Tag Archives: 4 star review

Review – Fatal Objective by D V Berkom @dvberkom

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D V Berkom is a must read author for me. Just wanted to let you know, if you would like to get to know her and have Kindle Unlimited, you can grab it HERE, or you can grab Book I, A Killing Truth, HERE.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

Leine Basso is a badass. She used to be an assassin and now works for SHEN– Stop Human Enslavement Now – an anti trafficking network, rescuing those who are unable to save themselves. I wondered how D V Berkom would come up with something new for Leine. Trouble seems to follow her wherever she goes. She is a master at rescuing herself, but, this time…I’m not so sure she can do it solo. Not and bring down those who have conspired against her. She has been betrayed…in a very big way.

Leine is missing. Betrayal. A secret organization.

I never imagined the roots of the problem coming for Leine. D V Berkom did come up with a way to keep me enthralled, flipping pages, wondering how in the hell Leine would get out of this mess.

From the opening pages, D V Berkom had me hooked. I felt a kinship to Valentina.

I quit taking notes early on, because I was afraid of spoiling things for you. I wanted to tell you so much, but I will stick to the basics. The danger and suspense is at a high level. Valentina is not aware of those who conspire against her, using her for their own ends. Can Leine Basso save her when the shit hits the fan?

I was bummed at the loss of a man who helped her. Leave it up to D V Berkom to get my emotions riled up. She’s not afraid to kill off a character. Sometimes a character may seem bad and I wonder, can they be redeemed? Others, their greed rules their life. They will stop at nothing to get what they want. Never enough power. Never enough money.

The Leine Basso books can stand alone, but I highly recommend beginning at the beginning, with A Killing Truth, to follow Leine Basso’s life as she morphs into so much more than an assassin, yet those skills will be life saving. I wonder where D V Berkom can go from here. Will Leine always have to fight? Will she ever find a life of love, romance, and safety?

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Fatal Objective by D V Berkom.

4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

A missing assassin. An unlikely betrayal. A secret cabal, sowing chaos.

Leine Basso’s missing.

She’s not answering her calls. Or texts. Lou and Santa fear she’s been compromised. According to her operational contact, she’s fine, just busy.
When she finally responds it doesn’t sound like her.

The two men who know her best aren’t buying it. Something isn’t right.

Leine Basso’s missing.

And Lou and Santa are going to find out why.

ABOUT D V BERKOM

Image of D.V. Berkom

DV Berkom is a slave to the voices in her head. As the author of two popular thriller series (Leine Basso and Kate Jones), her love of creating resilient, kick-*ss female characters stems from a lifelong addiction to reading spy novels, mysteries, and thrillers, and longing to find the female equivalent within those pages.

Raised in the Midwest, she received her BA in political science from the University of Minnesota and promptly moved to Mexico to live on a sailboat. Many, many cross-country moves (and several years) later, she now lives just outside of Seattle, Washington with the love of her life, Mark, an ex-chef-turned contractor, and writes every chance she gets.

My Reviews DV Berkom’s Leine Basso Thrillers:

My Reviews for DV Berkom’s Kate Jones Thrillers:

My Reviews for DV Berkom’s Claire Whitcomb Westerns

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Review – The Butcher and the Wren by Alaina Urquhart #NetGalley #AlainaUrquhart #ZandoProjects

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I want to thank NetGalley and Zando Projects for the opportunity to read and review The Butcher and The Wren by Alaina Urquhart.

I sooo love the cover. There is something about eyes that fascinates me.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

First off, a round of applause to Alaina Urquhart for her debut novel, The Butcher and the Wren. I am suitably impressed. I loved the title, but once I saw the cover, I had to have it. And the fact that there is something dark lurking in a Louisiana bayou, oh yeah. Just keeps getting better. I love when authors draw on their experiences to pen their work. It helps create a sense of reality, filled with accurate details, enriching my reading experience.

I love that Detective Leroux, who Wren works with to solve serial killer cases, is a bit different from the usual police officer, and you will need to find that out for yourself.

I love the way Alaina Urquhart wrote The Butcher and the Wren, because when I found out what really happened to Emily in the beginning of the book, I was about sixty percent and it hit me hard. I think I see what’s coming and it would have been too easy to see if she hadn’t written this the way she did.

