Fire Breathes Stone and Storm

Fire Breathes Stone and Storm: Book 1 of the Shell-Born Series by Teresa Hakaraia

Reviewed by Timea Barabas

Fire Breathes Stone and Storm is a gripping fantasy romance that captivates from the very first page. Teresa Hakaraia’s rich world-building and immersive storytelling create a cinematic reading experience that lingers long after the final chapter.  Purchase Here.

At the heart of the novel is a found family unlike any other. Sekya, Riva, Khala, and Lio are four misfits whose shared childhood in an orphanage forged an unbreakable bond. As they came of age, each eventually moved to the Silk House to earn a living. Their loyalty to one another gives the story its emotional core.

Sekya has spent her life learning how to go unnoticed, hiding behind the anonymity of the Silk House despite her striking appearance and quiet mystique. But one night, everything changes.   As she stands on a balcony with her found family, Queen Savara soars overhead in her Taniva form with Prince Kairon on her back. Then, time suddenly stops, Kairon and Sekya lock eyes, the space between them ablaze.

Following that encounter, something dormant within Sekya awakens. She begins experiencing mystical visions of the Shell and Prince Kairon; visions that are mysteriously shared. When an unexplained anomaly leaves the prince gravely injured beyond the healers’ abilities, Queen Savara becomes determined to find the enigmatic girl from his dreams. Driven by a mother’s desperation, she is willing to pursue any possibility that might save her son’s life.

When Sekya and her family are summoned to court, the queen discovers that each of the four possesses extraordinary abilities with the potential to either save or destroy Eretari. As they undergo rigorous testing and training, they are drawn into the service of the crown just as war darkens the horizon.

The first novel of the Shell-Born series weaves a smoldering tapestry of desire, myth, and power. Fire Breathes Stone and Storm is an immersive elemental fantasy for adult readers, blending rich world-building, compelling characters, and simmering romance. Teresa Hakaraia delivers a powerful series opener that promises even higher stakes in the books to come.

 

 

The Matriarch Mission

The Matriarch Mission: A Mythic Historical Novel of Love, Sacrifice, and the Divine Feminine (Mystery of the Matriarchs Book 1) by Maxime Trencavel

Reviewed by Diana Coyle

Thirteen-year-old Oksana Mangupli is a Krymchak girl who has been taught that Duty, Honor, and Obedience mean everything to her family and their reputation in “The Matriarch Mission” by Maxime Trencavel. She is told that at her age, she should marry and carry on the responsibilities as all others have done before her. Unfortunately, Oksana has not conformed to what her family has told her and taught her to the present, which has caused her to be rejected by eight prospective husbands. Now being eighteen and unmarried, her family has dismissed her from their family because she is nothing but a disgrace to them. Until an officer arrives at their home, leading the family to fear she’s being reported for causing more trouble and bringing further disgrace upon them. Instead, it is a formal invitation to be an honored guest of Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolaevich. What happens when she meets the Grand Duke? Does her life change for the better or for the worse after the meeting?  Purchase Here.

Maxime Trencavel has penned another intense novel in The Mystery of the Matriarchs series. In this book, we meet Oksana Mangupli, who is thirteen years old and who must carry the weight of her family’s reputation on her shoulders. She has grown up knowing she was never the “chosen one” like her older sister, Kamila, was, so she now feels like she’s been thrown to the wolves, so to speak, to carry out the strict upbringing of Duty, Honor, and Obedience to her family at all times. Each page allows readers to see layer upon layer of Oksana’s development over the years and how, during that time, she has disgraced her family by losing eight prospective husbands. You see her age a few years, you see her question her fate in life, and her true calling of who she is meant to be as the next “chosen one.”

Although Oksana is the main focus character in “The Matriarch Mission,” the supporting characters play such a vital role in not only Oksana’s development as a character, but also the intricate development of this entertaining storyline. Each character has their place in the storyline, which unfolds perfectly for readers to enjoy. You cheer Oksana on at times and equally feel disappointed when fate takes unexpected turns for her throughout the years.

