Review: The Blockchain Syndicate by Robbie Bach

About the Book

A dead man blackmails a United States senator.

A Russian assassin leaves a trail of bodies.

A cryptic criminal syndicate unleashes financial chaos.

A courageous war hero races to save her family—and her country.

Set amid the turbulence of today’s headlines, this gripping techno-thriller—the second in Bach’s series to feature Tamika Smith—pulses with high-stakes intrigue and razor-edged political drama.

Senator Tamika Smith’s new year begins in shambles. First she receives an email threatening to expose her past—a threat from someone she knows is dead. Then her boyfriend, Johnny Humboldt, is kidnapped in broad daylight after his daughter is wounded in a California school shooting. Someone is desperate to take Tamika down and damage the country she loves. The attacks are professional, the delivery is flawless, and the message unmistakable: America is broken, and someone is determined to fix it their way.

Standing in the eye of the storm, Tamika must navigate a political landscape riddled with betrayal, misinformation, and moral decay to rescue Johnny and uncover the group behind the web of conspiracy. As the country spirals toward financial Armageddon and democracy itself begins to unravel, Tamika must decide what she is willing to sacrifice to save her family and pull the nation back from the brink. With its sharp blend of shadowy villains and morally torn heroes, The Blockchain Syndicate dares you to question everything—right up to the final, breathless moment.

Review

The Blockchain Syndicate is a techno thriller that feels like you are reading something taken straight from one of today’s headlines. Bach features Senator Tamika Smith in his latest installment and as a reader be prepared for an intense, gripping experience that will make you not want to put this book down.

The novel grips you from the start with an opening that just doesn’t allow you to want to put the book down. Bach lays down the framework well with establishing the danger everywhere. He brings Senator Smith right there is the center of it. We are thrust into the action of the kidnapping of her boyfriend and wounding of his daughter while she is pushed in an entanglement of misinformation, betrayal and political corruption. Someone has it out for her. Not only wanting to take her down but the country. There begins a race of time for her to decide what she is willing to give up to save her family and democracy. 

The plot of this book was just so brilliant. The attention to detail and the work to support creating a plausible experience was seamless. The way he blends the action, intelligence, political drama and tech elements into a fast paced novel without compromising the character depth made a great read. The tension building towards that unexpected ending really makes you think about a lot of things, especially how far people will go when the lines between truth, power and technology begin to blur.

I’m not sure how much relevance to tell you to read the first book prior because this could be read as a standalone and get the overall picture. Considering what I read and references and understanding of her and things that happened before, I think you might want to read the first installment, The Wilkes Insurrection. If it’s anything like this one then you will not want to miss out. 

I thought this book was amazing. You don’t get many amazing heroine protagonists in this type of genre so this was a welcomed and appreciated surpise. If you love thrillers with a great protagonist with an intelligent plot blending tech and politics, this might be one I’d recommend putting on your reading list.

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Review: Space Vampire by Ruby Dixon

About the Book

In a universe full of heartless aliens, an abandoned human and a vampire clone discover an unexpected connection in this delightfully bite-size short story by New York Times bestselling author Ruby Dixon.

Dana, the overlooked human pet of an alien scientist, and Vlad, a genetically engineered vampire with a taste for more than just blood, find themselves unexpectedly alone on a deserted space station. As they plot their escape, they’ll have to navigate cramped quarters, steamy encounters, and the growing realization that they might be each other’s perfect match. But with their captors in hot pursuit, will their budding romance survive the vast emptiness of space?

Ruby Dixon’s Space Vampire is part of Scared Sexy, a deliciously dark collection of Halloween romance where things that go bump in the night might just steal your heart. These seductive stand-alone stories blend chills and heat in the perfect Halloween treat—each designed to be devoured in one sitting.

Review

Space Vampire is the fourth installment in the Scared Sexy Collection. After not immensely enjoying Spicy Little Curses, I decided to continue this series; however, I gave it another go. Space Vampires was definitely a step in the right direction. It was a nice palette cleanser. Very short and fun. The author didn’t take herself too seriously. Not sure if it was intentional, but I saw some Frankenstein comparisons while reading.

The main characters tend to be forgettable a few hours after reading; however, I did appreciate that their romance had some build-up. I saw the connection between them and genuinely liked them together.

Final Thoughts

Space Vampires was an entertaining and silly read to me. This is the type of story I expected within this collection. 

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Review: Spicy Little Curses by J.T. Geissinger

About the Book

A reporter’s disbelief in the supernatural is tested when she uncovers a tattoo artist’s sinister family secrets in an enthralling short story by New York Times bestselling author J.T. Geissinger.

