Month: December 2017

December 15, 2017

Imperfect Justice Book Review

In Imperfect Justice, Emily and Reid are thrown together in a race to save Kaylene’s surviving daughter, Emily and Reid pursue the constantly evasive truth. If they can hang on to hope together, can they save a young girl—and find a future for themselves in the process?

About Imperfect Justice

To the world it seems obvious: Kaylene Adams killed her daughter and then was shot by police. Attorney Emilie Wesley knows a different story: Kaylene would never hurt anyone and was looking for a way out of a controlling, abusive relationship. Her death shakes Emilie’s belief that she can make a difference for women in violent marriages. Self-doubt plagues her as she struggles to continue her work in the wake of the tragedy.

Reid Billings thought he knew his sister—right up until he learned how she died. He discovers a letter from Kaylene begging him to fight for custody of her daughters if anything should happen to her. No attorney in her right mind would support an uncle instead of the father in a custody case, but Kaylene’s letter claims Emilie Wesley will help him.

Thrown together in a race to save Kaylene’s surviving daughter, Emily and Reid pursue the constantly evasive truth. If they can hang on to hope together, can they save a young girl—and find a future for themselves in the process?

My Thoughts

Imperfect Justice is a thrilling, suspenseful novel that leaves you hopeful and yet angry at the same time.

In this novel, spousal abuse is addressed which is a very sensitive topic. Attorney Emilie works with women to help them escape their abusive husbands or partners. She puts her whole heart into her work and most of the time she is successful. Her one case, Kaylene, ended very badly and this has left her shattered and looking for answers. Kaylene was framed for the murder of her daughter and then suicide. Her other daughter, the one who could provide answers, is left in a coma with her Father watching over her.

Emilie knows in her heart that Kaylene could never do what she is accused of doing but is conflicted on what she should do. Everyone tells her to leave it alone, don’t tie up the business in the murder, that all evidence points to Kaylene. Emilie on the other hand trusts her gut instincts and follows her heart. While she couldn’t save Kaylene, she would preserve her name and save her other daughter.

She teams up with Kaylene’s brother and that is when a lot begins to go wrong. She is being harassed and she begins to question everything she ever knew. It is a race against time for herself and Reid to prove the most difficult thing in the world – the Kaylene’s ex-husband is the murder and abuser.

This novel is full of a lot of raw emotions and may have triggers for some people. It is difficult to read about Kaylene and the other women in this novel stories. You know that this more than likely has happened and will continue to happen. We know the cycle of abuse and the negative effects it can have on children but sometimes feel helpless. Even Emilie herself feels stretched and heartbroken at times.

The novel itself is well written and keeps you on your toes. You want nothing more than for Emilie to put away Kaylene’s ex-husband away for life and for him to get what he deserves. But the plot constantly thickens as she unravels the truth and then there is a second layer of mystery with someone trying to harm Emilie herself. This is an excellent story from start to finish.

You can find more reviews on the Litfuse blog tour page. You can purchase a copy of this book here.

Rating: 5/5

About the Author

Cara Putman is the author of more than 25 legal thrillers, historical romances, and romantic suspense novels. She has won or been a finalist for honors including the ACFW Book of the Year and the Christian Retailing’s BEST Award. Cara graduated high school at 16, college at 20, completed her law degree at 27, and recently received her MBA. She is a practicing attorney, teaches undergraduate and graduate law courses at a Big Ten business school, and is a homeschooling mom of four. She lives with her husband and children in Indiana.

Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

December 14, 2017

Always Red Book Review

Always Red is the second and final book in this sexy series.

About Always Red

“Red,” Caleb whispered. “Do you know how I felt when you left me?”

I looked into his eyes. The emotion I saw in them, the intensity, and the tenderness filled up my throat.

“I felt ruined. Because, Red, every time you break me apart, you put me back together. And I always come out better than before.”

“So,” he cupped my face, stroking my cheek with his thumb. “Ruin me.”

My Thoughts

Always Red is the continuation of Chasing Red and picks up exactly where it left off – with both Caleb and Veronica devastated and separated. Veronica felt that she would be better off without the heart ache and pain that loving Caleb comes with. It is hard to truly allow ourselves to love another person – it is scary as we open ourselves up for hurt, to having to trust someone else, to insecurities and more. When you have had a difficult past and feel as though you don’t deserve love (and in Veronica’s case where she was told this), it can be so difficult to allow herself to accept and give love. This is where she finds herself at the beginning of this novel. Scared to let herself love Caleb because he has caused her pain and she doesn’t know if she can handle a future of this. She is forced to decide is a future without Caleb worth it?

Caleb is in so much pain at the thought of losing Red – in such a short time she has become his everything. He finds no joy in all of the things he had loved before without Red in his life. Caleb is the love that so many women are looking for. He has a joy of life, full of love and wants to make Red’s life better not to mention being her protector!

