Title: The Korean K-Drama Cookbook

Series: Standalone

Author’s Name: Choi Heejae

Publisher: Tuttle Publishing

Genre: Cooking

Page Count: 128 Pages

ISBN: 9780804855556

Author or Book Website: N/A

Link to Amazon purchase page: Amazon.com: The Korean K-Drama Cookbook: Make the Dishes Seen in Your Favorite TV Shows!: Heejae, Choi: Books

Link to Goodreads: The Korean K-Drama Cookbook: Make the Dishes Seen in Your Favorite TV Shows! by Choi Heejae | Goodreads

Release Date: March 7, 2023

How I Got the Book: ARC Copy

Summary of the Book:

Eat like your favorite K-Drama TV Stars!

If you’re a fan of Korean dramas, or simply a fan of Korean food, then this book is for you! Here you’ll find 61 delicious recipes for classic Korean dishes, including those you may have seen on your favorite K-Drama shows; including:

• Make the Buchimgae Pancakes featured in Episode 3 of Crash Landing on You, when a group of nosy neighbors use a gift of pancakes as an excuse to inspect Jeonghyeok’s new fiance
• Make the Spicy Noodles in Black Bean Sauce that Jun-wan and Ik-sun enjoy on their date in Episode 7 of Hospital Playlist
• Make the Spicy Braised Tofu that Hye-jin stuffs into Ha-nee’s mouth in Episode 3 of Was It Love to make him stop talking

In addition to the easy-to-make, fully illustrated recipes for main and side dishes, you’ll also find recipes for Korean cocktails and tasty snacks to enjoy while you’re watching TV!

Features dishes seen on:
Itaewon Class
Crash Landing On You
One Spring Night
Hospital Playlist
She Was Pretty
What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim?
It’s Okay Not To Be Okay
The King: Eternal Monarch
Mystic Pop-up Bar
Familiar Wife
Start-up
Record of Youth
Chocolate
When the Camellia Blooms
Hi Bye, Mama!
Something in the Rain
Romance is a Bonus Book
Was It Love?

My Personal Review: I received a copy of this book for a fair and honest review. I watch a lot of K-Dramas and the food in them is always amazing. I had a lot of fun reading through the recipes and was excited that I could make them at home. Also seeing some of my favorites like Record of Youth and It’s Okay Not To Be Okay. The pictures of the food were wonderful. I can’t wait to try to make some of these myself.

My Rating of the Book: 5 Stars

Title: Faerie Forged

Series: The MagicSmith #3

Author’s Name: L. R. Braden

Publisher: Bell Bridge Books

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Page Count: 262 Pages

ISBN: 978-1611949827

Author or Book Website: L.R. Braden (lrbraden.com)

Link to Amazon purchase page: Faerie Forged: The Magicsmith, Book 3: Braden, L. R.: Amazon.com: Books

Link to Goodreads: Faerie Forged (The Magicsmith, #3) by L.R. Braden | Goodreads

Release Date: N/A

How I Got the Book: Review Copy

Summary of the Book:

New world, new rules . . .

Alex is screwed. She’s due at the fae Court of Enchantment in less than twenty-four hours, but she’s not even close to being ready. Her job is hanging by a fraying thread. There’s a new vampire master in town. And several of her werewolf friends have been captured by the Paranatural Task Force.

She’s their best chance for release before the full moon reveals their secret, but the Lord of Enchantment is not someone you keep waiting—even when he happens to be your grandfather. All Alex can do is call in a favor, hope to hell she can survive the plots of the fae court, and hightail it home to salvage her life.

One mistake at court could change everything . . . .

My Personal Review: I received a copy of this book for a fair and honest review. The more I read of the story the more I am invested in what is going to happen next. That is due to the wonderful characters, amazing worlding building, and the pacing of the story and action. Alex always has to be on her toes for she never knows where danger might be coming from at any given time. I am so ready for the next one. The more I read about this world the more I fall into it.

My Rating of the Book: 4 Stars

Title: Courting Darkness

Series: The MagicSmith #2

Author’s Name: L. R. Braden

Publisher: Bell Bridge Books

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Page Count: 266 Pages

ISBN: 978-1611949537

Author or Book Website: L.R. Braden (lrbraden.com)

Link to Amazon purchase page: Courting Darkness: The Magicsmith, Book 2: Braden, L. R.: Amazon.com: Books

Link to Goodreads: Courting Darkness (The Magicsmith, #2) by L.R. Braden | Goodreads

Release Date: N/A

How I Got the Book: Review Copy

Summary of the Book:

Deeper into the shadows. . .

