Special Edition: The Mortar & Pestle Series

I decided to make an entire blog for one category on the 52 Book Challenge because I read all seven books in the series. The prompt was “Book Published in 2023.” My friends and I have published The Mortar & Pestle series. There are seven books, and I read them all for a review on the blog. The books center on a magical mortar and pestle that helps people find their true love.

The first book is Selkie by Sydney Winward. In the novella, Viking Klaus captures a selkie, Mayla, and plans to use her to rescue his stolen bride. The two fall in love along the way. Mayla’s magic creates a mortar and pestle with Vikings runes. The object now infused with magic will help others find their true love. The first story was amazing—the love story, the conflict, the love… all superb stuff!

In Book Two, Seeker by Jean M. Grant, we move in time and space to the Highlands of Scotland. There are archery contests, highland games, and forbidden love. Well, sort of forbidden, but it’s political for sure. Aileana and Brodie must quell the strife between their clans without causing a war. But of course, they fall in love. It’s so cute, an excellent story.

The third book, Quarter Master by Marilyn Barr, takes us to the Caribbean in the 1700s. We have not only pirates but magical women! I won’t tell you how the character is magical, but Catalina has an amazing “talent” that helps her get through. Chub, the pirate, is just exceptional. I loved their story.

In the fourth book, Sea Hunter by D.V. Stone, it’s the 1940s, just after World War II. A sea archaeologist is trying to find a sunken pirate ship but must deal with an ornery sea captain. The novella reads like Indiana Jones meets Lara Croft. They’re underwater, diving, and using innovative technology from World War II. Amazing! We have a fantastic villain and some wonderful vocabulary from the era. It’s a swoon-worthy love story.

Book Five, Revamped by Shirley Goldberg, centers on a dieting vampire, but not any old vampire. He’s an energy vampire. Instead of drinking blood, he sucks energy from his victims. He’s had enough of the lifestyle and plans to change his eating habits. Then he meets the most amazing woman, but he’s afraid his new diet will backfire. He doesn’t want to hurt her, but man, he wants her! It’s not quite forbidden love, but it’s all anxiety, total stress, and hilarious, too.

The sixth book, Trickster by Darlene Fredette, centers on a native woman working in a modeling agency in Redford Falls. Her new boss is a total pain, a total trickster, and totally hot. The novella had both an enemies-to-lovers thing and a boss/secretary trope. Though Jade was never merely the secretary. It’s amazing, in such a short time, how the characters open up and change and embrace the whole “oh my god I think I love you” thing. Of course, the mortar and pestle help him get there.

The last title, Artist, in the series is my book, and you know I’ll brag. It’s a fun story about enemies-to-lovers, a second chance romance of two former lovers at an artist colony. Lexi attends a retreat, but Cole lives there. They run into each other, and neither can decide if it’s hate or love they feel. But they are still attracted to each other. They must figure out what they want and need. There’s also a nice little subplot of another couple—the main characters’ best friends.

If you’re looking for some amazing books (most of them are still 99 cents), check out the Mortar & Pestle series. It’s a fun series. I hope you enjoy it.

 

March Books 2023

 

Either I’m early or perfectly on time. I know it’s only March 24, but I have a ton of books to share. I’m hoping next week for a special blog about my choice for “Published in 2023.” My Mortar & Pestle series has dropped, save one (mine), and I’m giving you a review! Stay tuned next week for the big reveal.

This month I read a total of 18 books—11 audio, 2 print, and 4 digital.

Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir “Starts with G” 5 Stars. What the hell did I read? This space adventure, murder mystery with necromancers had me floored. The novel is And Then There Were None with Necromancers. The story was a little long with too many characters. Not to mention, after that ending, I probably have to read the next in the series. It’s a ride. Read it.

Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott “Starts with I” 4 Stars. I started this classic in high school and always meant to finish it. Well, I did. Now I can say that. One classic a year is good enough for me.

The Book of Cold Cases by Simone St. James “Book with a Dedication” 4 Stars The dedication reads “For my mother who didn’t get to read this one.” This novel is a paranormal thriller. I was not expecting ghosts when I started this cold, case murder mystery. But who says ghosts can’t help you solve the crime? Not what I expected, but still rather good.

I’ll be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara “Published Postmortem” 4 Stars. This book was published after the unexpected death of its author. Her husband pushed for its publication and publicity. The police claim the book had nothing to do with the discovery of the killer and his subsequent arrest, but I doubt that. Good read.

The All of It by Jeanette Haien “Book Under 200 Pages” 3 Stars. This tale, at 147 pages, stumped me. I’m glad I read the foreword, or I would not have understood the story is about the priest, not the woman telling it. My coworker recommended the tale, and I
liked it. But not loved, and that’s okay.

The It Girl by Ruth Ware Typographical Title 3 Stars. If this had been my first Ruth Ware novel, I would have rated it higher. But it sounded like a retelling of her title, The Lying Game. And with the same reader for all her books, (which are in first-person), it sounded like the same girl was going through the same thing. I won’t mention how it was a slog and needed to be tighter, but I digress. Read the paper for this one.

Locked In by John Scalzi “Dystopian Fiction” 5 Stars. The novel doesn’t quite fit the category, but it’s an interesting near-future tale where we survive a super virus. Considering the book came out in 2014, it’s scary how on the nose some of it was. There was an additional novella at the end, which comprised a documentary-style history of the virus and the tech used to conquer it. I loved it.

Spite House by Johnny Compton 4 Stars A horror title recommended by my supervisor. He’s hardly ever wrong when it comes to horror. This was a keeper.

Monk’s Hood by Ellis Peters 3 Stars Another title for the used book prompt. I like the monk mysteries, but this one wasn’t my favorite.

November 9 by Colleen Hoover 4 Stars. Okay, I got on the bandwagon. Great romance with a twist. And Colleen does the twist so well!

Mrs. Jeffries and the Missing Alibi by Emily Brightwell 4 Stars. I love this series. They are a sorbet refresher after I’ve read something too heavy.

Death of a Laird a short story by MC Beaton 4 Stars. The ghostwriter is doing a great job for both the Hamish and Agatha series. I’ll keep reading.

Heartstopper Vol. 2 by Alice Oseman 4 Stars. Another “Starts with H.” I had to find out if they got together!

Dear Writer, Are You in Burnout? by Becca Syme 5 Stars. I needed this book. I needed it right now in my career. I learned so much about myself, and I might be able to do another book. But not too soon.

Selkie by Sydney Winward and Seeker by Jean M. Grant I’ll save for next week.