Tag: Anthology Review

Anthology Review: Mine This Winter

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Rating: 5 out of 5.

Title: Mine This Winter

Author: Multiple Authors

Release Date: December 1st, 2022

Page Count: 1,282

Start Date: November 7th, 2022

Finish Date: December 4th, 2022

Review:

Crushing It

Very cute and short read. There are things that I’d wish had been drawn out a bit more, but other than that it was a very cute read. I enjoyed it a lot.

Auld Lang Sighs

Ever read a book that is drawn out and full of miscommunications? Ever wish it wouldn’t be so drawn out? Read this story then. There’s some build up, but not much. It’s a very cute story with a bit of steam. I want to read more about this couple!

Snowfire

I really love that one of the main characters is an ex-con. I also loved that the other one was career driven and was very passionate about what she did. I’d love to see back stories about both of these characters. Especially what happened to the dancer.

Merry and Bright

This story covers something that a lot of holiday stories don’t. It’s not about somebody who finds love when they are least expecting it. It’s about somebody who feels unappreciated and wants to get away from her home life for a  bit. It’s a really wholesome story. I enjoyed it very much.

Four Nipple Sam

I can’t say that I loved this story, but I can’t say I hated it either. It was okay. It was really cute. There are things that I feel should have been detailed more that were glossed over in my opinion. I also think that other things should have been done differently. I’d read more works by this author.

Love on the Lifts

I really enjoyed this story a lot more than I thought I would in the beginning. I had thoughts that it was going to go on a different path than it did. It really was very wholesome!

Naughty List

This story was fun and spicy. It was also very sweet. I really enjoyed the story and the characters. I actually would have liked to see more of this story if I’m being honest.

Mistletoe Mishap

There was a bit of cringy angst in the story, but other than that it was really great. There’s a part in the beginning that I wish had been drawn out a little more. Other than that, this was a really adorable story. I loved the couple in this story! They were just so cute!

Don’t Leave

This story was very short, but very sweet. Two people who are trying to get away from their family and their jobs rent a cabin. Only they didn’t rent the cabin. They rented a room. It all winds up working out, and it turns out they have some mutual connections!

Highland Vows

I enjoyed this story. It was rich with a culture that I’m not really familiar with. I really enjoyed learning about it. I also loved that the main character in the story is a photographer. I’d have loved to see more of this story. I’ll have to track down the story that’s referenced at the end of the book. It’s definitely worth it.

Captivated by You

I really would have loved to see so much more to this story. It’s short and sweet and to the point. I’d really love to get to know the characters more. Maybe the author will one day write more on them. Who knows? I also love that this takes place in Georgia, and that the author is from Georgia!

Toys for Tats

This story was really adorable. I was kind of expecting more steam than there was. Not that I’m complaining on how it was. I was just expecting more. I was really hoping to hear at the end of the story I’d hear all about how this is part of a series. I was fully intending to get the series or put it on my wish list. No such luck! I’ll still check out other works by the author.

Flirting for the Holidays

I thought this would be full of a lot of miscommunications and angst. I wasn’t crazy about the idea, but I prepared myself anyways. It wasn’t. I really want to see more into this world! I’ll have to look to see what the author has out!

The Next Tomorrow

This was a very adorable and short read. I really loved getting to see the author’s writing style. I think I would have liked to seen some of the parts of the book prolonged just a little more. I’d have also liked to see more of the past. Especially from the male lead’s point of view.

Yule Be Mine

I think this is a very cute story that has a lot of potential. I really would have liked to see more of the back story and more of the scenes a little more drawn out into better detail. I also really didn’t care for the main lead at all. I get her reasons for being the way she was, but not her actions. I’ll just leave it at that.

It’s All About David

This is a MM romance. I was convinced that there was a full novel set in this world with all the references about their best friends and them being so in love. I would love to see one. I would also love to see this story turned into a full novel as well. I would suggest another read through though. Just to clean it up a bit.

Lie To Me

This was an okay story. It was cute and gave some very adorable vibes. Not to mention it had furbabies! Who doesn’t like a story with a sweet pet? I feel like there could have been more. I just can’t quite put my finger on what it’s missing for me. I didn’t dislike it though. I found it very adorable.