The author writes with such detailed authenticity, not only in this book, but in the other books in the series. He presents rich descriptions of the characters and the places mentioned in the stories, and even maps out intricate storylines centered on historical moments. It is apparent that his deep love of history shines throughout the pages of each book in the series, and in doing so, he transports the readers to a time and place they never thought they would travel to before opening his books.

I loved Oksana because I felt her vulnerability throughout the story at different stages of her life. She was so believable; I felt she was a real person I was getting to know. Trencavel crafted her in such a unique fashion that I found myself enjoying the streak of rebellion that she displayed so easily throughout the pages. He even threw in dark humor, from time to time, that I enjoyed and didn’t expect.

Overall, The Matriarch Mission by Maxime Trencavel is a wonderful prequel to The Mystery of the Matriarchs series. It’s the perfect entry point if you’re just discovering these books—but if you’re like me and reading it after the main story, that works beautifully too.

This installment gives you a deeper understanding of the “chosen ones,” setting the stage for everything that follows. Each book builds naturally on the last, letting you savor the stories individually while also appreciating how they connect as a whole.

It’s an engaging, well‑crafted read, and I highly recommend it.

 

 

 

Sometime This Century

Sometime This Century: A Regency Rom-Com by Samantha Silva

Reviewed by Ephantus Gold

“Sometime This Century: A Regency Rom-Com” by Samantha Silva follows Annabel Blake, who has just finished writing her first novel titled “What You Wish For.” Her mother wishes she could instead focus on getting a real estate license and, in due time, move out of their house, even though she is still paying rent. Annabel is a Jane Austen fanatic and has even mashed up Austen’s heroines for her pen name.  She can’t wait to present her manuscript to her boss, Stella, who until now didn’t know Annabel writes. Stella, however, detests anything related to Jane Austen’s world. To her, Jane Austen is dead!  Purchase Here.

As a fan of Jane Austen, I couldn’t wait to see how Stella would react to Annabel’s Regency manuscript. In all honesty, the world Annabel captures made me early on agree with Silva that she might have been born in the wrong century. But what especially moved me was that Annabel had never fallen in love, so someone like Stella could easily believe she was way out of line to write about the Regency. And true to my suspicion, Stella advises her to rewrite the novel, but this time stick to what she knows.

Annabel is a woman her family believes is living in a fantasy world. I found myself appreciating what Silva does with her, including throwing her headfirst into a historical recreation of the Regency Society setting before sending her into another world where she gets to decide whether to write her love story or simply live it. Silva deliberately injects Annabel’s family’s sentiments here and there, as well as their pressure on what she should become. This made me, as a reader, care about and worry for her dream at the same time, especially for her influencer sister, Cassie.

“Sometime This Century: A Regency Rom-Com” is dialogue-heavy and is explicit in its reveal of the power of desire. It moves at a deliberate pace, every page sinking the reader into a world that some characters see as captivity but that the reader knows is the heart of the novel. It’s a great read, well-choreographed, and though dense, worth every page for a reader who’s ever wished for a world of their own.

 

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The Malady of Love

The Malady of Love by Sierra Ernesto Xavier

Reviewed by Lily Andrews

There are some lies that enter a relationship so quietly you do not notice them at first, and by the time you do, they have burrowed too deep to be removed without pulling your heart and emotions apart. In Sierra Ernesto Xavier’s novel, “The Malady of Love,” a single deception does exactly that. It worms its way into the space between two people who believe they have found in each other a refuge from their deepest wounds and psychological traumas. This all unfolds through dialogue, where both their voices weave in and out of each other’s sentences.  Purchase Here.