Books like this is why I keep my ‘heavy’ drapes closed.

I would love for part of the book to be fleshed out more, more detail, more evil. I missed the cringing, spinetingling menace that oozes off a five star read, for me.

I must warn you, though. It isn’t a fingertip dangling cliffhanger, but you will need the next book to know the ending. I wish authors and publishers would make that known from the getgo. I look forward to seeing how Alaina Urquhart’s writing career develops and what the outcome will be for Wren and her fellow characters.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of The Butcher and the Wren by Alaina Urquhart.

3 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

From the co-host of chart-topping true crime podcast Morbid, a thrilling debut novel told from the dueling perspectives of a notorious serial killer and the medical examiner following where his trail of victims leads

Something dark is lurking in the Louisiana bayou: a methodical killer with a penchant for medical experimentation is hard at work completing his most harrowing crime yet, taunting the authorities who desperately try to catch up.

But forensic pathologist Dr. Wren Muller is the best there is. Armed with an encyclopedic knowledge of historical crimes, and years of experience working in the Medical Examiner’s office, she’s never encountered a case she couldn’t solve. Until now. Case after case is piling up on Wren’s examination table, and soon she is sucked into an all-consuming cat-and-mouse chase with a brutal murderer getting more brazen by the day.

An addictive read with straight-from-the-morgue details only an autopsy technician could provide, The Butcher and the Wren promises to ensnare all who enter.

ABOUT ALAINA URQUHART (From Amazon)

Alaina Urquhart is the science-loving co-host of the chart-topping show Morbid: A True Crime Podcast. As an autopsy technician by trade, she offers a unique perspective from deep inside the morgue. Alaina hails from Boston, where she lives with her wonderful husband, John, their three amazing daughters, and a ghost puggle named Bailey. She is about 75 percent coffee, and truly believes she and Agent Clarice Starling could be friends.

Before writing her first psychological horror novel, she received degrees in criminal justice, psychology, and biology. When she isn’t hosting Morbid, she hosts the Parcast original show Crime Countdown, and a horror movie podcast called Scream! Her days are usually spent either recording or eviscerating. The way she sees it, when she hangs up her microphone for the day, it’s time to let the dead speak.

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Love It – Long Flight Home by Cassandra Cripps #CassandraCripps

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I grabbed Long Flight Home by Cassandra Cripps on a free day. It is available on Kindle Unlimited and it was a very pleasant surprise, and I highly recommend it.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

Long Flight Home by Cassandra Cripps is sooo much more than I had hoped for.

I’m sure I grabbed Long Flight Home by Cassandra Cripps because of the location, Alaska, the wild frontier. I have watched several TV shows located in Alaska, even a couple shows about the charter business in Alaska.

Their past is tragic, but their love is forever. How they find themselves and the suffering they go through to get to the place they feel they belong is wonderful. The vivid, detailed description of the location, Alaska, made me feel the wind and the cold, and revel in the beauty. It is rare when I get lost in a romance novel that doesn’t include murder and mayhem, so this was a wonderful surprise that I highly recommend to all readers.

4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

TK

I live my life by rules – too many fucking rules. But, it’s the only way. I messed up once. I slept with the wrong girl.
Never again.
The rules are my life, my guide. Until she walks in, and one by one, they all crumble.
She doesn’t creep her way in like a worm. No, she soars in, like an eagle, refusing to be ignored and digging her claws into my heart. Leaving me vulnerable, wanting more.
Wanting her.


Gracie

Home. Happiness. The words used to mean something.
Until that night – over a decade ago. When they were stolen from me and my parents forced us to move.
Now, I’m back in Alaska, flying bush planes for Homer Air. And, I’ll fight every step I take until those words are real again. The only problem is the reclusive fisherman whom I can’t stop thinking about, despite us fighting every time I see him.

ABOUT CASSANDRA CRIPPS

We all live in the illusions of our own realities. Cassandra’s reality lies between the quiet bridge of complex and chaotic. A single mother to two amazing boys, graphic artist, industrial sewer, author, avid home gardener, baker, reader, and introvert, her hats are many. A refined goth, she’s obsessed with tattoos, shoes, hair dye, chocolate, metal and hip-hop music, and all things dark and creepy except bugs, those are too creepy. Each of her books contains a piece of her reality. Tiny fragments laced with forbidden romance, defining miniature slices of her truths.

