Cover Reveal: Laird by Cassia Brightmore

 

 

Laird by: Cassia Brightmore

Genre: Historical Dark Romance

Release Date: June 23, 2018

Cover Design: Simply Defined Art

Model: Lance Jones

Photographer: LJ Photography

 

 

Sold.

Traded into the hands of a vicious man as a pawn in war.

Blair Cowan might have been brave, but nothing terrified her more than the dark soulless eyes of the Laird that owned her.

Fearing for her life or not, if he thought she would ever bend to his will; he was about to embark on the greatest battle of his life.

 

Grown men feared his wrath.

The fiercest warriors ran from his sword.

Battlefields stained in blood spoke of his victories; while vast lands sang of his savage need to possess everything in his path.

And yet, one slip of a girl dared to defy him.

Laird Duncan MuCullogh was not a man to be underestimated. Blair’s fate was his alone to decide. Breaking her would be his greatest accomplishment.

 

Ensnared in a deadly battle between clans, betrayal ran deep and death knocked often. Amidst the struggle to rise, two powerful Lairds would stop at nothing to be the last man standing. No matter the devious acts they needed to commit to get there.

 

Conquer. Annihilate. Defeat.

The Highlands of Scotland will never be the same.

 

 

 

Head on over to Cassia’s Author Page on Facebook to enter an exclusive giveaway!

 

 

 

 

Cassia Brightmore is a Canadian dark romance author. She loves writing dark stories with twisted characters that she hopes will thrill the reader as well as make them fall in love.

 

She loves hockey, video games and online shopping. If she’s not writing or editing, you can usually find her doing one of these things. Writing is her passion and publishing her first book as an indie author is truly a dream come true.

 

Her titles include:

 

The Darkness Series

Book One: Malevolent

Book Two: Evanesce

Book Three: Denouement

Book Four: Repentance

 

The Trauma Series

Book One: Lincoln Hospital

Book Two: Flatline

Book Three: Resuscitation

 

Standalones

Unworthy

The Book Splash Horror Story

 

FACEBOOK     WEBSITE     EMAIL     INSTAGRAM

 

 

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Review: Trumpets of Jericho by J. Michael Dolan

 

 

 

 

Synopsis:

The Trumpets of Jericho is the first book, and only novel, devoted in its entirety to one of the more remarkable if lesser-known stories of the Holocaust–the defiant 1944 Jewish armed revolt at the Nazi death camp Auschwitz– and the just as inspiring account of the four young female conspirators arrested and savagely tortured by the Gestapo during the investigation that followed.

As one of the architects of the rebellion, the 22-year-old Roza Robota, arguably the greatest Jewish heroine to come out of the Holocaust yet little remembered today, is brought to vivid and long-overdue life. Meet her and the rest of the heroes, and villains, in this epochal saga that will both thrill and horrify you at the heights and depths our unpredictable kind is capable of reaching.

In Trumpets, the historian, J. Michael Dolan has produced a work that he believes will stir you as deeply as its subject has him. In conjunction with bringing this epic tale to light, he explores, among other themes, religion and the existence of God, the psychology of genocide, friendship and romantic love, sexual and other pathologies, the nature of good and evil, right and wrong.

Above all, he shows how the most monstrous crime ever committed was in the end no match for the indomitability, the grandeur of the human spirit.

“As moving as Schindler’s List, horrific as Son of Saul, heroic as The Grey Zone… an adventure of a book destined itself for Hollywood.” –Raja-Rao Literary Endowment

Rating: 4.5-stars

Review:

Trumpets of Jericho by J. Michael Dolan is a fascinating account of World War II. The darkest time period in history. I am a huge fan on anything that shows me what it was like during that time era. The horrors of what people went through was an emotional journey unlike any other. I loved how historian, J. Michael Dolan, used both fictional and real characters for his book. It was easy to follow along. Loss, grief, and death followed every page. The plot was engaging. It portrayed a realistic telling of those events in 1944. I greatly appreciated how much history and research the writer did. It was like being teleported back in time. A  time full of dangerous, deadly, and intense situations. Danger existed everywhere back then.

Trumpets of Jericho, is a must read  for all. It is both an educational and entertaining story. S much history to relive and remember. Plus, there are some heroic figures I do not remember studying in school and have learned by reading this novel. One such heroine, was Roza Roberta.   I was able to connect with her immediately. She fought against the wrongs of this horror from the Holocaust. She was a strong character that I really liked. The story took me straight back to Auschwitz, known as the death camp. I cried reading this…It was well-told. I can see this historical novel being a bestselling movie one day. I would so watch it! There are multiple themes associated with the crimes committed during this era. It was interesting to read. Overall, I recommend this powerful story, Trumpets of Jericho, to all readers.

 

 

Review: Journey to Munich by Jacqueline Winspear

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis:

Working with the British Secret Service on an undercover mission, Maisie Dobbs is sent to Hitler’s Germany in this thrilling tale of danger and intrigue—the twelfth novel in Jacqueline Winspear’s New York Times bestselling “series that seems to get better with each entry” (Wall Street Journal).

It’s early 1938, and Maisie Dobbs is back in England. On a fine yet chilly morning, as she walks towards Fitzroy Square—a place of many memories—she is intercepted by Brian Huntley and Robert MacFarlane of the Secret Service. The German government has agreed to release a British subject from prison, but only if he is handed over to a family member. Because the man’s wife is bedridden and his daughter has been killed in an accident, the Secret Service wants Maisie—who bears a striking resemblance to the daughter—to retrieve the man from Dachau, on the outskirts of Munich.

The British government is not alone in its interest in Maisie’s travel plans. Her nemesis—the man she holds responsible for her husband’s death—has learned of her journey, and is also desperate for her help.

Traveling into the heart of Nazi Germany, Maisie encounters unexpected dangers—and finds herself questioning whether it’s time to return to the work she loved. But the Secret Service may have other ideas. . . .

Rating: 4-stars

Review:

Journey to Munich by Jacqueline Winspear is a historical novel that took me back to Nazi Germany. It would have been more beneficial to me, if I had read the previous books in this series. I would have loved getting to watch the main protagonist, Maisie Dobbs grow and work her way through each plot. This journey had its filling of danger, intrigue, and mystery. The focus was on the secret service and their recapturing of a war prisoner from Germany. This is where famous Maisie Dobbs came into the factor. She is sent to retrieve that prisoner being released from Germany.

Maisie Dobbs has worked as a detective and nurse. Her knowledge is great. She has been avoiding her family. Loss, grief, and moving forward are just a few of the things Maisie went through in this story. I was able to connect with the character. She was strong, determined, and restless mostly. Always needing something to preoccupy herself.

I enjoyed the historical time period and how it was captured for my entertainment. I felt like I did get sent back into time. However, the government spies and handling was strange. It didn’t feel like it was good representation of how they operated. But still, this was a work of fiction, and thus, it could be anyway the writer wanted it. The gossip and other minor characters were fun to follow. Priscilla is an interesting lady. I really liked her. She made me laugh and feel like I was right there the whole time. Journey to Munich offered action, adventure, and suspense. I was happy with the plot. It wasn’t fast-paced but it was steady enough that I did not give up on it. There were plenty of risk that made reading this novel worth it. Overall, I recommend it to readers everywhere.

 

 

 

Review: X-Ops Exposed by Paige Tyler

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis:

 

HE LEFT TO KEEP HER SAFE
Believing he’s too dangerous to be among people, feline hybrid Tanner Howland retreats deep into the forests of Washington State—with no choice but to leave behind the woman who’s captured his heart. What he doesn’t know is that she followed him…

SHE WOULDN’T STAY BEHIND
Heartbroken and determined, Dr. Zarina Sokolov tracks Tanner into the wild. Her presence unleashes Tanner’s protective instinct—big time. Locals have been disappearing and he is desperate for Zarina to leave. As the kidnappings escalate, Tanner must embrace the dangerous instincts he fears so much. But with Zarina at his side, he’ll have to learn to control his animal impulses, or lose himself—and the woman he loves—to the beast within.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

X-Ops Exposed by Paige Tyler is an exciting paranormal romantic suspense read. I was thoroughly engaged, hooked, and in love with this book. It was full of danger, excitement, risks, and hot steamy scenes too.

I couldn’t get enough of Tanner Howland. He is the kind of man every woman wants in her life and every man wants as his best friend and backup. Tanner is a tough soldier who went through a lifetime of hellish situations. But somehow he’s managed to keep living and moving forward. Sure, he still struggles with real-life issues that all men could relate to him, but he is still the perfect hero. Tough yet kind as hell, Tanner is irresistible.

Dr. Zarina Sokolvo is Russian. I can see and hear her speak as the plot ran by me. I was fascinated with this scientist. She was kidnapped to work on a biological scheme for evil men. They took men off the streets to inject them with hybrid syrum to transform them from humans to animals. Many died from this experiment. Dr. Zarina wanted no part but teed like hell to stop them. She risked her life to save Tanner. Tanner has never forgotten her help nor who that bright woman was…

Life is messy. Complications arise as Dr. Zarina and Tanner are brought together again. Trouble comes  crashing down around them sending them apart once more. But Dr. Zarina does not give up that easily nor does Tanner. Overall, X-Ops Exposed by Paige Tyler was sexy as hell and full of action. I could not stop reading this novel. I would highly recommend it to all readers.

Review: The Diplomat’s Daughter by Karin Tanabe

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis:

During the turbulent months following the 1941 bombing of Pearl Harbor, twenty-one-year-old Emi Kato, the daughter of a Japanese diplomat, is locked behind barbed wire in a Texas internment camp. She feels hopeless until she meets handsome young Christian Lange, whose German-born parents were wrongfully arrested for un-American activities. Together, they live as prisoners with thousands of other German and Japanese families, but discover that love can bloom in even the bleakest circumstances.

When Emi and her mother are abruptly sent back to Japan, Christian enlists in the US Army, with his sights set on the Pacific front—and, he hopes, a reunion with Emi—unaware that her first love, Leo Hartmann, the son of wealthy of Austrian parents and now a Jewish refugee in Shanghai, may still have her heart.

Fearful of bombings in Tokyo, Emi’s parents send her to a remote resort town in the mountains, where many in the foreign community have fled. Cut off from her family, struggling with growing depression and hunger, Emi repeatedly risks her life to help keep her community safe—all while wondering if the two men she loves are still alive.

As Christian Lange struggles to adapt to life as a soldier, his unit pushes its way from the South Pacific to Okinawa, where one of the bloodiest battles of World War II awaits them. Meanwhile, in Japanese-occupied Shanghai, as Leo fights to survive the squalor of the Jewish ghetto, a surprise confrontation with a Nazi officer threatens his life. For each man, Emi Kato is never far from their minds.

Flung together by war, passion, and extraordinary acts of selflessness, the paths of these three remarkable young people will collide as the fighting on the Pacific front crescendos. With her “elegant and extremely gratifying” (USA Today) storytelling, Karin Tanabe paints a stunning portrait of a turning point in history.

Rating: 3-stars

Review:

The Diplomat’s Daughter by Karin Tanabe is a historical novel that just never hit it off with me. I felt more distaste for the characters than I have for any other book’s characters. They sunk my interest. The Japanese woman, Emi, was completely unlikable. I couldn’t connect with her on any level. She believes she is far greater than anyone else. She fell in love with two men. When one of them found happiness with another woman more mature than Emi, Emi tore the letter bearing the news. Anger, hatred, and sadness crept into her nature. Yet, there was still Christian remaining in the equation. Hope seeped into her being…and when she found him, she thought he was still the most handsome man he was when she first met him. Thoughts of what if she found him missing an eye or other body part…or what if he became ugly due to war injuries, would she have still accepted him or simply reject him? I could not like her at all. Even at the end, I still did not find anything about her to like.

Karin Tanabe wrote about the war time periods with great detail. I enjoyed that part of this book. The plot was slow and unbearable due to the characterization. The Diplomat’s Daughter was a crazy love triangle that quickly dissolved. Only at the very ending, did one man still hang on for the young Japanese woman. I could not fanthom why he liked her. I could not stand her personality. Looking for romance, do not read this book. If you want a picture of what world wars were like, then read this book. Overall, I would not recommend this to readers.

Review: In the Name of the Family by Sarah Dunate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis:

`It is better to be feared than loved’ – Niccolo Machiavelli

In the bear pit of renaissance politics, a young Florentine diplomat finds himself first hand observer on the history’s most notorious family – the Borgias.

In the Name of the Family – as Blood and Beauty did before – holds up a mirror to a turbulent moment of history, sweeping aside the myths to bring alive the real Borgia family; complicated, brutal, passionate and glorious. Here is a thrilling exploration of the House of Borgia’s doomed years, in the company of a young diplomat named Niccolo Machiavelli.

It is 1502 and Rodrigo Borgia, a self-confessed womaniser and master of political corruption is now on the Papal throne as Alexander VI. His daughter Lucrezia, aged twenty-two, already thrice married and a pawn in her father’s plans, is discovering her own power. And then there is Cesare Borgia: brilliant, ruthless and increasingly unstable; it is his relationship with the diplomat Machiavelli which offers a master class on the dark arts of power and politics. What Machiavelli learns will go on to inform his great work of modern politics, The Prince.

But while the pope rails against old age and his son’s increasing maverick behavior, it is Lucrezia who will become the Borgia survivor: taking on her enemies and creating her own place in history.

