A Widow’s Guilty Secret By Marie Ferrarella Review

A Widow’s Guilty Secret

By Marie Ferrarella

★★

Suzie Burris is waiting for her husband to get home so she can ask for a divorce. Having agreed to have a child to try to connect with each other she is now the new mother of a two month old baby and has had enough of her philandering husband. As Suzie is anxiously waiting for her husband Detective Nick Jeffries shows up to inform her that her husband has been murdered.

I usually like what Harlequin releases, this is one of those instances where it was a miss for me. Granted Marie Ferrerella is a great author, she does a wonderful job in bringing her story fully to life. The problem is the story itself. First off you have a woman who has just given birth and whose husband has just been murdered but she is constantly taking off and leaving her two month old son with her sister. Then you take into account that this is a romance novel and she will inevitably fall in love with the detective, again I see what the author is trying to say that the marriage has been over for a while but her husband died what a few hours ago and she is falling for someone else? I think that if the author had switched Suzie and her sister Lori characters with each other she would have had a much better novel. The third problem I have follows the not so subtle:

**Spoiler Alert**

The absolutely biggest problem I had was when as you may have predicted her son and sister are kidnapped. And what does a grieving widow whose child is in danger do? You guessed it, have passionate sex with the man who is supposed to be working on her husband’s case.  Wait what?

**End Spoiler Alert**

Unfortunately I did not like this book which is rare from me as I said I usually like what Harlequin puts out there, this one was just too much. There’s drama then there is “You’ve got to be kidding me!”

The Silver Sphere By Michael Dadich Review

The Silver Sphere

By Michael Dadich

★★★★★

Shelby Pardow doesn’t have the easiest life, her father is abusive and her mother is long gone. Shelby uses the library as her escape, one day she is at one of the computer when she gets an incoming massage that reads: You Are Needed. She is soon transported to Azimuth where it turns out she is Kin to one of the six Aulic Assembly members who are imprisoned by an evil warlord. Shelby with the help of the other Kin will soon be thrust head first into a battle to stop Malefic once and for all.

 

This is one of those novels that I just could not put down. From the beginning Michael Dadich displays a phenomenal ability to involve the reader into the storyline with an emotional entrance into the novel as Shelby’s father is tormenting her through to the transformation she undergoes as the story progresses. Not only does the author pull you in emotionally but he also creates some highly unique creatures as well as the setting of the book making each scene more fascinating than the next. I certainly had a lot of fun reviewing this book and I look forward to seeing what Michael Dadich will come up with next.

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The Moon Dwellers By David Estes Review

The Moon Dwellers

The Dwellers Book One

By David Estes

Humankind was forced into the depths of the earth soon forming a new society called the Tri-realms, with three distinct realms Moon, Star, and Sun. The Moon realm is the furthest into the ground and this is where the “Pen” is. The Pen is a penitentiary and houses anyone who has committed a crime or anyone who may cause crime in Adele’s case since she is sentenced to life imprisonment for something her father did. One day Tristan the son of the President and a sun dweller comes down to the moon realm and as soon as he lays eyes on Adele he feels an over powering connection. But soon a war breaks out amongst the three realms everyone’s life will be irrevocably altered.  

Am I the only person who has caught the similarities between the Mormon’s Three Kingdoms of Heaven and the Tri-realms? I mean the Three Kingdoms of heaven are broken down into the Sun, The Stars, and The Moon Kingdoms. Each one holding a different set of people but since this is the Moon book I will focus there, The Moon realm houses the poorest and the worst people in society; The Kingdom of The Moon is for liars, thieves, and the worst kinds of people. This is not a bad thing the three kingdoms of heaven is a great bases for a story I just can’t believe in all of the reviews I have read No One has pointed it out. The story itself is amazing full of romance and action, David Estes’ is a magnificent writer who is able to bring to life each scene making this a great dystopian novel.  I have to give the author his credit though, not only did he dedicate the book to his wife but he named the main character after her, if that didn’t win him brownie points then I don’t know what would.

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The Forbidden Trilogy By Kimberly Kinrade Review

The Forbidden Trilogy

By Kimberly Kinrade

 

Forbidden Mind Book One

Sam is getting ready for her eighteenth birthday, when she can finally leave “rent-a-kid” where she and other kids with paranormal powers are used as spies to the highest bidder. After one of her missions she is taken back to the institute where she sees a guy who links to her mentally asking for help before he passes out. From that moment the two shares a connection that cannot be broken, but Drake has shown Sam a side of the institute she never wanted to believe and they must both fight for their lives to escape.

