April 2021 Reads

This month I got a good amount of books read. I got sixteen read, even though three of them were manga. Did you read any great books this month? Hope this gives you some new book recommendations?

Gravemaidens by Kelly Coon

In the walled city-state of Alu, Kammani wants nothing more than to become the accomplished healer her father used to be before her family was cast out of their privileged life in shame. When Alu’s ruler falls deathly ill, Kammani’s beautiful little sister, Nanaea, is chosen as one of three sacred maidens to join him in the afterlife. It’s an honor. A tradition. And Nanaea believes it is her chance to live an even grander life than the one that was stolen from her. But Kammani sees the selection for what it really is—a death sentence. Desperate to save her sister, Kammani schemes her way into the palace to heal the ruler. There she discovers more danger lurking in the sand-stone corridors than she could have ever imagined and that her own life—and heart—are at stake. But Kammani will stop at nothing to dig up the palace’s buried secrets even if it means sacrificing everything…including herself.

I didn’t love this book, mostly because it wasn’t really my type of book. I won this one in a Goodreads giveaway, but I am glad I read it even if I didn’t like it that much.

Easter Promises by Lois Richer and Allie Pleiter

Desert Rose by Lois Richer: Jayne Rose’s dream to run her grandmother’s Palm Springs flower shop is about to be dashed. Until she meets a handsome man who helps make it come true. Suddenly romance and roses are blooming. Yet Ben Cummings isn’t who he says he is…or is he? Bluegrass Easter by Allie Pleiter: A “veterinarian on sabbatical,” widowed Paul Sycamore is not interested in answering his new neighbor’s constant questions about her expectant sheep. But the comfort his child finds on Audrey Lupine’s Middleburg, Kentucky, farm just may open his heart.

I wasn’t crazy about either of these. They weren’t bad stories, just weren’t some of my favorites. I did like the Allie Pleiter one more, but it wasn’t one I would read again.

Stay Sweet by Siobhan Vivian

Summer in Sand Lake isn’t complete without a trip to Meade Creamery—the local ice cream stand founded in 1944 by Molly Meade who started making ice cream to cheer up her lovesick girlfriends while all the boys were away at war. Since then, the stand has been owned and managed exclusively by local girls, who inevitably become the best of friends. Seventeen-year-old Amelia and her best friend Cate have worked at the stand every summer for the past three years, and Amelia is “Head Girl” at the stand this summer. When Molly passes away before Amelia even has her first day in charge, Amelia isn’t sure that the stand can go on. That is, until Molly’s grandnephew Grady arrives and asks Amelia to stay on to help continue the business…but Grady’s got some changes in mind…

I loved this book! It was such a sweet young adult read. I ended up reading this one in a day.

Easter In Dry Creek by Janet Tronstad

Clay West is back in town with amends to make and minds to change. The cowboy has spent four years in jail for a crime he did not commit, and he’s determined to restore his good name. The former bad boy’s first priority is convincing childhood friend Allie Nelson of his innocence. But she–more than anyone–has suffered in his absence. Allie can’t admit how much she’s missed Clay–and she can’t betray her family by putting her trust in him. She vows to forget her schoolgirl crush. But Clay will settle for nothing less than her forgiveness–and her whole heart.

This was a great book. It had a lot of emotion in it and I definitely shed a few tears. I did read this around Easter and was glad I did.

In A Heartbeat by Josie Cara

When debilitating headaches and strange nightmares start wreaking havoc on budding artist Josie Bryant’s life, she begins a downward spiral into depression and helplessness. Her once heavenly relationship with her fiancé – gallery owner Ethan Donnelly – starts to fall apart, and everything Josie held dear starts to systematically fall away. After startling information is received about Josie’s past, she and Ethan embark on a quest to gather as much information as possible in a last ditch effort to save their relationship, and possibly Josie’s life. Unfortunately, sometimes things are better left alone. Will Josie be able to handle the truth? Will her lifelong need for a loving family be realized, and if so, is it worth the cost? Can Josie and Ethan’s love really conquer all, or will it all come crashing down in a New York minute?

This was a book that I was sent to read and review. I really liked it. The author packs so much emotion and really keeps you anticipating the end.

