Finale by Stephanie Garber

 

The final book in the Caraval series(or is it?). Caraval is over, but now the sisters are playing a game of life and death. Secrets that have long been buried are coming to the surface. The fates are wreaking havoc and Tella and Scarlet must figure out how to kill the strongest fate of all. Will love win in the end or are the sisters destined to lose this final battle? 

Holy Moly! This book has 489 pages! That's 489 pages people! It was LONG! It took me a month to get through it. Not because it was boring in any way. Not because it was slow. Not because it didn't keep my interest. Y'all, this has been a busy busy month! I love the world that the author has created. I love the characters. Especially Donatella and Scarlett. I liked how I saw a good vs. evil theme and that sacrifices were made in the name of love and for the good of others. I loved this ending and am quite satisfied with how everything turned out. If you love fantasy and magic definitely add this to your reading list! It won't disappoint!

Fathoms by Lisa T. Bergren

 

Ercole has firmly ensconced himself in castle Paratore and has managed to gain favor with many to align themselves against the Forelli's. His demands to make peace come at a high price. Thwarted from marrying Tiliani he demands the hand of a child-Lady Celeste is just 9 years old! He agrees to allow Luciana and Tiliani to chaperone the child until she comes of age. Everyone knows he cannot be trusted, their only hope is to be able to convince others to stand with them to defeat him. 

Such an exciting and stressful read! Time travel, castles, battles, intrigue and romance. Along with a villain that one cannot wait gets his comeuppance! I love seeing the strong women characters. They definitely deserve the title She-Wolves! Ercole is the perfect villain. I hate to say I wanted him to die a gruesome death, but I really did! He was evil! Confession: it took me almost a month to read this! Not because it was boring, not because I didn't enjoy every bit of it, but because I would get so stressed I'd have to put it down! And then when I read the last page...I missed all of the characters and wanted more! I loved the River of Time series, and I loved the Ocean of Time series just as much. I fell in love with the time travel and I fell in love with all of the characters. Seriously, read this series! 

 

Not They Who Soar by Amanda Flower

 

Katherine Wright is attending the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis while visiting her dearest friend. On their first day touring the fair Katherine stumbles upon a murder. Katherine is determined to find out who killed the girl and why. The mystery seems to be centered around the aeronautics competition which the Wright brothers refused to enter. There are plenty of other competitors in the game though so who has the most motive for murder?

I loved the history sprinkled throughout the story! I love that real people are scattered throughout the story along with some entertaining made-up characters. The mystery was pretty good as well and did offer some surprises at the end. As with most of author Amanda Flower's books there is an animal character. You'll have to read the book to find out what kind! Very entertaining and well-written. I enjoyed the book very much. 

Best Seller by Christina Rost

 

Kelly's publisher asks her to step outside of her normal writing genre and write a memoir of Abram Zucker. Abram and Kelly become close after collaborating on the book. One problem, Abram likes to talk in riddles. There is a mystery that Abram wants Kelly to solve. Once the book hits the best-seller list Kelly's life is threatened. Someone wants what they think Kelly knows. Nathan is hired to be her bodyguard. Kelly doesn't want a bodyguard, but with the threats ramping up she has no choice. Who can Kelly trust with the secrets that Abram shared with her? 

I really enjoyed this story. I loved the characters. I liked Kelly as she was a kind and caring person. I loved the relationship she built with Abram. Both Declan and Nathan's pursuit of Kelly was believable but I found myself liking one way better than the other! The mystery was interesting. A bit of treasure hunting, intrigue and danger. Romance and suspense are always right up my alley and I was quite happy with this book and am looking forward to the next one in the series! 

Legendary by Stephanie Garber

 

Book 2 in the Caraval series. This book is centered more on Tella's story. Tella has made a deal with the Prince of Hearts to find her mother. Caraval never has back to back games, but this year it will as they go to celebrate the Empress of Elantine's birthday. Donatella is determined to win Caraval in order to hopefully find her mother and set her free from whatever curse she is under. Can Tella's heart take what transpires throughout the game? And is this round of Caraval really a game or has it transformed into reality? Whatever the ending it will be legendary for sure! 

Magic, heartbreak, romance. Legendary has it all! I enjoyed reading this. It was fast-paced. I liked the twists and turns it took. Donatella finds herself engaged to the heir of Elantine, but not everyone is who they claim to be! Tella is still attracted to Dante, but is determined that she cannot fall in love with him. Her only goal throughout the game is to find her mother. But is her mother worth the cost to find? Some secrets are revealed, but by the end of the game hearts are still unsettled and secrets are still hidden. Will all be revealed in Finale? If you enjoy a good fantasy then this is a series that will keep you entertained!

Lost Hours by Susan Sleeman

 

Nolan Orr and his team Lost Lake Locators have been invited to a "killer of an evening." Being locked in an escape room is not what any of them had in mind, especially when they find the dead body of the mayor. Unfortunately the sheriff Mina Park is Nolan's ex-girlfriend. Will they be able to work together to find the killer or will their anger from the past keep them at cross-purposes?

I really enjoyed the first book in this new series by author Susan Sleeman! I love the whole concept of the Lost Lake Locators and am looking forward to each of their stories. We were introduced to each one in Lost Hours and each has their own personality and their own backstories that I can't wait to read about. Nolan and Mina have a past together. But Nolan left, seemingly without a word. Now he is back and Mina has to decide if she can trust him once again. As always Susan Sleeman brings a spiritual aspect to her characters with lessons learned throughout the story. Both Mina and Nolan have been hurt but Mina seems to be the one that is dealing with some trust issues. Can she trust the Lord to work things out and will she decide to hang onto her anger at Nolan or can she learn to forgive in order to have a future with him? Lost Hours started out as I have come to expect from all of this authors books, exciting and making the reader eager to turn the pages! A must read!

Disclose by Joelle Charbonneau

 

Meri is determined to expose the government lies. With that in mind she offers to be captured by the Marshals in order to gather evidence that all is not well within their country. When Meri is captured she finds things worse than she ever thought possible and is more determined than ever to escape and find a way to disclose what is going on. Will people believe her or turn a blind eye in order to delude themselves into a sense of safety. 

Wow! Talk about history repeating itself, only in our country and not Germany. The horrors that Meri sees and experiences totally reminded me of the Holocaust. Could that ever happen in our country? Read these books and find out how easy it can happen! 

Favorite Quotes:

Bread and circuses--giving a sense of security through everyday essentials like food and at the same time providing outrageous entertainment to distract the mind. pg. 40

Diversity--a word to celebrate differences when the government wants only what is the same. Sameness makes people comfortable. It discourages discussion. Most of all,  it represses change. pg 78

"When I looked back at the texts my teachers had us read, I noticed the word "worker" was frequently used in place of the word "slave." With a change of that one word suddenly an entire history of pain and dehumanization is softened into something less shameful." Meri--pg. 157

Words matter. Facts matter. Truth matters. Author Joelle Charbonneau

My Thoughts:

I love a book that entertains, offers a bit of reality and also teaches a lesson. Verify and Disclose did those things and more. There were so many cautionary things going on in the story. In a way I think that this book should have been called Revolution. I mean the word is used several times throughout, but especially at the end. This says it is a two book series but I think that it could go further. We'll see if that happens. I love that in these types of stories there are always those people willing to fight for what is right. That is what Meri and others like her are willing to do even if it means losing their lives for it. Is there triumph for their cause in the end? No, but there is a start, and I like that hope at the ending. Thought provoking and entertaining. A book I'd recommend.