Rating: 3.5-stars

Review:

In the Name of the Family by Sarah Dunate is deep political read. A family swamped with political tension, betrayal, and revenge. A daughter who helps her father as much as her brother tries to destroy their father.  So many themes are found inside this book…it was an adventure of a lifetime. The historical novel captured the time period and politics down perfectly. It felt as though I traveled back in time. There was plenty of action to keep me attention. Murder, corruption, and power were the central themes featured on every page. The children of the Pope felt more like pawns than anything else. The daughter was a pawn for the Pope’s own gain. The son became a hungry Mongolia for more power and influence. The level that each of these three main characters stooped to was engaging as it was sad. Too many viewpoints were told in this book. I would have enjoyed it more if there just two different viewpoints at most telling their side of the story. The historical time period was what made this an entertaining tale. I couldn’t connect with the main characters, which was really disappointing. Overall, good but could have been better.

Review: The Clarity by Keith Thomas

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis:

Dr. Matilda Deacon is a psychologist researching how memories are made and stored when she meets a strange eleven-year-old girl named Ashanique. Ashanique claims to harbor the memories of the last soldier killed in World War I and Matilda is at first very interested but skeptical. However, when Ashanique starts talking about being chased by the Night Doctors—a term also used by an unstable patient who was later found dead—Matilda can’t deny that the girl might be telling the truth.

Matilda learns that Ashanique and her mother have been on the run their whole lives from a monstrous assassin named Rade. Rade is after a secret contained solely in memories and has left a bloody trail throughout the world in search of it. Matilda soon realizes Ashanique is in unimaginable danger and that her unique ability comes with a deadly price.

Rating: 3.5-stars

Review:

The Clarity by Keith Thomas is an interesting read combining fictional elements and nonfictional information together. The frightening parts about experimental portions were based on some real experiences that did really happen to people. The characters were okay. But no emotional attachment that made me want to really connect with them. I thought they were fine but but not were Inwould be talking bout how great they were. The plot was gruesome, dark, and intense as was expected with some of the things mentioned. There was a lot of action in this novel. I would have been happier if there was more to the characters. There needed to be more on the interaction and backstory between/of the characters. It just felt felt flat to me.

The novel did hold a promising tale…Dr. Matilda is by far the worst character. She is a doctor interested in the whole journey of memory and past lives. Yet she wasn’t what I expected and didn’t meet the expectations for her role in this story. There were other characters that I did really like and thought that Keith Thomas did a fine job in creating. Characters like Kojo and Brandon were believable and enjoyable to follow.

The Clarity was fast-paced, action packed, and full of government misuse. Like the medical experiments that still bring a chill down my back. A lot of conspiracy themes are found inside the book. Overall, it was good and suspenseful.

 

Review: The Rainmaker by Petra Landon

 

 

Synopsis:

As they race to untangle the past and thwart a power-hungry Wizard, Tasia must face her toughest decision yet. Can she take a leap of faith and risk her deadliest secret?

Tasia Armstrong is no longer a nondescript, friendless and naïve Wizard flying under the radar on the fringes of Chosen society. With her fate now publicly entwined with that of a powerful Shifter Pack, she must navigate the minefield of Pack politics while keeping her secrets and cover safe from the Chosen who hunt her. With a Pack to defend her, a powerful Alpha to protect her interests and friends to watch her back, her life is a far cry from before. But living with the Shifters holds new challenges for a Chosen more used to the shadows.

The stakes have never been higher as old fault lines, long-buried secrets, Wizard dysfunction, and Lady Bethesda’s ruthless machinations draw the Chosen ever closer to a civil war. While Tasia grapples to avoid the pitfalls and confront her demons, it is an unlikely nemesis who forces her to face her moment of truth. Tasia finds herself at the crossroads – at stake are her carefully constructed house of cards and her tangled relationship with the man who holds her enemies at bay. Will Tasia risk opening Pandora’s Box or will she disappear into the shadows again?

Author’s Note: The Rainmaker continues the story from The Prophecy. The books are not standalone and are intended to be read in order.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

The Rainmaker by Petra Landon is the second installment to this exciting paranormal fantasy series. Here, three sisters are crucial to fulfill a prophecy that none of them really know about…their mother is using them to create the prophecy foretold. Chaos, danger, and risks are involved on both sides. War seems inevitable seeing as one woman wants to destroy would be alliances among different beings as well as use certain sides for her own agendas.

I found this story intriguing. Plenty of action to keep the plot moving at a great pace. So many things are involved and the end game could result for the worse. Wizards, weres, and vampires are found as cast members. Each one has a particular tie in this tug of war. Enemies are everywhere and it’s only a mattter of time before things break apart. Tasia is the leading protagonist and most likable character. Her life is barely hanging onto a thread. So many choices and so little time…I highly recommend this second novel to readers worldwide.

Review: As Bright as Heaven

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis:

From the acclaimed author of Secrets of a Charmed Life and A Bridge Across the Ocean comes a new novel set in Philadelphia during the Spanish flu epidemic of 1918, which tells the story of a family reborn through loss and love.

In 1918, Philadelphia was a city teeming with promise. Even as its young men went off to fight in the Great War, there were opportunities for a fresh start on its cobblestone streets. Into this bustling town, came Pauline Bright and her husband, filled with hope that they could now give their three daughters–Evelyn, Maggie, and Willa–a chance at a better life.

But just months after they arrive, the Spanish Flu reaches the shores of America. As the pandemic claims more than twelve thousand victims in their adopted city, they find their lives left with a world that looks nothing like the one they knew. But even as they lose loved ones, they take in a baby orphaned by the disease who becomes their single source of hope. Amidst the tragedy and challenges, they learn what they cannot live without–and what they are willing to do about it.

As Bright as Heaven is the compelling story of a mother and her daughters who find themselves in a harsh world, not of their making, which will either crush their resolve to survive or purify it.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

As Bright as Heaven by Susan Meissner is a wonderful journey. Packed full of emotions, action, and risks…I was hooked. A family that survives the war but barely gets through the flu war. Losing a mother is difficult. The husband and children were great to follow. I felt their pain as though it were my own. Susan Meissner wrote a story that is sad, heartfelt, and engaging.  An emotional journey that I will never forget. Overall, I recommend this

Review: The House of Binding Thorns

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis:

The multi-award-winning author of The House of Shattered Wings continues her Dominion of the Fallen saga as Paris endures the aftermath of a devastating arcane war….

As the city rebuilds from the onslaught of sorcery that nearly destroyed it, the great Houses of Paris, ruled by Fallen angels, still contest one another for control over the capital.

House Silverspires was once the most powerful, but just as it sought to rise again, an ancient evil brought it low. Phillippe, an immortal who escaped the carnage, has a singular goal—to resurrect someone he lost. But the cost of such magic might be more than he can bear.

In House Hawthorn, Madeleine the alchemist has had her addiction to angel essence savagely broken. Struggling to live on, she is forced on a perilous diplomatic mission to the underwater dragon kingdom—and finds herself in the midst of intrigues that have already caused one previous emissary to mysteriously disappear….

As the Houses seek a peace more devastating than war, those caught between new fears and old hatreds must find strength—or fall prey to a magic that seeks to bind all to its will.

Rating: 3-stars

Review:

The House of Binding Thorns by Aliette De Bodard is a fallen angel story. Fallen angels among others are fighting to own Paris. But after a war, they are struggling to make the city strong again. Still fighting over ownership, two houses are trying to combine power of ownership. Yet destruction still hangs in the air…ready to strike once more. Power, fear, and loyalties are tested within these pages. The plot felt slow to me. I felt like I was dragged through the book, in the slowest way possible. I did not feel connected to the characters. It was like they did whatever they felt like doing for their own goals. This book held potential to be more than what it presented. However, it fell short of those expectations.

 

Review: The Sea Before Us

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis:

In 1944, American naval officer Lt. Wyatt Paxton arrives in London to prepare for the Allied invasion of France. He works closely with Dorothy Fairfax, a “Wren” in the Women’s Royal Naval Service. Dorothy pieces together reconnaissance photographs with thousands of holiday snapshots of France–including those of her own family’s summer home–in order to create accurate maps of Normandy. Maps that Wyatt will turn into naval bombardment plans.

As the two spend concentrated time together in the pressure cooker of war, their deepening friendship threatens to turn to love. Dorothy must resist its pull. Her bereaved father depends on her, and her heart already belongs to another man. Wyatt too has much to lose. The closer he gets to Dorothy, the more he fears his efforts to win the war will destroy everything she has ever loved.

The tense days leading up to the monumental D-Day landing blaze to life under Sarah Sundin’s practiced pen with this powerful new series.

Rating: 4.5-stars

Review:

The Sea Before Us by Sarah Sundin takes me back to the rush of World War II. Dorthy is a beautiful yet smart woman. Her work helps the war effort in more ways than most imagine. She meets Wyatt. A soldier missing his family. Together, Dorothy and Wyatt find hope and courage to get through the rough times ahead. What they never thought would happen is the love they find for each other. Somehow, each character gives the other one exactly what they needed. Themes of friendship, love, hope and new beginnings can be felt throughout this engaging read. I couldn’t stop reading it. Both characters risks their hearts and lives to help win the war. Sarah Sundin created memorable characters in a time period that still haunts many of us, today. Heartfelt and intriguing, I highly recommend this historical romance to all.

Review: Secrets of Cavendon

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis:

 

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author, a stunning, epic novel featuring the characters of the beloved Cavendon series.

 

For years things have run smoothly at Cavendon Hall, with very few quarrels, dramas, or upsets among the Inghams and the Swanns. But since the end of World War II, things have changed. The Secrets of Cavendon picks up in the summer of 1949, with the new generation of the estate at the forefront of the scandal and intrigue. With romance, betrayal, heartbreak, and possible murder threatening to tear them apart, the Inghams and Swanns will have to find a way to come together and protect each other in the face of threats they never could have predicted.

Rating: 4-stars

Review:

Secrets of Cavendon by Barbara Taylor Bradford is an engaging historical read. It’s similar to Downton Abbey. A big enormous place that is getting harder to keep up with…and families that have poured their money into keeping it alive. Then, there’s the secrets and history that are revealed. Plus, it too is set after the war. I enjoyed reading this novel.

As with all wars, things change. Drastic changes affect the Ingham and the Swann families. Finding ways to manage the finances and ways of the heart intrigued my attention. There was a lot of backstory and made this hard to get into quickly. I couldn’t move between pages that fast, because I needed to learn what was going on and who was involved with what.

The history of Cavendon is explored on these pages. Major themes of betrayal, romance, and heartbreak are incorporated into the tale. Some characters I enjoyed following more so than others. One of the ones I loved was Aunt Charlotte. She and Cecily Ingham had personalities that just drew me more into the plot. But others were not as captivating as them. There is a bit of mystery to follow here. Other than that it’s mostly a drama novel. So much drama within this book.

Overall, I was intrigued but bored. It has a historical slash women’s fiction genre to it. The strong characters were the females. The males seemed to be left behind mostly in the background of the story. Secrets of the Cavendon is good, but could have been better.

Review: Pangaea (Saga of the Sun-slinger)

Synopsis:

“Every now and then a Ranger, near the end of his life or edge of her sanity, enters Lyonesse in a last-ditch effort to bring a small measure of hope to the hopeless.

Predictably, their life span is short and violent.”

Lyonesse exists a lawless city under constant siege by malicious crime lords. It is a nexus point between Pangaea’s underworld and its elite, delivering both the best and the worst Pangaea has to offer a broken people. No one, whether Highbourne or Low, whether mortal or High Immortal, can escape the city’s darkness once it takes hold.

In that darkness a young Cougar seeks to shine a small light by helping those less fortunate. And with some luck, atone for past sins committed out of inexperience.

Her protector; an Elf whose past has left him defeated and whose boss seeks only to keep them both under his heel.

A terrible accident can either set them both free or see them forever ensnared, or worse…dead.

Rating: 4-stars

Review:

Pangaea: Saga of the Sunslinger by Bolivar Beato is a fascinating book. Inside are pages full of myth, fantasy, and paranormal themes. Each page was pure magic, events, wars, and other things. Detailed, carefully planned, and entertaining. The book held a intense environment…breaking into more intense moments. This book is definitely for fans of Stars Wars, Star Trek, Lord of the Rings and Dark Rage. The characters are a variety of beings. I loved the mixture. Made every moment interesting. I was deeply intrigued by the scenes. The story is complex. I also enjoyed the dialogue between characters. There was some humor that made me feel like I was transported into the book. Bolivar Beato is a talented writer. Creating worlds that captured my attention and held it until the end.

Review: The History Makers

Synopsis:

What would the world be like today had the greatest civilization never fallen?

By the time Spanish explorers reached the Americas, the Aztec Empire was one of the greatest powers in the world. The ancient priests would slaughter human sacrifices, sometimes by the thousands, all under the pretext that their gods needed blood to make the sun rise every day. What would have happened had this empire prevailed over the Spanish and survived to this day? How would its bloodthirsty theocracy fit in with our world?

Myla is an upper-class teenager in modern-day Azteca, partying her days away with her friends and the man who has claimed her as his wife. On her seventeenth birthday, she is finally “enlightened” and told the truth: that the Priesthood is lying to everyone. Then, in an intriguing twist of fate, she finds herself in the hands of Aztec’s rebels and their leader, Tezca.

Myla must now sort through all the lies she has been told her whole life and confront old secrets buried deep. Can she trust these people? Are they terrorists or freedom-fighting revolutionaries? And will she join them to dismantle the theocracy and its lies, or will the price she would be made to pay be too high?

