All too often prequel’s are just a tease and set up for Book I of a series. I do so love with an author can make a prequel novella that stands alone yet makes me want the next one. Especially when a female FBI agent is looking for a woman that went missing on the 87 mile stretch of Jade Forest section.
We are off to a quick start, when a young girl goes missing in the Jade Forest.
Small town mystery with a couple of characters brought together under tragic circumstances. How much danger will they face? I think plenty. The big question is, where will it come from? Is it two legged or four legged? Will there be a romance?
Vanished by Jade Madden is a complete novella, an entire story, in one fell swoop. YAY!
It is written with a light touch. Though there is plenty of gruesome death, it’s over quick. I never really felt the sense of urgency and suspense I love so much. That’s okay. It is a novella and I don’t believe it was meant to. NOW…
What’s next in the Faith Black Case Files? Bring it on.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Vanished by Jade Madden.
4 Stars
GOODREADS BLURB
An FBI Agent. A missing hiker. And a secret to die for…
FBI Agent Faith Black was damn good at her job.
But considering the events of her last case, she is lucky to still have her badge.
Her latest assignment lands her in a sleepy backwoods town where people are disappearing.
She’s less than enthused.
She partners with the local sheriff who’s desperate for answers. They agree that their only option is to retrace the footsteps of a college grad who recently vanished while hiking.
Together they scour the hiking trail over 87 miles through the thick mountain forest. They can’t shake the eerie feeling they are not alone.
Whatever was lurking in the shadows wants them gone.
And nothing could have prepared them for what they find.
It was a secret that the ominous forest has been hiding.
A secret only the dead knew…
Vanished is the prequel to the Faith Black FBI Crime Files series; it can be read as a standalone.
Disclaimer: This book is for mature audiences and contains mild profanity and violence.
102 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 1, 2022
ABOUT JADE MADDEN
Jade Madden lives in Minnesota with her husband and dogs. When she’s not writing mystery, thriller, and suspense books, she loves to travel, long-distance hiking, gardening, clean eating, learning about healthy lifestyles, bushcraft, herbalism, and staying fit.
A wonderfully illustrated children’s story sure to entrance the youngsters. Kindness and good manners are on the agenda, when they have a tea party at school. I love the illustrations and descriptions of the food, the fellow water residents they pass on the way to school, and the teacher that makes the tea party so special. Quick and easy for the youngsters to understand. What little girl doesn’t want to be a mermaid?
4 Stars
GOODREADS BLURB
Fun, Beautifully Illustrated Bedtime Story/Picture Book about Thoughtfulness and Good Manners for Beginner Readers, Ages 2-8
32 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 19, 2013
ABOUT SALLY HUSS (from Amazon)
Sally Huss is a children’s book author and illustrator and a former tennis champion. She lives with her brilliant husband who is forever telling her what her next book should be. She, however, listens to her own heart and writes what she wants; occasionally serving him scrambled eggs and gluten-free toast. She herself prefers a blueberry muffin.
First off, don’t ya just love that cover? Sometimes I will grab a book for that reason alone, but not so in the case of The Rising by Kerry Peresta. I loved her first book in the series, The Deadening, so I quickly dove into The Rising, which is an appropriate title as Olivia Callhan makes the most of her chance to remake herself after being in a coma following an assault and subsequent amnesia.
“You should’ve returned my calls, you idiot. It didn’t have to end like this.”
A great start to The Rising by Kerry Peresta, and I was immediately caught up in the mystery. And, of course, Olivia Callahan is smack dab in the middle of it.
Monty, her ex husband, is in prison, but that doesn’t stop him from manipulating people and complicating her life. She talks herself into visiting him. She is surprised at his appearance, Schwartzenegger in a room full of Danny Devitos. Had me laughing out loud. Her hope was to be able to move forward, but she needed some answers from him first. He is slick and I would be careful of anything he says.
‘Sherry’ plays a bigger part in each story and I love that my namesake is turning into a kickass character.
Olivia had written a book about her experiences and regrets doing so. It puts her in the limelight, recognized everywhere she goes. Her agent is constantly harping on her to write another one, but she has no interest in doing so.
Her love interest, Hunter Faraday, is a very patient man. He will have to be if he wants a relationship with her. She still doesn’t know who she really is, though her personality is done a three hundred and sixty degree turn and I am loving the new her. She falters now and then, but that is to be expected. She is still trying to learn her past.
Her girlfriends stick by her, but Hannah is now on my shit list. Can she redeem herself?
Bells and clangs and alarms sounded in my mind like a fire truck screaming down the freeway.
Want a profound quote. The whole book had me feeling that way. Murder, bombs, revenge, and a new start for Olivia. She’s not happy with the police investigation, so she is starting one of her own.
I was so sad for Niles. Can someone be all bad? Do they deserve a second chance?
