Review: Duke with Benefits

Synopsis:

LADY + DUKE = TRUE LOVE?
Lady Daphne Forsyth is a brilliant mathematician with a burning passion for puzzles. When she learns that the library belonging to her benefactress houses the legendary Cameron Cipher—an encrypted message that, once solved, holds the key to great riches—Daphne is on the case. Unfortunately, her race to unlock the cipher’s code is continually thwarted by a deliciously handsome distraction she hadn’t counted on. . .and cannot resist.

Dalton Beauchamp, the Duke of Maitland, is curious as to why Daphne is spending so much time snooping around his aunt’s bookshelves. He’s even more intrigued by her bold yet calculating manner: She is unapologetic about her secret quest. . .and the fiery attraction that develops between them both. But how can they concentrate on solving a perplexing enigma once the prospect of true love enters the equation?

“Witty, sensual historical romance that will captivate readers.” —Romance Junkies
Duke with Benefits is the second in Manda Collins’ Studies in Scandal series set in Regency England.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Duke with Benefits by Manda Collins is a brilliant historical. Manda Collins has a lot to offer readers in this exciting tale. From a strong heroine with a stunning mathematical mind to a good looking Duke. Both travel together to solve a mystery that the Duke’s dead aunt left behind for them all. A cipher most wanted by all. If uncoded, can lead to a massive amount of gold that in the wrong hands can led to a war. But that’s not all. A spy once for the government is after the cipher. One person has died, another struggling to live, and two are kiddnapped. The action, intrigue, and suspense are worthy for all. I couldn’t stop reading this engaging romance. The heat level was enticing…I loved the Duke and his soon to be wife. But first he’ll have to convince her marriage to him is what she wants and needs. Overall, Duke with Benefits is addictive. I recommend it to readers worldwide. 

Review: Goodbye Days

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis:

What if you could spend one last day with someone you lost?

One day Carver Briggs had it all—three best friends, a supportive family, and a reputation as a talented writer at his high school, Nashville Academy for the Arts.

The next day he lost it all when he sent a simple text to his friend Mars, right before Mars, Eli, and Blake were killed in a car crash.

Now Carver can’t stop blaming himself for the accident, and he’s not the only one. Eli’s twin sister is trying to freeze him out of school with her death-ray stare. And Mars’s father, a powerful judge, is pressuring the district attorney to open a criminal investigation into Carver’s actions.

Luckily, Carver has some unexpected allies: Eli’s girlfriend, the only person to stand by him at school; Dr. Mendez, his new therapist; and Blake’s grandmother, who asks Carver to spend a Goodbye Day with her to share their memories and say a proper goodbye to his friend.

Soon the other families are asking for a Goodbye Day with Carver, but he’s unsure of their motives. Will they all be able to make peace with their losses, or will these Goodbye Days bring Carver one step closer to a complete breakdown or—even worse—prison? (less)

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Goodbye Days by Jeff Zentner is a stunning YA novel. Instantly, the plot dragged me into its depth. Deep, emotional, and troubling. As I read further, I wasn’t sure of what the outcome would be. Intrigue, sheer curiosity, and the intensity of the tale hooked me. Friends, death, loss, and uncertainty are major themes found on every page. The main character, Carver Briggs, has a way of luring me further into his life journey. Blame, angry, and heated moments are sure to follow…overall, Goodbye Days has the effect of breaking me into a million pieces and pulling me back together. That kind of epic adventure is truly one worth reading. I recommend this title by Jeff Zentner to readers worldwide. Whether one is a teen or an adult, the pages will send you falling into the book.

Review: Nothing Like a Duke

Synopsis:

A Georgette Heyer-esque tale of high society in the glittering Regency
Lord Robert Gresham has given up all hope that the beautiful Flora Jennings will ever take him seriously. He heads to an exclusive country house party to forget about Flora, but his plans are thwarted when she suddenly arrives.
Their attraction flares, but their romance becomes complicated when the sinister Anthony Durand shows up and threatens Flora. Every bone in Robert’s body says to save her…but he’ll have to learn that some damsels in distress can save themselves if he truly wants to win her heart. 