Anthology Review: Mythical Creatures

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https://amzn.to/3Cdza0O

Note: This anthology will be taken down on October 3rd.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Title: Mythical Creatures

Author: Various Authors

Release Date: July 5th, 2022

Page Count: 1016

Start Date: August 27th, 2022

Finish Date: September 25th, 2022

Review:

From Greatness to Stone by D.C. Gomez

This is a story in the Intern Diaries world. I found it very hilarious. This author has a magical way with words that makes a reader want to just keep reading every single word. I can’t wait to read the other books in this world. I am also pretty excited to read all of the books written by her as well.

Between Realms by Lexi Ostrow

This story was a bit loopy for me. I may need to go back and reread it one day. There were parts of me that kind of went over my head, and parts that kind of felt a little redundant to me. Did that mean that I didn’t enjoy the story? Not at all. There are just books and stories in the world that I do better at thinking through once I’ve read more than once.

Whispers of Ebony by Alice Ivinya

I really enjoyed this story very much. I notice in the beginning that it’s a story from a series. I’m really eager to search for the series and get more information about it. I do also think that I need to read this book again. There were parts that confused me a little bit. That’s a me thing. It has nothing to do with the writing or the story.

Saving Her Selkie by Lore Nicole

I don’t know if I was fond of this story as much as I could have been. I mean I didn’t hate or dislike it. I just didn’t love it either. It wasn’t really memorable to me. I want to make it very clear that my opinion doesn’t reflect the writing of this author. She has an amazing writing style. I just didn’t really vibe with the story.

Dragon Marked: Axton by E.R. Richards and Dragon Marked: Jaden by R.K. Phillips

I’m going to review the two of these stories together as they are written to be companions of each other. Each story highlights the story of a twin that were separated when they were just babies. They both lived completely different lives and wind up going to a school together (planned) when they get older. I really loved both stories very much. I can’t wait to see where the story of these two girls goes from here! It’s definitely a great start.

Kiss of the Scorpion by Kat Parrish

I didn’t care for this story that much. It really wasn’t all that long, so there’s that. I feel like the “paranormal” in the story was kind of an afterthought. I also felt like the author was trying a little too hard to include the social issues that have become more vocal and open in current times. That seemed to be the main focus and then the story was focused on after. I’ll still give other material by this author a chance. I do like her writing style. I just don’t think it fit with this anthology.

Bound by Laurie Treacy

This story was very short. It was about three chapters long. However, I was sucked into the story from the very beginning. My heart is going to break if there’s not a whole series dedicated to this short story. It was intense but not too overpowering. My only miff is there were things left unanswered. I was also a little overwhelmed by the fact that something BIG happened in my mind and it was just kind of like “oh well that’s a thing that happened but OH MY GOD WHY ME?”. I loved this story though. I really do need more!

Sea Monster’s Song by Cassie Greutman

Personally, I feel like this was more of a opening to a story than a short story. Either way I enjoyed it very much. I am looking forward to see the story that comes from this. I see a very powerful book or series to come from this! I really enjoyed this story very much. It is very short and sweet. It leaves more to be desired if I’m being honest. I’m really looking forward to seeing what else is written in this world. I didn’t see anything at the end of the story about there being more, but it’s kind of obvious that the story is not over with. I’ll just have to look her up on Amazon and find out more that way. It would also be nice to see what other books she’s written as well.

Dragon Bound by Shelly Russell Nolan

Wow! This was an intense ride! If I don’t see more stories from this world, I am going to be so sad! I want to say I was into it from the beginning. But that would be a bit of a lie. I liked it. But it wasn’t until a certain part that I got sucked in!

Ariel: The Mischievous Fairy by Evelyn Lederman

I really enjoyed this story very much. It was a very short and sweet read. For some reason, I had it in my head that it would be a Little Mermaid retelling. I also get the feeling that this story will play an important role in this author’s work in the future. I am here for it!

Cascade: Prequel to the Under Archard’s Dome Series by Courtnee Turner Hoyal

This story was all over the place and it left me wanting more. I do not mean that in a critical way. I mean that in  a way that a story sucks you in and you never want to stop reading it. I’m definitely picking up any book this author writes that pertains to this story. The author also has a wonderful writing style, so I may check out some of her other books as well.

Darkest Delights by Ben Merical and K.M. Jenkins

I didn’t hate this story. I didn’t love it either. There were parts that just felt a bit too rushed to me. I think I’ll have a more fully formed opinion if I read more books in this world. The author has a great writing style, so reading any other works by her would not be a problem at all. And who knows? Maybe reading further into the world will make me love this story! I did enjoy all the characters.