Well, The Rising by Kerry Peresta was a wild rollercoaster ride of mystery and emotion, and I expected no less after reading The Deadening. We have so much action and intrigue, I couldn’t stop reading, t times wanting to wring her neck and punch out some of the other characters. Other times, the characters rose to the occasion, making me glad to know she has people like that around her. I will immediately be cracking open The Torching. I guess we’ll be seeing a fire…maybe two…maybe more, going by the title?
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of The Rising by Kerry Peresta.
4 Stars
GOODREADS BLURB
After an assault that landed her in a hospital as a Jane Doe two years earlier, Olivia Callahan has regained her speech, movement, and much of the memory she lost due to a traumatic brain injury. The media hype about the incident has faded away, and Olivia is ready to rebuild her life, but her therapist insists she must continue to look back in order to move forward. The only person that can help her recall specifics is her abusive ex-husband, Monty, who is in prison for murder. The thought of talking to Monty makes her skin crawl, but for her daughters’ sake and her own sanity, she must learn more about who she was before the attack. Just as the pieces of her life start falling into place, she stumbles across the still-warm body of an old friend who has been gruesomely murdered. Her dream of pursuing a peaceful existence is shattered when she learns the killer left evidence behind to implicate her in the murder. The only person that would want to sabotage her is Monty-but he’s in prison! Something sinister is going on, and Olivia is desperate to figure it out before another senseless murder is committed.
Kerry Peresta’s publishing credits include a popular newspaper and e-zine humor column, “The Lighter Side,” and short stories in the published anthology, “That One Left Shoe,” and her first novel released in 2013 by Pen-L Publishing, “The Hunting,” contemporary women’s fiction. She spent twenty-five years in advertising as an account manager, creative director, and copywriter before deciding to devote more of her time to writing. She is currently working on her next novel, and the most current one, The Deadening, fiction, suspense; releases Feb. 23, 2021 and will be available for pre-order mid-January. Kerry has been published in several local magazines, including Local Life, Island Events, Bluffton Breeze, and Lady Lowcountry. She is a member of Sisters in Crime and Island Writers Network of Hilton Head. She enjoys participating in writing conferences, and has served as chapter president of the Maryland Writers’ Association. Learn more about Kerry at www.kerryperesta.net, https://www.facebook.com/klperesta or https://www.instagram.com/kerryperesta
Carolyn Arnold sets the hook in me with the Prologue for Her Dark Grave.
I am going to kill someone before graduation.
Just because a family appears to have it all, no one knows what goes on behind closed doors…mom and ‘my little boy’ aren’t telling. And, that is how a killer is born.
Madison Knight is a detective with the Stiles Police Department. Her nightmares and inability to sleep have her driving around in the early morning hours. Her lover, Troy Matthews, a SWAT leader, had fought for his life when they went up against the Russian Mafia. Could they be following her? Are they in danger?
Her car runs out of gas and she discovers a suitcase filled with body parts.
Tara is found. She may be rich, but she is devoted to those less privileged. She fights poverty and illiteracy, knowing the power of being able to read can lead to jobs.
She strongly believed that children are our future.
Madison Knight is my favorite Carolyn Arnold character. Besides her and her significant other Troy, we have her partner Terry, who seems to be hiding something from her, and Cynthia, head of the forensics lab and lead criminal investigator. She is Madison’s best friend and expecting a baby. Madison reminds me of Brenda Lee Johnson from the TV show, The Closer.
HE knew he was different from the time he was six years old. He felt no pain, but did experience pleasure, and aren’t we supposed to pursue happiness? I don’t think ‘they’ meant by being bathed in blood. His memories are his friends. As the pace of his kills picks up and a second woman is found mutilated, is he trying to get caught. Does he want his name in lights?
As Terry’s secret is exposed and Madison and Troy’s future becomes clear to her, it seems she has come full circle. To find out what I mean by that, you will need to read the book.
I love that Carolyn Arnold’s books smack of realism. Sure, there are those ‘fiction’ moments, but her ability to take us through the procedures of the investigation, step by step, lead us to the killer in a realistic way. Her research is evident in the details.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Her Dark Grave by Carolyn Arnold.
4 Stars
GOODREADS BLURB
Her eyes widen at her reflection in the steel blade as it comes closer, closer, closer…
Detective Madison Knight thought a midnight drive through the countryside would help clear her mind, but she thought wrong. Her car runs out of gas, stranding her in the middle of nowhere in pitch darkness. When she gets out to stretch her legs, the beam of her phone’s flashlight lands on a suitcase in the ditch. After she opens it, she’s sorry she did.
Tara Jackson was only twenty-one years old with her entire life ahead of her before she was stabbed to death and stuffed into a piece of luggage. Madison is determined to find her justice and soon uncovers that Tara was keeping secrets from those closest to her and suspects they may have gotten her killed. But while she’s exploring that lead, the body of another young woman is found in a sports equipment bag.
She looks just like Tara and is the same age, and Madison starts to wonder if the killer she’s after has killed before. Desperate, she turns to cold cases and missing person reports to see if she can dig up anything to further the investigation.