The first character, a man, carries a wound he cannot name. It is something that has lived inside of him since childhood, something that has made him afraid of his own voice. When he was young, he learned that speaking could be dangerous, in that it could make some people laugh at him or simply disappear from his life altogether. Therefore, he grew up believing that silence was safer and that keeping his thoughts locked away would protect him from further hurt. The woman he meets understands this fear. We learn that she carries her own wound in the form of a memory of her twin sister, who died inside their mother’s womb. This was a tragedy she has been unable to shake, and one she has always believed was her fault.

When the two meet and begin to talk, something shifts in both of them. The man finds himself eager to speak, and the woman finds herself eager to listen. You can sense that she wants to hold his fears as gently as she would have held her sister if only she had been given the chance. For a while, it seems like their love might actually heal their old wounds, which undoubtedly have kept them lonely for so long, but unbeknownst to them, the foundation they have built that love on might not be as solid as they think. Beneath their happiness lies a secret, a deception tied to loss and motherhood, one that feels like something that might rise up when they least expect it and test everything they think they know about each other.

What I believe makes this book powerful is how deeply it makes you care for these two characters. It doesn’t make external descriptions of how they look or what their names are, which I believe is deliberate in order to force the reader to focus entirely on what matters- their inner lives. I also believe that by employing this approach, the author trusts the reader to fill the blanks and bring their own imagination to the story. Their dialogue feels raw and honest, primal in its need to be heard, and the gentle pacing pulls you right into their struggles. The chapters unfold with what feels like a quiet precision, tender and hopeful at first, then tighter and more urgent, before arriving at moments so sad and painful, they might leave you breathless for a while. I believe this structure deepens the reader’s emotional investment, so that by the end of the story, they feel they have lived it, and the final revelation lands not as a magical twist but as an expected outcome.

This story implores us to recognize the lies we sometimes convince ourselves are necessary and how they often become the very things that destroy us. It does not offer a happy ending, only hard truths about grief that has not been allowed to fully heal, about childhood wounds that shape everything we become as adults, and the devastating weight of betrayal that leaves you wondering whether you can personally forgive when the damage runs this deep. “The Malady of Love” is a book I believe will stay with the reader long after they finish it, not because it is easy or comforting, but because it is real and true. They should, however, be aware that it explores sensitive topics which may be distressing to some audiences.

 

Book cover: woman by pond, framed painting.

Framed in Love by Clifton Wilcox

Reviewed by Diana Coyle

In “Framed In Love” by Clifton Wilcox, we are introduced to character David Cross, who is struck by lightning while he is painting the twisted oak tree he has in his backyard during a bad summer storm. From that moment forward, his life seems to change drastically. He realizes that he sees things differently than he did only minutes earlier, before being struck by lightning. Everything is crisper and more detailed to him. As he returns to his attic room, he passes the dusty antique painting his grandmother had passed down to him. It is a landscape painting depicting a Victorian park. He is strongly drawn to it this time, unlike when he has looked at it before. Although this time, when he looks at it, he’s actually transported into the painting. Realizing this can’t be happening, he looks around and locks eyes with the most beautiful woman sitting in the park that’s not in the original painting. From this moment forward, their lives will change forever.

I truly loved the entire concept of David being transported into the painting and meeting Abby, who had been waiting for his arrival for some time. As Clifton Wilcox slowly unfolded his story and showed the characters getting to know one another, I felt the spark between David and Abby. I had hoped that maybe, against the odds of the entire situation, some spark could happen between them, even though she was locked in the painting. The whole idea of her painting an interpretation of another artist’s version of this painting, then being transported into the scene, and then locked into the painting, just made my mind truly believe that this was happening. I loved how Abby explained that, over time, the painting would start to disappear, as if it had never existed in the first place. In turn, she would eventually disappear as well.

I enjoy stories that have a strong setting for the characters to exist in, and “Framed In Love” didn’t disappoint. The idea that the setting of this story had two settings, David’s real world and the painted landscapes, made this a unique story to watch unfold as I turned the pages. I loved that the majority of the story happened in a painting. This idea truly blew my mind because it was never something I would have thought of before Wilcox did it in this story.

