#review #audiobook #whychoose Tender Thorns (Ivy Institute 1) by Albany Walker Duet Narration by Bridget and Jake Bordeaux

Nestled in the shadows of the Mori Forest lies The Ivy Institute. It may look like something out of a fairytale, but if the rumors are true, it’s where nightmares reign.

The only way to get into the elite facility is by invitation and, once received, it’s impossible to refuse.

They were never supposed to know I existed, yet here I am, walking toward the only place that might be more dangerous to me than where I grew up.

Secrets shroud the institute and its inhabitants, but I have secrets too. Secrets that will get me killed…or worse.

I guess I’m about to find out.

Please note: Tender Thorns is a dark academia whychoose romance novel intended for mature audiences.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/206876665-tender-thorns

https://www.amazon.com/Tender-Thorns-Ivy-Institute-Book/dp/B0F6YVJH9L/ref=tmm_aud_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.r3_JPmfcWxPnsJAUUU0LuNR__fjbquzVOch-hc5mpj-tUgUZmnvs07-CXCg1nV-KZRo28eo0moTJohcikPLu8PPt_i9GoHOlXzHWIC_yfP1RAuFbmqOj8_FusXEJyDgnm4gsoOkV-7Im8eFbQ2mTPaQHZaPfWHeg7JxvKNUvbMWsvt7sQ8T-ckxFwgRYaCF75u7vyrlnlx-eJCXzeKlP4uGzi4W3RnK4kVZN4fNv7eDyGvS7XJSm_NCJzKZk3fK9NMTbG95YGxm3AO0DyxYEnMKKr9fd3vCh2RWo7AS7dKY.dmCEKPUYEraQt41fjFkKihHJYgMoayyPJ6T3A52GNI4&qid=1767971941&sr=8-4

i was giving this audiobook by the author for a honest review

Last week I received my invitation to The Ivy Institute to train with all the others like me or so I’m told, my father got greedy and used me as his cash cow. I was almost unstoppable so when I got my invitation I was dreading it. al the Ivy Institute we were the elite from witches, vampires, shifters, healers and almost any kind of supernatural being you could think of now I was one of them, at my new home where I hope I would learn about my powers and hopefully survive. in a new place where I’m granted privacy and respect, I’m not sure what to do with it but I’m hoping they too aren’t taking advantage of me. this was a great read it started out a little slower for me, but I had just finished a different genre, so it took me a while to get into it but once it picked up for me it was fantastic as usual.

Albany lives in Michigan where she’s happily married to her high school sweetheart. She spends most of her time juggling her four children’s extracurricular activities, with her nose stuck in a book. When not reading you can find her writing her very own book boyfriends. Albany’s passion is writing romance with real characters that are far from perfect, but always seem to find their own happily ever afters.

#WOTR26 #AuthorInterview – KL Kreig

#WOTR26 Author Interviews

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

Author KL Kreig. Mom to 2 amazing grown humans.l Nana to 4 even more amazing little girls! Writing is passion of mine, but only a part-time gig to my full time job. I started writing in 2013 and have published 12 full length novels and 5 novellas. In addition to writing, I love art, pilates, travel and a good full-bodied red.

 

How did you hear about this event?  How many years have you attended?

2026 will be 4th year in attendance! One of my favorite events.

 

What genres do you write?

Paranormal and Contemporary

 

What is a book of yours you wish more people read?

Time Stamps

 

What is one fun fact about you?  It can be anything like food allergy, fear of something, weird way you broke a bone…….

I won $1,000 on radio station contest once.

 

What are your social links?

FB: https://www.facebook.com/pages/KL-Kreig/808927362462053 /

IG: http://instagram.com/klkreig/

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@klkreig_author?lang=en&is_copy_url=1&is_from_webapp=v1

 

What are your buy links?

amazon.com/author/klkreig

 

 

 

#Review- The One Night by Meghan Quinn

From USA Today bestselling author Meghan Quinn comes a romantic comedy novella about the magic and misadventures of a one-night stand.

Recently divorced Cooper Chance knows he’s officially in a rut when his parents take him barhopping in the hope of resuscitating his love life. At first, he’s skeptical. How could a gritty dive bar possibly solve his problems? But then he runs into Nora McHale.

Nora isn’t at the bar looking for love. She’s there to unwind after yet another exhausting day at her bakery. And even if she were hoping to meet someone, it sure wouldn’t be Cooper—her best friend’s ex-husband.

