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Missing in the Glades by Lena Diaz – a Review

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Missing in the Glades by Lena Diaz – a Review

 

Missing in the gladesAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / BAM / The Book Depository

Description:
He was looking for a missing person. What he found was a beautiful stranger. 

Looking for a fresh start, detective Jake Young headed south on a case that could help launch his PI business. He knew no amount of work would make him forget his tortured past, but maybe Faye Star could help. Caught up in Jake’s missing persons case, the distracting Faye was hiding a secret he was begging to find out. Expertly guiding him through the swamps, Jake’s job grew more complicated when someone started taking shots at the free-spirited beauty. As much as she protested she could take care of herself, Jake stepped in, refusing to admit how desperately he needed someone to save. Especially since he’d never be able to save himself…

Review:

I saw an episode of Burn Notice once where someone was lost in the Everglades and they were worried about panthers mauling the person. Panthers, as in, that’s not outside the norm of animals found in that area. Wowzers. Lena Diaz allots a huge amount of respect to this “unpredictable, dangerous, land-that-time-forgot section” of Florida. That’s almost incomprehensible to this city girl, but it lends itself perfectly to a missing persons case and a unique love story befitting the town of Mystic Glades. Please welcome back the wonderful Lena Diaz and her first book in the Marshland Justice series, Missing in the Glades.

Jake Young is trying his hand at PI work. Police work wasn’t boring per se, but he partnered up with his friend to expand his horizons. What a first case! Just when Jake catches a break and finds the abandoned vehicle of the victim, a shot rings out too close for comfort. Gorgeous or not, Jake’s going after the gypsy-looking woman with the amazing aim!

Faye Star is a free spirit with a degree in biology and killer survival skills to rival any local’s. When she sees Jake lurking through the ‘Glades, we quickly deduce that she’s worried about being associated with the case.

All she knew for sure was that a private investigator was trying to find Calvin. But he hadn’t mentioned anything about finding her. If someone from Tuscaloosa had hired him, they’d have wanted both her and Calvin, wouldn’t they? But Jake hadn’t tried to grab her…or kill her. Which meant he didn’t know about her connection with Calvin…”

Not only is Jake not trying to kill Faye, he’s killing himself trying to keep his hands, especially his heart, away from her! The attraction is a distraction, of the best kind. Faye may say she’s willing to collaborate on the investigation, but it’s, HE’s, too tempting to ignore. Jake can lose himself in Faye if he’d let his heart dictate, but his gut is telling him not to indulge…and his reasons aren’t entirely noble, either.

He looked down at her fingers working his belt loose, and that brief moment of lost contact between them was just enough for the haze of lust to allow his brain to switch back on. What was he doing? This was crazy, wrong on so many levels. She trusted him, and he was betraying her with every breath he took. He couldn’t cross this one last line. Once she found out the truth about him, she’d hate him forever.

Can withholding information, delivering bold-faced lies, and general deceit (with a healthy helping of subterfuge) be forgiven…all in the name of love? Neither Faye nor Jake can point fingers here. The plot deepens as thick as the marshland when new characters are introduced and seem beyond eager to find (silence?) Calvin. Is Calvin “an idiot tourist with no common sense and a lousy sense of direction” or is he a man with valuable information? Any just why does Faye care so much about what happens to him?!

Oh, this was good! Lena Diaz deftly threads a needle of intrigue throughout the story and subplots. We gain necessary insight, but delight in the unexpected outcomes! Jake and Faye surprised themselves by how quickly they clicked; their chemistry both compatible and steamy. Separating romantic emotions from duty was challenging Jake and Faye gravitated so naturally towards each other, but Ms. Diaz writes it with a fine tension; just with that bit of edge to keep you engaged.

In less than 250 pages, Missing in the Glades is fast-paced and meant to be concise. Do not confuse those features as a sign of mediocrity. I read a complete, fleshed out story unearthing secrets amidst an exotic backdrop. The wow factor is all Lena Diaz.

Reviewed by Carmen

Copy provided by Author

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The Revolution of Ivy by Amy Engel – a Review

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The Revolution of Ivy by Amy Engel – a Review

 

The Revolution of IvyAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / BAM / The Book Depository

Description:
Beyond the fence. I am still alive. Barely.

