Prah, Constantine and Baryeh Review: Let it Shine by Alyssa Cole

We’re baaaack. Happy New Year everyone. So far 2020 has been fabulous, I hope the same is true for you and will continue to be so. To start off our review year we chose Let It Shine by Alyssa Cole (one of my all time favorite writers). It didn’t hit me until I started reading it just how appropriate the book is for Black History Month. A great choice for February. Remember to stop by Constantine and Baryeh’s blogs to see what they thought of the book.

Blurb
Sofronia Wallis knows that proper Black women don’t court trouble by upending the status quo, but it’s 1961 and the Civil Rights movement is in full swing. Sofie’s spent half her life being prim, proper, and reserved—as if that could bring her mother back—but the nonviolent protests happening across the South bring out her inner agitator.

Ivan Friedman has devoted his life to boxing, loving the finesse of a well-delivered punch and the penance of receiving one. His family escaped from Europe before the horrors of WWII, and Ivan decides to help fight injustice in their new country, even if it goes against all his instincts as a fighter.

When Ivan and Sofie meet, they realize that their pasts are intertwined and—with the sparks that fly between them—perhaps their futures will be too. With everything in their society lined up against them, will Sofie and Ivan be able to beat the odds? Or will their chance at love be destroyed by the tumultuous times they live in?

My Review

A spectacular read that had me engrossed in the characters lives and the stressful environment they lived. This is a historical romance that bought the issues of race, equal rights and differences of religion to the forefront. I’ll be honest and say that stories about historical race relations tends to get me upset because the truth of people encountering such situations was and still is real.

Ms. Cole’s telling of Sofie and Ivan’s story was both heart-breaking and inspiring. The story had me on pins and needles wondering just how it would end. I was satisfied with how it turned out.

I give this book five out of five boxing glove shaped chocolate bars.

I purchased my copy from Amazon UK on sale for $0.99 which I think is still going on.

Prah, Constantine, and Baryeh Review: Wedding at Mistletoe Chalet by Dani Collins

Happy Holidays! Welcome to the last review of 2019. We read a Christmas story to help get us in the mood for the festive season. This month, it's only Constantine and I reviewing (Baryeh will join us again next year) so make sure stop by Constantine's blog to see what she thought of the book.




The Blurb
Eager for a home-style Christmas while she considers a career shift, Kristen Benz leaps on the temporary job at Mistletoe Chalet. Soon she’s wrapping presents, trimming the tree, and helping her new boss’s tween daughter plan a Christmas Eve vow renewal for her parents. The holiday is imbued with a magical glow—especially when Kristen’s high school sweetheart appears on the doorstep.

After years of medical school, Finn Garrett has promised his parents he’ll be home for the holidays. His detour to see his first love is supposed to provide closure, not rekindle their long-ago romance.

Can a matchmaking tween and the magic of Mistletoe Chalet spark the happily ever after that eluded them in the past?


My Review
The story did a fantastic job of nudging me towards the Christmas spirit with descriptions of the charming chalet, gorgeous scenery, decorations, and festive activities.

I found that the book was more about Kristen's experiences with the other characters, learning how to run a small inn, and preparing for the wedding. The romance between Kristen and Finn didn't feature  enough to make me a happy romance reader, although what did happen between them was very sweet. They tended to remember more of their past relationship than building their current one.

I give this book three out of five Christmas tree shaped chocolate bars.

I purchased my copy from AmazonUK

Prah, Constantine and Baryeh Review: Meant to Be (Sweetbriar Cove #1) by Melody Grace

Happy Autumn everyone. May the season be filled with awesome reads. Remeber to hop on over to Constantine and Baryeh's blogs to see what they thought about the book.

                                                         The Blurb

Poppy Somerville believes in happily-ever-after. It’s the reason her romance novels have won devoted readers all over the world—and why she’s broken off her engagement just weeks before the wedding instead of settling for less than true love. Escaping to her aunt’s beach cottage in Sweetbriar Cove, Poppy is looking for inspiration to end her writer’s block and finish her new book. She just wasn’t counting on the handsome, gruff contractor making such a racket next door…

Cooper Nicholson doesn’t believe in soul-mates. He thought he’d found his forever once, and the world proved him wrong, so when the cute brunette comes storming over and demands he keep the noise down, romance is the last thing on his mind. But his new neighbor is full of surprises, and soon, their chemistry is too hot to ignore.

