Review ~ Zodiac Wolves series by Elizabeth Briggs

Moon Touched by Elizabeth Briggs
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was eager to start this series after getting back into the paranormal genre. Most members of Ayla’s pack treated her badly, so she eagerly looked forward to attending the Convergence ceremony alongside her half-brother Wesley and her best friend Mira. She hoped the event would help her find a mate and join a pack that would accept her. The ceremony shifted unexpectedly from a festive occasion to a violent confrontation within moments, prompting Ayla to be taken captive by a group whose existence had previously been just a myth, with a link to a person that she despised.

It was hard to watch Ayla being held captive to begin with, but soon she was thriving in her new pack, especially as she discovered that aspects of her past were not entirely truthful. She formed some bonds but still felt drawn to someone she wished she wasn't. Connections grew stronger, yet chaos was inevitable, and we finished on a cliffhanger!

Title: Moon Touched

Author: Elizabeth Briggs

Series: Zodiac Wolves #1

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Published: August 27, 2021

My fated mate rejected me—and now I've been captured by someone even worse.

As the half-human outcast of the Cancer pack, I've been beaten and bullied my whole life. Gaining my wolf form and my fated mate is my only chance to change packs and hope for a better life.

Except when my fated mate is revealed, he's the future alpha of the Leo pack—our worst enemies. He rejects me in front of everyone, just before the Leos slaughter my entire pack and murder my family.

I manage to escape, but then I'm kidnapped by a far greater threat: the alpha of the mysterious lost pack. The 13th sign was banished from the Zodiac Wolves years ago, and I thought they were just a myth.

They're real. They're holding me captive. And the dark, dangerous alpha is offering me something I can't refuse—revenge.

Moon Touched is the first book in the scorching hot Zodiac Wolves series.

Star Cursed by Elizabeth Briggs
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Following the abrupt conclusion of the first book in the series, I promptly began reading Star Cursed to continue Ayla's story. She found herself imprisoned again, this time by someone she deeply resented. Despite being held captive, she was always looking for a way out and to get back to her new pack, but her new captor had plans … until another plot twist was introduced and chaos ensured once again.

This was an exciting follow up to the first book and I rode all the highs and lows with Ayla. She longed to get back to her new pack, and the twist that came was one I did not see coming! We started to see some cracks form between the wolves and the Sun Witches, and I am looking forward to how this will all play out!

Title: Star Cursed

Author: Elizabeth Briggs

Series: Zodiac Wolves #2

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Published: October 28, 2021

My fated mate rejected me, and now he wants me back. I'd rather die.

I'm being held captive by my worst enemies, the Leo pack. My fated mate is their new alpha, and he says he has big plans for me. For us.

But no matter how much the mate bond tries to convince me he's the one, there's another man I can't stop thinking about: the alpha of the lost pack. My new pack.

Kaden thinks I went willingly with my mate and turned my back on him. I don't know if he's coming for me, but I'm not giving up 'til I find my way back to him—and to my new family.

I'm an Ophiuchus. I'm Moon Touched. And my enemies have underestimated me for far too long.

Star Cursed is the second book in a scorching hot wolf shifter trilogy, perfect for fans of Jaymin Eve, Laura Thalassa, and Amelia Hutchins.

Sun Crossed by Elizabeth Briggs
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I'm really enjoying the way this story is unfolding and seeing Ayla's growth as a character. She has more power than we all realised and needed to learn how to harness that power in this installment to save those she loves! Meeting these new characters was hard for Ayla to begin with and she harboured some resentment to one in particular, but I could see that their relationship would strengthen over time.

When Ayla is reunited with her pack once more, she is once again in the thick of chaos. There is a change in Kaden that significantly impacts Ayla, and he makes some decisions that pushes her away. The story was action-packed, and I'm eager to read the next book in Ayla's journey.

Title: Sun Crossed

Author: Elizabeth Briggs

Series: Zodiac Wolves #3

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Published: March 11, 2022

My true mate has fallen—but I will find a way to save him.

I've been kidnapped again, but this time it's by people who claim to be my allies. They're training me to use my powers so I can defeat my enemies and rescue everyone I love. Including my alpha.

Kaden is my true mate, and I won't rest until I get him back—and break the mate bond tying me to the wrong man.

But the secrets surrounding the Zodiac Wolves are even darker than I imagined, and somehow I'm going to have to convince the other packs that everything they believe is a lie.

I'm a Moon Witch. I'm an alpha female. And I'll do whatever it takes to save my pack, my family, my mate.

