#Moonstruck by Sariah Wilson

I really wanted to love this book. On paper, it has all the elements I adore in a romance - it's a clean fake relationship rockstar romance. It's like my catnip! And to be fair, this isn't a terrible book. It's just let down by a strong theme of internalised misogyny.

I can handle a small cast. I can be disappointed that the promising female friendships near the start fade away, the only non-villainous females in the cast are a secondary love interest and the supportive best friend, and still get over it.

I'm really not keen on how the heroine slams the hero's fans, to his face, and is never corrected. He never stands up for them, explicitly dislikes the music he makes that they follow him for. I was uncomfortable but willing to let it slide if she showed growth or was called out on it, but that never happened. Her viewpoint stood unopposed.

I've been there, in that crowd of screaming fans. I've followed and liked and binged YouTube interviews and music videos and behind the scenes. I've made friends and signs and shoddy gifs. I came away from the book feeling like the main character, and the author, would look down on me for this. I have no patience for a book about a rockstar who won't defend his fans. I'm not here for girls getting called "pleeches" (plastic leeches) for daring to be pretty and scoring a meet and greet with their idol.

Listen, the rest of the romance is nice enough, but it's been weeks since I first read the word 'pleeches' and it's not clever or funny, it's just mean.

Three stars.

I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley

The Good, the Bad, and the Duke by Janna MacGregor

A lady with a noble mission. A duke looking for redemption. A forbidden love that cannot be denied, in The Good, The Bad, and The Duke by Janna MacGregor.

Lady Daphne Hallworth is ready to celebrate the holidays with her family. But when they accidentally leave her home alone, Daphne uses the time to work on her dream—opening a home for unwed mothers. But her quest isn’t problem-free: She’s in a battle to win the property for the home against her brother’s best friend-turned-enemy, Paul Barstowe, Duke of Southart. And that’s not all: someone has stolen her personal diary, which holds secrets that could devastate her family. Daphne has always harbored private feelings for the man her family scorns…though perhaps striking a bargain with the handsome Duke will solve both their problems?

Paul, long considered good for nothing, aims to open a hospital to honor his brother and restore his reputation. So when a conflict over the land brings him straight into Daphne’s life, they make a deal: He will help her find her diary if Daphne can change her family’s opinion of him. But before he can win her family’s affection, he has to win hers first. Maybe love was the answer to their family feud all along?

Review:

It's always hard to jump into a series mid-way. You can tell by the numerous loved-up couples, their romantic problems (and character development) over and in the past, all alike in their coupledom. I can tell from personal experience it's even worse to be one of the remaining singles - and it seems like poor Daphne is in the same boat. Everyone is so taken with their significant others over Christmas, they leave London without Daphne.

No, really. She comes down from her room (after changing because a niece spilled something on her) to find everyone gone but the under-butler. What follows is a sort of coming-of-age as she finds her own feet without her loving but smothering family, along with a redemption arc for Paul, her brother's former best friend.

I enjoyed this book, but it definitely lost some impact for me, coming in mid-way through the series. I didn't have the back story that so many relationships were based on, nor did I understand what Paul did to make all of Daphne's family dislike him so much. While it was a good read, I'd recommend starting elsewhere in this series because I think it'd make the experience more enjoyable.

Three and a half (let's round up to four for the under-butler's adorable mom who I wanted more of) stars

I received an ARC of this book from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley; all opinions are my own

First Earl I See Tonight by Anna Bennet

Synopsis:

Recently jilted by his fiancée, David Gray, Earl of Ravenport is not in the market for a wife. Even if Gray didn’t have his hands full renovating his crumbling country house, it would take more than a bold marriage proposal from a headstrong young beauty to thaw his frozen heart. Gray is confident that spending a week at his ramshackle estate will change her mind about marriage, but every passionate moment he spends with her tempts him to change his…

A talented artist, Miss Fiona Hartley desperately needs her dowry money to pay off a blackmailer set on ruining her sister. The handsome earl seems a sensible choice for a husband…if only she can convince him that romance will play no part. But marrying in name only may prove difficult for Fiona. Gray can’t help but be dazzled by her genuine warmth. Yet as their feelings deepen, Fiona’s deadline looms. Will her secrets destroy them, or is true love their final destiny?

