Tag: books

Monthly Features – August 2025

~ likelystory18 ~ Leave a comment

Hunting the Red Fox by W. Kenneth Tyler, Jr.

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

Synopsis: This is the story of Perry Barnes, a multi-talented man who made one bad teenage mistake in the weeks leading up to his high school graduation in 1942. On a lark he “borrowed” some jewelry that wasn’t technically his. The local judge took it personally and gave Perry the choice of an assignment to a newly formed Army special operations unit at the start of World War II or go to jail for 15 years. As a result he winds up being trained by the United States government in the skills and arts of sabotage, killing, self-preservation, espionage and ultimately how to be a first class jewel thief.

Along the way he finds himself in the movie business in the Hollywood of the 1950’s, then uses his immense physical skills in pursuit of excellence as a journeyman golfer on the PGA tour of that era with the likes of Ben Hogan, Jimmy Demaret and Arnold Palmer. Before the adventure is over Perry has stolen the world famous Mecklenburg Diamond from a known jewel thief, worth a fortune, with the intention of returning it to the authorities for love, of all things.

All the while he is befriended by the most bewildering array of characters, some real, some not, who add marvelous vignettes of clever humor, situational intrigue, and steamy romance as he earnestly pursues the one goal he covets most: finding true love, martial companionship and family.

Summary: Overall, Hunting the Red Fox blends memoir-style storytelling with novelistic suspense, leaving readers to weigh for themselves whether Perry Barnes was simply a man with colorful tales or a true “Red Fox” whose life was stranger than fiction. Readers who enjoy historical fiction thrillers full of suspense, espionage, and memoir-style narratives may enjoy this book. 

See the full review here: Hunting the Red Fox
Purchase here

 

Like Driftwood on the Salish Sea by Richard L. Levine

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

Synopsis: When they met in the fourth grade, it was love at first sight for Mitchell Brody and Jessica Ramirez. He was the freckle-faced kid who stood up for her honor when he silenced the class bully who’d been teasing her because of her accent. She was the new kid whose family moved to San Juan Island, Washington, from San Juan, Puerto Rico, and whom Mitch had thought was the most beautiful girl in the world.

She was his salvation from a strict upbringing. He was her knight in shining armor who had always looked out for her. Through the many years of porch-swinging, cotton-candied summer nights, autumn harvest festivals, and hand-in-hand walks planning for the ideal life together, they were inseparable…until 9/11, when the real world interrupted their Rockwell-esque small town life, and Mitch had joined the Marine Corps.

This is not just the story of a wounded warrior finally coming home to search for the love, and the world he abandoned twenty years before. It is also the story of a man who is seeking forgiveness and a way to ease the pain caused by every bad decision he’d ever made. It’s the story of a woman who, with strength and determination, rose up from the ashes of a shattered dream; but who never gave up hope that her one true love would return to her. As she once told an old friend: “Even before we met all those years ago, we were destined to be together in this life, and we will be together again, because even today we’re connected in a way that’s very special, and he needs to know about it before one of us leaves this earth.”

Summary: Overall, Like Driftwood on the Salish Sea is a thoughtful, unhurried story about coming home and facing the past you can’t outrun. Richard I. Levine gives us a main character shaped by war, haunted by loss, and pulled back to the San Juan Islands to reckon with love, regret, and responsibility. It’s a novel about memory and forgiveness, written with the patience of the place it inhabits. For readers who appreciate reflective, character-driven fiction rooted in a strong sense of setting, this one lingers like salt air long after you’ve finished the last page. Be ready to cry and happy reading!

See the full review here: Like Driftwood on the Salish Sea
Purchase here

 

Review: Like Driftwood on the Salish Sea by Richard L. Levine

~ likelystory18 ~ 2 Comments

Synopsis:

When they met in the fourth grade, it was love at first sight for Mitchell Brody and Jessica Ramirez. He was the freckle-faced kid who stood up for her honor when he silenced the class bully who’d been teasing her because of her accent. She was the new kid whose family moved to San Juan Island, Washington, from San Juan, Puerto Rico, and whom Mitch had thought was the most beautiful girl in the world.

She was his salvation from a strict upbringing. He was her knight in shining armor who had always looked out for her. Through the many years of porch-swinging, cotton-candied summer nights, autumn harvest festivals, and hand-in-hand walks planning for the ideal life together, they were inseparable…until 9/11, when the real world interrupted their Rockwell-esque small town life, and Mitch had joined the Marine Corps.

