by Penny Angeles-Tan | Feb 6, 2023 | Book Reviews
I didn’t know what to expect when I opened the pages of Stolen: A Cupid’s Academy Story by Jayce Carter. The only thing I knew for sure was that it was probably a young adult/teen story as the book cover has “academy” written on it. The preview gave a hint that there would be a romantic element so I was curious to see how that would play out.
To my surprise. the romantic aspect is not a central theme of the story. It is there to add depth and help us go through Mara’s journey.
The author did such a good job of setting the tone that I found it easy to slip into the character of Mara. I was depressed when she was and happy when she was. A big chunk of the book is depressed because she is, but it didn’t pull me down. I found myself immersed and invested in the story that once I started I couldn’t stop reading until my eyes gave up on me. I open my eyes in the morning and the first thing I do is reach for the tablet to read.
I just have one question, though. Why is the title Stolen: A Cupid’s Academy Story by Jayce Carter when the institution is called Larkwood Academy? That aside, excellent job, Jayce Carter! I look forward to more of your books.
The ebook of Stolen: A Cupid’s Academy Story by Jayce Carter will be available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble on February 7, 2023, for $2.99.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Feb 3, 2023 | Book Reviews
I added And Then There Were Four by Lillith Carrie to my library on Goodnovel probably a week ago but didn’t really start reading it until yesterday. I’m glad I did because it is pretty good. This author does have a bit of a problem with homonyms (like to and too) and synonyms here and there, but forgivable for an e-book as I am assuming it will get fixed before it goes to print.
And then I discovered that the paperback version (and its sequels) are on Amazon and Barnes and Noble for $24.99 on both. The sexy cover is the paperback version. I kid you not, I am very worried that it went into print without copy editing. I contemplated buying the paperback (as I would save a bundle if I did) but a very big part of me is also worried that I will end up whipping out my blue pen and editing as I read. Que horror! shudder
Copy-editing issues aside, I think you will enjoy this story. It technically falls under reverse harem because early on it is revealed that Ivy is mated to all four brothers – Damian, Hale, Talon, and James. However, 40% into the book and she has yet to be with more than one brother at a time. I guess I will find out as I read along if she ever gets with more than one.
In her universe, having four mates is not usual. Add to that the fact that she is human, unlike the men who are all werewolves. While, yes, the major conflict appears to be about the brothers accepting her as their mate, there are many things brewing in the background that make this story more interesting. Check it out on Goodnovel and other reading apps or you can purchase the paperback version on Amazon or B&N.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jan 30, 2023 | Book Reviews
Stephanie does it again! Flipping through the pages of Four Fantasies by Stephanie Brother I couldn’t help but wonder at how amazing this story is. It is tender and loving and relatable all at the same time. I can easily imagine myself as Lorraine having gone through something similar in life. All that is missing are four amazing men like Troy, Leo, Dante, and Darian.
Having men offer to fulfill our fantasies would be a dream come true if we are brave enough to accept it. Just the thought of it makes me swoon.
Troy, Leo, Dante, and Darian are dancers at the Club Red Revue but that fact is almost incidental as it serves two purposes in the story. 1) it establishes the link to book 1, and 2) it is where Lorraine first sets eyes and lusts after these four men when they fo their numbers onstage. After that majority of the story is at her home or on her dates.
The men are in their mid-twenties while Lorraine is 8 to 10 years older. The age gap bothers Lorraine at first but the men don’t seem to notice or it was never a factor to them at all. The only things she receives from her men are love and laughter. Such bliss!
You can find Four Fantasies by Stephanie Brother at Amazon for 2.99 or free with Kindle Unlimited. A paperback version is available as well for 12.99. After you finish reading this story check out the bonus chapter on Stephanie’s website. It is so sweet and rounds up the story beautifully.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jan 29, 2023 | Book Reviews
If I had to base it on the cover art and the title I had assumed that Twisted Eros by Aria Skylar is a super steamy book. The first chapter led me astray into thinking this book would likely mostly feature BDSM. This is pretty far from the truth. While BDSM is hinted at the most we will see is light bondage and domination I’ve rarely seen in the dark romance books I have read in the past.
A smart, business-savvy, and successful woman goes on an “abduction vacation” with a sexy, masked stranger to get a desperately needed break. He whisks her away to a secret haven of rest and sexual pleasure. But our masked “kidnapper” has his own agenda besides pleasuring her and as the story goes they both end up on a voyage of self-discovery that gets them all twisted.
While some reviews have not been very encouraging about this book, I actually enjoyed it despite the sex scenes mainly being vanilla. I think I enjoyed the soul-searching that happened for each character and with each other and I thought her retelling of the tale of Eros and Psyche was interesting. If you don’t know the story of Eros and Psyche then, obviously, you wouldn’t get it but as a fan of mythology growing up, it was interesting to see the parallels.
Here is a comic version of the myth of Eros and Psyche.
Twisted Eros by Aria Skylar is the first book of the Modern Mythica series and can be purchased on Amazon and Barnes & Noble as an ebook for a whopping $6.49. The paperback is $19.99. I find the price steep as I have read better stories for less, but it is still worth reading.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jan 28, 2023 | Book Reviews
Compared to the 2 books of Anika Skye that I reviewed before this I feel like the writing style of Alpha Wolf’s Fated Bride by Anika Skye is very juvenile … which is a step down from the ones that came before. As a matter of fact, it does not read as if the author wrote it.
There is too much exposition, and the author gets lost in the prose. Thankfully it is a short story and I finished it in less than a day. I really wish it were better. Since the 2nd book was an improvement on the first, I (mistakenly) thought that this would be even more of an improvement. Instead, it regressed and it feels like this is the first book this author has written instead.
It is too raw to be published. I recommend running it by a copy editor first. Hopefully, he/she knows what they’re doing and can help make this better.
Alpha Wolf’s Fated Bride by Anika Skye is only 0.99 on Amazon and is also on Kindle Unlimited if you want to check it out. If you look at the reviews there are some who really liked it so maybe it just isn’t my cup of tea.
I added And Then There Were Four by Lillith Carrie to my library on 
Stephanie does it again! Flipping through the pages of Four Fantasies by Stephanie Brother I couldn’t help but wonder at how amazing this story is. It is tender and loving and relatable all at the same time. I can easily imagine myself as Lorraine having gone through something similar in life. All that is missing are four amazing men like Troy, Leo, Dante, and Darian.
If I had to base it on the cover art and the title I had assumed that Twisted Eros by Aria Skylar is a super steamy book. The first chapter led me astray into thinking this book would likely mostly feature BDSM. This is pretty far from the truth. While BDSM is hinted at the most we will see is light bondage and domination I’ve rarely seen in the dark romance books I have read in the past.
Compared to the 2 books of Anika Skye that I reviewed before this I feel like the writing style of Alpha Wolf’s Fated Bride by Anika Skye is very juvenile … which is a step down from the ones that came before. As a matter of fact, it does not read as if the author wrote it.
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