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Meri's Corner

~ A Writer's Thoughts and Reviews

Category Archives: Reviews

Book Review: Null and Void by Susan Copperfield

09 Wednesday May 2018

Posted by MBenson in Reviews

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A Royal States Novel, amreading, discoveries, Magic, Null and Void, Paranormal, review, reviews, Susan Copperfield, thoughts, update, Urban Fantasy

Author: Susan Copperfield 
Publisher: Pen & Page Publishing
Genre: Paranormal, Urban Fantasy
Rating: 4 Stars

Born without magic, Mackenzie Little has few prospects in her null caste, but when her mother pushes her into participating in a charity auction everything changes. Bought by ex-boss, Dylan Mason – an elite magic wielder, she gets to live the fantasy life for a day. Nine months later, despite all precautions, Mackenzie gives birth to a little miracle of her own. Having someone other than herself to fight for, she strives to give her little miracle the best life offered, even if that means having to change a few rules to do it.

The Royal States of America presents as an interesting world to read and learn about. The world itself has territories ruled by kings and queens, the highest of the caste system that has been set into place by those with magic. Mackenzie falls to the bottom of that caste system, born a Null – someone who doesn’t have any magic of her own. Limited by her caste, she is forced into limited office work or manual labor in New York.

But when opportunities present themselves, she jumps from New York to Texas in order to fight for Null rights and push to help make her caste more equal in the eyes of the laws within the Kingdom of Texas. And she’s not only armed with her tough skin growing up a Null, but also with the ferociousness that comes from being a new mother, one who wants to be able to give her little miracle the world and opportunities she had.

This book had many ups and downs, and I felt incredibly lucky to be able to come along for the ride with Mackenzie. I enjoyed every page, and I can’t wait to continue in this world. The next book does not continue Machenzie’s story, but I can’t say that it discourages me one bit, quite the contrary, it has me more excited because I’ll be able to see more of this world through the eyes of someone new, with a different outlook on life and potentially within a different caste.

Book Review: Paper Princess & Broken Prince by Erin Watt

14 Wednesday Feb 2018

Posted by MBenson in Reviews

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Broken Prince, Contemporary, Erin Watt, Paper Princess, review, reviews, Royals, The Royals, thoughts, update

Author: Erin Watt 
Publisher: Erin Watt
Genre: Contemporary (Coming of Age)
Rating: 4 Stars

Ella Harper spent her whole life moving from town to town with her mother, struggling to make ends meet. After her mother dies, it leaves Ella alone, striving to finish high school as she does what she can to support herself and not get found by social services and put in foster care. Her goals involve finishing High School, going to College, and finding a way to give herself a normal life.

Everything changes when Callum Royal appears in her life claiming to be her legal Guardian. He turns Ella’s life upside down when he brings her home to his posh mansion on the ocean, one shared with his five sons who all automatically hate her appearance in their lives and at their Prep School.

The story caught my attention right out of the gate. I was instantly hooked and wanting to find out what would happen, why these five guys automatically hated her, and if she’d stay or find a way to run and go back to her old life at some point. The world is filled with complex characters, some that make you care for them and others that make you want to knock their teeth in.

I finished Paper Princess within 24 hours of starting it. And the cliffhanger it ends on had me picking up book two, Broken Prince, immediately. And less than 12 hours later I had devoured Broken Prince.

I’m trying not to give too much away, which is why there’s not a LOT of saying what’s up in book two. But I will say it was a fantastic read, and there’s not a lot that has me finish a book in less than 12 hours – and it’s not because it was a short book but rather because it truly was that interesting.

I love the Royal family, and have to say that I love seeing them stand together for family. I’m already itching to pick up book three and continue my journey in this posh and luxury filled world.

If you like mystery, intrigue, and don’t mind a little bit of sex – this is definitely a book for you. The plot has you hanging, wondering what will unfold next, who’s behind it, and what in the world is going on.

Book two did end on a cliffhanger as well, which may be why I’m itching to read it. So be aware, these do tend to end with a ‘WHAT?!’ moment.

Book Review: Twisted Fate by Jessi Elliott

07 Wednesday Feb 2018

Posted by MBenson in Reviews

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Tags

amreading, creativity, discoveries, enjoy, fantasy, goals, inspiration, Jessi Elliott, musings, New Adult, published work, review, reviews, Twisted Fate, update, Urban Fantasy

 

Author: Jessi Elliott 
Publisher: Jessi Elliott
Series: Twisted #1
Genre: Urban Fantasy (New Adult)
Release Date: February 13, 2018
Rating: 5 Stars

Everything in Aurora Marshall’s life is going smoothly. She’s in her final year of her business degree, she’s on track to graduate, and she has plans for her own business after she graduates. It looks like everything will happen the way she’s planned it to.

