Review of “Grave Island”, by Andrew Smyth

Philip Hennessey, a British Intelligence Officer is set up by someone who he thought was a friend. His place is raided by Military Police, who find files in his possession that say, “Top Secret – Not to be Taken Out”.  He knew that he had some files, but no Top-Secret files in his possession. Who could have planted them, and why? He knows he has a tendency to be too rough when he gets angry, but that would not be a reason for someone to plant files and contact the Military Police. James takes his punishment for the files, even though they were not put there by him. He knows they were planted and asks a friend, Ali to see if he can figure out who put them there, by seeing who the last person was to have the files.

 

Greta Satchwell, a woman who needs someone to help her figure out why her father died. She believes he was murdered and needs someone who can investigate his death and find out why he died. He went to the hospital for a routine surgery and ended up dead. He was a wealthy man who worked with some questionable people in Greta’s eyes. She believed they had him killed because he had some trouble with a project they were working on together, he had lost some money on it. Greta was given James’ name by Sally, his ex-wife. Greta and Sally had gone to school together and Sally felt that since James is no longer in the military, he would have some time on his hands and be able to help Greta.

 

The death of Mr. Satchwell will lead Philip into a world of trouble with his investigation. He will travel to Africa, Malaysia, and South Africa to chase down the real culprit for Mr. Satchwell’s death. He will be pulled into a world of counterfeit prescriptions and the underworld of drugs and drug cartels. The path to find the drugs is a scary path and his intelligence training will come in handy while he is investigating where the drugs came from.

 

I liked this book, but it was not a favorite of mine. There were a lot of twists and turns in the book which kept my interest, but the book did not draw me in all the way. I give this book a 3.5 star rating.

Review of ‘Hideaway (Devil’s Night #2)’, by Penelope Douglas @PenDouglas

Hideaway

Kai Mori, did his time and has now returned to Meridian City with his sights set on revenge. He has a lot of darkness inside him though and is better off when he is alone. He hides away from his friends because he needs the space to find himself and to hide from the shame he feels for all of his bad decisions. Kai is ashamed of his bad choices he has made in life and the dishonor he has brought to his family and the disappointment he feels from his father. His sole purpose becomes finding Damon and getting the information that Damon has that could destroy him and send him back to prison. He has an idea to get Damon, but will it destroy Kai instead? Will he be able to get out of the darkness?

Banks works for Damon Torrence’s father. Which is unusual because she is a woman, and according to Gabriel Torrence, women were only good for sex. They had no power in his life or household. How did she work for him and have any power or control over anything? She was a woman that had more power than most would know. She had her own secrets and her control was only over one person. She needed to find Damon and make sure that he had control over himself and then they could continue on with their plan to rule their own world and lives. It would just them against the world. The biggest question was who was she to Damon?

Kai and Banks met six years ago when Banks snuck into the confessional. She was a mystery to Kai then and now she is a bigger mystery. Can he find out what power she has over Damon, who she really is, or how her life fits into Damon’s?

I bought this book once I finished Corrupt because I became so engrossed in the storyline that I had to read the next book in the series. I really liked this story as much as I did Corrupt (Devil’s Night #1), and I look forward to the next book in the series. These stories are dark, but they are about love, loyalty, friendship, and family. Kai will do anything in his power to keep the people he loves safe and out of harm’s way. I give this story a 4.5-star review.

Review of Corrupt (Devil’s Night #1), by Penelope Douglas @PenDouglas

Corrupt

I received an audio of this book via a contest and I loved it. I started it on audio, but when I was not able to listen to it, I read the book. I absolutely loved the story. The story of a wealthy community where the families are wealthy, controlling, and have power that keeps their children from getting into legal trouble.

Erika Fane, a young girl who lost her father and her mother is so consumed by grief that she may as well be on her own. She is cared for by a family that was close to hers. The Crist Family lives next door to the Fane’s and Mr. Crist has control of Erika’s inheritance until she graduates college or turns 25. Erika (Rika) is the sweetheart of Thunder Bay. She is in love with the oldest Crist son, Michael, but she has just broken up with the youngest son, Trevor. She has been infatuated with Michael for years, but she believes that he does not see her.

Michael Crist, the eldest Crist son, who has just graduated college and was immediately picked up by the Meridian City Storm, an NBA team. He didn’t follow in his father’s footsteps and he never did what his father wanted. He was the black sheep of the family in his father’s eyes. He was the leader of the Four Horseman when they were in school and his group of friends, Kai Mori, Damon Torrence, and Will Grayson III, were just as tough as he was. They did what they wanted, when they wanted. They did not have to face up to their crimes as teens, until Devil’s Night four years ago, and now the Four Horsemen want their revenge. Three of them went to prison.

This is a love story and a bit of a psychological thriller. The Four Horsemen have come back together with a plan to torture Rika and make her pay for a past mistake. Their plan could actually kill someone.

