THE LUMBERJACK (Game of Chance 4) by Susan Stoker-review

THE LUMBERJACK (Game of Chance 4) by Susan Stoker-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 30, 2024

A game of chance during a horrific POW experience decided the future for Jackson “JJ” Justice and his teammates. Years later, they’re well settled into their lumberjack business in small-town Maine. And for nearly as long, JJ’s been pining for April, the woman largely responsible for growing their business, but insecurities keep him at arm’s length from the sexy receptionist.

April Hoffman loves her job…and her boss. She’s unsure where JJ’s head is at, but for her part, she knows exactly why she’s not revealed her feelings. Not only does she have one failed relationship under her belt, she’s also several years older than JJ. Why would a man so brutally hot settle for someone almost past her prime?

After a car accident nearly takes April’s life, leaving her with temporary amnesia, they both understand what they almost lost. The floodgates are open, their feelings exposed…but it may be too little, too late.

An enemy from JJ’s past has come calling, putting not only his future happiness on the line, but the lives of several people he holds dear—starting with April.

••••••

REVIEW: THE LUMBERJACK is the fourth and final instalment in Susan Stoker’s contemporary, adult GAME OF CHANCE romantic suspense series focusing on a group of former US Special Forces soldiers and former POWs (Callum ‘Cal’ Redman, Kendrick ‘Bob’ Evans, Jackson ‘JJ’ Justice, Riggs ‘Chappy’ Chapman) who own and operate a tree service, search and rescue, Appalachian Trail maintenance company called Jack’s Lumber. This is thirty-nine year old Jackson ‘JJ’ Justice, and forty-six year old, office manager April Hoffman’s story line. THE LUMBERJACK can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. There is a slight cross-over using a number of characters from several of Susan Stoker’s interconnected series.

Told from dual omniscient third person perspectives (Jack and April) THE LUMBERJACK follows in the aftermath of a car accident that sent our heroine to the hospital. Struggling with severe headaches and the after affects of the accident, April temporarily moves in with her boss Jackson Justice, the man with whom April will fall in love but someone is taking aim at the close knit group of former US Special Forces soldiers, and the women they love will pay the price. What ensues is the building relationship between Jack and April, and the potential fall-out as the women fall victim to a man demanding revenge for sins of the past.

The world building follows several paths including the building relationship between our story line couple. Jackson Justice has lusted after April Hoffman for as long as he can remember but Jack’s attitude often left April confused, and in this, April is willing to walk away to allow Jack to reconsider his choices going forward but the past is about to take aim at the women involved with Jackson and his friends, threatening the lives of everyone, a threat meant to kill them all.

The relationship between Jack and April is a friends to lovers in which Jack declares himself guardian and protector of our story line heroine. An accident that may have been anything but finds Jack declaring his love for the woman in his life, a woman who will pay the price for another man’s sins. The $ex scenes are intimate and provocative without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of fantastic and familiar secondary and supporting characters including all of the previous story line couples, as well as several search and rescue members, former soldiers, and assassins from the author’s interconnected series.

THE LUMBERJACK is a story of obsession, vengeance and madness, family and friendships, relationships and love. The premise is dramatic, edgy and emotional; the romance is seductive; the characters are desperate, dynamic and professional.

 

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
The Protector
The Royal Game
The Hero

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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The Hero (Game of Chance 3) by Susan Stoker-review

The Hero (Game of Chance 3) by Susan Stoker-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 5, 2024

Any soldier who gets out of the service with his life should be happy to leave danger behind. Though his army brothers are content running their new business in Maine, Kendric “Bob” Evans isn’t ready to give up the fight. He’s been supplementing his hours with covert rescue missions organized by the FBI. But his latest charge may be more than he bargained for.

Marlowe Kennedy is on a routine archaeology dig in Thailand when she’s arrested for drug trafficking. She has suspicions about the true culprit, but even when she’s rescued from prison, there’s nothing she can do about it without proof. Her protective bodyguard’s only objective is to keep her safe until they cross the border into friendly territory.