One night changes everything when she meets Tristan Westbrook. Dragged into the Fae world, Aurora’s carefully planned out life tilts sideways and she struggles to keep her life as normal as possible while handling the dangers that come with being of interest to the dark fae’s leader and plunged deeper and deeper into all things fae.

I have to say, honestly, I loved this book. The characters were engaging, the world was built beautifully, and while time did pass quickly the author did it in a very organic way. I found myself rooting for Aurora as she faced obstacles, wanting her to come out the other side unscathed. Caring about Aurora and what was going on with her life, and with her family, became second nature and at one point in the book I felt as deeply sad as she was.

Now, lets be clear, I’ve read books where sad things happen before. But I will say, it takes a special kind of talent to get your readers so involved with the characters that they cry with them. Jessi has a beautiful way with words and how she weaves this tale.

The story of the fae, and their world and everything about them interests me with how Jessi made it her own and weaved her own mythos for them. I feel for the fae, for everything they’ve been through even as Aurora gets the raw end of a deal with having to deal with them and move in their world.

The completion of the book left me both satisfied with the ending of the plot within its covers, but also craving the next installment of the series.

Disclaimer: I did receive an arc of the book in exchange for my honest, unbiased opinion. All thoughts are my own, and were not colored for receiving the arc.

Synopsis

Being kidnapped by the leader of the fae really puts a dent in your senior year.

Aurora Marshall is sharp, witty, and always has a plan. Ready to finish her business degree and graduate, her life is going smoothly—until the night she meets Tristan Westbrook.

Tristan, the overbearing, gorgeous fae leader, and an admired businessman in the human world, is all kinds of dangerous. While he finds Aurora intriguing, her refusal to bend to his will keeps them locked in a constant power struggle.

Entering into a deal is the only way to escape Tristan’s clutches, which only plunges Aurora deeper into the fae world. With her future at stake, she is forced to handle his arrogance and extraordinary fae abilities as she fights to stay grounded in her mundane life.

Not to mention her struggle to ignore the growing attraction she knows she shouldn’t feel for the man who kidnapped her.

When people said college would be the most exciting time of her life, Aurora never thought this is what they meant.

 

Available February 13th

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon AU | Amazon CA | IBooks | Signed Paperback

 

 

About The Author

 

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | YouTube
Jessi Elliott is a newly graduated law clerk and debut author of both young adult and new adult romantic fiction. Her love of writing was born after many years of reading and reviewing books on her blog Living Within Fiction.She lives in Southwestern Ontario with her family and two adorable cats.
​
When she’s not plotting her next writing project, she likes to spend her time hanging with friends and family, getting lost in a steamy romance novel, watching Friends, and drinking coffee.You can find Jessi at www.jessielliott.com, on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to stay up to date on book news and upcoming releases.

 

Twisted Fate by Jessi Elliott Cover Reveal & Giveaway!

09 Tuesday Jan 2018

Posted by MBenson in Cover Reveal, Personal Thoughts, Reviews, Writing

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amreading, amwriting, Cover Reveal, Giveaway, goals, inspiration, Jessi Elliott, online presence, review, reviews, thoughts, time, Twisted Fate, update, Urban Fantasy

Title: Twisted Fate
Series: Twisted #1
Author: Jessi Elliott
Genre: Urban Fantasy (New Adult)
Release Date: February 13, 2018
Cover Design: Okay Creations
Pre order your copy today!
Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon AU | Amazon CA | IBooks | Signed Paperback
Synopsis

Being kidnapped by the leader of the fae really puts a dent in your senior year.

Aurora Marshall is sharp, witty, and always has a plan. Ready to finish her business degree and graduate, her life is going smoothly—until the night she meets Tristan Westbrook.

Tristan, the overbearing, gorgeous fae leader, and an admired businessman in the human world, is all kinds of dangerous. While he finds Aurora intriguing, her refusal to bend to his will keeps them locked in a constant power struggle.

Entering into a deal is the only way to escape Tristan’s clutches, which only plunges Aurora deeper into the fae world. With her future at stake, she is forced to handle his arrogance and extraordinary fae abilities as she fights to stay grounded in her mundane life.