My name is Ivy Westfall. I am sixteen years old and a traitor. Three months ago, I was forced to marry the president’s son, Bishop Lattimer-as all daughters of the losing side of the war are sold off in marriage to the sons of the winners. But I was different. I had a mission-to kill Bishop.

Instead, I fell in love with him.

Now I am an outcast, left to survive the brutal savagery of the lands outside of civilization. Yet even out here, there is hope. There is life beyond the fence. But I can’t outrun my past. For my actions have set off a treasonous chain of events in Westfall that will change all of our fates-especially Bishop’s.

And this time, it is not enough to just survive…

 

Review:

The Revolution of Ivy is all about change and breaking glass ceilings. How very fitting: Today is Election Day! A sequel is a daunting task, Amy Engel told me so, but this second book was so compelling…it was as high caliber as her debut, and I raaaved about that one (The Book of Ivy available here). I actually compare TRoI to the likes of The Empire Strikes Back! That’s rare and stellar praise coming from this reader.

Ivy is in full survival mode after [partially] completing her mission. To recap, President Lattimer ordered Ivy put out at the conclusion of book one. Ivy would have accomplished the goal, the Westfall goal, had her heart not been compromised. Falling in love with the enemy wasn’t the plan and her last minute, Hail Mary play cost her place alongside Bishop, her husband and once-intended target. Ivy is blindsided by her family, but even more bereft without Bishop.

I was both exhausted and on edge from the onset of Ivy’s exile. She’s been trained (manipulated?) in the ways of political maneuvers, but no one in the Westfall faction thought to initiate protocols for survival. Ivy’s no princess, but these odds outside the fence were unrelenting and nearly insurmountable. The isolation alone would have catapulted me back inside the safety of Westfall! This mindset is strategic in hindsight, however, as it adds more depth to an already impressive Ivy.

What once was soft has been carved away, leaving only what’s absolutely necessary behind.

The setting commenced as solitary and desperate, until Ivy aligns herself with two nomads, Ash and Caleb. A brother and sister (but not) who welcome Ivy into their group and teach her newfound, comprehensive independence. Her understanding of life outside the fence, nature versus nurture, transforms Ivy into a tour de force; her life in Westfall but a chrysalis.

It’s impossible not to reveal a spoiler as this is a sequel, but suffice it to say that Bishop lands, most unceremoniously, at Ivy’s feet, threatening to dismantle the new life she’d forged from pain and suffering. Their reunion is brutal on the heart. Ivy never expected to see Bishop again, so she began shutting down that vibrant part of her soul that his love set to life (penance for her betrayal). When Bishop arrives solely to be by her side, Ivy is inexplicably angry and terribly confused. Ms. Engel writes a magnificent storyline about reconciling emotions. My heart was lodged in my throat, fearful and mesmerized by the power of their words. To say I swooned is simply insufficient. I was overcome with feeling!

The political turmoil within Westfall reaches our H/H. The Lattimers and Westfalls are at it in veritable Hatfield and McCoy fashion. The flawed system (made up of extremes and revenge) has deprived the town for too long and it’s imploding. Ever conscientious of choice and freedom, will Ivy and Bishop return to instill peace or remain independent and outside the clutches of chaos?

What a finale! Momentous showdowns of the breath-stealing variety! WOW. Ms. Engel advised me that the series ends here. It’s not enough, *sniffs*, I could read about Ivy and Bishop for at least a trilogy! It’s better to have loved, they say? ;D

I cannot recommend The Revolution of Ivy enough! Ms. Engel writes a wonderful YA series that is meant for readers of all ages. She created an outstanding young woman who flourishes under adversity. Ivy’s journey to maturity and identity is exemplary. Bishop’s plight is symbiotic to Ivy’s and his catharsis is displayed with grace and dignity. This series captures magic. I miss them already.

Reviewed by Carmen

Copy provided by Publisher

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Illusion by Lea Nolan – a Review

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Illusion by Lea Nolan – a Review

 

IllusionAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / BAM

Description:
Things aren’t always as they appear…

New school. Cross-country move. Broken heart. If only these were Emma Guthrie’s worst problems. Instead, she must battle a trio of enemies–human and spectral–who may or may not have joined forces against her and everyone she loves. All while pretending to be over Cooper Beaumont, her ex-boyfriend and true love, to shield him from her arch-nemesis’s revenge.