The best way to do that? Travel as man and wife.

After returning to Maine, as Bob and Marlowe navigate this treacherous terrain with the help of their friends, they face vengeful authorities, a vindictive frame job, and perhaps most important of all—turning their fake marriage into something real

••••

REVIEWTHE HERO is the third instalment in Susan Stoker’s contemporary, adult GAME OF CHANCE erotic, romantic suspense series focusing on a group of former US Special Forces soldiers (Callum ‘Cal’ Redman, Kendrick ‘Bob’ Evans, Jackson ‘JJ’ Justice, Riggs ‘Chappy’ Chapman) who own and operate a tree service, search and rescue, Appalachian Trail maintenance company called Jack’s Lumber. This is thirty-five year olds, Kendric ‘Bob’ Evans, and archaeologist Marlowe Kennedy’s story line. THE HERO can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. An important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Kendrick and Marlowe) THE HERO follows the rescue of our story line heroine from a Thai prison. While on an archaeological assignment in Thailand, Marlowe Kennedy would find herself framed and imprisoned for drug possession and trafficking. Without benefit of defense or help, Marlowe has given up hope until a visit from an American stranger telling her to be prepared. Enter former US Special Forces soldier Kendrick Evans, and the man with whom Marlowe will fall in love. Upon her explosive rescue, Marlowe and Kendrick find themselves on a cross continent run, wherein Marlowe will become the woman to save our hero’s life. What ensues is the quick and forced relationship between Marlowe and Kendrick, and the potential fall-out as their journey and struggles through Asia, continue back home.

The world building focuses on the betrayal of our story line heroine. Framed for a crime she did not commit, Kendrick Evans is ‘hired’ to rescue the woman with whom he would fall in love but their escape gets more dangerous, the closer to their final destination.

The relationship between Kendrick and Marlowe begins as a rescue but a potential safe haven finds our couple forced into a marriage to protect their lives. On the run now as a married couple, they will quickly discover their mutual attraction adds a further hurdle as Kendrick battles not only the elements but a fight to survive. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, energetic and impassioned secondary and supporting characters including Kendrick’s friends and former teammates, most of whom we have met in the previous instalments. April and JJ’s story line is next.

THE HERO is a story of betrayal and vengeance, greed and retribution, friendships and relationships, acceptance and love. The suspense filled premise is intriguing and captivating but I struggled a little bit with the sting operation meant to reveal the truth, an operation that left our heroine vulnerable. The characters are determined and dynamic; the romance is seductive .

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
The Protector
The Royal Game

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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The Royal (Game of Chance 2) by Susan Stoker-a review

The Royal (Game of Chance 2) by Susan Stoker-a review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au / B&N PAPER /

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 8, 2023

Former military man and member of a royal family Callum Redmon can’t deny his sense of responsibility. So when his cousin’s latest love interest claims to have a stalker, Cal reluctantly meets with the young woman and her mother. He wants to write off the situation as a complete farce—if only his feelings for another member of the household could be as easily dismissed.

Since her father’s death seventeen years ago, Juniper Rose has been at the cruel beck and call of her stepmother and stepsister. Her fantasies of escape mean leaving behind her father’s beloved home, but enough is enough: when Cal offers her a way out sooner rather than later, June takes the leap.

Cal’s home in Maine with his military brothers seems like the safest place to start fresh. But as Cal and June’s fairy-tale romance blossoms into something real, they find that the dangers stalking them may have been real all along.