When the couple tries to make it work again they are faced not only with their own insecurities and past but so many others trying to ensure that they will not have a future. This is where it gets very interesting as a young woman who was Caleb’s childhood friend enters their life and does everything she can to manipulate, hurt and tear the two apart.

Always Red was a well written, intense novel. I love the way Isabelle writes as you feel as though you are a part of the story. You invest so much of your heart into Caleb and Red, wanting to see them happy and together. You laugh and cry along with them, you get mad on their behalf and you just want the best for them. I really hope that there is a third book in this series! I would love to see how the next chapter evolves.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.

Rating: 5/5

About the Author

Isabelle Ronin is the author of Wattpad reader phenomenon CHASING RED. With over 150 million reads, Chasing Red was Wattpad’s top-read story of 2016. The story continues to attract one million reads per week. When she’s not writing, Isabelle can be found hanging out in bookstores, cafes, and whenever possible, the beach. Isabelle lives in Manitoba, Canada. Her stories can be found on Wattpad, www.wattpad.com/isabelleronin.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

December 12, 2017

Cook Healthy and Quick #DKCanada

What is one of the greatest barriers people state when it comes to eating healthy? Time! Let Cook Healthy and Quick guide you to making healthy and fast meals for the whole family.

About Cook Healthy and Quick

Want to eat healthy – fast? Cook Healthy & Quick makes it simple. This cookbook includes 300 easy-to-follow recipes that tap into the latest health trends, from gluten-free eating to intermittent fasting. Bursting with ideas for clean and green salads, plant-based main courses, protein-paired breakfasts, and grab-and-go snacks that can all be prepared in 30 minutes or less, Cook Healthy & Quick doesn’t require combing through a health food store for the ingredients; they can all be found at your local supermarket.

Get inspired by the food photography throughout the book. Keep track of your calorie, fat, and sugar intake with the detailed nutritional information highlighted for each recipe, from Muffin Frittatas to No-Cook Mozzarella Salad to Marinated Lamb Chops, Cajun-Spiced Salmon, Crispy Seasoned Vegetable Chips, Chocolate-Covered Kiwi Pops, and more.

My Thoughts

Life is busy whether you have one partner staying at home or with both parents working. Many families (and individuals as well) are constantly on the go – from work, to doctor and dentist appointments, to extra curricular activities and to the holidays. The last thing so many of us want to do is to have to come home, cook an elaborate meal while trying to make sure it hits all the nutritional guidelines. Many of us have good intentions and will check the internet for recipes, print them out, get the ingredients but then when the day comes we are too tired and resort to the old and faithful recipes. I am one of those!

This recipe book breaks daily meals down not only by the type of meal (breakfast, soups, mains, sides, etc..) but also by time. Only have fifteen minutes to whip together something before soccer practice? Check the list in the beginning of the book and head straight to those pages to pick out a recipe. All of the recipes (and there are over 300) can be prepared in under thirty minutes. Most of the ingredients you will find at home in your pantry but some of the items are a bit more specific (for example not all of us stock veal or liver in our freezer). There are enough recipes that you could easily prepare two weeks of meals that are different each day and gives you plenty of variety while satisfying the whole families personal preferences.

The recipes each take up about one page and include a colour photo as well as easy to follow instructions that are straight and to the point leaving no guess-work. Each recipe also includes a colour coded nutritional guide that highlights whether the recipe is dairy free, low in saturated fat, high fiber, gluten free and so on. Which is very helpful for those that have dietary restrictions due to health or personal reasons.

This recipe book would make an excellent gift for the cook in your life, the individual that loves healthy food but just doesn’t have the time to prepare meals and even a young adult moving out on their own who needs to learn how to prepare healthy meals for themselves.

You can purchase a copy of this book on DK Canada and Amazon.

Rating: 4.5/5

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

December 12, 2017

Chasing Red Book Review

In Chasing Red, she was supposed to be his ruin but he was more than happy to let her be.

About Chasing Red

Caleb Lockhart has everything―wealth, adoration, a brilliant future. Until a chance encounter with a siren in a red dress changes everything. Until he meets the woman he dubs Red.

Veronica Strafford’s past makes it hard for her to trust anyone. Now, kicked out of her apartment, she reluctantly accepts Caleb’s offer for a place to stay.

Caleb feels intensely drawn to Veronica. And, for the first time in his life, he really wants something―someone. Too bad Veronica’s heart might just be the one thing Caleb can’t win.

My Thoughts

Chasing Red was chosen as one of Goodreads’ 21 Big Books of Fall and I can definitely see why! It is sexy, witty and a breath of fresh air.

We have two characters that on the outside are complete opposites. One is super rich, very attracted and used to getting what he wants from women. His whole future is already set up for him once he graduates because of how influential his family is. On the outside he has it all but on the inside could he be yearning for more? On the other hand, we have Veronica (Red), who grew up with her Mother poor and with an abusive Father who blamed her for their social economic status. She has had to work hard for everything she has and consequently has thrown up walls to keep others out so not to cause her any more hurt.

