Monthly Archives: February 2024

Village in the Dark by Iris Yamashita – a Review

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Village in the Dark by Iris Yamashita – a Review

 

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Description:
On a frigid February day, Anchorage Detective Cara Kennedy stands by the graves of her husband and son, watching as their caskets are raised from the earth. It feels sacrilegious, but she has no choice. Aaron and Dylan disappeared on a hike a year ago, their bones eventually found and buried. But shocking clues have emerged that foul play was involved, potentially connecting them to a string of other deaths and disappearances.

Somehow tied to the mystery is Mia Upash, who grew up in an isolated village called Unity, a community of women and children in hiding from abusive men. Mia never imagined the trouble she would find herself in when she left home to live in Man’s World. Although she remains haunted by the tragedy of what happened to the man and the boy in the woods, she has her own reasons for keeping quiet.

Aided by police officer Joe Barkowski and other residents of Point Mettier, Cara’s investigation will lead them on a dangerous path that puts their lives and the lives of everyone around them in mortal jeopardy.

 

 

 

Review:

Village in the Dark by Iris Yamashita is the 2nd book in her Cara Kennedy series. We meet Detective Cara Kennedy, when she stands by the grave of her husband and son; as they bring up both coffins, which looks like murder (instead of an accident). Cara is determined to find the truths; her husband and son were killed a year ago on a hike. With help from police officer Joe Barkowski, as well as other residents of Point Mettier, Cara’s investigation will lead them on a dangerous path that puts their lives and the lives of everyone around them in mortal jeopardy. Having not read the previous book, which ended in a cliffhanger, the beginning was a bit confusing, but I was able to get past it easily enough.

Cara’s investigation will lead to the bodies exhumed, which turned out that the DNA was not of her husband and son, which is why she suspected that their deaths were not an accident.  She visits Point Mettier, and meets Ellie, whose son recently overdosed, with a picture shown by Ellie, which includes her husband and son.  Cara and Ellie join together to embark on the truths, which lead them on a dangerous path of bad people, putting all of them in mortal danger.  What was the connection between them?

We then meet Mia (the third lead in this story), who lived all her life with her mother, in an isolated village, called Unity, with all women, who hide from abusive men, and work together to build a protective village; using and learning how to use weapons.  Mia decided, as she got older, she wanted to leave the village and live in a Man’s world; she changed her name (carol or Jennifer), and got various jobs along the way. Then she reaches out to help someone working at the company she worked at, which eventually leads her meet Cara, both beginning to work together, with surprising revelations.

I enjoyed all three main characters (Cara, Ellie and Mia/Jennifer), and when we reach the climax, each l finding a way to help one another.  The last third of the book was very intense, dangerous and fast-paced with surprises along the way.  With all the shocking twists and turns as we reach the climax, I will not say too much more, as it would ruin it for you.

Village in the Dark was an exciting page turner that kept unable to put the book down, as we reach the climax.  Village in the Dark was very well written by Iris Yamashita. Village in the Dark was a very compelling murder mystery, with revelations that were totally surprising.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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Fish Out of Water by Katie Ruggle – a Review

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Fish Out of Water by Katie Ruggle – a Review

 

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Description:
Why date a mountain man? Because he knows how to pitch a tent. When Dahlia Weathersby’s sister disappears on what should have been a simple day hike, Dahlia immediately heads deep into the Colorado Rockies to find her. Knowing she’ll never survive the mountains alone, she convinces the local hermit―adorably grouchy survival expert Winston Dane―to be her guide. All it takes is a good helping of Dahlia’s charm…and just the teeniest bit of blackmail…before she’s got all six-foot-something of him wrapped around her finger. But even with her very own mountain man in tow, things aren’t going to be easy. There With everything the wilderness has to throw at them, it’ll take more than charm and some city girl ingenuity to make this trek anything but a disaster waiting to happen…and an adventure she’ll never forget.

 

 

Review:

Fish Out of Water by Katie Ruggle is a fun romantic standalone novel. We meet Dahlia Weathersby, our heroine, at the start, when she receives a danger message from her sister, Rose.  Dahlia immediately leaves her California home to fly to Howling Falls Colorado to rescue Rose. Dahlia knows she needs someone to help rescue her sister, and decides to get Winston Dane, a local hermit, who is an expert survivalist. 