Rating: 4-stars

Review:

The History Makers by Val Bodurtha is a fascinating novel for historical lovers, like myself. I found myself of immediately taken with the story. A what if journey that is just as enticing as it is frightening. Take a major historical empire and seeing it survive…is amazing. But their way of living…is something that would horrify all. Human sacrifices. Not just one sacrifice but thousands just to keep a tradition of ruling alive. Imagine living your life among people and a culture that believe human bloodshed is the way to keep their Gods happy…then, to find doubt within that culture. Are they really telling lies and killing innocents or is it just another plot to over take the already existing empire?

Val Bodurtha’s writing is haunting. I was hooked. It kept me turning the pages. Myla is a character that I really enjoyed following. She developed into a stronger character as the tale unfolded. I liked her from the beginning and loved her overall transformation, too. Intrigue, danger, coming of age, and some romance can be found in this exciting adventure. The History Makers spins the Aztec culture and life into a modern world. It was quite good to read. I recommend this novel to readers worldwide.

Review: When You Love a Scotsman

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis:

New York Times bestselling author Hannah Howell sweeps readers away with the passion-filled adventures of the MacEnroy brothers, seven daring Scotsmen who take on America in her most turbulent days—and capture the hearts of the ladies each is destined to wed . . .

With danger closing in from all sides, Abigail Jenson works tirelessly to protect her small Missouri farm. She doesn’t require saving—but a handsome officer appears on horseback just as ruthless marauders set her cabin ablaze. With nowhere else to turn, Abigail allows the soldier with the seductive Highlander’s gaze to escort her to shelter in a nearby town.

Matthew MacEnroy was reluctant to join his adopted nation’s conflict—until an enemy attack wounded two of his brothers. Bravely doing battle has its price when a proud, independent beauty comes under his watch—no military man can risk the powerful emotions their attraction has unleashed. But when Matthew himself is caught in the crossfire, Abigail leads their long journey home to MacEnroy valley . . . and her caring touch sparks the promise of a bold future together.

Rating: 4-stars

Review:

When You Love a Scotsman by Hannah Howell is a great read. This story wasn’t what I thought it would be. Meaning, it was exactly as the title stated…but it was different from similar titles. Here, a young woman loses her brother, pet, and both parents. The house also burnt down…leaving behind the barn if it didn’t get caught with enemy fire. Abby had to learn how to survive. She takes after her dad on shooting. A sharp eye, she has. Making the soldiers who are good guys feel less sufficient at shooting. I thought that moment was funny and sweet. A strong female protagonist took form from there.

Matthew is a solider on his was out of the war. His last stop leads him to Abby. A beautiful young woman who can shoot better than most men in the war. Her skill of stitching people also comes in handy. Matthew feels sympathy for Abby. Hearing what she has endured and watching as her parents both died in the fire during an enemy attack. Matthew drags her with them to a town house for abandoned women. There their journey only grows tighter.

Abby finds a young boy to love. A promise to a dying woman leaves her with adopting a baby instead…leaving behind the young boy. A boy brighter than his age and one determined to live with her. Abby thinks about Matthew…

Matthew can’t stop thinking about Abby. He brings her to his home along with the infant. Only time can tell where their hearts and lives will go…

Overall, When You Love a Scotsman by Hannah Howell was an interesting journey. One filled with action, adventure, and hope. Some humor humor and steam can be found within its pages. I enjoyed reading this entertaining title. This historical romance was steady paced with bits of heat, humor, and emotion.

Review: Romancing the Scot

Synopsis:

In this stunning series starter by USA Today bestselling author May McGoldrick, meet the new generation of Penningtons…five brothers and sisters of passion and privilege. Enter their aristocratic world…where each will fight injustice and find love.

Hugh Pennington—Viscount Greysteil, Lord Justice of the Scottish Courts, hero of the Napoleonic wars—is a grieving widower with a death wish. When he receives an expected crate from the continent, he is shocked to find a nearly dead woman inside. Her identity is unknown, and the handful of American coins and the precious diamond sown into her dress only deepen the mystery.

Grace Ware is an enemy to the English crown. Her father, an Irish military commander of Napoleon’s defeated army. Her mother, an exiled Scottish Jacobite. When Grace took shelter in a warehouse, running from her father’s murderers through the harbor alleyways of Antwerp, she never anticipated bad luck to deposit her at the home of an aristocrat in the Scottish Borders. Baronsford is the last place she could expect to find safety, and Grace feigns a loss of memory to buy herself time while she recovers.

Hugh is taken by her beauty, passion, and courage to challenge his beliefs and open his mind. Grace finds in him a wounded man of honor, proud but compassionate. When their duel of wits quickly turns to passion and romance, Grace’s fears begin to dissolve…until danger follows her to the very doors of Baronsford. For, unknown to either of them, Grace has in her possession a secret that will wreak havoc within the British government. Friend and foe are indistinguishable as lethal forces converge to tear the two lovers apart or destroy them both.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Romancing the Scot by May McGoldrick is one of the most exciting historical romances that I’ve read. Scottish romances are the best. The Scottish characters like the heroine is brave, intelligent, and beautiful. Her skill of memory serves it’s purpose in more ways than one. That’s part of the attraction that draws in the hero of the story.

Grace Ware is a Scottish young woman. She lives her life by taking care of her father. A single parent. He has been injured in war against the English. Due to his pride, his leg’s infection has spread throughout his body. Slowly killing him…then, just as they arrive to land, they’re attacked. Grace finds her father dead and the men are now, chasing after her. Running, she hides in a crate. Which ends up shipped tightly to an Englishman of noble birth.

The English are the enemy…

Hugh opens the crate only to find a woman barely alive. Grace Ware is crumpled from the crate and almost left for dead. Hugh quickly takes her out and calls for a doctor. Hugh wants her to live…after losing his wife and child, Hugh feels protective over the woman. The woman goes into a fever of sorts. Her gown and spoken languages suggests she’s a lady of high upbringing. Only Hugh and his sister aren’t quite sure. Plus, there’s the mysterious diamond found hidden in her ruined gown.

Grace Ware finds herself in a strange place. Not knowing who to trust. As she recovers, she pretends to not remember who she is…only when she finds out more of Hugh…her attraction grows and so does the danger that followed her to his home…

Can two enemies find love and be happy or will they be doomed?

Romancing the Scot was funny as well as sweet. I was hooked. My curiosity got the better of me, and I found myself in love. The characters were enticing. Their situations were entertaining to follow as the danger got more intense with every page. May McGoldrick is a talented writer. Overall, I highly recommend her historical novel to all.

Review: Can’t Let Go

Synopsis:

New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter is back with a sizzling Original Heartbreakers tale about an icy war vet and the only woman capable of melting him…
With trust issues a mile long, Ryanne Wade has sworn off men. Then Jude Laurent walks into her bar and all bets are off. The former Army Ranger has suffered unimaginably, first being maimed in battle then losing his wife and daughters to a drunk driver. Making the brooding widower smile is priority one. Resisting him? Impossible.
To Jude, Ryanne is off limits. And yet the beautiful bartender who serves alcohol to potential motorists tempts him like no other. When a rival bar threatens her livelihood, and her life, he can’t turn away. She triggers something in him he thought long buried, and he’s determined to protect her, whatever the cost.
As their already scorching attraction continues to heat, the damaged soldier knows he must let go of his past to hold on to his future…or risk losing the second chance he desperately needs. 

Rating: 4-stars

Review:

Can’t Let Go is a sexy as hell kind of book. This contemporary romance will play with readers’ minds. Ryanne is a strong female protagonist. She has tattoos and works as a bartender of her own pub. The Scratching Post. Ryanne is also a cat person. A complete animal lover. She doesn’t know much about animals but when they’re innneed, she wants to help them. Like the female pregnant cat by her pub. 
Oh, and there is Jude. A hot male warrior who is as tough as steel. But he doesn’t scare Ryanne. In fact, he has to come to her rescue. She placed herself into the line of danger. And now, it’s up to Jude to protect her. Jude, already lost a woman and his kids. He feels like a failure and still carries the heavy weight of their deaths. 
The plot sounds good. It’s steady. Not fast-paced like I would have liked. It does provide both emotional and physical risks on both of the protagonists’ parts. They have to fight for what they want. Ryanne wants Jude. Most of all, she wants him to be happy. Jude, only knows pain. He’s lusting after Ryanne who makes him feel things he doesn’t want to feel. He tries to stay away and not care about her. But fate intervenes. Neither one can let go…
Overall, the plot was believable. Not addictive but good. I recommend Can’t Let Go to others.

Review: The Crooked Path

Synopsis:

As retired physician Lettie Louw looks back upon her life, she recounts her coming of age in WWII-era South Africa in this compelling story of delayed love, loss, and reconciliation.
Lettie Louw is the daughter of the town physician in their South African village. She spends her childhood in the warm African days playing with her friends and being adored by her doting parents. When she becomes a teenager, she experiences her first taste of unrequited romantic love in the form of her best friend’s older brother, De Wet Fourie. When De Wet pursues the beautiful and wealthy Annabelle, Lettie’s dreams are crushed, and she moves to Johannesburg to pursue her studies in medicine.
Life in Johannesburg feels strange to Lettie, and the world around her is in profound upheaval as the Second World War rages. Her feelings for De Wet never waver, and Lettie is heartbroken when he marries another of her childhood friends. Lettie soon meets Marco Romanelli, an Italian immigrant, and they marry and raise two daughters, as the racial and political tensions in South Africa swirl about them.
Lettie never forgets her first love, even as the ravages of time, war, and illness play upon her life and the lives of those she loves. In their later years, Lettie and De Wet are thrown into one another’s company again, and they are given another chance at a life together.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Irma Joubert is a fascinating writer. Her words automatically transfer the reader into another place and time. I was just as hooked with this novel of hers as I was with the last one. I’m stunned. Instantly, connecting with characters on a personal, physical, and emotional level. Out of all he books I’ve read none has come that far in connecting me to the protagonist. Wow. Vivid, detailed, and fast-paced describes the plot, here. The Crooked Path is her latest book. 

The Crooked Path is sad, entertaining, and wonderful. I fell in love with the characters. The were three dimensional. Both internal and physical conflicts are shown. The struggles were heartfelt. I felt everything. It was like being transported in time to where the characters are. Love, loss, and risks are a few of the major themes woven onto these pages. The novel is set in South Africa and once more, I got to meet some of my favorite characters from a previous book. I was thrilled when, I noticed them again. Yes! Irma Joubert knows how to keep her readers prisoner inside her fictional worlds. I could not put this book down. Memorable and unforgettable characters. Overall, I highly recommend The Crooked Path to all. 

Review: Love Held Captive

Synopsis:

After the War Between the States, a Confederate officer longs to heal the heart of a beautiful woman—but first he’ll have to right the wrongs that were done to her.
Major Ethan Kelly has never been able to absolve himself of the guilt he feels for raiding a woman’s home shortly before he was taken prisoner during the Civil War. He is struggling to get through each day until he once again crosses paths with Lizbeth Barclay—the very woman he is trying to forget.
Life after the war is not much different for former Captain Devin Monroe until he meets Julianne VanFleet. He knows she is the woman he’s been waiting for, but he struggles to come to terms with the sacrifices she made to survive the war.
When Ethan and Devin discover that their former colonel, Adam Bushnell, is responsible for both Lizbeth’s and Julianne’s pain, they call on their former fellow soldiers to hunt him down. As the men band together to earn the trust of the women they love, Lizbeth and Julianne seek the justice they deserve in a country longing to heal. 

Rating: 4.5-stars

Review:

Love Held Captive by Shelley Shepard Gray is a beautiful confederate tale. A story full of loss, grief, trouble, and regrets. But somehow, through it all, there is also hope. That built trust between characters. In that something more came between them. Something called love. Love bears all. Troubles, risks, and forgiveness are found on every page. Strong women and men. Suffered from one man…who tormented them. Then, with a newfound courage, they plan to bring their enemy down forever. Death lingers near. Rap, lies, beatings, and war are discovered here. Shelley Shepard Gray has created a realistic story and believable characters. It felt as thought I had traveled back in time. I felt everything the characters felt. Love Held Captive is exactly that. Each character ends up as a captive of their love. Pain and healing are two major themes featured inside this novel. It was heart breaking and heartfelt at the same time. Bittersweet…overall, I recommend this historical book to all. 

Review: The Han Agent

Synopsis:

A THRILLER NOVEL DRIVEN BY REAL SCIENCE…
In the 1930s, Japanese scientists committed heinous crimes in their quest for the ultimate biological weapon.
The war ended. Their mission did not.
Eighty years later, Japanese-American scientist Amika Nakamura won’t let rules stand between her and scientific glory. When the ambitious young virologist defies a ban on the genetic manipulation of influenza, she’s expelled from the university. Desperate to save her career, she accepts a position with a pharmaceutical company in Tokyo. Soon after, a visit to a disputed island entangles her in a high-profile geopolitical struggle between Japan and China. Applying her singular expertise with bird flu in a risky experiment may be the only way out. Little does she know that Japanese ultranationalists and a legacy of unpunished war crimes lurk in the shadows, manipulating people, politics, and science.
But DNA doesn’t lie. Amika uncovers a shocking truth: a deadly virus is about to put the “gene” in genocide.
PRAISE FOR THE HAN AGENT:

“Amy Rogers’s latest medical thriller, THE HAN AGENT, is as exciting as it is frighteningly realistic. It could be tomorrow’s headline. Here is a story fraught with taut tension, sudden explosive action, and threaded through with scientific accuracy and speculation that will leave you stunned. Read it…if only to prepare yourself for what might soon become true.”