Review:

What a delightful read! Fiona needs a marriage of convenience, David needs money, but is too honourable to take part in Fiona's harebrained scheme. He's sure hosting her at his estate will scare her off - as it did his previous fiancee - but somehow sharp-eyed Fiona sees beyond the cracks to what's really important.

I loved the attention to little things in this book - Fiona's love of drawing, David's perceptive grandmother, the sisterly bond between Fiona and Lily, the realisation on both sides that this was a marriage that both wanted for more than the convenience. I especially loved the lack of unnecessary angst - yes, there are some tense moments, but these are two wonderfully practical people who, upon further machinations of the blackmailer, independently realise this and don't blame the other.

An extremely enjoyable historical romance.

Four and a half stars

I received an ARC from St Martin's Press

Tunes (and Troubles) by KC Enders

What’s more cliché than falling for a guy in a band or pining for the one who got away? Find out in TUNES by KC Enders, a Beekman Hills novel where a no-strings spring break fling turns into something more for Gracyn George and rocker Gavin Keller. Fans of A.L. Jackson’s STAY, DRUMLINE by Stacy Kestwick, and authors Jiffy Kate & Winter Renshaw will love this spicy and angsty second-chance romance.

Title:  Tunes

Author: KC Enders

Release Date: October 1, 2018

Publisher: Self-published

Series: Beekman Hills #2

Genres: New Adult Romance

Word Count: 73K

Format: Paperback & digital

Synopsis:

What’s more cliché than falling for a guy in a band?

A no-strings fling is all it was meant to be for Gracyn George. Sun, sand, sex, and then move on. That was before he strummed his way into her life. Each note leaving a tingle in her spine, their lasting melodies burned into her memory.

What’s more cliché than pining for the one who got away?

Gavin Keller has sacrificed far too much to chase after the girl who snuck out in the middle of the night and left him wondering, What if …

No matter how high his star rises or how many sold-out shows he plays, he ends each concert scanning the audience for her.

What was supposed to be temporary becomes a longing neither is willing to let go. After months of trying to move on, can they sync the tunes in their hearts?

Available on Amazon and FREE in Kindle Unlimited!

Amazon → https://amzn.to/2IfUuF7

Add to Goodreads → http://bit.ly/2oBSoX9

Review:

If Murphy applied his law to a relationship, this would be the result. This is a story of missed connections and misunderstandings, of two people who shouldn't have met but who somehow keep finding their way back to each other. Overall I found this a cute story, especially the first half. The second half I felt was too bogged down by angst and distrust.

I especially wish that *some people* would face actual consequences for their actions. Even in the #metoo age, I understand why Gracyn might not report blatant sexual harassment (even though the repercussions of not reporting drive a large part of the plot), but the harasser seemed to get off pretty much scot-free. I know this is similar to what happens in reality, but this is fiction dammit and I want vindication!

Also, warning for a downer ending. It was bittersweet to the extreme, but I felt it was over-foreshadowed and under-developed. It could've had more impact is all I'm saying.

Three stars

I received an ARC from Barclay Publicity; all opinions are my own.

I also received book 1 - Troubles - these books stand alone, but what starts in Troubles, ends in Tunes, and once I read Troubles I absolutely had to know how Gracyn's story ended.

Troubles is what I'd call your standard romance - two people with their own problems, they meet and fall in love, but past experiences get in the way. It's a decent read, but I found it a tad predictable and the leads unmemorable, if nice enough. I loved how Aiden helped Lis study but I would've liked to get a better feel for him as a character.

Rebel Hard by Nalini Singh

This book is all I ever wanted and more.