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Giveaway & Review – Vampires and Villains by Elizabeth Pantley @dollycas

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Vampires and Villains: The Magical Mystery Book Club by Elizabeth Pantley


Vampires and Villains: The Magical Mystery Book Club
Paranormal Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Independently Published (September 1, 2022)
Print length ‏ : ‎ 219 pages
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0B3WN3Z9M

MY REVIEW

The quirky, zany characters deserve a star, and the world Elizabeth Pantley created was like no other I have visited. I know I have said I love to travel through books, but the book club takes it to a whole new level….and I love it!

Paige and her Aunt Glo inherited a house with a magical library. They created a book club of oddball characters to learn about magic.

Of course, the cruise to Hawaii holds more than they bargained for, but that what’s happen when you skim the blurb. Vampires. It doesn’t matter to them. They are prepared to do what’s necessary to solve a cozy mystery.

Vampires and Villains is everything I expect in a cozy mystery, with a couple of bonuses, vampires and a talking cat, and the travel gives a whole new meaning to being caught up in a book.

Most cozies fall into a 3 rating, for me, but Elizabeth added enough extras to take it up a notch. Mystery, laughs, a funfilled cruise, the exploration of Hawaii, vampires, a talking cat, a novel way to travel and plenty of villains to keep me guessing.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Vampires and Villains by Elizabeth Pantley.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

About Vampires and Villains

Paige and her joyful Aunt Glo have learned that the home they inherited comes with a magical library. They put together a book club group of loveable kooks to explore the magic.

They’ve recovered from their first book journey, and they all agree on their next book which takes place on a cruise ship bound for Hawaii. Problem is, they were so excited about the cruising idea that they didn’t read the entire blurb on the back of the book. (“It was entirely too long,” explains Zell.) Once on the ship, they meet a charming and likable man who blends seamlessly into their motley group. Too bad they don’t know why he’s so scarce during the day but shows up to join them every evening for dinner, drinks, and a show. When a dead body shows up on board, their new friend is labeled a suspect. Can they help him out by finding the real murderer? Or is he the real murderer? The book club will need to solve the case to get off the ship, out of the book, and back to their home.

About Elizabeth Pantley

Elizabeth Pantley says that writing the Destiny Falls Mystery and Magic book series is the most fun she’s ever had at work. Fans of the series say her joy is evident through the stories she tells. Elizabeth is also the internationally bestselling author of The No-Cry Sleep Solution and twelve other books for parents. Her books have been published in over twenty languages. She lives in the Pacific Northwest, the beautiful inspiration for the enchanted Destiny Falls world.

Author Links

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/24811.Elizabeth_Pantley
Website:  https://www.nocrysolution.com/books/
Newsletter Sign-up: https://www.nocrysolution.com/mailing-list/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DestinyFallsMysteryandMagic
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethpantley/
Pinterest:  https://www.pinterest.com/nocrysolution/_saved/
Blog:  https://elizabethpantley.com/

Purchase Link – Amazon – 

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New Release – The Immortal Tailor by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff @MimiJeanRomance

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I have been enjoying Mimi Jean Pamfiloff’s novels for some time now and grab every one I can get my hands on.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

WARNING: If you do not like swearing, horny sex fairies, foul mouthed Chihuahuas, brooding sexy tailors, conniving deities, gore, more gore, seriously corny jokes, ghost sex, fine scotch, nipple hair biscuits, and many insane immortals, then this book is not for you. (per Mimi Jean Pamfiloff).

I have been reading Mimi Jean’s novels for some time now, and every chance I get to read one, I jump all over it. She has a unique writing style that makes me laugh out loud while I flip the pages. The characters are off the charts, quickly winning my heart. The reviews are not easy to write, because I only want to tease you, not give away the story.

Damian Greystone yearns for the quiet life of a tailor, working on his own terms. He’s been cursed, bound to spend his life in emotional isolation. Everyone he comes to care for dies.

Things aren’t always as they appear and the purpose is not always easy to decipher.

