Author Archives: Barb

Heart of the Shadow King by Sylvia Mercedes – a Review

Posted on by
15

Heart of the Shadow King by Sylvia Mercedes – a Review

Amazon / B&N / Apple / BAM / Bookbub

Description:
A KING DESPERATE TO SAVE HIS BRIDE.
A QUEEN DISCOVERING THE DARK POTENTIAL OF HER POWER.
After nearly losing one another in a savage attack on the city, Vor and Faraine return to Mythanar fully committed to their marriage. But the situation in the Under Realm remains dire. With the world poised on the brink of collapse, Vor struggles to protect his kingdom. Though Faraine longs to support him as queen, she fights the weakness in her body at every turn . . . not to mention the strange changes warping her gods-gift.

When war drags them apart, Vor and Faraine face the consequences of their choices. How can Vor lead those who have lost faith in him? Torn between honor and desire, he must decide where his heart truly lies: with his kingdom or his queen.

Meanwhile, as Faraine explores the new dimensions of her power, she starts to believe the coming cataclysm may be prevented. But in doing so, will she unleash a darkness in herself far more disastrous?

 

 

Review:

Heart of the Shadow King by Sylvia Mercedes is the 3rd and final book in her Bride of the Shadow King series.  Vor and Faraine return to Mythanar determined to fill their marriage vows. Upon arrival, the Under Realm situation is very bad, and Vor needs to win over those who have lost faith in him: as he struggles to protect his Kingdom. Faraine wants to help support Vor, as his Queen; but she begins to learn dimensions of her powers, which leads to massive changes to her body warping her gods-gift.

We follow Vor and Faraine as he knows his duty as King, leading to destructive battles ahead; Faraine is deeply plagued by Maylin’s powerful training.  Both Vor and Faraine spent too much time apart, as it did feel stagnant at times. Vor gathers his army to help Faraines’s father fight the Fae. Faraine stays in Mythanar struggling to understand Maylin’s training her to learn about god’s gift, as well as using her ability to become crystal stone. When the world is crumbling, Faraine will be the one who will save them, suffering from her pain, but proving herself worthy of being the Queen by saving Vor and the tortured souls of his dead people during a magical ritual, releasing the stone.

I thought a lot of the story was slow moving, at least till the last ¼ of the book. There was so much chaos and inner dialogue throughout. We did get a backstory about Maylin, who actually was Vor’s real mother. I really loved Hael, who was great.   I loved the ending, when Captain Hael will decide between Sur and Theodre.

Heart of the Shadow King was a very good ending, but I did think there was a lot of confusion within the constant changes and much dialogue.  Heart of the Shadow King does nicely end this trilogy, as Mercedes gives Vor and Faraine a happy ending.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

Share

Hidden Angels by Carolyn Arnold – a Review

Posted on by
15

Hidden Angels by Carolyn Arnold – a Review

 

Amazon / B&N / BAM / Bookbub

 

Description:
As the wall is peeled back, everyone falls silent. Then they see her. The near-perfect remains of a young female, two jelly bangles and a neon necklace being the only clues to how long she had been hidden there. But who was she? And who could have possibly wanted to take such an innocent life?

When the body of girl is discovered in the walls of a Woodbridge church, Detective Amanda Steele is immediately called to the scene. On arrival she meets FBI Special Agent Sandra Vos who explains that while negotiating a hostage incident moments before, a gun was fired. The bullet missed its target but exposed human remains.

The victim has been perfectly preserved, her jewellery and summer dress taking Amanda back to her own teenage years. DNA quickly confirms that the victim was taken over thirty years ago. Thinking about her own daughter, Amanda cannot imagine the devastation for the young girl’s family and vows to find the killer.

Amanda and her partner Trent determine the suspect behind the attempted shooting, Cameron Cofell, had a very clear reason for exacting revenge on the church’s priest. As they question the wider community, a neighbour reveals her long-held suspicions too. But when she is found murdered, Amanda knows this killer is prepared to do whatever it takes to keep their dark secret from ever coming to light.