••••••

REVIEW:THE ROYAL is the second instalment in Susan Stoker’s contemporary, adult GAME OF CHANCE erotic, romantic suspense series focusing on a group of former US Special Forces soldiers (Callum ‘Cal’ Redman, Kendrick ‘Bob’ Evans, Jackson ‘JJ’ Justice, Riggs ‘Chappy’ Chapman) who own and operate a tree service, search and rescue, Appalachian Trail maintenance company called Jack’s Lumber. This is thirty seven year old, Callum Redmon, and thirty-two year old, Juniper Rose’s story line. THE ROYAL can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

Told from several omniscient third person perspectives including Cal and June, THE ROYAL follows the building romance and relationship between thirty seven year old, Callum Redmon, and thirty-two year old, Juniper Rose. Callum Redmon is royalty; a prince who has chosen to live and work in America alongside his military brothers in the aftermath of his recovery from imprisonment and torture in the Middle East. At the request of his second cousin Carl, Cal has reluctantly agreed to work security for a young woman who claims to have a stalker but Cal begins to suspect this assignment is nothing but a ruse. Meeting house servant Juniper ‘June’ Rose gave Cal pause when he discovered June was a virtual slave of her step-mother and step-sisters, and within hours of arrival, Cal devises an exit plan for both him and the woman with whom he would fall in love. All is not well in the Rose household, and June is about to discover that ‘running’ away only places an even large target on her back. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Cal and June, and the potential fall-out as June comes face to face with her own stalker, and Cal struggles with the demons from the past.

The world building focuses on the imprisonment, torture and recovery for our story line hero. Callum Redmon, a prince by birth, was made to suffer by his captors for who he was, and what he represented. Scarred and slow to reintegrate into society, Cal struggles with his attraction and need for our story line heroine, battling between head and heart knowing he is no longer the man he had once been. As Cal and June dance around one another, June must prove Cal is worthy of both happiness and love, and a future together.

The relationship between Cal and June is one of immediate attraction but June struggles with issues of low self-esteem and poor body image; and Cal’s scars are a reminder of what was and what will never be. Saving June means taking out heroine away from the only family she has left but it also means protecting our heroine from the same people meant to do harm. The $ex scenes are passionate, erotic and intense without the use of over the top sexually graphic language and text.

The colorful and energetic secondary and supporting characters include Cal’s former military teammates and co-workers, as well as their significant others. We are introduced to June’s step-mother Elaine, and her step-sister Carla Green, and several members of a seniors home who become a second family, and protector for our story line heroine.

THE ROYAL is a Cinderella-esque story of betrayal and jealousy, power and control, abuse and neglect, freedom, acceptance and forgiveness, healing and love. The character driven premise is heart breaking and emotional; the romance is provocative and steamy; the characters are broken but struggling to heal.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one THE PROTECTOR

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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THE PROTECTOR (Game of Chance 1) by Susan Stoker -a review

THE PROTECTOR (Game of Chance 1) by Susan Stoker-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 14, 2023

Riggs “Chappy” Chapman didn’t expect to be disrupted at his remote cabin in the woods. But when a stray dog arrives on his porch, he winds up finding a stray woman, too, trudging through the snowstorm in search of shelter. His military days may be behind him, but Chappy is hardwired to protect her from the storm and whatever it is she’s running from.

Carlise Edwards didn’t expect her car to break down in the Maine wilderness. All she wants is to escape whoever is stalking her back home. There’s no way anyone’s going to find her and Chappy deep in the forest, especially not in dangerous weather. But she finds it hard to mind the circumstances when the company is this stimulating.

As the snowstorm rages, Chappy and Carlise find that, despite the cold, they can generate plenty of heat of their own…but there’s more than just natural dangers lurking in the woods.

•••••

REVIEW: THE PROTECTOR is the first instalment in Susan Stoker’s contemporary, adult GAME OF CHANCE erotic, romantic suspense series focusing on a group of former US Special Forces soldiers (Callum ‘Cal’ Redman, Kendrick ‘Bob’ Evans, Jackson ‘JJ’ Justice, Riggs ‘Chappy’ Chapman) who own and operate a tree service, search and rescue, Appalachian Trail maintenance company called Jack’s Lumber. This is thirty-four year old Riggs ‘Chappy’ Chapman, and thirty year old book translator Carlise Edwards’ story line.