—James Rollins, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Sigma Force series. 

Rating: 3-stars

Review:

The Han Agent by Amy Rogers is a science thriller. The whole synopsis sounds way better than the plot itself. The realistic situation of what the main protagonist does as a scientist is unbelievable. She does things halfway through instead of being thorough. A scientist always likes being thorough whether they’re right or wrong. Another situation was how did Amika, the scientist, get to be the main character…it kept me wondering. It sounded like she was still in the process of learning her field. I didn’t believe that she could somehow stumble against a virus that deadly. Plus, even if she did someone above her would have taken the claim for such a discovery. Last, there’s her personality. Amika isn’t likable to me. She comes across as manipulating and devious. It is only right that she does get entangled into a geopolitical situation. I have to say Amika deserves what she gets. If Amika was created innacting more like a real scientist would her title as a scientist would have been more believable. It was like someone tossed her the job and she just rolled with it. Overall, it sounded better than it actually was. Some changes need to be made, once made, I think this would indeed be a great thriller. 

Review: Christmas at Carnton

Synopsis:

A novella to launch a brand new three-book series . . .

In the midst of war and the fading dream of the Confederacy, a wounded soldier and a destitute widow discover the true meaning of Christmas, the cost of love . . . and of loving again.

Recently widowed, Aletta Prescott struggles to hold life together for herself and her six-year old son. About to be evicted, she sees an advertisement for the Ladies Aid Society Auction and applies for a position—only to discover it’s been filled. Then a chance meeting with a wounded soldier offers another opportunity. And friendship. But can she trust him? Is Jake Winston the man he appears to be? Having lost everything once, Aletta is determined to guard not only her own heart, but also her son’s.

Captain Jake Winston, a revered Confederate sharpshooter, suffers a head wound at the Battle of Chickamauga. When doctors deliver their diagnosis, Jake fears losing not only his greatest skill but his very identity. As he heals, Jake is ordered to assist with a local Ladies Aid Society auction. He respectfully objects. Kowtowing to a bunch of “crinolines” isn’t his idea of soldiering. But orders are orders, and he soon discovers this group of ladies—one, in particular—is far more than he bargained for.

Set against the backdrop of the real history of Carnton Plantation in Franklin, Tennessee, Christmas at Carnton is a story of hope renewed and faith restored . . . at Christmas.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Christmas at Carnton by Tamera Alexander is a story of great loss and of great hope. The engaging historical tale was easy to read. I enjoyed following the characters. A woman lost her husband due to war. She’s carrying their second child. The first child is eager for Christmas. But all hope for a good Christmas ends when, Aletta looses her job. Then, the bank gives them two weeks to find a new home. A soldier injured from war returns back home doing work he doesn’t like. But then, fate brings Jake and Aletta into each other’s path. A chance for love, hope, healing, and new beginnings. Christmas approaches the characters and it was exciting to see where their future went.  Christmas at Carnton was believable. Entertaining and sweet. I recommend this novel to readers everywhere. 

Review: The Mercenary

Synopsis:

She’s a prisoner of the Imperial Forces. He’s a nomad with a private mercenary army. Can a desperate girl’s risky gamble and a fierce warrior’s love turn the tide of war and alter the balance of power in their slice of space?
In a distant corner of the galaxy, Quadrant Five burns in the flames of a deadly war. The Budheya people are one of the worst affected. Once the most advanced civilization in the quadrant, they now struggle under the cruel yoke of Ketaari occupation. 
Saakshi

Imprisoned by the Ketaari Imperial Forces, a young Budheya girl is sent to a distant space station to work in an alehouse. For a girl who has known only hardship in her short life, things could be worse. Until an old foe walks into the alehouse.
Zoran

Zoran is Hadari’Kor – notorious across star systems for their prowess in battle. Their fierce reputation allows them to retain their independence, even as others are forced to choose sides in the war. Drawn to a weary-eyed server girl, Zoran is forced to confront age-old traditions and question his role in the war.
The Prisoner & The Mercenary

Alone, friendless and far from home, Saakshi makes a desperate gamble to trust a formidable and enigmatic stranger whose hot gaze haunts her dreams. The fallout from this improbable pact reverberates across space. As a relentless enemy hunts her, Zoran must fight to protect Saakshi through a minefield of shifting alliances. When passion ignites amidst the embers of a smoldering war, will a warrior’s quest for justice bring a mighty Empire to its knees …

Author’s Note : A spirited and resilient girl, a fierce warrior with a conscience, a fiery passion that flares amidst the debris of a deadly war and a love that will alter the fate of an entire quadrant forms the tale of The Mercenary, a standalone story that sets the scene for The War Chronicles – a collection of SciFi Romance & Space Opera tales with romance, swashbuckling adventure & a sprinkling of action. 

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

The Mercenary by Petra Landon is the latest of her brilliant work. I was curious to see what Petra Landon was going to do in this new book. A book that begins a new series. That’s the best news to hear after having read the tale. I was hooked instantly. The main characters drew me into their world. 

Their world is full of danger, risks, loss, and happens in space. Space crafts, space stations, and different planets. Each planet with a world of its own.  Theirs several major groups of military involved. There’s the Alliance (the good guys), the Hadari’Kor (bestwarriors & also good guys), and the Imperial Ketaari Imperial Forces (the bad guys). 

The leading protagonists are a determined woman set on surviving the Ketaari dangers and a mighty warrior set on saving her and her people. Zoran attends Saakshi’s workplace to relax. But once he sets on eyes on her, the fierce Hadari’Kor warrior, can’t stop from caring about her. Saakshi tries to ignore the intense stares from the warrior. She feels no fear when she sees him. But soon trouble comes to her. A Ketaari officer remembers her from her home planet. A planet under the bad rule of the Ketaari. This officer stalks her, threatens, and hurts her. But soon fate intervenes and both Saakshi and Zoran are pulled together. She comes to him asking for help. He automatically helps her despite the offer she makes. Zoran falls in love with the beautiful tough woman. Only she believes he’s doing it for her offer…but Saakshi soon discovers that’s not the case. Can she bear her heart to love when she was in danger? 

The Mercenary is a sci-fi fantasy novel, I’ll never forget. Epic and completely flawless. I fell in love with the characters. Their destiny was beautiful. The dangers made it more enticing to follow. I never knew what to expect next. A warrior who hides his facial expressions well, a rebel woman who’s afraid to open her heart, and a group set to destroy them both. Enchanting, thrilling, and full of adventure. Petra Landon created another magnificent page turner. I couldn’t stop reading it. Overall, I highly recommend this novel to all.

Review: Highland Promise

Synopsis:

Five boys destined to become Highland lairds are fostered together as brothers. Darach, Lachlan, Callum, Gavin and Kerr fight for their clans, for each other, and for their own true loves.

When forced to choose between duty and honor…

Darach MacKenzie vowed never again to let a woman near his heart after his betrothed betrayed him. It sparked an intense feud between his clan and the Frasers. With all-out war on the wind, Darach can’t be distracted—not even by a sweet and charming lass who desperately needs his help.

This Highland Laird will find a way to have both…

When Darach rescued Caitlin MacInnes from the clutches of vile Laird Fraser, she vowed to never let men or misery rule her life again. With Darach and the MacKenzie clan, Caitlin finally feels safe. But when Laird Fraser shows up to claim what’s rightfully his, or go to war, Darach will have to use all his brawn and brains to protect Caitlin—even if it means losing his heart.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Highland Promise by Alyson McLayne is a promising read. I can’t remember the last time I laughed so hard. The innocence of the female protagonist is amazing. Like a child but inter form a of a beautiful grown woman. Her remarks and questions kept me glued to the pages. Then, there was the other protagonist…Darach MacKenzie. He’s a sexy Scot with a heart of gold. There’s nothing that I can’t like about him. Determined, brave, smart, and strong. Plus, there’s his clan of brothers, adopted, but still bonded so tightly. Their relationship war ed me heart as well. I couldn’t get enough of these beautiful characters. Their stories had me hooked. Intriguing, heartfelt, and entertaining from beginning to end. 

Highland Promise is just that. One highlander makes a promise to a bonny (pretty) lass (lady). He saved her from her tormentors. Ever since that moment she squirmed her way into his heart, mind, and soul. I laughed at Darach’s slight discomfort from the unknowing lass. She wasn’t aware of what her words nor actions did to her beautiful angel…she even called him so in front of his men. Alyson McLayne worked her magic with this book. I became addicted to the plot, the scenes, and to her characters. The emotions her words brought were good. I can’t believe it was fiction. I’m wanting to travel to Scotland one day now….overall, I highly recommend this historical romance to all.

Review: The Space Between Words

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis:

 

 

“There were seconds, when I woke, when the world felt unshrouded. Then memory returned.”

 

When Jessica regains consciousness in a French hospital on the day after the Paris attacks, all she can think of is fleeing the site of the horror she survived. But Patrick, the steadfast friend who hasn’t left her side, urges her to reconsider her decision. Worn down by his insistence, she reluctantly agrees to follow through with the trip they’d planned before the tragedy.

 

“The pages found you,” Patrick whispered.

 

“Now you need to figure out what they’re trying to say.”

 

During a stop at a country flea market, Jessica finds a faded document concealed in an antique. As new friends help her to translate the archaic French, they uncover the story of Adeline Baillard, a young woman who lived centuries before—her faith condemned, her life endangered, her community decimated by the Huguenot persecution.

 

“I write for our descendants, for those who will not understand the cost of our survival.”

 

Determined to learn the Baillard family’s fate, Jessica retraces their flight from France to England, spurred on by a need she doesn’t understand.

 

Could this stranger who lived three hundred years before hold the key to Jessica’s survival?

 

Rating: 4-stars

 

Review:

The Space Between Words by Michele Phoenix is a stunning read. The themes explored are loss, grief, and fear. As the characters go through their journey, it was hard not to relate to them. I felt as though I were in their shoes instead of my chair at home. Readers, like myself, got a taste of reality. A young woman lies through a terrifying crisis. But it leaves her with fear. The type of fear the writer wanted to portray and actually portrayed differed. The protagonist didn’t quite meet with what the writer intended. Jessica with her type of fear should have wanted her parents near her. Yet she doesn’t. It felt strange. I haven’t come across too many protagonists that keep away from their family’s comfort during a tragic event. Knowing what happened to Jessica, it just felt like she and her family weren’t connected. The parents should have come to their daughter’s aid even if she said no. But they didn’t. The romance bit of romance  was good. I felt that there was some closure for the characters. Peaceful, engaging, and well-written. The intrigue of the historical past from papers found was what really caught my full attention to this book. It was exciting. Overall, The Space Between Words by Michele Phoenix was an entertaining read. I recommend it to readers everywhere.

Review: Against A Crimson Sky

Synopsis:

The continuation of the sweeping story of young Countess Anna Maria, introduced in the epic PUSH NOT THE RIVER, as Poland picks up the pieces and joins forces with Napoleon in an attempt to bring down Russia.

 

AGAINST A CRIMSON SKY tells the interrelated stories of four characters in the aftermath of the violent dissolution of Poland in 1794 and culminates in the doomed 1812 winter march into Russia. Countess Anna Maria Berezowska has finally married her true love, Jan Stelnicki, but life is anything but ideal. Not long into their union, Jan takes to the battlefield in the hopes of ensuring a sovereign Poland for his children. Meanwhile, his best friend on the front lines continues to pine for Anna’s cousin, Zofia, but she has her sights set a little higher…on the emperor Napoleon. 

AGAINST A CRIMSON SKY interweaves these tales of intrigue, love and betrayal as one proud nation and one strong family struggle for unity.

Rating: 5-stars 

Review:

Against A Crimson Sky by James Conroyd Martin is a stunning historical read. I loved it. I got to experience the Polish culture and the people of Poland. My grandmother is Polish so, reading this was even more exciting for me. War times are difficult and can bring much sadness. Hope, courage, love, and family life are strong themes inside this novel. A noble woman loses her son and husband to war. Pregnant again, she’s hoping for a girl. Fate has a funny way of bringing a family together and tearing them apart. Intense, well-told, and engaging. I felt like I was inside the protagonist’s shoes. Her life became my own the instant I opened the book. Adventure of a lifetime was waiting for me on the pages. Pages that moved me quickly through the conflict, emotions, and actions from the scenes. James Conroyd Martin brilliantly captured a people and their lives in his writing. Words that became three-dimensional once they were read. Uncertainty, lies ahead but the ending was beautiful. I was happy it ended the way it did. Felt right. Overall, I highly recommend Against A Crimson Sky to readers worldwide. 

Review: Forgotten Reflections (A War Story)

Synopsis:

In the current international climate where North Korea takes center stage, “Forgotten Reflections” weaves an inspirational tale of family, lost memories, folklore and an unforgotten history, spanning three generations as South Korea rises from the ashes. 
DARE TO DREAM IN THE MIDST OF WAR. 1945.

Rice fields seem endless in a quaint farming village of South Korea, yet Iseul and the villagers have been on the verge of starvation for as long as they can remember. Their Japanese colonizers have taken every last grain with them as they are finally ousted from the Peninsula. In the newly independent Korea, Iseul and Jung-Soo dream of what their future might bring. Yet, war is on the horizon and Iseul has fallen for an alleged North Korean communist spy. 
Men are conscripted and rice is taken to feed the growing army as the Korean Peninsula is thrust into an international war that would determine if the strategic region will fall into the communist or democratic realm. With nothing but the news of death and hunger awaiting the village of women, children, and the aged, Iseul musters up whatever hope she has left to bring the village together to make paper. Soon, the village once known for its rice, becomes famous for its paper, becoming a beacon of hope for the battle-worn soldiers awaiting letters from their loved ones. Spies continue to roam South Korea, turning neighbors and families against one another. 
For years, Jung-Soo has been suspicious of his father’s allegiances. With a series of mysterious revelations about his father, Jung-Soo is forced to choose between his tainted communist past, and the future he hopes to have with Iseul after the war.