Soon the investigation takes Amanda and Trent to an abandoned farmhouse—a place that haunts Cameron’s nightmares—where they find a faded photograph that holds the mystery of another chilling cold case. But just how far back does this evil go, and how much will Amanda and Trent need to sacrifice to find the killer?

 

 

Review:

Hidden Angels by Carolyn Arnold is the 13th book in her wonderful 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 fantastic addition.  Amanda Steele, our heroine, is a homicide detective in Prince William County, Virginia

When a local priest is held captive in his church, a shot is fired, hitting a wall in the Woodbridge church, which exposed a body entombed. Detective Amanda Steel and her partner, Trent are called to the scene. Amanda meets FBI agent Sandra Vos, who was negotiating a hostage situation in the church. Sandra was willing to help Amanda and Trent, getting more information for their needs.

The DNA quickly confirms that the victim was kidnapped from an amusement park over thirty years ago, with the child being 8 years old.  Her body was entombed within the wall at the age of sixteen. Cameron Cofell was the one who threatened the priest, as he thought the church was abusive, but his parents were the ones who abused him. Cameron’s parents were killed in an accident a few years ago, and it was suspected that the parents were the ones who kidnapped the girl, and killed her 8 years later.

Amanda and Trent are deep in investigating the past and the present, as they will work long into the night to find the truths. Amanda and Trent go to an abandoned farmhouse, finding faded photos that that holds the mystery of who helped the parents kill the girl.

Amanda and Trent are a great team, and I like them together. Amanda is a great detective, very strong, independent, and always able to solve any case. She also worries about her daughter, Zoey, because she always busy on a case, and feeling guilty about those long days that her job entails.   

What follows is an exciting, fast paced, suspenseful, compelling, intriguing, tense mystery, that kept me unable to put the book down, as this was another fantastic thriller. Hidden Angels was a fabulous crime thriller, that was another gripping addition to the Detective Amanda Steele series. Another wonderful police procedural, with great characters, edge of your seat thriller, with some twists and surprises at the end. Hidden Angels was once again so very well written by Carolyn Arnold, which is the norm for this author. If you like mystery thrillers, police procedural, then you need to be reading this series.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Author

Share

Made to Love You by Nan Reinhardt – a Review

Posted on by
14

Made to Love You by Nan Reinhardt – a Review

 

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

 

Description:
She’s not looking for love, but a handsome veterinarian and a lost puppy have other plans…

Gorgeous and gifted, Annabelle Walker is a force of nature. A talented architect who has brought new designs and concepts to her family’s construction firm, Anna’s happy and doesn’t feel anything’s missing from her life, even as her siblings have all fallen in love this year. And then she finds an injured puppy on a bike ride.

 

 

Review:

Made to Love You by Nan Reinhardt is the 4th book in her wonderful The Walkers of River’s Edge series. We meet Annabelle Walker, who is an architect, creating designs for her family’s construction firm.  Anna has recently broken up with her ex-boyfriend, and seems content, happy about her life at the present, and is thrilled about her siblings all finding love. 

Anna is riding her bike, and comes across an injured puppy, who must have been dumped.  She hears a car, and a man turns up asking for directions; to her shock, the man happens to be a new veterinarian.  Sawyer Braxton is the new vet, and he helps Anna to try and save the dog. Anna will lead him to the John Price’s Animal Clinic, and he ends up being the dog’s first patient. While Anna is still at the clinic, Sawyer decides to name the female dog, Trixie.

Though Anna does not like pets, she is pressured to consider adopting, Trixie, who would remain at the hospital for a few weeks. River’s Edge welcomed Sawyer, into the town. Sawyer immediately finds himself very attracted to Anna, as she willingly teaches him how to bicycle ride, and in time, she agrees to temporarily volunteer to watch over Trixie. But as time passes, Anna will fall in love with Trixie, as well as her feelings for Sawyer. Sawyer is determined to win over Anna, to help her find new love with him and learn to trust again.

