Author Archives: Barb

Midnight by Sharon Sala – a Review

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Midnight by Sharon Sala – a Review

 

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Description:
Crossroads, Texas, is a town of second chances in this new small town romance series from Sharon Sala, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Blessings, Georgia series.

Asher Kingston is a special investigator for the Texas Attorney General’s office in Austin, TX. When he gets a call that his dad has been injured in an attempted robbery of his bar, he rounds up his two brothers and heads back to Crossroads. During visiting hours at the hospital, Nora Borden, Asher’s girlfriend from high school, runs into him and they rekindle their friendship. Nora is a high-profile computer tech with a high security clearance; Asher claims his job too unpredictable for relationships. But before long, their romance rekindles as well. Together they unravel a case long gone cold to find out what happened in the bar late that night and to clear the Kingston family name.

 

 

Review:

Midnight by Sharon Sala is the 2nd book in her Crosswoods series. The story starts off with a robbery, that involved Brenda Kingston, who was having an affair with Pete Brant.  Pete told Brenda to hide the money inside her house in the basement.  In fear, Brenda ended up killing herself, and Pete Brant was sentence to jail.  Now 21 years later, Pete Brant died in prison, and his two sons are determined to find the missing money.

Asher Kingston, who is 32 years old, is an investigator for the State Attorney General in Austin. He receives a phone call from the police that his father was shot, and in serious condition.  He learns from Pearl, who managed to find Jacob, and calls for emergency help, keeping him alive.  

Gunner Kingston, who is 27 years old, is a homicide detective in Dallas, Texas; Gunner flies’ home to help. Dylan Kingston, who is 29 years old, lives in Austin and is engaged to Angie.  Nora Borden returns home to Crossroads to sell and clean her family’s home. Asher’s girlfriend from high school, runs into him and they rekindle their love. Nora helps Asher, as well as Gunner and Dylan to help her knowledge of IT.   

The Brant boys, Everett and Freddie, are determined to find the money (1 Million) somewhere inside the basement.  Everett was the one who shot Jacob, and they tried to hide their identity, hoping Jacob would die. Gunner, Asher and Dylan are quietly trying to see who the culprits are, until they discover their identity.  All three of them decided to look in the basement, where they finally found the money.  The FBI is called, and the family helps the FBI to manage to take the money.  The local police chief will work with the Kingston boys as they will lay traps to capture Everett & Freddie.

What follows is that Jacob will recover, and he will know that Pearl was the perfect person for him.  Asher and Nora are very much in love, and she will move to Austin, after selling her family home. Dylan and Angie get married, and Gunner returns to Dallas, as he is a great detective. 

Midnight was a terrific, intense and love story, especially with the Kingston family. I really enjoyed this story, with so much going on.  Midnight was so very well written by Sharon Sala.  Great story that held my attention throughout.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

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Ember Eternal by Chloe Neill – a Review

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Ember Eternal by Chloe Neill – a Review

 

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Description:
A new romantasy, following a thief whose dramatic encounter with an assassin and a crown bodyguard (who happens to be a royal in disguise) launches her into a world of swirling palace intrigue.

Fox is a thief with morals—she steals from those who can afford it and only a little at that. She has no choice. Fox and her three closest companions entered into indentured servitude to the Lady, a mysterious noble with widespread political power by questionable means, in order to pay off familial debts. While searching for an easy mark in town, Fox helps a royal bodyguard fend off a would-be assassin’s attack on a prince’s life.

But what started off as protecting the prince out of good conscience has now unwittingly embroiled this thief in a vast world of politics, high stakes, and romance. And though Fox longs to be free of her debts, she must decide if love is its own kind of cage.

 

 

Review:

Ember Eternal by Chloe Neill is the first book in her new Romantasy series, Souls Burn Brightest. Fox, our heroine, is a 20-year-old, talented thief, who only steals from those who have money. She and her best friend, Wren, are bonded to a wealthy Lady, to pay off their family’s debts. Fox also has the ability to see Aether, giving her energy toward the Aetheric Realm, which is a type of invisible magic.

The land of Carethia, is ruled by the Emperor Eternal, with 4 sons ruling different regions.  The Western Prince arrives at the Western Stronghold to fill the position that has been empty for a while after the death of the last Prince. Fox ends up saving the prince (Nik) from an assassination attempt at the market, since she can see what is happening before anyone else. There is the villain, who is using Aether and Anima to try to overthrow the system, and Fox is the only one who can detect Aether, saving the attempt at the Prince’s life.    