I received an audio of this book via a contest and I loved it. I started it on audio, and I read the Kindle version at times. I absolutely loved the story. The story of a wealthy community where the families are wealthy, controlling, and have power that keeps their children from getting into legal trouble. I really liked this story and enjoyed the narrations in the audio version as well. The audio version really brought the story to life for me. I give this story a 4.5-star review. I look forward to more in this series.

Review of “One Click”, by Andrea Mara @HiddenGemsBooks @office_mum #TuesdayBookBlog

One Click

Lauren is a mother, and a counseling psychologist who is on vacation with her two teenage daughters in Italy. She has a blog where she posts photos along with posting them on twitter. She posts what she thinks is an innocent photo, but it goes viral and draws the attention of one person who will go to any extent to find out who the woman is in the photo and she takes out her anger and frustration on Lauren when she won’t share who the woman is in the photo.

Cleo a young woman who is on vacation in Italy as well. Unbeknownst to her, she is also now an internet sensation. She has no problem with it when she finds out, but now that someone is trying to find out who she is after seeing the photo, she becomes a little concerned. She confronts the only person she can think of that would be trolling Lauren to get her name. She has a past that she thinks is coming back to haunt her. The only thing is, Cleo is not afraid to confront her past. Surprisingly, her recent past is not what is causing the problem, but she gets closer there by her confrontation.

Twists and turns throughout this book. I was so drawn into this story it was hard to put it down. It drew me in from the first page. There were twists on just about every page. I love to read a suspense story and think that I have figured it out before I finish it, but this one made me question each thing I came up with. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, another wrench was thrown into my deductions. This was a great read, if you like to read psychological thrillers, suspense, and stories about social media, this is the book to pick up. It has all of this and more in it. It really shows the hazards of social media and makes one stop and reconsider what they are posting on-line. It so well done that as the reader, I felt that they could have been talking about me. I really enjoyed this story and I give it a 5 star review.

Review of “Roses & Thorns: Women” Book 2 in the Roses & Thorns Series, by Bry Ann

Roses

Nooooo! I am crushed! Dang it woman, you are killing me here!

The women in Roses & Thorns: Women are very strong and can be very dangerous when they are hurt, or someone they love is hurt or crossed. They are the perfect partner for the men they are with in Roses & Thorns. Boss and Sven are dangerous men who rule their world. Boss is the head of the mafia and Sven is his Underboss, second in command. These men will kill or destroy their enemy without a second thought, that is until they meet Lacey and Rose. Then we see the vulnerable side of them both.

Sven kidnapped Rose in Roses & Thorns because she wanted to be his. After she left him and was on the run for short time, he realized that he would do anything to get her back in his life and his bed. Rose was a tech at a mental facility where Sven met her, when he was a patient. She lives for her work and has a habit of not eating. The only person who can get her to eat is Sven. Rose is a woman who thrives on helping others. She is a soft hearted woman who feels that she has to make up for her father’s sins.

Lacey is a woman who has been used for most of her life. Boss has a soft spot for her and would do anything to heal her and make her better. He knows he is the reason for most of the pain she has received. He is now trying to make up for it. She brings out the good part of him, but he’s worried it will destroy him.

I am loving this series, but was crushed at the end of Roses & Thorns: Women. There better be a surprise in the next books. I don’t mind a cliff hanger, but dang it. This one was devastating.

If you like a dark romance, with strong characters, I would highly recommend this series. I was in tears reading this story. I give Roses & Thorns: Women a 4.5 star review.

 

Review of “Clarissa – Awakening”, by Jack Lauriger @Jacek_Lauriger

Clarissa is a woman who has made a vow to make changes in her life and bring the spark back into her marriage. She’s in her 30’s, married with two teenage children. She works for a beverage company as an HR Manager.

Clarissa is finding her life to be dull and routine. She is tired of the routine and wants to rekindle the spark with her husband Jonathan and find some excitement in their relationship. Jonathan is a probate lawyer and likes the routine their life has become. Clarissa has always been a woman who likes a little bit of adventure and spontaneity, but as she has matured, she has curbed it and maintained the decorum expected of her.

I enjoyed this story. It was a bit different than what I generally read, but the story is well written and insightful as well as entertaining to read. I really liked the chapter about her teacher at school, I think it was probably my favorite. I loved reading about Puchi. I found the part about Poland to be insightful, and interesting.

I could relate to Clarissa in the sense of her relationship with her husband and children. I think that when some women reach a certain age, and their children don’t need them the same as they did when they were younger, we look for something to keep us feeling as if we are needed and wanted. Clarissa’s desire to rekindle the spark in her marriage is a natural feeling.

This is the first book in a series and I look forward to reading more about Clarissa and her search for who she is now that her children are older and find their way in life. I give this book a 4.5 star review and hope to read more about Clarissa in the future.

22nd May 2nd Awakening Cover

Review of “We Other”, by Sue Bentley. #WeOther @rararesources @suebentleywords

We Other with quote V2

Jess Morgan, a young girl who doesn’t know who she really is yet. She’s had a rough life growing up and living with her mother, an alcoholic. She doesn’t fit in at school and she really doesn’t care to. Jess finds out that her life is not what she thought it was. She keeps to herself and does what she wants most of the time. Will she ever find her way in life?