Petra is skeptical when it comes to the French Quarter’s creepy urban legends. Until she meets Dax Rousseau, the proprietor of the House of Ink and Blood. The eldritch markings on his flesh tell more than the tale of a doomed bloodline. They come slitheringly alive. And the nearer Petra gets to the maddeningly sexy Dax, the closer she is to being the next victim of his ancient family curse.

J.T. Geissinger’s Spicy Little Curses is part of Scared Sexy, a deliciously dark collection of Halloween romance where things that go bump in the night might just steal your heart. These seductive stand-alone stories blend chills and heat in the perfect Halloween treat—each designed to be devoured in one sitting.

Review

Spicy Little Curses is a disappointing installment in the Scared Sexy collection. Including this one, I’ve only read three out of six, and so far, this one falls in the bottom tier. Not only did it feel over-the-top, but Geissinger also created two of the less interesting characters. Neither Petra nor Dax’s characters or romance added anything to this story. There’s no connection with them, which makes their insta-love romance feel dull. Not to mention the forced “Notebook” nickname Dax gives Perta. I specifically want to point out their first kiss, which had little to no buildup. The most interesting part of Spicy Little Curses is the backstory with Dax’s family. That seemed fun.

Final Thoughts

"Spicy Little Curses" is a bottom-tier installment in the “Scared Sexy” collection. The main characters are uninteresting, and their insta-love romance felt dull due to a lack of connection and a poor build-up to key moments, like their first kiss. The only redeemable aspect of the book was the fun backstory involving Dax's family.

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Review: Bottom of the Breath by Jayne Mills

In her debut novel, Bottom of the Breath was a quiet exploration that mirrored the transformation of a woman through the depths of a reflective journey.

Cyd’s life is upended by the discovery of infidelity, an unexpected inheritance from an estranged aunt and family secrets that challenges her past and present. As the novel takes readers on a journey across the country that balances a literal and emotional landscape, mirroring the storm she is dealing with internally, she pushes finding the courage to seek the answers she so desperately is searching for.

What started off as a journey with her husband, agreeing to the terms contingent on them trying to salvage the wreckage of the broken pieces while experiencing this trip of a lifetime, they are met with brewing tensions climaxing to the decision of Cyd deciding to continue this journey alone. While the state of her marriage is left to be determined, what she is sure of is the determination to find the strength within to keep going.

With vivid imagery from the heart of the storm, Sedona and the Grand Canyon, we experience her exploratory, intimate journey of courage and resilience one moment at a time. It’s not just about the secrets that came out of her intentional journey to claim her inheritance but her finding her own voice and being able to face an uncertain but determined future. Finding her inner peace, after receiving answers to her new truths, she is forced to mend her past in order to receive her uncertain future. With moments of heartache, self reflection and wit, this novel blends together love, loss and carpe diem.

If you love a contemporary fiction novel with a strong character driven female protagonist that is supported by friendship, mystery, romance, self discovery and healing then add this one to your reading list.

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Review: Poisoned Ivy by Ava Rani

About the Book

Never Have I ever meets Rory Gilmore's college years in this decadent college romance that equal parts passion, privilege and mystery.

Malena Amin is two people.

At home, she the respectable, rule-abiding daughter that her controlling family expects. At her prestigious Ivy-League University, she’s the risk-taking, adventurous woman that she wants to be. With parents who demand to know her location settings at all times, Malena uses a secret phone and secret bank account to make her double life possible.

But when her tutoring job falls through, she hits a snag in funding that double life. So, Malena sets her eyes on the prize money from a National feature-writing contest through the school paper. And when she intercepts an invitation to an ultra-exclusive secret society on campus—she has the perfect story.

She’ll attend, lay low, and get an inside look.

Unfortunately, she’s discovered early in the night by the notorious playboy and Hastings Media heir: Conrad Hastings.

The frustratingly attractive Conrad doesn’t aspire to anything other than a good time. But when his newspaper-magnate father discovers that he’s delinquent on work for the school paper, Conrad needs to complete it before his father can make good on an ultimatum. So, he agrees to let Malena into the secret society—temporarily— if she agrees to share a byline on the article they’ll write together. Conrad fulfils his obligations, and Malena gets the inside look she needs for the contest.

But, the two soon discover an art world mystery hidden between lavish parties and Gothic libraries. And more concerningly: a palpable spark between them. With new clues unraveling before them, mounting desire they can’t ignore and Malena’s web of lies threatening to collapse—their partnership becomes a lot more than a simple deal.