Fox is close to her friends, Wren and a spirit guardian, Luna. With several assassination attempts against Nik, she knows that the magic practitioner will stop at nothing to achieve his goals. Fox will assist with the guards in catching the foe.

I really loved the banter between Fox and Nik, who I have begun to slowly become close to each other.  I also adored Wren and Galen. I loved Luna, who was always able to quickly find Fox. As we get closer to the end, Fox will learn some truths about her past; that will change things in the end.

Ember Eternal blended romance, rebellion, danger, chaos, banter, action, secrets and magic. This was a terrific romantasy based on a simmering romance and thriller.  Ember Eternal was so very well written by Chloe Neill.  I can’t wait for the next book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

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Every Last One by Carolyn Arnold – a Review

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Every Last One by Carolyn Arnold – a Review

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Description:
Tucking her daughter into her hospital bed, Gail sent up a silent prayer. Her daughter’s heart is failing and without this life-saving operation she will die. But soon her peace is shattered when a nurse races into the “Lock the doors, close the blinds. The hospital’s in lockdown. We have a shooter.”

When four attackers storm Founders Hospital, plunging it into an immediate lockdown, countless lives are at stake. As one of the FBI’s top negotiators, Special Agent Sandra Vos, is called in to bring the situation to a peaceful surrender.

Soon she discovers that the hostage takers have blocked the cell network and hospital phones are down. Every detail of the attack was meticulously planned. But why target a hospital?

Sandra’s strongest lead comes when they discover that one of the armed assailants forced themselves into a board meeting, taking their demands straight to the top. But with the attackers refusing to make contact and a little girl’s life hanging in the balance, Sandra needs to find the motive, fast.

When a shot rings out, it’s clear the hostage takers are prepared to kill to get what they want. But just when Sandra thinks all is lost, she discovers a link between them that reveals a very personal motive.

Sandra will need to use everything in her power to convince the hostage takers that this can end safely for everyone. But can she really meet their demands? And if not, how many lives will be lost?

 

 

 

Review:

Every Last One by Carolyn Arnold is the 2nd book in her Sandra Vos series.  Special agent Sandra Vos is a negotiator with the FBI, and she is sent with her partner, Brice Sutton to a hospital that has gone into a lockdown. A tense hostage situation at a Washington D.C. area hospital, and they realize there is no communication in or out of the hospital.  The hostage takers have blocked the network, and the internet and hospital phones are down as well. The tension ramps up as the hours tick by without resolution, the danger involving some of the antagonists.

Sandra is capable and strong, always calm in stressful situations, and has a fantastic memory. With four gunmen have the building in lockdown, Sandra faces her most harrowing challenge. She must determine to find a way to get communications back and try to talk to the main leader as the antagonists are hostile and angry.  Sandra also is concerned with a young child that will need a heart transplant in the later part of the day, and she fears the child will not be able to get help.

Every Last One was a suspenseful, tense, emotional, gripping, compelling thriller. The story points out so many situations, including anger, frustration, desperation, family, hostages, and danger. I love Sandra Vos, as she was a fantastic FBI agent. Every Last One was very well written by Carolyn Arnold.  Great story, which I suggest you read this series.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied by Publisher

 

 

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The Seven Rings by Nora Roberts – a Review

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The Seven Rings by Nora Roberts – a Review

 

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Description:
Long ago, Arthur Poole built a grand house overlooking the turbulent ocean, in a Maine village that bore his name. Today, Sonya MacTavish lives in that manor that has been cursed for generations. Within its walls, she has witnessed the deaths of seven brides and the thefts of seven wedding rings. And now, to break the curse and banish a malevolent spirit once and for all, a difficult task must be completed.

After Sonya, her boyfriend, Trey, and their friends are forced to hear, see—and feel—the suffering of the house’s many ghosts as their torment is reenacted by the evil presence, their bond only strengthens and their anger is renewed. Refusing to let her spirit be broken, Sonya searches each room for clues to her ancestors’ hidden story, putting the picture together, unearthing small treasures, and uncovering the moments of joy that existed among the sorrows. She’s determined to bring light to this haunted place—to fill it with people, with life and hope, once again.

