fiction – Page 6 – Sincerely Karen Jo

Happiest Book birthday to The Tiger’s Watch by Julia Ember

and Bell of Eternity by Martina Boone!

The Tiger’s Watch

(Ashes of Gold #1)

Julia Ember

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5 ★ – MAGICAL AND THRILLING

PUBLISHED BY HARMONY INK PRESS AUGUST 22, 2017

GENRE(S): YOUNG ADULT, FANTASY, GLBT, ROMANCE

PAGES: KINDLE 180

BUY AMAZON, BARNES AND NOBLE

SIXTEEN-YEAR-OLD TASHI HAS SPENT THEIR LIFE TRAINING AS A INHABITOR, A SOLDIER WHO SPIES AND KILLS USING A BONDED ANIMAL. WHEN THE CAPITAL FALLS AFTER A BRUTAL SIEGE, TASHI FLEES TO A REMOTE MONASTERY TO HIDE. BUT THE INVADING ARMY TURNS THE MONASTERY INTO A HOSPITAL, AND TASHI CATCHES THE EYE OF XIAN, THE REGIMENT’S FEARLESS YOUNG COMMANDER.

TASHI SPIES ON XIAN’S EVERY MOVE. IN FRONT OF HIS MEN, XIAN SEEMS DANGEROUS, EVEN SADISTIC, BUT TASHI DISCOVERS A MORE VULNERABLE SIDE OF THE ENEMY COMMANDER—A SIDE THAT DRAWS THEM TO XIAN.

WHEN THEIR SPYING UNVEILS THAT EVERYTHING THEY’VE BEEN TAUGHT IS A LIE, TASHI FACES AN IMPOSSIBLE CHOICE: SAVE THEIR COUNTRY OR THE BOY THEY’RE GROWING TO LOVE. THOUGH TASHI GRAPPLES WITH THEIR DECISION, THEIR VOLATILE BONDED TIGER DOESN’T QUESTION HER ALLEGIANCES. KATALA SLAUGHTERS XIAN’S SOLDIERS, LEADING THE ENEMY TO HUNT HER. BUT AN INHABITOR’S BOND TO THEIR ANIMAL IS FOR LIFE—IF KATALA DIES, SO WILL TASHI.

The Tiger’s Watch may be short (not even 200 pages), but it’s full of intrigue, magic, adventure, and mystery. I love Ember’s vivid storytelling and this wonderful world she’s created. I seriously have so much love for this book and can’t recommend it enough. If you’re looking for a quick, fun, and entertaining fantasy novel, then you absolutely have to add this on your TBR… or you know just go grab a copy right now!!! Read my full review HERE.

Bell of Eternity

(Celtic Legends #2)

Martina Boone

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Published by Mayfair Publishing August 22, 2017

Genre(s): Romance, Magical Realism, Family

Pages: Ebook 336

Buy: Amazon

Love beyond time, an island castle in Cornwall, a cast of delightful characters, dangerous secrets, and a handsome kilt-wearing chef make the perfect recipe for new romance from the award-winning author of Compulsion and Lake of Destiny.

Emma Larsen put her life on hold after the accident that left her famous mother paralyzed and cost a man his life. For four long years, Treave Nancarrow, the deceased man’s son, has often been the only friend Emma had to lean on. But when he suddenly proposes marriage after her mother’s funeral, Emma can’t help being dismayed. She’s already trying to decide between transforming her home cooking hobby into a profession or going back to college. She can’t afford to jump from one commitment to another before she’s had a chance to find out what she really wants. Still, when Treave begs her to accompany him to a wedding at his family’s castle in Cornwall so he can show her how compatible they would be, how can she refuse?

She falls in love with the romantic Cornish coast, a world rich with legends, hauntings, and ancient superstitions—like the one about the ghostly bell that tolls only when a pair of lovers are destined to be together forever. When a tragedy rocks the small community and everyone pitches in to help, though, Treave seems like a different person—one Emma begins to fear. Then, too, there’s Brando MacLaren, the handsome, kilt-wearing Scotsman who shows her the possibility of a love she never dared believe in and makes her feel adventurous and alive. But Brando has his own healing to do. He also has a secret, one he’s keeping from her. Can Emma afford to trust him with her heart? Can she trust either one of the men? An ancient Cornish legend might help guide her choice between them—if she can find the courage to trust her instincts and believe in herself.