Told from third person perspective THE PROTECTOR follows the building romance and relationship between thirty-four year old Riggs ‘Chappy’ Chapman, and thirty year old book translator Carlise Edwards. Three years earlier, Riggs, Callum, Kenrick and Jackson found themselves imprisoned by a group of terrorists. In between their torture and waiting for a rescue, the foursome made a pack to quit the army, and start a company of their own. Fast forward to present day, Riggs ‘Chappy’ Chapman is looking forward to some lone time, having ventured off towards his own cabin in the backwoods of Maine, where he will encounter his future in the guise of Carlise Edwards. A snow storm has his this particular area of Maine, and Carlise, on the run from an abusive ex, had to abandon her car when an accident left her stranded and alone.Wandering in the ice and the snow, Carlise will be found by a mangey dog, and what appears to be a very sick man. Enter Riggs ‘Chappy’ Chapman, the man with whom Carlise will fall in love. Riggs is sick; the winter flu has taken hold, and three days will pass before Riggs realizes he has probably survived with the help of the woman he found. What ensues is the quick building romance and relationship between Riggs and Carlise, and the potential fall-out as Carlise past returns to finish the job.

Carlise Edwards has a stalker, a stalker she believes to be her abusive ex-boyfriend but with no wifi or cell service, Carlise finds herself worried for the people she left behind. Without the help of Riggs ‘Chappy’ Chapman, Carlise probably would not have survived but their mutual attraction finds our couple professing their love within days of arrival. Riggs Chapman never expected to come face to face with another lost and wandering soul but Riggs suspected Carlise was hiding a secret, a secret that is about to threaten the life of the woman with whom Riggs is falling in love.

The relationship between Carlise and Riggs begins as a rescue but quickly turns into something more. Carlise spent three days nursing Riggs back to health, three days in which Carlise battle her attraction to a man she knew nothing about. Riggs knew immediately that Carlise is the woman that calls to his heart, and our hero is determined to claim Carlise as his own. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to Riggs fellow, formers US Special Forces teammates: Callum ‘Cal’ Redman, Kendrick ‘Bob’ Evans, Jackson ‘JJ’ Justice, as well as Carlise mother; her friend Suzie, and Riggs and Carlise foundling dog ‘Baxter’. Callum Redmon’s story line is next in THE ROYAL.

THE PROTECTOR is a story of betrayal and vengeance, jealousy and madness, family, friendships, relationships and love. The fast paced premise is intriguing and captivating; the romance is seductive and intense; the characters are energetic, charismatic and charming.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Refuge for Ailsa (Bluegrass Bravery) by Deanndra Hall-Review Tour

Refuge for Ailsa (Bluegrass Bravery/Police and Fire: Operation Alpha) by Deanndra Hall-Review Tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date

A vindictive psychopath is on the loose …

Thirty-nine-year-old Tavish Stewart is content being alone and focusing on his career as a Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources Conservation Officer. After all, love has never come easy to him. His parents resented him, and his ex-girlfriend destroyed him. The water and wildlife are all he knows—and wants. But when an accident on the water forces him to start questioning witnesses, Tavish is blown away by the red-haired Scottish beauty who runs the store.

Ailsa MacDougal is still reeling from failing to save her late husband from his addiction and rage. All she wants is to live quietly on her boat and fly under the radar. But meeting the sexy conservation officer rocks her to the core.

As Ailsa and Tavish begin to navigate the waters of a new, budding relationship, Tavish’s past threatens to destroy what they’re attempting to create. Suddenly, Ailsa’s life is on the line. Come Hell or high water, Tavish will do anything to save the woman who finally stole his heart. Will he find refuge for Ailsa before it’s too late?

