Mini-Read Review is a feature created here on In Libris Veritas in order to showcase the reviews for short stories and novellas which so often get over looked. Today I have Girls Day Out and Unspoken.

Source: Received from author in exchange for an honest review – Received no compensation
Publisher: FastForward
Series: –
Edition: Ebook, 33 pages
Genre: Urban Fantasy Novella
Purchase: Amazon*
*I receive a small monetary kickback from Amazon purchases
Rating: 4/5

All T wants is a break from her day job. After months of fighting angry demons and keeping humans oblivious to the Underworld, she needs some time off. Her solution is brilliant: A girls’ day out, full of shopping, massages, and mani-pedis. Luckily, she has a friend to bring along—her business partner, J. Unluckily, J wants nothing to do with T’s plan.

T manages to drag J along, promising a day full of pampering and relaxation. But the Underworld has different plans. When T and J are attacked by a pack of demons, their girls’ day is ruined and replaced by something much more sinister: A life-or-death investigation into the person—or demon—who wants them dead.

Girls’ Day Out is a fun little romp into a Men in Black type world, though instead of aliens we get demons and underworld creatures. The world-building is exceptionally detailed for such a short story. We get to see a nice variety of creatures and learn about the Balance and the Beauru which is essential to keeping everything in order and normal for the humans. T and J are set on taking a day off from keeping the world as it should be, and T decides on a spa day. Unfortunately not everything goes as planned and we get a humorous and action-y adventure to hunt down who is responsible for the attack.  I really enjoyed the main characters, they are complete opposites and it adds to the humor. T is bubbly, happy and hyper where as J is extremely calm and a bit moody. They both have really cool powers and they both kick some serious butt. My main issue with this is the fact that we have to refer to them as T and J…and it’s really confusing at times. I had to re-read sections to figure out who was speaking and who was being attacked. I do wish this had been a longer story because it really does feel like there is more to the story. There is so much I want to know about who attacked them and why!

Source: Purchased from Amazon
Publisher: Ardent Publishing
Series: Highland Historical #1
Edition: Ebook, 62 pages
Genre: Historical Romance Novella
Purchase: Amazon*
*I receive a small monetary kickback from Amazon purchases
Rating: 3.5/5

He’s cursed with eternal silence…

Roderick MacLauchlan is death for hire. Blessed by an ancient Deity with Berserker rage, he has the strength of ten men. Cursed by a malicious enemy, he’s incapable of speech. A desperate clan war rages around him and a malevolent adversary lurks in the darkness, calling for blood.

Evelyn Woodhouse is an English refugee with a dangerous secret. She has the ability to see the outcome of tomorrow’s battle and knows they’re on the wrong side of it. When a doomed and silent mercenary rescues her from a fate worse than death, it seems he has his own plans for her. This is his last night alive and she’s never been able to defy destiny.

May not be suitable for those under 18 years of age includes: sexual content.

Holy smokes I love me a highlander…In Unspoken we follow a English barmaid who has taken refuge in Scotland during a time of clan war. She’s quiet and thanks to her ability to see the future she keeps herself at a distance. That all changes when the silent Berserker named Roderick enters the bar and the war. He becomes her protector and they both find themselves wanting more. There isn’t a ton of depth to this but I loved the unique nature of their relationship and how sweet it is. I’m always a fan of highland themed novels and I particularly liked the berserker aspect because it isn’t something I’ve run into very often. I’m definitely going to be reading the next book in this series which deals with Roderick’s brother, where I hope to learn a bit more about Eve and Roderick as well.