aebennettwrites's reviews
282 reviews

Fear and Fury by Jamie Jackson

4.0

This is a fun take on the subversive superhero trope. Megaera (Meg for short) is a loner with what some might call scary superpowers. When the story begins, all she wants to do is live her life, though superheroes and villains keep trying to recruit her. When a very evil entity starts attacking her, she finds herself teaming up with a very strong hero and his super fast friend. Overall, I enjoyed this, though I will admit I found Meg's sarcasm trying at times. A fast read that will entertain.

Carillon's Curse by Sionnach Wintergreen

5.0

Absolutely adored this book! A perfect murder mystery/thriller romance. In 1888 in Austin, Texas, we meet main character Thomas Carillon, a disabled loner with a unique gift; he can see and communicate with the dead. When the ghost of a brutally murdered girl appears before him, begging for help, Thomas attempts to alert the authorities that there is a killer in their midst. Thomas soon meets Texas Ranger Hadrian Burton and feels an instant attraction. But this is Thomas's first love affair, and Hadrian is hiding secrets of his own. Wintergreen does a fantastic job balancing the macabre, the melancholy, and heart-felt romance. I plan to read more from this author!

The Raven Prince by Elizabeth Hoyt

5.0

This book is super-horny, kinda silly, but worth your time. An excellent escape!

The Dandy Medium by Dez Schwartz

4.0

A fun, supernatural read set in the Victorian era. Alfie and Sebastian are sweet characters and reading about them coming together was comforting. If you like murder mystery with your romance, this is a good one to pick up!

Mighty Quill by Emmaline Strange

5.0

This is one of those books that's so engrossing and rare, it will stay with you for a long time. The book begins like many romances: the main characters meet, awkwardly, but there is instant attraction. Cassian Rhodes is an athlete struggling to balance sports and academics. Thor Ambrose is a reclusive student in search of a roommate to share expenses in his off-campus apartment. As the two grow closer, Cassian discovers that Thor has a pretty big secret that threatens to tear them apart. Strange does an excellent job developing Cass's and Thor's relationship while immersing the reader in a well-developed mystery that will leave readers guessing until the end. You're not gonna want to put this one down! (Note: I was offered an ARC in exchange for an honest review.)

The Unwanted Prophet by Carolina Cruz

4.0

I really enjoyed this book, though I did struggle to get into it at first. I'm so glad I kept going, though, because Cruz took me on a wild ride. We meet main character Quincy Sauer as she struggles to avoid a growing puddle in her prison cell. She uses her wits to extricate herself from that unpleasant situation, only to be thrust into another. And then another. And still another. Quincy frustrated me at times, but I never stopped rooting for her - and her adventure is one of a lifetime. Cruz's excellent ability to describe scenery and her clever plot kept me interested until the very end. (Note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)

Out of Due Season: The First Transit by Benjamin X. Wretlind

4.0

A creepy dystopian scifi thriller. It did take me a bit to get into this book, but the characters are well-developed and the story is really well thought out. This book is dark, but well worth your time. The end is a shocker, too! Recommend!

Untouched by Jayme Bean

5.0

A really compelling eco mystery! Grad students David and Marisol head out on a research trip with their professor through the Amazon. Soon after they depart, they begin to realize the jungle is not what it seems. Bean does a great job ramping up tension as the plot (and jungle) thicken. David and Marisol are well-developed characters who don't necessarily like each other at first, but soon have to depend on each other to survive. This one is worth a read!

Shattered Magic by Emily Huffman

5.0

A great read about finding yourself when the path before you isn't quite what you expected. Rocco is confident - some would say cocky - as he prepares for the final magical tournament that will allow him to study at the Academy, a life-long dream of his. The night before the tournament, however, he is visited by a mysterious stranger who gives him a warning. Soon after, Rocco realizes that his future - and his destiny - may not be what he originally envisioned. Huffman is a great writer who immediately pulled me into the world of The Shattered Trilogy. This was my first time reading a book in this series, but I'll now be sure to check out more of Huffman's work. (I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.)

Avis Aurea - The Golden Bird by Maxime Jaz

5.0

Jaz delivers again! The saga of the love between Marius and Kyle continues in this second book in the trilogy. When the story begins, Marius has returned to Rome after the events at the end of the first book. As he works to build a stable life, his intense feelings for Kyle grow stronger. Kyle finds himself even more smitten, but can't brush aside the internal demons that haunt him. Marius then brings home a new wife, Claudia, whose presence brings unanticipated emotions in both men bubbling to the surface. As the three learn to navigate life together, we see both Marius and Kyle struggle with past trauma in different ways. Another page-turner for me from this fantastic author! (Note: This is a dark romance, so readers should pay attention to Jaz's TW/CW closely. I received an ARC of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.)