Clifton Wilcox is an award-winning author, a retired federal employee, and a college professor. He spends his time writing and traveling with his wife and children.

Overall, “Framed In Love” by Clifton Wilcox is one story that will grab readers’ attention and hold it until the very last words are read. It has an intriguing storyline, well-developed characters, and the idea that love may very well overcome any obstacles one faces, including trying to save someone who exists in a painting. Well done, Mr. Wilcox!

 

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Snowy town with mountains and book title.

A War Through Destiny by Sarah Lindsay Peterson

Reviewed by Lily Andrews

“A War Through Destiny” by Sarah Lindsay Peterson is a gripping story that opens in a secluded ancient ice enclave in Dukhovia, where a sacred meeting is going on between the Shaman, a group of eight spiritual leaders. These men are seeking guidance from the Spirits on how to keep the people safe and their faith alive now that the war has ended. They are, however, taken aback by a revelation that two new heirs have been born, in what they see as a rare direct communication by the Spirits. It is further prophesied that following them will bring great turmoil and international disdain to the country, but, again, denying them will be like wishing a death sentence on themselves. What however, leaves the Shaman more shocked and deeply divided is the fact that one of the heirs is from a banished family, and the second one is from a family that had been stripped of their ancestral name following suspicion of trying to overthrow the ruler. At this point, some of them are left questioning the decision of the Spirits, wondering whether they can see a future that the men cannot or whether the Spirits are simply punishing the land.  Purchase Here.

Elsewhere, the story introduces Stacy, a child termed as unaffected by the cold, unlike her brother Dan. She has a deeply ingrained belief instilled by her mother that the Dukhovian people don’t simply choose paths; rather, they are called to a purpose by the Spirits. One gets the sense that she is caught up between living in America, where she feels isolated and boxed in by expectations, and a recurring dream that feels more than just a mere dream, but which she has no idea how to answer to. Little known to her is an immediate sense of danger that surrounds her, as an assassin who has been trained since childhood and now sent to specifically kill her, arrives in America. The latter is also on a family honor redemption mission that, unknowingly to him, could potentially condemn his own soul and defy the very Spirits he believes he serves.

This story is set in the corridors of a divided heart, twisted pathways of duty and guilt, shadowy halls of prophecy and power, and what feels like a dangerous crossroad of destiny. It captures a severe cultural shock that doesn’t reveal itself as just a background detail but a critical plot device that helps raise the stakes, create a sense of sympathy, and set up dramatic irony. What begins as a seemingly simple plot quickly spirals into a complex web of moral ambiguity that is bound to bring readers into character study as well as deep internal inquiry into whether prophecies are absolute and whether destruction necessarily means evil occurrences.

Stacy comes out as a strong protagonist, who embodies the conflict between tradition and modernity, as well as the relatable struggle of chasing after a destiny denied. Her grandparents, brother and cousin, offer a living reminder of the cost of being a Dukhovian and how the past can sometimes imprison you in its traumas, silence and legacies of violence. Together with other supporting characters like Rachael, whose absence feels like it would deny Stacy’s character a much-needed boost, these individuals are well drawn in parallel, not in competition, with each shining their own light. From the start of the story, it feels like they are working in sync, to bring the novel’s central themes to a satisfying crescendo and also, a powerfully consequential one. In this context, “A War Through Destiny” by Sarah Lindsay Peterson is that book that you will want to read if you are feeling like a stranger in your own skin, caught in between worlds, and in  need of something that will not only entertain you but offer something better – understanding.

 

Silver book award emblem with stars.
Second Place: Romance
Book cover: woman facing ghostly figure.

My Wingman by Tessa King

Reviewed by Timea Barabas

If you are looking for a soulful read that will make you tear up with joy and sadness (in no particular order), look no further than Tessa King’s “My Wingman.” A refreshing young adult romance, this debut novel beautifully captures the complex dynamics of friendship, love, loss, and self-fulfillment.  Purchase Here.

