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A Touch of Treachery (Section 47) by Jennifer Estep -Dual Review

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A Touch of Treachery (Section 47) by Jennifer Estep – Dual Review

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Description:
UNANSWERED QUESTIONS . . .
My name is Charlotte Locke, and I’m on a mission to capture my nemesis. As an analyst for Section 47, a secret spy organization, I use my magical form of synesthesia to track down paramortal criminals, but one villain keeps eluding me—Henrika Hyde.

Henrika claims to have answers about my father’s death on a Section 47 mission years ago, and she has also created a horrific new weapon capable of killing even the strongest paramortals, which makes her my number one target. Helping me is Desmond Percy, a powerful galvanist who is my partner both inside and outside Section 47.

Desmond wants to take Henrika down just as badly as I do, but our mission quickly goes sideways, and soon we’re surrounded by enemies on all sides with no idea whom we can truly trust.

A TROUBLING FUTURE . . .
The name Desmond Percy is well known inside Section 47, since I’m one of the organization’s top cleaners, aka assassins. Charlotte Locke and I have been tracking Henrika Hyde for months, and when we finally get a lead on her location, we jump at the chance to take down the weapons maker once and for all.

I’m determined to help Charlotte get the answers she is so desperately seeking, as well as taking my revenge on Henrika for killing my best friend.

But the deeper Charlotte and I dig into Henrika and her murky motives, the more dangerous our mission becomes. Henrika is playing her own spy game, and Charlotte and I are just the pawns she is using to achieve her own evil ends—caught up in a deadly legacy of treachery.

 

 

Barb’s Review:
A Touch of Treachery by Jennifer Estep is a Section 47 series. Refresher: Section 47 is a secret government agency that handles paranormal, terrorists, criminals, and have magical abilities.  Their job is to gather information to prevent attacks, casualties, as well as to protect the mortal world; especially against those who create dangerous weapons.

Charlotte Locke, our heroine, is an analyst, who is very good at her job analyzing various reports and files to find mistakes, patterns, and anything that looks like threats.  Charlotte also has some magical abilities, such as having synesthesia ability to sense danger and detect lies. Charlotte is determined to stop a powerful villain, Henrika Hyde; but importantly she wants answers as to who killed her father. Charlotte knows that Henrika knows the truth, and suspects Jethro Percy as the man who killed him.   Percy hates Charlotte, as her father was a Locke; but Desmond Percy is Charlotte’s partner and love interest.

Desmond, our hero, and also a Section 47 Assassin, who is considered one of the best; as he also has powerful Galvanist abilities, which he is able to use the energy around to prevent attacks as well as be able to heal.

Both Charlotte and Desmond are invited to Henrika’s mansion for a party, and they hope she will give them the list that Henrika has hidden, revealing all the names of Section 47.  They both attend, trying to make a deal to get the papers; and there are other people attending that are friends of Henrika, who are interested in the weapons that people want. Henrika is playing her own spy game, and being used as pawns, with Desmond being kidnapped, and Charlotte, despite Jethro firing her, she finds a way to save Desmond; with help from Joan and Gabriel.

When Charlotte gets a tip from Henrika, as to the truths about Jethro being part of her father’s death.  She puts together all information that will reveal Jethro’s past partnership with Henrika, and revelations will be revealed, leading information about all the terrible things, and money from the Locke family that Jethro stole.  This was a legacy that was a touch of Treachery.

What follows is an exciting, action filled, suspenseful story that kept me unable to put the book down. Charlotte was a great heroine, as she was not only smart & savvy, but unbeknownst to others, lethal with a weapon, since she learned from her father.  I also loved Desmond, as he was not only a sexy hunk, but also very confident with his ability; and was very much in love with Charlotte.  He was the one who needed to stop his father.

A Touch of Treachery is another wonderful addition to this wonderful and intriguing urban fantasy series. A Touch of Treachery was very well written by Jennifer Estep.  I loved both Charlotte and Desmond, and look forward to more on them in future books.   I suggest you read A Touch of Treachery, as was a great read.

