Book Reviews – Page 11 – Sassy Reviews

August 27, 2025

Starless Midnight

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Starless Midnight 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Lynn Garthwaite ✍️
.
.

🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
Lynn Garthwaite’s Starless Midnight is a captivating read.

The story follows Jadai Orion Evans, a twenty-eight-year-old woman who once left the small town of Twin Station with her mother after attending her grandmother’s funeral. Fourteen years later, Jadai returns to her grandmother’s house, now set on remodeling it, and reconnects with old friends—Katie, Doug, etc. She even met a charming officer Greg Dillanian.

As the story unfolds, Jadai, who is biracial, learns of a troubling mystery: people of color have been vanishing from Twin Station. Mrs. Sheridan reveals to Jadai her belief that Jadai’s grandmother was murdered while investigating these disappearances.

The author’s writing style is engaging, and the cover design is eye-catching. I especially loved Jadai’s character—she’s well-developed and compelling. The pacing kept me hooked from start to finish, and the unique plot paired with the small-town backdrop made for an immersive reading experience. I truly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

★ Book Is Available On Amazon

August 27, 2025

The Moments I’ll Never Forget

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: The Moments I’ll Never Forget 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Lauren Norley ✍️
.
.

🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
“The Moments I’ll Never Forget” by Lauren Norley is an engrossing read. The story follows Lucy, who is grappling with the tragic loss of her parents in a car accident. The driver of the other car, who also died in the crash, was Patrick’s father.

Stepping outside for the first time after her parents’ death, Lucy crosses paths with Patrick when he accidentally spills coffee on her. That chance meeting changes everything. For the first time in a long while, Lucy laughs again, and slowly, her heart begins to mend. A bond forms between her and Patrick, and even after uncovering painful truths from the past, their feelings remain unchanged.

As their journey together unfolds, they travel the world, finding comfort, strength, and healing in each other’s company. This story beautifully captures the essence of second chances and reminds us that love often finds us when we least expect it.

The book’s cover is appealing, the title feels apt, and the author has crafted an evocative backdrop. The storyline is captivating, and once I began reading, I couldn’t put it down.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

★ Book Is Available On Amazon

August 27, 2025

Death’s Intern

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Death’s Intern 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: D.C. Gomez ✍️
.
.

🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
Death’s Intern by D. C. Gomez is the first book in The Intern Diaries series. The story follows Isis Black, whose life changed drastically after losing her parents at a young age. Living with her godmother, Isis has little family and only one true friend, Bob—a Gulf War veteran who, unlike most, understands her strange war stories.

Her life takes an unexpected turn when Death itself appears at her doorstep. Isis learns that the human she accidentally killed had been serving as Death’s intern. With the position suddenly vacant, Isis is offered the role. Balancing her job as a waitress, she must now decide whether she’s ready to guide souls to their final destinations—one intern assigned to each continent.

The plot thickens when Isis discovers that Bob has mysteriously gone missing. From there, the adventure takes off, full of suspense, humor, and magical twists—including the appearance of a witty talking cat.

This book is a must-read for fans of urban fantasy. I found the humor refreshing, the story highly engaging, and the cover absolutely striking. From the first page to the last, it kept me hooked with its originality and charm.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

★ Book Is Available On Amazon

August 27, 2025

Ocean of Wisdom

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Ocean of Wisdom 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Ailed De La Torre ✍️
.
.

🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
“Ocean of Wisdom” by Ailed De la Torre is the second installment in the Portals of Realms series. Following the Eithiar invasion, Carrick Hollow is slowly rebuilding. Meanwhile, Fírinne and Elisa are happily engaged and preparing for their upcoming wedding.

Deep in the dungeons, Lysander remains imprisoned. His feelings for Elisa have grown into what many see as an unhealthy obsession. He confides in his sister, Moira, about a mysterious book he discovered—marked with strange symbols—that revealed hidden truths about their family’s past. Haunted by visions of Elisa in his dreams, Lysander finds himself unable to resist the pull toward her.

