authentic reviews and insightful interviews for inquisitive readers
Title: Mariana Author: Susanna Kearsley Series: n/a The end ruined the whole thing So I finished the audiobook last night, and I was left feeling so unbalanced and unsatisfied that I was quite worked up. And got more worked up the longer I thought about it. I free-wrote a rant that didn’t make much sense, and, recognizing that, I didn’t post it anywhere and let it rest. I did not rest, however. I got the ebook from the library and …
Title: A Bad Day for Sunshine Author: Darynda Jones Series: Sunshine Vicram #1 Don’t repeat your mistakes, Jones I would like to effusively thank Darynda Jones, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for letting Christmas come early by allowing me to read a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. When a new Darynda Jones book drops out of the wild blue yonder directly into my lap more than six months before its due to be released, there’s only one …
Book Review by Elise Cooper Always Look Twice by Elizabeth Goddard is the second in the series about the McKade brothers. This action packed romantic suspense delves into family, friendships, second chances, and personal growth, with many twists and turns. The plot begins with Harper Reynolds who is attempting to heal her mind and soul by photographing nature scenes instead of crime scenes. Unfortunately for her as she is taking telephoto pictures of a Grizzly Bear, she inadvertently captures a …
Article and Interview by Elise Cooper An Unorthodox Match by Naomi Ragen has a basis for this novel, the insular world of the Jewish community; yet, any denomination can fit into this beautiful love story. The powerful and moving plot considers how faith, love, forgiveness, and acceptance are all intertwined. Issues sensitively explored include hypocrisy, bigotry, family dysfunction, the stigma of mental illness, and the economic hardships confronting men who choose to be studious religiously, instead of earning a living. …
Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Dark Ambitions by Irene Hannon has action, mystery, suspense, and some romance. Politics, money, and greed come together to show how power can corrupt. This finale in the series brings back a secondary character from the previous books and introduces a new one. The book begins with former army captain Rick Jordan finding at his camp for foster children, in rural Missouri, some blood in the snow. Investigating further he recognizes a good luck …
Title: The Widow of Rose House Author: Diana Biller Series: n/a A humorous debut romance—and a ghost story too I would like to thank Diana Biller, St. Martin’s Press/Griffin, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. I devoured this book. Started it late in the evening and would have had it finished before noon the following day if other obligations hadn’t demanded my attention. I still finished it within 24 hours. …
Article and Interview by Elise Cooper One Final Breath by Lynn H. Blackburn is the last in the Carrington County, North Carolina Sheriff’s Department Dive Team series. Fans of these books will enjoy this action-packed, suspenseful, romantic read, but will also feel a bit melancholy since these characters will be put out to sea as this nail-biting series ends. The plot begins with a gunshot. A teenager has been discovered murdered as he and his friend are swimming near a …
Book Review by Elise Cooper Reluctant Belle by Beth White has a love triangle, assassinations, and the upheaval that occurred during the Reconstruction Era in the US. Readers are transported to the time period. Through the character’s banter and dialogue White is able to lighten the somber and disturbing events. Showing the injustice, the story delves into how freed slaves struggled to negotiate their new lives. Those that supported them in the white community had to face bitterness, resentment, and …
Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Cowboy to the Core and Lone Wolf Cowboy by Maisey Yates are the latest in the “Gold Valley series.” What these novels have in common, a Yates specialty, is showing how individuals make their own choices and can choose love over being broken. Both books delve into the lives of the Dalton brothers and how their father’s imperfection affected them regarding relationships. Jamie Dodge is the heroine in Cowboy to the Core. She is …
Title: The Baron and the Enchantress Author: Paullett Golden Series: Enchantresses #3 Got a bit long, otherwise a beautiful story My thanks to Paullett Golden, who asked me to read a free copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. This was typical Golden (Is it too early to start saying “classic” Golden?)—a well-told, heartfelt story with endearing characters, deep themes, historical detail, bittersweet irony, and humor. The only real issue, in my eyes, was the length. I …