I really loved Sawyer, as he was sweet, kind and a total gentleman.  I also loved Anna, though she was bent on not becoming to close, having been hurt before; but she slowly started falling for Sawyer. I loved loved Trixie, who won both Anna and Sawyer’s heart.

Made to Love You was a wonderful addition to this wonderful The Walkers of River’s Edge series. Made To Love You was a sweet romance, wonderful couple, adorable dog, fun and great secondary characters.  Once again, Nan Reinhardt gives us another wonderful story in River’s Edge, which was so very well written.  No surprise, as I love all of her previous books.  If you enjoy romance, great couple, wonderful secondary characters, and fantastic small town, I suggest you read this book. 

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied by Author

 

Share

First Time Caller by B.K. Borison – a Review

Posted on by
14

First Time Caller by B.K. Borison – a Review

 

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

Description:
Aiden Valentine has a secret: he’s fallen out of love with love. And as the host of Baltimore’s romance hotline, that’s a bit of a problem. But when a young girl calls in to the station asking for dating advice for her mom, the interview goes viral, thrusting Aiden and Heartstrings into the limelight.

Lucie Stone thought she was doing just fine. She has a good job; an incredible family; and a smart, slightly devious kid. But when all of Baltimore is suddenly scrutinizing her love life-or lack thereof—she begins to question if she’s as happy as she thought. Maybe a little more romance wouldn’t be such a bad thing.

Everyone wants Lucie to find her happy ending… even the handsome, temperamental man calling the shots. But when sparks start to fly behind the scenes, Lucie must make the final call between the radio-sponsored happily ever after or the man in the headphones next to her.

 

 

Review:

First Time Caller by B.K. Borison is the first book in her new Heartstrings series. I have to say that I loved this book, as it was so much fun and entertaining.  The story begins with Aiden Valentine, who is the host of Baltimore’s late night romance hotline, “Heartstrings. Aiden over the years on the hotline, no longer believes in love, avoiding any intimacy in his life

One night, Aiden receives a call from a 12-year-old girl, Maya, asking for advice for her 29-year-old mother. When her mother, Lucie Stone, hears her daughter, she interrupts the call, and she learns what her daughter is doing.  In a short time, Lucie finds herself in a conversation with Aiden, and the hotline goes viral.  The ratings jump drastically, and Maddie Lin, the station manager decides to get Lucie to join Aiden’s hotline, with listeners sky rocking. Lucie has a good job (mechanic), a wonderful daughter, family and is not sure why she needs this, but she also thinks about maybe she does need some romance in her life.

Aiden agrees to help Lucie in find her perfect match, with many nightly calls, and at some strange dates.   The banter each night on the radio show is delightful and fun, as they share a small booth. All of Baltimore begins to fall in love with Lucie, rooting for her to find her match. But Aiden starts to develop feelings for Lucie, and is determined to restrain himself, believing that she deserves someone good. Some callers begin to suspect that Lucie and Aiden might be falling for each other; as the sparks between them are sizzling.

I really loved Lucie, who was not only wonderful, but also tough, kind, brave and always caring about her family.  I adored Maya, who was also very sweet and smart.  Aiden turned out to be sweet and romantic when it came to Lucie.  I loved everything about Aiden and Lucie’s story, which will most definitely pull on your heartstrings. The chemistry between Lucie and Aiden was fantastic.

First Time Caller was a wonderful romance, filled with hope, joy, entertaining, and great banter.  First Time Caller was so very well written by B.K. Borison.  This was a fantastic read, as I loved every moment of it.  I suggest you read First Time Caller, as it is not to be missed.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

Share

Obsession Falls by Claire Kingsley – a Review

Posted on by
15

Obsession Falls by Claire Kingsley – a Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Apple / BAM / Bookbub

Description:
He’ll risk it all to protect her.