As the characters struggle to understand the true nature of the invasion, it becomes clear that the knowledge Lysander holds could prove crucial. If he chooses to share what he knows, it might give them the chance to prepare for the darkness looming over their world. With danger growing stronger, survival depends on protecting what little remains.

Ailed De la Torre’s writing is richly descriptive, drawing me so deeply into the story that I couldn’t put it down. The characters linger in the mind long after reading, with Elisa’s portrayal standing out the most. Readers who enjoy a mix of romance, fantasy, and horror will find Ocean of Wisdom to be an enthralling read.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

★ Book Is Available On Amazon

August 25, 2025

Rune of Destiny

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Rune of Destiny 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Bjorn Leesson ✍️
.
.

🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
Rune of Destiny by Bjorn Leesson is the third installment in the Outside the Thalsparr series. Margaret, Gould, Lisa, Yellowfeather, BlueMoon, Kalina, and Juan have just celebrated a hard-won victory in the South Atlantic. Meanwhile, Myrgjol’s granddaughters are finally coming into their own, learning to master their newfound powers.

Myrgjol was the heart that held everything together. Now she is gone. The Army has located what may be a gate, and though no Thule has discovered it yet, the team is preparing to reach the site and destroy it.

In the Otherworld, Myrgjol senses the looming clash. She witnesses two Valkyries. Both of them fall to the ground. She finds herself torn between inner conflict and a battle against dark entities.

Myrgjol has always been my favorite character, and I hope her story continues to unfold in future books. The struggle against these dark entities is fierce, but it’s a fight that must be won. This installment is gripping, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was hard to bid goodbye to Myrgjol. The storyline kept me at the edge of my seat from start to finish.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

★ Book Is Available On Amazon

August 25, 2025

Shadow and Stone

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Shadow and Stone 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Caryn Moya Block ✍️
.
.

🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
Shadow and Stone: A Shadow Walker Lycan Hybrid Second Generation Romance Novella is an enthralling tale centered on two compelling characters—Natasha Sokolov and Scott Stone. Having worked together for years, Scott often found himself drawn to Natasha, though she remained off-limits. He decided to wait for her to make the first move.

Natasha, on the other hand, was certain Scott was her destined mate. She only needed to wait for the heartmate bond to snap into place. Deep down, she wished with all her heart that he was the one. During a rescue mission, while saving a young girl, Scott was injured—an event that caused Natasha deep emotional pain. It was then she learned the truth: Scott was indeed her mate.

Scott had been waiting three long years for this revelation. Now, together, they felt truly blessed. Yet questions remain—who is the mysterious mailman stalking Natasha? And how will Scott react when he sees Natasha in her wolf form?

The story’s pacing is captivating, with smooth narration and vivid, descriptive writing that makes it nearly impossible to put down. The language is accessible, and the cover design is appealing. The passion between Scott and Natasha radiates through the author’s words, making their connection feel genuine. With well-developed characters and a memorable plot, this novella leaves a lasting impression.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

★ Book Is Available On Amazon

August 25, 2025August 25, 2025

How to Surf a Hurricane

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: How to Surf a Hurricane 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Todd Medema ✍️
.
.

🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
“How to Surf a Hurricane” by Todd Medema is an action-packed heist thriller. The story follows Moro, an engineer convinced that his lithium-sulfur battery invention has the power to change the world. His hopes are crushed when his uncle cuts off funding, declaring the project dead.

Determined not to give up, Moro devises a daring plan: to steal a shipment of batteries from a cargo ship right in the middle of a hurricane. He is joined by Victoria, a skilled sailor, and her daughter. Miki, a tough and dependable worker and a salt farmer also joined him. Some of them even demand payment in batteries instead of money. But can such a risky heist succeed against the raging storm?

