Tabitha Tomala

More Than a Little Warped takes place at the same time as Damned Souls and a Sangria. So make sure you have read it beforehand. This novella is a peek into Kit’s side of the story and his opinion of Tori never fails to impress. His movie lines do not land well and he is so intimidated by her. From a reader who lived in Tori’s mind for an entire series, seeing how others perceive her is fun.

This was a story full of action and Kit hijinks. Over time Kit is growing more as a character and stretching the boundaries he keeps himself within. When permitted to go full out on the MPD with probable cause, he pulls no punches and it is hilarious. Lienna even starts to bend the rules and surprise Kit and the reader.

More Than A Little Warped is a great snapshot into the MPD and the internal issues they have to deal with as well as the outside. The longer readers stay within Kit’s world, the more about the MPD will be revealed. And they might not be exactly as strict as they want people to believe. I’m looking forward to more of the Warped series!

Seeing into Kai’s mind is an exciting concept, but what readers see is a bit unexpected. While calculating his actions against the guild’s target, his thoughts strayed too often to the physical appeal of his female counterpart. The plot was focused on the two discovering instant attraction-level romance instead of showing off Kai’s magic and ability to work with his teammates.

For those who wish to see more romance in the Spellbound series, this novella will be exactly what you are looking for. However, for readers who lean more toward the action and magic side of the stories, this one will be a pass. There is nothing major readers will miss by not reading A Damsel and a Demigod. However, make sure you have read at least some of the Spellbound books or you won’t know who the characters are, how their magic works, or why they are recovering an artifact as this takes place before the Spellbound series.

True to the title, Blackveil sees Karigan and the green riders venturing into Blackveil Forest. For centuries the forest has been kept at bay by the Dyer wall, but as the wall grows weaker, Second Empire seeks to unleash the evil within. Yet the riders are not alone in their venture, for the Eletians have taken an interest in the forest as well. To what ends they will not fully reveal. Together the Green Riders, members of the King’s army, and the Eletians will face off against the cursed beings of the forest. But will they be able to contain it?

The audiobooks for The Green Rider series are always such a joy to listen to. The narrator, Ellen Archer, brings the characters to life with such soothing tones. And the variety at which they are able to capture each different character in such a wide cast is astonishing.

In Blackveil politics starts to become a larger presence in the story. But the level of subterfuge displayed in the story will further engage the reader in Karigan’s fate. There are members of the court obsessed with the future queen’s success and see Karigan as a barrier to it. Though future queen Estora would never harm her friend, those of her own retinue would not hesitate. And while Karigan is away in Blackveil, members of the own King's court plot to secure the marriage in other ways.

For those who enjoy romantic subplots, The Green Riders series has one steadily growing with each passing book. It has both the hint of a love triangle and forbidden love, but the characters themselves aren’t really sure what direction they will go in. While they understand they do have feelings, duties call them away and force them to reevaluate each book. And make no mistake, it isn’t the highlight of the series. There is still a major focus on dealing with a greater evil and discovering the past truths of magic long buried in history.

Blackveil was an immersive and compelling addition to The Green Rider series. Kristen Britain has a beauty with words and developing the world piece by piece. Such an intricate series is given careful attention in each passing story, building a stronger foundation and allowing characters to stretch beyond their limits. And with the way this one ended, readers will demand the next book immediately.

Aubrey Finch’s past life was less than legal. And even though she has moved on, started life with a wonderful man, and has a young daughter, the past lingers in the back of her mind. Untold secrets pick at her, causing her to doubt herself as a wife and a mother. Ultimately it is also the downfall of her marriage. Yet, it will also be the skills she gained in her past that will allow her to search for a missing child when no one else will listen.

Aubrey is a hyper-focused mother. She’s constantly doubting her decisions and comparing herself to the other mothers she sees. Yet it’s this part of her personality that allows her to know something isn’t right and witness a child abduction. Many judge her for being the type of mother she is when ultimately she’s trying to do what is best for her child.

When Aubrey’s past begins to align with the future, readers will see her abilities in action, yet she still constantly doubts herself. Aubrey is also the type of person to try and appease others without thinking of herself first. Because of this, she throws herself into the investigation to find the missing child when the police won’t listen. She becomes so focused on the investigation, that her regular life begins to suffer.

While it is nifty seeing Aubrey in action, she doesn’t face many obstacles. Most of the conflict that arises is centered around her family and the police trying to steer her away from the investigation. If there had been more action involved with sleuthing around such as close calls or built-up tension, this would have been a much more interesting read.

Readers who enjoy books with themes of motherhood and marital difficulties would enjoy Wherever She Goes. While mystery plays a part in the story, it is more so the catalyst to Aubrey’s already tense relationship and serves to drive the family problems forward.