Book Riot Read Harder Challenge: Between Venus and Mars

Title: Between Venus and Mars
Author: S.C. Mitchell

Book Riot Challenge Category: one-sitting book

I signed up to review this book for a virtual tour with Goddess Fish promotions over on my book blog. As it turns out, my boyfriend decided to put modular shelving in our closet the other night, and I had some free time. I figured I’d start this book while he worked and finish later. Either the shelving took him a really long time, or I flew through this. Whatever the case, it was done in one sitting.

I’ve been on a science fiction kick lately. Science fiction romance is probably my favorite romance subgenre, so this was such a treat. Between Venus and Mars didn’t disappoint my scifi addiction. In addition, the romance plot was beautiful, and the humor was hilarious. Zana is the bff I never knew I wanted. She’s smart, quick on her feet, and curses like a sailor. Kyle is hot and protective without being over bearing. He’s also got a superb sense of humor on him. Together, they were an award-winning couple.

The world (or should I say universe) Mitchell built was really interesting. Earth has been abandoned for hundreds of years. It’s only inhabitants now are livestock and sentient kangaroo-type creatures. Zana travels there to bring back animals for her starving people to both eat and care for. Kyle is accidentally summoned, naked, to Earth by Zana touching the Soul Mate Tree, a mystical tree that unites people who are meant to be together. Poor Kyle just happened to be in the shower when love called. From cover to cover, Between Venus and Mars kept me entertained with snappy dialogue, fast-paced action sequences, and sweet-and-spicy romance. It’s really no wonder I finished it in one sitting.

Read Harder: THE PLOT IS MURDER by V.M. Burns

The Plot Is Murder by V.M. Burns
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Read Harder Challenge Category: a mystery written by a person of color or lgtbq author

I’d had The Plot is Murder on my TBR since before it hit shelves. Burns and I are both graduates of Seton Hill University’s MFA in Writing Popular Fiction program, and I love seeing my fellow #shuwpf-ers become published authors. Throw in that this is a charming cozy mystery about a book lover who wants to open a bookstore, and you had me at hello. Mysteries aren’t my most common reading stomping grounds. The ones that grab me are light on the violence and of the following type: a). British in nature (i.e. Rhys Bowen’s Her Royal Spyness series); b). involve music/theatre (such as Joelle Charbonneau’s Glee Club books), and c). about books—hence, The Plot is Murder.

And Burns did not disappoint me. There are books! And Samantha Washington, our resident bookshop owner/protagonist, is a character I can get behind. Her voice is sharp and fun while also being heavily emotional. She’s still struggling with her late husband’s death, and opening her bookstore is the dream she wants to come true in his honor. Unfortunately, dead bodies don’t want the dream to succeed. But some amateur sleuthing combined with old-fashioned determination are on Samantha’s side.

And then there’s the clan of old ladies who are dead-set (pun intended) on helping Samantha solve the case. They are a riot and surprisingly useful in the murder-solving department. They know their strengths. When they decide to go somewhere, they are on the clock and doing whatever they’re best at to get info. It was a joy to watch this gaggle of gals participate in the case.

A bonus with this book is it’s Michigan setting. Being a new resident of the Great Lakes State—and having an S.O. who grew up here, moved for work, and has now moved back—I’m now interested in books set in my new home turf, as it were. Though, I asked my boyfriend and googled the book’s setting of North Harbor. The boyfriend says it’s not a real city, and google didn’t find it. Despite this, The Plot is Murder set me smack dab on the hand. Michiganders, you know what I mean, apparently.


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2018 Read Harder: Level Up

Level Up by Cathy Yardley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Book Riot Read Harder Category: A romance novel by or about a person of color

I had a very tentative book for this category. So when Book Riot sent out its list of books that would fill this requirement, I looked to see if there was something better/more interesting. A little ways down the list, I encountered Level Up. Given my propensity toward geeky romances, this struck me in all the right ways. I snagged it and read.

And I’m so glad I did. Level Up is adorkable with a capital K. Independent game creating office romance—yes, please. Tess and Adam’s relationship is so natural. He’s a gamer. She’s his very quiet, very introverted roommate, who also happens to work with him. She gets more social and grows a voice. He notices her…and that she’s a her. Sparks. The fandom references had me giggling like an idiot, and I laughed out loud many times. The chemistry is natural, and the circumstances that bring them together are wonderfully fun.

I enjoyed this so much that I went on to read book two, One True Pairing, and book 1.5, Hooked. I finished Level Up a few days ago and have been putting off writing my post—professional procrastinator here. Then I saw book 3, Game of Hearts, is out today, and I thought it was fitting to do my post. So, here it is.

Final note, the company where Tessa and Adam work has pickles in its name. I’m there.





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I'm in another anthology, and I need your help!

LOVE AT THE EDGE OF SEVENTEEN
A YA romance anthology
Coming April 2018 from Stars and Stone books

I’ve got another story coming out with Stars and Stone Books! So excited to say “Be Null, My Heart,” a superhero romance, will appear alongside nine other amazing stories in this anthology of young love in springtime. Please support me and my fellow authors by backing the anthology on kickstarter!

Spring fever has infected the teens in these 10 stories, leading to hijinks, drama, misunderstandings...and maybe even love.

Stars and Stone Books
Magic makes the heart beat faster