Zodiac Aligned by Elizabeth Briggs
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I could feel Ayla’s heartbreak bleeding through the pages as I began this book, and I loved how she put herself first and didn’t run back to Kaden. She remained strong and focused on her goal of freeing all the packs from the control of the Sun Witches. She had support from her closest family and friends and was determined to finish what they all set out to achieve.

A lot happened throughout this read; there was plenty of action, unexpected allies and appearances from people that would strengthen the cause! Ayla’s journey ended brilliantly, and it was incredible to see how much she developed as a character since the first book. Most of the threads were closed, but there are few still left open for a new direction that may come to fruition.

Title: Zodiac Aligned

Author: Elizabeth Briggs

Series: Zodiac Wolves #4

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Published: February 6, 2023

My true mate wants me back—and I need his help to free the Zodiac Wolves.

After being rejected by the man I love, I find myself packless once more. Kaden says he'll do whatever it takes to win me back, though I'm not sure I can forgive him.

But to save the Zodiac Wolves, we'll need to work together to uncover the truth about the mating bonds and the sinister magic that controls our lives.

As the final battle draws near, new enemies and unexpected allies emerge from the shadows—but the hardest fight of all might be uniting the thirteeen packs.

I'm Ayla Beros. I'm a Zodiac Wolf. And I won't stop until every shifter is free.

Zodiac Aligned is the final book in the bestselling Zodiac Wolves series.

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Review ~ The Homemaker by Jewel E. Ann

The Homemaker by Jewel E. Ann
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When Jewel E. Ann puts a book out, there is a guarantee that I’m going to get it and it comes of no surprise that I loved this one! It had amusing moments, but there were challenging times too. It was a hard book to put down!

I loved the idea of the homemaker!! The Morrison’s were quite the interesting to hire someone for this role, but as the story played out it kept the Morrison’s happy. When Murphy comes home, it is quite the shock for both Alice and Murphy, and I knew that they both had deep feelings hidden away.

As the story unfolded, we were able to get glimpses of the past and understood how much they went through and I could not put the book down. My heart broke numerous times as I understood what Alice endured and what they both had lost. This book was beautiful and I could not put it down!

Title: The Homemaker

Author: Jewel E. Ann

Series: The Chain of Lakes #1

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Published: September 30, 2025

I was hers, but she was never mine.

Alice Yates is the hired “homemaker” for the Morrisons, an affluent couple in Minneapolis. For Alice, it’s a dream job to dress up like a 1950s housewife and read romance novels to Mr. Morrison before his afternoon nap.

But when the Morrisons’ only daughter returns home for the summer with her fiancé, Alice comes face- to-face with her shattered past—the only threat to her perfect life.

Eight years earlier, vacation rental owner Murphy Paddon had an impeccable vinyl record collection and did the most irresistible thing before kissing Alice, earning him a five-star rating. Their fortnight love affair was life-altering and ended tragically.

Murphy doesn’t know if Alice remembers him or whether he should tell his fiancée that the hired-help living in the guesthouse is the woman who irreparably broke his heart. He needs closure, but will the lingering glances and silent yearning lead to the end or just the beginning?

Grab your copy of The Homemaker, from USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author, Jewel E. Ann, and lose yourself in this forbidden, high-stakes romance.

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Review ~ Burn Bright by Krista Ritchie & Becca Ritchie

Burn Bright by Krista Ritchie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It’s been quite a while since I have read a book by Krista & Becca Ritchie, and when I came across this one, I knew I had to dive in. I had read most of the original books (the parents) but that was a long time ago. Burn Bright was quite the memorable read, as I got to know Ben and Harriet. They both had issues that they were trying to work through. Ben found life to be hard at times, tending to take things personally and would show his feelings constantly. He didn’t feel like he fit in very well but knew he was loved by most of his family. Harriet was a breath of fresh air for him, and someone that he knew from high school. Harriets life wasn’t easy either and she found it hard at college until she met Ben. He was able to see the woman she was, and it was apparent that these two were it for one another.

This was quite the moving read, and I loved how when things got hard that the whole family came together to support one another through thick and thin. The story touched on some delicate topics, and I loved the way the authors told the story. I loved this read and cannot wit for more books from the other siblings.

Title: Burn Bright

Author: Krista Ritchie & Becca Ritchie

Series: Cobalt Empire #1

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Published: September 2, 2025

Love burns hottest when it's blue.

Ben Cobalt is number six. Not sixth place—in fact, he’d be considered at least third draft pick for the NHL if he didn’t quit hockey during college. And he’s not sixth-in-line for any throne. Though, most consider his larger-than-life, billionaire family American royalty.

He is the sixth-born Cobalt.