 

Sandy’s Review:

A TOUCH OF TREACHERY is the third instalment in Jennifer Estep’s contemporary adult SECTION 47 paranormal, urban fantasy series focusing on diner owner / paramortal analyst for Section 47 Charlotte Locke, and assassin/cleaner Desmond Percy. A TOUCH OF TREACHERY can be read as a stand alone but I recommend reading the series in order for back story and cohesion as there is an ongoing premise throughout.

SOME BACKGROUND: Paramortals make up approximately one percent of the world’s population, and most have hidden their magic from the ‘mortal’ world. Section 47 is a paramortal spy organization whose mission was to gather intelligence to prevent terrorist attacks but found themselves tracking those who use magic to commit their crimes.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Charlotte and Desmond) A TOUCH OF TREACHERY focuses on the investigation into CEO and founder of Hyde Engineering Henrika Hyde, a chemist who has invented a powerful weapon known as Redburn, in her war against the paramortal but at every opportunity, Section 47 agents Charlotte Locke and Desmond Percy find themselves in a losing battle, and our heroine is about to pay the price for the sins of the past. Charlotte and Desmond are both Legacy agents, children of Section 47 operatives, but a target has been placed on Charlotte’s back, and our heroine is determined to follows the clues and reveal the truth. Henrika Hyde is hoping to sell Redburn to the highest bidder, and our couple are last minute invites to the bioweapon auction.

The world building is complex and detailed as Charlotte and Desmond find themselves in a fight for their lives. From auctions to fundraisers, abductions and murder, betrayal and vengeance, Charlotte and Desmond struggle to accept the revelations at face value, in an effort to uncover the truth and the reality of the who, how and why. For fans and followers of the author’s books and series, the similarities to her Elemental Assassin series are numerous and recognizable.

The relationship between Charlotte and Desmond continues to be strong in the face of perceived betrayal and dysfunctional family dynamics. Several agents question the validity of their relationship, and the people in charge are determined to separate and dismantle any future together. The $ex scenes are limited but passionate.

There is a large ensemble cast of powerful, energetic and sometimes questionable secondary and supporting characters including Henrika Hyde; Section 47 agents: liason Joan Samson, Gia Chan and Diego Benito; former Section 47 Agents Gabriel Chase, and Bryce Finkley, and Desmond’s father General Jethro Percy, head of Second 47 Board of Directors.

A TOUCH OF TREACHERY is a story of power and control, secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, mistrust and magic, acceptance and love. The fast paced premise is dramatic and edgy; the romance is heartwarming; the characters are determined,desperate and charismatic.

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The Inheritance by Ilona Andrews – a Review

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The Inheritance by Ilona Andrews – a Review

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Description:
We are at war. The interdimensional invasion brought us unimaginable suffering, but it also awoke talents slumbering deep within us, a means to repel and destroy our enemy. Every day new gates open, leading to breaches filled with monsters and valuable resources. If you are a Talent, your country needs you. The world needs you. Be the hero you were born to be.

Adaline is a Talent. Ten years ago, she had a happy marriage and a job she loved. The invasion shattered both. Now she works for the government, searching the breaches for magic metals and medicine to help Earth repel an interdimensional enemy. Two kids, one cat, bills, benefits, mortgage and school tuition…Risking her life became routine.

She had gone into the dimensional gates hundreds of times. She was always well protected. This time everything goes wrong. Now Ada is trapped in the labyrinth of alien caves unlike any other. Her only companion is a scared German Shepherd named Bear. Together they must uncover the breach’s secrets and escape, because Ada promised her children that she will come home.

The future of humanity depends on it.

 

 

Review:

The Inheritance by Ilona Andrews is the first book in their new series, Breach Wars. We are at war. Every day new gates open, leading to breaches filled with monsters and valuable resources. Beyond the breach entrance there is a miniature dimension that links to the hostile world.

Adaline Moore is a 40-year-old single mom (2 kids) who developed a talent that allows her to see and analyze minerals and other resources in the rift worlds. She works for the Federal government, breach assessor who looks out for various objects of value. She is the mother of two, strong and very smart. 