As they grow closer, they discover fiction has nothing on the plot twists life has in store. But will Cooper find a way to let go of the past and risk his heart again? And can Poppy find her happy ending — on and off the page?

My Review

The romance was set in a picturesque tourist town that sounded like an amazing place to be.

I liked the concept of the heroine being a successful romance novelist. I was also happy that she found the courage to break off her engagement before the wedding day. I wasn’t so crazy about the fact that it took her so long to do it when she’d been feeling antsy about the engagement for a while. I didn’t appreciate that it took her no time to get over it. I felt really bad for her jilted ex, even though she’d made the right decision to leave him.

Cooper was an interesting character. I liked his determination to finish his construction project and the passion he had for restoring houses. I didn’t care for his immature way of treating Poppy when things got too heavy between them.  

I got into the book quickly, but found that things slowed down. I kept wondering what was keeping the hero and heroine apart. I didn’t find the conflict compelling enough to drive the story along.

I give this book three out of five hammer shaped chocolate bars.

I purchased my copy from AmazonUK

Prah, Constantine and Baryeh Review: Twelve Nights (Blue Moon Lake 1.5) by Sharon Struth

This is our last review for 2018. Please wipe your tears because we’ll be back next year with more for you. In the meantime enjoy your holiday festivities. Hopefully you won’t be too busy to find time to read. Remember to stop on by Constantine and Baryeh’s blogs to see what they thought of the book.

The Blurb

True love waits forever…

For Erik Lindholm, it’s been a long climb to the top of his company. Now, as president he has the power to bring his vision to life and speed his company in bold new directions. If that means a complete staff overhaul, so be it. If that means firing the woman who left his heart in tatters fifteen years earlier, it’s a business decision, not personal…

Beryl Foster is highly competent and respected by everyone at the office. But rumors of a big shake-up are rampant and—surprisingly, scarily—Beryl’s job as CFO is on the line. Fifteen years ago she made a decision to put her career before everything else. It was also the last time she and Erik shared a life together. Every Christmas is a reminder. This one could be a second chance… 

My Review

Second chance romances are a hit or miss with me depending on the reason why the couple initially broke up. Erik and Beryl had a legitimate reason for separating that first time and I wasn’t sure if they’d make it through as a couple the second time they got together. They had quite a bit going against them, their past being a major contributing factor. Their careers still being another.

I’ll be honest. I was angry with Erik on Beryl’s behalf in the beginning of the book. I didn’t understand how he could have just left her. I understand the motivation of getting ahead in his career, but I didn’t like it. Especially not when there were other options he could have taken. For a while I wanted him to suffer and not end up with her (not really, but my pissed off mind wasn’t really being rational).

There was an amazing park scene that made me sigh when I read it from her perspective. Learning about Erik and just how romantic he could be helped me to eventually get over my anger with him and I started wanting to see them together. I kept wishing it hadn’t taken fifteen years for them to get there. On the other hand it may have been the time apart that they needed to make them better individuals and because of that a strong couple. It certainly gave Beryl time to establish herself in both the workplace and her marvelous hobby.

I give this book four out of five Christmas tree shaped chocolate bars.

I purchased my copy from AmazonUK.

Prah, Constantine and Baryeh Review: Her Perfect Catch by K.L. Brady

Hi everyone. I hope you’re all doing well and enjoying life. The books keep coming, which is always a good thing. This month we’ve chosen a sweet romance to entertain ourselves with. Remember to check out Constantine and Baryeh’s blogs to see what they thought about this lovely story.

The Blurb

Melanie is a struggling, nerdy sports writer with the power to change Jet's image.

Jet is a bad-boy NFL star receiver with the power to change Melanie's career.

Dylan, Melanie's sexy best friend, has the power to throw a monkey wrench in everybody's plans.