According to the unwritten rules of romance, Cooper and Nora are completely off limits to each other. But after a fun, flirty night at the bar, they can’t ignore the wild attraction between them.

Is this the beginning of something real, or will their passionate night together be their one and only?

I haven’t read a contemporary romance book in years and any romance I have read lately, has been romantasy. We can thank Fourth Wing for that. I’ve given myself a challenge this year: To read 1 novella a week for the whole year. I’m so glad I started off with this one because it was so entertaining.

Cooper’s parents are adorable and had me laughing. They were simply the cutest. They’re trying to find a nice lady for him but he never expects to run into Nora. His ex’s best friend. But you can’t stop fate and what it has in store for you no matter how hard you try.

Cooper and Nora are a perfect match. They’re banter is so fun! I definitely wanted more from them. You can read more about these characters in later books.

If you want a quick holiday read that’s funny and sexy, then check this one out. It was definitely the palate cleanser I needed after all the horror books I’ve consumed in the last year. Also, this book had me actually laughing out loud. I can’t even tell you when the last time that happened was.

Can be read in KU – https://amzn.to/4q1xIVz

#WOTR26 #AuthorInterview – A.L. Kessler

#WOTR26 Author Interviews

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

I live in Colorado Springs with my family and a handful of animals. When I’m not writing, I’m reading or crafting. I love coffee and chocolate. My favorite color is purple.

 

How did you hear about this event?  How many years have you attended?

A friend told me about the event! This will be my 3rd year attending.

 

What genres do you write?

I write Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance. I’ve dipped my toe a little bit into high fantasy, but not a lot.

 

What is a book of yours you wish more people read?

I wish that more people read my Children of the Apocalypse trilogy. I think it needs more love.

 

What is one fun fact about you?  It can be anything like food allergy, fear of something, weird way you broke a bone…….

I’m physically lopsided! I have a bone differential between my legs, so my right leg is an inch shorter than my left!

 

What are your social links?

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alkesslerauthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amylkessler/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@authoralkessler

 

What are your buy links?

linktr.ee/alkessler

 

 

#Review – The Girl Next Door by Jack Ketchum

A teenage girl is held captive and brutally tortured by neighborhood children. Based on a true story, this shocking novel reveals the depravity of which we are all capable.

This novel contains graphic content and is recommended for regular readers of horror novels.

This book. Wow this book. I saw the movie years ago, read up on it once I found out it was based off true events and haven’t had the courage to read the book until now. I have to say that I absolutely devoured this book. I couldn’t put it down and even lost sleep over it. Even though I knew what was going to happen, reading it was a whole other experience.

This book shattered my heart and soul and I was left feeling numb after. Please heed the warnings as while there are books out there that are way more graphic, there is just something about the way this one was written, that made it so much worse. Maybe it’s because it’s based off a true crime. I don’t know. But man. This book now officially owns my entire being.

The book is loosely based off the real murder of Sylvia Likens but Sylvia’s story was so much worse. But this review isn’t about that but I would love to read more about her, as a way to pay homage to her memory. Since she had no one looking out for her like Meg did in this book.

Meg and her sister Susan end up staying with their aunt and cousins after their parents die. Aunt Ruth seems cool at first but after a while, things take a drastic turn for the worse. Meg stands up for herself a little too well and ends up in the basement. Man this basement. When I got to the chapter that says something like and I’m not quoting “They ended up in the basement”. I got chills.

If you’ve seen the movie, you know what happens and I have to say that this is one of the best book to movie adaptations I’ve read since Silence of the Lambs.

Hands down this is by far my favourite book of 2025. Not because the story is great. Because it’s not. Not in the least. But the details, the story telling, hearing the story from the eyes of David, the atmosphere, everything about this book, made for an epic, depraved ride and it’s one I’ll never forget.

But I promise you, I will never read this book again.

Can be read in KU – https://amzn.to/4jjX9PP

#WOTR26 #AuthorInterview – Eileen Troemel

#WOTR26 Author Interviews

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

My name is Eileen Troemel. I’ve been writing since I was eight but it was sporadic until later in life. I started publishing in 2014. I write under three names – Ava M Taylor for erotic romance; RJ Stone for children’s books; Eileen Troemel for everything else.

 

How did you hear about this event?  How many years have you attended?

My daughter wanted to go and when she does reader events I’m her book bitch. We attended two or three years and had the best time.

 

What genres do you write?