Nayna is an accountant. She enjoys romance novels. She wants to travel and see the world. NAYNA IS ME. Well, not entirely. I've moved out of home and I'm not part of the Indian community, but I am the good-girl, younger daughter who never went wild. Let's settle on Nayna resonating with parts of me I've never dreamed I'd get to see in print.

And RAJ. Oh goodness, Raj sounds delightful. He knows what he wants and he wants Nayna - but not enough to trample on her dreams or her needs. True, he does screw up, in a very Darcy-like way, but he also apologises heartily, again in a very Darcy-like way, and makes sure it doesn't happen again. Also, the book doesn't shy away from noting the P&P similarities at the time, which soothes the Romance-lover in me.

This is a wonderful story about two very different people trying to reconcile different dreams for the future while juggling family expectations and sibling drama galore. This could be an entire <em>season</em> of the masala dramas the parents love so much.

While I love Nalini's paranormal series (Guild Hunter and Psy-Changeling), I've come to appreciate her contemporaries because they never rely on a big mis to create drama or a deus ex to get to a happy ending. With Rebel Hard and the preceding Cherish Hard (admittedly, awkward names), Nalini proves you don't need a tragic past or traumatic event to cause romantic tension. The Rock Kiss series were all about the past holding people back; the Hard Play books are all about the future.

This reads well as a standalone, but even better in tandem with Cherish Hard as the two run in parallel

Five joyous stars.

Ocean Light by Nalini Singh

Some long-running series feel like the author is just ringing it in. Swap out the names, fuzz some of the details, publish.

This is not one of those series. This might be book #17, but it is a valuable and enjoyable continuation of a story that started way back at book #1. The characters are unique, the romance is sweet, and the overarching story arc never feels stale. Do both characters feel almost too perfect to be true? Maybe. There's not a huge amount of growing for each to do - the conflict is more external than internal, but it all makes sense in context.

It's not a great place to start the series - try book #1 Slave to Sensation or book #16 Silver Silence (if you want to skip 15 books of delicious romance, your loss) - but anyone who has been following the Psy-Changeling series must read this book.

Four stars.

Strong by Kylie Scott

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Kylie Scott comes a new story in her Stage Dive series…

When the girl of your dreams is kind of a nightmare.

As head of security to Stage Dive, one of the biggest rock bands in the world, Sam Knowles has plenty of experience dealing with trouble. But spoilt brat Martha Nicholson just might be the worst thing he’s ever encountered. The beautiful troublemaker claims to have reformed, but Sam knows better than to think with what’s in his pants. Unfortunately, it’s not so easy to make his heart fall into line.

Martha’s had her sights on the seriously built bodyguard for years. Quiet and conservative, he’s not even remotely her type. So why the hell can’t she get him out of her mind? There’s more to her than the Louboutin wearing party-girl of previous years, however. Maybe it’s time to let him in on that fact and deal with this thing between them.

**Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you'll enjoy each one as much as we do.**

AMAZON LINKS:

US - https://amzn.to/2N6LVlN

Aus - https://amzn.to/2CLhrkp

UK - https://amzn.to/2QlaQ2V

Review:
Martha Nicholson is not a nice person. She's pushy, selfish, and doesn't know when to keep her snarky opinions to herself. Fans of Kylie Scott's Stage Dive series will remember her as the villainous jealous ex from book #1, Lick and those who read her brother's book (#4, Deep) may have noticed her striking sparks off the band's stalwart bodyguard Sam.

At long, long, last, Martha gets her turn in the spotlight. She's back in town and determined to make good - but none of her plans involved that sexy bodyguard she can't keep her eyes - or mind - off.

I like seeing another side to Martha. On one hand, she is older, calmer, and mostly over her ex getting hitched in Vegas. On the other hand, she's still pushy and opinionated. Though it's only a novella, she gets enough pagetime to grow and find the purpose she's always been lacking.

