Category: book review

January 16, 2017

Ready Set Rogue Book Review

Ready Set Rogue is the first in Manda Collins’ new series set in Regency England.

About Ready Set Rogue

When scholarly Miss Ivy Wareham receives word that she s one of four young ladies who have inherited Lady Celeste Beauchamp’s estate with a magnificent private library, she packs her trunks straightaway. Unfortunately, Lady Celeste’s nephew, the rakish Quill Beauchamp, Marquess of Kerr, is determined to interrupt her studies one way or another.

Bequeathing Beauchamp House to four blue stockings no matter how lovely they are to look at is a travesty, and Quill simply wont have it. But Lady Celeste’s death is not quite as straightforward as it first seemed and if Quill hopes to solve the mystery behind her demise, he will need Ivy’s help. Along the way, he is surprised to learn that bookish Ivy stirs a passion and longing that he has never known. This rogue believes he s finally met his match but can Quill convince clever, skeptical Ivy that his love is no fiction?

My Thoughts

A fantastic, romantic and full of suspense novel based on four young ladies who were given an estate by an elderly scholarly Lady, against the wishes of her family – especially the wishes of Quill. When Quill goes to reclaim his ancestral home from the young women, he is surprised not only by their wit but their strength and determination. From the moment he arrives, he learns that Lady Celeste’s death was not quite what it seemed and not only did his Aunt not trust him with the truth, she only trusted Ivy, one of the young ladies she had given her home to.

Quill needs to learn to accept and work with Ivy, which at first is difficult for him but he slowly learns to trust and respect her thoughts and ideas. Even more so they begin to slowly fall for each other, a romance that neither would have expected but can not ignore! What I loved the most about this novel was that while there was the romance between Quill and Ivy, this did not take over the novel. Instead we have the mysterious death of Lady Celeste and the journey these two go on in order to solve the mystery. The ending was incredible and far from what I expected (which I love in a novel!).

Ready, Set, Rogue is a well written suspenseful, historical romance that you will fall in love with. Ivy is a character that you can directly relate to and end up holding a tender spot for. You want her to uncover the mysterious plot and to realize she deserves love and romance. This novel was a great overall read that you will enjoy over and over again.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon, iBooks, Barnes & Noble and Kobo.

Rating: 4/5

About the Author

Manda Collins spent her teen years wishing she’d been born a couple of centuries earlier, preferably in the English countryside. Time travel being what it is, she resigned herself to life with electricity and indoor plumbing, and read lots of books. An affinity for books led to a graduate degree in English, followed by another in Librarianship. By day, she works as an academic librarian at a small liberal arts college, where she teaches college students how to navigate the tangled world of academic research. A native of coastal Alabama, Manda lives in the house her mother grew up in with two cats, sometimes a dog, sometimes her sister, and more books than strictly necessary.

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

December 15, 2016

Theodoric Saga Book Review

In the Theodoric Saga, what will triumph? Love of country or love of mate?

The Crown of Anavrea

The Theodoric Saga Book 1

by Rachel Rossano

Genre: Historical Romance

In a time when castles were the strongest…in a place where combat was face to face…Labren was on the run. He hid his true name and he admitted it freely.

In a time when slavery was legal…in a place where kings were all-powerful…Eve,a slave, appeared in the right place at the right time.

Eve saved his life. In return, he offered her the opportunity of freedom. She did not know what would happen to her if she chose to accept his proposal, but she did know the consequences of rejecting it.

My Thoughts

I found myself torn with this story – I loved the plot but I was left wishing for just a little bit more to their story. The plot was excellent – full of adventure, suspense and just enough romance. We have a man who was rescued and cared for by a slave. Little did this slave woman know that he was a Prince on the run, with a bounty on his head by his Father. She cared and tended to him and in return he freed her from her slavery. It wasn’t until his wounds became more fatal that he was forced to seek help from trusted friends and have to tell her the truth. Eve took this with grace – she trusted Labren fully and would do anything for him.