••••••

REVIEW:REFUGE FOR AILSA is the fifteenth instalment in Deanndra Hall’s contemporary, adult Police and Fire: Operation Alpha Bluegrass Bravery erotic, romantic suspense series focusing on characters first introduced by author Susan Stoker. This is thirty-nine year old, Kentucky Department of Fire and Wildlife Resources Conservation Officer Tavish Stewart, and forty-four year old marina operator Ailsa MacDougal’s story line REFUGE FOR AILSA can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Tavish and Aisla) REFUGE FOR AILSA follows the building romance and relationship between thirty-nine year old, Kentucky Department of Fire and Wildlife Resources Conservation Officer Tavish Stewart, and forty-four year old marina operator Ailsa MacDougal. While on patrol, Officer Tavish Stewart is called to the scene of a possible murder, a murder AILSA MacDougal may have witnessed from afar. A call to the police finds Tavish interviewing our story line heroine, an interview that sparks a romantic interest between our story line couple but Tavish’s past refuses to let go, and takes aim at our story line heroine. What ensues is the rapidly building romance and relationship between Tavish and Ailsa, and the potential fall-out when Ailsa finds herself facing her mortality at the hands of a possible psychopathic killer.

The relationship between Ailsa and Tavish is quick to develop but both struggle with issues from the past. Having endured the abuse from, and the addiction of her late ex-husband, Ailsa was in no hurry to again fall in love. Tavish has always felt unwanted, and his parents made no attempt to show him love or understanding but his past is about to lay claim to the future, a future he wants with someone else. The $ex scenes are erotic and intense-our couple like to talk dirty in the bedroom or wherever they happen to land. ?

The secondary and supporting characters are energetic and numerous: Tavish’s sister Maureen, and her boyfriend Donovan aka Ailsa’s brother; Tavish’s parents Pete and Bonnie; Ailsa’s parents Magnus and Maeve, as well as Tavish’s ex Bridget Gilchrist, and deputy Harley Wright. We are reintroduced to Susan Stoker’s Conor Paxton and Morris Young.

REFUGE FOR AILSA is a story of obsession and madness; betrayal and vengeance; love and acceptance; family and friendships. The premise is intriguing and engaging; the romance is passionate and provocative; the characters are charismatic and colorful.

Previous Reviews

Shelter for Tanna
Justice for LIella
Fighting For Lorna
Justice for Maisey
Shelter For Nita
Justice forJoElla
Refuge for Flora
Fighting for Amethyst
Refuge for Phaedra
Refuge for Cherilyn

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Deanndra Hall is a working author living in the far western end of the beautiful Bluegrass State with her husband of over 35 years and small menagerie of weird little dogs. When she’s not writing, she’s editing. When she’s doing neither of those two things, she’s having dinner with friends, spending time with family, kayaking, eating chocolate, drinking beer or moonshine, or looking for something that she put in the wrong place and can’t seem to find (which is pretty much everything she owns).

 

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Deserving Alaska (The Refuge 1) by Susan Stoker-review tour

Deserving Alaska (The Refuge 1) by Susan Stoker-review tour

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo (paper) / Apple / / Google /

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3up8XqX

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release August 9, 2022

The Refuge is a place to heal. Where those who have experienced traumatic events can go to heal. It’s run by seven former military men who’ve seen more than their fair share of the ugliness in the world.

Friend-zoned since childhood by the most amazing man she’s ever known, that doesn’t stop Alaska Stein from doing whatever’s necessary—including lying to the military—to be by his side when Drake ends up in a German hospital after a mission gone wrong. The broken man in the bed is not the boy she once knew. Despite that, and despite years apart, when Drake turns his gaze to Alaska, he sees her. Looks beyond the plain-Jane exterior to his childhood friend beneath. He may never be anything more than a friend, but putting her needs aside to see him whole is a sacrifice she’s willing to make.

Drake “Brick” Vandine walks away from the SEALs after his recovery, building a life around helping others struggling with PTSD. But he can’t walk away from Alaska. She was there for him in his darkest moment and her spine of steel saw him through one of the biggest challenges of his career. And now, although she lives half a world away, she’s still his anchor, his daily dose of support as he and several friends build The Refuge. A place of peace, a place of healing. But, for Drake, also a place of loneliness.