The other thing that happens is that humans have figured out how to shut the breaches down. Since they only have 3 days to get out before the anchor is damaged. Adaline’s team discovers gold and a huge deposit of adamantine, which turned out to be an attack from those monsters. An incident leaves her in the breach alone with only a dog, Bear for company, as she is driven to survive so she can get back home to her children. She had gone into the dimensional gates hundreds of times. She was always well protected. This time everything goes wrong.

During her attempt to survive, her and Bear find themselves under attack often, and both need to survive by eating food from the dead monsters; with both inheriting new abilities.  They are trapped in the labyrinth of alien beings, but Ada knows they need to uncover the breach secrets in order to escape. I will say I loved Ada and Bear.

Elias, the guild master of Cold Chaos, has been determined to find the truth of what happened.  He knew that the two people who escaped, might be hiding the read truths of how they did survive.

The Inheritance was an exciting, tense story of survival, monsters and breaches.  I really adored how Ada and Bear were so good together.  The Inheritance was very well written by the Ilona Andrews duo (Ilona and Gordon Andrews).   I look forward the next book in this series.

Reviewed by Barb

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Bosse by Dianna Love – a Review

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Bosse by Dianna Love – a Review

 

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Description:
Can a gifted female on an impossible mission and a tortured wolf shifter doomed to die in a cage risk trust to save each other?

Bosse will never leave the cage he’s been locked in for over the past two years. Used as entertainment for a lion shifter pretending to be a king, he’s forced to battle other shifters daily where only one can survive thanks to his pack alpha who sold him. The minute he realized female pack members were coming to his bed only to breed, he refused to have a cub born by women unworthy of being mates only to be taken away. Then a chance for escape comes from a strange female servant who secretly gives him food better than his normal gruel, he’s immediately suspicious but … she also leaves him cookies. Who bakes cookies for a monster? The more he watches her, the more his numb heart begins to feel again, which is dangerous. What if she’s trying to trick him like others who betrayed him?

When an important female leader goes missing, Alifair is tasked with finding the woman. Why? Because Alifair inherited the duty to protect her clan of gifted beings, but her magic is flawed. Even her best asset of clairvoyant dreams has occasional hiccups. That’s how she ended up captured in Slovakia to toil as a servant where the female leader is being held. With no sight of the leader in weeks, Alifair is at the point of panic until a new dream shows points to the person who can aid her in succeeding at her duty. Her dream godmother must have been on a drinking binge because Alifair will first have to free the most dangerous wolf shifter locked in the basement cages. Then time runs out when Bosse infuriates the crazy lion shifter who decrees Boose will die by the next morning, forcing her to gamble her life to make deal with the wolf shifter.

Alifair enters his cage prepared for the worst and discovers a man who touches her heart with one surprising action. Bosse’s cookie fairy offers him the freedom he never expected, but with an unacceptable condition.

 

Review:

Bosse by Dianna Love is another wonderful story in the World of Gallize Shifters.  I am a big fan of Dianna Love, as she always gives us fantastic stories. We meet Bosse, after his alpha sold him to a Lion shifter, and his days are filled with dangerous fights ordered by his king, Krol; with the loser dying. Bosse (his wolf Titan) are slowly losing their strength because of the horrific treatment.

We also meet Alifair, who is imprisoned in the castle with other women, doing cleaning, cooking, etc. She does have dreams that are realistic, and sneaks food to Bosse, as she as some magical ability, and knows she needs to help him escape.  Alifair is also looking for her leader, Rez, who has been kidnapped; she does know somewhere in the complex, she needs to rescue her.

Alifair & Bosse have their dreams, with them discovering some surprising details that just might be their salvation.  She goes out of her way secretly doing everything to keep Bosse alive and healthy; as they both are beginning to become of fond of each other. Their relationship changes quickly and a romantic love between them escalates; and Alifair helps Bosse escape.

Bosse eventually will meets up with the Gallize shifters, who will help him go back and defeat the evil king.  He knows he needs to get back to Alifair, in achieving her goal to save her leader, as well as save another pregnant Gallize woman. The Gallize warriors will join Bosse to defeat the enemies.