But the enemy in the black dress continues to hover, to come at her in frightening forms. They may be illusions—but illusions can be powerful enough to wound and kill. She feeds on fear, and lies are her weapon. This dark-hearted witch wants to be mistress of Poole Manor, at any cost. And Sonya will need to fight a battle across two realms to finally take possession of the house on the clifftop—and of her own future…

 

 

 

Review:

The Seven Rings by Nora Roberts is the third and final book in her wonderful Lost Bride Trilogy. Refresher: Sonya MacTavish inherited a magnificent, haunted manor with a heartbreaking history.  Over a period of years, seven brides came to the mansion, and seven brides died at the hands of Hester Dobbs, an evil witch spirit, who sent each of them to their deaths, in a jealous fit of rage: thereby cursing the house and all future brides.

Sonya is a descendant of the Poole family, along with Owen Poole; as she has the gift of sight, enabling her to see through the mirror, learning about the past brides and ghosts.  Sonya and her three companions (Cleo, Trey and Owen) continue to search to find the stolen wedding rings.  Sonya and Cleo look into the furniture/rooms to restore everything to its former glory; Trey and Owen also spend nights at the mansion, with both very much in love (Trey with Sonya, and Cleo with Owen). With new revelations, as well as light, laughter and love; which will bring happiness to the group; but they still need to deal with Hester’s constant evil dangerous rage.

Sonya searches all the various rooms, to find clues to her family’s past, putting pictures/photos, unearthing small treasures, and uncovering the moments of joy that existed among the sorrows. Sonya with help from Cleo, were determined to  fix up this haunted manor, with people, life and hope, once again. I loved Clover, who was great with her songs.  I adored Yoda (dog) playing with Jack; and got a kick out of Molly, always cleaning things up. I did adore all the dogs and the cat. 

The Seven Rings was an emotional ghost story, and the ties bonded them together. It was a story of good and evil, romance, heartwarming, fiction and thrilling. The Seven Rings was so very well written by Nora Roberts.   It was a great read.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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The Duke’s Carriage Window by Lauren Smith – a Review

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The Duke’s Carriage Window by Lauren Smith – a Review

 

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Description:
A woman cast out of the only home she’s ever known finds herself the new ward of a darkly handsome duke, and caught up in a dangerous mystery.

At the deathbed wish of the man who’d raised her as his child, Meredith Montague travels to London in hopes that the man’s nephew, the Duke of Tiverton, can help her navigate the London season and find a husband. But when she collides—literally—with Tiverton and is spellbound by him, she fears that the man in charge of her destiny might be a danger to her virtue and her heart. Things only get more complicated when she witnesses a murder, and the only person who believes her is Tiverton.

The last thing Darius St. John, the Duke of Tiverton, needs is a pretty young lady underfoot — especially a lady he is duty bound not to seduce, thanks to his late uncle’s request that Darius take Meredith as his ward and find her a husband. If keeping his hands off his beautiful ward wasn’t hard enough, he finds himself in close quarters with her as they work together to solve a murder and catch the killer before he can get away. Will his desire for Meredith put her life in more danger? Or will surrendering to his heart be the best way to keep them both safe?

 

 

Review 

Lauren Smith delivers exactly what I’ve come to expect (and enjoy) in this second installment of the Rogues of Devil’s Square series, a steamy, fast paced Regency romance laced with a dash of murder mystery intrigue. 

If you loved the friends to lovers tension and gothic tinged suspense of Book 1 (The Dark Maiden’s Carriage), you’ll feel right at home here, only this time the stakes feel a little higher and the chemistry is positively combustible. 😉 

Meredith Montague is the quintessential fish-out-of-water heroine, raised in the countryside by a kindly (if secretive) guardian, she’s suddenly thrust into the glittering, treacherous world of the London ton as the surprise ward of the brooding Darius St. John, Duke of Tiverton. One literal carriage collision later, sparks fly…. both romantic and murderous. 

When Meredith witnesses a killing that everyone else insists was an accident, only Darius believes her. Cue forced proximity, late night sleuthing, and a hero who’s trying very hard to be honorable while his ward parades around in nightgowns that apparently leave very little to the imagination. 😜 

The chemistry between Meredith and Darius is instant and delicious. Lauren Smith writes attraction with a capital A, stolen glances across ballrooms, accidental touches in dark corridors, and that classic “I’m not allowed to want you but I absolutely do” tension that makes guardian/ward tropes so addictive.