Someone is stalking Audrey Young. And she has no idea why.

It’s bad enough that she’s back in Tilikum. But Audrey’s good at making the best of things and her new job at the small-town newspaper is just a way to get back on her feet.

Complicating matters is her landlord and new neighbor, Josiah Haven.

She doesn’t usually go for the big, surly lumberjack type. But there’s something about that broody man. He intimidates her a little, but she kind of likes it.

She could totally handle the mess that is her life, except the strange feeling of being watched is just the beginning. Next thing Audrey knows, she’s a target, and she doesn’t know who’s behind it, or why.

For Josiah Haven, none of that makes her his problem.

She’s just the girl next door. Fine, the frustratingly hot girl next door. But Audrey is all sunshine and her goofy dog isn’t any better. Josiah is too stoic. Too solitary. Too guarded. He doesn’t need a woman in his life, especially one who threatens to crack his heart wide open.

But Josiah is a protector and he can’t let Audrey’s troubles go unanswered, even if he has to risk everything—his life and his heart—to keep her safe.

 

 

Review:

Obsession Falls by Claire Kingsley is the first book in her The Haven Brothers series. We meet Audrey Young, who decided to move back home, after being laid off on her job. Audrey, with her dog, Max stay with her mother, until the cat and dog do not get along; she finds a nice rental on the Haven properties.  Audrey starts her new job at the local newspaper, and befriends a coworker, Sandra.      

Josiah is the owner of the Haven properties that are being build, and though he is a loner, in a short time, he finds himself helping Audrey and her cute dog, Max. Especially when Josiah sees some weird and scary things begin happening; dead squirrels, painted blood posted; and he steps in to protect her. Who is stalking Audrey?   

As the threats against Audrey escalate, Josiah decides to live in her house to protect her, as he was worried and concerned. Audrey was happy that Josiah was by her side, as she too could not figure out who was threatening her.  Their relationship slowly became an undeniable chemistry, with Josiah no longer unable to fight his feelings for Audrey.  Audrey herself, had already found herself very attracted to Josiah.  They were such a perfect pair, as they as their love for each other grew daily, and of course Max loved them both. 

We did get to see, without revealing anything, the stalker’s constant obsession with Audrey.  As we got closer to the last ¼ of the book, the danger escalated, with lots of suspense. Audrey was determined to save herself; as well as Josiah, who came to her rescue, and being in danger of his own life.

Obsession Falls was sweet, romantic, humorous and suspenseful. I loved Audrey, and adored Max.  Josiah early on was a bit grumpy, and love found a way.  I liked some of the secondary characters, such as the Haven brothers, Sandra, etc. I really enjoyed the epilogue, and their wonderful happy ending.  Obsession Falls was very well written by Claire Kingsley.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

Share

Deep End by Ali Hazelwood – a Review

Posted on by
16

Deep End by Ali Hazelwood – a Review

 

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

 

Description:
Scarlett Vandermeer is swimming upstream. A Junior at Stanford and a student-athlete who specializes in platform diving, Scarlett prefers to keep her head down, concentrating on getting into med school and on recovering from the injury that almost ended her career. She has no time for relationships—at least, that’s what she tells herself.

Swim captain, world champion, all-around aquatics golden boy, Lukas Blomqvist thrives on discipline. It’s how he wins gold medals and breaks records: complete focus, with every stroke. On the surface, Lukas and Scarlett have nothing in common. Until a well-guarded secret slips out, and everything changes.

So they start an arrangement. And as the pressure leading to the Olympics heats up, so does their relationship. It was supposed to be just a temporary, mutually satisfying fling. But when staying away from Lukas becomes impossible, Scarlett realizes that her heart might be treading into dangerous water…

 

 

Review:

Deep End by Ali Hazelwood is a spicy standalone novel.  We meet Scarlett Vandermeer, who is a junior at Stanford, specializing in platform diving; as she is recovering from an injury, and determined to get her career back on track. Scarlett is the main character in this story, as she is strong, persistent and dedicated to her diving. Though she still suffers from a mental block from her injury.