Worse, when the fight escalates, Emma is tempted to use black magic, which will endanger her soul. As her enemies close in, join forces, and fight with new and dark magic she’s never seen before, Emma must harness the power within her to fulfill an ancient prophecy, defeat a centuries-old evil, save her family, and reclaim the only boy she’s ever loved.


Review:

I went over my previous review to remember where Allure had left off. Not only did I find my place, but I recouped the joy I experienced stepping into the world building of Lea Nolan. Emma, our intrepid heroine, squares off against dark magic from the onset and you’re fighting alongside her until the end, as in the very last word. Illusion is book 3 of the Hoodoo series and also its finale. I weep for its conclusion, but Lea Nolan leaves an enchanting, spellbinding impression on you.  

As comfortable as Emma’s become with the practice of hoodoo (an apprentice root worker being mentored by the most powerful of the South Carolina Lowcountry), when confronted by evil, a menacing spirit plaguing Emma from the grave and 2 zealous rivals, it’s beyond tempting to fight fire with fire – even if it means going against what you swore never to wield. Will Emma withstand the allure of revenge? One can only be pushed so far before you’re crossing fundamental lines and absolving such behavior.

“…it’s considered justice work rather than a spell worked for revenge.”

Any way you look at it, it’s a caveat used to ease her conscience. Lucky for everyone involved, everyone good that is, Emma is surrounded by loving, engaging characters who help Emma stay to the light. Emma is young, just about to turn 15, but she displays such fortitude wrestling, and resisting, the passions of vengeance.

Aside from the diabolical maneuverings of malevolent forces, give it up to Ms. Nolan and the swoon-worthy love story *standing up, applauding*. I may have been a tad bit critical in my last review (I was/am a mom embarking on teenage daughter-dom – I’m not so irrational any more, lol).   Emma and Cooper should be indulging in the beauty of first love promises, but the enemies stalking and threatening Emma aren’t to be taken lightly; she’s willing to sacrifice her heart to save Cooper’s.  

I want to stroke his face or rub his back, anything to take away the lingering pain…But I can’t, because that simple gesture would send the wrong signal and only encourage him.

Foreboding prophecy or not, Emma and Cooper are adorable and completely loyal to each other. In a moment of “weakness”, a hug to forget troubles, “I sink into him like a marshmallow in a vat of melted chocolate.” I felt it! They’re just so stinking cute! Illusion is a great piece of writing that I won’t soon forget.

I wouldn’t dare end this glowing review without addressing the care and respect Ms. Nolan gives to the hoodoo practice. I was riveted by the sounds and scents and solutions alike. You’re mesmerized by the incantations and seduced by the ingredients so fully, you’re committed to the execution of the ward/spell. And in a twist, a distasteful one to be sure, we’re subjected to shiver-inducing, gut-spewing. Emma fights the good fight, but that doesn’t prevent her nemesis from hitting below the belt. Well done, Ms. Nolan!

In a stunning finale, the interest never wanes. You navigate through subplots with equal enthusiasm and Ms. Nolan delivers each with triumphant aplomb. The tears shed were only due to my heart’s overflow. I adored this book and Emma. She embodies pure spirit and is a genuine hero for all to admire.  

Reviewed by Carmen

Copy provided by Publisher

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Wilde at Heart by Tonya Burrows – a Review

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Wilde at Heart by Tonya Burrows – a Review

 

Wilde at HeartAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / BAM

Description:
He has everything under control. Except her.

Reece Wilde put everything in his life on the backburner to protect his brothers and their struggling company, Wilde Security. With a major contract on the line, Reece can’t afford any mistakes…like getting caught in a red-hot, X-rated moment with wild child Shelby Bremer, who’s more trouble than he can handle. Now he’s being blackmailed.

Shelby’s mile-long impulsive streak gets her in more trouble than she’d like to admit. Between her sister’s wedding, her coffee shop set on fire, and getting down and dirty with the groom’s brother, things are definitely coming off the rails. With both their careers and their safety on the line, Reece is determined to keep them both safe…even if it means a Vegas-style shotgun wedding.

But gambling on a wild card—and a wild soul—is risky…and sometimes, it can get a guy killed.