Not to mention her struggle to ignore the growing attraction she knows she shouldn’t feel for the man who kidnapped her.

When people said college would be the most exciting time of her life, Aurora never thought this is what they meant.

 

About The Author
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | YouTube

Jessi Elliott is a newly graduated law clerk and debut author of both young adult and new adult romantic fiction. Her love of writing was born after many years of reading and reviewing books on her blog Living Within Fiction.

She lives in Southwestern Ontario with her family and two adorable cats.
​
When she’s not plotting her next writing project, she likes to spend her time hanging with friends and family, getting lost in a steamy romance novel, watching Friends, and drinking coffee.

You can find Jessi at www.jessielliott.com, on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to stay up to date on book news and upcoming releases.

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway
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I think the cover is absolutely Stunning! Let me know what you think of the cover in the comments below! Will you pre-order the book? Enter the giveaway?

Book Review: Esme Novella Trilogy by Lizzy Ford

03 Wednesday Jan 2018

Posted by MBenson in Reviews

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Tags

amreading, Christmas, Christmas Esme, creativity, discoveries, enjoy, Esme Trilogy, fantasy, Halloween, Halloween Esme, HEA, inspiration, lizzy ford, musings, published work, review, reviews, Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Esme, thoughts, update, Urban Fantasy, YA, YA Urban Fantasy

Author: Lizzy Ford 
Publisher: Lizzy Ford
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy
Rating: 3 Stars

Esme is a half angel living in a tiny town with her full angel mother and a zoo. Her home life is warm, loving, and she loves it. However, she’s bullied and alone at school. Everything shifts for her when two strangers come to town and start renting a couple rooms from her mother in their house.

This review is for all three Novellas as a whole, because honestly while the author calls them novellas, they read more like a serial trilogy than three separate novellas. The plot doesn’t resolve itself at any point during the first two, Halloween and Thanksgiving, instead everything builds and builds until the final installment, Christmas. As well, both Halloween and Thanksgiving both end in serious cliffhanger reveals, which push you to pick up the next one. While not a bad way to lead someone to buy and read the next installment, is a little frustrating when called a Novella. I expect some resolution at the end of a novella, even if it’s part of a trilogy for an over arching storyline.

Over all, it did take me a little bit to get into Halloween but I was curious enough that I persisted. About half way in, Halloween hooked me and I consumed the rest of it, and the other two, in record time. The three are fairly quick reads at only roughly 100 pages a piece, so it is easy to pick them up and finish them in a short sitting. The plot is interesting, and I was very curious how it would wrap itself up.

You’re probably asking, but Meri if you liked the plot and enjoyed the books as a whole, why is it only three stars? Well, unfortunately, there were some grammatical errors littered throughout the first two that for me (maybe because I’m a writer myself) pulled me out of the story as my brain paused to fix the error before continuing the story. And while the auto-fixes for my brain were fairly quick it happened enough times that it made it noticeable to me. It’s something that a little more time editing them would have fixed.

As well, there were times that I was incredibly frustrated at the lack of details given. An example, in Thanksgiving Esme wears a dress to the Thanksgiving event at the Community Center of their small town. We’re told that this is something she never does. We’re told that she’s going to wear her boots with it anyway. And we’re told her mother bought the dress for her. But we are never told what the dress looks like, on a hanger or on her. Not the color, not the cut. Is it floor length or tea length? Is it blue or pink? is the neckline sweetheart cut or scoop neck? Does it have a pattern on it?

This may sound like something trivial in the grand scheme, but it wasn’t just the dress that wasn’t described. After reading all three, I still honestly can’t tell you exactly what Esme looks like. I know she mentioned she doesn’t look like her mother, the blonde angel, but that still doesn’t tell me what Esme looks like. And when I’m trying to envision this story playing out in my mind, these details that were missed or skipped over leave shadowed patches in my head and it disconnects me from the book some. Which does make it less enjoyable as a whole.

Would I recommend these books as a read? If you’re looking for a quick, cute, HEA ending read? Completely. They are a good read, and the plot is engaging enough to be worth it.

