Book Reviews – Page 7 – Have Coffee Need Books

Book Review: 102 Minutes: The Unforgettable Story of the Fight to Survive Inside the Twin Towers by Jim Dwyer and Kevin Flynn

102 Minutes: The Unforgettable Story of the Fight to Survive Inside the Twin Towers by Jim Dwyer and Kevin Flynn

ByMs Ali Cat: Ali Crean | On September 11,20 | 0 Comment

Title: 102 Minutes: The Unforgettable Story of the Fight to Survive Inside the Twin Towers
Author: Jim Dwyer and Kevin Flynn
Genre: Nonfiction, Political Science, US History
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I remember this day, and it never fades or re-writes itself.

Every year during the week of 11 September, I read this book. It’s my memorial ritual. My memories of this day: I worked the night shift at a crappy job and turned on the tv when I got home a few minutes before the first plane hit. By the time the morning was over, I was numb, calling all my friends who lived or worked in the city to see where they were to find that the phones stopped working around 10 am East Coast-time.

102 Minutes: The Unforgettable Story of the Fight to Survive Inside the Twin Towers captures all the feelings I felt, reminding me of that panic, disbelief, and confusion. It’s not unhealthy to remember that sick feeling or the devastation.

Utilizing the day’s events’ innate urgency, Jim Dwyer and Kevin Flynn creates a page-turning ‘ode to 9/11.’ I highly recommend anyone who would like to read the story of what happened that day in the towers to read 102 Minutes: The Unforgettable Story of the Fight to Survive Inside the Twin Towers.

Book It, Book Reviews, New Release, Sci-fi Romance

Book Review: Jorg by Ava Ross

Jorg by Ava Ross

ByMs Ali Cat: Ali Crean | On September 09,20 | 0 Comment

Title: Jorg (Mail Order Brides of Crakair #3)
Author: Ava Ross
Genre: Sci-fi Romance
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ava Ross does it again; Jorg steals your heart!

I loved Axil and Vork, Bryk wasn’t to my taste, but Jorg intrigued me. My curiosity was well-met, in that Ava Ross did me right and delivered me a sensitive, wounded, badass, who was there to snap necks without worrying about names, to save his damsel. Oh, swoon–this Crakairian is just as wacky as he is deadly, but I blame that dichotomy on his flower garden.

So a Crakairian, human, TX-75, and a creelet jump into a glorm hole, and the TX-75 says… it could actually be a joke, so don’t squint your eyes.

Blog Tour, Book It, Book Reviews, Dark Romance, New Release

Book Review: Sicko by Amo Jones

Sicko by Amo Jones

ByMs Ali Cat: Ali Crean | On September 08,20 | 0 Comment

Title: Sicko
Author: Amo Jones
Genre: Dark Adult Romance
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Same stuff different title.

/start rant

First of all, let me get this off my chest. After how many titles, how come Amo Jones still can’t get a calendar and timeline down? Hers never make a lick of sense! You can’t tell me that an event happened, the next day someone was acting strange, and then they disappeared and then later tell me sixteen days happened within that one day and expect me to understand the plot. Time doesn’t work like that.

/rant

Jade and Royce are inseparable. Royce’s family fostered Jade as a child and adopted her, she and Royce and his friends were tight like Spanx, and everyone could see the writing on the wall that they weren’t sibling-like as they grew older.

/start rant

If you are adopted, then you are no longer a foster; you are an adopted sibling. It’s semantics, yes, but, still, you aren’t what the author says you are through-out the entire freaking book. Either way, you aren’t blood-related and in the world of one-percenter who really would care, but why in the hell misidentify the situation? I can call my chocolate cake lunch for the entire afternoon because I ate it midday and say it’s an essential point to this review, and it would make as much damn sense as calling her a foster when she’s adopted.

/rant

Just when life is all perfect, and nothing could go wrong, Jade experiences Royce’s worst betrayal. And her entire life goes to crap. No spoiler here–this is an Amo Jones book that is just the start of the book.