This is not just the story of a wounded warrior finally coming home to search for the love, and the world he abandoned twenty years before. It is also the story of a man who is seeking forgiveness and a way to ease the pain caused by every bad decision he’d ever made. It’s the story of a woman who, with strength and determination, rose up from the ashes of a shattered dream; but who never gave up hope that her one true love would return to her. As she once told an old friend: “Even before we met all those years ago, we were destined to be together in this life, and we will be together again, because even today we’re connected in a way that’s very special, and he needs to know about it before one of us leaves this earth.”

Favorite Lines:

“To him, those shadows resembled a life slipping away—a life he felt no more able to grasp and hold on to no more than he could grab and hold on to any one of those shadows—and it abruptly reminded him of one of the last times he saw Alex.”

“I’m hoping if I tell that lie often enough, there’s a chance it could come true.” 

“Haven’t you ever been involved with someone so special that you couldn’t concentrate on anything, or you couldn’t catch your breath no matter how hard you’ve tried? Wasn’t there ever someone who made you feel that you wanted to spend your every waking moment with because maybe, just maybe, there wouldn’t be a tomorrow? That’s what it feels like to me when I’m with her. Sometimes I lie awake at night thinking that time really is running out. Apart from that, when we’re not together I feel lost, like I have no direction, no purpose for being. I feel like…as I once told Jess, like a sailboat that has no rudder or keel…completely at the mercy of the wind and the current.”

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

Richard I. Levine’s Like Driftwood on the Salish Sea is a quiet novel about coming home, but it’s also about what you carry with you when home isn’t the same place you left. Mitch Brody, a Marine pushed into medical retirement, returns to the San Juan Islands with more questions than answers. He wants to disappear into familiar places—the ferry crossings, the smell of salt air, the memory of an orchard long gone—but the past has other plans. 

What I loved about this book is how ordinary moments are weighted with history. A doctor’s waiting room, a cup of coffee in a ferry galley, a drive down a rural road—Levine makes them feel alive with tension, because Mitch isn’t just moving through space, he’s moving through memory. Ghosts linger here, and not just Alex, the friend whose absence still cuts at him. There’s Jess, the woman he left behind, and the version of himself he can’t quite reconcile.

The writing is unhurried, like the islands themselves. There’s room for silence, for reflection, for scenes to stretch out the way real conversations do. By the end, I found myself rereading the opening lines about ashes on the water, realizing how much weight they’d gathered along the way.

This isn’t a book that hurries to a resolution. It’s a book that asks you to sit with Mitch while he figures out whether forgiveness—his own and others’—is still possible. In the end, like driftwood, he’s shaped by the tides that brought him here, but still moving with them.

Summary:

Overall, Like Driftwood on the Salish Sea is a thoughtful, unhurried story about coming home and facing the past you can’t outrun. Richard I. Levine gives us a main character shaped by war, haunted by loss, and pulled back to the San Juan Islands to reckon with love, regret, and responsibility. It’s a novel about memory and forgiveness, written with the patience of the place it inhabits. For readers who appreciate reflective, character-driven fiction rooted in a strong sense of setting, this one lingers like salt air long after you’ve finished the last page. Be ready to cry and happy reading!

You can find the book trailer here.

Check out Like Driftwood on the Salish Sea here!

 

Review: Hunting the Red Fox by W. Kenneth Tyler Jr.

~ likelystory18 ~ 2 Comments

Synopsis:

This is the story of Perry Barnes, a multi-talented man who made one bad teenage mistake in the weeks leading up to his high school graduation in 1942. On a lark he “borrowed” some jewelry that wasn’t technically his. The local judge took it personally and gave Perry the choice of an assignment to a newly formed Army special operations unit at the start of World War II or go to jail for 15 years. As a result he winds up being trained by the United States government in the skills and arts of sabotage, killing, self-preservation, espionage and ultimately how to be a first class jewel thief.

Along the way he finds himself in the movie business in the Hollywood of the 1950’s, then uses his immense physical skills in pursuit of excellence as a journeyman golfer on the PGA tour of that era with the likes of Ben Hogan, Jimmy Demaret and Arnold Palmer. Before the adventure is over Perry has stolen the world famous Mecklenburg Diamond from a known jewel thief, worth a fortune, with the intention of returning it to the authorities for love, of all things.

