Reviewed by Aimee Carol Dixon for Readers' Favorite

Ending the war is one thing. Becoming queen is another affair entirely. Kitlyn and Oona have come a long way from the young women who successfully ended the war between Lucernia and Evermoor, but their fight is far from over. With the revelation of King Talomir's deception comes a crisis of faith among the people of Lucernia. Between that broken trust, the weakening belief in their god of truth and purity, and the shocking love their princess has for another woman that many still cannot accept, Lucernia is heading quickly for a costly reckoning. Following the advice of her advisors but also her heart, Kitlyn introduces few yet crucial changes to her kingdom upon her coronation. The acceptance of Tenebrea coupled with the successful completion of their marriage rites gain Kitlyn and Oona a much-needed reprieve and a great deal of acceptance from the people they now rule over. And just in time, as Kitlyn and Oona will have to rely upon all of their strength, wits, and magic to survive when a new threat emerges to prey upon the people of Lucernia and Evermoor alike. Led by Oona's faith to the Underholm, what Kitlyn and Oona discover in the dark recesses of the earth will expose secrets long hidden and show just how little the citizens of both kingdoms know about their past. The Cursed Crown, sequel to Matthew S. Cox's The Eldritch Heart, will leave fans guessing until the very end.

The pacing is superb, each event coming along according to its nature, making the entire novel something pleasantly organic. There is always a little concern when going into a sequel; are the characters going to feel the same, will the world be familiar, how much recapping is necessary for the next installment? All these fears and more are set aside within the first few pages of The Cursed Crown. The clear dichotomy of the two main characters holds true in the sequel and gives credence to both sides. Oona grieves for the man she knew as her father and holds Kitlyn’s suffering above all. Kitlyn feels nothing for the man she now knows as her father and finds anger the most ready emotion, but on the behalf of the people of Evermoor and Lucernia who were killed and betrayed by his greed-fueled actions rather than his actions against her personally.

Cox's skill in showcasing each woman's strengths as a queen and as a maturing young woman is paired poignantly with their struggles to return peace to their struggling kingdom, the flip between perspectives actually enhancing the story, with Oona and Kitlyn's very different personalities pulling out details the other wouldn't have if their chapters were switched. Characters old and new populate the unfurling world of The Cursed Crown, packed with the clever and often hilarious dialogue that made The Eldritch Heart so enjoyable. It isn't all political intrigue and games, however. The Cursed Crown tracks through some heavy topics, including suicide, pride, religious differences, and self-sacrifice. The end result is a novel I cannot recommend strongly enough.

Reviewed by Divine Zape for Readers' Favorite

Travis (Boys of Brighton Book 6) by M. Tasia is a mesmerizing contemporary romance and a breezy read. Travis Boone has finally found a home in Brighton, Texas. Focused on his work as a cook now, he is quickly forgetting what it felt like to live on the streets and in his car. Now he can afford the things he really wants. But one thing is about to change the life he wants to build for himself and it's the gorgeous cop, Bo Mason, who seems interested in him. Travis isn't sure what to do for deep down he knows that Bo won't want to pursue him if his secrets become known. But Bo isn't a fool and he sees far beyond what Travis thinks.

I haven't read any previous books in the Boys of Brighton series but this entry - that reads so well for a standalone - convinced me of the author's gift for character and plot. The narrative begins with a pacing that is deceptively slow, but the speed increases as the key characters are revealed. I loved the way the characters evolve through the narrative. From the start, Travis seems timid, a character who tends to keep to himself. Bo is intelligent and can read more into Travis's small smiles. The author knows how to explore the hearts of the characters, developing emotions and thoughts that readers can easily relate to. The setting is well developed and the plot, though seemingly simple, is enriched by the author's ability to keep the story real and the emotions intense. The story is told in a compelling tone and in gorgeous prose.

Reviewed by Liz Konkel for Readers' Favorite

Killing with Kings by Lois Lavrisa is the fourth book in the Georgia Coast Cozy Mysteries and, as with previous books, this can be read as a standalone. Jose thought he had his hands full with the new rookie on the bomb squad, but then a fellow officer dies during a poker game. When his friend is the leading suspect, Jose takes up the investigation for himself to find the truth. With the rookie determined to help and his closest friends eager to lend a hand, Jose knows it's just a matter of time before he finds the killer or before the killer finds him.

The other books don't have to be read in order to be able to understand the plot and you can easily immerse yourself in the mystery. Those who have read previous installments will have fun seeing their favorite characters again and will take note of a few references to previous mysteries. Jose feels like he's leading two lives: one with his closest friends who know everything about him and one as a cop where he constantly keeps a secret. Having only come out to his friends and sisters, Jose is torn between the two sides of himself. Lois Lavrisa weaves Jose's fear of coming out to his fellow officers into his journey as he works through the fear that telling them will change how they view and respect him. His investigation pits him against his fellow officers but he never wavers in his mission to find the truth.

Assisting him along the way are his closest friends who can be recognized as the main sleuths of the previous books: Bezu, Annie Mae, and Cat. They're three supportive and encouraging friends who stick by him through every moment and every part of his life. They also factor into the mystery throughout with each playing a part in some way or another. The dynamic between Jose and the rookie Nowak provides humor as Jose is a more experienced cop and is driven while she's brash and tends to jump the gun. The differences in their personalities tend to create a fun banter between them but Jose takes the place of a role model for her. Killing with Kings is a mystery with charming characters, an endearing voice, plenty of humor, and a journey of self.

Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite

Building Us by Rick Bettencourt is a compelling romance with an irresistible appeal for LGBTQ fans. Evan and Dillon have been married for five years and their marketing business has been doing well until they find themselves in crisis with marketing proposals not bringing in clients. When a movie company offers to feature their dog Detritus in a film, they welcome the offer, hoping to make some extra money, plus there might be a small part for handsome Dillon, who seems to have the attention of the film’s leading man. With their conflicting personalities, can Evan and Dillon save a marriage that is already threatened with financial constraints when someone famous has his eyes on Dillon?

The prose is gorgeous, just like the characters, and Rick Bettencourt’s gift for plot and character makes this narrative a hard-to-put-down kind of book. The characters have depth and the singularity in their personalities comes out through the narrative. Themes of love, family, and financial success are explored with skill and intelligence. The novel begins with a general, realistic statement that grabs the reader’s attention immediately: “In the truest sense of the word gay, our marriage doesn’t smack of happily ever after. Life reaches forward and slaps you upside the head with what’s important — health, love, friends — and alters your course.” This statement introduces the themes and one of the key characters, Evan. The story is told in the first person narrative and alternating between the key characters, hence allowing readers to enter into dialogue with the characters. The conflict in Building Us is highly emotional and the psychological depth of the story deepens the sense of humanity infused in it. Loved every piece of the story as it moved from one challenging moment to the next.