When the unthinkable befalls Alaska during a trip to Russia, it’s Drake’s turn to drop everything and race to her aid. Safely back at The Refuge, he just as quickly realizes what he’s failed to see for two decades—his oldest, dearest friend is the love of his life.

A revelation that may be too little, too late. Because Drake’s brought the enemy right to their door.

**Deserving Alaska is the 1st book in The Refuge Series. Each book is a stand-alone, with no cliffhanger endings.

••••••••

REVIEW:DESERVING ALASKA is the first instalment in Susan Stoker’s contemporary, adult THE REFUGE erotic, romantic suspense series focusing on seven former military soldiers. This is forty-year old, former US Navy SEAL Drake ‘Brick’ Vandine, and thirty-nine year old, administrative assistant Alaska Stein’s story line.

WARNING: Due to the nature of the storyline premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

SOME BACKGROUND : Upon his release from the US Navy, Drake ‘Brick’ Vandine, and six other former members of the military (Stone, Owl, Pipe, Tiny, Spike and Tonka) banded together to buy land in the mountains of New Mexico where they would build and create The Refuge, a place of peace and recovery for people struggling with PTSD.

Told from third person perspective DESERVING ALASKA follows the childhood friends to lovers relationship between forty-year old, former US Navy SEAL Drake ‘Brick’ Vandine, and thirty-nine year old, administrative assistant Alaska Stein.

From the time she turned fourteen years old, Alaska Stein has had a crush on her neighbor, friend, and schoolmate Drake Vandine but Drake was going places without our story line heroine-Drake wanted to be a US Navy SEAL, and Alaska was destroyed when he left without saying goodbye. As the years passed, Alaska kept in touch with Drake’s mother but our heroine needed to escape the trailer park in which she was raised, opting to travel and work in Europe as an administrative assistant. The day would come when Alaska got a call from Drake’s mother saying that her son had been injured while on a secret mission as a Navy SEAL, and Alaska knew the only place she wanted to be was by Drake’s side. Four more years would pass before Drake would once again hear from Alaska, this time, Drake would be the one rescuing our story line heroine when she is abducted while touring alone through Russia, and held captive by a human trafficking ring, preparing to ship Alaska overseas. What ensues is the rebuilding friendship, and romance between Drake and Alaska, and the potential fall-out when the $ex trafficker comes looking for the property he owns.

Alaska Stein considers herself plain and unattractive, having felt like the ugly duckling all of her life. With issues of low self esteem, Alaska struggled in the wake of her abduction and capture for a human trafficking ring, a capture wherein she found herself targeted as an American citizen. Drake never expected to receive a call from our story line heroine, a coded call letting him know she was in trouble and needed his help. With the assistance of the men who own and operate The Refuge, Drake would rescue our heroine, and begin a slow seduction of the woman with whom he would fall in love.

The relationship between Drake and Alaska is a friends to lovers relationship in which Alaska struggles with issues of low self esteem, believing she is unworthy of Drake’s attention and love. Having been targeted for who she is, and what she represents, Alaska can’t believe the intended abuser continues to want what he paid for in full. Watching Alaska bloom at The Refuge means protecting our heroine when the past demands her return, a demand Drake is hoping never comes to fruition. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to Brick’s fellow owners at The Refuge: Stone, Owl, Pipe, Tiny, Spike and Tonka, as well as therapist Henley McClure, and in house chef Robert. There may be something developing between Henley and Tonka. The requisite evil has many faces.

DESERVING ALASKA is a story of obsession, power and control; betrayal and vengeance; family, friendships, relationships and love. The fast paced premise is intriguing, engaging and captivating; the romance is seductive and provocative; the characters are broken, struggling but trying to heal.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author, Susan Stoker has a heart as big as the state of Texas where she lives, but this all-American girl has also spent the last fourteen years living in Missouri, California, Colorado, and Indiana. She’s married to a retired Army man who now gets to follow her around the country.