Winston is very private, and has many booby traps to protect his place from any visitors.  Dahlia, who is very outgoing, puts on her charm to Winston, who at first wants nothing to do with her need of help.  Using her bubbly personality, she convinces him to help her, and Winston prepares everything they will need for both of them, including survival food & water, heavy clothes/hats and sleeping bags. The next day, Winston will lead them into the wilderness, hiking through the mountains, as they follow the map to lead them to where Rose may be.

Dahlia finds herself attracted to Winston, especially with his grunts and some smiles; slowly Winston gets used to Dahlia’s constant talking and hilarious fun, becoming very comfortable in her presence.  The long trek is difficult, especially with the bitter cold and blizzard; with Dahlia pushing herself into Winston’s bigger sleeping bag to get warm. The banter and chemistry between them were great, and in no time, Winston, who turned into a sweetheart, fully falls for Dahlia.  The chemistry between them escalates, with a steamy scene in Winston’s large sleeping bag.  I really loved both Dahlia and Winston together, as they made an adorable couple.

As we get closer to the end, there is a lot of action, with them rescuing Rose, and threats on their lives. Fish Out of Water was a lot of fun and humor, with a terrific couple, a trek throughout the wilderness, as well as the dangerous rescue.  Overall, the story was hilarious and so much fun, with some steam.

Fish Out of Water was so very well written by Katie Ruggle. Dahlia was a great character, being bubbly and fun.  Winston, after a slow start, turned out to be adorable.  The banter between them turned out to be fantastic story.  I thought Katie Ruggle outdid herself with this fun and entertaining story line.  I wholly suggest you read Fish Out of the Water.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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The Reading Café 12th Anniversary Celebration Giveaway #4

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The Reading Café 12th Anniversary Celebration Giveaway

Today’s Prize Package

NOTE: All giveaways require a comment to qualify

The Reading Cafe is graciously offering a 3 book prize package to ONE (1) commenter.

One (1) commenter will receive all 3 paper back books

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

NOTE: If you are having difficulty commenting after logging onto the site, please refresh the page (at the top of your computer).

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. Please tell us to enter you into the giveaway.

4. LIKE us on FACEBOOK and then click ‘on’ NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

5. LIKE us on Twitter for an additional entry.

6. Please FOLLOW us on GOODREADS for an additional entry.

7. Please follow The Reading Cafe on Tumblr

8. Giveaway open to USA only

9. Giveaway runs until February 12-15, 2024

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Hunted by a Shadow by Michelle Heard-review tour

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Hunted by a Shadow  (Kings of Mafia 3) by Michelle Heard-review tour

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https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62407781-hunted-by-a-shadow

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 5, 2024

When I finally get a life-saving kidney transplant, I think the worst is behind me.
Boy, am I wrong.

I start feeling eyes on me wherever I go.
I’m being watched. Stalked. Hunted.
It’s downright scary.

Then the hunter steps out of the shadows, and my life implodes.
I’m taken by Renzo Torrisi, a dangerous and unforgiving man.

Turns out the kidney I received belonged to one of his men and I have to repay the debt. Only the terms are unclear, and the rules change on a whim.

Held prisoner in his penthouse, I have to serve the ruthless mafia boss like the god he is.
Whether I’ll survive being Renzo’s captive is up for debate, though.

•••••

REVIEW:Renzo Torrisi is one of the heads of the Cosa Nostra. He is only thirty-five years old and already a cruel and unforgiving man. His world consists of everything underworld and his love for his younger brother Guilio. He promised to look after his younger brother, and that is what he intends to do. As Guilio will be his heir one day, he has no time for relationships or children.

Skylar Davies is thirty year old sous chef who has had a rough couple of years. Just when she was at the peak of her career, set to become one of the top chefs in New York, tragedy struck. A car accident led to the ultimate loss of her mother and to her end stage renal failure. Now tied down to a dialysis machine she was facing eminent death if she did not find a kidney soon. But Skylar is tired of fighting, she is slowly accepting her fate.