All the while he is befriended by the most bewildering array of characters, some real, some not, who add marvelous vignettes of clever humor, situational intrigue, and steamy romance as he earnestly pursues the one goal he covets most: finding true love, martial companionship and family.

Favorite Lines:

“In short, he was both a Man’s Man and a Ladies Man in the old sense of those terms.”

“She was clearly befuddled and exasperated, which caused her face to display the most marvelous oxymoronic look of sensual wholesomeness. I think I was smitten.”

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

W. Kenneth Tyler, Jr.’s Hunting the Red Fox is a story that doesn’t just entertain—it invites you to sit down at the table, pour a bourbon, and listen in as secrets are slowly, almost reluctantly, unveiled. What begins as a casual meeting between Roger Mace, an amateur writer and golf enthusiast, and the magnetic Perry Barnes, an aging Southern gentleman with a silky drawl, unfolds into a sweeping tale of love, regret, mischief, and the kind of life you almost can’t believe anyone actually lived.

Tyler has a gift for pacing. Just as you think you’ve settled into a charming yarn about golf in the 1950s, the ground shifts—suddenly you’re in the middle of jewel heists, military intrigue, and confessions that leave you wondering how much of Perry’s story is truth and how much is performance. And that’s the real hook: Perry himself. He’s equal parts con man and philosopher, hustler and gentleman, a character who charms both the reader and his would-be chronicler, Roger.

The book also strikes an interesting balance between humor and weight. One minute you’re laughing at Roger’s painfully awkward attempts at interviewing, and the next you’re drawn into Perry’s memories of loss, survival, and the choices that haunt him even at eighty-two. By the time the so-called “Red Fox” begins to reveal himself, you realize this isn’t just a story about golf or crime or even redemption—it’s about how an ordinary man’s life can intersect with history in the most unexpected ways.

It’s a long, winding tale, but Tyler knows how to keep you listening. Like Roger himself, you come away unsure whether Perry Barnes is telling you the whole truth, but convinced that you’ve been given a gift in hearing his story at all.

Summary:

Overall, Hunting the Red Fox blends memoir-style storytelling with novelistic suspense, leaving readers to weigh for themselves whether Perry Barnes was simply a man with colorful tales or a true “Red Fox” whose life was stranger than fiction. Readers who enjoy historical fiction thrillers full of suspense, espionage, and memoir-style narratives may enjoy this book. Happy reading!

Check out Hunting the Red Fox here!

 

Review: Blessings Abound: Awaken to the Gifts at Hand by Katherine Scherer and Eileen Bodoh

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Synopsis:

Blessings truly abound.

With this book, Katherine Scherer and Eileen Bodoh serve as our guides to revealing them, glorifying them, and super-charging them. Drawing upon inner experiences and wisdom, from ancient and contemporary sources, including Native American lore and the Christian Bible, and from a diverse selection of many who have gone before such as Wordsworth, Thoreau, Whitman, Tagore, and others, the authors guide readers as they embark on a journey to discover and appreciate their own inner and outer blessings. With a connection to spirit and their personal divinity, Katherine and Eileen empower readers with the truth, magic, peace, and gratitude inherent in the words.

Discover blessings in human and divine love, in unassumed places, in the natural world, in music, and in our everyday lives. The power and awe of blessings comes forth in waves as the book allows us to realize the unlimited nature of all that we encounter, even aspects of our lives we may think of as painful or trite.

Favorite Lines:

“All the flowers of all the tomorrows are in the seeds of today.”

“Wear gratitude like a cloak and it will feed every corner of your life.”

“Good friends give us a sense of belonging and acceptance.”

“Happiness is a condition of mind not a result of circumstances.”

“People and things do not have the power to make us happy. Happiness is an inside job and each of us is responsible for our own happiness.”

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book from the authors in exchange for my honest opinion.

From the very first pages of Blessings Abound, readers are invited into a gentle yet profound exploration of gratitude. Scherer and Bodoh structure the book around three clear categories—“Blessings Received,” “Blessings Taken for Granted,” and “Blessings Found in Disguise”—allowing each section to build upon the last as they guide us from noticing simple gifts to embracing life’s hidden lessons. The authors’ shared voice feels warm and companionable, as if sitting across from an old friend over tea, sharing stories meant to uplift and embolden.