I found myself wholeheartedly cheering for Moro throughout. The book’s language is simple and accessible, with a fast-paced plot and well-crafted characters. The narration flows smoothly, and the cover art is appealing. I thoroughly enjoyed the read. Todd Medema has done a fantastic job with this novel. If you’re considering it, dive in without hesitation.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

★ Book Is Available On Amazon

August 24, 2025

Leadership Lessons From Monty Python and the Holy Grail

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Leadership Lessons From Monty Python and the Holy Grail 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Richard D. Parker ✍️
.
.

🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
Leadership Lessons From Monty Python and the Holy Grail by Richard D. Parker is a thought-provoking and insightful read. In this book, the author draws valuable lessons from the classic film and shares them in a way that can genuinely impact readers’ lives.

One of the key takeaways is the importance of staying focused on our primary goals and not getting lost in trivial distractions during our interactions with others. Using the example of the Black Knight, Parker highlights that persistence for its own sake is foolish—sometimes the wisest decision is knowing when to quit.

The book also offers meaningful insights into conflict. While Parker acknowledges that conflict is an inevitable part of life, he emphasizes that it does not have to dominate our way of living. These lessons, drawn from the humorous yet insightful moments of Monty Python and the Holy Grail, make the book both engaging and practical.

By leadership, Parker refers not only to guiding others but also to leading ourselves. His writing style is clear and accessible, making the wisdom he shares easy to absorb. I found the book both enjoyable and enlightening, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to fellow readers.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

★ Book Is Available On Amazon

August 24, 2025

Estrangement

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Estrangement 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: John Edwards ✍️
.
.

🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
In this courageous and heartfelt memoir, Edwards opens his soul to readers, recounting the painful reality of estrangement from his adult children. His story is one of love, regret, and relentless yearning to repair broken bonds—yet his efforts are often met with silence. When a rare message from his son read, “I don’t have time for you,” it became a turning point that led Edwards into deep self-reflection and prayer.

Estrangement, as Edwards portrays it, is not a passing wound but an enduring grief—comparable to losing someone dearly loved, yet without closure. The emotional emptiness seeps through every page, making this not just a memoir, but also a testament to the hidden anguish many parents silently endure. One of the most powerful moments is the open letter he wrote to his children—an outpouring of love, remorse, and sincerity that lingers long after the book is closed.

Beyond his personal story, Edwards gives voice to a broader and often unspoken reality: the painful unraveling of family ties. His candor sheds light on the psychological toll of being cut off, from spirals of self-doubt to the shattering of identity and trust. Yet, amid the anguish, what shines through is his unwavering commitment to reconciliation and his faith that healing—if not in family, then in spirit—remains possible.

This memoir is a moving, raw, and deeply human account of loss and longing. For anyone touched by family estrangement, Edwards’ story will resonate as both a mirror and a companion through the silence.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

★ Book Is Available On Amazon

August 24, 2025

The Tunnels of Buda

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: The Tunnels of Buda 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Don Sawyer ✍️
.
.

🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
The Tunnels of Buda is the second installment in the Soul Catcher series. One early morning, Barbara knocked on Zoltan’s door. He let her in, touched her, and revealed his true name—breaking the very rules that bound him. The Mester, meanwhile, has been left dead or gravely wounded.

Now, the Mester’s black stone rests with Zoltan and Barbara. In a bold move, Barbara severed his finger bearing the black-stoned ring and stuffed it into her jeans. But the Mester was only a fragment of something much larger—an ancient Order, a hidden cabal. And now, the slaves once controlled by them are turning their skills and knowledge into weapons of defiance. Zoltan and Barbara’s cunning shines as they rise to the challenge.

Together, they also hold the gems belonging to other gem makers. To settle matters, they’ve called a business meeting. But the question remains—will the other gem makers stand with Zoltan, or against him?

The twists and turns of this story made it impossible to put down. The plot is original, the writing gripping, and the cover beautifully designed. This is the second book I’ve read by the author, and I’m eager to dive into more of his work.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

★ Book Is Available On Amazon