Sam's a bit more of a mystery, even to the last page, but he doesn't need the character growth nearly as much as Martha. He's still awesome, if not swoonworthy.

I absolutely loved jumping headfirst back into the Stage Dive world and seeing all of the characters we know and love as they've (shock, horror) gone domestic. Those moments with the band chilling and being a family are all I've ever wanted post-series.

If you are a Stage Dive fan, this book is a must. If not, it's a fun little spoileriffic interlude, results may vary. With the wealth of characters, I'd suggest starting at book #1, not here.

Five stars

I received an ARC from InkSlingerPR; all opinions are my own

Dark in Death by JD Robb

The In Death novels are comfort food - you know exactly what you're getting - serial killer with a side of Eve/Roarke romance. 

Dark in Death spices things up by a) showcasing girl power and feminine solidarity at its best and b) going meta. These murders are based on a series of in-story murder mysteries, and it's a fun look at the storytelling process as the lines between (fictional) fiction and (fictional) reality start to blur. It never gets so deep that my head started to hurt, but had some nice nods to the history of mystery and more.

I thought I'd be getting bored of these books by now but somehow JD Robb keeps me coming back for more.

Four stars

Make Me Fall by Sara Rider

Title:  Make Me Fall

Author: Sara Rider

Release Date: September 24, 2018

Publisher: Self-published

Series: Books & Brews #2

Genres: Contemporary Romance

Page Count: 226

Synopsis:

After losing her job, her home, and her friends in her divorce, Nora Pitts is determined not to make the same mistakes when she starts over in the small town of Shadow Creek, Washington. No more toiling away in the lab at the expense of her social life, and definitely no more men. Ever. But making friends in her thirties is so much harder than she anticipated. And when it comes to her gorgeous yet obnoxious neighbor, it’s a whole lot easier to make enemies.

Eli Hardin doesn’t have a lot of sympathy for his uptight neighbor, until he overhears her so-called new friends making fun of her un-datable status. Suddenly he finds himself volunteering for a date with a woman who’s been leaving angry hate-notes in his mailbox, and in way over his head. Because all it takes is one disastrous date with Nora for Eli to fall hard.

But falling for Eli isn’t something Nora’s ready for—not when he’s her complete opposite, and especially not when he turns out to be the best friend she’s made in Shadow Creek. But as her attraction and her feelings for Eli grow hotter, resisting him might just lead to heartbreak anyway.

Find out more at: Amazon | iBooks | B&N | Kobo

Add to Goodreads → http://bit.ly/2v1Vbws

Review: 

I read the first book in this series (Real Kind of Love) a few months ago - you can find the review here - and it was a solid fake romance about Eli's best friend Jake.

Make Me Fall is even better. Nora and Eli seem to have nothing in common but the fence diving their homes. He's a laidback womanizer, the co-owner of a bar. She's the uptight teacher next door.

It's a small victory when they discover the first thing they have in common is chemistry. No, not that type of chemistry, though they later have that in spades. They both studied chemistry at college, though it has taken them in very different directions.

I really loved how while they did find things to share, both of them also learnt to compromise and adjust to each other's differences - because they really are at completely opposite ends of the spectrum. I enjoyed Eli stepping up and taking the responsibility he's dodged as a matter of course, and Nora learning she doesn't have to organise everything and everyone. 

I especially enjoyed that Nora's arc was dually focussed on her relationship with Eli and her growing friendships in Shadow Creek - there's a whole host of characters screaming for their own books! I do wish her ex received some sort of comeuppance, but I suppose you can't have everything.

Overall, an enjoyable and believable opposites attract romance.

Five feel-good stars

I received an advanced reading copy from Barclays Publishing

About Sara Rider:

Sara Rider writes contemporary romance full of heart, heat, and happily ever after. She lives in British Columbia with her husband and daughters. She spends far too much time in public libraries and never leaves the home without her e-reader stuffed in her purse.

