5+ stars for Smoother Than Spumoni by @author_barr #paranormalromance #pnr #shifters #bookreview
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  • N. N. Light
    • Aug 30, 2021
    • 3 min read

5+ stars for Smoother Than Spumoni by @author_barr #paranormalromance #pnr #shifters #bookreview



Title: Smoother Than Spumoni

Author: Marilyn Barr

Genre: Paranormal Romance


Book Blurb:


She lured him into the ocean unaware of the dangers lurking beneath the waves…


Susie Larkin is a dolphin shifter and heir to the humble Larkin’s Dairy Dip on Seagrass Island, FL. Pedaling ice cream from bicycle carts on the beach is just a stepping-stone for this future CEO of a frozen confection empire—or so she hopes.

Frank Paulino Jr. receives his first taste of freedom from Strawberry, KY in a summer internship at Bart’s Oyster bar. His pasta creations save the restaurant when red tide poisons the fresh fish of the bay, making him the most popular werewolf on Seagrass island.


Frank and Susie uncover a conspiracy that threatens not only the wildlife of the area but also their lives. Can these two shifters put their ambitions aside long enough to give their relationship a chance, or will Frank pay the ultimate price to protect Susie and the island she loves?


My Review:


Susie's soul is tied to the water but in order to save her, can Frank convince her to turn away from it? Susie Larkin is a dolphin shifter who lives on Seagrass Island, Florida. Every summer, she sells her parents' scrumptious ice cream on the beach. When she meets handsome Frank outside of Bart's Oyster Bar, she's drawn to him. He makes her heart flutter, a sensation she's not used to feeling. At the local shifters meeting, she learns he's from Strawberry, KY, and is interning over the summer. He's an incredible chef, especially when it comes to Italian food, and he's the most eligible bachelor on Seagrass Island. Susie tries to keep her distance, but fate seems to throw them together. When they uncover someone is poisoning the waters surrounding the island, Susie and other dolphin shifters become prime targets. Can Susie realize it's love reflecting in Frank's eyes when he vows to protect her or will she turn her back on him forever?


Smoother than Spumoni is a summertime shifter romance I couldn't put down. If you have had the chance to read Bear With Me by Marilyn Barr, you'll recognize werewolf shifter Frank Paulino Jr. and his quiet demeanor. I can't tell you how much I loved the heroine, Susie. She's a dolphin shifter and as someone who loves dolphins, it was such fun to read more about her lineage. I connected with her and her itchiness to play in the water. The attraction between Susie and Frank is immediate yet I would quantify their relationship as slow-burning. I kept rooting for them to get together. The danger lurking beneath the surface sub-plot was well-crafted and added some intrigue to the overall plot. Marilyn Barr is a gifted writer, and I thoroughly enjoyed this side story in her Strawberry Shifters series. She's a master when it comes to shifter romance, especially when it comes to world-building and descriptive narration. If you're looking for a summer shifter romance before heading into autumn, pick up Smoother than Spumoni. Paranormal romance fans, you'll want to read Smoother than Spumoni. Another gem in the One Scoop or Two series. Highly recommend!


My Rating: 5+ stars


Buy it Now:



Giveaway:


I’m one of the authors participating in the Dog Days of Summer Book Giveaway and you can win an e-copy of Round of Applause by Marilyn Barr.


Runs August 1 - 31 and is open internationally for many prizes. Winners will be drawn on September 1, 2021.



Author Biography:


Marilyn Barr currently resides in the wilds of Kentucky with her husband, son, and rescue cats. She has a diverse background containing experiences as a child prodigy turned medical school reject, published microbiologist, special education/inclusion science teacher, homeschool mother of a savant, certified spiritual/energy healer, and advocate for the autistic community. This puts her in the position to bring tales containing heroes who are regular people with different ability levels and body types, in a light where they are powerful, lovable, and appreciated.


When engaging with the real world, she is collecting characters, empty coffee cups, and unused homeschool curricula. She is a sucker (haha) for cheesy horror movies, Italian food, punk music, black cats, bad puns, and all things witchy.


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Reviewed by: Mrs. N

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