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Nothing Like a Duke by Jane Ashford is a hilarious yet romantic historical read. I loved the main characters. Their arguements were amusing. The sparks that flew between was fun to follow as the clever plot unfolded. Fast-paced, exciting, and one that will keep readers constantly on their toes. I didn’t know what to expect next. From a woman trying for a Duke’s attention when his heart is set on another to…a cheater found at the card table. Then, more danger is soon discovered. The unique part about Jane Ashford’s latest title, was how intelligent and stubborn her heroine was in wanting to save herself. The restrain of any man to hold back as he watched the danger unfold to a woman he loves…was amazing. Suspenseful but good. I cant imagine any man being able to ho,d back because he knows how important it was to the woman for her to ‘save herself’. Sacrifice, determination, and a love to light up my night. This was definitely a fascinating story. A real page turner. Addictive plot lines and charming characters. Overall, I highly recommend Nothing Like a Duke to readers worldwide. 

Review: Sister, Sister

Synopsis:
Alice: Beautiful, kind, manipulative, liar.
Claire: Intelligent, loyal, paranoid, jealous.
Claire thinks Alice is a manipulative liar who is trying to steal her life.

Alice thinks Claire is jealous of her long-lost return and place in their family.
One of them is telling the truth. The other is a maniac.

Two sisters. One truth.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Sister, Sister by Sue Fortin is phenomenal. Keeps readers guessing until the end. Secrets, past lives, and a new danger come whirling into Claire’s life. She lost her sister Alice as a kid. Now, married with kids of her own…a letter appears from her sister Alice. Saying she thinks she finally found Claire and her mother. But Claire’s smart and will soon find answers to what’s really happening. Deadly, suspenseful, and engaging. Sue Fortin has masterfully woven a tale about two sisters. One dies the other just barely makes it out alive. A man from Claire’s past will do everything to make sure her life is a complete mess. Like sowing doubt about her daughter’s real father. Pictures with dates…emails sent it seems even after death. Claire and her family will have a new fight on their hands. The sister so greatly wanted will finally be found. Life will go on…

Sister, Sister is both haunting and frightening. The emotional stress that Claire goes through is crazy.  The story is fast-paced and well-written. Once I entered the story, I couldn’t stop reading it. Powerful storytelling and believable characters. The fear will send shivers down anyone’s spine. Overall, I highly recommend this thriller to all. 

Review: A Merciful Death

Synopsis:

FBI special agent Mercy Kilpatrick has been waiting her whole life for disaster to strike. A prepper since childhood, Mercy grew up living off the land—and off the grid—in rural Eagle’s Nest, Oregon. Until a shocking tragedy tore her family apart and forced her to leave home. Now a predator known as the cave man is targeting the survivalists in her hometown, murdering them in their homes, stealing huge numbers of weapons, and creating federal suspicion of a possible domestic terrorism event. But the crime scene details are eerily familiar to an unsolved mystery from Mercy’s past.

Sent by the FBI to assist local law enforcement, Mercy returns to Eagle’s Nest to face the family who shunned her while maintaining the facade of a law-abiding citizen. There, she meets police chief Truman Daly, whose uncle was the cave man’s latest victim. He sees the survivalist side of her that she desperately tries to hide, but if she lets him get close enough to learn her secret, she might not survive the fallout…

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

A Merciful Death by Kendra Elliot is stunning, cleaver, and suspenseful. Every page lured me further into the book. The plot is fast-paced, thrilling, and deadly. I was intrigued. FBI specialist, Mercy Kilpatrick, had me wanting to know more about her backstory. Her past is now colliding with her present life. Sent to work a crime scene in her hometown brings back so many memories. Mercy is tough, smart, and believable. She has a way of making me sympathize with her. Her family history is about to open up…and there’s a murder investigation that needs solving. Someone is killing survivors one-by-one. Mery’s partner, Eddie is also another fascinating character. A city boy who is beyond observant and a people person. His working relationship with Mercy is enjoyable to follow. Then, there is the police chief. He soon makes Mercy’s life more complicated than ever. Kendra Elliot has once again, brought another masterpiece to life. Her characters are brilliant. I enjoyed meeting each one as the story progressed. A Merciful Death has intrigue, romance, and murder. It has enough spookiness, romance, and emotions to drag readers into its depth. Overall, I highly recommend it to all. 