Her father, however, will not accept another loss. He will do everything in his power to save his daughter. And when he does the unthinkable, Skylar will live but there will be consequences to his choices. And consequences there are.

This book takes a dark turn fast, one that I was not quite expecting. But oh, what a wonderfully dark story it made. I was not a fan of Renzo at all in the beginning – I mean who would be. He is the epitome of everything dark and underworld. Skylar is the exact opposite. She is love and light and everything good in this world. You root for her – you want her to have everything she deserves and more. But there will be a price to be paid for what she gets. Will that price outweigh the life she was supposed to have.

I won’t give any spoilers, but this book is a must read, as a standalone or along with the other Kings of Mafia series. My only complaint is that it was too short! It accomplished everything Michelle Heard always does, even the tears. But it was too short, I didn’t want to leave that world this time. I look forward to the next book in this series.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Tempted by the Devil
Craving Danger

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Erin K

Michelle Heard is a Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling Author who loves creating stories her readers can get lost in. She resides in South Africa with her son where she’s always planning her next book to write, and trip to take.

Want to be up to date with what’s happening in my world? Sign up to receive the latest news on her alpha hero releases, sales, and great giveaways →http://eepurl.com/cUXM_P

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The Summer Book Club by Susan Mallery – a Review

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The Summer Book Club by Susan Mallery – a Review

 

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Description:
The rules of summer book club are
•          No sad books 
•          No pressure 
•          Yessssss, wine! 

Besties Laurel and Paris are excited to welcome Cassie to the group. This year, the book club is all about fill-your-heart reads, an escape from the chaos of the everyday—running a business, raising a family, juggling a hundred to-dos. Even the dog is demanding (but the bestest boy).

Since Laurel’s divorce, she feels like the Worst Mom Ever. Her skepticism of men may have scarred her vulnerable daughters. Cassie has an unfortunate habit of falling for ridiculous man-boys who dump her once she fixes them. Paris knows good men exist. She’s still reeling after chasing off the only one brave enough—and foolish enough—to marry her.

Inspired by the heroines who risk everything for fulfillment, Laurel, Paris and Cassie begin to take chances—big chances—in life, in love. Facing an unwritten chapter can be terrifying. But it can be exhilarating, too, if only they can find the courage to change.

 

 

 

Review:

The Summer Book Club by Susan Mallery is another one of her wonderful heartwarming stories revolving around a friendship between three ladies. The main characters are Paris, who is divorced and owns a farm stand; Laurel, is also divorced, and resells items from thrift and estate stores, making a profit; and Cassie, who recently moved to town.  Paris and Laurel have been best friends since they were seven years old.  Cassie is the newcomer, as her family pushed her to travel to Los Lobos, California to learn about her uncle’s inheritance, as well to get past her struggles to move on in her life.  When Paris and Laurel stop at the wine bar, they meet Cassie, and invite her to their book club.

Laurel’s marriage ended when her husband left her, and took all her money.  Her two daughters, who play a major part in this story, have different feelings toward their father, who rarely calls.  The oldest hates her father, as she knows what he did to her mom, and never visits. One day, Laurel is called to school, and shocked that her oldest constantly puts boys down, and now she needs to prove to Jagger that all men are not terrible. Laurel needs to find a man friend to show her daughters that all men are not bad.

Paris had a rough childhood, with an abusive mother, with her inability to control her anger. After her divorce, she finally with help from Laurel, goes to therapy and anger management. Ten years later, her ex-husband, Jonah is in town to help his mom, and Paris learns that he has a son, and a wife that is now deceased.  Cassie will find the inheritance to be a large land, as well as acave, with some surprising finds.  She only intends to stay for six months, but with her close friendship with Paris and Laurel, as well as the daughters, she is very happy and loving Los Lobos.   The three women bond and help each other thru their dealing with not only emotional baggage, but issues from meeting the men now in their lives.  I really loved all three ladies, Laurel, Paris and Cassie, as well as Laurel’s two daughters.  The male characters were also very good, Jonah, Rapheal, Colton.  I loved loved Bandit, Paris’s dog.

