AJ Nuest

In the first book in A Likely Story series, Eden Smith knows all about revenge. In fact, she owns and operates a tech-savvy business, Dirty Deeds, and she and her crew enacts revenge on people who deserve it. She’s super intelligent and secretive. She’s lived a hard life and knows better than to trust people too much. When a dead body is discovered with her business card in hand, Eden’s world comes crashing down.
Homicide Detective Kelly Riordan believes the murder victim is connected to the mysterious business and it’s compelling owner, but he can’t figure out how. Eden’s life is in danger, and though he knows he should follow protocol, he can’t think straight around her. He’s good at reading people, and he knows she’s not the enemy.
I love the H/h! Kelly and Eden have off-the-charts sexual chemistry, and their attraction is instant. Eden hides her pain behind carefully crafted lies and personas, and she doesn’t even really know who she is anymore. Kelly, however, sees past her masks for the real woman within. He’s so understanding, compassionate, and willing to give her what she needs. He’s not afraid to bend the law or outright break it to do what he knows is right.
Though I found the plot and characters interesting, the book was a little repetitive and wordy. The H/h kept thinking the same thoughts again and again, and it slowed the pacing. I really enjoyed the author’s ingenious similes and metaphors however. Some of them were really funny, or serious depending on the scene, but all of them were creative and unique.
Overall, I liked the book, but the pacing needs to be tighter.
3.5 Stars

Disclaimer – I won a print copy of this book in a contest. I am not paid or compensated in any way, shape, or form for this honest review. I will not change or alter this review for any reason unless at my discretion.
… (mehr)

The key would unlock his future and the safety of his kingdom, but he never imagined the sorceress would unlock his heart…

Antiques restorer, Rowena Lindstrom, finds herself the owner of an ancestral armoire containing a hidden key and a magic mirror leading to another realm!

But the handsome warrior prince waiting on the other side is truly the final straw. This must be an elaborate joke, right? As she struggles to discover the truth, Rowena learns Prince Caedmon Austiere needs the key to save his kingdom. In the end, she cannot deny him anything. Including her heart.

This is the first book in a series, and starts with Rowena regretting buying an armoire which certainly looked better on the internet but now it's sitting in her bedroom, it doesnt look so good, even after a few drinks. The back is warped, the drawers are swollen shut, and she is considering taking a crowbar to parts of it in the morning. There's one secret drawer that opens however, which contains an ancient looking key. It doesnt open anything however, so she takes to her bed.

It opens more than she realises however, and she meets Prince Caedmon, the second, bastard, son of the King, who is as shocked to see Rowena (predicted to appear as The Sourceress) as she is him.

Despite not being the chosen one, it soon transpires that the legitimate Prince is not the one destined to work with the Sourceress to protect the kingdom from the enemy at the gates. Rowena and Caedmon then spend the next three nights locked in seclusion, where Caedmon is not allowed to tell any lies. At the end of the three nights, Rowena needs to decide whether she is going to hand over the key. She doesnt know everything, so her decision has to be made on what she has learnt whilst stuck in the seclusion.

The alternate world is sketchy in this story which perhaps isn’t a bad thing for this book – the story is restricted to the Rowena’s view through the mirror, which is fairly static in the room, apart from one wander round the room.

There are a number of extra characters – some better sketched than the others (Ollie) but this is ultimately about Rowena and Caedmon.

The last few chapters set up the story well for the following book(s) and does make the reader (me) tempted to read at least the next story in the series. I'm being particularly vague here to prevent spoilers.....
… (mehr)

The key would unlock his future and the safety of his kingdom, but he never imagined the sorceress would unlock his heart…

Antiques restorer, Rowena Lindstrom, finds herself the owner of an ancestral armoire containing a hidden key and a magic mirror leading to another realm!

But the handsome warrior prince waiting on the other side is truly the final straw. This must be an elaborate joke, right? As she struggles to discover the truth, Rowena learns Prince Caedmon Austiere needs the key to save his kingdom. In the end, she cannot deny him anything. Including her heart.

This is the first book in a series, and starts with Rowena regretting buying an armoire which certainly looked better on the internet but now it's sitting in her bedroom, it doesnt look so good, even after a few drinks. The back is warped, the drawers are swollen shut, and she is considering taking a crowbar to parts of it in the morning. There's one secret drawer that opens however, which contains an ancient looking key. It doesnt open anything however, so she takes to her bed.

It opens more than she realises however, and she meets Prince Caedmon, the second, bastard, son of the King, who is as shocked to see Rowena (predicted to appear as The Sourceress) as she is him.

Despite not being the chosen one, it soon transpires that the legitimate Prince is not the one destined to work with the Sourceress to protect the kingdom from the enemy at the gates. Rowena and Caedmon then spend the next three nights locked in seclusion, where Caedmon is not allowed to tell any lies. At the end of the three nights, Rowena needs to decide whether she is going to hand over the key. She doesnt know everything, so her decision has to be made on what she has learnt whilst stuck in the seclusion.

The alternate world is sketchy in this story which perhaps isn’t a bad thing for this book – the story is restricted to the Rowena’s view through the mirror, which is fairly static in the room, apart from one wander round the room.

There are a number of extra characters – some better sketched than the others (Ollie) but this is ultimately about Rowena and Caedmon.

The last few chapters set up the story well for the following book(s) and does make the reader (me) tempted to read at least the next story in the series. I'm being particularly vague here to prevent spoilers.....
… (mehr)

Review of eBook

An antique armoire purchased from England [and in much poorer condition than she’d anticipated] creates some buyer’s remorse for antique restorer Rowena Lindstrom until she discovers a golden key [bearing her initials] dangling on a necklace in a secret compartment. And the mirror happens to be a portal to another world . . . .

In the land on the other side of the portal, uber-charming [and swoon-worthy] Prince Caedmon Austiere believes her to be a powerful sorceress who holds the key to the future of his entire kingdom.

Rowena finds herself drawn to Prince Caedmon and agrees to join him in his realm by passing through the mirror portal. But prophecy wins out and Rowena finds herself separated from the prince and unsure of the dangers and challenges that lie ahead.

Prince Caedmon, held captive in the dungeons of Seviere’s Keep, learns the secret of Rowena’s key. But many would wish to see Caedmon and Rowena fail; they flee to the future to escape the evil Wizard Gaelleod. Was it fated for Caedmon and Rowena to meet? Will they find a way to unravel the significance of the prophecy of the golden key?

This novella introduces the Golden Key Chronicles as it chronicles the beginning of a modern fairy tale. With well-defined characters and an interesting plot, fantasy fans will find much intrigue here. The world-building is believable. There’s a good bit of humor as sarcasm is often Rowena’s first response and, of course, there’s the requisite cliffhanger ending to encourage readers to continue with the series, but the launch of the Golden Key Chronicles is likely to encourage further reading by fantasy fans.

Highly recommended.… (mehr)