Madison finds eighteen-year-old Daphne Tucker, who was reported missing from the area three years ago. She’s a doppelganger to the other victims. Is the reason Daphne hasn’t been heard from because she’s dead too? And has her killer returned, hungry for more blood?
As Madison edges closer to the truth, someone is stalking her from the shadows, and she fears it just may be the twisted, demented killer she’s hunting. But can Madison outsmart him or her before she becomes the next victim?
This completely gripping bone-chilling crime thriller is perfect for fans of Lisa Regan, D.K. Hood, and Leslie Wolfe.
346 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication May 17, 2023 by Hibbert & Stiles Publishing Inc
ABOUT CAROLYN ARNOLD
CAROLYN ARNOLD is an international bestselling and award-winning author, as well as a speaker, teacher, and inspirational mentor. She has several continuing fiction series and has many published books. Her genre diversity offers her readers everything from police procedurals, hard-boiled mysteries, and thrillers to action adventures. Her crime fiction series have been praised by those in law enforcement as being accurate and entertaining. This led to her adopting the trademark: POLICE PROCEDURALS RESPECTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT™.
Carolyn was born in a small town and enjoys spending time outdoors, but she also loves the lights of a big city. Grounded by her roots and lifted by her dreams, her overactive imagination insists that she tell her stories. Her intention is to touch the hearts of millions with her books, to entertain, inspire, and empower.
She currently lives near London, Ontario, Canada with her husband and two beagles.
Book Title: Shadow Wolf of the Rocky Mountains by Natascha Birovljev Category: Adult Fiction (18+), 484 pages Genre: Adventure Publisher: North Raven Books Release date: March 27, 2023 Content Rating: PG for romantic elements
MY REVIEW
It is wonderful to be back in Spruce View with characters I have come to know so well. Shadow Wolf of the Rocky Mountains is the fourth book in the Rocky Mountain series. I have loved spending time with everyone, struggling through their issues ad the find their place in the world.
The Prologue shares a story of Two Wolves, loosely based on a Cherokee legend. I love that each book starts out with a different tribes legend. I love that we have an animal rescue center, and Kachina, a wolf pup is in dire need of their help.
We meet a new guy, Doug. All my spidey senses went on alert, but that could just be me. I am always looking around the corner for this or that bad thing or bad person to make an appearance.
I was able to spot some trouble coming and I had to know how everything would pan out. There is so much going on and so many new adventures for the characters, there was never a dull moment.
I have loved this series, reading one book right after the other. Natascha Birovljev is an amazing author, filling the book’s pages with vividly described environments, characters that had me laughing and even shedding a tear or two or three and mysteries to be solved. I feel like I have learned a lot about ranching and the Native culture.
Could there be more coming in the Rocky Mountain series? We could end here and I would be satisfied, but I would love to have more and keep up with the gang.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Shadow Wolf by Natascha Birovljev.
4 Stars
Book Description:
What if the untamed wilderness held the key to unlocking the deepest desires of the heart?
In the shadow of the majestic Rocky Mountains, whispers of untold stories and hidden destinies come to life. Welcome to the world of The Shadow Wolf of the Rocky Mountains, the fourth installment in the gripping Willow Ranch series. Here, three humans and a she-wolf navigate a treacherous landscape of love, loss, and the unforgiving wilderness.
When fate intertwines the lives of Rosie, the resilient groom, Cody, the enigmatic cowboy, and Woodwind, the mystical Cree Indian, their fragile dreams and deepest fears are unearthed. At the heart of it all is the Willow Ranch, a place where passions ignite, and lives are forever altered. Can they trust the strength of their bond and the power of love to guide them through the storm?
In this haunting tale of self-discovery and the quest for redemption, each character is forced to confront their own demons. As Cody grapples with the crushing weight of his brother’s suicide, Rosie fights for her horses and her home amidst swirling deception. And Woodwind, haunted by self-doubt, must find the courage to save the she-wolf and the woman who has captured his heart.
As careless decisions threaten the future of the Willow Ranch, the rugged beauty of the Rocky Mountains presents a formidable challenge. With time running out, the friends and staff must pull together and believe in the magic of community to save their home and their happiness.
Dare to venture into the wild unknown, where heartache and hope collide, and where the call of the heart is a siren song that cannot be ignored. “Song of the Wild: Call of the Heart” beckons you to the Willow Ranch, where the secrets of the wilderness hold the key to love, courage, and the power of unity.
Embark on this unforgettable journey of love and self-discovery today – answer the call of the heart and unlock the secrets hidden within the wild.
Natascha Birovljev is a storyteller at heart and author of the “Willow Ranch” book series.
Growing up in Germany, horses were always part of her life. After getting her Master degree in Religious Studies and German Literature, adventure was calling and she traveled to Alberta. She fell in love with the wild beauty of the Rocky Mountains and immigrated from Germany to Canada in 2005.