When the three connect in a chance meeting at the Super Bowl, none of their lives will ever be the same.

My Review

For the first time in a long time, I had to skip to the end of the book to see how it ended. Once I knew the outcome of the triad I could relax and enjoy the book, which I totally did. I don’t give spoilers so you’ll have to read it yourself to find out. You won’t be disappointed, that’s for sure.

This sweet romance entertained me with Melanie’s incredible sense of humor. She scared me at some points with her antics and had me wanting to jump in the book to advise (or yell at) her. To be honest both Jet and Dylan were great guys, but I was happy that she ended up with one she did.

That cover is so incredibly adorable. 

My single complaint is that I wish the chapters hadn’t been labeled. Chapter numbers alone would’ve done just fine. 

I give this book four out of five football shaped chocolate bars.

I purchased my copy from AmazonUK

Prah, Constantine, and Baryeh Reviews: Snow White Red-Handed (Fairy Tale Fatal Mystery #1) by Maia Chance

We are officially in the midst of summer and I hope you’re all enjoying the gorgeous weather as much as I am. This month we went the way of a mystery. Nothing hard core and gloomy, more of a cozy mystery. I’m looking forward to seeing what Constantine and Baryeh thought of the story. Remember to head over to their blogs once you’re done reading my review.

The Blurb

Miss Ophelia Flax is a Victorian actress who knows all about making quick changes and even quicker exits. But to solve a fairy-tale crime in the haunted Black Forest, she’ll need more than a bit of charm…

1867: After being fired from her latest variety hall engagement, Ophelia acts her way into a lady’s maid position for a crass American millionaire. But when her new job whisks her off to a foreboding castle straight out of a Grimm tale, she begins to wonder if her fast-talking ways might have been too hasty. The vast grounds contain the suspected remains of Snow White’s cottage, along with a disturbing dwarf skeleton. And when her millionaire boss turns up dead—poisoned by an apple—the fantastic setting turns into a once upon a crime scene.

To keep from rising to the top of the suspect list, Ophelia fights through a bramble of elegant lies, sinister folklore, and priceless treasure, with only a dashing but mysterious scholar as her ally. And as the clock ticks towards midnight, she’ll have to break a cunning killer’s spell before her own time runs out…

 

My Review

There are four components that came together in this book to make it work: the historical aspect, fairy tale elements, mystery element, and has the tiniest bit of romance. The best part about the novel was that when I finally figured out who the killer was, it was too late (for me as an amateur sleuth) because the book was almost done. For that I give Ms. Chance a standing ovation.

The characters were very likable, but there were a couple of situations in the story that had me asking questions about if such a thing would actually happen. These moments didn’t have anything to do with the fairy tale aspect of the story. All the activity and intrigue in the book made reading the story fly quickly.

Ophelia is a scrapper and a survivor. A strong character who went to great lengths to help her friend, and eventually herself. Her backstory is fascinating and the things she applied from her past to help solve the mystery added a fascinating depth to the story, especially in a horseback riding scene- I loved it.

I give this story four out of five cottage shaped chocolate bars.

Ms. Chase gave me a real, hold in my hot little hands paperback for an honest review.

 The book can be purchased at Amazon.

Prah, Constantine and Baryeh Review: Hitched: Volume One (Imperfect Love 1) by Kendall Ryan

 Welcome back for another round of three reviews of one story. I hope you’ve been spending the summer relaxing with some great books like I have.

I have to warn you that this is not a standalone novel. There are two other volumes to the book. The good news is that they’ve all been released.

Remember to check out Constantine and Baryeh’s reviews to see what they thought about the book.

The Blurb

Marry the girl I’ve had a crush on my whole life? Check.

Inherit a hundred-billion-dollar company? Check.

Produce an heir… Wait, what?

I have ninety days to knock up my brand-new fake wife. There’s only one problem—she hates my guts.

And in the fine print of the contract? The requirement that we produce an heir.

She can’t stand to be in the same room with me. Says she’ll never be in my bed.

But I’ve never backed down from a challenge and I’m not about to start now.

Mark my words—I’ll have her begging for me, and it won’t take ninety days.