I loved the plot line and the characters but I just would have loved to see a bit more depth in the character development or even a little bit more detail in the plot line. It seemed almost rushed at times. I still loved the story and can’t wait to read book two and three in this saga!

Rating: 4/5

Goodreads * Amazon

The King of Anavrea

The Theodoric Saga Book 2

A reluctant king, a blind queen, and a marriage that sparked a rebellion…

Ireic Theodoric, King of Anavrea, constantly battles with his council over who will

run the country. When the council insists on a treaty with Sardmara, he agrees. However, the

treaty quickly becomes an arranged marriage. Ireic offers up himself for the sake of Anavrea. But

after he signs, no princess appears.

Lirth Parnan, only daughter of the king of Sardmara, survives alone in a cold, damp

tower room. Baron Tor kidnapped her in an attempt to control her father. No one came to claim

her. She suspects her father considers her flawed beyond use in his political games. After five

years of waiting, her hope of rescue wanes with her health.

After Ireic fights his way into Lirth’s tower, he realizes the depths of her father’s

deception. Instead of being an answer to his problems, Lirth creates new ones. The council will

not accept her as queen, but Ireic has sworn an oath that he will marry her. His choice could cost

him his throne, perhaps his life.

Goodreads* Amazon

The Reward of Anavrea

The Theodoric Saga Book 3

She couldn’t hide forever.

A hard life taught Jayne to avoid men, powerful men most of all. When a new nobleman arrives to

take over the vargar, she takes her family and hides. But the new baron seeks her out and makes

her an offer she can’t refuse: protection. However, once they were sheltered behind the dark

stone walls of the vargar, who would protect her from the new master?

His reward isn’t what it seems.

King Ireic of Anavrea charges Liam, a former bodyguard, with the task of retaking

and taming a corner of the northern wilds. Upon arrival at Ashwyn Vargar, Liam finds challenges

beyond his military experience. The keys to the vargar are missing and so are the field hands who

should be harvesting the fields. Once he finds the keeper of the keys, she raises more questions

than answers.

Goodreads * Amazon

Rachel Rossano

specializes in clean romantic fiction set in historical-feeling fantasy worlds. She also dabbles in

straightforward historical romance and not-so-strict speculative fiction.

A happily married mother of three small children, she divides her time between mothering, teaching, and writing. She

endeavors to enchant, thrill, entertain, and amuse through her work. A constant student, she

seeks to improve her skills and loves to hear from readers.

Blog * Facebook * Twitter

* Youtube * Goodreads * Amazon

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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

December 15, 2016

Rhynan Saga Book Tour

Duty

Novels of Rhynan Book 1

by Rachel Rossano

Genre: Historical Romance

Duty to King

Tomas Dyrease, the newly made Earl of Irvaine and the village of Wisenvale, owes his good fortune to his king and the recent civil war. When his benefactor demands Tomas marry the cousin of a noble, he obeys. However, no one warned him that she wasn’t a typical noblewoman.

Duty to Others

Brielle Solarius struggles to keep her village from starvation under the new Lord Wisten, her cousin. The men rode off to war and never returned. The remaining women and children face a dire winter if they do not find a solution soon. When she learns her cousin sold her into marriage to save his life, she isn’t surprised. However, she is taken aback by Lord Irvaine’s unpolished ways. Was this man a noble or a foot soldier?

Duty to Each Other

Bound by Bound by the words of their vows, they face a rough future. They must forge a marriage while battling betrayal, accusations of treason, and villains from the past. Survival depends on their precarious trust in each other. Failure could mean death.

My Thoughts

I fell in love with this book! The plot was unique, which I loved with excellent character development. Tomas and Brielle were special main characters and I loved watching them grow as individuals and as a couple. They are both bound by duty and honour, although they start off not knowing each other and may be a little distrustful – through a series of misadventures they are drawn together. They definitely did not have an easy start to their marriage as they fall victim to evil plots, attempted murders and more! I couldn’t tell you who I loved more – Tomas was a favourite because of his flaws, his honesty and his trustworthiness. Brielle for her confidence, bravery and independence. You just keep rooting for them to open up enough to each other and wish them peace and happiness.

