Review: An Extraordinary Union

An Extraordinary Union by Alyssa Cole
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Simply wonderful. I loved Elle. She was born and slave and was freed along with her parents. She now is part of the Loyal League and devotes her time to helping the Union bring down the Confederacy. Her current role is a mute slave in the house of a Confederate Senator in Richmond. Malcolm is a spy for the Pinkerton agency. He is currently posing as a Confederate officer and gains access to the Senator's home to glean any helpful information he can pass on.
The romance was believable; Elle and Malcolm's inner dialogue helped to see where they were and how they were getting there. Without the inner dialogue as a guide, the romance would have been hard to believe I think (a Black woman and a White man in 1862). Both are great characters that grow throughout the book.
This had a good mix of historical info and action. I liked how it showed, at the time, everyone thought that the war would be over soon. The book's prologue takes place in April 1861 after the South fired on Fort Sumter with the main events happening Jan and ending in April 1862. We know the war ended 3 years later in 1865.
Another thing I really loved was the Author's Note at the end; Elle, Malcolm were based (in part) on real people and her explanation of the "why" write historical romance with POC.

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Review: Your Mom's Gonna Love Me

Your Mom's Gonna Love Me by Matt Rife
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I wanted something funny with all the shit going down in the world. I wasn't super familiar with this comedian, and was pleasantly surprised. Nice mix of both humor with some serious stuff too.

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Review: Master of Me: The Secret to Controlling Your Narrative

Master of Me: The Secret to Controlling Your Narrative by Keke Palmer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

There is nothing that Keke Palmer can't do. I liked her confidence in herself and her honesty. She is an excellent roll model. And a note; this book was a mix of self-help, advice, and memoir.

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Review: Wild Trail

Wild Trail by A.M. Arthur
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Super enjoyable cowboy romance.

Wes books a week stay at Clean Slate Ranch for his sister (Sophie) and her fiance (Conrad) as a gift.  It's something she's wanted to do, even if he dislikes dirt, bugs.  Clean Slate is family owned.  Arthur, the owner's grandson Mack works there as do his 2 best friends, Reyes and Colt.  

Mack started to work at Clean Slate after a SWAT assignment killed someone in friendly fire.  Colt, was on his unit too.  Reyes, a firefighter, went to work at Clean Slate after injury and burnout.

Wes has also been hurt in the past.  Wes, an actor, was accused of outing his then-boyfriend.  Now blacklisted, he works at a dinner theater with his friend (and roommate) Miles.    

I liked the chemistry between Wes and Mack.  I am also curious about the secondary characters; Reyes we learn was injured (he had severe burns) and Colt shot someone while on a SWAT assignment.  There is also a secondary story-line- a ghost town is found and someone is trying to sabotage it.  Not as much time was devoted to that and it felt rushed/thrown in.  

Smart Bitches Summer Bingo:  works for Western romance, 1st in series, Main couple 30+ (Wes is 31, Mack is 34), Small town

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Review: Brooke Shields Is Not Allowed to Get Old: Thoughts on Aging as a Woman

Brooke Shields Is Not Allowed to Get Old: Thoughts on Aging as a Woman by Brooke Shields
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Now married, Julia and Gabriel explore becoming parents. Julia is also in the process of finishing her degree.
I thought Julia was more mature in this; she defends herself when challenged. Gabriel finds out more about his biological family. The first 1/2 was filler (and mostly unnecessary). The last 1/2 was better.
Smart Bitches Summer Bingo: works for Turned into movie/TV show

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Review: Gabriel's Redemption

Gabriel's Redemption by Sylvain Reynard
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Now married, Julia and Gabriel explore becoming parents. Julia is also in the process of finishing her degree.
I thought Julia was more mature in this; she defends herself when challenged. Gabriel finds out more about his biological family. The first 1/2 was filler (and mostly unnecessary). The last 1/2 was better.
Smart Bitches Summer Bingo: works for Turned into movie/TV show

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Review: Lone Wolf in Lights

Lone Wolf in Lights by Stacey Kennedy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

3.5 stars rounded up.
Willow and her friends (Aubrey and Charly) make a pact after college to move to Timber Falls and go all in on a bar/restaurant if they don't like where their lives are at at the ripe old age of 28. TF is in Montana and is in close proximity to Yellowstone. Well, Charly walked in on her fiance cheating on her, Willow had an abusive boyfriend (and he is now in jail), and Aubrey was sexually harassed by co-workers, so time for a fresh start.
They bought the Naked Moose and turned it into a cocktail bar. After a rocky start, the three friends are doing well. Willow has started to offer crafting groups to women with abusive histories to talk and to craft. The goal is to make things for the holiday market and raise funds for the local domestic violence shelter.
Willow and Eli start a fake relationship, that as we all know, turns into the real thing. Both characters are sympathetic and relate to each other well. I could see them together. The end hints at the next couple; Aubrey and Gunner.

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