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Siren's Calling by Piper J Drake

Title: Siren’s Calling

Author: Piper J. Drake

Series: The Sea King’s Daughters

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Release Date: September 18, 2018

Publisher: Independent

Print Length: 22,000 words

ASIN: B07FWSWV5T

Amae Waters will never live up to her father's expectations--she's not a leader and she's not a soldier. Rather than live with his disappointment, she's left his realm and built a life for herself in Seattle, a mermaid blending in with humankind. Her mission? To prepare the oceans for the return of her people. But she's not sure she's cut out to accomplish that either.

A new predator has entered the waters of the Puget Sound, ravaging orcas and leaving their carcasses to wash ashore for humans to find. Whatever is killing them is beyond human understanding and Amae must find it before it irrevocably damages the complex balance of the ocean ecosystems.

But a greater danger lurks in the deep. Amae is done evading traps. She'll defend her territory and prove she needn't be a soldier to be a warrior or become the sacrifice used to end her people.

Look for other stories in this exciting Urban Fantasy series from Philippa Ballantine, Stacia D. Kelly, Lauren Harris, Katee Robert, and Asa Maria Bradley.

Get More information at: Goodreads   Amazon

Review:

The fourth in a series of novellas about mermaids, Siren's Calling still manages to stand on its own. Perhaps it uses a bit too much exposition to get there - Amae sure does like to ruminate on herself - but no matter. The story is fast paced and the two main characters are interesting in their own rights. I can't say too much without spoiling the story, but if you're looking for urban fantasy that isn't vampires or werewolves, this is a great place to dip your toes.

Three and a half stars

I received an ARC from Barclay Publicity; all opinions are my own.

Catch Him if You Can by Jennifer Shirk

Two weeks ago, I posted about this book, but due to administrative troubles, was not able to review it in time for my post. However, I finally had some time this morning, so here goes...

This is such a cute book.

It's a clean friends-to-lovers fake romance, with animals and weddings and unabashed love of the colour pink. It's cosy and happy and filled with good people who do nice things.

It's the story of Arden, a wedding planner who has been gun shy since her own fiance left her at the altar, but who needs a new fiance to shore up her struggling business. It's also the story of Wade, widowed young and heartily sick of their small town playing matchmaker.

If any of the above appeals to you, pick up this book and snuggle in.

My only complaint is that it felt like there were bits of plot that were left hanging that could've been chopped to give me more cute animals and job-based characterisation.

Four and a half pink stars

I received an ARC from Barclay Publicity, but my opinions are my own.

The Duke with the Dragon Tattoo by Kerrigan Byrne

THE DUKE WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO
Victorian Rebels (Volume 6)
Kerrigan Byrne
St. Martin's Press

Pub Date: 08/28/2018
ISBN: 9781250122568

Summary:

He is known only as The Rook. A man with no name, no past, no memories. He awakens in a mass grave, a magnificent dragon tattoo on his muscled forearm the sole clue to his mysterious origins. His only hope for survival—and salvation—lies in the deep, fiery eyes of the beautiful stranger who finds him. Who nurses him back to health. And who calms the restless demons in his soul…

A LEGENDARY LOVE

Lorelei will never forget the night she rescued the broken dark angel in the woods, a devilishly handsome man who haunts her dreams to this day. Crippled as a child, she devoted herself to healing the poor tortured man. And when he left, he took a piece of her heart with him. Now, after all these years, The Rook has returned. Like a phantom, he sweeps back into her life and avenges those who wronged her. But can she trust a man who’s been branded a rebel, a thief, and a killer? And can she trust herself to resist him when he takes her in his arms?

Buy Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-a-Million | IndieBound | Powells

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Kerrigan Byrne
Whether she’s writing about Celtic Druids, Victorian bad boys, or brash Irish FBI Agents, Kerrigan Byrne uses her borderline-obsessive passion for history, her extensive Celtic ancestry, and her love of Shakespeare in every book. She lives at the base of the Rocky Mountains with her handsome husband and three lovely teenage girls, but dreams of settling on the Pacific Coast. Her Victorian Rebels novels include The Highwayman and The Highlander.