Generation Witch Vol. 1,2, and 3 by Uta Isaki

• 

• 

• 

Take a peek into the daily lives of modern witches! In this magical collection, you’ll find broomsticks, textbooks, love-sick high schoolers, and quirky fortune tellers. In the first tale, the apprentice to the great high witch saves her sister from bullies! Then, a reluctant male witch and the president of their school’s Magical Club face off against a flock of angry crows. All this and more, in Generation Witch — an enchanting slice of witchy life! (Synopsis of Vol. 1)

This was such a cute series! I still have two more to get to finish the series, but I haven’t gotten them yet. I will eventually. They are on my Amazon Wish list after all.

Murphy’s Law by Lori Foster

Nothing is going to go wrong. Ashley Miles has worked too hard for her independence to let some Bentley-driving hunk named Quinton Murphy interfere with her plans — or her freedom. Yes, the chemistry is phenomenal. Kind of scary, actually. But that’s it. NO emotional commitments. But he’s SO wonderful — a woman could fall in love . . . How did that happen? That wasn’t part of the plan! But can she trust him? Really trust him? The man is just so mysterious. There’s only one solution: put it all on the line and see what Quinton does when she tells him how she feels. And hope everything that can go wrong . . . won’t . . .

I liked this book. I like Lori Foster’s writing and this one was just as good as her others.

Out Of My League by Sarah Sutton

Sophia Wallace is convinced her life is over when her high school cuts the journalism program. Without the elective, she loses her chance to intern with the biggest newspaper company in the county, and why? All because the baseball team needs more funding. To make matters worse, her boyfriend publicly dumps her at a party, which is mortifying. But the icing on the cake is when the captain of the baseball team and the most popular guy at Bayview High, Walsh Hunter, decides to be chivalrous. He jumps in, throws his arm around Sophia, and declares his undying love for her. In front of everyone. Suddenly, Sophia is thrown into a world of fake relationships and undercover journalism, and she realizes she’s way, way out of her league. Good thing she’s got the team captain to teach her how to play. But faced with choosing between saving her journalism class or her newfound feelings for Walsh, will she strike out or hit a home run?

This book was amazing! I read this in just a few hours because I just couldn’t put it down. This is my second Sarah Sutton book and I can’t wait to read more by her.

Savaged Dreams by Jennifer Lyon

Going away to college gives Liza Glasner a chance to escape her painful and dangerous past…or so she thinks. At fourteen years old, she survived an attack by a famous musician. After that, the media, groupies and crazies hounded her with a merciless cruelty that ruined her life. But now she’s thriving—until an internship brings her face to face with the sizzling hot lead singer of a rock band, and she finds herself drawn to the very thing that once destroyed her. Justice is a temptation she can’t resist…and one that could get her killed. Sexy rock star Justice Cade is determined to take his band, Savaged Illusions, to the top by winning the Court of Rock T.V. show. Tortured by guilt for failing his family, he believes fame is his only path to redemption. But when the fiery college-intern hiding her beauty beneath baggy sweaters and a snarky attitude bursts into his life, Justice is forced to choose between the woman he loves and the stardom he craves. The wrong choice will cost him more than he can bear.

I was sent this book to read and review. I loved it so much! It was such a great, interesting book and I can’t wait to continue on in this trilogy.

Swept Away by Robyn Carr

Jennifer Chaise is proud of her life. Coming from nothing, she’s used her beauty to her advantage and is swept up in a glamorous world of wealth and privilege as the mistress of a high-flying businessman. But when she walks in on a violent scene in their Las Vegas hotel room, Jennifer knows she can no longer ignore the truth about her boyfriend and she flees. Desperate to escape the men searching for her, she invents a whole new persona—with a new look and a new name—as she hides out in a small Nevada town. Working as a waitress in the local diner, she finds a mentor in Louise, a retired professor who takes her in. As Jennifer begins to embrace a new life, she realizes how much was missing from her old one: a sense of community and purpose… But it’s not easy to simply disappear. Her neighbor Alex is a cop, and while he’s friendly enough, he may also suspect that Jennifer is not what she seems. Although she is under constant threat of being discovered, Jennifer is surprised to realize that, for the first time, she’s genuinely happy. Suddenly this real world is all she wants. But will it be enough when her past catches up with her?