“Breathtaking, sad and beautiful. Truly gorgeous and a must–read for lovers of literature and historical fiction.” – Rebecca Charlton

“A touching story, not only about love or the Korean War, but also about our own identities and (re)unification in different forms.” – Utopia State of Mind

“A story about a grandmother’s secret life and what she sacrificed to make a better life for her children.” –- Niyati Mavinkurve

Rating: 4.5-stars

Review:

Forgotten Reflections: A War Story by Young-Im Lee is an interesting novel. One that swept me deep into the war story. A foreign country, South Korea is at war. Both the communists and democrats want to take it over….but their war brings the one village to starvation. Hunger, loss, and desperation can be seen and felt with every page. 

A young woman is determined despite the war and its effects on her people. Soon, she brings them hope. Hope soon blossoms into her village. Letters to the soldiers helps them carry forth int the war. Families torn between choices. Love and hope still prevail…

I enjoyed reading this tale. Forgotten Reflections is an engaging story. The plot rushes me through the pages. The characters and their dilemmas entice me further into their world. A culture readers can’t miss. Young-Im Lee has presented a heartfelt novel. One that won’t be forgotten by its readers…including myself. Overall, I recommend it to readers worldwide. 

New Release: The Mercenary by Petra Landon

Synopsis:

She’s a prisoner of the Imperial Forces. He’s a nomad with a private mercenary army. Can a desperate girl’s risky gamble and a fierce warrior’s love turn the tide of war and alter the balance of power in their slice of space?
In a distant corner of the galaxy, Quadrant Five burns in the flames of a deadly war. The Budheya people are one of the worst affected. Once the most advanced civilization in the quadrant, they now struggle under the cruel yoke of Ketaari occupation. 
Saakshi

Imprisoned by the Ketaari Imperial Forces, a young Budheya girl is sent to a distant space station to work in an alehouse. For a girl who has known only hardship in her short life, things could be worse. Until an old foe walks into the alehouse.
Zoran

Zoran is Hadari’Kor – notorious across star systems for their prowess in battle. Their fierce reputation allows them to retain their independence, even as others are forced to choose sides in the war. Drawn to a weary-eyed server girl, Zoran is forced to confront age-old traditions and question his role in the war.
The Prisoner & The Mercenary

Alone, friendless and far from home, Saakshi makes a desperate gamble to trust a formidable and enigmatic stranger whose hot gaze haunts her dreams. The fallout from this improbable pact reverberates across space. As a relentless enemy hunts her, Zoran must fight to protect Saakshi through a minefield of shifting alliances. When passion ignites amidst the embers of a smoldering war, will a warrior’s quest for justice bring a mighty Empire to its knees …

Author’s Note : A spirited and resilient girl, a fierce warrior with a conscience, a fiery passion that flares amidst the debris of a deadly war and a love that will alter the fate of an entire quadrant forms the tale of The Mercenary, a standalone story that sets the scene for The War Chronicles – a collection of SciFi Romance & Space Opera tales with romance, swashbuckling adventure & a sprinkling of action. (less)

Release Date : August 25, 2017

About Petra Landon

An avid reader all her life, only recently has Petra allowed her own imagination to run riot. She loves to travel, loves the outdoors and reads everything she can get her hands on, time permitting. Her taste in books is very eclectic – she tends to like stories with vivid and quirky characters that have elements of fantasy, adventure, romance and mystery interspersed together. A good book for her is one that makes the reader think long after it has been finished and set aside. And one that draws the reader back to it, again and again. 

Stories have swirled in her head for years. Sometimes, when the ending of a promising book disappoints her, she imagines a different and more satisfying outcome for herself. To share the characters and tales that have lived in her imagination for so long is a labor of love and a lifelong dream come true for her.

Author Links :

Website : www.petralandon.com

Amazon : www.amazon.com/author/petralandon

Goodreads : www.goodreads.com/PetraLandon
Twitter : www.twitter.com/PetraLandon

Pinterest : www.pinterest.com/PetraLandonLife

Mailing List : https://madmimi.com/signups/49db2caaca814574981e134850a9585e/join

Book Links :

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35393531-the-mercenary
Website: www.petralandon.com/The-Mercenary

Review: Take to the Limit

Synopsis:

They are part of an elite unit. On task. Off grid. These are the men of the Shadow Ops task force. Be seduced and thrilled by Take to the Limit, the next Unbroken Heroes novel by Dawn Ryder. 

Holding out for a hero…
A hardened military machine, Bram Magnus is a tough, combat-ready, all-American hero who never surrenders. But the one thing he can’t fight? His smoldering, intense attraction to his girlfriend’s younger sister. He’s always kept his feelings locked deeply down. But when his girlfriend betrays him the night before he ships off to Afghanistan, Bram has one chance to show the woman he’s resisted for years that he wants her as fiercely as the first day he saw her.
Ever since her older sister first brought home the soldier with steely hard muscles and piercing eyes, Jaelyn has wanted Bram, and when her sister casts him aside the night before he leaves, Jaelyn can’t resist one steamy hot kiss with him. But danger is not far behind, and even as a deadly enemy hunts them, their relationship only grows more explosive. It’s all Bram can do to keep Jaelyn safe, but with a threat this powerful, will they pay the ultimate price for their passion?

Rating: 4-stars

Review:

Take to the Limit by Dawn Ryder is a sexy tale featuring alpha males. Males who think only about their work and nothing else. Or so they thought…Enter a beautiful woman and a Bram can’t let go. He’s leaving on a mission. Told to leave her alone. But his heart can’t. So, he does what he can. Writes letters to her. Not one, not two, but dozens of letters. Letting her know she’s all he’s thinking about while away. Hot sex. Instant chemistry. And fear. Jaelyn loves Bram. He is a sexy tall man who has her toes curling in the hot sand. Her dreams are filled with nothin glut him. She kissed him hard before he left. Her heart aches for him. Thinking she won’t ever see him again, she hardens her heart against him. When he arrives back to her, all hell breaks loose. His letters he wrote were never given to her….someone stole them. Jealousy. Jaelyn pushes Bram away. But he’s not giving up without a hell of a fight. Hell, she’s worth everything to him. Then, danger comes and knocks their world into a crazy space. No one knows where it will lead. But Bram is going to fight until he has Jaelyn safe again in his arms…and in his bed. 

Dawn Ryder knows how to heat up the pages. I blushed every time. The heat was scorching. The sex soon turned to love making. The characters each had their own fears and struggles. But somehow they keep moving forward and work through them. Friends who tease but also have their backs. Family that will always support them no matter what. I loved the granddaughter and grandfather relationships in this book. It was sweet, charming, and hilarious. Overall, I enjoyed reading Take to the Limit. It’s a perfect title for the scenes inside…a super solider and his strong yet bold woman. 

Review: The Night Trilogy

Synopsis:

Night is one of the masterpieces of Holocaust literature. First published in 1958, it is the autobiographical account of an adolescent boy and his father in Auschwitz. Elie Wiesel writes of their battle for survival and of his battle with God for a way to understand the wanton cruelty he witnesses each day. In the short novel Dawn (1960), a young man who has survived World War II and settled in Palestine joins a Jewish underground movement and is commanded to execute a British officer who has been taken hostage. In Day (previously titled The Accident, 1961), Wiesel questions the limits of conscience: Can Holocaust survivors forge a new life despite their memories? Wiesel’s trilogy offers insights on mankind’s attraction to violence and on the temptation of self-destruction.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

The Night Trilogy by Elle Wiesel is a gruesome account of the suffering he and his family faced during World War II. A time of Death, loss, and torment. This was one of history’s nightmarish memories that will never be forgotten. The Nazis were cruel dictators killing innocent human beings without a hesitation. The page in this book showed it all. 
Young Elle Wiesel experienced what no other teenage boy should have faced. He and his family were just one of countless numbers herded onto cattle cars. Usuhered to their death. The showers of death, the endless starvation, beatings, and cruelty killed so many humans. Humans who didn’t know what lied ahead. 
As I read this book, it brought me back to something I wish I never knew about. Something that should never have happened. But it did. A memory that no being can wash away. The smoke from the screaming dying corpses in the “shower rooms” and the endless fears were terrorfying to revisit. It survivors like the writer who show the world what happened and may happen again. 
The Night Trilogy is memoir that will always be remembered. Survival, loss, death, and much more. Terrible days that never end. Even with so much time having passed. It is a gripping and well-written book. I recommend this Holocaust story to readers worldwide. 

Review: Path to the Key

Synopsis:

Magic is fading throughout the world and the supernatural realms can feel the strain growing daily, but Sarah doesn’t care about any of that. She cares about protecting her son from her vampiric ex-husband who is obsessed with gaining power. She’ll stop at nothing to ensure that Alex doesn’t get his hands on Jackson, even if it means welcoming more vampires and other supernatural beings into her life.

Their journey takes her across the country, seeking the help of a witch that has invaded her son’s dreams. A vampire named Zander threatens to bring all of her carefully constructed walls crashing down. She’ll break every rule and every preconceived notion they have about her, as long as she can save her son and give him the future that was stolen from her. Sarah’s path connects to the very battle that she tries to avoid, and when she embraces not only her growing power, but also her destiny- she might be able to change the tides of fate.       

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Path to the Key by April Canavan is book one to an amazing series. Full of magic, suspernatural beings and romance. I love the war between the good and the evil. Fight to save loved ones. Family, power, and determination. April Canavan’s writing is superb. I was lost instantly from the first page. Engaging, well-developed, and exciting. A war brewing. One involving power and ruling over others. A woman whose child is key to her evil husband’s game. Yet there’s another man, the brother, who can help save them. Path to the Key was entertaining. Easy to follow along. I loved it. Couldn’t stop reading it. Overall, I highly recommend it to readers everywhere. 

Review: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly Side of the Trap

Synopsis:

Take a journey inside the pleasurable wickedness called trapping. As Big O, the leader of the Waverly Street Mafia strives to take his team to the top of the game. Things are looking good for the Waverly Street Mafia, until the King of heroin in Killumbia S.C. Bo hears that their doing business without dealing exclusively with him. Feeling disrespected, Bo devises a plan to knock the Waverly Street Mafia out of the game. The mafia is not easily shaken, which leads to Bo becoming more ruthless. 

Bo thinks he’s got away with murder, but karma always has the last say so… 

Rating: 4-stars

Review:

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly Side of the Trap by Town Head is full of criminal activity. They say karma is a bitch and so it is…Bo will soon learn that. The entire novel contains adult content so, I highly recommend those 18 and above to read this. Town Head has brought an urban street fiction to life. The rivalry, crime, hatred, and war are found on these pages. Lust, greed, and drugs too. Inside, readers will find an intriguing yet deadly tale. The charcaters are  believable. Their situations are realistically caught by this writer. I haven’t read any of Town Head’s previous work but this novel was good. It had all the elements and more. 

Review: Rik’s

Synopsis:

Rik Bogart built the ‘In’ Club in lower Manhattan with his separation check from the CIA and the anguish of a lost true love; at least it was in his mind. Ingrid Johanssen, an international news correspondent living in Baghdad, did not show up at the airport to accompany Rik when Saddam Hussein instructed him to leave in 1991, just before Desert Storm. Rik spent nineteen months in prison after going back in a failed attempt to get Ingrid out safely. But on a September evening a decade later, she walks into his club seeking his help. Understanding he cannot resurrect the love that has haunted him, Rik refuses, but comes face-to-face with his continuing love for her. Rik must overcome a decade of emptiness, and feelings of betrayal to react when he realizes she is in the New York World Trade Towers on the morning of the terrorist attack. That night he finally learns what happened a decade before and why; decides to undertake a dangerous mission that will not bring her back to him, and will make their reunion impossible. Resigned to his fate, he draws on relationships and talents unused for more than a decade knowing that even if successful he must let her go.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Rik’s by dhtreichler is an amazing alternate history tale. War, realistic events like 9/11, and a romance that seems impossible to have all brilliantly woven, here. The main character, Rik Bogart is an interesting man. His training is impressive, but he leaves it. All it takes is for one woman to snatch his heart and all he thinks about is her. A journalist who is entangled with the dangerous events. Rik riskshis life to stay behind to find her and get her out…but she was already gone. Years have gone by and she shows up once more. Intense, intriguing, and well-told. Rik’s is a clandestine relationship that is crazy, powerful, and addictive. Despite all odds, they keep it going. Overall, dhtreichler’s writing was wonderful to follow. Every page added to the suspenseful plot. I enjoyed reading this and recommend it to others. 