I read the book in one sitting, unable to stop reading. I was hooked from the opening pages, but that is not surprising with a Mimi Jean Pamfiloff novel. The world she has created is filled with unique characters, put in difficult situations and I loved being along for the ride.

The Immortal Matchmakers is a prequel series to The Immortal Tailor. I feel you will benefit the most by beginning with The Immortal Matchmakers, Book I, but it is not a must.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of The Immortal Tailor by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff.

4 Stars

GOODREAD BLURB

From New York Times bestselling author Mimi Jean Pamfiloff comes a new immortal series filled with dark humor, angst, and a brooding hero who loves a good tweed: The Immortal Tailor.

THE IMMORTAL WORLD IS IN TROUBLE, AND THE GODS DEMAND . . . THEIR TAILOR COME TO THE RESCUE?

Long ago, Damien Greystone hung up his guns, knives, and rope for the quiet life of a tailor. Sure, his clients now include the likes of bloodthirsty vampires, a hair-obsessed Bigfoot, and fourteen insane deities, but at least Damien doesn’t have to kill anymore. And, sure, he’s been cursed to live alone for all eternity, but nobody’s life is perfect. Right?

Unfortunately, his monk-like existence is about to come to a screeching halt. The gods’ powers are on the fritz, and they’re demanding his help.

But when Damien starts investigating, he meets Sky Morales, a beautiful journalist who’s up to her ears in danger (and one very aggressive fairy). He has no choice but to dust off his weapons.

Can he protect her without getting too close? Because his “curse of solitude” doesn’t negotiate, and bad things will happen to Sky if he so much as feels a flutter of affection.

And as if that pressure weren’t enough, his precious store is being looked after by a love-sucking demon and a punk chick who has a knack for insulting everyone. Bigfoot isn’t pleased.

The sooner Damien can get this job done, the faster he can get back to his peaceful life. If only he weren’t enjoying getting his hands dirty again. Just like the good old days that got him in trouble.

ABOUT MIMI JEAN PAMFILOFF

MIMI JEAN PAMFILOFF is a New York Times bestselling author who’s sold over one million books around the world. Although she obtained her MBA and worked for more than fifteen years in the corporate world, she believes that it’s never too late to come out of the romance closet and follow your dreams.

Mimi lives with her Latin lover hubby, two pirates-in-training (their boys), and their three spunky dragons (really, just very tiny dogs with big attitudes) Snowy, Mini, and Mack, in the vampire-unfriendly state of Arizona.

She hopes to make you laugh when you need it most and continues to pray daily that leather pants will make a big comeback for men.

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MY M O MACK REVIEWS

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Review – The Liar’s Crown by Abigail Owen @AOwenBooks #TheLiarsCrown #NetGalley

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@abigailowenauthor THE LIAR’S CROWN – 1st in a new #yafantasy trilogy coming 8.30.22! #yafantasybooks #yabooktok #fantasybooktok #newadultbooks ♬ Lost – Crim3s

I would like to thank NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for the opportunity to read and review The Liar’s Crown by Abigail Owen.

The Liar’s Crown

Amazon / Audiobook / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

I love a good Prologue. It can hook me quick, and Abigail Owen has done it in The Liar’s Crown. I am a huge fan of hers and she did not let me down.

Hesperia served Eidolon, the King of Tundra. He is a charming liar who has tasked her with cursing the child. The child is one of two, a twin, and Hesperia defies the king, cursing the other child. Twins: one is Enfornae, who she blessed, and the other is Hylorae. What does it mean? I shall have to read on to find out, but I am very curious of what the repercussions will be, for the children and for Hesperia. We shall find out when Eidolon comes for the Queen of Aryd.

One twin will rule, the other is a secret body double in dangerous situations…to die in her place. Sounds sucky to me.

I am Mereneith Evangeline XII of Aryd. There are six dominions, each named for their ruling goddess. She is a tool. A nonperson. She turns her back on Cain, her best friend, when the Queen dies. She has things she needs to do, and he can’t help her.

The Shadowwraith, alone, villified.

