Title: Secrets, Secrets

Author: JerichoMoon

Genre: Teen fiction

Blurb: "What should have started off as a normal new school year for the students of Westbrook High turned into something much different.

No one thought much about it -- at first, the anonymous account had just tweeted out a simple "ticktock. You have until prom."

But then the school year started.

And the tweets started hinting at certain students.

Now, the students that are being called out find themselves gathered together to try and piece together who this anonymous person is. Lies and buried secrets are unearthed, differences put aside, old friendships reignited as they desperately try to find a name behind the anonymous name as the secrets released become deeper, and they edge ever closer to the last date.

Tick. Tock..."

Review: Oh boy, where do I start? First, the plot is absolutely engrossing and had me waiting impatiently for the chapter updates. I was guessing along with the characters as they worked to figure out who Anon Wolf was. The book needs some dramatic theme music every time there's a new tweet, or a hint to their backstories, or a big reveal. The descriptions are really well done too, showing so much emotion, and the analogies littered throughout are simply works of art in themselves.

I must say though that the most incredible of all are the characters. The story skilfully juggles many perspectives and each is unique with their own distinctive voice. The one thing that put me off a little was that in the first few chapters there were too many people introduced too quickly, but once you get to know them they all fall into their places and all is perfect. They just seem so three-dimensional and real that I wouldn't be surprised if they appeared at my doorstep one day. Their choices and actions actually spark such genuine, heartfelt emotions that they always have me (nearly) weeping for them, or yelling at the screen for how dumb they are. I love how the story shows that every person, no matter how unnoticeable, has a story to tell. If you haven't read this book, I wholeheartedly recommend it.

Reviewer: kiwiiibird

Title: Gunslingers and Galaxies

Author: elevy

Genre: Science Fiction

Blurb: "Cash Guthrie can hide no longer. The notorious gunslinger and her band of alien misfits plan to rob the biggest Casino in town. It's not about the money for Cash though, it's about Boss and the love they once shared.

Cash Guthrie was once an infamous bounty hunter, but those days are long behind her. Now she's living in self-inflicted exile as the sole purveyor of radioactive moonshine on the planet of al-Sufi.

Now Boss, a former lover, wants Cash's moonshine for Sweetwater Casino. Simple enough, until the business arrangement and reunion, are interrupted when Boss's son is kidnapped by Calvera, the smooth-talking skeezy owner of the only other casino in the city of Lead Belly.

To take Calvera and his operation down, Cash must abandon her treasured anonymity, reclaim her fabled identity as The Woman in Black, and return to her gunslinging ways. Using only wits, charm, and lots of Boss' money, she recruits a new crew for one last job. And if she fails, she will lose her only shot at rekindling the long-lost love of her life."

Review: A delightful story, wonderfully told, this is a fast-paced novella that has you holding your breath in many places, sprinkled with just the right amount of humour. The setting fits so well with the story, and I love how the unique details and vivid descriptions are incorporated seamlessly into the story, cleverly avoiding boring info-dumps. The author's writing style is utterly hypnotising, and was one of the elements that had me captivated from the start. Every moment and scene is captured perfectly.

The relationships between the characters are simply precious, and they're weaved flawlessly into the story, giving us a few seconds to breathe before jumping back into the excitement of the plot. Each character has a distinct personality that will have you rooting for every single one of them in no time. All their conversations and interactions are so raw and sweet and heartwarming that I was actually swooning, and that's saying something, because I swoon practically... never. I had so much fun reading this, I was honestly sad that it ended, the kind of sad that has you smiling, you know? In short, if you haven't read this book yet, it's a big, fat, definite must.

Reviewer: kiwiiibird

Book Title: Shadow of Twilight

Author: HeatherSmith672

Genre: Romance

Blurb: "Amelia Smoke was ready to start her life, to explore the world and find herself. Her twin brother was taking over her pack, and she was free to be the wolf she wanted to be. That is until she met her mate. Mates are rare and barely heard of, yet there she was at her brothers Alpha ceremony with her mate threatening her. She didn't want to go with him, she didn't want to be domesticated but at least the stories had one thing right. The mate bond was strong.

Now that she's followed him to his pack can she keep herself safe. Can she still be the same independent woman she always wanted to be or will she be forced into submission?"

Review: I honestly don't have much to say. If you love steamy werewolf romance, this is it. This is a tale about a young werewolf who was ready to leave the nest and explore the world, then as life does to all of us, it pushes its own agenda down our throats. The night before her departure at the Alpha ceremony of her twin brother, enter the Alpha of another clan and just like magic she's staring into those eyes that make her wolf scream mate.

The history of the mate bond is a very interesting one, following the tale of the mated Luna who is rumoured to have special abilities. What ability you wonder? Well, you've got to read this to find out.

I love that Amelia is a head strong and tough wolf who although didn't care for the fate life threw at her, knows she cannot escape her mate and does her best to be the domesticated wolf mate.

And the heat between the two, oh my, I binged this in a day and it was spectacular.

Reviewer: WordSmith001

Book Title: Travelling Salesman: Astronomgonist

Author: Amaboo

Genre: Fantasy

Blurb: "A young man's journey to find a killer while another killer evades bounty.

Death has a story just like life. They're interconnected and happen simultaneously. Set in the late 1950s-1960s in the country of Anagram, in Kledbug-Levoy, a separate universe several people's lives collide, intersect and are forever changed."

Review:

This right here is one of the many reasons why I love science fiction. Spoiler alert, there are a lot of mixed races and you have to pay attention to not confuse one for the other. With that out of the way. This follows Teer's journey for revenge of an astronomogonist who returns home one day and finds his mother murdered. As a forensic photographer, he is able to pick up the signature of the murderer and vows to, even if he had to crawl out of the grave, find this murderer and avenge his mother.

What's even cool is that he literally crawled out of the grave. I kid you not! Its action packed and brilliantly done. What's even more mind-blowing is that the travelling salesman and the astronomgonist are two separate stories and different people. One on a quest for revenge and the other a murderer evading the countless bounties coming his way.

Overall, the story was fantastic with great descriptions and the humour. This was a fine and well written piece. Great opening, great grammar and powerful imagery. The names of places throughout the book, just genius.

Reviewer: WordSmith001

Book Title: Inner Woman

Author: Uschibear

Genre: Poetry

Blurb: "Poetry isn't my best thing. These are poems from my heart. Personal experiences of a lifetime drawn from the soul. I'm gaining confidence as I do more. Enjoy my growth and discovery of a new aspect of writing."

Review: This is a collection of truly fascinating poems. It does not centre around just the one topic or theme which is a joy for all the poetry lovers out there. The poems in this collection are well-rounded and touch on everything. Time and magazine review constraints won't let me review each poem, but while I urge you to enjoy all the poems in this collection, I'd recommend my 'hard to pick' favourites: Ode To a Stranger and Shelter are so hauntingly beautiful.

Reviewer: WordSmith001