The strength of Blessings Abound  lies in its blend of personal reflection and timeless wisdom. Throughout the chapters, the authors interweave spiritual insights, classical quotations, and relatable anecdotes—from the beat of our own hearts to the hush of dawn’s first light. This variety of entry points ensures that every reader, regardless of background or belief, can find a passage that resonates deeply. The writing style is unpretentious but never shallow; each short meditation invites pause and genuine self‑examination.

Equally compelling is the authors’ insistence that even adversity holds blessings in disguise. Rather than offering trite affirmation, they acknowledge life’s hardships—addiction, loss, fear—and then gently reframe them as portals to growth and empathy. This honest approach lends Blessings Abound  an authenticity too often missing from the self‑help genre. 

Visually, the book’s layout—complete with inspirational sidebars, poetic quotes, and an accessible table of contents—makes it easy to dip in for just a few minutes at breakfast or to linger over an entire section in the evening. Whether you’re seeking a daily boost of hope or a deeper map for personal reflection, the book’s modular format means you can follow its ordering or blaze your own trail through individual chapters.

Summary:

Overall, Blessings Abound  is a thoughtfully crafted invitation to rediscover gratitude in every facet of life. Divided into three thematic sections, it moves readers from recognizing everyday gifts to uncovering the silver linings in hardship. Grounded in both spiritual tradition and down‑to‑earth anecdotes, Scherer and Bodoh offer an honest, uplifting companion for anyone wishing to cultivate a more grateful, resilient heart. Whether read cover to cover or explored in short bursts, this book reminds us that blessings truly do abound—if only we awaken to receive them. Happy reading!

Check out Blessings Abound: Awaken to the Gifts at Hand here!

 

Review: Spellbound by the Captain’s Curse by Frances Mary Dunham

~ likelystory18 ~ 1 Comment

Synopsis:

A Spicy Fantasy Romance of Blood Magic, Cursed Lovers, and Storm-Bound Passion.

She came for vengeance. He offered ruin. Together, they’ll defy the gods—or die trying.

Heiress Abigail Derby was born to rule the seas. She’s fought her way through storms, smugglers, and scheming noblemen to claim her place at the helm of her father’s shipping business. But when a shipment critical to her family’s legacy is stolen by none other than her long-time rival—Captain Wesley Northrup, the maddeningly seductive pirate with a devil’s grin and a taste for destruction—Abigail launches a personal mission of retribution. What she doesn’t expect is to uncover his devastating secret: Wesley is a cursed warlock.

Bound by ghost-forged chains and the ancient power of a fractured Oathstone, Wesley is slowly being consumed by magic—body and soul. Each silver-blue link etched across his chest is both a prison and a death sentence. The only way to break the curse is through blood magic—dark, forbidden rituals that require sacrifice, pain, and a bond no spell can fake. The deeper they go, the more Abigail must give. Her blood. Her trust. Her desire.

And she’s burning with all three.

As they descend into a world of haunted ruins, sea beasts, smugglers, and betrayal, Abigail and Wesley find themselves fighting not just for survival, but for control—of the curse, of their futures, and of the explosive passion that ignites every time they touch. What begins as an uneasy truce becomes an irresistible hunger neither of them can deny.

Every ritual draws them closer. Every broken chain demands a deeper intimacy. And every act of magic tempts fate itself.

But the curse is not the only danger.

There are forces in Salem who want Abigail’s empire to fall. Enemies from Wesley’s past who would see him dragged beneath the waves. Ghosts. Gods. Monsters. And as the storm builds around them, the final ritual may cost more than blood—it may demand their hearts, their souls, or the destruction of everything they swore to protect.

Will they break the curse before it breaks them? Or will love be the greatest risk of all?

Prepare to be swept away by:
Enemies-to-lovers heat that explodes off the page
Forced marriage by decree
Erotic blood magic & soul-binding rituals
A cursed rogue sea captain & a proud, powerful heiress
Sea monsters, ghost-inked chains & salt-kissed kisses
Savage intimacy, sacred vows & one unforgettable final bond

Set against the dark allure of colonial Salem and the raging Atlantic, Spellbound By The Captain’s Curse is a deliciously wicked blend of slow-burn tension, supernatural danger, and off-the-charts spice. This standalone fantasy romance delivers everything you crave—grit, guts, and gasp-worthy passion wrapped in lyrical prose and high-stakes adventure.