I loved traveling the vividly created dominions, the magicals and the humans. I want to share so much about the characters, Raven…and Meren…but that would spoil things for you. I will say, they are magical, lonely, tools to be used. A man made of evil shadows. A woman who is an echo of the queen to be. I love when peripheral characters are as important to me as the main characters.

OMG. I was swept away with the shifting sand, hiding in the shadows, filled with fear for Meren, a heroine that will sacrifice herself ,while trying to save others and her new found love from the evil that is determined to rule the dominions. Nonstop action. Pacing that brought so many chilling thrills that made me want to read until I reached the end…I got lost and didn’t want to come up for a breath of air.

The story is not finished, but it did stop at a good place, if that is possible. I hope you are writing fast Abigail.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of The Liar’s Crown by Abigail Owen.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

One born to rule. One to forfeit…

Everything about my life is a lie. As a hidden twin princess, born second, I have only one purpose—to sacrifice my life for my sister if death comes for her. I’ve been living under the guise of a poor, obscure girl of no standing, slipping into the palace and into the role of the true princess when danger is present.

Now the queen is dead and the ageless King Eidolon has sent my sister a gift—an eerily familiar gift—and a proposal to wed. I don’t trust him, so I do what I was born to do and secretly take her place on the eve of the coronation. Which is why, when a figure made of shadow kidnaps the new queen, he gets me by mistake.

As I try to escape, all the lies start to unravel. And not just my lies. The Shadowraith who took me has secrets of his own. He struggles to contain the shadows he wields—other faces, identities that threaten my very life.

Winter is at the walls. Darkness is looming. And the only way to save my sister and our dominion is to kill Eidolon…and the Shadowraith who has stolen my heart.

ABOUT ABIGAIL OWEN

Multi–award-winning paranormal romance author, Abigail Owen, loves plots that move hot and fast, feisty heroines with sass, alpha heroes with heart, a dash of snark, and oodles of sexy shifters! Other titles include wife, mother, Star Wars geek, ex-competitive skydiver, spreadsheet lover, eMBA, organizational guru, Texan, Aggie, and chocoholic. Abigail grew up consuming books and exploring the world through her writing. She attempted to find a practical career related to her favorite pastime by earning a degree in English Rhetoric (Technical Writing). However, she swiftly discovered that writing without imagination is not nearly as fun as writing with it. Abigail currently resides in Austin, Texas, with her own personal hero (who she totally married!) and their two children, who are growing up way too fast.  

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MY REVIEWS FOR ABIGAIL OWEN

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New Release – Haloed by Sue Coletta @SueColetta1

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Sue Coletta has created one of my favorite villains of all time in the Mayhem series and Grafton County has its share of evil. Join her community to get 2 free killer reads. If you love thrillers, villains, and serial killers, I highly recommend checking her out.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

I have been to Grafton County and spent time with Sage Quintano, her Sheriff husband Niko, their son Noah and his deputy and Sage’s best friend Frankie Campanelli. It is a pleasure to be back, though, I am sure there will be an evil villain waiting for us.

Sage recognized the pattern, when a string of murders came to the small town of Alexandria, New Hampshire. She thought it fit the profile of the Romeo killer, a serial killer who had died eight years ago…or did he?

Niko, her Sheriff husband chalks it up to PTSD, because of all the trauma she has suffered in the past years. It bothers me that he is too quick to dismiss her, but he loves every tiny piece of her, so I feel he will quickly come around. She also has rheumatoid arthritis. Being an author, means she doesn’t have, nor is she able to do, excessive manual labor.

Noah, their sweet boy, and her furbabies have their roles to play.

Frankie Campanelli, Niko’s deputy and Sage’s best friend, makes me think of a combination of Rizzolis & Iles from the TV show. She has the fashion sense of Moira Iles and the attitude and fierceness of Jane Rizzoli. Frankie is a good cop, but she walks a line that puts her career and her life in danger.

Sue Coletta does her research. In this mystery, police procedural, suspense, thriller, she show how technology has made their job more difficult. I find it terrifying how easy it is for be framed for something you didn’t do.

A feeling of menace hangs on every page. I know he’s coming for her, whoever he is. The question is: How much will he tease and torture her before he does. He is intelligent, yet obsessed, which may be hid downfall.