While it took me a little bit to get into this book, once I did I loved it. I love Robyn Carr’s writing and this one is full of emotion like so many of her other books.

Dirty Little Secret by Jennifer Ryan

Noah Cordero is a modern-day cowboy who loves three things: ranching, his younger sister, and his step-father. John Cordero groomed Noah to take over the Montana spread where he learned to ride and work the land. But when John unexpectedly dies, he leaves half the ranch to a woman Noah doesn’t even know. Roxy shares Noah’s last name, but not his blood. Estranged from her father, haunted by regrets, and eager to escape her notorious mother’s past, she is forced to fulfill her father’s last wishes. Inheriting means sharing a home with infuriating, challenging, and oh-so-tempting Noah. But John didn’t just make her owner of his ranch and guardian to her sister, his hidden sideline is her worst nightmare—she’s the new owner of the notorious Nevada brothel called Wild Rose Ranch where she grew up. As their strictly business relationship starts to turn to true love, Roxy begins to wonder, what will happen when Noah discovers her dirty little secret?

I didn’t know how to feel about this book at first. It got really good really fast though. I definitely want to continue on in this series.

Witness Undercover by Debra Cowan

Laura Prentiss will do whatever it takes to save her father—even come out of witness protection. Ever since turning in evidence that put her dangerous ex behind bars, she’s had a killer on her trail. It’ll take someone extraordinary to keep her safe now—someone like former navy SEAL Griffin Devaney. Griffin blames himself for the ambush that took his teammates’ lives, and he’s determined that nothing will ever happen to someone under his protection again. But as the connection between Griffin and Laura grows, so do the threats against them. Griffin will put everything at stake for a future with Laura—if they survive long enough to have one.

This was such a good, intense Love Inspired book. I loved the character and the love story so much. Plus the ending was just perfect to me.

Undeniably Yours by Shannon Stacey

Bar owner Kevin Kowalski is used to women throwing their phone numbers at him, but lately he’s more interested in finding a woman to settle down with. A woman like Beth Hansen. If only their first meeting hadn’t gone so badly… Beth’s tending bar at a wedding when she comes face-to-face with a tuxedo-clad man she never thought she’d see again. She tries to keep her distance from Kevin but, by last call, she can’t say no to his too-blue eyes or the invitation back to his room. Then she slips out before breakfast without leaving a note and, despite their precautions, she’s pregnant. Kevin quickly warms to the idea of being a dad and to seeing where things go with Beth. After all, he’s not the player she thinks he is. But she’s not ready for a relationship and, given his reputation, it’s going to take a lot to convince her to go on a second date with the father of her child…

I had picked this book up a long time ago, read a few chapters before putting it down and never picking it back up. I’m glad I finally read it. It was really good and very cute.

1001 Dark Night Short Story Anthology 2020

This company did a contest where romance authors could submit a short story to be included in a 1001 Dark Nights anthology, and received hundreds of entries, and while we wish we could include everyone, we’re thrilled to introduce you to these thirty-six incredible authors: Fiona Archer ~ Louisa Bacio ~ Laura M. Baird ~ Kait Ballenger ~ Asa Maria Bradley ~ Eden Bradley ~ Boone Brux ~ C.G. Burnette ~ Cara Carnes ~ Caraway Carter ~ Sierra Cartwright ~ S.A. Clayton ~ Katana Collins ~ Janie Crouch ~ Patricia D. Eddy ~ Zoey Ellis ~ Zoe Hill ~ Sara L. Hudson ~ Tracey Jerald ~ A.D. Justice ~ Terri E. Laine ~ Michelle Mars ~ Gina L. Maxwell ~ Kayt Miller ~ Dani René ~ Gen Ryan ~ Blue Saffire ~ Ella Sheridan ~ Mayra Statham ~ Delancey Stewart ~ Jen Talty ~ Mary Ting ~ Reina Torres ~ Magan Vernon ~ Jennifer Woodhull ~ Khloe Wren

I love anthologies. I had gotten this one a while back for free and decided to start it while on vacation. I loved almost all of the stories and found several new authors to check out and possibly read more of their work. I’m so glad I got this!

That’s all the books for this month! Have you read any of these? Thank you so much for reading. Until next time.

Subscribe here: