Where Fiction and Reality Meet
Title: Robby Riverton: Mail Order Bride Author: Eli Easton Publisher: Amazon/Kindle Unlimited Length: Novel Category: Historical, Western At a Glance: I loved how everything in this story was resolved. Yes, it happened exactly as expected, but that’s what makes Robby Riverton: Mail Order Bride such a comfortable read, perfect for those precious quiet moments we... Continue Reading →
Title: Mr. Big Empty Series: Hollow Folk: Book One Author: Gregory Ashe Publisher: Self-Published Length: 381 Pages Category: Teen Fiction, Murder Mystery At a Glance: This book isn’t perfect, but it’s close enough to being that I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to anyone looking for a dark and gritty bit of Teen Fiction. Reviewed... Continue Reading →
Title: Shadow’s Return Series: Psychic Detective Mysteries: Book Two Author: S.C. Wynne Publisher: Self-Published Length: 196 Pages Category: Paranormal, Mystery/Suspense At a Glance: There are some real 'gasp, no way!' moments that I loved as the killer threatens again in a way I didn’t anticipate. It all came together in such an enticing way as... Continue Reading →
Title: Pretty Pretty Boys Series: Hazard and Somerset: Book One Author: Gregory Ashe Publisher: Self-Published Length: 541 Pages Category: Mystery/Suspense At a Glance: Gregory Ashe is a nimble storyteller, his voice engaging as he leads readers through each potentially combustible element and event in the pursuit of a killer. Reviewed By: Lisa Blurb: After Emery... Continue Reading →
Title: Strange Medicine Series: Dr. Maxwell Thornton Murder Mysteries: Book One Author: S.C. Wynne Publisher: Self-Published Length: 212 Pages Category: Contemporary, Murder Mystery At a Glance: S.C. Wynne’s mysteries are a skillful balance between the relationship and the criminal elements of the story. It's always great to find a new fave, and I can't wait... Continue Reading →
Title: Driftwood Author: Harper Fox Publisher: Self-Published Length: 210 Pages Category: Contemporary At a Glance: I have yet to read a book by this author that wasn't potent and lush. She writes traditional romance with the heart in mind, and reaches her target every time. Reviewed By: Lisa Blurb: Thomas Penrose is a village doctor... Continue Reading →
Title: Shadow’s Edge Series: Psychic Detective Mysteries: Book One Author: S.C. Wynne Publisher: Self-Published Length: 169 Pages Category: Paranormal, Mystery/Suspense At a Glance: Suspenseful on both the investigative and romantic fronts, Shadow’s Edge is one of the finest books I've read so far this year. Reviewed By: Lisa Blurb: Liam Baker can see things. Dead... Continue Reading →
Title: Hard Line Series: Woodbury Boys: Book Two Author: Sidney Bell Publisher: Carina Press Length: 480 Pages/120k Words Category: Contemporary, BDSM At a Glance: Bell writes with such a fluid proficiency and with an attention to detailing multifaceted characters and layered storylines. Each of her books is its own experience, and it's so great to... Continue Reading →
Title: Oskar Blows a Gasket Authors: Claire Davis and Al Stewart Publisher: Beaten Track Publishing Length: 263 Pages Category: New Adult, Contemporary At a Glance: Oskar Blows a Gasket is a coming of age novel filled with all the pathos and humorous undercurrents of a John Hughes film. Or, all the humor with a healthy... Continue Reading →
Title: One More Soldier Author: Marie Sexton Publisher: Self-Published Length: 60 Pages Category: Gay Fiction At a Glance: One More Soldier has always been, in my opinion, exemplary of what short storytelling can and should be, and it is every bit as poignant today as it was when I read it nearly eight years ago.... Continue Reading →
Title: The Company We Keep Author: Kay Simone Publisher: Amazon/Kindle Unlimited Length: 310 Pages Category: Contemporary At a Glance: Kay Simone is quickly becoming an auto-buy author, owing to my love of a plotty romance, which she is adept at delivering. Reviewed By: Lisa Blurb: Dirty money. A wanted man. The deal of a lifetime.... Continue Reading →
Title: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Presents: A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo Author: Jill Twiss Illustrator: EG Keller Audio Narration: Jim Parsons, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Jeff Garlin, Ellie Kemper, John Lithgow, Jack McBrayer, and RuPaul Publisher: Chronicle Books LLC Length: 40 Pages Category: LGBTQ Fiction, Children's Fiction At a Glance: This... Continue Reading →
Title: Imperfect Match Author: Jordan Castillo Price Publisher: JCP Books Length: 162 Pages Category: Futuristic/Dystopian At a Glance: This isn’t a story of two people building a relationship; it’s the story of a man realizing he’s not imprisoned by circumstance and then constructing a new life where there’s now the potential for a relationship, and... Continue Reading →
Title: Love, Simon Starring: Nick Robinson, Katherine Langford, Alexandra Shipp, Josh Duhamel, Logan Miller, Jorge Lendeborg Jr., Tony Hale, Natasha Rothwell, Keiynan Lonsdale, Miles Heizer, and Jennifer Garner Directed By: Greg Berlanti Distributed By: 20th Century Fox Genres/Categories: Teen Romance, Romantic Comedy, Drama, Coming Out Run Time: 1 hour and 50 minutes At a Glance:... Continue Reading →
Title: Breaker of Chains Series: SPECTR Series Two: Book Four Author: Jordan L. Hawk Publisher: Self-Published Length: 163 Pages Category: Urban Fantasy At a Glance: Breaker of Chains is yet another excellent addition to one of my favorite Urban Fantasy series, and I remain in awe of the -verse and in love with its characters.... Continue Reading →
Title: One Giant Leap Author: Kay Simone Publisher: Amazon/Kindle Unlimited Length: 400 Pages Category: Contemporary At a Glance: Simone's narrative choices are a stand-out element that make this storyline feel topical and relevant. In the end, it all coalesces into a lovely work of fiction. Reviewed By: Lisa Blurb: Houston we have so many problems…... Continue Reading →
Title: The Prince and the Dressmaker Author/Illustrator: Jen Wang Publisher: First Second/Macmillan Category: Young Adult, Fairy Tale, Graphic Novel Length: 288 Pages Rating: 5 Stars At a Glance: The graphics are as bright and engaging as the narrative is warm and heartfelt in this story about being true to oneself. Reviewed By: Lisa Blurb: Paris,... Continue Reading →
Title: A Simple Suburban Murder Series: Tom and Scott Mysteries: Book One Author: Mark Richard Zubro Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin/Macmillan Length: 224 Pages Category: Mystery/Suspense At a Glance: Despite some reservations, I felt this was an intriguing start to a fine mystery series and an above average debut for a now seasoned author. Reviewed By:... Continue Reading →
Title: Promise Me We’ll Be Okay Author: Nell Iris Publisher: JMS Books Length: 92 Pages Category: Contemporary At a Glance: Sweet and earnest, Promise Me We’ll Be Okay is a feel-good, second chances story that scores all the sentimental romantic points. Reviewed By: Lisa Blurb: What do you do when your past comes knocking? Six... Continue Reading →
Title: Bitten By the Alpha Series: Regent’s Park Pack: Book Four Author: Annabelle Jacobs Publisher: Amazon/Kindle Unlimited Length: 314 Pages Category: Paranormal, Shifters At a Glance: This novel is one more strong addition to an already well-constructed alternate reality, and at the risk of sounding cliché, I think the series just keeps getting better. Reviewed... Continue Reading →
Title: Forsaken Author: J.R. Gray Publisher: Amazon/Kindle Unlimited Length: 300 Pages Category: Contemporary At a Glance: Forsaken is a thoughtful and introspective look at free-will vs. blind faith, and I appreciated its message despite a slight reservation or two about its execution. Reviewed By: Lisa Blurb: Titus has lived and breathed religion his entire life,... Continue Reading →
Title: Boys Keep Swinging: A Memoir Author: Jake Shears Publisher: Atria Books Length: 336 Pages Category: Autobiography At a Glance: Shears is nothing if not a natural born storyteller who picks at the threads of memory and weaves them into a compelling novel. Reviewed By: Lisa Blurb: In this deeply affecting memoir, one of rock... Continue Reading →
Title: Pretty in Pink Series: Housemates: Book Six Author: Jay Northcote Publisher: Amazon/Kindle Unlimited Length: 211 Pages Category: Contemporary At a Glance: It truly pains me to say that Pretty in Pink was mostly a miss for me. My issue with this book isn’t that there's sex in the plot. It’s that sex is the... Continue Reading →
Title: Bad Boyfriend Series: Bad in Baltimore: Book Two Author: K.A. Mitchell Publisher: Dreamspinner Press Length: 272 Pages Category: Contemporary, Age Gap At a Glance: Fake boyfriends, a little age play, and a whole lot of chemistry between Quinn and Eli come together to make this an unputdownable read. Reviewed By: Lisa Blurb: Causing trouble... Continue Reading →
The Novel Approach Reviews 