The story is well written with well-developed characters and an excellent plot line. I can’t wait to read the next two books in this series!

Rating: 5/5

Goodreads * Amazon

Honor

Novels of Rhynan Book 2

The Earl of Dentin excels in his position as Securer of the Realm. But the king’s order to pluck an orphaned child from a loving home unsettles Dentin.When a dark-eyed woman challenges his honor regarding the mission, Dentin finds himself unable to justify his actions or get her out of his mind. Something about her lack of fear intrigues him.

Lady Elsa Reeve attempts to avoid the marriage of convenience her brother and mother demand of her. She understands the need to pay off her brother’s massive debt. She only wants her family to consider her wishes in the process.

As Elsa becomes further entangled in a snare of her brother’s creating, only one man defends her. But can she trust Dentin, her unlikely champion, and his motives? With a murderer on the loose, Elsa’s fate in jeopardy, and a traitor plotting against the king, Dentin finds his priorities shifting in an unexpected direction.

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The Making of a Man: A Short Story Anthology

(Novels of Rhynan)

This is a short story anthology.

The Earl of Dentin returns. Eight stories ranging from short story

to novelette in length give us greater understanding into why Dentin is the complex and enigmatic

man he is. It also includes new adventures that happen between Honor and the next Rhynan novel.

Passing the Mantle – An ill-fated hunting trip

Forging Friendships – Recruiting able-bodied men ineligible for knighthood

The Sword of Korma Monroe – A sword made for trouble

Turning Point – A duke and an earl plot treason

The Bittersweet Pear – A marital misunderstanding

Isbeth’s Redemption – Dentin doesn’t make a good first impression

A Squire’s Love – Reginald’s quest

Restoration – A trip to Braulyn produces unexpected company

Goodreads * Amazon

Rachel Rossano specializes in clean romantic fiction set in

historical-feeling fantasy worlds. She also dabbles in straightforward historical romance and not

so-strict speculative fiction. A

happily married mother of three small children, she divides her time between mothering, teaching,

and writing. She endeavors to enchant, thrill, entertain, and amuse through her work. A constant

student, she seeks to improve her skills and loves to hear from readers.

Blog * Facebook * Twitter * Youtube * Goodreads

* Amazon

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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

December 12, 2016

Disruption Book Review

In Disruption, there are two types of people: those who have been hacked and know it, and those who have been hacked and don’t know it.

About Disruption

There are two types of people: those who have been hacked and know it, and those who have been hacked and don’t know it.

Former Naval Intelligence Officer turned secret operative Jake Pendleton finds himself in a pulse-pounding race to stop a cyber-terrorist from releasing a string of the most heinous cyber-crimes the world has ever seen. Crimes that could render the world’s advanced technology useless.

Jake teams with his partner, Francesca Catanzaro, to track down their only lead, a white-hat hacker in Italy known only as The Jew. A man who might hold the key to stop a group of black-hat hackers from causing worldwide chaos—tag named Disruption.

After a search of the hacker’s flat in Rome turns up empty, Jake and Francesca follow the clues—a trail of dead bodies that leads them across Europe. Along the way, Jake discovers a possible link between recent hacks and a Malaysian airliner that mysteriously disappeared.

In the final adrenaline-charged moments before Disruption, Jake and Francesca find themselves in a high-voltage race to stop these cyber terrorists from unleashing destruction against their sworn mortal enemy.

My Thoughts

Hacking is one of the scary topics that you hear about but don’t always understand. I know I don’t understand it as much as I should! We put so much out there on the internet and it is scary to know how accessible this information is.

This novel brings hacking to the forefront in an exciting and scary way. The plot line was fantastic – I could not put this novel down it was so exciting! Between the schemes, terror plots, hacking and murders, my mind was blown!

Our two key characters Jake and Francesca play a central role in a race to try to stop the cyber terrorists from causing global destruction against the Western world that would threaten to push them back hundreds of years. The plot unfolds in a unique manner and you are never quite sure what is going to happen next. It is only near the end that the story fully comes together and you can fully understand and appreciate the plot. The murders add in a whole new level of suspense and fear to this adventure packed novel.