Here she worked the first years as a guide for horseback vacations, exploring mountain trails and spending the summer months in tent camps in the wilderness.
Inspired by her adventures and connections to ranchers, cowboys and First Nation communities, she started writing her books. Natascha lives on her ranch in Alberta with her horses and dogs.
Her stories show her fascination with the beauty of the Rocky Mountain wilderness and her love for the people she encounters.
I was so excited that I won a copy of Primitives by Erich Krauss. Everything about it grabbed me. I was not disappointed. Just look at this beautiful hard cover. Doesn’t it pop?
I saw this book on a book tour and had to have it. I stalked the book and…voila…I got me a gorgeous hardcover book to add to my bookshelves!
Yeah, I did let it languish on the bookshelf, staring at me, making me think, “I gotta read that.” Finally…I have…and I was not disappointed. It wasn’t everything I hoped it was, but now that I know there is another one coming, I understand. The depth and detail of the apocalyptic/dystopian world Erich Krauss has created is amazing. I was able to follow the storyline easily, vividly imagining the world the characters are in. I walked in their footsteps, because of The Walking Dead series. We just replaced the zombies with a virus.
My hands ached from holding the hardcover. I did not want to stop reading. I knew I would have to stay up for many hours to get through 424 pages. I knew pretty quickly it would be up to the characters to engage me. And they did. We went through two points of view and past and present times. Erich Krauss made it work. Now that is some good writing.
Why do some scientists think they are entitled to play God? I think that role is already filled(?). Narcissists. Egomaniacs. I am intelligent. I have all the answers. I know what is best. I am right. You are wrong. It doesn’t matter what you think. It is of no value. Go along to get along. Shut up and sit down…or I’ll make you.
I love books that cause me discomfort, make me question….things…
We have all the good and bad of humanity filling the pages with their actions. Trust does not come easy. Your life depends on you making the right decisions. I love a book that gets my own thoughts flowing, me almost helping write the pages as the action flows on the pages. Maybe even adding whatever pops in my head over and above what is written.
I think Erich Krauss’ inspiration came from his personal life and the Covid Epidemic. Be sure and read his bio. It may be short, but it is fascinating. I haven’t read any of his other books, but as I scrolled through them, I thought, I would read that. Yeah, that’s not something I would have thought of reading, like Got Fight?: The 50 Zen Principles Of Hand To Face Contact. But, ya know what? I would now. I may need it when I return to the butte and Seth, Sarah, and I meet the Merry Men.
I want to leave you with this question. Does humanity deserve to survive?
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Primitives by Erich Krauss.
4 Stars
GOODREADS BLURB
From New York Times bestselling author Erich Krauss comes Primitives, the story of two unlikely heroes thrust into a post-apocalyptic mission to restore humanity.
Thirty years after The Great Fatigue infected the globe—and the treatment regressed most of the human race to a primitive state—Seth Keller makes a gruesome discovery in his adoptive father’s makeshift lab. This revelation forces him to leave the safety of his desert home and the only other person left in the world…at least, as far as he knows.
Three thousand miles away in the jungles of Costa Rica, Sarah Peoples has made her own discovery—just as horrific, and just as life-changing. It will take her far from the fledgling colony of New Haven, yet never out of reach of its ruthless authoritarian leader.
On separate journeys a world apart, Seth and Sarah find themselves swept up in a deadly race to save humankind. Their fates will come crashing together in an epic struggle between good and evil, where the differences aren’t always clear. Among the grim realities of civilization’s demise, they discover that the remaining survivors may pose an even greater threat than the abominations they were taught to fear.
Fighting for their lives, they’re confronted with a haunting question.
Does humanity deserve to survive?
Primitives, the first book of this saga, is a tale of bravery and self-discovery found in the ruins of a dying world, where the darkest sides of human nature are revealed.
ABOUT ERICH KRAUSS
ERICH KRAUSS is a New York Times bestselling author who has written more than thirty books. Inspiration for his stories comes from more than twenty years traveling the globe, from living in the Amazon rainforest to fighting professionally in the Muay Thai rings of Thailand. He lives in Las Vegas with his wife, Georgina.
Book Title: Shadow Crow of the Rocky Mountains by Natascha Birovljev Category: Adult Fiction (18+), 446 pages Genre: Adventure Publisher: North Raven Books Release date: March 27, 2023 Content Rating: PG for romantic elements
MY REVIEW
I love how each book of the Rocky Mountain series starts with a Prologue and a Native story. The Prologue of Shadow Crow Of The Rocky Mountains by Natascha Birovljev is a Lenape legend. I have always been fascinated by the Natives culture and this series has been excellently translated. As far as ranch life and horses, Natascha Birovljev lives what she writes.
“Dad’s dead, Chuck muttered. “I still can’t believe it.”