It doesn’t matter where Sue Coletta’s next book is located, I will be there. She can pen a story that is filled with moments of light and love, with times of distress and evil. She creates some of the best villains I have ever met, sure to delight those of us who like to walk in the dark.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Haloed by Sue Coletta.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

She may be paranoid, but is she right?

A string of gruesome murders rocks the small town of Alexandria, New Hampshire, with all the victims staged to resemble dead angels, and strange red and pink balloons appearing out of nowhere.

All the clues point to the Romeo Killer’s return. Except one: he died eight years ago.

Paranoid and on edge, Sage’s theory makes no sense. Dead serial killers don’t rise from the grave. Yet she swears he’s here, hungering for the only angel to slip through his grasp—Sage.

With only hours left to live, how can Sage convince her Sheriff husband before the sand in her hourglass runs out?

ABOUT SUE COLETTA

Sue Coletta

Sue Coletta is an active member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. Feedspot and Expertido.org named her Murder Blog as one of the “Top 100 Crime Blogs on the Net” (Murder Blog sits at #5) for four years in a row. And recently, she appeared on an Emmy award-winning true crime show.

Sue also blogs at the Kill Zone, a multi-award-winning writing blog, and writes two serial killer thriller series (Tirgearr Publishing) and narrative nonfiction/true crime for Globe Pequot, trade division of Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group.

For readers, she has the Crime Lover’s Lounge, where members will be the first to know about free giveaways, contests, and have inside access to deleted scenes (if available). As an added bonus, members get to play in the lounge. Your secret code will unlock the virtual door.

BONUS: When you join Sue’s community you’ll receive two free killer reads!

Sue lives in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire with her husband, and begins each by feeding all the wildlife in her yard. Her favorite “pets” are a murder of crows who live free but come when called by name.

Learn more about Sue and her books at: https://suecoletta.com

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MY REVIEWS FOR SUE COLETTA

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Review – Sararonna’s Gift by Carmen Webster Buxton @CarmenWBuxton

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Saronna's Gift

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

Saronna is being sold. It may sound harsh, but it works for her. Freedom. No veil, no division of men and women. Off Worlders have a different outlook on life than here on Kruegar’s World. The Threecon World travels the galaxy, each planet sharing their culture.

Saronna was being purchased for Duncan by his father. She had used her gifts to keep her father from getting rid of her, but it hadn’t worked on Vladimir Trushenko. She’s kept it secret…She’s a witch.

The cover tells of the life Saronna was born into, that women had only one purpose in life, to please man. Cruel customs, obedience, no education….unless taught secretly, and Saronna’s mother had taught her to read. There was a purpose to it.

Duncan has introduced Saronna to electronics, including an ereader, encouraging her to read and get an education. He even hires a tutor for her. I loved watching Saronna, her struggle, her sacrifice as she grew, learned, changed and became her own person, no matter the pressure put on her. I have a feeling that will be a good fit, once she figures out how she is being manipulated by those she is supposed to be able to trust.

I would surely be dead if I was born under such an oppressive system…my mouth would have been the end of me. LOL

And to think this goes on today makes me say, “I can’t believe this is happening in the twenty first century”. People can change, and I was happy to be along for Saronna’s ‘coming of age’, and she comes a long way, baby.

Carmen Webster Buxton has created a world for Saronna that is rich in detail, the characters are riveting, drawing me in, making me feel…almost…as if I am there with them, through the good and bad, wishing, hoping for the happy ever after ending that I have come to love so much.

Unputdownable. I read 463 pages in one sitting.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Saronna’s Gift by Carmen Webster Buxton.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

Saronna Maynard never expected to be sold into an off-world household. She and Duncan Trushenko, her new protector, have very little in common. Saronna grew up in a small village outside of New Jerusalem, the largest city on Krueger’s World. Duncan grew up on many worlds, and has traveled the galaxy. He is dumbstruck to return from a business trip and find that his father has purchased a companion for him.

Saronna is terrified by the strangeness of the house and her sense of powerlessness, but in a very short time she realizes she might be better off—and safer—in Duncan’s house than in her father’s. For one thing, Duncan doesn’t believe in witches. Also, the more time she spends with Duncan, the harder it is for her to believe all men are as evil as her mother taught her. But safer or not, Saronna is still intent on keeping her secrets. After all, she’s still on Krueger’s World.