The last third of the book was extremely wild, action packed, intense and exciting, with Bosse and his new friends from the Gallize battle to free the woman and destroy Krol. Bosse was a fantastic story filled with twists and surprises, that was very addicting.  Bosse was so very well written by Dianna Love. If you enjoy action, exciting adventure and romance, you need to read Bosse.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied by Author

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Mr. Nice Spy by Tiana Smith – Review & Giveaway

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Mr. Nice Spy by Tiana Smith – Review & Giveaway

 

 

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Description:
When a pyrotechnic engineer discovers her biological father is an international criminal, she must work with a sexy CIA agent to take him down in this thrilling adventure rom-com.

Andee Paxton knows she’s good at her job as a fireworks designer. What she doesn’t know is that her biological father is Holt, a dangerous arms dealer who has escaped prison. And now he’s searching for his long-lost daughter-dearest.

After the CIA surprises her with this news, they drop another bombshell: they want to use Andee as bait to capture Holt once and for all. But before the CIA can even attempt to spring their trap, she’s kidnapped along with the very hot Officer Adam Chan—all because they were too busy flirting to worry about silly things like “safety protocol.”

A fake relationship—for their protection, of course—and just a few explosions bring Andee and Chan closer, but there’s more than their growing connection at stake. If Holt’s plan succeeds, the world will be brought to its knees. Andee and Chan must rely on each other to stop him…or else everything (including their feelings for each other) might just blow up in their faces.

 

 

 

Review:

Mr. Nice Spy by Tiana Smith is the 2nd book in her My Spy series. The story picks up where it left off, with the CIA still actively on the hunt to find Holt, the dangerous arms dealer. Andee Paxton is very good at her job as a pyrotechnic fireworks engineer and designer; the CIA is aware that Holt is looking for his long-lost biological daughter (Andee). Andee decided to do a DNA test, and learns that Holt, is her real father and a dangerous villain.

CIA Officer Adam Chan meets Andee, who is being set up as bait to catch her father; but to her surprise, she is kidnapped along with Chan (he pretends that he is Andee’s boyfriend). They are both drugged and flown to France, where Holt is hiding. Chan goes out of his way to play pretend boyfriend, as he is sweet and protective; Chan also has a hearing disability.  In a short time, they both begin to have feelings for each other.

Andee and Chan must find a way to stop Holt’s evil plans, as well as discover a way to escape, not to mention getting the CIA to help find them. They were trapped in the catacombs by the deranged Holt.   Andee and Chan must rely on each other to trust themselves, to secure their freedom; as well as both of them definitely have chemistry. Using the fake relationship, turned out to be fun, and I really liked them together.  The scary part is Holt’s villainy that will bring upon global destruction and chaos, bringing the world to its knees.  He has created a pill that will kill those who take it, as he is determined to destroy the world.

Mr. Nice Guy was an exciting, action-packed, captivating thriller, with a sweet spy romance story.  Mr. Nice Guy was very well written by Tiana Smith, with a wonderful couple and a steamy romance. If you enjoy a spy drama, I suggest you read Mr. Nice Spy.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

Tiana Smith’s publisher, Berkley, is offering a paper copy of MR. NICE SPY to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe

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7. Giveaway runs from November 6th to 10th, 2024

 

 

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Long Past Dues by James J. Butcher – a Review

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Long Past Dues by James J. Butcher – a Review

 

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Description:
Grimsby, the newest Auditor in the magical Department of Unorthodox Affairs, finds himself in hot water when he intercepts a friend’s case in this fast-paced and thrilling urban fantasy.

Against all odds, Grimshaw Griswald Grimsby has become an Auditor, enforcing laws about magic for Boston’s Department of Unorthodox Affairs. But Grimsby soon realizes the daily grind of his job is far removed from the glamour he imagined. Overlooked for every exciting case, Grimsby tires of being told to handle mundane magical troubles, and appropriates a case file intended for a friend.

Alongside Leslie Mayflower, the temporarily unretired Huntsman, Grimsby aims to crack the case and discover the origin of a strange, unfinished ritual—one that seems to imitate the handiwork of a foe Mayflower put down twenty years ago.

