4 stars – Sydney Winward

Grace by Contract Book Tour

After her father uproots the family to the northern duchy of Brackenhurst, Grace Eldon and her four younger sisters struggle with a new life of hardship. Desperate to keep a roof over their heads amid mounting debts, she and her youngest sister seek employment in the Duke of Brackenhurst’s household despite fearsome rumors.

Scarred and maimed from a terrible fire Silas Isling, Duke of Brackenhurst, buries himself in his work to avoid the stares of pity and fear. When one of the new maids shows no fear at his appearance, he is intrigued. That is until his meddling steward gives her the task of cleaning Silas’ bookroom. It is a most unwelcome disruption since he prefers to be alone.

While a thief plagues his castle, an old nemesis reappears, and enemies invade in the guise of guests. Amidst the distractions and chaos, Grace brings some unexpected order. Once convinced his scars had stolen all hope for love, Silas finds his life forever changed by the quiet maid. Could she love a scarred Duke?

Inspired by Beauty and the Beast

March 5, 2021February 13, 2021 by Sydney Winward

Book Review of Covet Thy Neighbor by Denise Carbo

My Review

Divorce is hard. Divorce with kids is harder.

Single mom, Olivia Banner, is trying to make ends meet by taking on more hours at her job, going back to school, and taking care of her twin boys. But when a mysterious new neighbor moves in next door, she can’t help but be intrigued.

Covet Thy Neighbor takes on a lot of the struggles you will find in divorce, such as sharing the responsibilities of kids, moving on and finding love, and even doubting your self-worth. The author did a great job at showing the realities and difficulties of two households rather than one, and keeping a strong family unit despite the divorce.

My rating: 4 stars

February 26, 2021 by Sydney Winward

Book Review of Marrying Miss Marshal by Lacy Williams

My Review

Lacy Williams has quickly become one of my favorite authors. I’ve read a few of her contemporary books, and I was excited to start her historical series. Marrying Miss Marshal was a sweet romance, a tale of two very different people connected by the same group of bad guys. I loved witnessing the way they came together and watching as the slow-burn romance unfolded.

One thing that bothered me was the lack of communication where upholding the law was concerned. For example, Chas overheard a very important conversation and could have prevented something catastrophic from happening, but…he didn’t. The bad guys were clear who they were from the beginning, so that wasn’t much of a surprise.

However, I did enjoy the book overall, and it was fun to see Lacy Williams writing in another genre than of what I’ve read so far. I would be interested to see how the rest of the books tie in with the exciting world the author has created.

My rating: 4 stars

February 16, 2021 by Sydney Winward

Book Review of Spires by Briar Lee Mitchell

Book Review

When a centuries-old vampire is finally released from his prison beneath a cathedral, will he seek revenge on the other vampires who put him there? Or will his release lead to his own destruction?

This book had a bit of everything. Horror. Mystery. Romance. From the very first page, I was sucked into the world the author created. I was intrigued by the idea of a vampire being freed after hundreds of years of entrapment and what might happen once released, and the author didn’t disappoint.

Spires was very well written. The vampires were terrifying, god-like creatures, the stuff of nightmares. And the ending was satisfying. If you like dark fantasy/horror with a bit of paranormal romance, then this book would be a good fit for you.

My rating: 4 stars

February 9, 2021February 8, 2021 by Sydney Winward

Book Review of The Vampire with a Blanket of Stars by Susan Hanniford Crowley

My Review

Despite this book being in the paranormal genre, it was very realistic to me. The way certain people acted in certain situations made sense, and the build up to the ending was done well. The author did a great job at pulling the reader inside the book with an interesting tale and great characters.

Although this is the first book I have read in this series, I was able to understand what was going on and how the other characters fit into the story. If you like historical mixed with modern traditional vampires, then you would love this book.

My rating: 4 stars

January 27, 2021 by Sydney Winward

Book Review of A Tale of Ice and Ash by Katherine Macdonald

My Review

I really liked Katherine Macdonald’s take on the Snow White fairytale. The world building was truly unique and interesting. There was surprising depth to the characters, and I love the idea that people aren’t just born evil. They’re created. The author does a very good job at building that up and expanding on it throughout the story.

My absolute favorite part about this book was all the flirting. There was a lot of it, and the banter between the characters constantly had me cracking a smile. I also loved Onyx. He was the perfect grumpy but loving father dwarf.

A Tale of Ice and Ash is a great addition to the fairy tale retellings in this series, and I look forward to reading what’s next.

My rating: 4 stars

January 23, 2021 by Sydney Winward

Book Review of A Rancher’s Surprise Mail Order Bride by Blythe Carver

My Review

What happens when the pride of two people threatens their future together?

So far, I’ve really enjoyed Blythe Carver’s books. I like the town she sets this series in and the depths she adds to each character. A Rancher’s Surprise Mail Order Bride made me both laugh and tear up. This book was a great addition to the series, and I look forward to reading more.

My rating: 4 stars

January 12, 2021 by Sydney Winward

Garden of Hope Book Tour Review

Can two lost causes find love in the arms of one another?

Lily, the peculiar youngest daughter of an earl, would rather spend her life as a spinster, tending to her garden–alone. But when her father falls critically ill, she suddenly faces the possibility of becoming a penniless relation living on the charity of her sisters unless she can find a husband–now. But facing her fifth Season and feeling unable to meet the requirements of a proper wife, Lily despairs of finding a kind and patient man she can trust enough to marry.

Henry, the war-wounded second son of an earl, needs to have a son to secure his family’s future. But worried about his condition worsening and leaving him crippled, he fears turning any future wife into a mere companion and nursemaid.

Both are unable to resist the pressure from their families to attend the Season and at least try to find a spouse. Can these two lost causes see past their own limitations and let love in?

October 6, 2020October 6, 2020 by Sydney Winward

Book Review of The Vampire Wants a Wife by Andie M. Long

My Review

I really enjoyed this! The banter between Shelley and Theo was entertaining. Theo was the most adorable vampire in the world. And the story concept was fun to read. I loved how dedicated the hero was to finding love after so many years of living. He wants to settle down with a wife and have children, and he’s dead set on Shelley. Many interesting characters were introduced, from wizards to vampires to werewolves, and the Supernatural Dating Agency might be their only hope at finding love.

I was a little put off with how many swear words were in this book, and the romance was lost by the end. But all in all, I did enjoy it, and I might consider reading more in the series.

My rating: 4 stars

August 13, 2020September 16, 2020 by Sydney Winward

Book Review of Dragon’s Shadow by Allison Morse

My Review

“A great king looks to win the war, not merely the battle.”

Kylie has always been different from her abnormally strong anger to her gut feeling that something more out there exists. Her “visions” of another world writes her off as crazy, and she spends plenty of time in a mental hospital. But she soon comes to find out that she’s not crazy after all, and she has a twin brother in another world, a land full of magic and wonder.

The writing flows very well. I loved Kylie as a character and I especially enjoyed getting inside Jarlon’s head. The author did a phenomenal job at world-building, creating something I have never read about before.

The book ends in a way that felt unfinished, so I’m wondering if there will be a sequel to Dragon’s Shadow. Overall, I did enjoy the book, and I look forward to discovering more books from the author.

My rating: 4 stars

July 9, 2020September 16, 2020 by Sydney Winward