Perfect for readers who want their Dukes brooding, their heroines brave, and their endings happy. 😊 Highly recommended if you’re in the mood for a story full of tension, a murder in the mews, and a hero who absolutely cannot keep his hands (or lips) to himself. 😝 

Reviewed by Julie 

Copy provided by Author

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Next Time Will Be Our Turn by Jesse Q. Sutanto – a Review

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Next Time Will Be Our Turn by Jesse Q, Sutanto – a Review

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Description:
Izzy Chen is dreading her family’s annual Chinese New Year celebration, where they all come together at a Michelin-starred restaurant to flaunt their status and successes in hopes to one up each other. So when her seventy-three-year-old glamorous and formidable grandmother walks in with a stunning woman on her arm and kisses her in front of everyone, it shakes Izzy to her core. She’d always considered herself the black sheep of the family for harboring similar feelings to the ones her Nainai just displayed.

Seeing herself in her teenage granddaughter’s struggles with identity and acceptance, Magnolia Chen tells Izzy her own story, of how as a teen she was sent by her Indo-Chinese parents from Jakarta to Los Angeles for her education and fell in love with someone completely forbidden to her by both culture and gender norms—Ellery, an American college student who became Magnolia’s best friend and the love of her life. Stretching across decades and continents, Magnolia’s star-crossed love story reveals how life can take unexpected turns but ultimately lead you to exactly who you’re meant to be.

 

 

Review:

Next Time it Will be Our Turn by Jesse Q. Sutanto is a standalone novel.   Magnolia Chen is the matriarch of her family, and her granddaughter is intrigued about her grandmother’s life.  Magnolia begins to tell Izzy (granddaughter) about her past, when she was sent from Jakarta to Los Angeles for school, at the age of sixteen.  Her sister, Iris, awaits her on her arrival, as they will be living together; even though she knows her older sister wants nothing to do with her.   Magnolia and her rebellious sister Iris had a difficult time in the early years, but over time things changed.  

Over the course of decades and continents, Magnolia meets a college student, Ellery, who was 22 and Magnolia was 16.  They became best friends, and I loved how Magnolia always viewed Ellery as the love of her life, since they truly were soulmates.  This was truly a wonderful love story.

Magnolia was an amazing character, with a fabulous story to tell. Over the years, Magnolia learned what she needed to do throughout her life, with her strength and happiness. A beautiful story of love, loss, finding herself, making the hard choices in life, sometimes breaking your own heart in the process.  Magnolia lived a long life, married with children, and the eventual loss of her sister, as well as Ellery. 

Next Time Will Be Our Turn was a wonderful story, about family, love, culture, ethnicity, sexuality, and even living with a sister, daughter, wife and love of her life. Next Time Will be Our Turn was so very well written by Jesse Q. Sutanto.  I suggest you read this wonderful story.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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Innocence Road by Laura Griffin – a Review

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Innocence Road by Laura Griffin – a Review

 

Description:
Detective Leanne Everhart swore she’d never go back to her hometown near Marfa, Texas—but she returns when her brother needs her, only to find a town in need too, still torn apart by a decades-old crime.

Leanne Everhart knows women have something to fear in her artsy hometown, especially so if they’re not rich, white locals. Returning to town after her father’s death, she sees the ugliest sides of an area that draws people for its severe, untamed natural landscape.

While her department faces mounting backlash over a recent wrongful conviction in the long-ago murder case of a popular local teenager—which is now unsolved—Leanne is called to a fresh crime scene at the edge of the desert. A nameless woman was found murdered, with no clues as to her identity. As Leanne digs into the crime scene evidence, she grows convinced this latest murder case is linked with the local teenager’s murder. And to multiple cold cases, all unnamed female victims, that have all been shelved by her department without leads.

Now, with conflicted loyalties and without allies, Leanne must hunt down a serial killer, one who’s been preying on local women for two decades, growing bolder and more ruthless with every strike.