The rituals are brutal. The sex is searing. The love is something they never saw coming.

For readers who devour the seductive danger of The Bridge Kingdom, the raw intensity of From Blood and Ash, and the dark romantic magic of A Soul to Keep, this book will leave you aching, breathless, and completely spellbound.

Favorite Lines:

“I am terrified not of dying, but of opening myself to Wesley—of letting him see the soft, damaged parts I keep hidden even from myself. And that, I realize, is exactly what the curse wants.”

“I forgot how allergic you are to being outbid.”

“You mistake audacity for cleverness…You mistake privilege for immunity.”

“The storm didn’t claim them. Desire did.”

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

From the very first page, Frances Mary Dunham’s Spellbound by the Captain’s Curse sweeps you into Abigail Derby’s world of salt‑sprayed decks, candlelit archives, and auctions where fortunes—and honor—are won or lost in a heartbeat. Abigail, acting head of Derby Shipping, is introduced in full force at a high‑stakes auction where she dares to outbid Salem’s fiercest merchant captains—until Captain Wesley Northrup, the legendary “North Sea Devil,” arrives to crush her last vestige of pride.

Dunham balances razor‑sharp wit with crackling sexual tension. Abigail’s fierce determination and Wesley’s dark magnetism play off each other like thunder and lightning: each encounter leaves them both scorched and craving more. Unlike many romances, their enemies‑to‑lovers arc is driven as much by legacy and honor as by desire. The looming threat of the ancient Oathstone—a relic that can bind souls as surely as chains bind wrists—raises the stakes from personal rivalry to a battle for free will itself.

The novel’s pacing is masterful. After the charged auction scene, we follow Abigail into the storm‑lashed Maritime Archives, where she uncovers forbidden laws and the terrible power of the Oathstone. Moments of high romance—stolen glances, near‑touches, and whispered challenges—are threaded through discoveries that could undo her family’s legacy forever. Dunham’s prose is evocative without ever becoming overwrought: you taste the brine on your lips, feel the weight of Abigail’s defiance, and shiver at every hint of magic lurking in Salem’s shadows.

At its heart, this is a story about choice: whether to cling to the safety of solitude or risk everything for connection. Abigail and Wesley must decide if the bond the Oathstone forces upon them is a prison—and whether their own hearts are worth the gamble. 

Summary:

Overall, for readers who love gritty coastal settings, smart heroines, morally complex heroes, and slow‑burn romance that truly earns its happy ending, Spellbound by the Captain’s Curse is an absolute must‑read. Happy reading!

Check out Spellbound by the Captain’s Curse here!

Review: Steel Slides and Yellow Walls by Alicia Swain

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Synopsis:

In Steel Slides and Yellow Walls, Alicia Swain navigates the labyrinthine journey women undergo to form their identities. Through a feminist lens and distinctive voice, her collection veraciously portrays the trials that forge women into sagacious, resilient adults. From contemplation of how to balance mental health despite knowing what tribulations are sure to come, to the title poem’s exploration of how traumatic memories can continue to haunt in the most unexpected situations, Swain offers a look at the diverse experiences that mold women into the tenacious beings they are.

Favorite Lines:

As I do with all my short story and poetry collection reviews, rather than sharing favorite quotes, I am sharing a couple of my favorite poems from the collection: Melancholy Sea and Progress.

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

Swain’s debut poetry collection is arranged in four movements—ASK, EXPERIENCE, RECOVER, and GROW. The early poems interrogate everything we’re taught to revere (church, family, small-town courtesy), and the questions don’t land politely; they leave scorch marks. By the time we reach “Recover,” you can feel the speaker’s lungs straining for air, every line break a gasp.

What hooked me first was the mash-up of bodily grit and lit-class reference. One minute we’re in a fluorescent corridor counting bruises, the next we’re weighing “fire and brimstone” against the smell of burning pages . That collision—philosophy crashing into living tissue—makes the anger ring out. Yet there’s tenderness too, tucked between the ribs: Swain lets small moments of care flicker in, just long enough to keep the reader breathing.