Review:

Slam, bam, thank you, ma’am?! I’m familiar with the scenario, but this one packed a punch from the very beginning. Reece “worships” Shelby in spectacular fashion *steam emanated from my Kindle* only to be interrupted by his inside voice, the chiding one…and the flames licking at the ceiling of the very building where their tryst began! As far as warnings went, this was a doozie. If workaholic Reece loses himself in the moment, he stands to lose sight of the prize. Then again…perhaps Shelby’s heart is better than any professional advancement? Welcome back, Tonya Burrows! In Wilde at Heart, we revel in all that revolves around Reece and Shelby and this wonderful family dynamic. It is a joy to go Wilde again!

The last time Ms. Burrows made us swoon, Wilde for Her, Cam and Eva figured out that best friends made forever kind of love. With their nuptials just around the corner, Reece, the most dependable of the Wilde siblings, is dispatched to “oversee” impetuous Shelby (younger sister to Eva) and ensure she tamps down any overt vivaciousness that could prevent her from participating (or ruining) the wedding. Babysitter he’s not, Reece catches himself ogling from afar…fantasizing…hoping Shelby could ever consider him romantically.  

“…she was completely, 100 percent anti-permanent. Hell, even her hair color changed every other week. Reece was the human equivalent of tattoo ink. She was henna.

They’re on opposite spectrums overall, but their differences are obsolete when they’re face to face. When magic happens and their sexy exploration is caught for all to see, their romance (intimate photos) becomes the subject of extortion. Someone out to sabotage the security firm or was it more personal, singling out Reece who stood on the precipice of financial gain?

“Of course, logically speaking, this was the perfect time to hit him with blackmail. So it had to be someone he knew…Someone who knew his government contracts were running out this year and he needed Irving James’s investment if he wanted to keep both DMW and Wilde Security afloat. Someone who knew one moral misstep on his part would bring everything he’d built crashing down.

     But who?

It only took me a minute to fall right back in love with this series, with this book, but a pivotal plot line, Reece and Shelby’s solution to “a whole host of problems”, impeded my enjoyment. Shelby is a bit of a hot mess and the beneficial (though mutual) agreement felt opportunistic. It was probably due to the intermittent telling of her background story, so it’s hard to point fingers when Reece was caught in his own desperate situation. Having said that, Ms. Burrows executes the storyline pursuant to her vision and the outcomes aren’t proportionally skeevy, lol. Far from it! I loved the coming together of such polar personalities. Together they stop running. Together they soar.

I adore the camaraderie between brothers who mask engaging verbal quips for intuitive insight. They worry after each other even while they rib each other mercilessly; they are devoted to their family unit. Ms. Burrows writes energetically, realistically, and passionately. I’m so happy I read this!

Ms. Burrows ties up all the loose ends plaguing our H/H and gives you an impactful finish. My heart suffered a bit, but that’s what a well-written story is supposed to do — I was thoroughly invested in Reece and Shelby’s development and was hopeful for a HEA. Clever author that she is, Ms. Burrows already planted the seeds for the next storyline. Ummm, yes…

More…I want more…I need to get Wilde some more!  

Reviewed by Carmen

Copy provided by Publisher

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Just Say Yes by Alyssa Goodnight – a Review

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Just Say Yes by Alyssa Goodnight – a Review

 

Just Say Yes

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / BAM

Description:
Single mom Jade Moran isn’t ready for any big changes in either her horrible ’70s kitchen or her romantic life. Her ex did a number on her, and she isn’t interested in getting hurt again. But when she meets a super-hot contractor, she wonders if avocado appliances are on the way out and romance is on the way in.

Max Gianopoulis doesn’t have a clue why he’s so enchanted by Jade. She’s almost as big a mess as her kitchen, and he’s a guy who likes to keep things simple. But Jade has turned up the flirty heat – and he can’t keep his hands off her.

With everything moving too fast and coming too easy, Jade’s insecurities kick into high gear. She’s not sure she can trust another man again – and she definitely doesn’t believe in happily ever afters.

Review:

Though I’m a big fan of HEA, I’m not usually partial to young children playing matchmaker for their single parent. Unless it’s lovingly, charmingly told…with a touch of magic. That’s a book that shines. That’s a book I recommend. Oh, yeah, something exactly like Just Say Yes by Alyssa Goodnight!