Lukas Blomqvist, the golden boy, is the swim team captain and world champion. He wins gold medals, breaks records and thrives on discipline. Lukas has recently broken up with his girlfriend, Pen, as they both agree to try others.  Pen pushes Scarlett to get to know Lukas, but neither of them have much in common.  The relationship between Lukas and Scarlett did get off at a messy start, even though they did surprising at the start that they were hot together.

Scarlett and Lukas had a lot of chemistry and were perfect for each other.  There was a lot of Sex, with some BDSM; but Lukas was patient, and kind with Scarlett.  In time, the angst and tension became wild and kinky.  Scarlett was hesitant at times, especially when she believed that Lukas wasn’t really attached, so she kept her distance.  Their relationship was supposed to be a temporary satisfying fling.

Deep End was emotional, intimate, spicy, raw, angst and a lot of erotica.   Though they complicated each other, their romance was raw and intimate; but as we got closer to the end, they both were falling in love. The epilogue at the end was very well done, with Scarlet and Lukas totally in love. Deep End by Ali Hazelwood was well written, but I did think there was a bit too much sex throughout. 

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

Share

Bonded in Death by J.D. Robb – a Review

Posted on by
15

Bonded in Death by J.D. Robb – a Review

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

 

Description:
His passport read Giovanni Rossi. But decades ago, during the Urban Wars, he was part of a small, secret organization called The Twelve. Responding to an urgent summons from an old compatriot, he landed in New York and eased into the waiting car. And died within minutes…

Lieutenant Eve Dallas finds the Rossi case frustrating. She’s got an elderly victim who’d just arrived from Rome; a widow who knows nothing about why he’d left; an as-yet unidentifiable weapon; and zero results on facial recognition. But when she finds a connection to the Urban Wars of the 2020s, she thinks Summerset―fiercely loyal, if somewhat grouchy, major-domo and the man who’d rescued her husband from the Dublin streets―may know something from his stint as a medic in Europe back then.

When Summerset learns of the crime, his shock and grief are clear―because, as he eventually reveals, he himself was one of The Twelve. It’s not a part of his past he likes to revisit. But now he must―not only to assist Eve’s investigation, but because a cryptic message from the killer has boasted that others of The Twelve have also died. Summerset is one of those who remain―and the murderous mission is yet to be fully accomplished…

 

 

Review:

Bonded in Death by J.D. Robb is the 60th book in this fantastic series.  Bonded in Death was one of the best in this series, as it was a terrific intense and exciting story that kept me unable to put the book down.  Fantastic.

Giovanni Rossi, who lives in Rome, received an urgent summons from an old friend to come to New York; when he landed and entered a waiting car, he is immediately gassed to death.  Giovanni was part of a secret organization consisting of 12 members during the urban wars (during the 2024-2026). The group, called The Twelve, were part of British intelligence, doing all they could to save people during the wars which included Summerset.

Lieutenant Eve Dallas is on the Rossi case, as he was an elderly victim who had just arrived from Rome, and immediately killed.  Eve and Peabody investigate the murder, and when she arrives at home, Summerset sees her board, and is shocked; as he reveals that he knows the victim. Summerset explains that during the urban wars, he was part of The Twelve (helping save lives for the British); which has Eve examing the conflict in Europe in 2026. She learns quickly that the man who betrayed them, was sent to prison and in recent years, he died. There was is a cryptic message from the killer, who plans to find The Twelve and kill them.  Eve will discover that the Shark, had help to escape, and another victim’s ashes were buried instead.  We do to see more of Summerset and his backstory, as well as the remaining Twelve who were all brought to Roarke’s place to keep them protected.