The Summer Book Club was an amazing and heartwarming story, that was so very well written by Susan Mallery. I loved this story, with each of the ladies being wonderful, even with difficult situations, which they were there for each other.   The Summer Book Club was a terrific story, which I suggest you read. 

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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The Reading Café 12th Anniversary Celebration -Today’s Giveaway 3

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The Reading Café 12th Anniversary Celebration Giveaway-Today’s Prize Package

Today’s Prize Package 3

NOTE: All giveaways require a comment to qualify

The Reading Cafe is offering a 3 paper book prize package to ONE (1) commenter.

One (1) commenter will receive all 3 paper books

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

NOTE: If you are having difficulty commenting after logging onto the site, please refresh the page (at the top of your computer).

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. Please tell us to enter you into the giveaway.

4. LIKE us on FACEBOOK and then click ‘on’ NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

5. LIKE us on Twitter for an additional entry.

6. Please FOLLOW us on GOODREADS for an additional entry.

7. Please follow The Reading Cafe on Tumblr

8. Giveaway open USA only

9. Giveaway runs until February 11-15, 2024

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Ruthless Villain (Ruthless Billionaires 3)by Faith Summers-review

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Ruthless Villain (Ruthless Billionaires 3)by Faith Summers-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 6, 2024

My Knight. My Rebel. My Forbidden Villain …

In the dazzling lights of Vegas, I indulged in a passionate one-night stand with a man who looked like a Greek god in the flesh.
We agreed: no names, no strings attached, just an unforgettable night of fun.
The plan was simple—say goodbye and move on.
Little did I know fate had other ideas for me.
I never expected to run into Mr. Greek god in New York a week later at my father’s fundraiser.
Nor to find out that the godlike man is Luc Le Blanche, the NHL star defenseman for the Hawks.
The Hawks, as in the hockey team my father just bought.
To make matters worse, my father declares me off-limits to him because of the bitter rivalry between Luc’s father and mine.
Luc has also made an enemy out of my father since the team’s sale.
Due to the control my father has over my inheritance and Luc’s career with the team, we’re forced to obey his demands.
The problem is we can’t keep our hands off each other.
Despite the stakes, neither of us can resist the magnetic pull drawing us together.
Caught between desire and duty, Luc proposes a daring solution:
We see each other in secret.

Of course I agree.

I know the risk and what’s at stake if we get caught.
I also know he can’t be mine.
Yet each stolen moment and every forbidden kiss fuels my hunger for the 6’6 tattooed hockey god.
When things get complicated, I’m not sure what will break me more.
The exposure of our secret romance.
Or falling for him…
A man my father calls the villain.

•••••

REVIEW:RUTHLESS VILLAIN is the third instalment in Faith Summers’ contemporary, adult RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRES erotic, romance series. This is thirty-one year old, professional hockey player/billionaire Luc Le Blanche, and twenty-four year old heiress/journalist Autumn Jakobe’s story line. RUTHLESS VILLAIN can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. Luc Le Blanche is best friends with Knight (Ruthless Knight 1)and Jericho Grayson (Ruthless Rebel 2).

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Luc and Autumn) RUTHLESS VILLAIN follows the forbidden relationship between our story line couple. Luc Le Blanche was on leave from the New York Hawks, and Vegas looked like the perfect destination to lick his wounds but Luc never expected to be ghosted by his one-night stand, a woman who quickly would steal his heart but upon his return to the team, Luc would discover the woman of his heart is the team owner’s daughter, a man who has targeted our story line hero. What ensues is the building but forbidden relationship between our story line couple, and the potential fall-out when Luc and Autumn’s affair become public knowledge.

The world building is detailed and dark. Autumn’s past is heart breaking,and in the interim she is no longer in control of her life, having all of her personal and private directed without her consent. Having met Luc meant a new start and a new future but lines will be drawn, rules will be broken, and Autumn will become a pawn in a dangerous game. Luc has been proclaimed the bad-boy of hockey but he is struggling in the wake of the team owner’s hatred of, and dislike of everything Le Blanche. A history between families threatens the growing love between our story line couple, and someone else is taking aim at the woman Luc loves.