“Project Jade Moran Needs a Man” is in full effect, though she’s in no hurry (it’s only been 13 years). When a well meaning, though veritable stranger and owner of a new restaurant that caters to the more exotic palate, plants a fortuitous seed of need, a new kitchen, Jade might be able to kill two birds with one stone. Who would complain when Max, the contractor, was depicted as having all the best parts of Neal Caffrey and Harvey Spector (swoooooon and high-five to that combo!) Jade, ever the skeptic and pragmatic, can’t help but contemplate the fantasy, however cliché. If nothing else, she’d get a new kitchen out of it – she barely steps foot into her own!  

Max is startled by his inclination to pursue Jade. He didn’t fare so well following his one and only contractor-client tryst, but his instincts are urging him forward nevertheless. He’s been a goner since discovering Jade donned (and owns) a Wonder Woman costume, lol. An image like that is imprinted upon his superhero heart. But still…there’s an impressionable teenager daughter to consider. Max is not the kind of man to ignore those ramifications, to let Jade deal with the emotional fallout should things turn south.

So it’s cat and mouse, but Ms. Goodnight switches roles admirably. Each is given the ability to flirt and take the role of aggressor. It’s when the other nibbles at the bait that we find our H/H scrambling in full retrieval, properly self-chastised for such daring. Lots of fun! And it’s a real delight to see Jade’s daughter prompt, strategize, with Max to win over her too nervous mother. But when that kiss comes to fruition…

Max lifted his lips from hers and moved between her and the door. She tried to find her balance, tried to get the tingling under control. She had the prickly sensation that her whole body had fallen asleep long ago and had just now been woken up.

It was a slow seduction, but WELL worth the wait. Now, will Jade and Max allow room for expansion or does their relationship end at a single room remodel project? They’re sooo good together, all of them. Max’s grandmother and sister are warm and generous secondary characters. There was an instant connection within the family. Falling in love was not what either of them expected, resisted even, but leaving a recommendation, however sterling, on Angie’s List is too professional.  

“The worst of imagining things is that the time comes when you have to stop, and that hurts.”

Oh, what a sweet, sexy love story! Ms. Goodnight imparts the beauty of learning how to share and trust for the sake of true love. Saying yes isn’t easy, but when you just say it: Magic happens! I believe!!!

P.S. Not only were there awesome superhero references, a way to my heart, but Evie, Jade’s tenacious teenage daughter, wore a Team Edward tee one night. Super smart girl!!! ;D

Reviewed by Carmen

Copy provided by Publisher

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Malibu Betrayals by MK Meredith – a Review

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Malibu Betrayals by MK Meredith – a Review

 

Malibu BetrayalsAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / BAM

Description:
Her chance to write a whole new ending…

Hollywood screenwriter Samantha Dekker spent the last year picking up the pieces after her husband’s suicide. Along with grief, guilt, and tabloid hell, she’s had to watch helplessly as the film industry slammed its doors in her face. Now Sam has the rarest of Hollywood opportunities – a second chance…working with the one man she swore never to see again.

Hunktastic A-lister Gage Cutler knows that Sam blamed him for his part in her husband’s death. Still, Sam is the one woman he can never forget. All he wants is a second chance of his own – to prove he’s not the player she remembers. And Malibu is the perfect backdrop to make a girl swoon.

Except they’re not alone. Someone is watching Sam and Gage’s steamy off-screen romance with the most dangerous of intentions…


Review:

I’d like to think I have discerning taste. Yes, I try to accentuate the positives in my reviews, but when I’m swooning over an author’s Acknowledgements, you know it’s made an impression! Malibu Betrayals by MK Meredith had me rooting for love, and Gage, from cover to end.

Okay. It’s coined as a second chance romance, but Sam and Gage barely know each other. It’s what came after their fateful introduction that would forever connect them. Blame and hatred aren’t low-key emotions and Sam hurled plenty of those accusations at Gage for causing the accident that killed her husband. Last thing those two need is to work together (he’s an actor, she the screenwriter). While it’s Hollywood and the worst of enemies have been known to collaborate (and put forth quality product), what didn’t register with me is how instant their bond was. We’re led to believe that their meeting was cathartic, that these two shared sensibilities. How can Gage point out all the harm in Sam’s marriage (to a colleague of his), in a matter of hours, and literally become the impetus to leave her husband? She might have already considered the decision, but it was a one.time.talk, people. It’s rather incredulous, but I’d be lying if I said Ms. Meredith didn’t make me overlook the insta-love and take a leap of faith with Gage and Sam. That’s what you want in a book, wouldn’t you agree?

