Review: Angie Fox's "SECRETS, LIES, AND FIREFLIES"

 

SECRETS, LIES, AND FIREFLIES
Paranormal Romance

 

  AUTHOR:

Angie Fox

RELEASE DATE:
March 07, 2025

PUBLISHER:
Moose Island Books

ISBN/ ASIN NUMBER :
9781957685298

RATING:
4.5

AUTHOR LINK:
https://angiefox.com/

 

Verity Long takes on her most personal case yet. One that hits close to home. A fire at Sugarland’s library not only brings back Verity’s grandmother… but reveals a body too. She is asked to help in the investigation by using her ghost-hunting skills. Verity learns that her Long ancestors are somewhat connected to the body. What more, she learns of a long-buried family secret. A secret that someone is willing to kill to possess.

Verity honestly annoyed me in this book. Part of me understands why she behaved the way she did towards Frankie. I would have done the same thing if my late grandmother returned. However, it almost turned into an obsession– one that could easily have dire and harmful circumstances. It shows such emotional growth on her part. Verity is no longer the person she was when her grandmother lived.

Both Frankie and Ellis did not play a big role in this story. Which saddens me! I had hoped that Didi’s return would have given Verity insight on how to unground Frankie. If not her than Didi’s grandmother. But nada! Ellis did get to play the gallant knight-in-shining armor. He made me fall in love with him all over again! Now I am ready for a double wedding: Ellis with Verity and Duranja with Melody!

The true hero of this book is Lucy! I love her part in capturing the bad guy! That is all I will say so not to put spoilers!

SECRETS, LIES, AND FIREFLIES is the fourteenth book in Angie Fox’s paranormal romance series, SOUTHERN GHOST HUNTER MYSTERIES. In some ways, the story can standalone. I would not suggest it. The prior thirteen books show Verity’s rocky relationship with her spectral sidekick, Frankie. Their trails and errors in their ghost-hunting. Their successes. And their character’s growth and evolution. I love seeing how Frankie has rubbed off on Verity. Little things she never realized until she did them.

Review: Janna MacGregor's "A SIMPLE SCANDAL"

 

A SIMPLE SCANDAL
Historical Romance

 

 

 

AUTHOR:
Janna MacGregor

RELEASE DATE:
February 25, 2025

ISBN/ ASIN NUMBER :
B0D6FSDWY3

RATING:
4.5

AUTHOR LINK:
https://www.jannamacgregor.com/

 

 

Dane Ardeerton, the Duke of Pelham, decides it is time to take a wife. He already has the perfect candidate in mind. Dane knows he must make amends between them before he can win Lady Grace’s trust and affection. He already has the perfect candidate in mind. As a front to get closer to Lady Grace, Pelham hires her matchmaking services. The infuriating woman insists on introducing him to other potential brides. Can Pelham soothe all of Grace’s fears and uncertainties? Or will he lose Grace for a second time?

Lady Grace Webster earns the moniker The Governess amongst her peers. She helps her clients navigate the ton, avoid scandals, and find prospective marriage partners. Her latest client is none of than the Duke of Pelham, a man that Grace has history with. She tries to keep things professional between them, but Dane seems to have other plans. Can Grace trust Dane again with her vulnerable heart? Or will history repeat itself?

Dane has piqued my interest since his role in HOW TO BEST A MARQUESS, book three in THE WIDOW RULES series. At the time, I remember hoping the author would write a series centering around him and his sisters. And Jana MacGregor delivered. The only disappointment I have is that his story became a second chance (why is it all my favorite characters gets this trope). What I adore the most about Pelham is his protectiveness towards his sisters. He tends to be overprotective but that is understandable with their childhood. Pelham strives to give them a better life than the one they had as children.

I believe most of my problems with Grace stem from the trope used. Once it became evident in book one that she would become Dane’s match, that they had romantic history, I started to become emotional detached towards her. This always happens whenever I read that trope.  I had already adored Dane because of his appearance in HOW TO BEST A MARQUESS. I did commiserate with Grace. She found a respectable way to financially support herself, using the skills and assets afforded for her because of her noble birth.

A SIMPLE SCANDAL is the third installment of Janna MacGregor’s historical romance series, MILLIONAIRES OF MAYFAIR – a spinoff from the author’s WIDOW RULES books. The story (and series) can easily standalone. It IS more enjoyable to start from the beginning with A SIMPLE SEDUCTION. The first book reveals the siblings’ rearing with their dysfunctional parents. Instead of turning the siblings against one another, it only strengthened their bond and protectiveness. What I love the most is Beth and Grayson’s appearance at the end of the book.

The second-chance trope is what dampened my anticipation for this story. I could never get into that trope. It always makes me feel cheated out of the romance between the main couple. I also notice that it (second-chance trope) to be the current trend in stories of late.

Review: Sherrilyn Kenyon's "SIMI"

 

SIMI
Young Adult, Paranormal Romance

 

 

 

AUTHOR:
Sherrilyn Kenyon

RELEASE DATE:
February 25, 2025

PUBLISHER:
Oliver Heber Books

ISBN/ ASIN NUMBER :
B0CX9MQ5GT

RATING:
4.5

AUTHOR LINK:
https://www.sherrilynkenyon.com/

 

 

Simi is an orphaned Charonte demon. She does have a powerful akri, who would slay anyone that dares hurt her. Simi’s innocent, childlike demeanor allows her to befriend all kinds of beings from demons to humans to even gods. She even meets the one who will one day win her heart. Their paths continually cross throughout the centuries, which only adds to their growing feelings. Simi will do anything to protect him, even anger her akri-daddy, Acheron.