Review:

I didn't know what I was getting into with this book. Naively, I expected Almack's with a dash of amnesia. What I got was so much better.

This book has PIRATES.

Most of the action (and believe me, there is a lot of it) happens at sea or on the coast. There are twists and turns, all neatly foreshadowed. There's a heroine who is swept along for the ride and who never gives up on believing in good. There's a hero who is certain he is no such thing thanks to his terrible past, both forgotten and remembered.

I was initially sceptical of the romance, after a sham of a wedding at sea, but it gets better. A LOT better. I especially enjoyed the sections in Ash's head, because he is so hard to read, at least at the outset. When he does soften, it's with a suitable grovel, which really sealed the deal for me. I'm a sucker for guys who walk in the darkness but can't help but be drawn to the light of a single person.

While certainly descriptive and action-packed, the book was let down a little by some purple prose, the most florid probably 'two tortured orbs of onyx'. It was a little distracting at times, but not enough to pull me out of the story completely.

I certainly didn't realise that this was book six in a series, but the references to other happy couples should've clued me in. It stands well on its own and has me interested in some of the other stories mentioned as well.

Four stars.

I received an ARC of this book from St Martin's Press. All opinions expressed are my own.

Catch Him If You Can by Jennifer Shirk

Title: Catch Him If You Can

Author: Jennifer Shirk

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: August 13, 2018

Publisher: Entangled Publishing

Series: Accidentally Yours

Format: Digital eBook

Digital ISBN: 9781640636156

Synopsis:

Veterinarian Wade Roberts is done with love. But try convincing the elderly folk of Cape Harmony who are determined to play matchmaker. Now the young single women in town are bombarding him with baked goods and love notes, and being “taken” is the only way to stop the meddling grannies—which is why he needs a fake fiancée. Fast.

Arden Pearson loves planning weddings. Other people's weddings, that is. After her own engagement ended in disaster, she prefers to live vicariously through her work. But when she needs to persuade a big client that she’s capable of planning the celebrity wedding of the year, she’s willing to go as far as pretending to be engaged herself to her best friend’s older brother.

Soon their ruse has everyone in town believing they make the perfect couple—including Arden. She’s always been nothing more than a kid sister to Wade, and it might take a village to convince him otherwise...

Add to your TBR list: Goodreads

Available: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kobo | iTunes

Excerpt:

Copyright© 2018 Catch Him If You Can

Jennifer Shirk

Wade stood in line at the Drip N Sip, about seven people back, mentally warming up to let good old matchmaking Judy Tavish have an earful. What a friggin’ exhausting morning he’d had at work on Saturday, combating the flirting, the date requests, and the come-ons. Becky was right. His office had served more like a singles bar than a veterinary clinic. Well, no more. He was done with that, but mostly he was done with the meddling gray-haired coffee barista, looking over at him now and shooting him that wide, cheery-assed smile of hers.

“Oh, hello, Wade!” Judy waved, all sunny and good-natured, which ironically had the direct opposite effect on his already foul mood. He gritted his teeth and didn’t wave back.

“And what animal peed on your parade?” a feminine voice asked beside him.

He glanced to his right. Arden Pearson stood next to him with arms folded and an amused grin on her glistening pink-glossed lips. Arden was his sister’s best friend and all-around town sass-mouth—at least to him. He’d known her since high school when she had braces and blond hair down to her butt. Her mouth was still as sassy—maybe more so—but the braces were gone and her straight hair was cut shoulder length in a mature, professional style now. He’d always thought she was a cute girl back then, but as an adult, she was pretty damn stunning—when she wasn’t ribbing him. She had moved back to Cape Harmony about five years ago to open up her wedding planning business. Wade rarely ran into her in town unless she was with Kinsley, which made this day all the more agitating.