Before long, Sam and Gage are exploring those possibilities and making up for lost time to full, steamy satisfaction. The attraction runs deeper, of course; the progress is tentative yet quite giving if you stop to analyze. Though they tacitly agreed to a “light and easy” fling, which invariably comes with second-guesses and worries about moving way too fast, Sam gives me whiplash. An overload of “about-face” moments were enough to drive Gage crazy (though he’s made of sterner stuff), but her past is determined to ruin her present.

Sam’s ex-husband’s family interrupts with insidious demands and general harassment. HEA seems an impossible goal. Segue into sabotage on the set and the story develops with intriguing subplots and secondary characters. As much as exterior forces threaten to upend their beginning, Sam and Gage undermine their relationship with secrets all by themselves. Repeated slaps to my forehead began to sting. Talk, people! Stop making unilateral decisions that make you miserable before you even follow through (always a bad sign). Most importantly, stop denying yourselves this rare gift of a second chance and embrace it.

“I’m trying to figure out if it can work. But I don’t see how. I need more time. Can you give me that?”

     He dropped his chin to his chest and closed his eyes.

“You don’t know what you ask, Sam.”

     “Don’t I? I know it won’t be easy, but it’s better for us in the end.”

“You think it’s better.”

“Yes, I do.”

     He studied her. “For the record, I don’t think time is the issue. But fine.”

Once you accept their relationship, Gage and Sam are two enjoyable individuals. Though jaded from the exploitative arm of Hollywood gossip, Gage and Sam are still swinging, unsatisfied with mediocrity when they have the potential to be, and have, so much more. Sam’s self-confidence took a beating, as did Gage’s reputation, but they’re driven and they gain ground with each other’s support. When they love, they love passionately and thoughtfully.

Malibu Betrayals reveals the source of the threats and its title is telling. Ms. Meredith arms Sam and Gage with courage to rise above and never give up on love.

There are hiccups in this debut novel, but Ms. Meredith is keenly focused on the struggles of love and trust and the commitment it takes to make them last forever. I would read more by this new author.

Reviewed by Carmen

Copy provided by Publisher

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Wanted by Dee Tenorio – a Review

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Wanted by Dee Tenorio – a Review

 

Wanted

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / BAM

 

Description:
Some secrets are worth dying for…

Undersheriff and former Marine Rick Trelane had one constant his entire life – his friendship with Whitney Peterson. Through thick and thin, she has never faltered. Never blamed. But when her former lover turns up dead, Rick must look past the walls he’s built to the woman he thought he knew inside and out…and discover he was wrong.

Whitney has secrets, deadly ones. The deeper he digs, the more he sees her as a woman he desires. And suspects. But as bodies start turning up, so does the evidence against her. Now the air is thick with secrets and shadows and giving into the longing could turn both their worlds upside down. Because this killer is just getting started…

 

Review:

When a less than exemplary citizen is gunned down, his chest turned into “swiss cheese”, the loss won’t drag down the town. When the suspect is your oldest friend, the woman you’ve been in love with from afar, for as far as you can remember, you’ll go as far as you can to protect her. Wanted by Dee Tenorio was an “ignorance is bliss” until you threaten to walk away forever type of love story. As if that wasn’t stressful and fabulous enough for an entire book, (Rick and Whitney don’t surrender easily), murder entanglements *grins* keep our H/H distracted. Will love conquer or suffer?

Rick is a former Marine turned undersheriff of his California hometown. He is familiar with discipline, thrives on structure, and strives to maintain a “frosty” exterior to spare himself further agony of loss. Deprivation is a more accurate assessment, but you won’t hear Rick complaining (out loud). It’s worked to a degree, he’s good at what he does, but Whitney is done maintaining distance. She’s willing to complicate Rick’s order because it would undoubtedly enhance his, their, life. If only he wasn’t terrified of ruining their 30 year friendship. *insert audible exhale*

“Life isn’t supposed to be executed like a mission plan, son. Sure, it’s good to have a direction. To aim for something that gives it meaning. But it’s also supposed to have surprises and serendipity and something else that starts with an ‘s’ that you weren’t expecting.

