I really enjoyed Captured by the Vampire Knight overall. I loved the author's writing style. The characters were fantastic. Even the secondary characters were vivid enough to feel like real people. The world building was well balanced, with enough description to picture everything clearly but never so much as to be overwhelming or boring. The story was deeply engrossing, and the chemistry between Natalie and Rayhan is lovely. I wasn't crazy about one part of the ending, but overall, this is a great book. I highly recommend it for readers who enjoy enemies to lovers romantasy with vampires and witches.

This is an impressive book. The author provides a surprising amount of useful comparison data for such a concise book, mostly presented in tables in the middle section. It's solid, well-sourced information presented plainly. The beginning and ending sections are where this book shines for me personally. The author brings up various considerations and practical concerns, explaining the process in a personable way that cuts through the emotional chaos. The reader is left with a clear idea of what the major considerations are, a starting point for comparing countries, and most importantly, with hope that moving is actually feasible with the right planning and preparation. Highly recommended for readers who are actively wanting to flee the current political situation in the US, as well as for those looking for reassurance that it's possible.

I really appreciated this book. It's easy to follow, concise, and the information is presented clearly. I've tried starting seeds a few times before with varying degrees of success, but I could usually tell there was something not quite right. This book helps with that. It takes you through the whole process, from explaining what you need to know about different seed types and when to start them, what you need to have the best chance of success with your seeds, common problems, and transplanting the seedlings when it's time to do so. So far I've only gotten partway through the process, but I'm having more success. More seeds are sprouting, and the emerging plants are more robust. More importantly to me, I understand the reasoning behind things, so I'm better able to adjust if needed. I highly recommend this book for novices interested in growing plants from seeds.

Herb Mentality is a fantastic reference book for anyone interested in herbs and their traditional uses. The book opens with some historical information on the usage of herbs, followed by a chapter on different methods of preparation and use that would be especially helpful for people who are still a little newer to working with herbs. The majority of the book are the two reference sections. There's an alphabetal herb listing that goes over what each is traditionally suited for, which parts of the plant to use, and which preparations are commonly used. There's also an index of ailments that lists which herbs might be recommended for each problem. I cross checked some of the herbal listings against other trusted sources, and this seems to be a very well-researched and accurate book. I highly recommend Herbal Mentality for those interested in plant-based wellness.

I loved reading Bloodbane. Ruby is a fascinating character, and I enjoyed learning about her over the course of the story. Thayne and Grayson were equally intriguing, and I enjoyed the fresh perspective the author brought to werewolves and vampires. The chemistry between the three main characters was absolutely blistering. Without giving any spoilers, I'll just say that I really enjoyed the blend of previous and new relationships that came into play on the romance side of the story. As for the mystery aspect of the novel, I thought it was intriguing, and I really enjoyed the way the author tied everything together. The culmination of the story was mostly what I expected, with enough pleasant surprises to keep it interesting. Overall, this book was a page-turner for me. The combination of mystery, fast-paced action, and spicy MMF romance worked really well. I would like to see another book continuing the story and maybe giving us a bit more information about the werewolves. This book wraps everything up nicely, but it also sets up other couples that would be fun to follow their stories. I highly recommend Bloodbane for readers who enjoy spicy MMF romances with gothic elements.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.