Book It, Book Reviews, Fantasy Fiction, New Release, Urban Fantasy

Book Review: Faust University by M. Dalto Layne Bynum

Faust University by M Dalto and Laynie Bynum

ByMs Ali Cat: Ali Crean | On September 05,20 | 0 Comment

Title: Faust University
Author: M. Dalto and Laynie Bynum
Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal Romance
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Faust University is an assemblage of so many Academy Reads; I don’t know where to start comparing. The book, tongue firmly in cheek, compares it’s invite process to Harry Potter; we can knock that one out. Then I was stuck thinking of Magicians by Lev Grossman, Wonderland Academy by Melanie Karsak, Celestial Academy by Sarah Biglow and Molly Zenk, and Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead as I read it. There were many times Faust Academy picked up on other Paranormal Academy novels before it. Still, when something works, it works for a reason, and the plot of Faust Academy has a lot of real estate. While I was often distracted by the similarities to previous novels I read, I enjoyed the narrative.

Eve gets an invite to a private university, and like magic, she is whisked away to this strange place. Upon arriving, she finds it bizarre and secretive, and even more discussions of sorcery are taking place, summoning and beast mastering, to name a few. She has an instant connection with her new friend, and all goes awry when the two find they have an even more substantial relationship.

Academy Romance, Book It, Book Reviews, Fae Romance, New Release, Reverse Harem, Urban Fantasy

Book Review: Ravage by Lacey Carter Andersen

Ravage by Lacey Carter Andersen

ByMs Ali Cat: Ali Crean | On September 04,20 | 0 Comment

Ravage by Lacey Carter Anderson — Ravage by Lacey Carter Andersen

Title: Ravage (Royal Fae Academy #1)
Author: Lacey Carter Andersen
Genre: Paranormal Reverse Harem Romance
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

There is being a badass and just being a bad character, and in Ravage, Esmeray is often a poorly written character who has crossed that fine line.

Revere introduces us to Esmeray and her mates: Bron Drake, Lucian Silver, and Dwade Luther…

–Dwade is still a nonsense name in my book and far from sexy. Should we Dwade into the swamp? Dwading in lakes is far better. See, that is what comes to mind when I hear Dwade. /tangent–

…And we learn about the sexy, no-no-relationship situation the three men are keeping from Rayne and Esmeray; no one knows that Esmeray is their mate. But now Rayne has been murdered, and Esmeray is at the Royal Fae Academy, and keeping the sexy Dark Fae from doing what comes naturally to her without spilling their guts is proving impossible to Bron, Lucian, and Dwade.

Book It, Book Reviews, New Release, Sports Romance

Book Review: Internship with the Devil by Jaqueline Snow

Internship with the Devil by Jaqueline Snow

ByMs Ali Cat: Ali Crean | On September 03,20 | 0 Comment

Title: Internship with the Devil (Shut Up and Kiss Me #1)
Author: Jaqueline Snowe
Genre: Sports Romance
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

If you yearn for slow-burn romances, then Internship with the Devil is the book for you.

Grace Turner needs an internship to finish her degree, but she can’t believe her bad luck when she finds that the good looking, bad-spirited, former football player, with a chip on his shoulder, Brock Anderson, is her boss. Worse, he’s pigeon-holed her as incompetent on-sight.

One of the things Jaqueline Snow does in this book is to focus on relationship growth and character development. While this is good in a lot of ways, I found that it bogged down the pacing. Even though the interactions were snappy and sassy, the relationship status was monotonous. I needed something more than this forward constant. Maybe, I’m not a slow-burn romance girl, but late-late pay-off feels like a tease instead of a reward.

Book It, Book Reviews, New Release

Book Review: Cry Wolf by Romy Lockhart

Cry Wolf by Romy Lockhart

ByMs Ali Cat: Ali Crean | On September 02,20 | 0 Comment

Title: Cry Wolf (Claimed by Wolves #1)
Author: Romy Lockhart
Genre: Reverse Harem, Paranormal, Rom-Com
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

First of all, I thought this was a stand-alone, boohoo! I just signed up for a series; I don’t know how I feel about being drafted into that despite really liking Cry Wolf. Why do all of you authors write series!? Here is some feedback, sometimes we need a one and done.

That said, this book is super good. I love the characters. Maggie O’Brien is a liar–she didn’t start that way, but she was pinned to be one and ran with it. When she makes up a fib that she has a husband and three show up, she can’t even back peddle because no one will believe the woman who tells tall tales when she starts contradicting herself. And to be fair, these men feel like they are hers anyway, so why shouldn’t she keep them?

