Author Archives: Barb

Heartless Hunter by Kristen Ciccarelli – a Review

Posted on by
14

Heartless Hunter by Kristen Ciccarelli – a Review

 

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / Google Play / Apple / BAM / Bookbub

 

Description:
A steamy game of cat and mouse between witch and witch-hunter, played out against a backdrop of opulence, secrets, and bloody history.

On the night Rune’s life changed forever, blood ran in the streets. Now, in the aftermath of a devastating revolution, witches have been diminished from powerful rulers to outcasts ruthlessly hunted due to their waning magic, and Rune must hide what she is.

Spending her days pretending to be nothing more than a vapid young socialite, Rune spends her nights as the Crimson Moth, a witch vigilante who rescues her kind from being purged. When a rescue goes wrong, she decides to throw the witch hunters off her scent and gain the intel she desperately needs by courting the handsome Gideon Sharpe – a notorious and unforgiving witch hunter loyal to the revolution – who she can’t help but find herself falling for.

Gideon loathes the decadence and superficiality Rune represents, but when he learns the Crimson Moth has been using Rune’s merchant ships to smuggle renegade witches out of the republic, he inserts himself into her social circles by pretending to court her right back. He soon realizes that beneath her beauty and shallow façade, is someone fiercely intelligent and tender who feels like his perfect match. Except, what if she’s the very villain he’s been hunting?

 

 

Review:

Heartless Hunter by Kristen Ciccarelli is the 1st book in her new romantic fantasy duology Crimson Moth series.  We meet Rune, our heroine, whose life drastically changed forever, when a terrible revolution, when witches became outcasts; hunted and killed. To save her granddaughter, Rune was told to pretend that she knew nothing about her grandmother being a witch, with Rune hiding what she is to survive. Devasted by the death of her grandmother, as well as all the deaths of witches, Rune changes her life.  During the daytime, she is a wealthy socialite and by evening she is the infamous Crimson Moth, who rescues witches before their horrifying deaths.

Gideon Sharpe is a witch hunter, who has unsuccessfully been trying to find the Crimson Moth.  He gets a clue that Rune might be using her ships to free the witches, and decides to pursue her and in order find evidence that she is a witch.  Gideon’s brother Alex, is Rune’s best friend, as well as Verity, and they both know that Rune is the Crimson Moth, but they are totally loyal to her.  When Gideon starts making advances, Alex is not happy, as he secretly loves Rune. Gideon plays the part of courting her, and slowly begins to fall for Rune, learning more about her intelligence, as well as being caring.  Rune also learns more about Gideon’s past life, hating the witches who killed his family and used him.

Though I understand Gideon’s past with a witch who destroyed his family, I found him to be a bit harsh, going to any length to discover if Rune was a witch.  I did love Rune, who was a cunning fighter, always trying to save the witches.  With both constantly changing their minds on what are their real feelings in in this game of cat and mouse. There were a lot of twists and turns as we get closer to the end, and saying too much more would ruin this for you.

Heartless Hunter was a fast-paced compelling page turner, that was intense, intriguing, exciting, and a forbidden romance. The last third of the book was wild and tense, with me unable to put the book down. Heartless Hunter was so very well written by Kristen Ciccarelli, was well as being a fantastic world-building. I look forward to the next book, especially since this is a duology.

 

 

 

 

 

Share

Missing Before Daylight by Carolyn Arnold – a Review

Posted on by
16

Missing Before Daylight by Carolyn Arnold – a Review

 

 

Amazon / B&N / BAM

Description:
She wakes surrounded by an inky black darkness and can barely breathe. A sack is covering her head, and her hands are tied behind her back. She desperately tries to struggle free as she hears footsteps walking toward her. She silently starts to cry as a chilling voice whispers “It’s time to pay for what you did…”

When Detective Amanda Steele is called to the murder scene of a young gas station clerk just before dawn, she assumes it must be a robbery gone tragically wrong. But when she discovers nothing has been stolen, she knows the motive must be far more personal.