While on the outside they are so different, on the inside they are both yearning for more. They want people to see them for who they really are and not the image they portray in society. They are both longing for love and yet so scared of it because of their past. Neither of them are good at opening up, admitting what it is they are truly feeling and consequently trusting the other person with their heart and feelings.

This novel was well written, witty, sexy and full of life. You feel as though you are right there with the characters, Caleb had me laughing at his comments and you can just picture that care free (but underneath full of heart) man who would do anything for Red. In this first book, we watch as our characters struggle with opening up and trusting each other. We learn just enough of their past to understand why they are hesitant but makes you wish that they can find a way to get over their past. The ending leaves you craving for more! I could not wait to start book two, Always Red.

Chasing Red is a definite must read for young adults and adults a like who love romance, humour and real life struggles built-in. You can purchase a copy of Chasing Red on Amazon.

Rating: 5/5

About the Author

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

December 11, 2017

Fragile Chaos Audiobook Review

Can Cassia and Theo end the mortal war and return balance to the earth and heavens? Or, will their game of fate lead down a path of destruction, betrayal, and romance neither of them saw coming?

About Fragile Chaos

Every fiber of my being is woven from the rage of mortals.

Theodric, the young God of War, has a talent for inciting conflict and bloodshed. After being stripped of his powers by his older brother, King of Gods, he sets out to instigate a mortal war to prove himself worthy of being restored to power.

I loved Kisk once; it was my home… But that was before. This is now.

Sixteen-year-old Cassia, like many in the modern era, believes gods and goddesses to be just a myth. Enemy to her country and an orphan of the war, she has no time for fairy tales. That’s until religious zealots from Theo’s sect offer her up as a sacrifice.

Can Cassia and Theo end the mortal war and return balance to the earth and heavens? Or, will their game of fate lead down a path of destruction, betrayal, and romance neither of them saw coming?

My Thoughts

This was an AMAZING audiobook from the start, I was hooked and could not stop listening. It was full of power, strength, romance and myth – everything I love and more.

The setting takes place in a mythical world with people praying and sacrificing to the Gods but so many of them have actually forgotten the Gods themselves or have dreamed up a different version of the Gods in their own minds. Cassia is a young woman who is betrayed by her country who view her as an enemy. Her parents are gone and she has lost everything she held dear.

Near the beginning of the book, Cassia is sacrificed to the God of War by her fellow citizens. You can just imagine her shock, pain and the sting of betrayal. Theo, the God of War, accepts her as a sacrifice and brings her to his home. While he does this he doesn’t initially full accept her as his “bride”.

Theo is full of raw power, strength and an almost anger. War and fighting is in his blood and he is plagued with sibling rivalry and his own betrayals. Cassia, with her innocence and proud nature, brings out a new side of him. One of hope and trusting. We watch as his character evolves and he slowly begins to fall in love with her.

The pair are thrown together not by choice but soon discover they have a strong attraction towards each other. They have to learn to trust but with their past history and the current political and war going on this makes it very difficult. They would tend to take one step forward and two steps back.

The plot in this story is amazing and I loved every moment of it. What I really enjoyed was having the two narrators, male and female. This made a huge difference in the telling of this story and really helped to bring the story to life. They also included background noise (chatter/rocks crumbling, etc..) which made the novel that much more real. I have never listened to that type of book before and it was fantastic.

This is a definite must listen to audiobook, you will not be disappointed.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Audible, Amazon and iTunes.

Rating: 5/5

About the Author

Amber R. Duell was born and raised in a small town in Central New York. While it will always be home, she’s spent the last six years living in Germany and Maine as a military wife where the next step is always an adventure.

When Amber isn’t writing, she’s wrangling her two young sons. She is a lover of history, a fan of snowboarding, and a travel enthusiast. In her downtime, she can be found curling up with a good book and a cat or two.

About the Narrators

Bradley Pittman is a producer and freelance musician living and working in Atlanta. He received a bachelor’s degree in audio production from Georgia State University in 2016. Though he most commonly works on musical projects, he began self-producing audiobook chapters in 2015 as a way to unite his love of studio production with his love of literature.

Jamie-Lee Lewis, aka Jaylew, hails from the island of Jamaica. Since a small child, she’s always had a hyper imagination. She enjoys writing and telling stories, singing and composing songs, entertaining and edifying, playing different characters as well as creating them through drawings, and finding the beauty and fun in everything she does. She is currently a professional and passionate Youtuber.

Audio Excerpt

The Giveaway

Fragile Chaos Giveaway: $5 Amazon Gift Card/eBook OR Headphones/Mug/Tea

Disclosure: I received an audiobook in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.