Now, he is returning to Spruce View with his raggedy pickup and his best friend, Goat, his mule mare. It’s a loss, but also a blessing that he was pulled from hunting camp he was working at that had become hell for him. Chuck had up and left. No goodbye to anyone.
He inherits his fathers trapline. And thus starts the mystery.
I love books that have crows in them and they will make an appearance, here and there throughout. Are they a sign for Chuck? Are they trying to tell him something? Is he listening?
It is wonderful to be back with some familiar characters. As soon as I finished one book, I picked up the next.
Lyla is a Cree woman and has been involved with Nick, co owner of Willow Ranch. I don’t want to go into too much detail about the book because it is a series and I don’t want to give anything away, but Lyla will have some life changes. I love her dog, Mr Mud. What a fun name.
In Shadow Crow of the Rocky Mountains, Chuck doesn’t come off so well. He pissed me off, more and more. Is he really so dense he can’t see what’s coming, or is he so wrapped up in himself he can’t see past his own state of mind.? Through most of the book I was hating on the men, Chuck and Nick. Can they be redeemed, because they sure have some issues.
I am so excited that I have all four books of the Rocky Mountain series by Natascha Birovjlev. As soon as I finished one, I picked up the next one, getting more and more involved in the characters lives. I try not to judge them, because the author is the one telling the story and the characters are talking to her. Their reasons are there own, and as the story unravels, I was able to understand their reasons and motivations for their actions, right or wrong.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Shadow Crow by Natascha Birovljev.
4 Stars
Book Description:
Do you believe in the power of love and ancient magic to overcome the obstacles of the heart and the wilderness?
Dive into an enchanting journey of love, adventure, and mystery set in the captivating wilderness of Canada.
In The Shadow Crow of the Rocky Mountains, Chuck and Lyla find themselves drawn together by their shared love for the Canadian wilderness. However, while Lyla embraces the strength the mountains provide, Chuck returns to his hometown a bitter man, determined to sell his inherited fur-trapper route, and leave once more.
When a lucrative offer from a cunning businessman and a chance encounter with the enigmatic Wahleeah enter the picture, Chuck’s plans for a swift exit are thrown into disarray. As the possibility of staying in his hometown starts to feel like an adventure rather than a punishment, Chuck finds himself embroiled in a whirlwind of emotion, danger, and intrigue.
Lyla, appointed by her Native American tribe as the protector of wild horses, faces her own challenges. With a tumultuous relationship and her dreams of transforming the wild horse territory into a protected reserve on the line, a mysterious figure named Lonefeather Jones enters her life, igniting a magical spark within her. But will this newfound magic be enough to overcome the setbacks and jealousy that threaten to tear her world apart?
As secrets are uncovered and lives intertwine, the Willow Ranch residents find themselves facing trials that will test their courage, love, and loyalty. With legends of the First Nations woven into the narrative, this tale of ranch life and the untamed beauty of the Canadian wilderness will leave you breathless and yearning for more.
Unravel the mysteries of the Rocky Mountains and immerse yourself in the spellbinding world of The Shadow Crow of the Rocky Mountains.
Natascha Birovljev is a storyteller at heart and author of the “Willow Ranch” book series.
Growing up in Germany, horses were always part of her life. After getting her Master degree in Religious Studies and German Literature, adventure was calling and she traveled to Alberta. She fell in love with the wild beauty of the Rocky Mountains and immigrated from Germany to Canada in 2005.
Here she worked the first years as a guide for horseback vacations, exploring mountain trails and spending the summer months in tent camps in the wilderness.
Inspired by her adventures and connections to ranchers, cowboys and First Nation communities, she started writing her books. Natascha lives on her ranch in Alberta with her horses and dogs.
Her stories show her fascination with the beauty of the Rocky Mountain wilderness and her love for the people she encounters.
After reading Let The Dead Lie by W L Brooks, I had to know ‘the secret’ and here I am. The girls have grown up and have lives of their own, but they are still thick as thieves…except for Casey, who had left town after finding out ‘the secret’. Brooks keeps me hanging for a while, not giving anything away until I have been updated on what has been to the family happening since we have been gone.
The girls hire Ryan Keller, a private detective, to find Casey. She comes back to a dire situation. Fletcher is in trouble and Casey has always been the one closest to her. Can she reach her?
“You’ve never backed down from a fight in your life. Not one! But now–now when you have to fight for your own life–you quit? I say fuck you, Jamie McKay. I want Fletcher back!”
There was a hiccup, when they don’t believe Fletcher…well, about the fire and the locket. I guess it’s feasible, because of the hallucinations, but it bothers me none the less.
Jake’s first meeting with the one of the girls is hilarious. A little arrogance brought down by a litle girl. I wonder if he will get his own book. I think I know which of the girls, women, he will hook up with, if it does happen.
There is something about Fletcher’s spirit that speaks to me and she has always been my favorite of the girls. They are all hellcats, and it would behoove the men that are attracted to them to keep that in mind. And…trouble seems to be a part of their life. They have many enemies who are not shy about making an appearance.