Connor Potter, now using a fake name, is the evil killer, who makes plans to kill each of The Twelve (with Alice, Summerset’s wife, who was killed back in 2026, when she saved the others; as well as 3 more who already passed).  Connor was an evil killer, who is determined to set up traps to kill his former friends.

Dallas, Peabody, Roarke, and the entire team work long hours to try and find Potter, before he kills again. Roarke was able to remove a device that would have had three members of the Twelve, who attended a lunch (set up secretly by Potter); which led everyone hoping to catch him. But he managed to escape, and kidnapped a young boy, threatening his life; but as we get closer to the end, Eve does set up a trap, with all of her team to get him.

I loved how the four of the wonderful women who play a large part of this series (Eve, Peabody, Mira and Reo), get Potter to reveal his plans. Especially when he treated women as nothing, and his knowing he was being sent to Britian, but when he learned his life was going to be drastic change.  I loved it.

Bonded in Death was a terrific, emotional, mystery, spy thriller, that kept me unable to put the book down.  Bonded in Death was a fantastic read that brought family and friends together, as well as betrayal, greed, connections, justice, bonds and love. Once again, J.D. Robb gives another fantastic thriller, and I thought this was one of the best.  Bonded in Death was very well written by J.D. Robb (Nora Roberts).

Reviewed by Barb

Copy Provided by Publisher

 

 

 

 

 

 

Share

Carousels and Characters by Elizabeth Pantley – a Review

Posted on by
14

Carousels and Characters by Elizabeth Pantley – a Review

 

Amazon / Bookbub

 

Description:
This book club is whooshed right into the pages of a cozy mystery. The quirky group of brave members must solve the mystery and reach The End to get out of the book.

In each book of the series, they travel to a different world and meet paranormal characters. It could be shifters, fairies, genies, ghosts, or anything else! It’s so much fun, you’ll wish for a book club like this!

In this book journey, they travel to an enchanted amusement theme park. It’s a magical, wonderful place, but something is disturbing the park. Robberies are occurring from every ride. It began with little things, like props or costumes, but now the stakes are rising.

The book club has entered this story so that they can find out who is behind the thefts and stop the problem. Hopefully, they can do it before chaos strikes the entire theme park and closes it down, leaving hundreds of workers jobless and thousands of park visitors disappointed.

 

 

Review:

Carousels and Characters by Elizabeth Pantley is the 9th book in her wonderful Magical Mystery Book Club series. Refresher: The magical library consists of 8 members, who choose a book, and they are transported into the story, with cozy mysteries that they have to solve. This is a fun, enjoyable, lighthearted series, with wonderful characters and a magical cozy mystery.

Paige chooses a book to travel to an enchanted amusement theme park, where the club is swept into the magical park. The workers in the park need help to figure out why there are robberies, and missing people.  Posing as park inspectors, they enter each of the attractions, to ask questions with the staff. The group tries to learn why, as each area is having issues; when one person disappears from one location, and turns up in another.  The group split up often, as they are determined to find the culprit.

While they have fun in the wonderful park, enjoying rides and all the food; but the group constantly gets thrown off, with a few red herrings and suspects. In a short time, they will begin to suspect the culprit, and the park leaders also help.

The group is always fun, as all of them are fantastic characters. I loved that Paige is now the leader, with Glo and Gee Gee staying in the previous book.  I also love Frank, who is always wonderful.  The rest of the team are all great characters, always finding clues along the way.

What follows is a another terrific, enchanting and fun addition to this series, that has all the members trying to find clues, as well as suspects. I really enjoy this series, as it is so very entertaining.  All the characters in the Magical Mystery Book Club are very good, with Paige leading the way. There were a few surprises along the way, which changes a few things at the end. Carousels and Characters was a wonderful lighthearted fun magical mystery, which was very well written by Elizabeth Pantley.  I look forward to the next book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied by Author

Share