ABOUT CARMEN WEBSTER BUXTON

Carmen Webster Buxton

Carmen Webster Buxton spent her youth reading every book published by Ursula LeGuin, Robert Heinlein and Georgette Heyer. This combination of far-future worlds, alien cultures, and old-fashioned courting customs influenced her writing, especially in her ThreeCon series.

Carmen was born in Hawaii and experienced a peripatetic childhood, as her father was in the US Navy. Having raised two wonderful children, she now lives in Maryland with her husband Charlie, and a beagle named Cosmo. She writes science fiction (often including a romance, and mostly set in the far future), and the occasional fantasy.

Carmen has published many books:

WAKANREO SERIES
Alien Bonds
Alien Vows
Alien Skies

HAVEN SERIES
The Sixth Discipline
No Safe Haven

THREECON SERIES (can be read in any order)
The Nostalgia Gambit
Saronna’s Gift
Shades of Empire
Tribes
Worlds Apart

ALTERNATE HISTORY
King of Trees

YOUNG ADULT SCIENCE FICTION
Turnabout
Drifters

FANTASY
Where Magic Rules
Bag of Tricks
Hidden Magic

THE NAMELESS WORLD SAGA (coming in 2021)
The North Edge of Nowhere
Oaths and Promises

Carmen often blogs about ereaders, digital publishing, writing, and speculative fiction. Visit her blog to see what’s coming out next! To ask questions or to provide feedback on her books, send email to carmen.webster.buxton (at) gmail.com.

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MY CARMEN WEBSTER BUXTON REVIEWS

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Review – Protecting Raven by Jane Blythe @jblytheauthor

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Operation Alpha

Jane Blythe is a must read author for me, as you will see at the end of the post. I have read the first book in the Prey Security series and am eager to being Protecting Raven.

Protecting Raven is part of the Operation Alpha Fan Fiction for Susan Stoker’s SEAL of Protection, Delta Force Heroes, and Badge of Honor: Texas Heroes Worlds. They all have at least one of Susan’s characters in them.

You can check out all the books at Aces Press and Amazon.

Protecting Raven (Prey Security #2; Special Forces: Operation Alpha)

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

Protecting Raven by Jane Blythe is part of Susan Stoker’s Fan Fiction World. I have read numerous books by several different authors in the series and love what they have done with Susan Stoker’s characters. Jane Blythe hits a home run with Protecting Raven.

Max Hathaway left Raven after the abduction of their daughter by a Colombian sex trafficking ring. He had turned his back for a moment…and she was gone. His feelings of guilt haunted him and destroyed his marriage.

Prey Security is owned by all six of the Oswald siblings. I love them all being named after birds, a very creative and cute idea.

A new clue has come in and Raven is on her way to Colombia. She planned to call in reinforcements when she found the location of the auction. Max followed her to Colombia and will stick to her side like glue. So much danger, he vows to not let her out of his site.

Neither Max nor Raven have been able to move on in the ten years since Cleo has been missing. Could they have a second chance? Could they find Cleo after ten years? If they did, what would she be like? How damaged would she be?

I remember Raven from an earlier Jane Blythe book. She’s a badass, a survivor, a computer genius, but has vowed never to use violence again. It doesn’t mean she’ll go quietly into that good night.

I think Protecting Raven has more bite than Protecting Eagle. I do love the dark and gritty world Jane Blythe has created, which revs me up.

Most of the time I know what’s coming in most of the novels I read, but Protecting Raven did have those moments where I held my breath. There was a point where I began to devour the words, having to know…The horrors of sex trafficking, the disgusting traffickers, the tragedy the girls go through..Cleo was taken at three years old. I cannot imagine how I would feel, the rage, frustration, the terror of knowing your little one is being used horribly.

I know a lot of people are turned off by this kind of novel, but I dive right in. It is a fact of life that these things happen every day in the real world. Jane Blythe’s novels ring of truth, her characters of reality and I grieve with them.

I think one of the reasons I love romantic suspense so much is because amongst the danger there will be love, loyalty, romance and a happy ever after.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Protecting Raven by Jane Blythe.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

Their daughter’s abduction destroyed their marriage.