Review

Poisoned Ivy was precisely what it was advertised to be—a blend of Gilmore Girls and Never Have I Ever. I absolutely enjoyed this cozy mystery and most everything that it offered me. The only criticism that I have is that the mystery was the weakest part. It didn’t seem that exciting, and at times, the plot was about it. I didn’t feel as invested in the mystery as I did in everything else.

The main characters were such a hit with me. Since arriving at Westchester, Malena has been living a double life. She hides her true self from her family out of fear that they would disown her. Malena's struggles were appropriately and heartbreakingly explored during Poisoned Ivy. As was her determination, which was one of my favorite traits. She was determined to win the award and find her freedom, willing to do whatever it took. Like Malena, Conrad had a complicated relationship with his family. Though it mostly was with his dad. Outwardly, Conrad is seen as less than his brothers and “dumb”. But the truth is that he’s not dumb, he’s just unmotivated. I loved seeing his transition and him finding his groove.

No big surprise that I loved Malena and Conrad together. I loved the angle of them working on an article together. That immediately sold me on the book. With Conrad, Malena was able to be herself without feeling expectations or judgment. He kept showing up for her, and even when she didn't voice her needs, he heard her and met them. Malena challenged Conrad and supported him in ways his family had not. The friendships were equally impressive. I loved Malena and her friend group. Conrad’s friend group was great, too, but there was one specific scene in the back half of the book where Ishani’s friendship shone the brightest for me.

Final Thoughts

I really loved Poisoned Ivy. Although the mystery is the book's weak point, it excels in other aspects, such as the main characters, who are both undergoing compelling personal growth amid their complex family dynamics. Additionally, the romance and side friendships were absolutely fantastic.  I am unbelievably excited to read the second book in this series.

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Review: Immortal Dark (Immortal Dark Trilogy Book 1) by Tigest Girma

About the Book

The Cruel Prince meets Ninth House in this dangerously romantic dark academia fantasy, where a lost heiress must infiltrate an arcane society and live with the vampire she suspects killed her family and kidnapped her sister.

It began long before my time, but something has always hunted our family.

Orphaned heiress Kidan Adane grew up far from the elusive society of vampires she was born into, where human bloodlines gain power through vampire companionship. She is obsessively protective, mildly nihilistic, and willing to do anything to save her loved ones. When her sister, June, disappears, Kidan is convinced a vampire stole her—the same vampire bound to her family bloodline, the cruel yet captivating Susenyos Sagad.

To find June, Kidan must infiltrate the elite Uxlay University—where students study to inherit their family fortune and select vampire companions. Kidan must study an arcane philosophy, work with four enigmatic students, and survive living with Susenyos—even as he does everything to drive her away. It doesn’t matter that Susenyos’s wickedness speaks to Kidan's own violent nature and tempts her to surrender to a life of darkness. She must find her sister and kill Susenyos at all costs. When a murder mirroring June’s disappearance shakes Uxlay, Kidan sinks further into the ruthless underworld of vampires, risking her very soul. There she discovers a centuries-old threat. And June could be at the center of it. To save her sister, Kidan must bring Uxlay to its knees and either break free from the horrors of her own actions or embrace the dark entanglements of love—and the blood it requires.

Review

I must applaud the author for the time that she put into developing the world within Immortal Dark. There were a lot of unique and interesting concerts – such as the house rules and concept of what each location of a vampire bite does— that I thought were genius. I loved that the author incorporated parts of her culture within the story. Those things really elevated the story to me and made this fantasy stick out from the rest.

What hinders my rating for this book is the overall story. The concept was there, but the execution was lacking. I had such a hard time understanding what was going on. Readers are thrown into this complicated world, and it’s difficult to understand at first. There’s no time to sit and take in the information. I read multiple passages multiple times and still barely comprehended what was being explained. Even things that I loved about the magic system—such as the house rules—I can’t say I had a complete understanding of how it worked.

As for Kidan, she was a decent main character. At times, she felt like a spectator, rather than someone willing to take action. She had such a hatred for vampires; however, very little did she take the time to find out their weaknesses. I did love the friendships that she found, and there were some high points between her and Susenyos. However, her relationship with her sister, June, wasn’t as effective as it could have been. Kidan’s entire mission started to locate her twin, and the connection between them felt like the weakest relationship within the book. I wish the author had started the plot before June went missing to build that relationship.

Final Thoughts

Although Immortal Dark features interesting concepts and an intense atmosphere, the book suffers from a slow and convoluted plot. This results in forgettable moments, characters, and a disconnected narrative. Furthermore, the main character feels sidelined and uncurious in her mission and story.

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