Now, if Whitney had any say in the matter, she’d hold on to Rick and never let go. We learn that Whitney survived an abusive relationship, her former lover is the one who turned up murdered (not mourned), but the depths of her trauma, though tenderly revealed, are harsh. Whitney uses bravado so as not to appear weak, but I was begging for her to have a meltdown and unburden herself! It is a gift to read Rick’s thoughts on Whitney’s courage.

I loved the balance Ms. Tenorio supplied to these characters. Rick and Whitney are kindred spirits who aren’t broken despite impactful histories. Their banter was a series of volleys, friendly and charged, demonstrating a vital camaraderie. Their seduction, though slow to develop, was a pulsing passion when unleashed, trouncing over indecision. Rick and Whitney are just wonderful together!

Rolling up his sleeves, he started toward her and she had to force her mouth to stay closed. He’d broken way too many bones in that sumptuous body and he still moved like a lion on the prowl. She never wanted to be a steak more in her life.

When a second connected murder links Whitney, her sullied reputation is brought up again, indicating motive. Rick intends to clear Whitney’s name by fair means or foul. Oddly romantic, save for the obstruction of justice, lol. Just when the stars were aligning, will Rick adhere to the letter of the law or protect Whitney at all costs?

Wanted earns its place amongst excellent company. This book is Wanted for a terrific summer read!  

Reviewed by Carmen

Copy provided by Publisher

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Possessed by the Fallen by Sharon Ashwood – Review, Guest Post & Giveaway

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Possessed by the Fallen by Sharon Ashwood – Review, Guest Post & Giveaway

Possessed by the Fallen banner
Possessed by the Fallen
Horsemen #4
by Sharon Ashwood
Release Date:July 1, 2015

 

Possessed by the FallenAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / The Book Depository / Harlequin

Description:
When his lover learned his darkest secret, she betrayed the elite vampire agent… 

Now the beautiful fey Jessica Lark is back in Jack Anderson’s life. With the fate of a royal wedding and a high-stakes mission depending on his complete attention, Jack has no room for distraction. Especially the sort this temptress poses. A fey spy who also seems to be guarding dangerous secrets that aren’t her own. 

The two agents don’t know if they can trust one another. But if they hope to unravel a dark plot and fight an evil queen, they’ll have to try. Their undeniable attraction might just save them…but first they’ll have to travel through a portal to a hidden, treacherous fairy-tale kingdom.

 

Review:

Possessed by the Fallen is the conclusion of the terrific Four Horsemen series by Sharon Ashwood. Can you hear me weeping? It’s been a wonderful ride; each installment delving deeper into the massive rift between the Marcari and Vidon kingdoms. But more importantly, each Horseman lovingly featured. We met, and lost, vampire Jack Anderson, aka Death, the lynchpin of Les Compagnie des Morts in the introductory novel (all previous reviews available here). Jessica Lark, the brilliant dress designer, suffered the same fate, but like Jack – “The agents of the Company seem to have a phoenix-like talent for resurrection” – they painstakingly went underground. Separately. Ready to love Jack and Lark? You most certainly will!

So…hugs all around at the reunion? Not.even.close. Going undercover does wonders for the mind…it hones your memories…keeps revenge alive and hot if you were stabbed…by your lover! How does one even get over that?! Betrayal is unforgivable, and Jack’s got an infinite amount of time to seethe, but his heart is ever traitorous where Lark is concerned; she was, after all, the one who made his “still heart” beat again.

His entire being was flooded with desire and rage, and she was at the core of it all.

With the upcoming royal nuptials two weeks away, there’s little time to focus on love affairs gone horribly wrong. “Bridal apocalypse” is to be prevented by all means necessary and “this marriage had the power to seal the gates to the Dark Queen’s prison forever.”

In spite of Lark’s offense, she stole Jack’s dark secret to dissect and exploit for her own Light fey kind, Jack needs all the allies he can muster against Selena, the evil Dark Fey Queen.In my previous review (Faran’s book), I alluded to discoveries and nefarious action. The deadline is fast approaching and Jack must resurface, more powerful than ever, to gather up his troops and ensure the portal is sealed permanently. Uncertainty with Lark aside (reduced to spy vs. spy for the time being), will those closest to Jack welcome him back without pause? I would, he’s a hot ass vampire, but those trust issues Jack is holding against Lark could be the same accusations being flung at him by his own Horsemen.