The paranatural community isn’t done with Alex. She’s been summoned to the fae court, and she’s got her hands full trying to prepare. But her date with the fae will have to wait. There’s been a death at the gallery, and the man she hoped would be a part of her future is the prime suspect.

Bitter enemies pull her into the middle of a paranatural war for territory that has her dodging police, swords, teeth, and claws—not to mention the truth. The deeper she digs, the more secrets she uncovers, and the less certain she is about the innocence of the one man she wanted to trust.

She thought she was done with murder and monsters, but she’ll have to enter the belly of the beast if she hopes to save her friend.

My Personal Review: I received a copy of this book for a fair and honest review. I am enjoying the fact that Alex is learning more about her abilities and herself as she goes on. This book felt a bit darker than the one that came before. She has a meeting with the Fae Court, but that is not the only thing that is on her plate. She is getting a little tired of her boyfriend breaking dates, but at least she had the chocolate cake.

My Rating of the Book: 4 Stars

Title: Gemini Kings

Series: A Dark Witch Academy #2

Author’s Name: Laura Navarre

Publisher: Ascendant Press

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Page Count: 389 Pages

ISBN: 9781955236102

Author or Book Website: Laura Navarre – Author

Link to Amazon purchase page: Amazon.com: Gemini Kings: A Dark Witch Academy Paranormal Romance eBook : Navarre, Laura: Kindle Store

Link to Goodreads: Gemini Kings by Laura Navarre | Goodreads

Release Date: N/A

How I Got the Book: ARC Copy

Summary of the Book:

I summon the dragon.
I claim my throne.
The warlocks of Icarus Academy claim me.

I start my night with a heist in a Catwoman costume at a Vegas casino…and end up shifting into my dragon form for the first time ever in mid-plummet from the roof.

Except I can’t actually fly. Oops.

Turns out being the first dragon shifter queen to rule the witching world (while I’m simultaneously a student at the Icarus Academy) isn’t, like, a party. Especially when I go into heat. Because now I have…needs…that no warlock at the Academy can satisfy. Plus the only full-blooded male dragon shifter on the planet intends to kill all my warlocks and make me choose just him for my king.

As.

If.

Sweet Jesus, this Maxim guy’s causing a world of trouble. Vasili and Ronin are fighting over whether to kill him or kiss him. My wolf shifter headmaster Lucius has his paws full trying to keep us all from getting expelled. And my sweet bookworm Neo needs something new we’re all afraid to give him.

When a rival queen rises to threaten my throne, it’ll take major trust between me and all my warlocks—including that vicious dragon I’ve sworn I’ll never claim—to save the witching world from an extinction event it’ll take a miracle to stop.

Gemini Kings is a New Adult dark witch academy why-choose paranormal romance and the sequel to Gemini Queen. This deadly duet delivers a seductive and lethal warlock court, teacher-student forbidden love, first-time MM, bi awakening, a satisfying climax (no cliffhanger!), and enough fast-burn heat to set your Academy uniform on fire!

My Personal Review: I received a copy of this book for a fair and honest review. I read the first book and is good. So I moved on to reading this book to and I love the pace of the book and read most of the book before I realized it. I have a thing for dragons. The guys can be a little hostile and some are sweet and gentle. The teacher-student thing still is not a thing for me but some of the other relationships just pull me in. There is a lot to love about this book.

My Rating of the Book: 4 Stars

Title: Delicious Death

Series: Madame Chalamet Ghost Mysteries #2

Author’s Name: Byrd Nash

Publisher: Rock and Castle Press

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Page Count: 190 Pages

ISBN: 9781954811065

Author or Book Website: Byrd Nash | Official website of author Byrd Nash

Link to Amazon purchase page: Delicious Death: Madame Chalamet Ghost Mysteries Volume 2 – Kindle edition by Nash, Byrd. Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

Link to Goodreads: Delicious Death (Madame Chalamet Ghost Mysteries #2) by Byrd Nash | Goodreads

Release Date: N/A

How I Got the Book: Review Copy

Summary of the Book:

Thwarting an assassination wasn’t on the menu.

Elinor’s holiday is ruined when a poisoner targets a royal guest. What’s even more irritating? The duke thinks he can solve the case before she can.

In the southern town of Vouvant, Elinor’s goal was to eat rich food at the Winter Revels, but an attempt on the king’s life implicates her favorite chef. Between saving a young society lady and solving the problem of a widower who grieves too much, she has her hands full.

Trained as a medium by the elite Morpheus Society, Elinor Chalamet uses her skills to aid the police while she hunts for her father’s killer.

The second of a six part gaslamp fantasy ghost mystery series featuring a strong female character in a slow burn romance.