She debuted her first series in 2014 and quickly followed that up with the SEAL of Protection Series, which solidified her love of writing and creating stories readers can get lost in.

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Trusting Cassidy (Silverstone 4) by Susan Stoker-a review

Trusting Cassidy (Silverstone 4) by Susan Stoker-a review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au / B&N paper /

Don’t own a Kindle? Download the FREE Amazon Kindle App for your mobile device or pc

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 16, 2021.

In this final installment of New York Times bestselling author Susan Stoker’s Silverstone series, a battle-scarred assassin must rescue an old flame from ruthless drug lords.

What was supposed to be a short trip to Jamaica becomes a years-long nightmare as Cassidy Hewitt and her son fall into the grip of an infamous drug kingpin. Desperate for rescue, Cassidy risks everything to send secret letters to the FBI, hoping someone, anyone, will answer her call.

When secret operative Leo “Gramps” Zanardi sees Cassidy’s letters, he knows this isn’t just another covert mission. The two had electric chemistry back in high school, and Leo finds himself eager for a reunion—even if the circumstances aren’t exactly ideal.

After arriving back in Indiana, Leo and Cassidy think they’re free to start a new life together. But the kingpin’s goons won’t let go of Cassidy so easily: they follow her from Jamaica, leaving carnage in their wake. Before the pair can fully embrace the love they’ve been missing all these years, they’ll need the entire Silverstone team’s help to be victorious in the showdown of their lives.

•••••••••

REVIEW: TRUSTING CASSIDY is the fourth and final instalment in Susan Stoker’s contemporary, adult SILVERSTONE erotic, military, romantic suspense series focusing on group of former US Special Forces soldiers, who own and operate Silverstone Towing. This is forty five year old Leo ‘Gramps’ Zanardi and forty-one year old, teacher/single mother Cassidy Hewitt’s story line. TRUSTING CASSIDY can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. The SILVERSTONE series is a spin off from the author’s Mountain Mercenaries series but you do not have to have read the aforementioned series to understand or follow the current timeline.

WARNING: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from dual third person perspective (Leo and Cassidy) TRUSTING CASSIDY follows the building romance and relationship between forty five year old Leo ‘Gramps’ Zanardi, and forty one year old, teacher and single mother Cassidy Hewitt. Five years earlier, following a contentious divorce, Cassidy Hewitt applied to be a teacher in Kingston Jamaica but quickly discovered she and her son were virtual prisoners of a drug kingpin who would target Cassidy’s now eleven year old son Mario to become another drug runner. Fast forward to present day, desperate to escape her captor, and return home to the USA, Cassidy writes a series of letters to the FBI, wherein former US Special Forces solider and high school friend Leo Zanardi grabs the assignment to rescue our heroine. Along with his fellow Silverstone soldiers, Leo would go in undercover in an attempt to locate and save the woman with whom he would fall in love but all does not go well, and trouble would follow our couple back to the United States. What ensues is the rescue and building relationship between Cassidy and Leo, and the potential fall-out as Cassidy and Mario are targeted placing everyone at Silverstone in the direct line of fire.

Leo Zanardi has loved Cassidy Hewitt since meeting our heroine in high school but Leo struggled with their four year age difference, and in this, left behind the woman with whom he would fall in love, only to return to our heroine married and a mother. Embarking on one final assignment Leo was determined to rescue Cassidy and her son, and claim the woman for his own happily ever after. Cassidy Hewitt was getting desperate to escape the prison in which she and her son were struggling to survive. Threats to their lives began to take a more ominous turn, and Cassidy wondered if they would ever make it home, alive.

The relationship between Cassidy and Leo is a high school friends to lovers, military rescue of a woman and her child from a notorious drug lord. Leo had not seen Cassidy for close to twenty-five years, twenty-five year in which Leo never forgot about the woman that got away. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The secondary and supporting characters include all of the previous story line couples. We are up close and personal as the next generation is born, looking five, ten, fifteen and twenty years into the future .