On the heels of her smash hit and New York Times bestselling SCREWED series, Kendall Ryan brings you HITCHED, a romantic comedy that delivers heart and heat. A NYC playboy turned business mogul has ninety days to win over the woman he's always desired in order to save his father's company. One tiny problem: She hates his guts. 

My review                                    

When I read in the blurb that the heroine hated the hero’s guts, I was expecting some real fireworks between them. Maybe some banter that kept my mouth hanging open. It turned out that Olivia had her mouth agape for most of the book because some of the things Noah said were outrageous (not always in a bad way).

Noah and Olivia are being forced to get married in order to save their fathers’ company. I can see Olivia’s hesitation in marrying the playboy of New York, he can’t seem to keep it in his pants. There was no mention of a single committed relationship in his past and yet the reader (and Olivia) was expected to believe that because he was going to get married to the woman he’d had a crush on for most of his life, that he’d remain faithful to her alone. I had a hard time wrapping my brain around it. I also found Noah to be shallow compared to Olivia, even though he had a tender side to him that he made sure to show her.

I really enjoyed Olivia’s character, but Noah lacked depth for me. The cliffhanger at the end was expected, but this won’t stop me from picking up the second book in the series.

I give this book three out of four martini glass shaped chocolate bars.

I purchased this book from Amazon.

Prah, Constantine and Baryeh Review: Pains and Penalties (A Geeks and Things Cozy Mystery Novella #1) by Sarah Biglow

I hope you weren’t too disappointed  last month when we didn't post our fabulous reviews.  Sometimes life gets in the way of reading. The good news is that we’re back. A mystery novella called out to us.

                                    The Blurb

A new amateur sleuth is on the case in the first book of this Cozy Mystery novella series.

When Kalina Greystone returns home to the small town of Ellesworth, MA in the wake of her father's passing to take over the family's comic book shop, she never expects to reconnect with her old flame, Detective Christian Harper. But when elderly Mrs. Davies winds up murdered at the annual Solstice Fair, Kalina can't help but get swept up in his investigation and solving the case. While Detective Harper runs his investigation, she cozies up to the dead woman’s best friend, Mrs. Grant, and learns that she and a third woman, Ms. Ellicott, might be targets. Someone has sent them notes with the cryptic warning ‘Lying is a mortal sin’. As Kalina digs deeper into the women’s shared past, she unearths the perjury that sentenced an innocent man to prison. After discovering Ms. Ellicott dead in her home, Kalina and Detective Harper must race to unmask the killer before vengeance can be sated. 

My Review

For a novella it had more depth than I’d expected. I found the lack of sadness at the death of someone who had lived in the town all her life a little weird. 

I understood the mystery component of the story, but Kalina was pure nosiness. What she did should’ve been accomplished by the police and I didn’t get how she had so much influence in the case.  It made me wonder if she had some kind of butt-her-nose-into-everything kind of reputation when the Detective told her to stay out of their affairs. 

I would be interested in reading more of the series.

I give this book three out of five tea cup shaped chocolate bars.

I got this book for free from Amazon.

Remember to stop by Constantine and Baryeh's blogs to see what they thought about the book.

Prah, Constantine and Baryeh Review: The Lightning Prophesy by Emily Cyr #ParanormalRomance

Happy summer everyone. That means people are on vacation either chasing their children or reading. Maybe something in between is going on, too. 

This month we got into a paranormal romance. I hope you’ll take a moment to head over to Constantine and then Baryeh’s blogs after you finish with my review.

 The Blurb

Delaney Hagen’s power to control lightning is unique, even among witches. That uniqueness has caused her to run and hide from her kind - and the other supernatural beings in the world. Finally, after years of running, she feels safe enough to settle down. But her life’s calm is completely destroyed when her best friend is murdered. Delaney teams up with the mysterious and sexy Reid Jamison to figure out just what is going down in her world. Delaney will have to make a choice between her life and love. Will she be the product of a prophecy or will her fate be changed?Reid Jamison knew this case wouldn't be easy. But, with the money the Coven was throwing at him, how could he say no? When he met Delaney Hagen, his whole world began to unravel. Faced with a prophecy, murders, love and betrayal, will Reid be able to hang on to this new world? Or will it slip away?