Review: Electric Souk

Synopsis:

Ireland’s gone bust, and with it Aisling Finn’s life. She flees austerity for adventure in the desert. But the Arabia she finds is not that of her dreams. Everyone is chasing a fast buck, a fast woman and another G&T. Expats and locals alike prickle with paranoia. Debonair fixer, Brian Rothmann, charms Aisling with champagne brunches and nights at Bedouin camps. But is Brian a hero or a desperate expat prepared to go to any lengths to get what he wants? Is this Aisling? Or is he using her as bait? Her only hope is Hisham, a local activist. But where do his loyalties lie? Aisling faces severe peril when the sleazy expat and blood-lusting desert worlds collide, as the Arab Spring erupts. She has to ask, whom can she trust? Can she trust her instincts? Humanity blisters in this haunting, lyrical thriller about trust and treachery.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Electric Souk by Rose McGinty is by far an interesting read. It instantly takes readers on an epic journey. A young woman leaves her homeland for work in another country. A country full of war, distrust, and danger. The stakes are high. Never knowing who to trust, Aisling Finn puts her life in the hands of those around her. Spies, secret police, and work fill her days. At first, the novel shows Aisling following people as they live a fast life full of drinking and good times. But fear hangs deeply in the air. I never knew what to expect next. Rose McGinty writes a superb novel. Suspense, intrigue, and the mysterious lure of what may come. Electric Souk is definitely an electrifying tale. Resistance, destruction, and secrets on every page. The intensity builds. The charcaters are written in a way that visually tugs readers further into the book. Loyalties and deception are major the,es surrounding these interesting charcaters. Overall, I highly recommend reading Electric Souk to all. 

Review: The Price of Valor

Synopsis:

In the latest Shadow Campaigns novel, Django Wexler continues his “epic fantasy of military might and magical conflict”* following The Shadow Throne and The Thousand Names, as the realm of Vordan faces imminent threats from without and within.
In the wake of the King’s death, war has come to Vordan.

The Deputies-General has precarious control of the city, but it is led by a zealot who sees traitors in every shadow. Executions have become a grim public spectacle. The new queen, Raesinia Orboan, finds herself nearly powerless as the government tightens its grip and assassins threaten her life. But she did not help free the country from one sort of tyranny to see it fall into another. Placing her trust with the steadfast soldier Marcus D’Ivoire, she sets out to turn the tide of history.

As the hidden hand of the Sworn Church brings all the powers of the continent to war against Vordan, the enigmatic and brilliant general Janus bet Vhalnich offers a path to victory. Winter Ihernglass, newly promoted to command a regiment, has reunited with her lover and her friends, only to face the prospect of leading them into bloody battle.
And the enemy is not just armed with muskets and cannon. Dark priests of an ancient order, wielding forbidden magic, have infiltrated Vordan to stop Janus by whatever means necessary…

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

The Price of Valor by Django Wexler is the fascinating tale. There’s everything a reader needs…action, suspense, war, magic, fantasy, and a bit of romance. I loved it. The pages were brought to life. I have never read a novel by Django Wexler but I will most definitely start. This was an engaging, dark, and intense read. Each character added to the plot…creating a build that only grew. The ending….has only left me with more need to read the next book by this talented writer. The Price of Valor has a lot to offer. A Queen, secrets, and enemies …danger hanging around everywhere. Overall, I recommend this brilliant masterpiece to readers worldwide. 

Review: Vault of Dreams

Synopsis:

Albanland. Emerald hills and ice blue lochs, bordered by Nørds raiders and the haughty monarchs of South Angle, each dynasty eager to seize lands weakened by a civil war in which a usurper has risen to seize the cloven throne.

Morgance, Faer Princess of the Night.

And by her side, the fearsome Ultan Skölhammer, sworn Guardian of the Crown.

But Rhoswen, rightful heir to the throne, princess in exile, leads a final uprising from the depths of the forest, an uprising that twists together the lives of the most unlikely companions.

A notorious thief accused of a crime she did not commit.

A baird apprentice searching for the meaning of life.

A pair of brothers who can’t seem to stay out of trouble.

And a gypsy bound to the ancient artifact known only as the Vault of Dreams. 

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Vault of Dreams by Luke Taylor is is an outstanding YA novel. I read a lot of YA books and this one has beat them all. Luke Taylor has created a fictional world where the rightful ruler is fighting to gain her throne back. War breaks out, loyalty is shown, and a budding romance begins. This fantasy novel has everything. Action, adventure, friendships, and a fight worth reading. Absolutely, an epic tale. 

The Vault of Dreams reads as vividly as the Lord of Rings books. I was hooked. The rightful queen, Arelyn, is a character to hold. Watching her, throughout the pages was fun.  Niles is another interesting character. Him and Finleigh are great. Finleigh is a young gsypie. Niles turns into a Lord at such a young age. Morgance is a bold and strong character. Evil too. Arelyn and Finleigh become friends. Two good charcaters. I liked them both. Strong female protagonists.  Each character both bad and good added to the plot. The exciting part was that each got to tell the story from their point of view. That was a susrpise. Most writers who try this, end up losing readers due to the point of view taking away or not adding enough to the story. I found the changing point of views to being good. It was like stepping into each character’s soul. Understanding them better. I easily see this book as a crossover read. Both yong adults and adult alike will get lost in within this world. Luke Taylor has outdone himself in this spectacular piece. I look forward to reading more by him in the future. 

Review: Brothers-In-Arms

Synopsis:

Can a Jew and a Nazi survive Hitler’s Germany?
Franz Kappel and Japhet Buchanan never expected their friendship to be tested by the Third Reich. Friends from early childhood, the boys form an inseparable, brotherly bond. Growing up in a little German village, they escape most of the struggles of war until the day Japhet is banished from school for being a Jew, and later has a rib broken when other village boys beat him up. Franz learns he is putting himself in danger for spending so much time with Japhet but continues to stand up for his Jewish friend even at the risk to himself. Then one day their lives are shattered when they see first-hand that the price of being a Jew is dangerously high. 
With the war now on their doorsteps, Franz and Japhet come up with a desperate plan to save their families and get them out of Germany alive. Leaving behind the lives they’ve always known, they move into Berlin with nothing to protect them but forged papers and each other. Convinced their friendship can keep them going, the boys try and make a new life for themselves while trying to keep their true identities and Japhet’s heritage a secret. Taking his best friend’s safety upon himself, Franz joins the Nazis in an attempt to get valuable information. At the same time, Japhet joins the Jewish Resistance, neither friend telling the other of their new occupations.
With everyone in their world telling them a Nazi and a Jew can’t be friends, it is only a matter of time before they believe all the lies themselves, until neither is certain if they are fighting against a race of people or fighting for their homeland. Somehow they have to survive the horrors of World War II, even when all of Germany seems to be against them.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Brothers-In-Arms by Jack Lewis Baillot is a tale that takes readers immediately back into the dark and haunting time for Jews. Even their German friends were in danger. Imagine trying to help a Jewish member escape from the cruelty of the Hitler’s Nazis…if caught one’s death could be just as bad or much worse than what the Jews received. Sad and troubling times. A moment in history all will never forget. Jack Lewis Baillot has created a fictional world full of suspense, deadly consequences, and an unforgettable friendship unlike any other. A German Nazis best friends with a Jew. 

Inside this novel, readers meet two boys who grew up being friends. Times have changed and with it their lives are at stake. Japhet Buchanan is a Jew. For that reason alone he is tormented by all. As war breaks out, he and his family will be in grave danger. His friend Fran’s Kappel, a German, works with his friend to get out of Germany with their family. Safety. But getting out will prove most difficult. Brothers-In-Arms had me rooting for both characters and crying too. Both went through so many demons to get to the ending moment. The writing brought back the fears, tears, and memories of WWII. I highly recommend it to all. Plus, the writer has gone even further by breaking more boundaries within this masterpiece. Absolutely, stunning. 

Review: Nightlord Sunset

Synopsis:

Eric didn’t ask to be a vampire. In fact, he didn’t even believe in them. Then he meets a beautiful woman, wakes up with a hangover, and bites his tongue with his own fangs.
Which pretty much settles the question.

Now he’s trying to hold down his day job while learning the rules of the Undead — the most important being that bloodthirsty urges and predatory instincts are a real bitch. 
Upside; Eric has the beautiful Sasha to teach him the ropes, including the magic he’ll need to survive.

Downside; they’re being hunted by members of the Church of Light, who are determined to rid the world of vampires.

When Sasha is killed, and Eric is thrust into an alternate world in his quest to avenge her death. There he becomes a Nightlord, fights a dragon with the help of his magical steed, Bronze, and upchucks a sword named Firebrand. 
But things get really interesting when Eric finally finds Tobias, head of the Church of Light. Soon Eric finds himself at the center of an epic battle at the literal edge of the world in a fight to keep a terrible darkness at bay.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Nightlord Sunset by Garon Whited is a quite interesting. It involves the typical paranormal kind, vampires. Except from there things are not so normal. A human being sleeps with a beautiful woman, and the next he knows is that his life has changed forever. He has been turned. A vampire who needs to learn quickly how to survive. The beauty he slept with, helps him until she has been killed. Hunted down by another group. The new vampire, Eric, will go get his revenge only to face more obstacles. Every page kept me guessing. I didn’t know what the main character would do or what the others were planing. Yet the further I went the more, I was dragged from my seat into this fictional world. Compelling, suspenseful, and engaging. Garon Whited knew how to keep his readers hooked. The ending of this tale, is keeping me lured for the next adventure. Overall, I recommend this fast-pacedread to all. 

Review: Dominion of the Star

Synopsis:

The totality of a solar eclipse lasts only a few short minutes. That’s more than enough time for an apocalypse to erupt. 

Almost eighteen years have passed since the Eclipse changed the Earth forever, and Sebastian Za’in rose from the chaos and seized control, imposing his order on the broken planet. In a world ruled by fear and superstition, where all gods have perished, there is no one that can stand up to Za’in, the man rumored to be one of the Nephilim—hybrid offspring of Angel and Man. In a few short months, another Eclipse will occur, and while there are those that expect a new natural disaster, Za’in has plans of his own . . . 

Completely unaware of this global turmoil, Kayla Steelryn has spent most of her life in a quiet village, longing to uncover her hidden past. When she leaves her home in search of answers, she finds herself faced with the truth about her identity, forced to choose between the two men she loves, and thrust into a conflict where she alone has the power to stop an event more disastrous than the end of the world.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Dominion of the Star by Angelica Clyman is a fascinating world of fiction. Here, both evil and good reside. The past is no more…and the present is awful. Then, there’s the unknown of what the future will hold. Bold, engaging, and the most intriguing fantasy ever…Dominion of the Star will steal readers from their seats. I found myself curious and hooked. The plot holds a promising story full of action. Danger, war, and destruction all on a tipping scale sinking closer to a reality. Imagine a world once destroyed and soon to be under another terrifying moment. The characters were well-developed. The turn mail wasn’t just an external one but also an internal conflict. Kayla is a character I could easily relate to and feel her emotions. She’s seeking answers and those answers lead her on an adventure of a lifetime. Interesting, suspenseful, and intense. Angelica Clyman held my attention from the first page onward. Her story is one that has a lot to offer. Romance, coming of age, and leaves readers wondering what will come. Overall, I recommend this novel to all. 

Review: Active Measures

Synopsis:

In the winter of 1990, as the Soviet empire crumbled, a small Russian special forces team entered the dense forests of West Germany and buried an insurance policy.

In present day Iran, the United States’ most valuable agent uncovers a devastating secret brewing deep beneath the country’s mountainous terrain: In mere months, a faction of the regime’s Revolutionary Guards will successfully assemble a nuclear bomb. As the full might of the American intelligence community is mobilized to stop it, the CIA’s new director must confront a web of threats both at home and abroad, from a resentful White House chieftain, to a cunning Israeli spymaster, and the fearsome commander of the Iranian Quds Force.

In Moscow–after an oil trader with ties to the Kremlin is found burned alive in his Geneva home–an aide to Russia’s adored and despotic president is caught between opposing powers. At one side is an eccentric billionaire with lofty dreams of reorienting Russia toward the West, and at the other is the autocratic strongman whose ardent quest for resurgence has brought Russia into a risky, open confrontation with NATO.

In Lebanon, the Syrian civil war that raged for years across the border has reached its bloody climax. Yet in its wake, a new menace comes crawling from the shadows to feast on the remains. A brilliant CIA officer in Beirut, working desperately to penetrate an exhausted Hezbollah, is first to recognize the danger. As she begins calling on deaf ears, it is only a matter of time until the drums of war start beating again in the Middle East–and now with the greatest terrorist the world has ever known leading the charge.

Warping the line between illusion and reality, amid a labyrinth of characters, plots and counter-plots that span the globe–from the halls of the Kremlin and the suburbs of northern Virginia, to the slums of Beirut and the back alleys of Tehran–comes a story of intrigue and betrayal, life and death, setting a collision course toward a firestorm that will consume thousands and blind a superpower. 

Rating: 5 stars

Review:

Active Measures (part 1) by Matt Fulton is one of the best military spy novels I have read. His characters are like that of my favorite thriller movies. Just as real if not more believable than the Bourne Series. I was amazed at the depth of military knowledge and terms used within the book. It was as though Matt Fulton took readers on a real walk in tour of the scenes. The sights, sounds, and places were three-dimensional. I could visually see the everything as I read them. The characters were well-developed. Danger wasn’t just a theme it was the reality of the whole novel. Threats were coming in from all sides. People found themselves dead or caught between the fire. Spies were real. Their knowledge and personalities suited perfectly. I couldn’t find a single thing out of line in this read. Everything was detailed and need to know. Readers were caught in suspense wondering where and what would happen next. A bomb planted. Threat of it going off…

Active Measures (part 1) has everything. Action, suspense, travel, and excitement. I was truly impressed. Matt Fulton knew what he was doing in creating this masterpiece. War…happens alll the time. Yet here, it’s more deadly and more serious than any other book I have read. The reality of the after effects and who’s all involved can be overwhelming. But Matt Fulton has created it, in a way that is nothing but entertaining. Absolutely and engaging tale. Government, politics, and agents. I loved it. A nightmare that haunts us all has been created for enjoyment. Overall, I highly recommend this read to all. 

