extremely likable. The story builds steadily, with minimal slower sections. The dialogue sounds authentic and believable.

Andy Valvur does a =ine job giving each character a distinct voice and keeping them consistent throughout. For most of the story, the audiobook recording quality is excellent; however, Chapter 21 has multiple skips in it between the 1:20 - 5:00minute mark, which is somewhat disappointing.