Erica

Book Review: Across the Star-kissed Sea

Published on December 18, 2024July 14, 2026 by Erica

Synopsis:

When May becomes a lady’s maid at sea, she’s hoping for an innocent adventure but instead must navigate rough waters, deadly combat, and unexpected love.

Mediterranean Sea, 1811

May Byam grew up following her father to his work at the ropemaking factory and listening to her uncle’s tales of life aboard a Royal Navy ship. After tragedy and scandal shatter her family, May is desperate to escape the shame that follows her. Despite her mother’s pleadings against it, May signs on as a lady’s maid to the young wife of a naval captain. If she’s going to run, she may as well do it in honor of her late uncle and cousin and where there is food, shelter, and perhaps even adventure. But the frosty reception she receives from the ship’s clergyman makes her feel far from welcome.

Heartbroken young Chaplain Elias Doswell returns to a harsh life at sea, but preaching to disinterested sailors isn’t the escape he’d hoped for—until a captivating young woman boards the ship. However, a case of mistaken identity ensures that he starts off on the wrong foot with the newly hired lady’s maid, who clearly wants nothing to do with him. But the close quarters of the ship forces the pair together, and May begins to see a side of the handsome clergyman she didn’t expect. As they struggle to navigate their deepening feelings, the danger of war with the French looms on the horizon, threatening their lives—and their love.

My Review:

This was an enjoyable romance that is a companion/sequel to Georgana’s Secret. The main focus in on May and Elias. The story itself has it all: adventure, romance, and tender moments. A must read.

Another beautiful book.

Thank you to Shadow Mountain for being a dependable publisher of clean and awesome romances.

Review: The Axe of Sundering

Published on November 14, 2024July 14, 2026 by Erica

axofsundering

When I requested this book via Netgalley, I didn’t realize it was the end of a series.

The cover is eye catching, and the synopsis intrigued me.

Synopsis:

Whalen Vankin is the world’s greatest wizard, and he has only ever personally trained two other wizards. One is Alexander Taylor, a young man who has earned a reputation as a brave adventurer, a warrior, and man of honor. The other is Jabez, Vankin’s nephew and a man whose choices have led him down a different, darker path. Dark magic has covered Westland, and evil is stirring. Whalen and Alex must journey together into the heart of danger, confronting a sea serpent, battling their way through a goblin army, and facing down more than one dragon.

Alex must find the legendary Axe of Sundering, the one weapon that offers a chance to defeat Jabez and protect the land from the dark wizard’s plans. But finding it will be an adventure of its own as the only pathway to the Axe leads through the underground tunnels and secret passages of Castle Conmar. But Jabez has one final weapon at his disposal: the powerful Orion Stone, which could spell the end to Whalen and Alex both.

The story opens with Whalen telling Alex about is problem– his nephew has taken to evil, and had to be stopped. It made me think of Stars Wars. Alex agrees to assist, and the journey begins.

Every step of the story is well told. You can really believe in the friendships between Whalen, Alex, and those they meet along the way. I enjoyed the deliberate pacing with the adventure.

One thing is for sure, I’d like to check out the rest of the series.

adventurers wanted

You can visit the author on the web at: Adventurer’s Wanted

Review: Dongeng by Anna Tan

Published on September 14, 2024July 14, 2026 by Erica1 Comment

Exiled. Powerless. The world he grew up in is changing—he feels it, feels the devastation being wrought. But what can he do so far away from home?

Lost. Afraid. She’s being enlisted to help save Alam Dongeng—a magical world she knows little about. How can she tell stories she doesn’t even know?

Worried. Confused. He’s long forgotten his grandfather’s stories—it’s familiar, but he’s never really believed in them. Why should he start now?
~
Dongeng tells the story of Sara and Helmi’s awakening to magic in their own country. There’s a war to protect Alam Dongeng, helmed by the Orang Bunian and Garuda. But are the ranks of Hantu really their enemies? They may very well be fighting the wrong battle.

A sequel to Coexist, Dongeng draws you into a whole new realm of fairy tales.

Roxbury Books Rating: PG

My Review:

This was my first look at Maylasian fairytales, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I appreciated the descriptions, although I did wish a few times for a glossary.

Over all, I enjoyed the story. I liked Sara and Helmi, and their relationship. I liked Helmi’s parents. I liked how Sara linked the fairy lands of the West with those of Asia.

Some parts of the were confusing, especially when it was filling in the backstory. By the end I could piece things together. I feel like the wrong characters were center stage to what could have been a stronger story about Abdul Mansoor and Aria.

I am a fan of blending cultures. After all, we share a beautiful world. Different families come together and create new families, blending together what was, what is, and what will be.

I definitely would love to learn more about Maylasia, and her stories.

Thank you, Anna Tan, for this wonderful story.