The book reveals Clover’s tangled life, filled with grief, love, and uncertainty. After losing her mother at birth, learning that her grandmother has dementia, and mourning the tragic death of her soulmate friend Elliot, she feels overwhelmed and lost.

Encouraged by her vibrant college friend Reese, Clover escapes to the charming town of Franklin, where she makes new, meaningful connections like Sadie, a warm-hearted single mom and her new best friend (and Sadie’s daughter), Poppy. Everett, Elliot’s brother, also re-enters her life.

As she navigates grief and new friendships, Clover’s life path splits and she must choose a future for herself. While Chicago’s warm familiarity is a comfortable choice, she feels an alluring magnetism of building a fresh start in Franklin. She faces a life-changing decision, and things only get more complicated when she begins seeing visions of Elliott’s ghost, leaving her to question not just her choices, but her sanity.

While the book deals with many big topics, these are seamlessly woven into the fabric of the narrative, creating a smooth texture. The fictional lives of the characters feel tangible and relatable. To different extents, we all experience these big, life-changing events, and live within their shadow.

Tessa King takes a very detailed and introspective approach to growing out from under the shadow of loss. Although no longer physically in your life, lost loved ones are incorporated into your essence, forever companions.

What makes “My Wingman” truly stand out is the depth of feeling woven into every page. It’s clear that a great deal of heart went into crafting this story, and even more powerful is the range of emotions it stirs in the reader. Just as the main character, Clover, brings luck to those around her, Tessa King offers something just as profound to her readers: hope.

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Gold Bestsellers World Reviewers Choice Award Seal.
First Place: Romance
Silver book award emblem with stars.
Second :Place: Young Adult
Couple embracing on book cover, city background.

Strangers in Crime: An Opposites Attract, Forbidden Romance between a Bad Boy and a Cop based in Contemporary Scotland (Scottish Investigators: Glasgow Prequel Novella) by Shana Frost

Reviewed by Michaela Gordoni

Strangers in Crime is a brief, fiery romance and crime novel that focuses on Cheryl, a hardcore Scottish police officer with a soft spot for men who put themselves in harm’s way for a good cause. One night when she tries to grab a bite at a local bar, she encounters a strange man harassing a woman. He’s putting up a fight, and Cheryl’s ready for it, but when the drop-dead stunner, Anthony Ricci, steps in—she accepts the help. She can hardly help the passion that ensues, thinking there wouldn’t be much consequence. But as luck would have it, Anthony Ricci isn’t who she thought he is.  Purchase Here.

This novel has a great opening filled with action. It demonstrates Cheryl’s toughness and serves as a great introduction to Cheryl’s character, giving the reader a good idea of what she’s like. Author Shana Frost gives her star character a lot of unique appeal, as she’s nearly 6 feet tall, beautiful, and wouldn’t hesitate to kick a bad guy in the face if the moment called for it. The same goes for her leading man, Anthony Ricci. He just wants to protect women against people who use them. Though he hasn’t always been on the right side of the law, it is obvious that he was raised right and cares deeply about helping innocent victims—like Cheryl does.

Readers will find that Shana Frost displays many examples of excellent worldbuilding to create very real-feeling and well-imagined settings. For example, she writes, “She stepped into the smell of musk and malt mixed with sticky wooden floor and too many bodies clustered together. Music pounded in her ears, and the people crowded her in.” These few imaginative words are all that’s needed for the reader to get a good picture of a bar that Cheryl steps into. Frost’s story pacing is also very clever—every time there is a slow moment, a moment filled with action follows. She frequently flicks between Cheryl and Anthony’s perspectives, which makes the story feel all the more immersive to its readers—they’ll never be bored.