 

 

 

Review:

Innocence Road by Laura Griffin is a compelling story of small-town secrets, mystery, and cold cases.  Leanne Everhart has recently moved back to her hometown and joined the police department, where she is a detective. Leanne is smart, focused, determined and hard working; always seeking justice for victims. When another victim is murdered, Leanne is determined to pursue the clues pointing to a serial killer in her own hometown; especially with a still torn apart by decades-old crime.

Leanne uncovers some information that leads her to investigate possible cold cases during a 15-year period.  Her police chief continues to refuse her trying to prove her resources; with Leanne determined to solve the case on her own. She was made lead investigator on a recent death found in the desert. Leanne digs into the crime scene’s evidence; with multiple cold cases, all unnamed female victims, that have all been shelved by her department. Leanne gets some leads back 15 years ago, and begins to see that someone in their town is a serial killer, that has been going on for years. 

Leanne gets help from Izzy, a forensic photographer.  She also gets help from Duncan from another county. She has known him since their academy days in Houston, and he continues to be her sounding board and confident. 

Innocence Road is an exciting mystery thriller, with so much tense action from start to finish.   I loved Leanne, as she was a fantastic heroine.  Innocence Road was so very well written by Laura Griffin.  She is one of my go to authors, who writes fantastic mysteries. I suggest you read Innocence Road.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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Turns of Fate by Anne Bishop – a Review

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Turns of Fate by Anne Bishop – a Review

 

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Description:
Words have power. Intentions matter.

Most people come to Destiny Park for entertainment. They come to have their cards read to tell them a bit about their future. They come to walk through a beautiful park and to eat at the hotel’s restaurant. They come in the hope of catching a glimpse of the Arcana, the paranormal beings who rule the Isle of Wyrd.

But some people come to make a bargain with the Arcana—to change their fate. And some people come for dark purposes.

When Detective Beth Fahey is sent to Destiny Park to inquire about a “ghost gun,” she will begin a strange journey on which she must learn to navigate the Arcana’s unforgiving laws and dangerous attractions. Her search will draw her into seemingly impossible cases and the secrets of her own past as tensions rise between the Arcana and their human neighbors across the river.

For the Isle of Wyrd is a place where the dead ride trains to their final destinations, predators literally become prey, and seekers’ true natures are revealed in the ripples of destiny unknowingly stirred in their wakes.

Who will live? Who will die? And who will be lost in between? 

 

 

Review:

Turns of Fate by Anne Bishop is the first book in her new Isle of Wyrd series. People come to Destiny Park for entertainment, have their cards ready to tell them a bit about their future; they walk through the  beautiful park and to eat at the hotel’s restaurant. They come in the hope of catching a glimpse of the Arcana, the paranormal beings who rule the Isle of Wyrd.

New Detective Beth Fahey has just moved to Penwych to join the 13th precinct, as they are liaisons between human laws and Arcana.  The town is the closest to the Isle of Wyrd, where many humans cross the river on the Ferry to view the gardens in Destiny Park. Beth works for Captain Forrester, who runs the 13th District, which is also in the Fate River.

Beth ends up with the short straw, as she must take the ferry to the Isle of Wyrd, to get answers. She meets Lucas Frost, the Sorcerer King or leader of the Isle of Wyrd, warning her about the Arcana bargains, which could come with severe consequences. Those who sneak onto the island, walk through the moon gates, can find themselves lost and never found again or get help to hide when necessary.  People come to have their palms read or ask Ladies Three to look into their futures.  Arcana will help, but there is a cost. Arcana sees justice, right and wrong differently than humans, having their own rules.   

A gang of boys’ capture Captain Forrester son’s (Colin) to bully on the island, and things went very wrong with the boys finding serious actions and bodies discovered. Colin will find a place in Arcana to be safe and become happy to learn about the jobs he helps with; until he will eventually be free.

Beth is smart, tough, inquisitive, and had an abusive childhood with a caretaker. We learn more about Beth’s truly powerful protectors, which the Ladies Three project that she is one of them.  They know the protectors have been looking after her since she was a child, as they know there is something different about Beth. Along the way, Beth learns more about herself and her past.  

Turns of Fate was a fabulous story, filled with suspense, police investigations, diverse characters, violence, abuse, greed, bullying, in this fantasy world.  Turns of Fate was very well written by Anne Bishop.   I am a big fan of Anne Bishop and have read and loved all her books. I look forward to more from the Isle of Wyrd.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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