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.