Together, they’ll have to deal with escaped werewolves, a cursed artifact, and a perilous journey to the mysterious subterranean city below Boston, all to uncover the shocking truth. At any cost, Grimsby must stop this ritual from finally being completed. Yet the cost may be paid not by himself but by his friends. . . .

 

 

Review:

Long Past Dues by James J. Butcher is the 2nd book in his urban fantasy The Unorthodox Chronicles series. Refresher:  The Unorthodox Chronicles is a magic world, with human Usuals and paranormal Unorthodox; the Department of Unorthodox Affairs and Auditors are government magical elites, with witches who use spells to control their power.  It is a world where magic is out in the open but tightly regulated.

Grimsby, our hero, has recently become an Auditor, working for Boston’s Department of Unorthodox Affairs. He is partnered with Mayflower (Huntsman), an assassin for the Unorthodox; but lately Mayflower hasn’t been around, thinking of retiring; and Grimsby is stuck doing menial jobs.  When he is in his boss’s office to complain, he sees a folder for a friend (Rayne) and switches folders to take on an exciting case.  When Grimsby shows the folder to Mayflower, he becomes interested, as he sees something long in the past, that bring them together to find out the truths.

Together, they begin an investigation to discover who performed a recent incomplete ritual, that reminds Mayflower of someone he eliminated 20 years ago. Mayflower does not have certain abilities, such as Grimsby’s witch powers, which helps them discover the danger in the horizon. In a short period, Grimsby becomes concerned about his friend, Rayne, and worries she is in danger, pushing Mayflower to help him find Rayne.

I had noted in my first book review, that Grimsby was a bit unsure of himself, always bumbling things; this does continue in the second book, though nearer to the end he got better.  Having Mayflower as his partner eventually gave him more confidence. I did like Grimsby’s pet friend, Wudge, who was off the wall for the most part.  I also liked Rayne, but the ending was left so open. Because of the cliffhanger, I have not decided if I want to read the next book.

Long Past Dues is an urban fantasy adventure, slow going at times and suspenseful closer to the end.  The last half of the book, Grimsby and Mayflower are constantly thrown into chaos and danger. Long Past Dues was a good story written by James J. Butcher, though I did think there was too many details and redundancy. 

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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The Quest for Excalibur (Guinevere Book 5) by Fil Reid-review

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The Quest for Excalibur (Guinevere Book 5) by Fil Reid-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 6, 2023

Twelve years ago, 21st-century librarian Gwen decided to remain in the Dark Ages with the man she loves above all else – a man around whom endless well-known tales of legend and magic have been spun. King Arthur. Over the years, she’s carved a life for herself by her husband’s side, gently steering him in the direction she wants him to go, but always with an awareness that he’s a Dark Age king with a Dark Age view of the world.

Equipped with her prior knowledge of Arthurian legend, Gwen’s sole aim has long been to save her husband from the legendary fate she dreads hangs over him. But always, at the back of her mind, is the nagging doubt that whatever she does is already set in stone, and nothing she can do will change his future which is already her past.

Now, in book five of the Guinevere series, she’s all too aware that time is marching on, and that this fate might well be drawing closer to the man she gave up everything for.

Danger lurks in the most unexpected places, and long-hidden secrets threaten to rise to the surface. After a long, cold winter in their hilltop fortress, Gwen’s pleased to welcome traveling players to Din Cadan. But these players are hiding secrets of their own, and one of them has come with black deeds in mind. Gwen will have to fight harder than she’s ever done to save herself and thus her husband. And all evidence points to the hand of Morgana, Arthur’s wicked sister, manipulating everything from afar.

Throughout all of this, simmering in the background, is young Medraut, Arthur’s nephew. Unnoticed, despite still being only a boy, he’s been exerting his malignant influence over those around him, in particular, Gwen and Arthur’s son and heir. The wedge he succeeds in driving between Arthur and his son will carry forward into the cataclysmic events of the final book, The Road To Avalon.

But even Morgana can’t prevent Gwen discovering the truth behind the story of Excalibur and setting the legendary sword in her husband’s hands.