Disruption is a well written, exciting and suspenseful novel. I love the way he writes and have already read this novel again. It is a definite must read that will leave you questioning things you do online and share. I will definitely be looking into his other novels because of his superior writing and plots.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Audible.

Rating: 5/5

About the Author

Chuck Barrett is the bestselling author of the Award-Winning Jake Pendleton series—Breach of Power, The Toymaker, and The Savannah Project, as well as his latest award-winning blockbuster, BLOWN, the first book in his new Gregg Kaplan series.

In addition to writing thrillers, Barrett speaks and conducts workshops at book festivals, book clubs, reading groups, writers conferences, and writers groups. Some of his topics include Nuts & Bolts of Self-Publishing based on his book—Publishing Unchained: An Off-Beat Guide To Independent Publishing—as well as, Blueprint for a Successful Book Launch, Getting from ‘Idea’ to ‘Finished Manuscript,’ Mysteries & Thrillers: Fact or Fiction, and Adding the “What if” in Storytelling.

Barrett is a graduate of Auburn University and a retired air traffic controller. He also holds a Commercial Pilot Certificate, Flight Instructor Certificate, and a Dive Master rating. He enjoys fly fishing, hiking, and most things outdoors. He and his wife, Debi currently reside in Colorado.

The Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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

December 12, 2016

Relentless Book Review

In Relentless, with the help of an unconventional therapist with secrets of her own, the hunt is on and Gina fights for her life in this harrowing tale of cat and mouse.

About Relentless

“The little girl lay under the hay stack scarcely breathing. Sweat poured down her face and dripped into her eyes; her heart pounded through her thin chest. Tiny flecks of hay clung to her wet skin, making her itch. She squeezed her nose tightly afraid she’d sneeze. Eyes clamped shut, she lay there. Flies buzzed around her, crawling on her. She didn’t move. She didn’t know how long she’d been there in the loft. She didn’t care how long she stayed. She couldn’t move. Not yet.”

Nearly a lifetime after a childhood filled with misery and abuse, Gina, now a successful doctor, finds herself thrown back into a terrifying world where her nightmares become far more than just a dream. With the help of an unconventional therapist with secrets of her own, the hunt is on and Gina fights for her life in this harrowing tale of cat and mouse.

My Thoughts

A very powerful story of abuse, murder and how one young girl escapes only to find her history following her. Gina was abused as a young girl by a family member, while her family stood by and let it happen. Years later and several identity changes, Gina is a successful doctor who has everything going for her. Then the nightmares begin and Gina finds it hard to tell fact from fiction.

As the nightmares return, they do so slowly. Giving Gina a glimpse at a past that she tried so hard to forget and which she did. She struggles very badly with these memories and visits a therapist, who is much more than your average therapist. Murders begin to happen with greater frequency and they seem to match up with the memories that Gina has but just can’t quite access.

The plot was excellent with two stories unfolding – the murders and the investigation into these murders and the unravelling of Gina’s memories and her history. It was frightening and suspenseful watching these two stories unfold and the way they overlapped. I was terrified for Gina and wanted badly for the investigators to solve the murders, I was scared for her throughout the novel. The man who wants to see her murdered is an awful person that just gives you the chills. The end was incredible and the perfect ending to this intense novel.

I loved every moment of this intense novel, I read it all in one sitting. You just don’t want to put it down. It is powerful, frightening and suspenseful – full of mystery and revenge.

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

Rating: 5/5

About the Author

Love of the mystery/thriller genre combines with psychotherapy training and experience to produce an emotionally supercharged dramatic novel. Nancy Alexander has devoted much of her professional life to helping survivors of childhood trauma; their distress has been ingrained and works to create characters who give voice to their plight. To analyze the evil minds that prey on others and the intricacies of law enforcers who pursue them seemed a natural interlacing of professional, literary and creative interests.

The Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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