Structurally, the poems feel like they were written on a tightrope. White space widens whenever the emotion tips toward overwhelm, then contracts to a single punch-in-the-gut sentence. Repeated images—yellow paint, steel playground equipment, water—stitch the book together, so even the looser, more experimental pieces never drift far from the central pulse. It’s a risky balance of accessibility and formal play, but it pays off.

Readers who appreciate lyric experimentation will find plenty to admire, while those new to contemporary poetry will still be carried along by the clarity of the speaker’s emotion.

Summary:

Unflinching yet ultimately restorative, Swain’s debut is for readers who crave poetry that stares down cruelty and answers with hard-earned self-authority. If you value collections that marry bold feminist critique with lyrical grace, Steel Slides and Yellow Walls deserves a place on your shelf. Happy reading!

Check out Steel Slides and Yellow Walls here!

 

Review: The Chronicles of Ordi: Brotherhood of the Lost Gems by Alex Zenk

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Synopsis:

In the sprawling fantasy realm of Asheros, Ordi—a dwarf mage of unprecedented talent—finds himself thrust into a desperate quest when rumors emerge that the Dark Lord Xerxes has returned from the dead. Together with his loyal posh hound companion Mira and his warrior brother Verdun, Ordi must embark on a perilous journey to recover the legendary Otthroite gems, ancient artifacts of immense power.

As darkness spreads across the land, Ordi’s party grows to include unlikely allies: a mysterious elven druid named Nimue, a gnome healer, and a charismatic bard hiding dark secrets. Their quest takes them through treacherous forests, abandoned dwarven strongholds, and into territories untraveled for centuries, all while battling the forces of the encroaching evil.

With each step, Ordi discovers more about the world’s forgotten magic and his own extraordinary connection to the arcane. The gems they seek were once used to enhance the weapons and armor of legendary heroes—but finding them proves far more dangerous than anticipated when betrayal strikes from within their ranks.

Time is running short as reports of attacks along the borderlands grow more frequent and disturbing. Ordi must master ancient spells, navigate political tensions between races, and confront enemies both seen and unseen if he hopes to prevent the prophecies of destruction that haunt his dreams.

If you enjoyed The Fellowship of the Ring, The Eye of the World, and The Wise Man’s Fear, you’ll love The Chronicles of Ordi: Brotherhood of the Lost Gems.

Favorite Lines:

““Oh, the winds, they sing our tale, of heroes bold who shall not fail. Our hopes and dreams will see us through the mist and twilight’s hue.”

“I can make you a god… but first, you must die.”

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion. 

In The Chronicles of Ordi: Brotherhood of the Lost Gems, Alex Zenk gives us a fantasy tale that wears its heart proudly on its sleeve. It’s a classic quest at its core—complete with a call to action, a legendary artifact, and a band of unlikely heroes—but what sets it apart is the emotional vulnerability of its central character and the steady exploration of themes like faith, forgiveness, and the meaning of purpose.

The story follows Ordi, a reclusive dwarf who has spent years hiding from the world—and from his past. But when an unexpected vision shakes him out of his spiritual exile, he’s drawn into a divine mission that might be bigger than he’s prepared for. He’s not a warrior or a prophet, but he is someone who believes in doing what’s right, even if it hurts. That kind of quiet courage powers much of the book’s emotional momentum.

As the journey unfolds, Ordi joins forces with a growing band of companions, forming the “Brotherhood of the Lost Gems.” Their quest isn’t just to retrieve magical stones—it’s a search for hope, healing, and second chances. Zenk’s writing isn’t flashy or dense; it’s clear, sincere, and often meditative, especially in its reflections on Ordi’s relationship with Elandril, the world’s creator deity. The spiritual undertones feel authentic and integrated, adding depth without becoming preachy.

This is a book for readers who enjoy fantasy driven by relationships and ideals as much as by action. It has moments of danger and suspense, yes—but also long stretches of conversation, camaraderie, and introspection. The pacing may feel gentle to some, but the rewards are emotional rather than explosive.

Summary:

Overall, Brotherhood of the Lost Gems is a thoughtful, redemptive fantasy debut with a rich spiritual core. It champions kindness, humility, and the power of belief—not just in gods or magic, but in each other. If you’re looking for a quest with soul, this one’s worth answering.

Check out The Chronicles of Ordi: Brotherhood of the Lost Gems here!