A timeless, modern romance set in a magical castle in Cornwall, filled with food, small town warmth, heart, and intrigue. Perfect for fans of Poldark, Nora Roberts, Susanna Kearsley, Sarah Addison Allen, Susan Wiggs, and Debbie Macomber

I’m more than halfway done and really enjoying Bell of Eternity. However, I’m not finding it as captivating as Lake of Destiny. You can read my review for that HERE. BUT, I have at least 45% left to go, so we will see. So far it’s been really good, but just not hitting all the feels just yet.

Thanks for reading and have a great day!

Sincerely Karen Jo

Hickville Redemption

(Hickville High #3)

Mary Karlik

4.5 – Fantastic Teen Mystery

Published by GPK Publication July 16, 2017

Genre(s): Young Adult, Contemporary, Mystery, Romance

Pages: Kindle 256

Buy Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Book Depository

A 30 year old mystery…
A 15 year old sleuth.

Freshman Mackenzie Quinn wants nothing to do with the mysterious death of Cassidy Jones. But when her crush, Braden McGuire, declares he’s determined to uncover the truth, she is drawn into the cold case. The problem is her dad is the number one suspect. Things look pretty hopeless until her best friend, Travis Barns, loans her the secret diary of Cassidy Jones. His only stipulation is that she not share it with anybody else. But when her jealous boyfriend finds and exposes the diary, secrets come to life that could ruin MacKenzie’s whole family.

Can she find a way to clear her father’s name and atone for her own mistakes before it’s too late?

I didn’t expect to love this as much as I do. Hickville Redemption by Mary Karlik is a fun and exciting read. I haven’t read the others in the series and I don’t think you have to in order to read this one. Actually, I think this book is absolutely fantastic as a standalone. I swooned, I laughed, I cried… Those pretty much seals the deal for me.

The story started out a bit slow, but once I got into it, I honestly could not stop reading. There’s plenty of intrigue, drama, mystery and excitement. I love Karlick’s writing style. It’s simple and easy to read, but definitely not lackluster. I could easily picture myself as a character in the story piecing together clues to uncover the truth behind the mysterious death of Cassidy Jones. And I loved it. I thought the mystery part was really interesting – not mind bending holy cow that was super awesome, but pretty darn good. I enjoyed the drama too. It felt realistic and reminded me so much of my high school days.

I immediately fell in love Kenzie. Teenage me and probably a little of the adult me can relate to her in so many ways. She’s an introvert and takes a while to warm up to people. She feels uncomfortable in group settings so she doesn’t talk much – yup totally teenage me and at times adult me too. She prefers to observe and listen rather than participate – yup that is so me. I definitely felt for her and could sympathize with her whenever she was thrown into situations she didn’t want to be in. BUT, even though she’s shy, she doesn’t let that stop her from doing the things she loves. She also doesn’t think that her quiet personality is something that needs to be fixed or that she’s a puzzle that needs to be solved – I loved that about her.

Travis is kind and sweet and absolutely adorable. He’s caring and considerate. I love how protective he is of Kenzie, but still gives her space… he’s just an overall good guy. But I have to mention that while I was reading, he frustrated me a little. Not in the bad way though. In Tagalog there’s a word “gigil” and that’s exactly how I felt. I guess it’s like – oh he’s so cute and I totally understand his reasons for doing or not doing something… heck that’s also the reason why he’s so lovable and really I respect him I do, but at the same time I want to pinch him and push him to act differently then maybe this would happen and that won’t happen and…

And that got me really thinking… I love drama in books. When it makes sense and flows well with the story, then by all means give me! Travis and Kenzie together equals awesome friendship, amazing chemistry, swoony kisses, and crazy drama! I also really LOVED the parts when Kenzie would read Cassidy’s diary. It was heartbreaking, but that definitely made the story more intriguing. The only part that really irks me is the ending… it felt rushed. There was all this build-up so I was expecting something drastic at the end, but it just finished in a not so exciting way.

Overall, I really enjoyed Hickville Redemption and would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a fun YA mystery with an intriguing storyline, relatable characters, realistic drama, and sweet romance.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book from the author and Xpresso Book Tours via NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Follow / Connect with Mary Karlik: Website/ Instagram / Twitter / Facebook

Thanks for reading lovelies!

Sincerely Karen Jo