It wasn't the goodbye that hurt. It was the realization I had given up so much of myself to fit the mold I thought you wanted. It wasn't the goodbye that hurt. It was the feeling of loss of myself. It wasn't the goodbye that hurt. It was the realization I no longer recognized myself in the mirror. It wasn't the goodbye that hurt.

I was lucky enough to be given the chance to read this revised telling of Callen and Sterling's story. I received an ARC copy of this story and am now voluntarily sharing my thoughts. Crash & Burn was AJ Nicole's debut novel. She has since went on to publish more stories and is event a Best-selling author of When Night Falls.

*Photo from Kaylie Smith's website* This story takes place in New Orleans, a city that has long fascinated me. Ophelia Grimm is the oldest daughter in a long line of Necromancers who provide services for the townspeople, as well as the tourists, of New Orleans, helping them revive dead loved ones and get messages to them and such. The story starts with Ophelia and her sister Genevieve losing their mother and performing the spell to receive the family power.

I was going through my old docs looking for an old message when I came across this bonus chapter I had written for Flower a while back. It's definitely unpolished, but I thought I would share it. Reading back over it made me wonder if I should revisit Jake and Aly's story... Let me know what you think... One year later…

Journey to the Elderoak is the second book in the Daughter of the Earth Trilogy by indie author K. M. Gordon. I had the pleasure of receiving an ARC (advanced reader copy) of this book, and the review that follows is my honest and willing opinion. I previously reviewed the first book The Whispers of the Elderoak. This is honestly one of my favorite books I have ever read.

I have come to understand that I am a mood reader. I read nonstop for weeks and months before burning out and taking a break. I am currently in the middle of one of those breaks. Instead of reading, I have been furiously working on more projects. I currently have four works in progress: two adult contemporary romances, a romantic thriller, and one adult fantasy romance.

Just to be clear: this book is spicy. Adults only, please. I know I am extremely late to this train, but Josh is the ultimate book boyfriend. You can argue all you want, but I will die on this hill. My favorite quote from this book sums him up quite nicely: "...if he pulled up next to someone and told them to get in his van, he wouldn't even need candy to lure them."

If you read last month's TBR, you will notice a few repeats. May saw a few extra beta reads that kept me busy. I prioritize these reading over books already published. A couple of the books from last month, Lights Out by Navessa Allen and Broken Reflections by Ron Shaw will be moved to this month. Follow along for reviews of the books for this month.

Mindscape is a fiction novel by Indie Author Lynn Taylor with T. A. Books. You can find her on TikTok, YouTube, or on the T. A. Books website. Mindscape follows Heather, a 23 year old New Yorker. She's having a really hard time. Life just isn't going her way. She kind of just goes through the motions of her day.

Dying to Date is a mystery thriller book one in The Dying Series by indie author Sharmyn McGraw. The story follows along with Kristina Truly who is a motivational life coach who puts on seminars and releases self-help books on "Finding Mr. Right, Not Mr. Perfect." She is quite successful in spite of her own repeated failure in relationships. Daddy issues, fears of abandonment, trust issues, always going for the one that needs fixing, you name it.

Echoes of Reckoning is the debut novel by indie author Ron Shaw. This story follows the main character Clay Mitchell through his journey through Purgatory after his untimely death of being hit by a bus. He first introduces himself with a look at his life. You know, the good points, but mainly some really traumatic moments. Then, his arrival into Purgatory ushers in some interesting characters who try to help him make a good transition, or at least most of them do.

Welcome or welcome back! A new month has arrived, and it's time to map out this month's reads. Here is the breakdown. Echoes of Reckoning by Ron Shaw introduces us to Clay Mitchell, a normal average man who has just died and who's had quite a few traumas in his life. I started reading this one on April 26. I am about half way through.

Dark Rise follows the story of Will, a sixteen year old on the streets of old world London on the run from men who have murdered his mother. These men, he finds out, are working for Simon, a powerful rich man who pretty much owns half the town. One of the men running after him is actually someone who used to work for his mother.

In this installment of the Black Dagger Brotherhood Series, we follow Rehvenge's story, as well as get a bit more of Wrath and Beth from the first book in the series. It was really nice reconnecting with the couple who started it all. As Rehvenge is one of my personal favorite characters in the series (second only to V), I have looked forward to this story.

image from Pinterest Oldest daughter, often put in charge of younger siblings from a young age, I have learned to value my independence. I rarely ask for help. If I can’t do something on my own, if I can’t figure out how to do something on my own, I move on to something else. I don’t need it anyway. Even as an adult, I have continued this pattern.

This book has been on my TBR since mid 2024 when I came across it on TikTok. It was the first book that I had ever seen with sprayed edges. I can't remember if it was the author herself or if it was a reader who posted the video and talked about its cozy story. I just remember I was immediately sold and wanted to read it.

Screenshot Ruthless Vows by Rebecca Ross. I actually started this book on March 21, but I was also reading a couple of others at the same time. I completed this book on April 3. This story follows Iris and Roman, two rival journalists who have fallen in love in the first book, but have been torn apart during this war between a god and goddess that humans have gotten swept up in.

I was lucky enough to received an ARC digital copy of this book. Let me tell you! As soon as I finished, I not only put in a pre-order for the physical copy, I also immediately started rereading it. This book immediately pulls you in. I absolutely loved the world-building, the character growth of the FMC, and just the overall evolution of the book.

The Truth That Binds - A Review• The Little notes at the beginnings of the chapters - I love how these little snippets offer a window into the world building without having to use excessive exposition in the story. They offer just enough to intrigue you but not enough to give everything away at once. • While some predictability existed in the story, a few twists in the story offered enough to keep me on my toes.

I received an ARC copy of this book and I'm writing this honest review voluntarily. I have never fallen into a story as fast at this one. Usually it takes me a few chapters to get into a fantasy series. I love fantasy but generally have to push myself through all the world building to get through until the story starts.

My list of books to read for April 2025. My goal for the year is to read 52 books in 2025. So far I have read 23, 10 books ahead of schedule. Follow along as I post reviews for each book I complete of my TBR. Ruthless Vows, written by Rebecca Ross. I completed the first one in this duology, …

My debut novel Flower is available to purchase from Friesen Press bookstore, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble. It's available as an ebook on Kindle, Nook, Kobo, Apple, and Google. Writing this story was a healing experience for me. When I began writing this story, my coparenting partner and I were redefining our relationship. We had started as traditional romantic partners, but we had come to realize there was no future for us in that direction.