Review: Quantum

 

 

 

Synopsis:

Someone wants Captain Admiral Zander Graydon dead. Like yesterday. Zander’s convinced his attractive assistant knows more than she’s willing to say, and if he can stop running long enough, he’ll find out exactly what she’s hiding. Lieutenant Marshal Mae Petros is determined to keep her CO safe. Before she tips her hand, however, Mae has to figure out if the alluring man she’s protecting is the real Captain Admiral Graydon. Or an alien shape-shifting imposter.

On the run and no one to trust…not even each other.

Captain Admiral Zander Graydon has seen a lot of action, but almost getting killed three times in one day is pushing it. Only the company of his new assistant, Lieutenant Marshal Mae Petros, makes things a little easier to swallow. Except the delectable Lieutenant Marshal Mae Petros is hiding a number of secrets, and her presence might have something to do with the continued attempts on his life.

It’s no accident Lieutenant Marshal Mae Petros finds herself in the firing line alongside the charming but very off-limits Captain Admiral Graydon. She’s taken the job as the admiral’s assistant to determine if a shape-shifting alien has killed the CO and assumed his form. Whether the admiral is human or not, Mae finds herself getting way too close to him as they run for their lives.

Military to the core, Mae and Zander will have to overcome their suspicions of each other to work together, when they realize the fate of the entire universe is at stake.

Rating: 5 stars

Review:

Quantum by Jess Anastasi is a science fiction fantasy novel that readers everywhere will enjoy. I am one who gets bored with just about all of the science fiction novels. However, this one was definitely up my alley in a good book. This novel had the action, adventure, suspense as well as a hot spicy romance to keep me interested. Quantum is book two of Jess Anastasi’s series and I loved it. I haven’t read the first and was able to follow through this one easily. After having read this second title, I am now intrigued to read the first and third novel within this series. The writing is superb. Jess Anastasi knows how to lure readers deep into her world of fiction.

Quantum is an action space adventure. Filled with shape shifting aliens set to invade the human occupations all over the galaxy. There’s only been a select few who have come to witness the aliens and what they can do. There seemed to be only one thing to help fight the aliens. That’s by using guns that resemble stun guns in our world. But just like the ordinary guns in our world, there are only so many bullets to use. Same restrictions apply to these powered guns that affect the aliens. Aliens that can do so much damage. Then there’s the issue of some aliens already infiltrated into the top government positions that can easily have other humans attack their human friends. Also, there are two friends. One was hurt by the aliens and sends out a woman he trusts to find out if his military friend is an alien in disguise or not…but then things get complicated. The friend and woman are being chased by an unknown enemy and the aliens are trying to kill them. Plus, despite the horror of the situations they just faced…they went and had sex. Sex that was explosive. Neither one can stop thinking about the other…and in their world distractions can kill. Jess Anastasi also have alliances from characters that readers wouldn’t expect to form in order to prepare and fight off the aliens attacking the human world. Danger, excitement, and desire will definitely keep readers from calling this science fiction fantasy boring…overall, I highly recommend this read to all.

 

 

Review: The Holocaust (History & Memory)

 

Synopsis:

Brilliant and wrenching, The Holocaust: History and Memory tells the story of the brutal mass slaughter of Jews during World War II and how that genocide has been remembered and misremembered ever since. Taking issue with generations of scholars who separate the Holocaust from Germany’s military ambitions, historian Jeremy M. Black demonstrates persuasively that Germany’s war on the Allies was entwined with Hitler’s war on Jews. As more and more territory came under Hitler’s control, the extermination of Jews became a major war aim, particularly in the east, where many died and whole Jewish communities were exterminated in mass shootings carried out by the German army and collaborators long before the extermination camps were built. Rommel’s attack on Egypt was a stepping stone to a larger goal—the annihilation of 400,000 Jews living in Palestine. After Pearl Harbor, Hitler saw America’s initial focus on war with Germany rather than Japan as evidence of influential Jewish interests in American policy, thus justifying and escalating his war with Jewry through the Final Solution. And the German public knew. In chilling detail, Black unveils compelling evidence that many everyday Germans must have been aware of the genocide around them. In the final chapter, he incisively explains the various ways that the Holocaust has been remembered, downplayed, and even dismissed as it slips from horrific experience into collective consciousness and memory. Essential, concise, and highly readable, The Holocaust: History and Memory bears witness to those forever silenced and ensures that we will never forget their horrifying fate.

Rating: 5 stars

Review:

The Holocaust: History & Memory by Jeremy Black is one that I will forever behold. This book contains so much history and memories during one of the most horrifying moments in history. Jeremy Black has brilliantly put together a great study of the Holocaust for readers everywhere to revisit and learn. His writing is direct, concise, and very detalied. I am never giving up this book. There is so much to read. The information contained in this reading material is stunning. I was surprised it wasn’t thicker with all that was inside of it. The journey back in time and across nations and other countries was remarkable. The Holocaust always brings up the dreaded nightmares and terrors that noone wants to remember. All the innocent lives that were taken in mass killings is something that all should never forget. We need to be reminded of the hows and why and to learn that we shouldn’t ever allow something like that to occur ever again. The Holocaust: History & Memory is a strong and superb book. I highly recommend this read to all. Jeremy Black’s work is one to take seriously and read.Educational, informative, and a remembrance of such nightmares…

Review: Lionheart

 

Synopsis:

An Arab-American soldier and a stargazing woman connect in this high-tech Beauty and the Beast retelling.

In an attempt to pay off her family’s debts, Lula answers a Craigslist ad for a job opening at the formerly vacant Bluegrass Manor. A stern and brooding man offered her the job, but there’s a catch—Lula isn’t allowed to look at him. No one in the manor has ever laid eyes on Mr. Rahim’s face. Although, Mr. Rahim has eyes on everyone—security footage relays on a constant loop in his office.

Everything Lula isn’t meant to notice about Mr. Rahim intrigues her: the cadence of his accented voice, the stoutness of his build, and his self-imposed prison that mirrors her

Lionheart is a romance of huge stakes that asks one question: Is love enough to mend a broken soul?

Rating: 5 stars

Review:

Lionheart by Fran Seen is a definite must read for readers everywhere. It covers hot topics like military heroes suffering from the aftermaths of war. PTSD. Warriors come home, sometimes to nobody. Few like the main character in this novel, had a family to support him and a complete stranger who wormed her way into his life. The story was an emotional mess. I felt the inner struggles of the characters as if I were experiencing them first-hand. Anger, fear, resentment, and love. Hope was another emotion woven into the tale. Beautifully written in a way that lured me deeper into the characters. I wanted to read every detail. To see all that was happening and as well as the hows and whys. Fran Seen has a way of sucking her readers into this brilliantly crafted romance. Not just some sappy hot romance. It’s about dealing with one’s demons and coming to face them despite the risks. Risks of what others will think. The risk of having others run once they see the damaged person. The risk of hoping and falling in love…Somehow, the two main characters find a way of supporting one another and helping them each face their own struggles head on…now, whether they were successful or not is up for readers to discover for themselves. I fell in love with this title because of the realistic issues, believable characters, and the superb writing. Fran Seen is indeed a talented writer who words are worthy of every readers’ attention. Overall, I highly recommend Lionheart to all.

Review: Jesse’s Seed

 

Synopsis:

It’s autumn, 1941. The Nazis have fired on the USS Greer; London is ablaze, and the streets of Leningrad are red with blood. Still, David Dremmer is content to work his father’s ranch and dream of his best friend’s wife. When the United States finally enters the war, David escapes his father’s disappointment and a loveless marriage by enlisting in the Air Corps. His choice proves fateful. His B-17 is shot down over Belgium. Now, he is in the hands of the Nazis, and a deadly game of cat and mouse ensues as Second Lieutenant David Dremmer wages a private war with the Luftwaffe, the Wehrmacht, and his own conscience to save the life of a beautiful Resistance operative. It’s then he discovers that the weakness that has kept him from his dreams is, in fact, the key to becoming who he was born to be. An award-winning, lyrical novel, Jesse’s Seed explores the power of choice, finality, love, and redemption.

Rating: 5 stars

Review:

Jesse’s Seed by Sam D. Pakan is a historical WWII novel that all will want to read. Readers are instantly taken back to 1941. The horrors of Pearl Harbor being bombed and the declaration of war will send back memories and chills down readers spines. Japanese and German soldiers. Americans fighting both. They tried to stay out of the war until it got personal and then all bets were off…attacking one’s country does things to a nation. So many boats destroyed and lives taken that day. Death, loss, war, and love. These walking together on a journey that will keep readers interested for a long time to come. A young man seems to be a disappointment to his father. His weakness is that of a good heart. Imagine flying over enemy territory…the chances of crashing on enemy territory is high. Flying during wartime is the scariest part…threats of being bombed or crashing is real. If the pilot makes it to the ground in one piece…the person could be tortured and die a slow painful death. Then, readers are taken to 1943 when flying is constant and members of a crew have died. Moments like these will create emotions like regret, sadness, and frustration.  So much evil in this world…and the good trying to save the world, seems to die faster than the bad. Soon, the destruction of Jewish businesses and places of worship are destroyed. The Nazis are here and all hell breaks loose. Nazis are the one nightmare that seems to never go away. Then, despite all the war and danger the main character is also stuck in a loveless marriage.

Then, readers are taken to 1943 when flying is constant and members of a crew have died. Moments like these will create emotions like regret, sadness, and frustration.  So much evil in this world…and the good trying to save the world, seems to die faster than the bad. Soon, the destruction of Jewish businesses and places of worship are destroyed. The Nazis are here and all hell breaks loose. Nazis are the one nightmare that seems to never go away. Then, despite all the war and danger the main character is also stuck in a loveless marriage.  Jesse’s Seed has a little of everything to lure readers to its pages. I found the tale suspenseful and well-developed. It was an emotional journey that I won’t ever forget. The characters were believable. I felt like I was there…back in time when and where it all was happening. The scenes rolling on by like an old movie playing images to my eyes. Overall, I highly recommend this stunning war novel to readers everywhere. Sam D. Pakan is a talented writer.

Review: Rise of the Chosen

 

Synopsis:

In Sam’s world, there are two rules. Rule #1: Nobody dies. Protect the living at all costs. Rule #2: Everybody dies. At least once.

The Waking was a global event in which a force called the Lifeblood invaded all humans who died. The few strong enough to control it came back as powerful immortals. The rest let the bloodlust take over and awoke with one goal – to kill.

Newly appointed Watch Guard Samantha Shields has a legacy to uphold. Her father died a hero defending their city and now she wants to follow in his footsteps. Except for the dying part, of course. Unfortunately, fate has other plans as she discovers deep dark secrets that make her choose between her loyalties and the lives of everyone in her city. Both rules are in play as Sam is forced to make hard decisions that could cost her everything – including the person she cares about most.

Rating: 4 stars

Review:

Rise of the Chosen by Anna Kopp is intense. There are the dead,  and the dead who walk. Then, there’s an army of individuals set on protecting the innocent. One young woman lost her dad and then her mother. After the loss of her mother, Sam was promoted to the highest level of fighting. Her boyfriend ends up being killed but issues out a warning to her. Then, she and her new teammates are preparing to fight a battle. One that is about to break out and only time will tell what happens next.

Rise of The Chosen was well-written. The main character, Sam, is a lesbian. So there’s plenty of F/F action happening. The tale is fast-paced. Packed with tons of action, tough choices, and fighting. Death is everywhere inside this novel. Losing the only family Sam had is a tough emotional journey. Then she also loses a past boyfriend that she cared about like a friend. Work is tough especially when the leading female didn’t have time to prepare or work her way up to the highest level. Lots of science fiction fantasy themes can be found in this exciting read. Anna Kopp is a talented writer. I was fascinated by her book about the dead and the war at hand.

 

Review: Gods, Empire, & Shifting Trade Routes

 

Synopsis:

In approximately 200 pages, this book seems to describe what 200,000 pages could not come close to adequately holding: the history of the world. Featured in this brief ride through the human condition: why over 40% of the world speaks in tongues descended from an obscure tribe called the Indo-Europeans, how political violence escalated in a three-part ancient republic, the African king whose massive wealth caused inflation when he traveled abroad, the probability that you are personally related to Genghis Khan, how the coming of Islam influenced Java’s shadow theater, how Sub-Saharan Africans were visiting Europe long before Europeans “discovered” Sub-Saharan Africa, the six foot eight giant who collected midgets while also making Russia a great power, Britain’s wars with China over their right to sell illegal drugs, the CIA intervention in order to secure a monopoly for a fruit company, Soviet jokes, and the African World War. Also mentioned is all the stuff you know already: the origins of the major world religions, Ancient Greece and Rome, Charlemagne, the French Revolution, World War One and World War Two, including the part of WWII between China and Japan that had a death toll estimated around 20 million.