•••••••

REVIEW: Quest for Excalibur is the fifth and (I think) the penultimate book in this series. And I have to admit I’ve not read the previous books, but after reading this one, I’m definitely going back to read the rest…

Gwen, is a librarian from the 21st century and had landed in the times of King Arthur. She became Guinevere. (I’m not sure what happened to the actual Guinevere.) And had fallen for the legend/king/man Arthur.

There is lots of action and drama in this book, I did feel I was missing a little backstory (probably given in the previous books) but that didn’t stop me from enjoying the story. Lots of subplots that had me griping my kindle in places.

Gwen is a smart individual, she remembers enough of the story to not try to change the story too much, but also trying to make sure he doesn’t die an early death!

I liked Arthur, although technically a fictional character, this author brought him to life really well. He worried about being a good king and to being a good father to his two children he had with Gwen.

Morgana and Arthur’s nephew Medraut, are the main protagonists, but watch out for players that are hiding in the shadows, all are plotting to overthrow Arthur from his throne! They are definitely keeping Gwen on her toes!

A few plots were a little predictable, but others caught me off guard completely. It flowed really easy, and I could have read more pages.

It’s more of a teen book, but I loved it.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Julie B ?

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Tough Justice by Tee O’Fallon – a Review

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Tough Justice by Tee O’Fallon – a Review

 

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Description:
It should have been a routine investigation. Instead, DEA K-9 agent Adam “Deck” Decker watches in horror as one Denver hospital seems to be Ground Zero for overdoses of a new drug. Now Deck can only hope a certain icy, green-eyed ER doctor will help him and his canine partner track down the deadly source.

Dr. Tori Sampson has her reasons for not trusting federal agents, especially ones working for the DEA. But the rash of overdoses—including a heartbreaking case involving a teen—is alarmingly high. And the new opioid is not only extremely dangerous, it defies all the usual medical treatments. So Tori has a choice: work with the big, brawny, and annoyingly hot DEA agent…or watch more innocent people die.

Tori’s the only person who can help Deck break the case, and they’ll need to trust each other, no matter how high the tension and attraction sizzling between them runs. But with every question answered, they realize there’s something more behind these typical teen overdoses. There’s a pattern here, and a pattern can only suggest one thing. There’s a killer on the loose.

 

Review:

Tough Justice begins with Dr. Tori Sampson dealing with yet another overdose victim in her emergency room.  This time, it happened to be a “member of service”, which tells them is a police officer, firefighter or EMS injured on duty.  While working on the DEA officer, who was exposed to the deadly drug while serving a warrant, Tori takes charge and order everyone out of the treatment room.  Agent Adam Decker, aka Deck, refused to leave until Tori promised she’d do her best. 

Deck has a huge mistrust of doctors, just as Tori has a DEEP dislike and mistrust of DEA agents.  Due to the number of overdose cases that is happening in their city, the two of them embark on a mission to figure out where the drug is coming from and to save as many as they can.  What they don’t count on is how close to home it actually hits.

Tough Justice is another wonderfully written suspenseful tale by Tee O’Fallon that truly draws you in from the very beginning.  Both characters are relatable and believable.  Once each of their back stories are revealed, it makes you root for them even more. 

The chemistry between Tori and Deck is palpable pretty early on.  It just takes them a minute to let go of their long-held prejudices.  The secondary characters are well written too and leave you wanting more.  No one, in my humble opinion, writes law enforcement/suspense/romance as well as O’Fallon.  And, when you add K-9 officers?  Get out!  LOL!!!  You love the dogs as much as you love the humans in her tales!  The detail with which she tells her stories is incomparable and I can’t wait for the next installment. 

If you’re a fan of the genre, you’ll never, ever, go wrong with one of her books.  Well done, Tee O’Fallon!!!  Very, very well done!

