Genre: Young Adult Sci-fi / Dystopian

Description:
In 2157, a mysterious gas known as Variant spreads across the globe, killing or mutating most organic life. The surviving humans take refuge in an underground city, determined to return home. But after generations of failures and botched attempts, hope is beginning to dwindle. That is, until a young scientist makes a unique discovery—and everything changes. Suddenly, there’s reason to hope again, and it rests within a group of genetically engineered children that are both human and Variant. 

Terry is one of these children, modified and trained to endure the harsh conditions of a planet he cannot begin to understand. After years of preparation, Terry thinks he knows what to expect. But the reality is far stranger than anything he can imagine—and what he will become is far more dangerous. 

Lindsey's Review 5 Stars
What a compelling start to an exciting new dystopian series by author JN Chaney!

Yup, I now hate JN Chaney because I'm going to have to buy all his books. Loved everything about it. He is a superb writer. Even if I didn't love dystopian, I would enjoy the book because the author created great characters and a very realistic world. Chaney does a great job describing the sci fi elements without bogging the reader down with too much detail. I did find it difficult to imagine what the underground city looked like and would have liked a little more description of the surroundings.

I always struggle in dystopian books to see the leaders as "bad", because sometimes they do things that really make sense overall for the population. The author has the burden to show how these leaders are willing to cross a line before I can see them as evil, and sometimes their descent into evil doesn't seem realistic to me; it seems forced or contrived to drive the plot. Chaney does this in a realistic way: (spoiler alert) I am glad he had Bishop try to assassinate the Matron, because until then I wasn't convinced he was the bad guy... he and Archer were on their way to saving the underground city, and their creations (aka the kids) did actually stop Variant (at least that is what you make us believe), so they are sort of heroes, albeit tarnished heroes, until they conspire to kill their adversaries.

Overall, this was a well-written, entertaining read I would definitely recommend! I'm looking forward to reading the next installment!

​You can grab your own copy of this fantastic read on Amazon right now!

Genre: Fantasy Romance

Description
A girl who uses her illusions to fool the world into thinking she's just like all the other magi.

A dragon who sees through her lies. 

Together they just might survive a world that wants to control or destroy them both.  

Kimberly may wield ultimate cosmic power, but even a mage has to pay the rent. No one will hire her for her magic talents until she's got the credentials, so she’s stuck in a crappy rent controlled apartment with her mother, yearning for treats she can't afford at her part time job in a café, counting down the days until she graduates the secret Blackhollow Academy school for magi. Only then will she have the certificate she needs to land her dream job in a coven. 

The problem? She needs a familiar to graduate. 

As an illusionist, she doesn't have the ability to summon or create a familiar of her own. Her only option is to convince a supernatural creature to let her bind it instead. Since having a powerful Other at her beck and call would guarantee her a place in a coven after she graduates—and legendary treasure hoards are an added bonus—she thinks binding a dragon as her familiar will solve all her problems... 

Because sometimes a girl needs a dragon, not a knight.

Maggie's Review: 5 Stars
I really enjoyed this book. Part of having a successful book or series that deals with magic or fantastical things is creating a believable world, and the author did just that. There are the obvious things like whether magical creatures are out in the open or hidden, and who the different beings are (from vampire to dragons to your average magical human), but the book went beyond those details and dealt with discrimination, slavery, powerful leaders that could misuse their influence, and the taboo-ness of magical and non-magical co-mingling. This was a well developed world and I loved to soak in all the details of it.

What I also really enjoyed about this book was the main character, Kimberly. She oozes pride and standing up for what is right and honorable, and yet she has this streak of unsureness and shame brought on by her circumstances in life. My favorite parts of the book were when she had this deep well of pain when people would look down on her, and then she would rise up and stand tall, over-coming great obstacles.

I can't wait to see what happens in book two once it's out!

Please Note: I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author for sharing their work!

Grab your own copy of this book right now on Amazon!

Genre: New Adult Romance

Description
Sydney West enjoys sampling summer boys, but this year, one refuses to be a one-night stand… 

Twenty-one-year-old Sydney doesn’t believe in relationships. Her parents’ toxic divorce has taught her love is nothing but a sinister fairytale. So every summer she parties, hooks up, abandons her lover before dawn, and repeats. 

That is until she meets gorgeous local surfer Jason King at the beach… 

When Jason fails to flirt—or even give her a second glance—she decides something must be wrong with him, and it’s safer to stay away. But when Sydney and Jason’s best friends hook up and become Malibu’s hottest couple, they are forced to spend more time together than either of them cares for. 

Armed with a sharp tongue, Sydney works to keep Jason at bay… 

In a moment of weakness, Sydney lets her guard down and confides in Jason, realizing he’s more than just a hot guy—he’s also a friend. And when Sydney’s need for a summer boy results in her falling into bed with Jason, despite her better judgment, she runs away from him by morning. 

The problem is, he won’t accept being another one-night stand, and will do anything to prove… 

Love really does exist.