“Almost fifteen years ago, someone else was after the McKays…”
“What the hell is wrong with you people?”
The McKay family is constantly cracking me up. The writing and dialogue is spot on, making it easy to visualize their actions and become so wrapped up in their story that I cannot stop reading until the last page is read. The Secrets That Shape Us by W L Brooks did not hit me as hard as Let The Dead Lie, but it still makes me eager to pick up the next book in the series, Unearthing The Past.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of The Secrets That Shape Us by W L Brooks.
4 Stars
GOODREADS BLURB
After uncovering a devastating secret, Casey McKay left her beloved home town and pretended not to look back. For years, the truth her sisters hid from her has kept her away. Now, in desperate need of Casey’s help, her sisters have hired a PI to find her.
As a private investigator, Ryan Keller is used to getting into sticky situations, but nothing could have prepared him for the likes of Ms. McKay. Unable to resist her appeal for help, Ryan returns with her to Blue Creek. Little do they know they are walking right into a deadly plot to destroy the McKay sisters.
The closer they get to the truth, the harder it is for them to resist temptation. But succumbing to their desires puts Ryan in the crosshairs of a vengeful foe. To save them, Casey must face her past and the secrets that have shaped her.
Fiction, Romance, Suspense, Thriller
215 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 22, 2018 The Wild Rose Press, Inc
W.L. Brooks was born with an active imagination. When characters come into her mind, she has to give them a life- a chance to tell their stories. With a coffee cup in her hand and a cat by her side, she spends her days letting the ideas flow onto paper. A voracious reader, she draws her inspiration from mystery, romance, suspense and a dash of the paranormal.
A native of Virginia Beach, she is currently living in Western North Carolina. Check out the latest book in her McKay Series, The Truth Behind the Mask, and stay tuned to see what’s next!
Book Title: Shadow Horses of the Rocky Mountains by Natascha Birovljev Category: Adult Fiction (18+), 372 pages Genre: Adventure Publisher: North Raven Books Release date:March 27, 2023 Content Rating: PG for romantic elements
MY REVIEW
‘They’ say to write about something you know and that is what Natascha Birovljey has done in Shadow Horses Of The Rocky Mountains. If you check out her bio, you will see that she emigrated from Germany to Canada and lives with her horses, like her characters, Lee and Lyla. Her translators, Hilary Whiteley and Anna Fin did an excellent job, making the novel flow smoothly and easy to read.
I love the Cree influence and the Prologue shares a story based on the Yinnuwok First Ntaions people. More than once, Natascha Birovljey had me surfing the web, checking out this and that. I love when an author does their research.
A phone call from Lee’s Aunt Jeanne has him and his sister, Lyla, coming home to Willow Ranch. His father has cancer and the clock is ticking down on his life. His grumpiness made me think of my father, when he was bedridden. It’s hard for a strong, independent man to let others take over.
His photography career will play a part, and as a lover of photography and animals, I found a connection with him, until….well, he does something that made me think, what the….why would you do that? Is he really that dense? That gullible? And Naira, a Cree woman who runs a wildlife sanctuary, why would you say that to her? But, you will need to find out for yourself what I am talking about, because mum is the word.
Lyla has a connection to animals, nightmares, and feels like someone is keeping secrets from her. After a while, I began to figure out some of it, but I was happy that I wasn’t right about everything.
When I read about the burrowing owls, it made me think of a TV program I watched about them. They are such cute little animals and definitely serve their purpose in the novel.
Shadow Horses Of The Rocky Mountains by Natascha Biroljev was everything I had hoped it would be and more. If you love reading about the Native culture, animals, especially horses, second chances, love and forgiveness, I feel this is a book for you.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Shadow Horses Of The Rocky Mountains by Natascha Biroljev.
4 Stars
Book Description:
Have you ever felt the call of the wild, beckoning you to a place where the beauty of nature takes your breath away?
Get ready to be swept away by the powerful and heartwarming tale of Shadow Horses of the Rocky Mountains. This story of love, family, and friendship will leave you feeling uplifted and inspired.
Follow the journey of siblings Lee and Lyla Meyers as they leave their lives in Germany behind and return to their roots in the Canadian Cowboy Country. Nature sets the tone in this breathtaking setting where freedom requires courage, and the magic of love between untamed hearts can be found around every corner.
As Lyla and Lee rediscover their family and their roots on the Willow Ranch, they are welcomed by the stunning Rocky Mountains and the unforgettable horses that roam freely. The beauty of the wilderness is nothing short of magical, but danger lurks around every corner. The siblings are tested in ways they never could have imagined, and their courage is put to the ultimate test.
New love relationships blossom and the bonds of family are renewed, but a dark family secret threatens to tear everything apart. Lyla and Lee are willing to risk everything to save their beloved ranch and the family they have grown to love.