Review: Love Your Enemies in Case Your Friends Turn Out to be Bastards (Organizational Case Studies Examining Worksite Politics)

Synopsis:

Know Your Enemies… features two sections written from totally different perspectives, each vantage point designed to assist in the interpretation and survival of worksite politics.

Section One is a collection of 37 Vignettes, some humorous, some not so humorous – anecdotes describing examples of worksite dysfunction, interspersed with diagnostic clarification (summaries every fifth or sixth Vignette) to help generate ideas and increase awareness and knowledge of the ploys utilized by a few to manipulate the unwary.
Section Two is a 180-degree shift in writing style, this time utilizing an integrated methodological approach to examine organization dysfunction and the predators within the infrastructure, and to provide coping strategies/techniques, in essence a cadre of survival skills, to reduce risk of exploitation and increase quality of work life and empowerment.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Love Your Enemies In Case Your Friends Turn Out to be Bastards by Jake Hagerman is quite an interesting read. The book is easily written in a way that anyone can relate to as well as enjoy. Entertaining, informative, and powerful. Tons of situations that are a combination of real and fake that lures readers deeper into the messages being presented. A creative nonfiction piece that is part memoir and part fiction. I found it enlightening. The writer’s experiences were believable. Readers can put themselves into these parts. The understanding and knowledge are clear. Jake Hagerman carefully divided his nonfiction book into two sides. One that shows readers what happens and the other how to survive through those events. Legal, personal, and environmental aspects played an important role in this book. The topic entirely focuses on the mental health care and the work environment. It was great reading the writer’s insights to everything happening. His reflections were deep and thought provoking. The way the professional and personal lives overlapped made this a great book. It was like reading the same content from two perspectives. In the workforce, it’s like a zoo. Without proper organization, communication, and proper strategies nothing will work as effectively or efficiently as it should. I found everything inside motivating. Jake Hagerman was like a coach guiding and showing me the way. Love Your Enemies…is indeed a book that I would recommend to others. Skill sets are crucial and this book helps to build them.

Amazon link: Love Your Enemies

Review: Tea Planter’s Wife

Synopsis:

#1 International bestselling novel set in 1920s Ceylon, about a young English woman who marries a charming tea plantation owner and widower, only to discover he’s keeping terrible secrets about his past, including what happened to his first wife, that lead to devastating consequences.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

The Tea Planter’s Wife by Dinah Jefferies is a captivating read. A historical that sucks readers straight into its world. I was mesmerized by the tale. From the beginning, I liked the main character. A young woman who marries a man and leaves everything behind her. The story weaves an emotional journey that dragged me deeply into it. Frustrating, sad, and mysterious. Dinah Jefferies has woven a book that will hook readers into the life of her novel. A time in history when things were so much simplier yet harder. Marriage life is portrayed as something that is like a rough sea. Both terrifying and rocky. Giving birth to a baby, usually makes a marriage more cemented. Yet, this marriage felt like it was spiraling deeper and further apart. Every page kept me lured. I was so intrigued and wondered what would happen next. A mystery surrounding Lawerence’s first wife creates a hostile and intense environment throughout the tale. Gwen is a female character that all could sympathize with and love. She brings a softness to the tale’s rough edges. Darkness creeps around the couple and holds fast onto the, squeezing out the happiness and only leaving painful memories behind. The Tea Planter’s Wife is bold, engaging, and rich. I loved reading it. This was a historical novel, I won’t be forgetting…the memory of it shall linger in my mind forever. Overall, I recommend this stunning well-written story to all. 