Rating: 5 stars

Review:

Gods, Empire, and Shifting Trade Routes by Matthew Crowe is the book to read. It’s a small nonfiction book that contains history from the beginning to this very time period that we’re in now…Excellent way of condensing all of history into a brief easy to read style. I love the fact that readers can learn more and watch how the four major parts that created the world the way it is, evolve. These four areas are known as religion, politics, economics, and last but not least culture. All of these specific areas are the domination for wat made humans do what they did and still do today. It helped build the social institutions we know. Like our governments. Every part of the world there is some kind of government in existence. Another brilliant part of this book is that it answers the who, what, when and where questions. I love history and this is brilliant. I found words that pop up in my studies since I was in middle school to now in college. The writer, Matthew Crowe, goes on to explains these common terms that are essential to readers’ knowledge of the world and history. Third reason, I am enamoured with this nonfiction piece is that it takes readers deep into the world’s culture and environments. Can you imagine how some of the most magnificent architecture were built and why? Matthew Crowe had a goal in mind and he succeeded in doing just that. I was blown away by all the topics he managed to cover in this brief edition. I hope he creates another edition exploring other parts that were not highlighted within this one so as to cover all parts. Overall, as a history lover, this was one of the best condensed editions of history,that I have run across. Highly recommend Gods, Empire, and Shifting Trade Routes to all.

 

Review: My Darling Dorothy

 

Synopsis:

Based on authentic letters from the era, My Darling Dorothy is a timeless love story that transcends both hard times and the brutal impact of war. The tumult of the Great Depression and World War II provides the background for a novel about three young people; Tommie, Jack and Dorothy and their challenges, struggles, defeats, and triumphs.

Tommie struggles to survive the Bataan Death March in the fall of 1941, clinging to his dream of a gratifying future with Dorothy as his bride. On the front-lines, of the European Theatre, Jack experiences the horrors of endless battle. Dorothy, caught between the two, works to maintain her dream of a life beyond small-town Nebraska. The hopes and hardships they share are reflected in the letters that they exchange. Are they remnants of lost dreams, or the foundation for a joyful future?

Rating: 5 stars

Review:

My Darling Dorothy by Jo Virden is a fascinating fictional journey. One that takes readers back and forth during WWII and  to the present moment. A young woman finds letters within odd things her parents have collected over the years. Something in her gut says there has to be something special hidden in the junk stuff…and her instincts paid off. She finds old letters. A man named Tommie wrote to her mother…why? And what happened to him? The historical novel explores the past lives of Tommie who fell in love with Dorothy. Then there’s another man who has captured Dorothy’s attention. The handsome devilish guy named Jack. Dorothy writes back and forth to both men. The tale takes us through the hardships each young person struggled and lived through during their lives. Intriguing, highly entertaining, and well-written. There is an emotional toll that kept on tugging on my heart as the scenes flew by me. A fast-paced story that somehow wraps itself around me, causing me to fall deeper into the characters’ lives. Beautifully told. My Darling Dorothy is about love, adventure, loss, and war. This was my first novel that I have read by Jo Virden.  She has created a masterfully woven tale that I won’t ever forget. Memorable. Satisfying. Overall, I highly recommend it to readers everywhere.

 

Review: The Bodyguard of Deception

 

Synopsis:

Can the American and British Allies stop a vaunted German spymaster and his U-boat-commander brother from warning Hitler’s High Command about the Allies’ greatest military secret? It is a secret that could win the war for Germany–or, at the very least, delay the outcome for years with an inestimable cost in bloodshed, physical destruction, and suffering. And it is a secret that the two contentious brothers must grapple with within their own Wehrmacht ranks, as they bring U.S. and British intelligence to their knees on America’s doorstep with the clock to D-Day ticking down. From a U-boat on the frigid North Sea to a brutal British interrogation center in the heart of London, to a remote German-POW camp, and the world-famous Broadmoor Hotel overlooking the high plains and snow-dusted mountain peaks of Colorado, Bodyguard of Deception will keep you guessing until the final chapter. The first book of #1 Denver Post Bestselling, Award-Winning Suspense Author Samuel Marquis’s World War II Trilogy.

Rating: 5 stars

Review:

Bodyguard of Deception by Samuel Marquis is the most realistic World War II novel that I have ever read. The story swept me off my feet and deep into the horrors of the war at hand. The SS officers frightened me. They are are arrogant and violent. It was surprising to hear the German spy brother question how such violent people rose to their positions in Germany. The fight between two brothers is believable. But both have their jobs to do and now, that their paths have crossed, both may be in for danger. Shooting at the enemy lured a fight that the German brothers couldn’t hold up against.  Prisoners of war…Nazis, and the Allied Forces is something that will forever be stuck in my mind. Hitler’s orders…cold, cruel, and devastating to his country. Bodyguard of Deception is truly a remarkable historical tale that readers everywhere will love. I was deeply satisfied with the fast-placed plot. Felt like I was there in the story as the war went on…Danger, enemies, and espionage all brilliantly re-told in this exciting thriller. Samuel Marquis has once again, captivated me from the beginning to end. Overall, I highly recommend this novel.

Review: Gullali of Panjshir Valley

 

Synopsis:

A POWERFUL TALE OF ADVENTURE, ROMANCE, AND ONE WOMAN’S FIGHT AGAINST GENDER BIAS IN THE NAME OF CULTURE AND RELIGION.

Panjshir Valley, eleven thousand feet above sea level north of Kabul–Afghanistan, is heaven on Earth. Gullali, an educated young Afghan woman, was raised by her liberal-minded family to believe women deserve the same rights as men, a belief that is vehemently condemned by Talibanised Afghanistan. With romance in her life, Gullali’s life is perfect until Afghanistan is invaded by the Soviet army on December 24, 1979, and her life changes overnight.

After ten years of occupation, the Soviets leave in defeat. Though a triumph, the tribes fight among themselves over women and pretty boys. Power turns to greed, and order in Afghanistan fades. Amid the turmoil, the Taliban gain control, over the country, and women are the first casualty in the name of Islam.

Rumors of a more tolerant Pakistan beckon Gullali and her husband, but tragedy strikes. Gullali comes to realize the Taliban is just as prevalent in Pakistan. Captive, she suffers both physically and mentally from gender bias and religious hypocrisy.

Fueled by the abuse, Gullali is determined to fight for women’s rights, education, and freedom from male abuse in the name of Muslim culture and religion. Using her story, she tries to create awareness among the women of Pakistan but faces death threats from the clerics. She fights back. What follows is a roller coaster ride of fights for women’s liberation and adventure, with passionate romance in between.

Rating: 5 stars

Review:

Gullali of Panjshir Valley by Zia Rehman is an interesting read. It brings to light the struggles of the people of Afghanistan and Pakistan. Women especially are brought into a chaos all because of the of Islam religion and men’s ideas of women. Women are treated as unequal. No education, as well as no rights, are given. This novel brings to life the struggles that women faced under the Islamic men’s rule. The danger was something that lied ahead for women as men didn’t take to them going to school lightly. The men wanted to be in charge. There seemed to be historical events planted within this fiction tale. Like the many different invaders to these countries and what happened each time. Every take over had an influence on the countries that these women lived within…I found myself curious as I read every page. The leading female character’s life went from good to horrifying fast. Her country was one that she wanted to leave. But the next one was just as bad as her own. Love, fate, and determination helped Gullali fight for survival. Her story is a journey many don’t want to miss.  War, terror, and abuse…and one one woman’s courage are themes that will entice readers to this brilliant piece. Overall, I recommend Gullali of Panjshir Valley to readers everywhere.

Review: Hero of My Dreams

 

Synopsis:

The crew of the Arklardin Command Air Transport traverses a wormhole that empties them into the spiral Milky Way galaxy. Time is running out and they must find the one they seek. This is the third day of their search to find a hero who can lead Arklardin against an alien invasion. ZEUS, their onboard computer, directs them to a small blue planet. Kumari, the beautiful science officer who operates the advanced computer wonders, “Will we find the one we seek here?”

Arklardin is a peace-loving planet that is millions of light years from Earth. Their ancestors outlawed war centuries ago and nothing could have prepared them for this intrusion upon their serenity. An evil tyrant interrupted the nation of Pretoria’s winter games; his chilling words rang out across their fairgrounds: “Surrender or die.”

Kumari is filled with dread as she realizes her dreams are coming true. For over two years she has been tormented by visions of imminent danger to her world. She is perplexed and confused because the hero of her dreams always snatches her from the jaws of the dragon but never lets her see his face. If her hero is her fiancé, then why does he hide his face? Surely if he is known to her, he would show himself. Kumari and her crew have been commissioned by the Pretorian king to search other worlds and recruit the warrior they so desperately need.

Dragoon is Lord and Master of the planet Zharbruk. His lust for power and conquest causes him to turn his eyes to his neighbor, the huge peace-loving planet of Arklardin. A secret alliance gives his forces what they need to begin the interplanetary assault. However, his vision of conquest is not limited to his own solar system. Once he has Arklardin under his heel, there will be other inhabited worlds to conquer. Will the universe bring forth a champion to defend this beautiful planet?

Meanwhile on Earth, a young, handsome war hero contemplates his life and the war he has come home from. Awarded the Medal of Honor for courage during a bloody action in Southeast Asia, he wonders if there is some grand design for his life. Has he endured the horrors of war for nothing, or has a Higher Power been preparing him for some worthy cause? He is confused at the direction of his life. Lieutenant Alexander Freeman last saw Veronica standing beside his best friend when he sailed off to war. He was not prepared for her Dear John letter to arrive the day his first tour of duty ended. It was at this time he began to have the dreams. A beautiful apparition often visited and seemed to be in peril. He knows it is only a dream but is puzzled at the strong emotions manifested.

Arriving back in his hometown of Wimauma, Florida, the war hero settles into the rustic life of a cattleman. One night as he lays beside the pristine Little Manatee River, absorbed in the beauty of the night sky, a bright light suddenly catches his attention. Alexander Freeman has no idea the events of this night will cast him into conflict out among the stars where he has always found solace. Destiny has finally found him and his life will never be the same.

Could it be possible these two young lives have connected in their dreams from worlds that are millions of light-years apart? Have the dreams of Kumari and Alex brought them together for some purpose other than repelling the invasion? Is he truly her hero and can he, in the process of saving her, save her world?

Rating: 5 stars

Review:

Hero of My Dreams by J.R. Pitts is a fantasy all readers must have. It is fast-paced. Tons of action, as well as immediate danger, plunge readers deeper into the story. A journey that travels beyond space into dreams. This romantic story packs a lot.  A peaceful planet in danger of a horrible invasion and they only have so much time before they find someone who can save them. One man on earth might be just the one. Alex, already a hero from fighting a war in his country keeps having dreams of a woman. What he doesn’t expect or know is that the woman is real and her planet is in trouble. Dreams, love, fate, and war are all tied in beautifully by this talented writer. I normally am very picky when it comes to fantasy novels and this one has met every one of my expectations. I was instantly taken into the foreign world created in this stunning fictional piece. The characters were believable. Enemies can be defeated and dreams can come true. I loved reading Hero of My Dreams. Overall, I highly recommend it to readers everywhere.

Review: News of the World

 

Synopsis:

It is 1870 and Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd travels through northern Texas, giving live readings to paying audiences hungry for news of the world. An elderly widower who has lived through three wars and fought in two of them, the captain enjoys his rootless, solitary existence.

In Wichita Falls, he is offered a $50 gold piece to deliver a young orphan to her relatives in San Antonio. Four years earlier, a band of Kiowa raiders killed Johanna’s parents and sister; sparing the little girl, they raised her as one of their own. Recently rescued by the U.S. army, the ten-year-old has once again been torn away from the only home she knows.

Their 400-mile journey south through unsettled territory and unforgiving terrain proved difficult and at times dangerous. Johanna has forgotten the English language, tries to escape at every opportunity, throws away her shoes, and refuses to act “civilized.” Yet as the miles pass, the two lonely survivors tentatively begin to trust each other, forging a bond that marks the difference between life and death in this treacherous land.

Arriving in San Antonio, the reunion is neither happy nor welcome. The captain must hand Johanna over to an aunt and uncle she does not remember—strangers who regard her as an unwanted burden. A respectable man, Captain Kidd is faced with a terrible choice: abandon the girl to her fate or become—in the eyes of the law—a kidnapper himself. Exquisitely rendered and morally complex, News of the World is a brilliant work of historical fiction that explores the boundaries of family, responsibility, honor, and trust.

Rating: 5 stars

Review:

News of the World by Paulette Jiles is an absolute must read for all. Here is a realistic historical tale that will tug and pull at readers’ hearts. A journey that is nothing but beautiful and breathtaking…an old war veteran is now jobbed with taking a small girl back to her family that still lives. But it’s not a fun travel. The girl had her parents and sister taken and killed, from her, when she was younger. Then, the Indians that killed her family took her into their culture. Now, at age ten…she only knows the Indian way of life. It’s sad. The young girl grows up thinking the Indians are her only family and doesn’t know any English at all. It tore at me to see her taken from her original family and then she feels she’s taken from the family she remembers, the Indians. As the veteran continues to take the little savage girl to her family…things get harder for them both.

Paulette Jiles brings readers a story unlike any other. It’s deep, meaningful, and an unforgettable tale that will stay with readers for a long time to come. A young girl’s journey to survive and an older man who wants to do right by her. Soon both of their fates are brought together and this is where readers will be awed. Johanna has suffered a lot of pain, neglect, and abuse and now, with the Captian, she can re-enter society. Johanna can experience a family of love and care with the Captian. He ends up loving the blue eyed blonde girl who had it hard in life. All he wants is for her to be happy and safe. Maybe, they can find a peacefulness within each other’s company as they days turn into years. News of the World shows us how cruel and devasting our world can be. An orphaned girl needs a home, security, and love. Most of all patience. Yet no one but the old Captian has given this to her. This was the first novel, I have read by this talented author. I highly recommend News of the World to readers everywhere.