Simi has always been a fan favorite. People have often speculated on who would be the best “fit” for her. And who would be able to stand up against Acheron. I admit being hesitant and skeptical. There is a part of me that wanted Simi to remain the same. But, then another part wanted to see her as an adult, enjoying the same experience as other couples from the series did. Strangely, I am still feeling ify about the person Simi ends up with. I felt oddly disconnected towards the end of the book. Perhaps it is the lengthy wait that colored my view on her happily-ever-after.

SIMI is the third book in the SHADOWS OF FIRE series, a continuation of the CHRONICLES OF NICK books. It is also a YA spin-off from the author’s wildly popular DARK-HUNTER books. Young Adult is not a genre that appeals to me. I never could get into them, so I am unfamiliar with the CON novels (my middle son has, and he loved them). I never heard of the SHADOWS OF FIRE series until this book. Now, I have read most (save for four or five, there abouts) of the DARK-HUNTER books.

The book starts with Simi’s point of view, including her unique speech patterns. It made it hard to read at first, until I got used to it. Then I followed the story much easier. It was fun to see Simi growing up throughout the centuries and seeing the people she meets along the way. I had a feeling about who the author would pair with Simi when he was introduced in the book.

What I love the most about this book is being reacquainted with old characters. Mama Lo, The Peltiers, Santuary, Deveraux sisters, Nick, and especially Cherise.  I never realized how much I missed them until they showed up in the book. It was also nice to meet the children from those beloved characters, even if they were merely mentioned.

REVIEW: Charis Michaels' "CLAIMING THE PRINCESS"

 

CLAIMING THE PRINCESS
Historical Romance

 

 

 

AUTHOR:
Charis Michaels  

RELEASE DATE:
August 26, 2025

PUBLISHER:
Avon

ISBN/ ASIN NUMBER :
9780063280137

RATING:
4.75

AUTHOR LINK:
https://charismichaels.com/

 

 

Captain Luke Bannock, former smuggler turned privateer, never intended to become a war-hero. He simply wants to rescue his surrogate father and avenge his dead crew mates. As his reward of valor, Luke requests a marriage with the French princess living in exile. He plans on using her to confront his nemesis; however, the princess is not what Luke expected. He soon finds himself loath to include her in his revenge plot. Can Luke find another way to rescue his surrogate father without using Danielle?

Princess Danielle Allard d’Orleans never knew her royal French heritage. Her simple village life gets disrupted by the sudden news of her arranged marriage to a war hero. Danielle knows nothing about the handsome sea captain, but she senses there is more to Bannock than what he has told her. And he offers Dani a way to save her beloved Kent village. However, she soon learns Luke’s true reasons for marrying her. Can Danielle forgive Luke for all his lies? Will she help him rescue his surrogate father?

I have always been a sucker for the wounded / tortured hero types. So, it was inevitable that I would love Luke! He is haunted by the gruesome deaths of his crew and the kidnapping of his surrogate father. I like how Luke felt uncomfortable being labeled a “hero”. He believed he did not deserve that title. What I love the most about Luke is that he often wrestled with his guilty conscience. He hated lying or misleading the truth to Dani, but he felt that he had no other choice. Desperate men do desperate and risky things.

Danielle is a good fit for Luke. Both were raised by surrogates from a young age. This allows the two to easily identify with the other. I admire Danielle’s dedication to her hometown. She hates how it is becoming a ghost town due to a businessman’s greed. Dani knows, for it to thrive once again, she needs to find a way to bring back jobs for the townspeople. What I love the most about Danielle is how the news of her royal blood did not diminish her love for her adoptive family. She refused to push them out of her life but to share them with her missing sister and brother.

CLAIMING THE PRINCESS is the third and final book in Charis Michaels’ historical romance series, HIDDEN ROYALS. I started this series in the middle with THE PRINCE’S BRIDE. It made me want to read the next installment because I became invested in the d’Orlean siblings. I seriously need to read SAY YES TO THE PRINCESS, book one. Elise, Killian, and Gabriel - characters from the prior books – play important roles later in the story. I practically devoured this book in two days, even forgoing precious sleep.

There are only two things that kept me from giving this delightful book five stars. Bannock and his mother. Danielle alleged there was a valid reason his mother never was a part of his childhood. I sensed a story there. I even expected it to be touched on, but it never happened. If it was not going to be explored, then why bring it up? Heck, I would have been happy with it being covered in the epilogue.

My other small nitpick – I wish we knew what became of Amelia and Fernsby courtship. Did they wed? Did he get praised for his part at the end? Their courtship was a very minor detail in the story.

Review: Machi Yamashita's LOVE ON THE HORIZON

 

LOVE ON THE HORIZON, Volume 1
Boys Love

 

 

 

AUTHOR:
Machi Yamashita

RELEASE DATE:
January 07, 2025

PUBLISHER:
Kodansha Comic

ISBN/ ASIN NUMBER :
9798888774021

RATING:
4

 

 

Nagi Kitagawa is a first-year art university student. Yuu Yamasaki is Nagi’s senpai and his neighbor. Whenever Yuu gets drunk at their club’s get together, Nagi brings him home and puts him to bed. Nagi realizes his feelings for his upperclassman deepening, especially after Yuu kissing him.  Does Yuu share Nagi’s feelings?

The art style is a little different than what I am used to. It was not off-putting.

LOVE ON THE HORIZON is a sweet, heartwarming story. There was no real conflict that stood in the boys’ way. I like how Yuu went to talk to Nagi when he thought his kohai avoiding him, instead of letting it drag on.

I would definitely read the next one to see how Nagi and Yuu’s relationship progresses. Also, to see if any obstacles crop up that they both need to tackle.