May, June, and July Reads & Reviews

Hello, all!
It has been a little while since I did a post about the indie books I have read and reviewed. Let's go ahead and do three months at once, shall we?

To Hate and to Hold
by Dakota Rebel

Rating: 5 Stars

Review:
Loved it.
Whoa, this was a hot read from the start. I thoroughly enjoyed delving into this paranormal world that felt so natural and not over-explained. Every scene left me wanting more.
Sexy and sweet!

Teddy Bear Revolution
by T. E. Hodden

Rating: 4 Stars

Review:
 
This was a great story that kids and adults can both enjoy. I loved the non-stop action and humor. The bears were adorable yet full of life and personality. Each short story was well-written and full of intrigue and suspense. Can't wait to read more from this author!

Gems of Strength
by The Sisterhood

Rating: 5 Stars

Review:
A wonderful collection of varying short stories by various indie authors. Romance, action, science fiction, fantasy, and even a thriller, this anthology has it all.
Though there were one or two stories that didn't resonate with me, on the whole, I thought the stories were brilliant and certainly kept with the theme of strong women characters. Well edited and engaging, I highly recommend this one.

Ascension Within
by Julie Nicholls

Rating: 4 Stars

Review:
A wonderful conclusion to a sexy and action-packed trilogy. Mysteries, steamy moments, and suspense kept me turning pages. The characters are diverse and lovable and the happy ending was delicious. Another great read from Julie Nicholls!

Clover
by Moxie Darling

Rating: 4 Stars

Review:
A quick, hot read!
Though the sex may be taboo to some, Moxie Darling makes it feel perfectly natural in this steamy short story. A nice mix of sexy and sweet.

Beyond the Reach of Judgement
by Jo Bissell

Rating: 3 Stars

Review:
This was a pretty decent vampire read. Though parts were drawn out and Julien was kind of a whiney protagonist, the story itself was good. The ending was heartbreaking and left me wondering, though it could have come a hundred pages earlier.

Hannah: A Bride for Cowboy Warren
by Jenny Creek Tanner

Rating: 4 Stars

Review:
This was a sweet short story with a vivid setting and relatable characters. A quick read that leaves you with warm feelings.

Heart of the Gladiator
by Lydia Pax

Rating: 5 Stars

Review:
An intriguing story.
This was a great read that truly brought the entire world of the Roman gladiator to life. The setting details, interesting characters, and steamy romance made this hard to put down. I definitely recommend it!

Mark of the Beast
by Trevor L. Wooten

Rating: 4 Stars

Review:
A real page-turner!
Though the sheer amount of characters was a bit confusing at times, the story was fast-paced and exciting. The main characters had unique personalities that made them easy to relate to and the villains were intimidating but cheesy in ways even the protagonists could joke about. All in all, an enjoyable story.


I read some good ones these past few months. That Goodreads Reading Challenge is pretty much in the bag. If you aren't reading books by these indie authors, you are missing out. 
As usual, have a great week and happy reading!

A Giveaway!

Hello my fellow readers. Today is a pretty exciting day for me for a few reasons.

Tomorrow is the 4th of July, and like every good American, I look forward to a day of relaxation while showing thanks for those that fought for our freedom as a country. Of course, most of that message has been lost over the years and fireworks and barbecues are the topic of the day now, but still, people need a reason to celebrate and make merry in trying times such as these.

Another reason I'm pretty stoked today is that I finally have 500 followers on Twitter! I have been on Twitter for seven years now, pumping out tweets about books, life, writing, and other random things. It simultaneously seems like forever and yet only yesterday that I first created an account there. I want to thank everyone who follows me there and reads my strange rants and book promos. It's been a blast so far!

Now for some really exciting news. The APC group on Facebook, better known as Author-Professional Co-op, will be doing monthly giveaways of indie books! This first month, one of my books will be featured along with books from five other amazing indie authors. This Book Bundle Giveaway is through Rafflecopter and requires NO purchasing or subscribing to newsletters. All you have to do to enter is Like the author's Facebook pages and follower them on Twitter. That's it! Pretty simple, huh?

I hope your week is fabulous and, as always, happy reading!