Books by Katydid

How to Not Fall for the Guy Next Door Written by: Meg Easton This comedic romance was such a fun read. Meg Easton started a new series with How to Not Fall for the Guy Next Door  and I can't wait to read the next one. From reuniting with the guy next door from her childhood summers in awkward and funny ways to the sweet romantic memories. When Addison Sparks receives an old bed and breakfast as an inheritance from her aunt, she decides it is time for a fresh start. With new roommates she barely knows and starting her own organization business, she is nowhere near ready for romance. Ian Kendrick is the perfect guy who cares for his grandma, does carpentry with "man sparkle" sawdust and is handsome to boot. He is recently heartbroken and ready to steer clear of love as well. These characters are quirky, spontaneous, and the sweet couple every hometown would ship.   With meddling grandmas, supportive roommates, and a beautiful town, I couldn't wait to turn the ...

Adana the Earth Dragon Written by: Debbie Manber Kupfer Narrated by: Fiona Thraille This short children's book was the perfect story to listen to with my three year old. With dragons being his favorite thing right now, it was a fun listen. Adana is a brown earth dragon who wishes she could be any other kind of dragon- the water, the wind, or the fire. Each one seems to be better than being a plain old earth dragon.  When a giant comes to visit, Adana realizes her full potential and the true value of being an earth dragon. This story is a perfect example of finding worth in being your own person. The discussions that will come from this listening to this will with my little one will be a foundation for the future. 

Hallie's Hero Love in Little River: Book 3 Written by: Raneé S. Clark Can the man who fixes every relationship by letting her go, hold onto the one woman who doesn't need fixing?  Dr. Nash Roberts has dated his fair share of amazing women who were all right for someone else. In his spare time, he writes fan fiction for his favorite t.v. show, He Spies, She Spies while practicing for the day he can write the book he dreams of. Can the woman who let refused the man everyone ships,  hold onto the one man who brings her sparks? Hallie is the heroine of the show and when Nash wins the contest for best script for a new episode the chemistry, and flirting starts right away. Hallie is intrigued by this doctor who knew enough about the show to write one of the best scripts she has seen. This new story in Little River is a sweet romance. It is an easy read, perfect for a relaxing by the fire and eating chocolate type of night. The characters are spot on with consistency in Na...

Winter's Heart Written by: J.E. Taylor J.E. Taylor wrote a short but satisfying fantasy. Lisa Winters has been told from a young age that she is the answer to the prophecy- the hope for their village against the great white tiger. Now that she is coming of age everything is starting to change and the answers she once thought were so sure are no longer right in front of her. When she meets the great white tiger, will she kill him or find there is more than the story told? This story had some great characters and beautiful world building. I was rooting for Lisa as she found her own drive and discovered her independence despite everything going against her. The town believes in her based on a few sparks as a child but she doesn't believe in herself until she takes the chance to go out on her own and discover the secrets of her past. Herk who could otherwise be called Herk the jerk has his moments of redemption despite his actions at the beginning. The setting of the story i...

Spindle A Fractured Fairy Tale Written by: J.E. Taylor This fractured fairy-tale takes the story of Sleeping Beauty and flips it on its head. Instead of a witch, there is a dragon with a personal vendetta- wanting revenge for the killing of a dragon king. Instead of a bystander prince, the son of the dragon queen finds his true love in his enemy's daughter. With all the magical elements there, like the magical hedge between kingdoms, this fractured fairy-tale creates a beautiful world of magic and wonder while bringing in diplomacy and peace-keeping. Rory (otherwise known as Rapuzel) is a sweet girl who hates the thought of taking life, even when necessary for hunting. Zachary is the vicious dragon prince who finds sport in killing humans for revenge. Can Rory tame the beast in Zachary and help forge peace between the kingdom of light and the kingdom of dragons? Only J.E. Taylor can weave this story while adding in steamy elements of romance.