Raven Oswald has never given up on her daughter, for ten years she’s used her computer skills to try to bring down the trafficking ring responsible for Cleo’s abduction. When she finally gets a viable lead she heads straight to Columbia to check it out. The last person she expected to follow her was her ex-husband. He left her not long after their daughter was taken and she hasn’t heard from him since, she doesn’t want or need his help.

Max Hathaway knows he messed up when he took his eyes off his three-year-old daughter that day at the park and guilt has been slowly consuming him ever since. But when Raven recklessly puts herself directly on the dangerous trafficking ring’s radar, the pararescueman has no choice but to follow after her. Whether she likes it or not he’s going to keep her safe, and maybe earn her forgiveness before the guilt eats him alive.

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!

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MY REVIEWS FOR JANE BLYTHE’S BOOKS

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New Release – Enemy In The Dark by Scarlett West @iamscarlettwest

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I am trying to remember how I found Scarlett West….Somehow I had grabbed a free copy of Stolen In The Dark and after I reviewed it, she offered me Hunted In The Dark and a chance to join her ARC list…and I jumped all over it.

Amazon / KindleUnlimited / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

Enemy In The dark is the fourth book (out of five) in the Fae Bureau of Investigation series. I love being in their magical world, fighting and romancing. I love action packed books, and we have plenty.

Steamy romance…is it erotica? All these genre distinctions confuse me.

The Oracle has decreed that Adalee must kill her fated mate, Damien, but she is determined to find a way to prevent that from coming true. I have a thought and I am curious to see how it all comes about.

A false king. Faery kidnappings. A Black Hole.

They have to find the missing Ancients and the relics to close the rift.

Adalee has been finding herself as a Fae, learning her magic and the skills necessary to be a valued member of the FBI. The characters learn to function as a team, one just as important as the other.

In the first half, we have lots of hot steamy romance, as Adalee and Damien finally commit to being together. About half way through, the action picked up, the suspense rising as the pace flows smoothly to the dangerous cliff hanging ending and I can hardly wait for Fated In The Dark (expected publication December 2, 2022. I know what I want Santa to bring me for Christmas. 🙂

Books in the series do not stand alone. I recommend beginning with Stolen In The Dark, and all five books will need to be read to get the full story.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Enemy In The Dark by Scarlett West.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

AMAZON SYNOPSIS

He’s my fated mate, and I’m destined to kill him.

When I was forced into the dark Fae world, I never expected to fall in love with my boss, Damien. With our relationship deepening, an Oracle has decreed I must murder my beloved to save our people. While I wrestle with having to murder him, the kidnappings are spiraling out of control but the culprits leave no trace of evidence. To crack the case, I’ll have to go undercover surrounded by hidden enemies.

To make matters worse, our kingdom has been plunged into darkness. We don’t know if our King is the enemy and war between our clans is hurtling toward us. And now the King has threatened to execute court members unless we turn ourselves in.

In a race against time, can we stop the destruction of Faery, or will I be forced to choose between my people and Damien?

Readers who enjoy Karen Marie Moning, Laurell K. Hamilton, Amelia Hutchins, and Lindsay Hall, will love this dangerous and sexy urban fantasy.

Enemy in the Dark is a steamy, urban fantasy romance that is book four out of five. Scroll Up and One Click to start reading this hot paranormal romance today!

ABOUT SCARLETT WEST

Scarlett West

Scarlett West writes steamy, paranormal romance featuring sexy Fae. Deep characters and hot romance are her thing.

An avid reader and writer who will never stop dreaming, Scarlett has traveled to many countries and been on tons of adventures. She draws her stories from these places, life experiences, and her grand imagination.

Besides writing, she’s a hobby herbalist and a dancer. If she’s not by the computer typing these things up, she can be found in a forest, on a mountain, or by the ocean.

Scarlett West would like to thank her three F’s: Fans, Family, and Friends. Thank you forever for your support.

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MY SCARLET WEST REVIEWS

  • You can see my Giveaways HERE.
  • You can see my Reviews HERE.
  • If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
  • Look on the right sidebar and let’ talk.
  • Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
  • I am an Amazon affiliate/product images are linked.
  • Thanks for visiting fundinmental!