Out of a normal family of seven, he might get lost in the shuffle. But being the black sheep of the Cobalt Empire comes with its own intense spotlight. After he hits a major low at college in Philly, his four older brothers convince him to move in with them in New York City. Transferring to Manhattan Valley University—piece of cake.

Living in an apartment with all of his brothers while harboring a giant secret among a family who’s more tight-knit than a secret society—total effing chaos.

He has to find a way out of the tense living arrangement, especially as he clashes with his oldest brother Charlie. Ben turns to an unlikely source for help. A grumpy, punk-rock girl with a troubled past who's already pissed off one Cobalt brother.

So when an undeniable attraction ignites, Harriet Fisher is expecting the flames to die out. Except…what happens when they don’t? Falling for a Cobalt brother with secrets might be a Shakespearean tragedy she can't rewind.

BURN BRIGHT is the first book in the Cobalt Empire series, a new adult romance series about legacy, loyalty, and love.

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Review ~ To Flame a Wild Flower by Sarah A. Parker

To Flame a Wild Flower by Sarah A. Parker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

There was so much in this book! I could see it was building and I was excited about the journey. A lot of the characters came back together, and I could see how strong Orlaith wanted to be. She outsmarted some people and landed herself in hot water several times. She forged on through and showed that her heart was big repeatedly.

I was thoroughly enjoying this read and the closer I got to the end I realised that this story is far from over. We managed to get some answers, but there are a lot of threads still open. It has been two years since this book was published and am sad that I cannot continue this journey today. I hope that the next book comes soon!!

Title: To Flame a Wild Flower

Author: Sarah A. Parker

Series: Crystal Bloom #3

Genre: Fantasy Romance

Published: March 30, 2023

It’s not in my nature to beg, but I’ll stay on my knees until I feel that flame sputter out.
And then …
I’ll rip the world to shreds.

I’ve tumbled into a darkness so deep it’s hard to see the light, my petals curling inward as I tip my face from the sun. Hide from my monstrous actions.

Traitor. Murderer.
High Mistress.

My mistakes hunt me down, and I’m pulled into a political tug-of-war, balancing Ocruth’s welfare on the edge of a bloody blade. The moon is swelling, the weight on my shoulders compacting, and my unfailing curiosity keeps weaving its roots in the wrong direction.

Horrible truths unravel, casting explosive light on everything I thought I knew. I’ll have no choice but to shed my morals, my withering self-preservation, and sow the seed of a plan set to bloom beneath a bloated moon.

One wrong move could destroy everything.
Destroy me.

Lines will blur, blood will spill, and I’ll learn how fragile I really am—at a cost far greater than I could have imagined.

Fate is a ravenous beast, and there’s only so far I can run.

To Flame a Wild Flower is the third book in the Crystal Bloom series—a dark fantasy romance full of immersive imagery and breathtaking angst.

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Review ~ To Snap a Silver Stem by Sarah A. Parker

To Snap a Silver Stem by Sarah A. Parker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I picked up To Snap a Silver Stem as soon as I completed the first book as I am addicted to this series. I needed to know what happened next for Orlaith and to see more of this world. She had definitely grown a lot from the timid girl I first met, and I wanted to see how she would go past the safety barrier that she has lived in. This book took us on quite the journey, and we saw some new perspectives, but I could tell that Orlaith wasn’t getting the whole truth. She was trying to make choices, but she was easily led astray.

This was quite the eyeopener and there were moments my heart ached for Orlaith. She made choices that may have been different if she was given more information. She was quite inquisitive and saw a lot more of the new city she was in and was able to make choices for herself, even if her heart broke in the process. I’m excited to see here the next book takes me!

Title: To Snap a Silver Stem

Author: Sarah A. Parker

Series: Crystal Bloom #2

Genre: Fantasy Romance

Published: August 8, 2022

I want him to hurt. To bleed. I want him to snap, just like he snapped me.

Once upon a time, my world was small and sheltered. Everything changed the moment I stepped over my Safety Line, barreling towards a coupling with a man I hardly know.

He wants me. All of me.

Dunked in a charged political pit, I must secure the ships needed to quell the spill of murderous beasts still flooding the continent. But one wrong move could spur the war I’ve worked so hard to avoid.

I’ll wear the dress and the cupla and the shoes. I’ll do it all with a smile on my face. Because everyone's watching.
He’s watching—hunting a fissure in my frosty shield, trying to scrape back the layers and see my ugly insides.

He’s unyielding. Unguarded.
Changed.

Why is he looking now when I’ve got everything to hide?