Monthly Features – July 2025

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MATE: A Novel in Twenty Games by Robert Castle

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

Synopsis: MATE: a novel in twenty games deals with marriage as a chess game. What distinguishes MATE from other stories and novels about the life and death of a relationship is its radical correlation of the actions of a husband and wife to chess moves. The logic of the novel suggests: chess is war reduced to a game; marriage is chess; marriage is war. That is the tragedy—marriage, as a human institution and human desire, is innately tragic. In marriage, one or the other partner feel obliged to annihilate the other in a struggle for…what? This is the central question and riddle of MATE.

Summary: Overall, sharp, exhausting, and wickedly funny, MATE argues that when love turns into a tournament, the best most of us can hope for is a well-fought draw—and maybe a laugh at the post-game press conference.

See the full review here: MATE
Purchase here

 

Hearing My Secrets by Julie L. James

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

Synopsis: At first glance, Marion Andrews would seem to have it all. She’s just been promoted at her job at the top home design magazine where she’s worked for a few years on the creative team, and she’s earned it, even after a few blunders. Her personality and work ethic have taken her far, but not everything is as it seems in her personal life.

Marion’s been hiding her biggest insecurity for years, and now that she’s working closer with her handsome and austere boss, Mr. Shaler, she’s never felt more unsure about whether or not she should reveal it. Mr. Shaler isn’t as intimidating as Marion thought and she never expected things between them to be quite so friendly.

During her transition in her new position, she meets Charlie, a stranger who insinuates he knows things about her past. Charlie keeps popping up in her life, revealing more each time, and getting closer to Marion in every way.

Caught between her tragic past and her dramatic present life, Marion realizes she doesn’t have control over everything and has to find a way to navigate how she can “have it all” without the unforeseen drama that comes with it.

Summary: Overall,  this book is full of warmth, wit, and an eye for every day beauty. It offers a slow-burning romance wrapped in emotional honesty, making it a refreshingly grounded and relatable read. If you like romance with a splash of comedy, then this book could be for you.

See the full review here: Hearing My Secrets
Purchase here

 

Review: Hearing My Secrets by Julie L. James

~ likelystory18 ~ 2 Comments

Synopsis:

At first glance, Marion Andrews would seem to have it all. She’s just been promoted at her job at the top home design magazine where she’s worked for a few years on the creative team, and she’s earned it, even after a few blunders. Her personality and work ethic have taken her far, but not everything is as it seems in her personal life.

Marion’s been hiding her biggest insecurity for years, and now that she’s working closer with her handsome and austere boss, Mr. Shaler, she’s never felt more unsure about whether or not she should reveal it. Mr. Shaler isn’t as intimidating as Marion thought and she never expected things between them to be quite so friendly.

During her transition in her new position, she meets Charlie, a stranger who insinuates he knows things about her past. Charlie keeps popping up in her life, revealing more each time, and getting closer to Marion in every way.

Caught between her tragic past and her dramatic present life, Marion realizes she doesn’t have control over everything and has to find a way to navigate how she can “have it all” without the unforeseen drama that comes with it.

Favorite Lines:

“Gratitude is always the best attitude.”

“‘What do you have against hot drinks?’ I asked. ‘The concept of soaking ground bits of vegetation in boiling hot water feels wrong to me,’ he explained.”

“I moved closer, resting my head on his chest, hearing his heart beneath me, and appreciating the sound of every single beat.”

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

Julie L. James’s Hearing My Secrets is a heartfelt and quietly powerful novel that blends workplace drama, hidden disabilities, and unexpected romance into something utterly engaging. From the opening pages, we’re drawn into Marion’s world—a young editorial assistant at a glossy home design magazine who is trying to keep a tightly held secret: she wears hearing aids.

The strength of this book lies in its honesty. James doesn’t sugarcoat Marion’s insecurities, frustrations, or her deep desire to be seen for her talent, not her limitations. The writing is warm, often funny, and steeped in the little textures of life—fabric swatches, late-night train rides, whispered lobby secrets. There’s something incredibly comforting in how ordinary everything feels, even as major emotional shifts are happening.

The story evolves gently, but not without stakes. Between a blossoming workplace crush, office politics, and glimpses into Marion’s painful childhood accident, Hearing My Secrets keeps you hooked with emotional resonance rather than high drama. And when romance sparks, it’s the kind that feels earned—tender, tentative, and full of chemistry.