Encantado by Megan Grooms

This was one of the most interesting stories of this collection. Very unique. I only wish that it was longer. That’s a personal preference and has nothing to do with the story being less than. It was just so good! This is not the first story that I’ve read by this author. I can promise you that it won’t be my last either. She has a wonderful writing style that just pulls you in and leave you involved until the very end.

Tarnished Halo by E.J. Powell

I’m going to speak my mind while remaining tactful. I do understand that text sometimes get misunderstood with lack of tone. I wanted to love this story. It had so much potential in my opinion. The problem is that it really needs a revision badly. I’m going to leave it at that. I would also consider adding more to parts of the story.

The Daemon’s Stone Heart by L.K. Beal

I really enjoyed this story very much. It kind of reminded me of another book that I read and loved. It’s similar, but not exact. I’m looking forward to seeing where this book goes. I love that it says “the end for now”. I was so worried that it was just going to end and leave me with a million questions.

Birdie And The Beast by Harper Hawke

I have read this story before. I won’t say how. I enjoyed it then. I enjoyed it even more the second time around. I really am looking forward to reading more into this world! I mean you have a sapphic romance going. There’s also dragons! You have the witty banter between best friends. It’s everything I love in a story! So yeah. I definitely need more. 

To Love A Unicorn by September North

I read another part of this story in another anthology. I have been excited to read this part ever since. I definitely need more of the characters in this world. I’m not really shocked that I loved this story as much as I did though to be honest. This author is incredibly talented. She’s one of my favorite authors. There are things that I don’t typically read that I would read if written by her. Just saying. Check her out!

Anthology Review: Dracos by Various Authors

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Rating: 5 out of 5.

Title: Dracos: Fantasy Dragon Tales

Author: Multiple Authors

Release Date: May 3rd, 2022

Page Count: 576

Start Date: August 9th, 2022

Finish Date: August 28th, 2022

Medieval by Ashley Brian

This was a short short story. There were parts of it that made me cringe a bit. I was really interested in reading more. It ended too soon for me. I’ll have to check out more stories by this author. She definitely has a way with words.

Aris by Cassie Greutman

Another great story. I just wish it was longer. I know that’s nearly impossible with all of the other stories with it. I will definitely look for more by this author as well. I think I remember there being a series from the world of this story. I could be wrong. If I’m not, I’m definitely going to get them all.

Dragon Valley by Clarissa Gosling

This one made me a bit sad. Mainly because I can relate to the main character’s feeling like an outcast. I loved that it ended in a way that gave me enough curiosity to pick up the series that this short story is a companion of. I’d also love to read other stories by the author.

Dragon Hearts Beating by Diana Dawn

This one wasn’t a favorite of mine, but I did enjoy it very much. I’d even be willing to read other books by this author. I think this story also represents a series. I could be wrong on that. There are many parts of this story that I feel like had they been prolonged a little bit I would have liked it a lot more. Which says something. I did like it. It just wasn’t my favorite.

The Knight and the Dragon by Megan Grooms

There were so many times during the beginning of this story that I may or may not have wanted to smack the main male lead upside the head. I mean surely he couldn’t be that dense! I get that it was intended for the story to give an awe factor. I just pick up on things pretty quickly sometimes. I’m really looking forward to reading other books by this author.

A Blaze of Rubies by Melinda R Cordell

This is a very interesting story. I think I will have a more strong opinion of the story once I’ve read the series. I feel like I will understand it better. The writing style is great. I really loved reading it!

Rose Dragon by MK Mancos

I can’t give words. My mom gushes about this author constantly. She’s one of my mom’s favorites. I now fully get why. This author is a genius with words! I need more of this story! I have been collecting books by this author. It’s about time I start diving into them!

Dreams & Dragons by September North

This is a very intriguing story. I normally guess at books and stories. I’m not always right, mind you. It’s just a fun thing I do. I didn’t have the chance here. I was too wrapped up in the story. It seems like the author has other plans pertaining to the world this story takes place in. I’m excited to see it!

Draggin’ Decisions by Sofia Ann Hoffman

I will be honest with you. The beginning of this story advises that you read some other works by the author before reading it. I did not read them. Yet!! However, I found the story very easy to read. I enjoyed it very much. I can’t wait to read other works by this author.

Bonds of Betrayal by K.M Jenkins

This is a short and sweet story. I was very interested and invested in many parts of it. I did notice it says “Tales of Ferres Story #8”. I probably need to track down the other 7 so that I can fully understand things that happened in the story. I wasn’t too lost at least. Just curious on what happens from there and what I missed. It was a bit sad though.