Secrets sprout, truths bloom, and more than one of us will snap.
Crowned in the crippling weight of my mistakes, I must atone. Even if it costs me my life.

Fear was my overlord. Now, it’s my prisoner.

To Snap a Silver Stem is the explosive sequel of To Bleed a Crystal Bloom—a dark Rapunzel reimagining full of immersive imagery and breathtaking angst. A unique fantasy series perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Jennifer L. Armentrout, guaranteed to grip you from the very first page.

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Review ~ To Bleed a Crystal Bloom by Sarah A. Parker

To Bleed a Crystal Bloom by Sarah A. Parker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It has been a while since I’ve read a fantasy book, and I was pleasantly surprised how quickly I was swept away with To Bleed a Crystal Bloom. I was intrigued by the storyline and fell in love with all the characters. Orlaith’s story was heartbreaking, and she has lived a quiet secluded life in the tower of the castle. She has had a good upbringing, but she is quite the timid girl and there are a number of times where she withdrew into herself. I liked meeting the secondary characters and how they fit into her world, they are all very important and I can see they are all part of the bigger picture as we start getting their perspectives too.

This was a fabulous start to the series, and to be honest I was hooked and reading every moment I could. I’m intrigued by the prophecy and the direction the story is heading. I liked seeing how calculated Orlaith was and the growth in her character even though she still struggled with her demons.

Title: To Bleed a Crystal Bloom

Author: Sarah A. Parker

Series: Crystal Bloom #1

Genre: Fantasy Romance

Published: July 24, 2021

"What a pretty flower to keep locked in a big, rocky tower."

Nineteen years ago, I was plucked from the heart of a bloody massacre that spared nobody else.

Small. Fragile.
An enigma.

Now ward to a powerful High Master who knows too much and says too little, I lead a simple life, never straying from the confines of an imaginary line I've drawn around the castle grounds. Stay within. Never leave.
Out there, the monsters lurk. Inside, I'm safe ... though at a cost far greater than the blood I drip into a goblet daily.
Toxic, unreciprocated love for a man who's utterly unavailable.

My savior. My protector.
My almost executioner.

I can't help but be enamored with the arcane man who holds the power to pull my roots from the ground.

When voracious beasts spill across the land and threaten to fray the fabric of my tailored existence, the petals of reality will peel back to reveal an ugly truth. But in a castle puddled with secrets, none are greater than the one I've kept from myself.

No tower is tall enough to protect me from the horror that tore my life to shreds.

To Bleed a Crystal Bloom is a dark Rapunzel reimagining full of immersive imagery and breathtaking angst. A unique new fantasy series perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Jennifer L. Armentrout, guaranteed to grip you from the very first page.

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Review ~ Dream On by Jennifer Hartmann

Dream On: A Slow Burn Second Chance Romance by Jennifer Hartmann
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Dream On was a heartbreaking, but beautiful read. My heart ached for the young Lexington; moving to a new town away from the spotlight, trying to fight his demons and finding a connection with a girl from the small town. Stevie could see past the confident Lex, to the fragile boy beneath who just wanted to be normal. They built a strong connection together, but circumstances tore them apart.

In the current day, Lex is a famous star who just finished a series that portrayed Stevie and Lex’s life. It was heartbreaking for Stevie as she fell for the boy that he was and couldn’t believe that he brought their story to life. After Lex’s manager interferes, Lex presents Stevie with a proposition which Stevie cannot pass up. Watching these two together again was so good. Stevie could see that he was still not healed and Lex came to realise the impact that he left on her. These two had some serious issues to work through together.

I thoroughly loved this read and my heart broke for all the characters. All Lex wanted was love and Stevie was just the right person for him. I was mad at Lex’s parents and could not believe how blasé and selfish they were. Jennifer Hartmann pieced this story together perfectly and I was consumed until the final page.

Title: Dream On

Author: Jennifer Hartmann

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Published: August 12, 2025

He was her first love—and her first heartbreak. Now he's back, and the world is watching.

From USA Today bestselling author Jennifer Hartmann comes an all-new standalone new adult crossover romance filled with heartache and dreams.

Lexington Hall and I were never supposed to collide—he, the golden boy of Hollywood, and me, a small-town dreamer with stars in my eyes. But when we shared the stage in our high school musical, something ignited.

Then, just as quickly, it all fell apart, leaving my dreams in pieces.

Now, four years later, Lex is a household name, turning our past into a television sensation. He's spun our story for the world to see, while I'm still haunted by what we lost.

With millions obsessed over the "real" Stevie St. James, Lex reappears with an offer too tempting to turn a fake romance to keep the buzz alive, in exchange for the financial freedom I desperately need.