Shadow Horses of the Rocky Mountains is a breathtaking adventure that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page. If you believe in the power of love and the strength of family, this book is a must-read. Don’t miss your chance to experience the magic of the Canadian wilderness and the wild spirits that call it home.
Book Title: Shadow Crow of the Rocky Mountains by Natascha Birovljev Category: Adult Fiction (18+), 446 pages Genre: Adventure Publisher: North Raven Books Release date:March 27, 2023 Content Rating: PG for romantic elements
Book Description:
Do you believe in the power of love and ancient magic to overcome the obstacles of the heart and the wilderness?
Dive into an enchanting journey of love, adventure, and mystery set in the captivating wilderness of Canada.
In The Shadow Crow of the Rocky Mountains, Chuck and Lyla find themselves drawn together by their shared love for the Canadian wilderness. However, while Lyla embraces the strength the mountains provide, Chuck returns to his hometown a bitter man, determined to sell his inherited fur-trapper route, and leave once more.
When a lucrative offer from a cunning businessman and a chance encounter with the enigmatic Wahleeah enter the picture, Chuck’s plans for a swift exit are thrown into disarray. As the possibility of staying in his hometown starts to feel like an adventure rather than a punishment, Chuck finds himself embroiled in a whirlwind of emotion, danger, and intrigue.
Lyla, appointed by her Native American tribe as the protector of wild horses, faces her own challenges. With a tumultuous relationship and her dreams of transforming the wild horse territory into a protected reserve on the line, a mysterious figure named Lonefeather Jones enters her life, igniting a magical spark within her. But will this newfound magic be enough to overcome the setbacks and jealousy that threaten to tear her world apart?
As secrets are uncovered and lives intertwine, the Willow Ranch residents find themselves facing trials that will test their courage, love, and loyalty. With legends of the First Nations woven into the narrative, this tale of ranch life and the untamed beauty of the Canadian wilderness will leave you breathless and yearning for more.
Unravel the mysteries of the Rocky Mountains and immerse yourself in the spellbinding world of The Shadow Crow of the Rocky Mountains.
Book Title: Shadow Grizzly of the Rocky Mountains by Natascha Birovljev Category: Adult Fiction (18+), 352 pages Genre: Adventure Publisher: North Raven Books Release date:March 27, 2023 Content Rating: PG for romantic elements
Book Description:
Can love triumph in the face of adversity and the shadows of the past?
In the shadows of the Canadian Rockies, a gripping tale of love, danger, and destiny awaits.
Discover the enthralling story of rancher Lee, who finally gets permission to lead horseback tours in the wilds of Canada. His dreams of family and shaping the future of Willow Ranch hang in the balance. If he fails, he loses everything.
As Lee embarks on his quest, his sister Lyla returns from the Yukon to take charge of the wildlife station. Destiny reunites her with Lonefeather Jones, a Native American dreamcatcher weaver grappling with demons from his past. As the flames of their long-hidden feelings spark to life, they must confront the shadows that threaten to keep them apart.
Amidst the untamed beauty of the Rocky Mountains, new challenges test the courage and unity of Willow Ranch’s residents and friends. As relationships falter, death looms, and darkness threatens to consume the light, can the power of love prevail?
Join the unforgettable characters of the Willow Ranch series in this heart-stopping third installment. In a breathtaking landscape where mysteries lurk around every corner, you’ll be captivated by tales of love, adventure, and the unbreakable human spirit.
Uncover the secrets hidden in the shadows of the Rockies. Will love conquer the darkness before the last light on the horizon fades? The answer lies within these pages.
Book Title: Shadow Wolf of the Rocky Mountains by Natascha Birovljev Category: Adult Fiction (18+), 484 pages Genre: Adventure Publisher: North Raven Books Release date:March 27, 2023 Content Rating: PG for romantic elements
Book Description:
What if the untamed wilderness held the key to unlocking the deepest desires of the heart?
In the shadow of the majestic Rocky Mountains, whispers of untold stories and hidden destinies come to life. Welcome to the world of The Shadow Wolf of the Rocky Mountains, the fourth installment in the gripping Willow Ranch series. Here, three humans and a she-wolf navigate a treacherous landscape of love, loss, and the unforgiving wilderness.
When fate intertwines the lives of Rosie, the resilient groom, Cody, the enigmatic cowboy, and Woodwind, the mystical Cree Indian, their fragile dreams and deepest fears are unearthed. At the heart of it all is the Willow Ranch, a place where passions ignite, and lives are forever altered. Can they trust the strength of their bond and the power of love to guide them through the storm?
In this haunting tale of self-discovery and the quest for redemption, each character is forced to confront their own demons. As Cody grapples with the crushing weight of his brother’s suicide, Rosie fights for her horses and her home amidst swirling deception. And Woodwind, haunted by self-doubt, must find the courage to save the she-wolf and the woman who has captured his heart.
As careless decisions threaten the future of the Willow Ranch, the rugged beauty of the Rocky Mountains presents a formidable challenge. With time running out, the friends and staff must pull together and believe in the magic of community to save their home and their happiness.