Maggie's Review: 3 Stars

Admittedly, I was a little stumped in trying to write a proper review for this book. I was drawn to read it after the blurb because I wanted to see how the author would take a character who didn't believe in love whatsoever, and change their mind; I was intrigued to see what could make them change so drastically. So when I found myself turning the pages quickly, and craving to read the book when I was stuck out doing other things, I was puzzled when I finished the book and I felt a little disheartened. It was then that I realized: I didn't like the main character. I didn't want to root for her.

Sure, Sydney had had a rough childhood, so it's understandable she developed certain coping techniques. However, that just meant that every action she made was to serve her own needs, or complain when people got in the way of those needs. Upon further examination of the overall story, any conflict that arose was from Sydney's own making: partying too hard, putting herself in dangerous situations, or getting mad with her friends when they didn't fall into line with her plan. There was no external conflict that forced her to change her ways or reconsider how she should look at her life. Instead, it was an anti-climactic shuffle towards maybe considering love as a concept.

Sydney did start to redeem herself somewhat towards the end, but I still wouldn't say I'm Team Sydney. It was a well paced book, and an interesting glimpse into the Malibu party scene, but it's hard to stick with a book when you don't jive with the main character.

Please Note: I was given a copy of these book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author for sharing their work!

Grab your own copy of Shades of Sydney on Amazon!

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Description
In the aftermath of a devastating breakup Emmaline Bartlett flees the city leaving behind a faithless boyfriend and her half-interest in their successful restaurant.  A normally determined redhead, Emma struggles to repair her self-esteem and accept the revelation that toppled it. Risking the last of her reserves to convert a trio of weathered outbuildings into a rustic Italian bistro, she soon discovers that winning over locals and building profitability is easier than denying her growing attraction to the property owner's nephew.  Conner Mitchell, ruggedly handsome despite wounds more visible than Emma's, isn't living the life he expected since quitting the rodeo circuit to help run the ranch.  Devoted to his aunt, he is as suspicious of Emma's motives as he is resentful of the hunger she immediately inspires.  

Just as Emma gains enough confidence to share her secret, her old life comes calling with the unexpected arrival of her ex.  To complicate matters, a series of baffling mishaps and anonymous complaints threaten the restaurant's reputation.  

Now both Emma's new, simmering relationship and Sweet Corner's future could be in danger.

Maggie's Review: 4 Stars
I've always been a sucker for books that have a protagonist that suffers from heartache and self-doubt, and an author that takes a seemingly broken person and shows how they can rebuild from that state of brokenness. This was a really enjoyable read. I loved the main characters: Emma and her "brokenness", stoic Conner, Nell the steadfast, and flirtatious yet dependable Bella. Not to mention the story had me at the edge of my seat with the building of trust, the loss of new gains, and the tension between characters. Great chemistry, a bit of mystery and intrigue, plus a dash of that needed self-doubt and heartache to make it feel authentic yet redeeming. I look forward to reading more from this author if/when they publish again!

Please Note: I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. A big thanks to the author for sharing their work!

Grab your own copy of Sweet Corner on Amazon right now.

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Description
The third installment of RC Boldt’s Teach Me series returns with two people who once had it all…  Over a decade ago, fourth grade teacher Tate Donnelly was attending college with the love of her life by her side. She had been certain, even then, that it was the forever kind of love. But she was proven wrong when he left her all alone to pick up the pieces of her life—and heart—when her entire world imploded.  Former Navy SEAL Miller Vaughn once had the love of a girl he thought would be his, and be by his side forever. Unfortunately, that only lasted until after he joined the Navy. Then she vanished, never to be heard from again. Throwing himself into his training, he vowed to become the best, toughest SEAL he could be, and never let a girl get the best of him again.  

Years later, a man who resembles a boy she once knew reappears in her life. A boy she had loved with her whole being. A boy who had eviscerated her heart.  Though much time has passed, Tate and Miller still feel that same “pull” they did years ago. When truths about the past are revealed, will they both be able to move on from their painful past … or are they destined for heartbreak again?  Can they remember when their love was the most important thing in their world?

Maggie's Review: 5 Stars

RC Boldt did it again: another really great read with awesome characters. If you haven't gotten into this series yet (book one "Wildest Dream" and book two "Hard to Handle") go out and read them. Read them NOW. The friend group in this series is reason enough to read these books - hilarious interchanges, heartfelt loyalty, and such great dynamics among the various friends - but the books have had so much more. This third book in the series was thick with tension, some heartache, and also gave glimpses into what military life - both during and after service - could be like. I admittedly don't have much direct contact with military personnel, but even starting with the author's note in the beginning of the book, I got a sense of an authentic representation of how servicing one's country can make such huge changes in a person's life, as well as those around them. I highly recommend this series, and book three did not disappoint. I can't wait for the next book to come out!

Please Note: I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. A big thanks to the author for sharing their work!

You can grab your own copy of this must-read book on Amazon right now.

Learn more about RC and stay up-to-date on her latest books and special deals on her website, her Facebook Page, Twitter, and Instagram.

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