Caleb Farmer, a young man who would love to spend his days drawing instead of working at his fathers hardware store. The store isn’t as popular as it once was and there are few customers. His relationship with his father is strained and his mother’s health is failing. Will his life ever be happy?

A good book that shows the lives of two young adults who are trying to find their way through life and find their place in the world. Jess is a strong young woman who stands up for herself and those that she cares about. Caleb is a young man who wants to live his life and find happiness, not be bullied by someone who is supposed to care about him. They will go through some scary times as well as some rough times. We are introduced to a world that is magical, scary, and at times dark. There are some faeries that you would not want to meet in the dark of night, but there are some that fit the ideas that most have of faeries.

If you like stories of coming of age, faeries, twists, and family secrets coming to light, I highly recommend that you read this book. I give this book a 4 star review.

ARC Review of Sin, by M. Malone and Nana Malone @minxmalone @nanamalone @LWoodsPR

Wow! The men and women of Blake Security are strong, loyal, lethal, and sexy. They are lethal alone, but when they defend as a team, they are quite the deadly team. They will fight and die for each other to protect their family. There is no doubt they care about each other and will defend each other to the end.

When Matthias finds out the truth about Gemma he is pissed. He has shut down again and may not come back from this. His monster may have been let loose this time for good. A childhood of seeing women being treated like they were nothing made Matthias realize that the evil in the world needed to be destroyed. He works with a team that will help and defend anyone that comes to them for help, and they are good at their job.

I don’t mind a cliff hanger as I know that the next book will be here soon enough, but this one just about killed me when I finished this story. June 19 cannot come quick enough, when Sinful will be out and I can read it!

This book by far is one of the best I have read so far this year, and its not complete yet. I loved the light side of Matthias in this book, and the way Rafe, Noah, and Oskar pick on him is so much like brothers teasing each other. I was laughing out loud while reading this chapter. With such a serious and scary character as Matthias, the soft and the vulnerable side of him make him so much hotter. Which is the same for all of the men of Blake Security.

I give Sin a 5 ⭐️ review. I look forward to Sinful and many more books with the Blake Security Team to come.

Sin_Cover

☀️ ☀️ Out of the Dusk, by Leigh Robbins ☀️ ☀️ @LRobbins_Author @HiddenGemsBooks

 

Out of the Dust

This was the third book in the Never Lose Sight Series.  It was a very well written story. It was raw at times and it had me tearing up, laughing, and cheering for these two. Brett and Lauren had a lot to overcome before they could move on with their lives. 

Brett Parker spent most of his adult life as a Marine, fighting for his country and his life. He’s done with the death and destruction of war and now wants to reclaim his life and win back the woman who stole his heart. After making a promise to his dying mother he is determined to get her back in his arms and keep her forever.

Lauren Terrelli a woman who has finally gotten her life straight after heartbreak and a tragedy in her young life. She’s moved on and making her life with her best friend and partner in her bakery. One phone call could change everything in her life. The boy who broke her heart almost ten years ago wants back in her life.

They’re older now and so many things have happened in their lives. Can they find each other again and make things work this time? Will their past few years determine their fate? Can Lauren help Brett come back from a terrible war and be whole again? Brett has a lot of work ahead of him to transition back to civilian life and he needs to learn to share that with the woman he says he loves, but pride and fear may make it too hard for him to do.

I loved this story. It was raw at times and it was sweet at times. I was pulling for Brett and Lauren the whole time. They are perfect for each other and their love can help them heal if they could learn to communicate with each other.

I am hoping there will be more in this series because I would love to hear more about Hunter. I give this story a 4.5 ⭐️ review.

Review of Archangel: Fire from Heaven – Book 2, by Ava Martell @msavamartell @HiddenGemsBooks

Archangel Michael is God’s Blade, God’s Poison, God’s Bloody Fists. Does he have a mind of his own? He has a heart, but can he follow it? Should he follow it? Lucifer has followed his. Why can’t Michael follow his own heart too?

Archangel Michael has been the one to bring down God’s punishments when told, without questions. He has done things that he now wishes he hadn’t. He has lived his life doing as he was told. The one time he ignored the calls from Heaven he was in his own Heaven and didn’t want to let it go. Although he had to eventually, or he would lose it for good.

Elissa is a woman who was conceived under pretense so that her mother could bear a son for her father, but it didn’t happen. When she was born she was shunned by her family, and it was of no fault by her. She lives a life of neglect and finds her way to a real life at an early age. When she finds her own life she helps those who are shunned and mistreated. After two hundred years, Elissa is still helping the mistreated in the world and has joined forces with an angel to do it. They are not flashy about how they go about their business, but their work is passed through quiet channels.

This was a good story and I really enjoyed reading about Michael and Elissa. They have to find their way back to each other and their strength that comes out when they are a team. I look forward to more of the Fire from Heaven Series and hope that a story is in the future for Caila and Phenex. I give this book a 4 star review.