Oh, Maggie! She’s a hoot! I love reading books where the heroes can be a bit of an everyday Joe in bed, and Lukas gets to play that guy at first. Hurrah! Thank you, Romy Lockhart for writing a real guy.

Book It, Book Reviews, Trailer Reveal

Book Review & Trailer Launch: Pistouvi by Merwan and Gatignol

Pistouvi by Merwan and Gatignol

ByMs Ali Cat: Ali Crean | On August 31,20 | 0 Comment

Title: Pistouvi #1
Author/Illustrator: Merwan and Gatignol
Pages: 192
Release Date: 28 October 2020
Rating: 4 of 5 stars

It’s impossible not to fall for the schemes of this little fox and his friend Jeanne. Pistouvi truly is a modern-day Winnie the Pooh with his desire to fill his belly, while Jeanne much desires adventure. With help from the Wind, and keeping an eye out for the farmer, these two continue to battle those troublesome birds.

I appreciate the artwork of this graphic novel. I found the fox adorable, and I enjoy the way they birds were portrayed. There is something about the design that suggests all birds, despite breed, have the same quality of snooty birdness. All the characters are uniquely illustrated, making the story very interesting to read. This vignette of tales is a complete story that will have you smiling at this pair’s antics. I highly recommend you check out Pistouvi Volume 1.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary advance copy of this book.

Book It, Book Reviews

Book Review: Voiceless by M. Sinclair

Voiceless by M. Sinclair

ByMs Ali Cat: Ali Crean | On August 30,20 | 0 Comment

Title: Voiceless (Willowdale Village Collection #1)
Author: M. Sinclair
Genre: Paranormal
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I so ran away from home as an adult, and I know just what Colette Allard was trying to accomplish–families often suck hard.

Colette is a fox shifter with negligent ‘rents. They are genuinely terrible peeps. She tests them the only way she can think will reach them, when all else has failed, she leaves and goes where fate and the bus system takes her: Willowdale Village, California. But it hasn’t been easy traveling because Colette is mute, and not everyone is good at sign language or kindness or even being mannerly, which is how she meets Dylan, on a bus to Willowdale Village.

Okay–there are many parts of this book I liked. Many parts of this book were mushy, gooey, lovey stuff that makes me barf into my mouth. I am so not a mushy, gooey, lovey girl. The redeeming parts are that the psychological damage isn’t swept under the rug too far, and the steamy parts are steamy. Fated mates and perfect mates don’t have to equal the same thing, and M. Sinclair held off on one of Colette’s mates joining the mate pile until later in the story, which made my day.

BUT I did think there was one largely detracting element from this story: the HAF. Read the book to see what that stands for. I will say that it felt contrived for the sake of convenience, so there was more conflict, but not well developed. It felt out of place to me.

Voiceless is best for people who enjoy the Hungry for Her Wolves series by Tara West.

About M. Sinclair:

International Best Selling Author

M. Sinclair is a Chicago native, parent to 3 cats, and can be found writing almost every moment of the day… yes, that includes while at work. Despite being new to publishing, M. Sinclair has been writing for nearly 10 years now. Currently, in love with the Reverse Harem genre, she plans to publish an array of works that are considered romance, suspense, and horror within the year. M. Sinclair lives by the notion that there is enough room for all types of heroines in this world and that being saved is as important as saving others. If you love fantasy romance, obsessive possessive alpha males, and bad*ss FMC, then M. Sinclair is for you! Just remember to love cats… that’s not negotiable.

Connect with M. Sinclair:

Instagram | Facebook | BookBub | Amazon

Book It, Book Reviews, New Release

Book Review: Ruin by Rebecca L. Garcia

Ruin by Rebecca L. Garcia

ByMs Ali Cat: Ali Crean | On August 28,20 | 0 Comment

Title: Ruin (The Fate of Crowns #0.5)
Author: Rebecca L. Garcia
Genre: Fantasy
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Ruin took a while to get started, it was exposition burdened in the beginning, and it made for tough reading. However, once it picked up the pace, it was more enjoyable to read, and the story became exciting to follow.

Evangeline is a cursed princess practicing dark magic to gain more power from her necromancer master. She wishes to see that her disregarding and vengeful family pays for all their cruelty towards her. But all her scheming with her nefarious master is becoming eviler and eviler, and her ruin is near.