I convince myself I can play the part. But as old feelings resurface and new risks emerge, the line between fiction and reality begins to blur.

Dreams are easy to chase—but falling for the guy who shattered mine could cost me everything.

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Audiobook Review ~ Mayluna: A Novel by Kelley McNeil

Mayluna by Kelley McNeil
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Holy hell! This book was brilliant! I loved the way that we got the perspective of both Evie and Carter and how their story unfolded! Evie told the story to her children and I could feel the connection and the passion between her and Carter and what they meant to one another. It was fun to be in the rock and roll world and seeing her live in the moment, fall in love and be consumed by Carter.

Carter was quite the reserved character to begin with but opened up to Evie so easily. She respected their boundaries and would document things but had no intention on sharing more than he wanted her too. Their connection was immediate and I knew these two were magic together.

This story sure threw me for a loop and I applaud the way Kelley McNeil wove this story. Amanda Leigh Cobb and Kevin Kemp perfected the narration and kept me hooked even as I ugly cried!! I loved this one and was definitely suffering a book hangover by the end!!

Title: Mayluna

Author: Kelley McNeil

Genre: Romance

Published: February 1, 2024

A legendary band, an iconic lead singer, and their mysterious connection to a woman whose love helped create the music of a generation. Timing is everything in a powerful novel about fate, regret, and moving on by the author of A Day Like This.

In the 1990s, Carter Wills was the lead singer of the English alt-rock band Mayluna, securing his place among music legends. His tortured-heart lyrics struck a chord. And so did his secret connection to a woman whose love changed all their lives. Who was she?

Evie Waters’s two grown children discover an iconic photo in an old magazine of a “mystery girl” with their mother. It all started in a wistful time and place for Evie, her twenty-fifth summer. A young columnist forging her career. Backstage euphoria. A long-shot interview. And an almost cosmic connection with an enigmatic musician on the rise.

What happened between them is a hidden story no one, not even Evie’s family, knows. Until now. Worlds apart, Carter and Evie finally reveal the story—joyful, regretful, and unforgettable. It was a time when the stars aligned for a love so profound the whole world felt it. It was as if it would last forever.

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Audiobook Review ~ Where the Forest Meets the Stars by Glendy Vanderah

Where the Forest Meets the Stars by Glendy Vanderah
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I came across Where the Forest Meets the Stars while browsing for my next audible read. I haven’t heard about the author or the book prior, and I was intrigued as it had so many reviews, so I knew I needed to pick it up. I was pleasantly surprised by the suspense and the slight sci-fi element that was woven in the read, and I was glued to this story.

Jo was doing studies on birds in a remote cabin when a small girl named Ursa turned up on her doorstep. It was soon apparent that the girl wouldn’t leave, even when Jo tried to do the right thing. Even the neighbour Gabriel tried to convince Ursa to open up so they could return her to her home, but the girl was determined to stay. As the story unfolded, we got to delved deeper into all the characters – Jo and Gabriel’s pasts and secrets and the truth around Ursa and where she was from.

The narration by Lauren Ezzo was amazing and I enjoyed how she brought Glendy Vanderah’s story to life. I liked how she told the story and how the emotion and suspense bled through the pages. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and the ride I was taken on and look forward to more stories in the future.

Title: Where the Forest Meets the Stars

Author: Glendy Vanderah

Genre: Contemporary Romance / Fantasy

Published: March 1, 2019

In this gorgeously stunning debut, a mysterious child teaches two strangers how to love and trust again.

After the loss of her mother and her own battle with breast cancer, Joanna Teale returns to her graduate research on nesting birds in rural Illinois, determined to prove that her recent hardships have not broken her. She throws herself into her work from dusk to dawn, until her solitary routine is disrupted by the appearance of a mysterious child who shows up at her cabin barefoot and covered in bruises.

The girl calls herself Ursa, and she claims to have been sent from the stars to witness five miracles. With concerns about the child’s home situation, Jo reluctantly agrees to let her stay―just until she learns more about Ursa’s past.

Jo enlists the help of her reclusive neighbor, Gabriel Nash, to solve the mystery of the charming child. But the more time they spend together, the more questions they have. How does a young girl not only read but understand Shakespeare? Why do good things keep happening in her presence? And why aren’t Jo and Gabe checking the missing children’s website anymore?

Though the three have formed an incredible bond, they know difficult choices must be made. As the summer nears an end and Ursa gets closer to her fifth miracle, her dangerous past closes in. When it finally catches up to them, all of their painful secrets will be forced into the open, and their fates will be left to the stars.

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