Book Review: Silent Circle by Cassandra Larsen

20 Wednesday Dec 2017

Posted by MBenson in Reviews

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amreading, Cassandra Larsen, creativity, discoveries, enjoy, fantasy, inspiration, musings, review, reviews, Silent Circle, thoughts, update, Urban Fantasy, YA, YA Urban Fantasy

Author: Cassandra Larsen 
Publisher: Cassandra Larsen
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy
Rating:  5 Stars

Waking up on her seventeenth birthday, Emerson wakes up to discover that her life is changing more than she expected. Her not so simple, but fairly normal life is being turned on its head and she suddenly finds her self in a world where magic exists and being alone in it can be life threatening and dangerous. Luckily for her, Caiden, a boy from her school comes forward to help her navigate this new world and helps her to learn her powers and the fact that she’s not as alone as she thinks she is, and that there are witches everywhere and she never knew it.

To say I liked the book is probably an understatement. I couldn’t put the book down – and that’s not a cliched embellishment on my part. I started reading this book at like 1pm, and didn’t stop reading until 11:30pm when I finished it. The pacing is good, the characters and their relationships are believable. And the witch aspect is so deeply rooted in actual Wicca that it’s a refreshing change from other witch books where it’s all fantasy spells and waving a magic wand. Not to say that there’s anything wrong with those books either, I have more than a couple on my shelves. But having it based in Wicca is a nice change.

This may be a shorter review than normal, but that’s mostly because I am looking to dive into the next book in the series. A definite suggestion if you’re interested in a witchy YA urban fantasy!

Book Review: Book of Lies by Teri Terry

13 Wednesday Dec 2017

Posted by MBenson in Personal Thoughts, Reviews

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amreading, Book of Lies, books, creativity, discoveries, musings, Mystery, review, reviews, Teri Terry, thoughts, Thriller, update

Author: Teri Terry 
Publisher: Clarion Books
Genre: Thriller Suspense
Rating:  4 Stars

Book of Lies is a first person narrated book that switches points of view every chapter between two twin sisters, who had been separated at birth and find each other seventeen years later. Piper is a practiced liar, and a girl used to getting what she wants. Quinn has been taught to never lie, and punished if she ever did. The death of their mother brings them together and sets them on a quest to find out just why their mother separated them and never told the other they had a sister.

I have to say, the first thing that drew me to this book was the cover and title. It was sitting on a shelf at Barnes and Noble, facing out so you saw this stark firey red hair to catch your attention. And Book of Lies. Who wouldn’t be interested in what that might contain.

The chapters switching between the twins I thought might be a little jarring, I don’t normally read books with switching points of view. Not because I don’t like them, but I just don’t come across many books that use that technique over all. It wasn’t as jarring as I thought it would be. Truthfully, I liked being in the head of both girl, to see how they thought, what they weren’t actually saying. It worked and flowed extremely well between the two.

The book kept me guessing on what was going on through most of it, until the big reveal at the end, though based on personalities and how the girls worked I had some suspicions as I read. What those suspicions were, and if they were right or not, well, you’ll have to read it and form your own.

I would definitely recommend this book as a read if you like mystery and suspense. It will leave you not wanting to put it down.

Book Review: Girl’s Guide to Witchcraft by Mindy Klasky

29 Wednesday Nov 2017

Posted by MBenson in Reviews

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amreading, books, discoveries, enjoy, girl's guide to witchcraft, inspiration, mindy klasky, paranormal romance, review, reviews, thoughts

Author: Mindy Klasky 
Publisher: Res Ipsa Press
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Rating:  4 Stars

Jane Madison’s life has flipped upside down. Working as a librarian, the board has seen fit to have the staff wear period clothing and she serves lattes at the main desk so the library can stay in the black. Top it off with her grandmother who is determined reconnect her with her estranged mother, a pay cut that has left her living in the cottage behind the library she works for, and a strange library on witchcraft in the cottages well locked basement and right now she’s not sure where life will take her next.

Girl’s Guide to Witchcraft is a cute paranormal romance that keeps you hoping and wishing things would turn up Jane instead of pavement and bad luck. The story is both well written and well planned out for all its Shakespeare references – something that I found incredibly fun to have sprinkled throughout the book. The Shakespeare references weren’t awkward too many, but just right and done in such a way that you felt natural for the character making them.

I enjoyed learning about Jane’s best friend Melissa and all her delicious bakery sweets, as well as quirky dates. And it was entertaining and fun to watch Jane try to pursue her Imaginary Boyfriend – the professor that always camped out at the table in front of her desk as he buried himself in his research.

I will definitely be picking up the second book in the series to see where Jane’s life, and her witchcraft, take her next!