TRUSTING CASSIDY is a story of betrayal and abuse, search and rescue, friendships, relationships, acceptance and love. The premise is engaging, intriguing and emotional; the romance is seductive and captivating; the characters are energetic, charismatic and strong.

Previous reviews
Trusting Skylar
Trusting Taylor
Trusting Molly

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author, Susan Stoker has a heart as big as the state of Texas where she lives, but this all-American girl has also spent the last fourteen years living in Missouri, California, Colorado, and Indiana. She’s married to a retired Army man who now gets to follow her around the country.

She debuted her first series in 2014 and quickly followed that up with the SEAL of Protection Series, which solidified her love of writing and creating stories readers can get lost in.

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Trusting Molly (Silverstone 3) by Susan Stoker-a review

Trusting Molly (Silverstone 3) by Susan Stoker-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 13, 2021

When Mark “Smoke” Chamberlin ventures into the Nigerian jungle with his team of government assassins, his mission is clear: get in, kill the target, and make it out alive. With his extensive military experience, Smoke has no problem heading into dangerous territory. When it comes to love, though, he’s always been a little wary. But then he meets the beautiful, intrepid Molly Smith.

Schoolteacher Molly has been trying to outrun a lifetime of bad luck, and now she finds herself kidnapped along with a hundred schoolgirls in the jungle. But when Smoke finds them, Molly thinks her luck might be turning around—until she returns to the US to find her beloved grandparents murdered.

Devastated by their deaths and mystified by the turn of events, Molly turns to Smoke for comfort. But as Molly and Smoke grow closer, a different threat emerges…one that will put their relationship to the test and their lives in grave danger.

•••••••

REVIEW:TRUSTING MOLLY is the third instalment in Susan Stoker’s contemporary, adult SILVERSTONE romantic suspense series focusing on group of former US Special Forces soldiers, who own and operate Silverstone Towing. This is thirty-eight year old, Mark ‘Smoke’ Chamberlin, and thirty-five year old Molly Smith’s story line. TRUSTING MOLLY can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. The SILVERSTONE series is a spin off from the author’s Mountain Mercenaries series but you do not have to have read the aforementioned series to understand or follow the current timeline.

Told from three third person perspectives including Molly and Mark, TRUSTING MOLLY follows the Silverstone Team of former Special Forces operatives as they perform a search and rescue in the Nigerian jungle for a group of girls kidnapped by the Boko Haram but the girls are not the Team’s only target, as a missing American woman was last seen working the teenaged girls. As Mark ‘Smoke’ Chamberlin , and his Team spend more than a month searching for the missing girls, Molly Smith is targeted for who she is, and finds herself secluded in an underground hole. Rescued and recovering with the Silverstone Team, Molly will discover that everyone she loved back home was killed in a fire, a fire believed to be set by someone Molly once knew. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Molly and Mark, and the potential fall-out as Molly’s past comes hunting for our story line heroine.

Molly Smith is an environmental engineer and volunteered to work for her company in Nigeria but Molly is more or less on the run from a dangerous past, a past that is about to collect what he believes is his due. Mark Chamberlin fell immediately for our story line heroine. Protective to a fault, Mark offers Molly a place to stay, believing his security is enough to protect our story line heroine. Having watched several of his teammates fall in love, Mark wants the same, and Molly is the perfect fit for our story line hero. The $ex scenes are intimate, passionate and intense without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We welcome the return of Bull and Skylar, Eagle and Taylor, Gramps aka Leonardo, and Eagle aka Kellan; several Silverstone Towing employees including Bart Jose and Leigh; single father Shawn Archer, as well as Molly’s ex boyfriend Preston Weldon. Gramps and Cassidy’s story is next.

TRUSTING MOLLY is a story of obsession, betrayal and vengeance; search and rescue, acceptance, love and romance. The fast paced premise is engaging, captivating and gritty; the romance is stirring, tender and spirited ; the characters are animated, wary and honorable.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one TRUSTING SKYLAR

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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