Shootout Northbrook Hockey Elite: Book 6 Written by: Sophia Summers, Rebecca Connolly, and Heather B. Moore Book six in the Northbrook Hockey Elite series does not disappoint. Trane is a highly protective man with some build to him which is why he is the best goalie in the league. While playing goalie is second nature to him, he is not sure it is his dream anymore. The thing is, he isn't so sure he knows what his dream is.  Janae, former broadway dancer, is finding her new dream as broadway kicked her to the curb and now she is finding a new spot in the dance world as an ice girl and hopes to move on to bigger and better things when she can. When she meets Trane, will her dreams change? This sweet romance is such a fun read. While the relationship develops quickly without much substance, the characters have deep backgrounds and are well-developed. Summers, Connolly, and Moore worked well together to write a fun romance in the sports world that has meaning and shows the ...

The Floral Arrangement Spruce Valley Sweet Romance: Book Four Written by: Katie Carver This sweet romance is a perfect mix between small town love story and rich guy trope. Victoria is the sweet flower shop owner who comes to Weston's rescue when the flowers for his sister's bridal party turn up half dead. Weston's heart is stolen almost immediately as Victoria demonstrates the great difference between herself and most of his entitled friends.  Katie Carver built a beautiful world that mixes the small town feeling while still having access to all of the things that come from a larger city. She was able to mix the two worlds perfectly in order to have the romance between these two very different characters work. While Victoria is almost too perfect of a character, the story was a very sweet romance and the happily ever after wrapped up in a satisfying way. 

American Gypsy Romance A short story collection Written by: Alessa Martel This set of 6 short stories encompasses all that I would ask from gypsy romances. Each one has its own personality along with the core gypsy style. I enjoyed learning more about the Romany culture and reading about a different way of life as each heroine found love while still meeting their parents' expectations.  While each story is short, (as it is a short story collection) they have the perfect splash of romance from the very beginning to the engagement. I love the happily ever after ending. 

Lies Jane Austen Told Me Written by: Julie Wright Emma Pierce, hopeless romantic and Jane Austen lover, and all things regency, wants her own happily ever after. After years of heartbreak and realizing her old boyfriend is only in it for a hook-up she realizes, Jane Austen lies. In fact- "Jane Austen is a horrific liar. I used to believe that Jane, my  Jane, could never be wrong about anything. She was the quintessential authority on all things to do with love, romance, and matrimony... But as I moved into my midtwenties and no men ever acted as gallantly as Mr. Knightley or Mr. Darcy... I came to a startling and wretched revelation. Jane never found love." Julie Wright has created a modern book worth of Austen dramatics. With Emma in a love triangle with two brothers who are very different at a time when she decides to focus on her career, Emma is put into quite the conundrum. This conundrum creates humorous situations and witty banter as the romantic feelings gro...

The Evergreen Life Experiment Written by: Aviva Gat This fictional accounting of a group of seniors at an elderly home starts a discussion of the importance of believing in yourself and in your abilities. Each of the seniors is starting to feel their age and as they get older, they are capable of doing more and more. Enter Evergreen Life Pharmaceuticals who offers the seniors the option to take a pill and become younger. They claim it is a placebo, but is it? This story has a bit of mystery and intrigue at the end but really is more about the power of thoughts. Just like the little engine that could, if you think you can, you can. While the story follows of the lives of several different seniors, it maintains a cohesive story line. It lacks excitement but how much excitement can there be in a story about seniors? While this story may not be on read again list, it definitely gave me some things to think about. 

Did You Hear About the Prinz Party? Your Favorite Faerie Tales Just Got Real Written by: Eiran Naomi Omid This collection of faerie tales has three short, modern retellings of Cinderella, Snow White, and Sleeping Beauty. The best of three is the retelling of Cinderella. With a realistic plot line and a hint of fantasy in the appearance of her fancy dress from her mother who had passed away, the story moves quickly and tells the tale of gaining independence and freedom from bullies. The Rapuzel retelling starts with a crazy ex-girlfriend placing a curse on the future child of her old boyfriend. After a childhood filled with overprotecitve parents, Rosamond is let loose the moment she turns 18. While the switch from protected child to the freedom of an adult happens overnight is unrealistic, especially when the curse is supposed to take place only a week after her 18th birthday. The romance happens quickly just the way teenage romances do. The retelling of Snow White has some o...