Watching the security footage, Amanda is shocked to witness the cold-blooded killer not only shoot the clerk dead but abduct a customer. And her heart stops when she recognizes the customer as her former colleague, Katherine Graves. As Amanda breaks the news to Katherine’s heartbroken Aunt May , she vows to do whatever it takes to bring her niece home alive.

Desperate for a lead, Amanda and her partner, Trent, search Katherine’s home. Soon, they discover that despite no longer being with the police department, Katherine has a long list of very dangerous enemies. Enemies who have been sending her anonymous letters promising revenge.

The more Amanda digs into Katherine’s past, the longer her list of suspects becomes. But when May is sent a ransom demand and a picture of Katherine close to death, Amanda knows time is running out. With only hours left to find Katherine alive, Amanda is prepared to risk everything to keep her promise to May, even her own life…

 

 

 

Review:

Missing Before Daylight by Carolyn Arnold is the 10th book in her fantastic Detective Amanda Steele series. As I have noted previously, I am a big fan of Arnold, having read most of her books, and I love this series, which continues with another great addition.  Amanda Steele, our heroine, is a homicide detective in Dumfries, Virginia Police Department.

In the predawn hours, a young girl working in a convenience store, is shot dead, and a former colleague of Amanda is kidnapped.  When Amanda and Trent are called to the scene of the murder, they thought at first that it was a robbery, but watching the security footage, she recognizes the person who was abducted, was Katherine Graves, a former cop and colleague. Now it’s a race against time to find Katherine before she is killed.

Katherine, no longer a cop, had a tough reputation, handling a number of high-profile cases, and Amanda and Trent have to look into old cases and people who may have wanted revenge.  Katherine did have a long list of dangerous enemies, which makes it even harder to find the culprit. This is told in two POV’s, for both Amanda and Katherine.  In one of her Pov’s, the perpetrator tells Katherine “it’s time to pay for what you did.”

What follows is an exciting, suspenseful, intriguing, tense mystery, that kept me unable to put the book down, as this was a fantastic thriller. From the start, you become engrossed into the story. As Amanda continues to dig into Katherines past cases, the longer her list of suspects becomes.  To say too much more would be spoilers.

Missing Before Daylight was another fantastic crime thriller, that was another gripping addition to the Detective Amanda Steele series. It was a compelling intricate suspenseful plot, excellent police procedural, great characters, edge of your seat thriller, with a surprise reveal near the end.  Missing Before Daylight was once again so very well written by Carolyn Arnold, which is the norm for this author; as I am loving this series. If you like mystery thrillers, police procedural, then you need to be reading this series.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied for review

 

Share

Only Hard Problems by Jennifer Estep – Dual Review

Posted on by
12

Only Hard Problems by Jennifer Estep – Dual Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / Google Play / Apple / BAM / Bookbub

 

Description:
PROBLEMS, PROBLEMS EVERYWHERE . . .

My name is Zane Zimmer. To most folks, I live a seemingly charmed life as a Regal lord and the heir apparent to the powerful, wealthy House Zimmer, and the gossipcasts breathlessly follow my every swaggering move across the Archipelago Galaxy. I’m also a powerful psion capable of telekinesis, telepathy, and telempathy, and my deadly skills and prowess with my stormsword have made me the golden boy of the Arrows, the Imperium’s elite fighting force.

But even golden boys have bad days, and the truth is I have more hard problems than I can solve.

The Techwave is building weapons to use against the Arrows in hopes of toppling the Imperium and taking over the galaxy. But even more worrisome is the fact that my old rival Kyrion Caldaren has a powerful new ally in Vesper Quill. Together, the two of them just might destroy everything I’ve sworn to protect.