Jessica Lark. I shouldn’t like her, but Ms. Ashwood makes her forgivably flawed and vulnerable. Yes, she did the unthinkable against the man she loved, but it wasn’t without personal cost. The aftermath of suffering, physically and emotionally, led Lark to visit the dark side, and sadly, this is no Star Wars reference.

Ms. Ashwood is tying loose ends, coming full circle, but she does it intriguingly, writes it decadently, every bump of the way. The subplots held their own glamour; inching their way toward final connections that achieve vision/purpose. But instead of being formulaic, Ms. Ashwood introduces new magical elements for good and complicates Jack’s already shaky comeback a la Me, Myself and Irene, only this time deadly. You’ll understand my meaning when you read the book.  

Forgiveness isn’t shameful and we witness its healing effects on those who need it the most. Ms. Ashwood described spectacular action, you’ll practically lift up your own hand to guard against the flames of battle, but she’s created, more significantly, memorable characters with stunning counterparts who envelope you in swoon-worthy romance. Possessed by the Fallen is a perfect finale for an incredible series. Sharon Ashwood deserves high praise for maintaining such exuberance throughout four books.

Reviewed by Carmen

Copy provided by Author

 

Guest Post-White and Purple

Who Doesn’t Love a Wicked Fairy Queen?

Well, my characters don’t, but I hope readers find her entertaining! In Possessed by the Fallen, the conclusion of my paranormal romance series, the action moves into the realm of the exiled Queen of the Dark Fey. Our hero, Jack, was one of those responsible for putting her there and, needless to say, the queen wants revenge almost as much as she wants to escape. Fortunately, Jack is accompanied by the heroine, Lark, who is one of the Light Fey and who knows how to navigate the twisting snares of the Fey Court.

Cultures across the world have legends of fairies, and I had opportunity to use a few of the common ideas about these hidden creatures. One is that the fairy realms are divided into Dark and Light. That doesn’t quite equate with “good” and “evil” but more like “will agree to a conversation” and “run the other way immediately.” At best, the fairies have their own concerns and see no reason to deal with humans unless there is a benefit to themselves. At worst, they’re the monster under the bed.

Fairies are also very literal. This means you have to be extremely careful when making a bargain with them, because they will take advantage of the smallest loophole. This is where Jack is very lucky to have Lark on board—she’s better than a team of lawyers when it comes to deciphering fey trickery. Also, don’t try the local cuisine. Fairy tales are filled with the adventures of unwary travellers who sample fairy food and fall under their power. The unwary might be trapped, driven mad, or waste away. In other words, fairies represent the ultimate “stranger danger.”

The peril represented by the fey says a lot about the cultures that created them. Scholars of the Victorian era spend a great deal of time exploring fairy tales as expressions of sexual desire—that gives a whole new meaning to goblin fruit—where others interpret the fairy world as a representation of raw nature. Fairies are wild, capricious, and indifferent to human suffering. They are tricksters who, like Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, love to cause chaos for its own sake.

In my story the fey are certainly dangerous (and lusty) but more easily understood. They have their own agenda, but they feel as we do—especially Lark of the Light Fey, who yearns desperately for a reunion with her lost love, Jack.

As for that wicked queen, she is well and truly a stinker. But what is a good fairytale without a villain—one with consummate style and all the best lines? No self-respecting fairy would be disappointed with a role like that. I invite you to come visit her realm in company with my hero and heroine. The queen has granted safe passage to readers, but don’t strike any bargains with the locals!

 

about the author

Sharon AshwoodSharon Ashwood is a novelist, desk jockey and enthusiast for the weird and spooky. She has an English literature degree but works as a finance geek. Interests include growing her to-be-read pile and playing with the toy graveyard on her desk. As a vegetarian, she freely admits the whole vampire/werewolf lifestyle would never work out, so she writes her adventures instead.

Sharon is the winner of the RITA® Award for Paranormal Romance. She lives in the Pacific Northwest and is owned by the Demon Lord of Kitty Badness.

To learn more about Sharon Ashwood, you can find her at the following links:

Website /   Facebook /  Twitter  / Pinterest / Goodreads

 

Giveaway-Purple-White

Sharon is graciously offering a signed paperback of Possessed by the Fallen to one (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

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5. Giveaway open Internationally

6. Giveaway runs from July 1 to  July 5, 2015

 

 

 

 

 

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