Book Review: Sprinkle with Murder by Jenn McKinlay

10 Monday Jul 2017

Posted by MBenson in Reviews

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Tags

amreading, cozy mystery, jenn mckinlay, review, reviews, sprinkle with murder, thoughts

Author: Jenn McKinlay
Publisher: Berkely
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Rating:  4 Stars

Melanie and Angie are two friends that, with a third friend who more of a silent investor, opened their dream shop. Fairy Tale Cupcakes. Despite the stress of a local bakery owner not liking the competition everything seems to be going will. They even have their first big customer – a bride-to-be who wants 500 cupcakes for her wedding.

But when Melanie finds the bride-to-be dead, she becomes the main suspect in a murder that could not only put her in jail but sink her new business. Determined to find the real killer, Melanie starts digging herself.

Overall, I really enjoyed this cozy mystery. I ended up starting it at 7pm one night and every time I tried to put it down to go to sleep my brain refused and I found myself continuing. I finished it about three hours later, and I’m already planning to pick up the next book in the series.

Now, I know, this book is far from new. It was originally published in 2010 and I purchased my copy through a used bookstore. But that’s really not the point, is it? What is the point is that it’s a quick read, as most cozy mysteries are, and it keeps you hooked and wanting to know more.

I enjoyed exploring the whodunit with Melanie to race against time to figure out the culprit before her shop took the brunt of the problems with the murder.

As well, I am in love with the cupcake recipes in the back of the book and can’t wait to try my had at making them. The cupcake recipes are for ones that were mentioned in the story that the shop itself sells and I think that putting them in the back like that is just a beautiful touch that a lot of cozy mysteries these days are missing.

Over all, while it’s not new, I highly recommend reading this cute book if you’re looking for something and enjoy a cozy mystery.

 

Book Review: Sideswiped by Kim Harrison

18 Monday Apr 2016

Posted by MBenson in Reviews

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Kim Harrison, Peri Reed, review, reviews, Sideswiped, The Drafter, thoughts

sideswiped

Author: Kim Harrison
Publisher: Pocket Star
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Rating:  3 Stars

Sideswiped is the pre-novella for Kim Harrison’s new series, and while the series stars Peri Reed, this pre-novella focuses on Silas with only a small glimpse of the soon to be main character. The idea behind releasing a short before the first novel, I am sure, was to let the readers get a taste of this new world she’s created. It’s a vastly different world from her Hollows series, and takes a little getting used to over all.

The main characters in the novella fall into two main categories at their University that is the setting, Drafters – who can ‘go back’ in time to fix something anywhere from ten seconds to a minute – and Anchors – who help the Drafters remember what they changed and for why. Without an Anchor, the Drafter doesn’t remember any of the time they changed – first version or the second.

Over all, the premise is interesting. I’m intrigued by the ability, and I’m intrigued by this new world Kim is trying to share with us. But I’m really unsure about some aspects of the ability. I don’t understand why the Drafter remembers nothing in the time that they’ve changed – it doesn’t make sense that they’d just have this serious hole in time when they’re the one changing time. And I’m not entirely sold that this is an awesome ability when most can’t shift more than a few measly seconds.

The story itself, Silas’s whole reason for being at the University and studying, is because he’s trying to prove that Drafters don’t actually go BACK in time to change things, but side step into a parallel universe and draw that start back with them (ultimately creating a parallel universe for those moments in time to subsequently draft them into the current time, so they can fix something).

We do meet Peri in this novella, as a secondary character, though it doesn’t give me the greatest impression of a character that I’m ultimately supposed to want to continue reading about. She’s from money, all of the characters you meet are because the label dropping for who they’re wearing is large in this book, and because of who her guardian is, she gets away with basically anything she wants to because he can get her out of it. Over all, I feel like she’s a spoiled brat that can’t do wrong. I’m not sure that’s the intention, but that’s what I took away from her personally.

Did the novella make me want to read The Drafter?

Yes. Which I guess, in the end means that it did its job.

I’m interested enough, and hoping more of the abilities actually get explained, that I’m willing to give The Drafter a shot. I’m hoping that things get flushed out a little better in the full novel, and I’m hoping that I come to get to know Peri and like her as a character I’ll want to follow. But right now, all I know is I’d read another novel/novella about Silas, because his backstory and emotions connected me enough that I really like his character.

Have you read Sideswiped? Leave your thoughts on the novella in the comments!

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