I’m supposed to be relaxing with the other Regals during the Summer Solstice celebration, but when an enemy threatens the festivities, I’m forced to leap into action. As an Arrow, I’ll do whatever it takes to protect my family and the other Regals, even though my actions will cause only more problems—and just might end up being the death of me . . .

 

Barb’s Review:
Only Hard Problems by Jennifer Estep is the 3rd book in her Galactic Bonds series. This story revolves around Zane Zimmer, the heir apparent to the powerful, wealthy House Zimmer. Zane acts like a playboy, when the gossipcasts get his attention, but he is head Arrow for the Imperium, ruled by Lord Callus Holloway.

Zane is a powerful psion with abilities of telekinesis, telepathy, and a powerful stormsword in defeating his enemies.   Zane is determined to stop the evil Techwave, who are building powerful weapons destroying many lands, in order to take control.  Zane is also trying to find Vesper & Kyrion, who escaped in the last book, and learned that Vesper was his sister, which upset him, since his father and grandmother have hidden this.  Zane has mixed feelings, as he knows that Holloway wants to remove Vesper’s psion powers for his own.  Will he bring Vesper and Kyrion to Holloway or will he find a way to save them?

It is the Summer Solstice celebration, with Zane, his father and grandmother attending, representing House Zimmer.  With pressure from his grandmother, Zane is supposed to present Lady Asterin a gift, with both of them totally disliking each other. Zane notices a former guard in the shadows and tries to follow him, as he suspects Techwave are in the building.  All hell will break loose when the Techwave guard brings out mechanical Black Scarabs, to kill the Solstice guards, and bombs are activated within the celebration.  Asterin is kidnapped, and Zane gets shot, but he is determined to rescue her.  To tell too much more could ruin it for you.

What follows is an exciting, non-stop action filled, suspenseful story that kept me unable to put the book down. The last third of the book was extremely tense and exciting, with some twists and surprises along the way.

Only Hard Problems was a tense last half of the book, that was intriguing, with violence, kidnapping, and psion magic.  Only Hard Problems was very well written by Jennifer Estep.  I did like Zane, and I suspect that somehow in the future, Asterid will be the one for him.  I can’t wait for what Estep has for us in the next boo, which will fully return to Vesper and Kyrion.  I suggest you read Only Hard Problems, as I fully enjoyed it.

 

Sandy’s Review: ONLY HARD PROBLEMS is the third instalment in Jennifer Estep’s adult GALACTIC BONDS science-fiction, fantasy series. ONLY HARD PROBLEMS focuses on Arrow Zane Zimmer, and his assignment to uncover the whereabouts of Vesper Quill. ONLY HARD PROBLEMS should not be read as a stand alone as it picks up after the events and cliff hanger of ONLY GOOD ENEMIES

Told from first person perspectives (Zane Zimmer) ONLY HARD PROBLEMS follows Zane Zimmer at the Summer Solstice celebration, a multi-purpose party to be used by the Zimmer family. Zane has been ordered by his grandmother to court and marry a woman he despises but his ‘boss’ has ordered Zane to uncover the whereabouts of Vesper Quill.Vesper and her bond mate Kyrion Caldaren are on the run, in the wake of the many attempts against their lives. Zane is struggling with his need to protect Vesper, in opposition to the orders from the man in charge but an attack at the Summer Solstice celebration results in the theft of some new technological power, and Zane is now facing the possibility that everything is not as is appears to be.

We are reintroduced to Lady Asterin Armas, the woman to whom Zane does not want to be betrothed.

ONLY HARD PROBLEMS is another story of power and control, secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, magic, elemental stones, dysfunctional family values, and questionable facades. The fast paced premise is intriguing, captivating and imaginative; the characters are secretive and energetic.

Share

The Spy and I by Tiana Smith – Review & Giveaway

Posted on by
21

The Spy and I by Tiana Smith – Review & Giveaway

 

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / Google Play / Apple / BAM / Bookbub

 

Description:
Right place. Wrong person. After a case of mistaken identity, one woman must work with her sister’s sexy spy partner to save the world in this heart-pounding romantic comedy.