Though there are many positive elements at play in this novel, there are occasional pieces of dialogue that tempt to shake the reader out of the story’s imagined reality, as they simply sound like things that would be highly unusual to hear in real life. And though the first 16 pages start off strong—they’re great, in fact—they quickly become overshadowed by a hasty, thick, and syrupy sex scene that seems to take away from the serious issue at hand, which readers could previously sense coming.

The novel is very brief and leaves its readers at a cliffhanger, but this is the entire design. It’s not meant to satisfy. It’s meant to create a taste for more, and I think that Shana Frost has accomplished that. It’s not all a tease, though, as Frost includes a QR code that sends readers to a version of the book with extended chapters. Another consolation is a bonus chapter for another novel, which introduces a new compelling character.

Overall, this is an exciting crime and romance novel with a plot twist that some readers may find entertaining. The pacing, structure, and characters were created with care.

 

Colorful book cover with woman by cottage.

A Summer House on Arran by Ellie Henderson

The two women agree to share the little cottage and so begins a summer of rediscovery, friendship and laughter that soon brings together a community of women across the island.

Kitty finds herself embracing life again — but could that also be thanks to handsome Logan, aka the Tartan Wanderer? His intense dark eyes and broad shoulders make her weak at the knees.

But then Olivia’s toxic ex-boyfriend arrives on Arran and threatens their summer of sisterhood.

Can this band of women come together to reclaim their summer bliss?

Purchase Here

Shirtless man with long hair, city background.

Platinum Promises by Jessa Nevins

Reviewed by Jacquelyn Tolksdorf

Jessa Nevins’ Platinum Promises is a riveting and dramatic exploration of fame, power, and personal conflict set alongside a dramatic love triangle. The novel sequel to Nevins’ Star Maker delves into the complexities of ambition, relationships, and redemption, centering around the life of Kit McKenna, a brilliant but deeply flawed entertainment executive.  Purchase Here.

From the very beginning, readers are thrust into Kit’s world of glamour, high stakes, and scandal. As the narrative unfolds, we witness her navigate the treacherous waters of the entertainment industry, deal with romantic turmoil, and confront the consequences of her self-destructive behaviors.

Nevins masterfully portrays the inner workings of the music industry, and the intense pressure placed on women to not only succeed but maintain an image of perfection. Kit’s struggles are not just professional but deeply personal, particularly her volatile relationship with her rock-star boyfriend, Sully. Their romance is as tumultuous as her career, and Nevins doesn’t shy away from showing the messy, raw emotions that come with love and ambition colliding.

The character development is one of the novel’s strengths. Kit is a complex protagonist—strong-willed, intelligent, yet deeply vulnerable. Her inner monologue reveals a woman grappling with insecurities, guilt, and the pressure to succeed in a male-dominated world. Sully, on the other hand, represents the pitfalls of fame and the toll it takes on relationships. The supporting characters, from Abe, Kit’s mentor, to her troubled friends in the industry, add layers of intrigue and tension, each influencing Kit’s journey in different ways.

Nevins’ prose is sharp and engaging, keeping the reader hooked from one dramatic scene to the next. The pacing is swift, driven by the high-stakes world Kit inhabits. Whether it’s a corporate cover-up, a scandal threatening to leak to the press, or an explosive argument with Sully, there is rarely a dull moment in Platinum Promises.

However, beneath the surface of glamorous parties and high-powered meetings, the novel is a deeper commentary on identity and self-worth. Kit’s quest for power and success often leaves her questioning who she is and whether the sacrifices she’s made are worth it. As her personal and professional lives spiral out of control, she is forced to confront her demons and decide what truly matters.

Platinum Promises is a captivating novel that will appeal to fans of contemporary drama, particularly those interested in the intersection of love, power, and the entertainment world. It’s a powerful reminder of the personal costs that can come with chasing ambition and the importance of finding balance in life.

Nevins has crafted a page-turner filled with emotional depth, making Platinum Promises a memorable and thought-provoking read.