Reviews: Big Flies

Synopsis:

After Chester Daniel David, highly celebrated travel writer and hospitality critic, dies in an automobile accident, his son, Leland, is the heir to his prosperous estate. Among the late writer’s possessions are stacks of magazines hidden in an attic that suggest that his stories about his world travels were less than authentic.

As Leland grew up, it seemed as if his father was never home. If he wasn’t at the exotic locations depicted in the various publications, then where was he? What was he doing?

In a witty mystery that simultaneously follows the lives of the father and son, clues that Chester leaves behind point to notorious unsolved crimes committed within a fifteen-year span:

• The D. B. Cooper plane skyjacking and ransom demand in the Pacific Northwest
• The theft from a Caribbean museum of a twenty-four-carat-gold cross recovered from a sixteenth-century shipwreck
• The inexplicable vanishing of $1 million from the Chicago First National Bank
• The theft of a collection of priceless artifacts from a Mexican anthropological museum

As Leland unlocks the mysteries surrounding his father’s true life, he finds himself with even more unfathomable questions that he never anticipated asking about his family—and himself.

Rating: 5 stars

Review:

Big Flies by Keith Hirshland is a great read. I found myself intrigued by this talented writer’s style. It switched back and forth from two of his characters’ point of view. They told the story. Imagine losing both parents and finally after the loss of the second parent, the truth of that parent comes to light. What was once thought to be truth is far from it. A mystery woven into another mystery. The suspense was great. I enjoyed following the characters throughout the book. A son trying to discovery what he dad was and really is. I can relate to that as well. My dad is quite a mystery himself. Some questions still are not answered and maybe never will be. However, this novel was realistic, stunning, and one that all readers can easily connect to in one or more ways. Brilliant, clever, and mysterious. Keith Hirshland has a way that lured me in deep. I couldn’t stop reading it. Overall, Big Flies is one mystery I highly recommend to all. 

Review: Lost Time

 

Synopsis:

If someone took everything you live for, how far would you go to get it back?

When a faulty time machine deposits Diego in a towering evergreen, he knows he’s in the wrong place—but has no idea he’s in the wrong time. Naked and shivering in the chilly mountain air, he attempts to climb down, but slips, whacks his head on a branch, and falls into oblivion.

He wakes up inside a darkened room, crippled and disheartened, and must come to grips with the realization that he is marooned in a bleak alternate future. In this universe, what remains of the human race is trapped inside a handful of aging biodomes. With his mission failed, his world destroyed, and the one woman he loves, dead, he can find no reason to go on living.

But Lani, the emotionally scarred doctor who finds him, refuses to let him die, and as Diego heals, their relationship becomes… complicated. He struggles to let go of the past but is unable to get Isabel out of his head—or his heart. Just when it seems he may be able to find some measure of happiness in a world teetering on the edge of extinction…

Another note arrives from the future: Isabel is alive—but not for long…

Rating: 5 stars

Review:

Lost Time by DL Orton is definitely one of the best postapocalyptic novels I have ever read. This second book in the Between Two Evils Series is a highly suspenseful read. Full of action, danger, and time travel traveling. The characters inside this stunning novel are believable and enjoyable to follow along. DL Orton’s writing is fantastic. I can’t get enough of her three-dimensional world of fiction. So much at risk and there’s only so much time left. Romance, time travel, and science fiction fantasy elements that readers everywhere will love.

Lost Time brings readers to a man who ends up somewhere with no clothes and clutching a shell. Humanity is almost on the brink of ending…and his love is trapped some place else. He thought she was dead but it turns out that she’s alive. However, she will only be alive for so much longer…can love conquer time? engaging, hilarious, and well-written. I loved reading this tale. Overall, I highly recommend this second masterpiece, Lost Time, to readers worldwide.