Dare to venture into the wild unknown, where heartache and hope collide, and where the call of the heart is a siren song that cannot be ignored. “Song of the Wild: Call of the Heart” beckons you to the Willow Ranch, where the secrets of the wilderness hold the key to love, courage, and the power of unity.
Embark on this unforgettable journey of love and self-discovery today – answer the call of the heart and unlock the secrets hidden within the wild.
Natascha Birovljev is a storyteller at heart and author of the “Willow Ranch” book series.
Growing up in Germany, horses were always part of her life. After getting her Master degree in Religious Studies and German Literature, adventure was calling and she traveled to Alberta. She fell in love with the wild beauty of the Rocky Mountains and immigrated from Germany to Canada in 2005.
Here she worked the first years as a guide for horseback vacations, exploring mountain trails and spending the summer months in tent camps in the wilderness.
Inspired by her adventures and connections to ranchers, cowboys and First Nation communities, she started writing her books. Natascha lives on her ranch in Alberta with her horses and dogs.
Her stories show her fascination with the beauty of the Rocky Mountain wilderness and her love for the people she encounters.
Protecting Hawk by Jane Blythe is Book V of the Prey, but the series is part of something so much bigger. There are many more books and authors putting their own spin on the Operation Alpha World.
About Operation Alpha
Operation Alpha is the fan fiction world for Susan Stoker’s SEAL of Protection, Delta Force Heroes, and Badge of Honor: Texas Heroes Worlds. The books all have at least one of Susan’s characters in them. Check it out at Aces Press.
I have been reading Jane Blythe’s work for a long time now and her writing style fits me well. Protecting Hawk is Book V in her Special Forces: Operation Alpha – Prey Security series. I am familiar with many of the characters from previous books and am eager to see what she puts them through in Protecting Hawk.
The guys are hunks and the women are damsels in distress, sorta. But, be careful. You push them into a corner and they can bite.
A one night stand and they are unable to forget? I can sure see why she can’t. LOL I guess if you are a guy back from a military mission, one who only does one night stands because he does not want a relationship, maybe…if he met the right one…she could be unforgettable. Is there such a thing as love at first sight?
Madeline Montgomery works as a victimologist, studying the relationship between victims and their attackers, working with police across the country.
She is on the run, because her work brought her to the attention of a serial killer, but it goes so much deeper than that. I am not going to tell you why, but it does tie into an issue that Prey Security has been dealing with.
She walks in. Eight months pregnant. Seeking help. Her life and her unborn baby’s life is on the line. She knows they are the best, so here she is.
The premise is a familiar one with romantic suspense. It’s hard to get around the push/pull, (mis or no) communication and keep the story going. After all, that is usually how it leaves her open to danger. And, real life, look how well we all communicate. LOL
After meeting Madeline, Hawk has started to reconsider his military career. Maybe it’s time to retire and accept a job at Prey Security. His family had been after him to join the firm and now he has a reason to consider it…if he goes after her. With all the skills his family possesses it would not be difficult to find her, he just has to make up his mind to do it. Before he has the chance…
It’s hard for me to imagine a scenario I don’t see coming, but Jane Blythe does manage to surprise me, when Ellen walked into the room….
Thank you, Jane, for the hours of unputdownable entertainment. Keep it coming.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Protecting Hawk by Jane Blythe.
4 Stars
GOODREADS BLURB
It was only supposed to be one night.
When Madeline Montgomery finds out she’s carrying her one night stand’s baby she’s shocked, but without his name she can’t find him, and determines to raise her child alone. With a stalker upping his ante and the cops refusing to take her seriously, she runs to Prey Security for help. Stunned to find her baby’s father is a co-owner of the company, the two grow close, bonding over their son’s birth. However a threat is hovering over them, one their fledgling relationship might not survive.
Hawk Oswald doesn’t believe relationships last, yet he can’t stop obsessing over the one night stand from eight months ago. When the woman in question shows up as a client at Prey, pregnant with his child, he realizes maybe he does want a family of his own. But someone is out to get him and his siblings, and when evidence suggests Maddy might be a part of it, he’s going to have to decide whether or not he believes in the woman he’s falling in love with before its too late.
Military, Romance, Romantic Suspense, Suspense and Thriller Fiction
Kindle Edition
Published November 22, 2022
ABOUT JANE BLYTHE
USA Today bestselling author Jane Blythe writes action-packed romantic suspense and military romance featuring protective heroes and heroines who are survivors. One of Jane’s most popular series includes Saving SEALs, part of Susan Stoker’s OPERATION ALPHA world! Writing in that world alongside authors such as Janie Crouch and Riley Edwards has been a blast, and she looks forward to bringing more books to this genre, both within and outside of Stoker’s world. When Jane isn’t binge-reading she’s counting down to Christmas and adding to her 200+ teddy bear collection!