Ava M Taylor writes in erotic romance in scifi, contemporary, fantasy, paranormal genres. RJ Stone is all about children’s books some contemporary and some fantasy. Eileen Troemel writes in scifi romance, paranormal, contemporary, fantasy and anything else which peaks my interest. I’ve also got poetry books, crochet patterns and a self help meditation book.

 

What is a book of yours you wish more people read?

Puma Pride – it’s a cat shifter book with a thriller, mystery element.

 

What is one fun fact about you?  It can be anything like food allergy, fear of something, weird way you broke a bone…….

One of my daughters asked me to crochet something for her. I made something for her years before but I didn’t keep the pattern (as I usually make up my own). She suggested I publish my crochet pattern. This is what got me started on publishing my crochet patterns.

 

What are your social links?

https://linktr.ee/eileentroemel https://linktr.ee/avamtaylor

 

What are your buy links?

https://www.amazon.com/author/avamtaylor.com https://www.amazon.com/author/r.j.stone https://www.amazon.com/author/eileentroemel

 

 

#Review #AudioBook – Compound 26 (The Makanza Series Book 1) by Krista Street

A deadly virus. A brilliant, young researcher. And an infected survivor who threatens to steal her heart.

In a society ruled by sanctions and curfews, Dr. Meghan Forester emerges as the youngest and most promising scientist to join the fight against Makanza—the deadly virus that’s ravaged the world.

Inside Compound 26, a giant government-controlled research facility, Meghan’s new job involves studying the Kazzies, the rare survivors who carry the virus and now exhibit supernatural powers. But as her work unfolds, Meghan’s horrified at the brutal and unethical practices the Kazzies are subjected to.

And most surprisingly, she falls in love with one.

Faced with growing conflict over helping the Kazzies versus following the Compound’s strict policies, Meghan must choose: obey the government’s unethical practices or risk everything to save the only man she’s ever loved.

 

The Makanza Series is a complete series in which fantastical powers collide with modern science. Dive into this imaginative and romantic series today. Download now!

 

Goodreads

 

Amazon

 

Kelly’s Review

I picked this up on a promotion for free and gave it a try. This is during a time that is beyond infection. Infecteds have been rounded up and locked away, for “science.” Meghan has worked extremely hard to understand the virus become a scientist to join the fight against the virus. As she starts work at the facility, she realizes that the Kazzies are being tested against their will. They are being tortured, and she is in waaay over her head. I listened to the audio book and the narrator did very well. However, the story itself moved rather slow and seemed to repeat itself, or rather the scenarios repeated themselves a bit. There really wasn’t a big climax either. I felt like there should have been more action or more of a romance going on but I couldn’t really get invested in the story because it took a bit too long to get there. I am interested in what happens next but I am not sure if I will be continuing this series. It’s a 3.5 stars for me. We will see what happens.

 

Krista Street profile image

Krista Street loves writing fantasy and paranormal romance books. She’s a Minnesota native but has lived throughout the U.S. and in another country or two. She loves to travel, read, and spend time in the great outdoors. When not writing, Krista is either chasing her children, spending time with her husband and friends, sipping a cup of tea, or enjoying the hidden gems of beauty that Minnesota has to offer.

#WOTR26 #AuthorInterview – Valerie Clarizio

#WOTR26 Author Interviews

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

Valerie Clarizio is a USA Today bestselling author who lives in romantic Door County Wisconsin with her husband. She loves to read, write, and spend time at her cabin in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

She’s lived her life surrounded by men, three brothers, a husband, and a male Siamese cat who required his own instruction manual. Keeping up with all the men in her life has turned her into an outdoors enthusiast, of which her favorite activity is hiking in national parks. While out on the trails, she has plenty of time to conjure up irresistible characters and unique storylines for her next romantic suspense, time travel, or contemporary romance novel.

 

How did you hear about this event?  How many years have you attended?

2026 will be my second year and I heard about the event from Mama Pam (Pam James)

 

What genres do you write?

Romantic suspense, contemporary romance, and time travel romance

 

What is a book of yours you wish more people read?

Family Forever. It is a book that really speaks from the heart.

 

What is one fun fact about you?  It can be anything like food allergy, fear of something, weird way you broke a bone…….

I once went to the dealership to buy a moped, but left with a motorcycle. I guess the guy was a good salesman.

 

What are your social links?

Website/Blog: https://valeriejclarizio.com/
Newsletter: https://valeriejclarizio.com/newsletter-signup-page/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Valerie.Clarizio/
Facebook Street Team: https://www.facebook.com/groups/clarizioscronies/
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/valerie-j-clarizio
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valerieclarizio/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@valeriejclarizioauthor?lang=en
Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/VClarizio
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/valerieclarizio/
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B00A87RJVS

 

What are your buy links?