The relationship between Luc and Autumn begins as a one-night stand in Las Vegas, wherein neither one knew the other’s true identity. Unable to locate the woman with whom he would fall in love, Luc would quickly discover that claiming her heart comes with too many barriers he may not be able to control. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top,sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and energetic secondary and supporting characters including several teams members, Autumn’s parents including her father Shawn Jakobe, her sister Charlotte and fiancé Cole; hockey player Evan Kowalski, as well as Knight and Jericho Grayson.

RUTHLESS VILLAIN is a story of power and control, betrayal and vengeance, secrets and lies, family and friendships, relationships and love. The premise is emotional, captivating and edgy; the characters are animated, tragic and inspiring; the romance is seductive and provocative.

Reading order and Previous reviews
Ruthless Knight
Ruthless Rebel

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Faith Summers is the Dark Contemporary Romance pen name of USA Today Bestselling Author, Khardine Gray.

Warning !! Expect wild romance stories of the scorching hot variety and deliciously dark romance with the kind of alpha male bad boys best reserved for your fantasies.

Dive in and enjoy her naughty page-turners.

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This Disaster Loves You by Richard Roper – a Review

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This Disaster Loves You by Richard Roper – a Review

 

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Description:
A story about a man whose wife disappeared seven years ago and his journey to find her or find out what happened, interwoven with the story of their relationship, revealing how sometimes the biggest secrets are the ones we keep from ourselves.

Twenty years of love. Seven years of absence. One journey to find out what happened.

Brian’s wife, Lily, disappeared from his life without a trace six years, eleven months, one week, and two days ago, but Brian never lost hope. Since her disappearance their once beloved English pub—and Brian’s livelihood—has been crumbling piece by piece. As the anniversary of her absence approaches, Brian desperately needs a sign. One doom-scroll on his business’s reviews later, he finds an active TripAdvisor account for PinkMoonLily1972 that he knows in his heart is his Lily.

Interspliced with Brian’s journey to find Lily is the story of their love—how it started, and the twists and turns that brought them to this moment. As Brian jumps from one destination to the next to find Lily, and the truth behind their story comes into focus, Brian comes back to life with the help of Tess, a sarcastic, kind, and surprising traveling companion. But in order to move forward he’ll need to decide—stay in the past or take a chance on something unexpected.

 

 

Review:

This Disaster Loves You by Richard Roper is a story of love, hope and tragedy. The story follows Brian, whose wife disappeared 7 years ago, leaving a postcard that she will be back, but needed some space for a while. Each morning, Brian, who owns a pub, watches the door to see if Lily is returning, never giving up hope.   The story does alternate between the past, when he and Lily fell in love, married, opened the pub, living 20 years through life; and the present, with Brian sees a review on Pinkmoonlil1972, and is determined to find his wife.

Brian’s friend Jeff, is a regular, and he tells his friend he needs to find Lily, but before he leaves, he worries why his friend isn’t at the pub, and goes to his house, where he finds Jeff dead. Heartbroken, but still determined to go on his journey, he puts two young bar workers, Oliver and Sophie, in charge.

The many scenes from the past, gives us details about Brian falling in love with Lily; as well as her falling for him, their marriage, unable to have children, opening up their pub, and family issues along the way. In the present, Brian’s journey leads him to various destinations where Lily might be, with each encounter unsuccessful. He meets Tess, a charming woman from New Zealand, who become friends, and she helping him in his search to find Lily. The final destination has Brian finally meeting PinkMoonLily1972, who turns out not to be his Lily.  He returns home to the pub, and knows he will have to close the pub, with serious financial situations.  Tess ends up visiting Brian for a while, with her eventually going back to New Zealand. Then to his surprise, he learns that Jeff, his deceased friend left him in his will an enormous amount of money, allowing him to renovate the pub. A surprise twist at the end, was a video that shows Lily on the morning she disappeared, in a major storm, and the truths were revealed.

This Disaster Loves You was a very good story line, filled with love, loss, tragedy, family and friendship. This Disaster Loves You was very well written by Richard Roper.  I wholly suggest you read this book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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