Reviewed by Vickie

Copy provided by Publisher

 

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The Final Six by Alexandra Monir – Review & Giveway

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The Final Six by Alexandra Monir – Review & Giveway

 

 

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Description:
When Leo, an Italian championship swimmer, and Naomi, a science genius from California, are two of the twenty-four teens drafted into the International Space Training Camp, their lives are forever altered. After erratic climate change has made Earth a dangerous place to live, the fate of the population rests on the shoulders of the final six who will be scouting a new planet. Intense training, global scrutiny, and cutthroat opponents are only a few of the hurdles the contestants must endure in this competition.

For Leo, the prospect of traveling to Europa—Jupiter’s moon—to help resettle humankind is just the sense of purpose he’s been yearning for since losing his entire family in the flooding of Rome. Naomi, after learning of a similar space mission that mysteriously failed, suspects the ISTC isn’t being up front with them about what’s at risk.

As the race to the final six advances, the tests get more challenging—even deadly. With pressure mounting, Naomi finds an unexpected friend in Leo, and the two grow closer with each mind-boggling experience they encounter. But it’s only when the finalists become fewer and their destinies grow nearer that the two can fathom the full weight of everything at stake: the world, the stars, and their lives.

 

 

Review:

The Final Six by Alexandra Monir, which is the first book in an unnamed YA SciFi/Dystopian series/trilogy. Having read Monir before, she writes YA very well, and I looked forward the reading this new one.  I am happy to say I loved The Final Six, and will wait impatiently for the next book.

In The Final Six, Earth is going through terrible climate change with the sea rising (tsunami’s) to dangerous and death defying heights.  The world as we know it is slowly dying, with cities throughout the world going under water,  and with little hope of survival.  The International Space Committee has devised a desperation plan to send the most talented 16-18 years old young adults to Europa (Jupiter planet) to find a new habitual planet to send survivors to live before Earth is totally destroyed.  The plan is to quickly send 24 of the chosen ones to America’s Space center to quickly train them, and then pick the final six to go to Europa.

Right from the start, we meet Leo (a champion swimmer), who lives in Rome, and watched his whole family drown in the devastation that flooded his city.  Leo is despondent, and just about ready to kill himself, when he sees the announcement of the 24 chosen ones is about to be revealed.  He decides to go watch, hoping someone he knows will become part of this.  To his shock, his name is called and he is thrilled to be one of those to help find a solution to the world’s troubles.

Naomi Ardalan, is an American Science genius, who is also one of the chosen 24.  Naomi is the opposite of Leo, she is very unhappy to have been chosen, as she does not want to leave her family, especially her younger brother, whom she helps take care of.  

Naomi and Leo will become friends, and eventually find themselves falling for each other.  This is not really a romance at this point, but it has started and they become even closer nearer to the end.  They both will work together, as Naomi suspects that something is not right, and she uses her hacking ability and other skills to delve into the truth.  Leo wants to protect and help Naomi, but he is also determined to be one of the final six.  There are a number of twists and turns, especially as we get closer to the end.

What follows is an in-depth look at the overall competition, as all participants have to go through so many mind boggling situations to train them on space travel and surviving on a foreign planet.  I loved everything about the complex completion, even if I am not really a Sci Fi buff.  Leo and Naomi were great heroes, and I did like a number of the other secondary characters. Of course, there are a couple of villains that we know to watch out for.  Will Leo and Naomi be part of the final six?  Will Naomi be able to find out the truth behind this mission?

The Final Six was a wonderful story line that kept our attention throughout.  I am amazed at the writing by Monir, especially with all the sci fi details.  I will not give spoilers, as you need to read this to enjoy everything.  But I will say there are some amazing surprises at the end, and of course, the dreaded cliffhanger.  I hate cliffhangers, but I will be there when Monir gives us the next book. If you enjoy YA dystopian, Sci Fi, competition,  great characters, mystery, and at little romance, I suggest to read this book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by publicist

 


Alexandra Monir is the Iranian-American author of the upcoming YA sci-fi novel The Final Six, the best-selling time-travel romance Timeless, and three other young adult novels. She is also a professional recording artist and composer. Alexandra lives in Los Angeles, California with her husband and newborn son, where she is at work on her next novel. To learn more about Alexandra, visit her online at www.alexandramonir.com.

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Alexandra is graciously is graciously offering a paper copy of THE FINAL SIX to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe

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