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Valerie-J.-Clarizio/author/B00A87RJVS
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/search?query=valerie+j+clarizio&ac=1&acp=valerie+j+clarizio&ac.author=valerie+j+clarizio&sort=Temperature&fclanguages=en
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/%22Valerie%20J.%20Clarizio%22?Ntk=P_key_Contributor_List&Ns=P_Sales_Rank&Ntx=mode+matchall
GooglePlay: https://play.google.com/store/books/author?id=Valerie+J.+Clarizio&hl=en_US
iBooks: https://books.apple.com/us/author/valerie-j-clarizio/id840642355

 

 

#Review #AudioBook – Cupcakes, Trinkets, and Other Deadly Magic (Dowser Series Book 1) by Meghan Ciana Doidge

If you’d asked me a week ago, I would have told you that the best cupcakes were dark chocolate with chocolate cream cheese icing, that dancing in a crowd of magic wielders — the Adept — was better than sex, and that my life was peaceful and uneventful. Just the way I liked it. That’s what twenty-three years in the magical backwater of Vancouver will get you — a completely skewed sense of reality. Because when the dead werewolves started showing up, it all unraveled … except for the cupcake part. That’s a universal truth.

Cupcakes, Trinkets, and Other Deadly Magic is the first book in the Dowser series, which is set in the same universe as the Oracle, Reconstructionist, Amplifier, Archivist, and Misfits of the Adept Universe series. While it is not necessary to read all the series, in order to avoid spoilers the ideal reading order of the Adept Universe begins with Cupcakes, Trinkets, and Other Deadly Magic (Dowser 1).

 

Goodreads

 

Amazon

 

Kelly’s Review

This book! Listen to it, trust me, you will be hooked!

In my opinion, a narrator can make or break a story for me. The narrator did a fantastic job of capturing the main character, Jade, but was also able to take on the other characters as well. The narrator hooked me! There are times when it takes me a while to finish an audio book because I am just not that invested in them. I found myself making time to listen. I was like, I NEED MORE!

The characters and world building were well developed. Jade and Sienna bickered and bantered like most siblings which would bring a smile to your face because you can imagine doing this with your own sibling(s). The vampires and wolves….Let me tell you something. There is a death that I did not see coming and completely threw me off my game. For that, I applaud the author because it is hard to surprise me with something like this and I love a twist like this! (claps loudly)

This series is so much different than the normal paranormal vamps, werewolves, and witches. It is so much more. It is fun to listen to with its witty banty and mystery. Highly recommend!

 

Meghan Ciana Doidge profile image

Meghan Ciana Doidge writes tales of true love conquering all, even death. Though sometimes the love is elusive, the vampires and werewolves come out to play in the daylight, and bloody mayhem ensues.

#WOTR26 #AuthorInterviews – Harley Wylde

#WOTR26 Author Interviews

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

Hi! I’m Harley Wylde and I mostly write motorcycle club romances, but really, I’ll write just about any bad boy hero (or anti-hero). I’ve been writing since 2008, although my first published book was under a different pen name. Hmm. Let’s see. I’m addicted to Starbucks, enjoy reading fantasy web comics and horror novels, and I really love 80’s slasher movies.

 

How did you hear about this event?  How many years have you attended?

Another author, Darlene Tallman, mentioned it at another event we were attending.

 

What genres do you write?

 

MC Romance, Mafia Romance, Shifters, and more.

What is a book of yours you wish more people read?

My first Harley Wylde book was a novella called Grease Monkey. It’s a contemporary age gap erotic romance, so expect tons of spice and steam!

 

What is one fun fact about you?  It can be anything like food allergy, fear of something, weird way you broke a bone…….

At the end of the first official date I had with my husband, he asked me to marry him. Except I don’t think he intended to and it just sort of slipped out. To his surprise, I said yes.

 

What are your social links?

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/harleywylde
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harleywylde
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@harleywylde
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@harleywylde
X: https://x.com/HarleyW_Writer
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15968847.Harley_Wylde

 

What are your buy links?

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B01MAWEN6C
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/search?query=harley+wylde
Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/author/harley-wylde/id1167865441
B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/harley%20wylde
Everand: https://www.everand.com/author/549635350/Harley-Wylde
Audible: https://www.audible.com/author/Harley-Wylde/B01MAWEN6C

 

 

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