The first thing to know about Dove Barkley is that, even though she works as a cyber security analyst, she is one hundred percent not an undercover CIA operative. But when a group of bad guys mistake her for her super-spy sister (news to her!), Dove gets roped into a dangerous government mission that she’d very much rather be left out of, thank you.

Too bad Mendez, the man who claims to be her sister’s partner, says she’s in too deep to back out now. He’s smart, capable, and has a body almost distracting enough to make Dove forget about the team of trained assassins after her.

Dove has information that can help prevent a national tragedy, but there’s mounting evidence that Mendez might not be who he claims. More importantly, she’s running out of time to save her sister. Because the last thing Dove wants is for either of them to go out with a bang.

 

 

Review:

The Spy and I by Tiana Smith is a fun spy thriller, that I thoroughly enjoyed.  We meet Dove Barkley, our heroine, works as an IT cyber security analyst, who tests company’s security systems on their networks to make sure they are safe from hackers. One day, she is accidently mistaken for her twin sister, Madison who she learns is actually an undercover CIA agent. Someone hands her a briefcase, with documents, and before she could do anything, the person is killed; Dove quickly runs away.

Mendez, our hero, works for the CIA, and is looking for Dove’s sister, who he feels has gone rogue; he pretends to interview, Dove. He meets with Dove, to get the papers, and claims he is her sister’s partner. Dove then gets involved in a dangerous government mission, to catch Holt, a wanted criminal trying to take over the CIA.  She worries, as everyone thinks Madison has gone rogue, and is determined to prove her sister’s innocent.  Can she trust Mendez?

What follows is Mendez gets Dove to help, especially with her knowledge of being a hacker, and her amazing abilities.  They go travel to Prague to find the bad guy, escaping assassins who are trying to stop them. Dove does see Madison a few times, with her trying to convince her to not help Mendez and go home.  Dove finds herself falling hard for Mendez, as he was not only smart, but so very handsome; in a short time, the sparks fly between them with sizzling chemistry.  To say too much more, would be spoilers; especially with the last third of the book being fast paced and filled with exciting and intense nonstop action.

The Spy and I was a fun enjoyable romance suspense spy thriller, with a great couple, expert cyber hacker, espionage, sisters, hot male spy and dangerous bad criminals.   The Spy and I was so very well written by Tiana Smith. 

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

Berkley is graciously offering a paper copy of THE SPY AND I by TIANA SMITH to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

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 LIKE and Follow TIANA SMITH  on Facebook

4. Please LIKE/FOLLOW The Reading Cafe on FACEBOOK and then click GET NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

5. Please LIKE and FOLLOW Berkley Romance on Facebook for an additional entry.

6. LIKE The Reading Cafe on Twitter for an additional entry.

7. Please FOLLOW The Reading Cafe on GOODREADS for an additional entry.

8. Please follow The Reading Cafe on Tumblr

9. Giveaway open to USA only

10. Giveaway runs from February 14th-17th, 2024

 

 

Share

Village in the Dark by Iris Yamashita – a Review

Posted on by
9

Village in the Dark by Iris Yamashita – a Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / Google Play / Apple / BAM / Bookbub

 

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

 

 

Share

Fish Out of Water by Katie Ruggle – a Review

Posted on by
12

Fish Out of Water by Katie Ruggle – a Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / Google Play / Apple / BAM / Bookbub

 

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

 

 

Share

The Summer Book Club by Susan Mallery – a Review

Posted on by
15

The Summer Book Club by Susan Mallery – a Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / Google Play / Apple / BAM / Bookbub

 

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

 

 

Share

This Disaster Loves You by Richard Roper – a Review

Posted on by
14

This Disaster Loves You by Richard Roper – a Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / Google Play / Apple / BAM / Bookbub

 

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

 

 

Share