My Review

The story is wonderful.  A witch with little control over her powers meets and falls in love with a werewolf as they attempt to find who’s killing witches on the East Coast.  The heroine, Delaney, had me laughing with her flippant comments and the situations she got herself into, especially with her friend Troy who was a hoot and a half.

Reid had me fanning myself with his hotness. And I adored the way Reid and Delaney’s romance combusted, from the moment they met, to… I don’t do spoilers so you’ll have to read and find out for yourself.

As I mentioned I really liked the story, but found it could do with some more editing. I found the plot to be intriguing and had difficulty putting it down once I started it so I would’ve given it a higher rating if all had been well with the editing, but it wasn’t. That’s what dragged my rating down.

I was given a copy of this book for an honest review. You can purchase it from Amazon (where I cashed in my gift book) if you so desire.

This is not a stand alone novel.

I give this book three and a half lightning shaped chocolate bars.

Prah, Constantine and Baryeh Review: Treasure Darkly by Jordan Elizabeth #Steampunk

A big fat huge welcome to the latest member of the review team, Empi Baryeh. I’m looking forward to seeing what both  Constantine and Baryeh think about this month’s pick. The choice of book is a new subgenre for me, but I'm always (usually) up for something different.

The Blurb

Seventeen-year-old Clark Treasure assumes the drink he stole off the captain is absinthe… until the chemicals in the liquid give him the ability to awaken the dead. 

A great invention for creating perfect soldiers, yes, but Clark wants to live as a miner, not a slave to the army—or the deceased. On the run, Clark turns to his estranged, mining tycoon father for help. The Treasures welcome Clark with open arms, so he jumps at the chance to help them protect their ranch against Senator Horan, a man who hates anyone more powerful than he. 

Sixteen-year-old Amethyst Treasure loathes the idea of spending the summer away from her bustling city life to rot on her father’s ranch, but when a handsome young man shows up claiming to be her secret half-brother, her curiosity is piqued. He’s clever, street smart, and has no qualms jumping into the brawl between the Treasures and Horans. Caught in the middle, Horan kidnaps Amethyst, and all she gets is this lousy bullet through her heart. 

When Clark brings her back to life, however, the real action starts, and Amethyst joins him in his fight against the Horan clan—whatever the cost. Defeating the Horans may seem easy at first, but going up against men with the same fighting vengeance as Clark, and a Senator with power he’s obtained by brainwashing the masses? 

Well, Amethyst’s boring summer at home has turned into an adventure on the run, chock full of intrigue, danger, love, and a mysterious boy named Clark. 

My Review

Until this book I was a steampunk virgin. The subgenre is an  interesting concept of placing steam run gadgets in the Wild West.

From the beginning the story intrigued me. Clark had a hard life growing up the child of a Tarnished Silver. Once he drank the tonic things became even worse for him because it put him on the run from the army. Although we didn’t experience this with him, he spoke of his adventures and I felt for him. 

I’d consider Clark to be a tough young man, hardened through life, and yet still able to keep his compassion towards others, especially the Bromi. The fact that he could see ghosts didn’t freak me out, although I didn’t envy him the gift, until he met one ghost in particular and then I thought it was really cool.

I love a strong heroine who can do for herself. I’m sorry to inform you that Amethyst is not such a woman. Although she has spunk and tendancies towards courage, she’s spoiled and likes to get her way without actually working for it. One thing I will give to the girl is that she transitions through the book. Yes she was still spoiled at the end, but not as annoying to me.

Although I like romance in all of my stories I didn’t know just how the one between Amethyst and Clark would work out. It initially had me closing my eyes and screaming no, no, no. But once clarity came through in the book I was okay with it and went with the flow.

I’ll mention that other than Clark, my favorite character was Amethyst’s mother. A strong, loving woman, who knew how to tough it out.

I give this story three steamcycle shaped chocolate bars.

I purchased this book from Amazon.

Time to head on over to Constantine's and Baryeh’s blog to see what they thought of the book.