My Personal Review: I received a copy of this book for a fair and honest review. I am loving this novella series. The tension between Tristian and Elinor is wonderful. She is off to an event with wonderful and amazing food, but that is all spoiled when someone targets the King. I love steampunk and this takes me to that type of work and they are hard to put down. I am looking forward to the next one. Elinor is an amazing character with her unique set of skills. I am enjoying the relationship between Duke and Elinor.

My Rating of the Book: 4 Stars

Title: Wolfbane

Series: Wolfbane #1

Author’s Name: Celia Hart

Publisher: BooksGoSocial

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Page Count: 494 Page

ISBN: 9798986402413

Author or Book Website: Celia Hart (celia-hart.com)

Link to Amazon purchase page: Amazon.com: Wolfbane (Wolfbane Series): Hart, Celia: Books

Link to Goodreads: Wolfbane (Wolfbane #1) by Celia Hart | Goodreads

Release Date: N/A

How I Got the Book: Review Copy

Summary of the Book:

Jasmine

I always follow the rules.

Especially the one to wait for your mate.

Don’t flirt. Don’t date. Don’t fall for anyone but your one true love.

But then I meet the mysterious future alpha, and suddenly, I am thinking about doing unthinkable, immoral things with a very sexy man who is definitely off-limits.

That is—until my first crush reappears. Now I’m torn, choosing between two hot, muscular werewolves, and life has gotten complicated. . . They didn’t write a rule book about this!

Blake

The Moon Goddess granted me a mate—then regretted it and took her right back.

But who am I to complain?

I am the alpha after all.

I’m supposed to have everything I want.

Everything but discipline, self-control, and common sense.

Because that all seems to vanish as soon as I meet her. . .

Luke

I totally messed up.

I betrayed my mate before the bond clicked into place.

I didn’t wait. Didn’t hesitate. Didn’t even think it through.

I may have made a huge mess, but I’m going to clean it up. I can handle it. I think. . .

Content warning: As with many paranormal romance novels, this book contains mature adult content, offensive language, and some graphic violence, and may not be suitable for young readers.

My Personal Review: I received a copy of this book for a fair and honest review. I enjoyed Jasmines and Blake they were very well-developed characters and I loved their interactions with each other. I did not care much for Luke. It gave me the impression of a fated mate sprinkled with a little bit of second-chance romance. There were some parts I saw coming but that just made me grin and it was a wonderful romance. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

My Rating of the Book: 4 Stars

Title: Now and Always

Series: Hearts and Haunts Series, Book 1

Author’s Name: C. J. Burright

Publisher: Totally Bound Publishing

Genre: Romance

Page Count: 371 Pages

ISBN: 9761680420274

Author or Book Website: CJ Burright – Author | Dark Heroes. Bold Women. Magical Romance.

Link to Amazon purchase page: Now and Always (Hearts and Haunts) – Kindle edition by Burright, C.J.. Romance Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

Link to Goodreads: Now and Always (Hearts and Haunts, #1) by C.J. Burright | Goodreads

Release Date: N/A

How I Got the Book: Review Copy

Summary of the Book:

Romance may not be all that awakens while two best friends renovate a mansion rumored to be haunted.

If you kiss your best friend…

Halloween-loving Ren needs a new job. The only problem? The sole accountant opening in her small town requires construction experience, which are skills she lacks. Luckily, her best friend Leo— sexy, grumpy and completely off limits— is a construction hotshot. Their relationship is perfect as is, and, despite the intense chemistry, Ren refuses to ruin it with romance. Leo agrees to teach her, with one condition— she must live on site with him… and somehow survive the temptation.

You’ d better be sure…

Skeptic, sword-swinging Leo has loved Ren since she mistook him for a hardware employee in the plunger section two years ago. While he took his time winning her trust, she caged him in the friend zone. He’ s done hiding his feelings, and living together— working, sleeping, playing— at the Gothic mansion he’ s renovating will convince her that best friends make the best lovers.

It’ s meant to be forever.

Ren resolves to resist Leo, even if he bends every rule. Discovering the mansion’ s secrets— and lingering spirits, no matter what Leo claims— offers distraction enough. But with her defenses splintering, one kiss is all it takes to shatter every boundary, one night of passion to believe in happily ever after… and one crumbling letter of unrequited love to awaken ghosts forgotten. If Ren and Leo can’ t piece together the past for two lost souls, they might lose more than their hearts.

My Personal Review: I received a copy of this book for a fair and honest review. This is not my first book by this author and I always love how her characters interact with each other. Ren and Leo are so adorable and witty. They are opposites and I love that. That opening chapter at the Haunted attraction was so funny. The two of them have been friends for a couple of years now and he wants her to help with a project and the biggest catch is that they have to live together. I enjoyed it so much. I want to go on and on but it has to be read to be enjoyed.