He turned away. “Right now, I’d actually welcome being peed on,” he muttered.

She made a tsk tsk sound. “Wow, you are having a bad day. Well, join the club.”

“Join the club?” Wade turned back to her and blinked. Damn, she had the prettiest eyes. The most unique kind of blue he’d ever seen. He immediately looked away. “Are you being bombarded at work and at home by hordes of single marriage-minded women?”

“Well, no— Wait.” She laughed. “Hold on. Are you?”

“Yes. And it’s all Judy Tavish’s fault,” he said, jerking his thumb in Judy’s direction. “She’s taken it upon herself to become my own personal walking, talking Tinder account.”

“Hmm…” Arden’s delicate brows drew together. “So, does this mean you want to book me ahead of schedule for a discount, or do you want to wait until the actual wedding proposal?” she said with a chuckle.

“I knew you wouldn’t see the seriousness in the situation.”

“You’re right. I don’t.” She shrugged. “I mean, so what if Judy thought you should get out and have some fun and gave your number to a few nice women. Oh, boo-hoo.”

He looked her dead in the eye. “Twenty-six women, Arden. Twenty-six. Not including the crowd that showed up at the clinic on Saturday with their fake sick pets. And did you know that when I got home from work there were brownies and half a baked chicken left on my doorstep.”

Arden whistled. “Damn. Remind me to use Judy when I’m looking for a date. Or need a snack.”

About Jennifer Shirk:

Jennifer Shirk is a USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of sweet (and sometimes even funny) romances for Montlake Romance and Entangled Publishing. Her novel, FIANCE BY FATE—a 2015 Readers' Crown Finalist—became an Amazon #1 best seller for Series Romance. And recently, Wrong Brother, Right Match, WON the Sweet Traditional category of the 2017 Golden Quill Contest and became a #1 Amazon bestseller for Holiday Romance.

She resides in a beach resort in NJ, so when she's not writing or working on her tan, she's taking care of her most treasured possessions: her husband, daughter and puppy (Sox).

Check out her website for News and Links: www.jennifershirk.com

And don't forget to join her mailing list for a chance to win monthly giveaways and free ARCs: eepurl.com/Q6TH1

Connect with Jennifer:  Website  | Facebook  | Twitter  | Goodreads  | Amazon  | BookBub

Siren's Curse by Katee Robert

Title: Siren’s Curse

Author: Katee Robert

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Release Date: August 13, 2018

Publisher: Indie

Series: The Sea King’s Daughters

Page Count: 76 pages

Format: Digital

ASIN: B07DJK2HQR

Synopsis:

Lorelei Fischer is cursed. A mermaid who can’t shapeshift, can’t create portals, and is no longer fully who she was meant to be. Too ashamed to admit how badly she failed to her sisters, she takes refuge in a small town in northern California and opens a used bookstore. With no way to regain what she’s lost, she resigns herself to a life half-lived.

After nearly drowning under the dark of the new moon, there’s no escaping the truth. She’s being hunted, and this enemy will stop at nothing to take her.

Lorelei must find a way to reclaim her birthright and her abilities before it's too late. Because the sea holds more monsters than she could have dreamed—and one of them wants her dead.

Look for other stories in this exciting Urban Fantasy series from Philippa Ballantine, Stacia D. Kelly, Lauren Harris, and Asa Maria Bradley.

Available at:  

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2syiT2e

Review:

For such a short read, Katee Robert sure does know how to pack a lot in! The prose is tight and descriptive, the action is non-stop, and every character had its place. I only wish it was a little longer.

While this is third in a multi-author series about mermaids, I didn't feel like I was missing out by starting here. Instead, my interest was piqued and now I'm interested in reading the other books.

There's a new wave on urban fantasy on the shores of Booktopia and I recommend giving this one a go.

Four salty stars.

I received an ARC from Barclay publicity.