Month: May 2022

Review: Mystical Missy and Her Life of of Magical Events

Published on by Erica

Synopsis:

Missy never asked to have magical powers, but when she survived a fire as a baby, with no burns or marks, this was only the start of her magical abilities. Follow the journey of mystical Missy as she discovers a new power each year of her magical life.

Genre: Fantasy/Humor

My Review:

This delightful story is still early on. (I know, a bit early to leave reviews, but this is a vella story.) This book is beautiful. I’ve felt sadness, disappointment, and then tears of joy for Missy already. I highly recommend giving this book a go.

New Rating System for Books

Published on by Erica

The Roxbury Librarian wants to make selecting what book to read easier for you!

ALL or A

Books rated ALL (or A for short) are children’s books. These are book that are safe for all ages, from beginners to adults. These include picture books (such as the Littlest Angel) to middle grade titles.

S (for Safe) or 12+

Books rated S or 12+ are considered safe for ages 12 and up. (And up includes adults! Yes, you can read these books!) They may include older middle grade, young adult, and clean and wholesome romance.

C (for Caution)

Books rated C were found by the Roxbury Librarian to have materials that are not suitable for a younger audience. While an erotic (or steamy) novel would be rated C at Roxbury Books, not all books rated C are erotic/steamy. C books may contain swears. (Calling someone a b*tch or using an f-bomb will get you rated C.) These books may also have sexual content that goes beyond implied intimacy and fade-to-black, or contains mention of nudity in a sexual manner.

These ratings are the sole discretion of the Librarian. When possible, we will give the reason behind the rating chosen. Information provided by authors and readers are used when making a rating decision.

If a book is rated or not, please use the genre for guidance when making your selections. Do your research to avoid those unpleasant surprises! If it doubt, ask in a reader group or ask the author.

New Release: Georgianna

Published on by Erica

Daily updates Monday-Friday

“So, this is how it ends,” Georgianna whispered as her body trembled in terror and exhaustion. Her breathing was rapid, and her chest heaved as she struggled to recover from her recent clash and clear her wits. She was shackled to a thick upright beam of wood while a madman scribbled with chalk on the floor and chanted her death mantra. She had successfully evaded her hunters for years and briefly experienced true love and happiness. All too soon she would be stripped of everything and nailed to the floor as a blood sacrifice. And there was no one to save her.

Genre: fantasy action and adventure

Rating: C (language, sexual situations, nudity)

Now on Vella.

To learn more about Roxbury Books rating system, go here:

Review: Fantastical Flash Fiction (vella)

Published on by Erica

Synopsis:

This is a collection of flash fiction based on elements from mythology and fantasy. Every piece will be under a thousand words, and occasionally I might post a couple of microfictions in the same episode.

Genre: Fantasy/Paranormal

My Review:

Fun short stories that explore myths and legends. I found them well-written and interesting. (I think my favorite was the one about the Kelpie so far.)
You do not need to read these in order, either.

Have you check this vella book out yet? What was your favorite story?

Review: Hey, Nicky!

Published on by Erica

Synopsis:

Remi Lucas isn’t afraid to go after what she wants, and she wants Nicolas Savage; the brilliant, hot, serious, emotionally unavailable nerd at school. Remi is gorgeous, smart, the head cheerleader, and the most popular girl in school; so, why is he playing hard to get? Does he think he’s going to ignore her? Not if she can help it. See if she’ll get her guy in this cute romantic comedy. Fans of the drama “It Started With a Kiss” will love this story.

Genre: Romance/Teen and Young Adult

My Review:

I know this story isn’t finished. It is a vella story, after all, but it is fun. Taking place in high school, two childhood friends have grown apart That’s often part of life, right? Except Remi loves Nicholas, and Nicholas is crushing on Remi. What’s the problem you wonder? Well, Nicholas is relying on playing hard to get because a book told him so.
Full of embarrassing confession moments, longing thoughts and glances, this book will keep you going. So stock up on those tokens, you’re going to need them.

Review: The Dragon Maze

Published on by Erica

Synopsis:

Dragons and their riders are sent to guard the enchanted maze, where monsters are contained. The dragons and their riders can never leave, marking them as sacrifices to protect the maze so that the monsters can never escape. Can Touernaea and Touervina use their bond to save themselves and the other riders, or with the monsters within prove to be too much?

Genre: Teen/YA Fantasy

My Review:

Here’s another fun vella story. This one kept my attention and I look forward to seeing where it goes next. They are about to enter the maze.

Are you reading this one? Feel free to comment and share what you think.

Review: The Sea Rose (a Vella story)

Published on by Erica

Synopsis:

Lord Peter West could not marry Lady Bannister. Her eyes bore into him like daggers; her voice filled him with dread. Knowing this, his resolve thinned as the day neared to announce their union. He could not have imagined as he fled the party that he would find himself stranded in the district of the Half-Merpeople. No one had told him that those with ocean-blood lived such wretched lives. Most of all, he could not have dreamed that the once-vanished Lady Rose Finch walked those streets.

My Review:

I have another Vella story to share. This one is great. It has two things I love, it’s a Regency romance and it has magic. And not just any magic, it’s merpeople.

From the opening, I was hooked. We start off with Peter at a ball meant to announce his engagement to a proper young lady by the name of Meredith. It doesn’t go as planned and Peter runs away. Leaving Meredith to an unfortunate fate. I wasn’t sure about her in the beginning. But there is a reason she behaves the way she does, and it tore at my heart as it unfolded.

Peter’s escape takes him to the poor area where the merpeople live. Shunned by society, it is quite dreadful there. Peter wants to make changes, and I look forward to seeing that journey.

Vella Recommendations

Published on by Erica

Instead of reviewing each of these titles separately, I thought I would list some fun reads I discovered recently on Vella. Remember the first three episodes (chapters) are free. In no particular order:

Fantasy / Action & Adventure

This one starts off evil. I’m warning you. (Trigger warning: There’s implied rape. Multiple girls, and one is 14..) I feel for Trace, who not only was forced into military service, he’s now chained up and being experimented on by Karven. I also like Perin, who ends up as one of Karven’s specimens too. I want to see their escape and see where they go. I also want to see Karven get his comeuppance.

Teen & Young Adult / Fantasy

This was a lighter read, and I needed it after the darker book before it. If you like fairies, you’ll love this one. I kept thinking about the Tinkerbell movie when reading this one. I love the characters and their friendships. Thistle is our leading fairy. Her friends are Zazz and Thatch. (They are awesome.) I like the variety of fairies and fairy wings.

Teen & Young Adult / Fantasy

Delightful academy story.


Review: Break Every Chain

Published on by Erica

Synopsis:

High school senior Maverick Mason has what every guy his age wants: the girl, the grades, the god-like status. Amira Abbasi is the same age and lives in the same town, but her reality couldn’t be more different. In fact, no one outside her household knows she exists. A chance encounter may change that, but will it make a difference if her fate has already been sealed?

My Review:

This review is a little different, because I haven’t finished the book. For one thing, it isn’t finished. It’s serialized fiction available on Vella.

I was drawn in right away with the action in the first chapter. Maverick is a high school football star. We meet in the exciting opening. I liked Maverick and Amira’s first meeting, and I’m wondering what is going to happen next. (Because Amira is a servant to Lacey, Maverick’s date for the night.)

The first three episodes are free, and if you are like me, you’ll be spending your tokens on this. I look forward to seeing what author Aella Black as in store.