My Rating of the Book: 4 1/2 Stars

Title: ACrown Forged by Victory’s Consequence

Series: The Blackened Tablet Series, #1

Author’s Name: Arayanna Abbott/Marayna James

Publisher: Friends With Pens Author Group

Genre: Dark Fantasy

Page Count: 674 Pages

ISBN: 9780991851287

Author or Book Website: N/A

Link to Amazon purchase page: Amazon.com: A Crown Forged By Victory’s Consequence: Dark Fantasy with Romantic Elements (The Blackened Tablet Series Book 1) eBook : Abbott, Aaryanna, James, Marlayna: Books

Link to Goodreads: A Crown Forged By Victory’s Consequence by Marlayna James | Goodreads

Release Date: N/A

How I Got the Book: Review Copy

Summary of the Book:

Three hundred years ago, the sacred tablet granted by their god, Jezabet, turned black, and eight kingdoms broke free, plummeting into the bottomless sea. There was no warning, and no one knows why.

Now, a strange illness plagues Aldersward. Crowned Prince Aedyn’s sisters, Achelle and Annora, his father, and countrymen are desperate and grief-stricken. All hope is lost…

Until someone dreams, and Aedyn leaves behind his mistress and his betrothed to cure their nation. He enlists his friends; a brazen playboy, a gentle strongman, and an ancient mentor. Together, they set out on a perilous journey—few believe they will survive.

This isn’t a fairy tale—s3x becomes currency, murder is ordinary, and love doesn’t conquer all.

Everyone loves a hero—good triumphs evil. But few dare to question how victory ripples into consequences. Explore this exciting concept in the Blackened Tablet Series.

My Personal Review: I received a copy of this book for a fair and honest review. This is a very deep and complex read if I do say so myself. The first thing that I have to address is that I found myself having to go back and read sections because so many of the names were similar and remembering who was who was a little difficult. It did take away from my enjoyment of the book, but epic fantasy is a details writing form. It is a book one would have to commit to reading for it is a long read over 600 pages. I did want to know what happens next. Once I got past the tiny flaw is was a good read.

My Rating of the Book: 3 1/2 Stars

Title: A Drop of Magic

Series: The MagicSmith #1

Author’s Name: L. R. Braden

Publisher: Bell Bridge Books

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Page Count: 234 Pages

ISBN: 978-1611949414

Author or Book Website: L.R. Braden (lrbraden.com)

Link to Amazon purchase page: A Drop of Magic: The Magicsmith, Book 1: Braden, L. R.: Amazon.com: Books

Link to Goodreads: A Drop of Magic (The Magicsmith #1) by L.R. Braden | Goodreads

Release Date: N/A

How I Got the Book: Review Copy

Summary of the Book:

The war isn’t over . . .

With the world clinging to a fragile peace forced on the Fae by humanity after the Faerie Wars, metalsmith Alex Blackwood is plunged into the world of the half-fae who traffick in illegal magical artifacts. Her best friend’s murder and his cryptic last message place her in the crosshairs of a scheme to reignite the decade-old war between humans and fae.

Worse, violent attacks against her and the arrival of a fae knight on a mission force Alex to face a devastating revelation of who and what she is. To catch a killer, retrieve a dangerous artifact, and stop a war, Alex will have to accept that she’s an unregistered fae “halfer” with a unique magical talent—a talent that would change everything she believes about her past, her art, and her future.

Her world is crumbling around her, and Alex will have to decide who to trust if she and the world are going to survive.

My Personal Review: I received a copy of this book for a fair and honest review. I have said it before I am always into debut books and this one did not disappoint. I found Alex a likable main character. I am into the blend of the human and Fae worlds. Dealing with the Fae on a good day is difficult but coming out of a War things are still on edge for they remember everything. I love the world-building in this book it enhanced the story. There is one thing that I did notice a lot of male characters kind of scrambled in my brain and I mixed them up a little bit and Alex had a lot of possible love interests. But for me, it is a wonderful start to this series and I can’t wait to jump back in with both feet.

My Rating of the Book: 4 Stars

I have been trying to do reading challenges since I have started being a book blogger and I have discovered that there are so many. There is no way a person could do them all. I have been trying to figure out if I will do any of them at all. I of course try to do the Goodreads challenge every year. I almost fail in 2022. It is one of the least about of books I have read in the last five or six years. I am not making any excuses. I make the goal each year to read at least 100 book. That is the same goal this year. I kind of got a late start on my reading this year so I have not read all that many books this year yet. I think I am already behind in my pace for the year. I am working on that this year.

I am going to do some research on other challenges. If you are doing any let me know and I will check them out as well. Happy reading.