It’s rare to find a novel that explores disability, ambition, and love with this much grace. This is a quiet triumph of a story—one that champions sensitivity without sentimentality, and strength without loud declarations. You’ll be rooting for Marion from the first page to the last.

Summary:

Overall,  this book is full of warmth, wit, and an eye for every day beauty. It offers a slow-burning romance wrapped in emotional honesty, making it a refreshingly grounded and relatable read. If you like romance with a splash of comedy, then this book could be for you. Happy reading!

Check out Hearing My Secrets here!

 

Review: The Regression Strain by Kevin Hwang

~ likelystory18 ~ Leave a comment

Synopsis:

Nobody’s safe when the inner beast awakens…

Dr. Peter Palma joins the medical team of the Paradise to treat passengers for minor ailments as the cruise ship sails across the Atlantic. But he soon discovers that something foul is festering under the veneer of leisure. Deep in the bowels of the ship, a vile affliction pits loved ones against each other and shatters the bonds of civil society. The brig fills with felons, the morgue with bodies, and the vacation becomes a nightmare.

One by one, the chaos claims Peter’s allies. His mentor spirals into madness and the security chief fights a losing battle against anarchy. No help comes from the captain, who has an ego bigger than the ocean.

With the ship racing toward an unprepared New York, the fate of humanity hinges on Peter’s deteriorating judgment. But he’s hallucinating and delirious…and sometimes primal urges are impossible to resist.

The Regression Strain is a fast-paced medical thriller laced with psychological suspense, perfect for fans of Michael Crichton and Blake Crouch.

Favorite Lines:

“Right back into it, then. He was a kid on a roller coaster cresting the first big incline—the moment before the bottom fell out. He opened the closet and confronted his uniform. Sure, he’d paid for the ride, but that didn’t make it any less stomach-churning.”

“Funny how standards eroded in the face of devastation.”

“The holes in his memory were filling in like groundwater welling up in the paw prints of a rabid raccoon. Muddy and random.”

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

What starts as a slow simmer quickly boils over in The Regression Strain, Kevin Hwang’s debut that’s equal parts medical mystery, psychological spiral, and pandemic-era existential horror. It’s not a long book, but it’s the kind that lingers—creeping into your thoughts days after you’ve closed it.

The story follows Dr. Peter Palma caught in the chaos of a rapidly spreading fungal pandemic. But Hwang doesn’t just want to tell a virus-outbreak story. He wants to pick at your nerves. The plot slips between sanity, and reality in a way that’s deliberately disorienting. Think fever dream with a med school vocabulary. And I mean that as a compliment.

What makes this novel hum is the way Hwang blends scientific precision with narrative messiness. There’s an almost surgical attention to detail in the clinical scenes—no surprise, given Hwang’s background in medicine—but it never feels like a lecture. Instead, the book immerses you in the  high-stakes environment of a cruise ship in the midst of a mysterious illness, only to pull the rug out with unsettling shifts in tone and perception. At times, I questioned whether what I was reading was happening at all—much like the narrator himself. It’s a risky move, but it works.

Stylistically, it won’t be for everyone. The prose can be clipped and clinical one moment, then rush into sensory overload the next. It’s intentional and immersive, but it can make for a slightly uneven reading experience. That said, if you’re the kind of reader who doesn’t mind being dropped into the deep end—without floaties—there’s a lot to appreciate here.

Emotionally, The Regression Strain taps into something very now. The anxiety of being overeducated but powerless. The loneliness of a pandemic. The slow erosion of certainty. It’s not a comforting read, but it’s a relatable one, especially if you’ve ever tried to logic your way through a crisis and come out the other side more confused than when you started.

Summary:

Overall, is it horror? Sci-fi? Psychological drama? Honestly, it’s all of the above and then some. Hwang doesn’t seem interested in coloring within genre lines, and that’s part of the fun. The Regression Strain is sharp, strange, and surprisingly affecting. It’s not your typical outbreak story—It’s weirder (in a good way), smarter, and a bit sadder.

Can we also take a minute to acknowledge that Hwang is a whole father and doctor and still somehow found time to write this masterpiece, I am in awe! If you like horror, suspense, action, medical mysteries, sci-fi, and/or thrillers then this book could be for you. Happy reading!

Check out The Regression Strain here!