Kimberly Kinrade has a great story going with Drake and Sam even the other students with paranormal powers, but to make it even better about halfway through she throws in a juicy twist making this an amazing read. I didn’t really feel the connection right away between Drake and Sam as the author had intended, I mean for me how can you fall in love with someone with only having seen them once at a glance? But as the story progresses you manage to fall in love right along with them. Putting the twist into this book was a stroke of genius adding a whole new level of depravity to an already atrocious situation. I cannot wait to keep reading, I just hope the author will not lose momentum and will continue to surprise us.

Forbidden Fire Book Two

Warning: I will do my best to not spoil the first book, but it may contain spoilers despite my efforts.

Sam and Drake are on the run this time with one thing on their mind protecting what is most important to them. We also see Lucy and Luke as they are left behind at the “Rent-a-Kid” center determined to get to the truth of the center and hopefully find a way as well.

Not as great as the first book but it still has its own twists and turns along the way that makes it a fun read. This time along with Drake and Sam we are able to really get to know Luke and Lucy, Sam’s best friends, and this allows us to continually know what is taking place with all the other kids who are being held at the rent-a-kid center. In doing this the author brings to life many other characters who take part in several of the action scenes along the way. This is definitely and interesting series, the para-powers continue to fascinate me from Luke who can walk through walls to Mary the seductress each one has an attention-grabbing story to tell. I cannot wait to continue on and see where Kimberly Kinrade takes us next.

Forbidden Life Book Three

Warning will most definitely contain spoilers of the first two books if you haven’t read them. I will do my best to keep it vague.

Sam will do anything to protect Ana now that she has finally arrived, but the powers that be know Ana is going to be the most powerful paranormal child ever to exist and will do anything to get their hands on her. All the while Drake is missing recuperating after what had happened to him in the previous book, and Luke and Lucy are on a mission to put an end to Rent-a-Kid once and for all before they too lose Ana.

I still want to kick Drake where it will hurt the most what he did to Sam is despicable. Other than that it was a fun book and obviously the author did a phenomenal job in her descriptive capabilities to evoke such a strong emotion from a reader. I loved the different trials that each of the characters must go through as they face decisions that may change their entire lives. In the end, this was a great conclusion to the trilogy I just wish she had finished off with Luke and Lucy a bit more, but that aside she ties everything up with a nice bow for her readers.

Special Features:

Discussion Guide-

I don’t see the point in discussion guides, but then I don’t discuss books with people in such a manner. Unfortunately I found this tedious and some of the questions are meant to make you “think” about the books when I see the trilogy as entertaining, not thought provoking. Though, I must admit that some of the discussion questions have certainly brought the entire trilogy into a new light. This is a great feature for a book club use, for personal use it is interesting and adds focus on where the author was coming from when she wrote these book.

Top Secret: IPI Paranormal Profiles-

So this bit of extra information is really cute, most of it you will know from the books themselves but the descriptions of the characters as well as some of the commentary make this worth the quick read.

Tell Me No Secrets by Sam Smith and Drake Davis-

Hmmm, I am not sure what the point of this is. It seems like a marketing ploy that was used and preserved in the book. Basically it is Sam repeating things from book one and then Drake saying how much he loves Sam.

Questions and Answers with Author Kimberly Kinrade-

This was a fantastic interview with the author I only wish that the interviewer had been identified.

The Forbidden Trilogy Playlist-

Great songs!

Now with each review and all of the special features, I would definitely recommend this omnibus it’s a great read and the extras are fun and even enlightening.

The Reason William Sirls Review

The Reason

William Sirls

In a small town in Michigan a storm is brewing. As the storm builds the lights inside St. Thomas church go out, then the night sky is brightened by a lone lightning strike that splits the wooden cross outside of the church. Since it is a small congregation the blind minister wonders how they will repair the damage that was wrought. When Macey Lewis, an oncologist at the local hospital, finds out about the dilemma she gathers a group of strangers together to repair what was done. Soon their lives are intertwining as they each find peace with themselves and with God.

The Reason is a beautiful novel full of love and God’s grace.  In this book you learn that anything can be possible as long as you believe, to quit living in the past and live in the present, and appreciate what is around you that you have been blessed with. With such a strong positive message and beautiful scenes this is one of those novels you just don’t want to put down. William Sirls has created not only a book worth reading but something that will impact and change the way you view the things in your life. I do think novels like this need to come with tissues that would be enough warning that there is a strong chance you will end up blubbering like a baby.

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Desert Rice By Angela Scott Review

Desert Rice

By Angela Scott

Samantha Jean Haggert is on the run with her brother Jacob after her mother dies. They must stick together since Sam is only twelve and Jacob fifteen they will do anything they can to keep from having Child Protective Services separate them. Since Sam begins to draw too much unwanted attention from men Jacob has her cut off all her hair and hides her beauty under baggy clothes and a baseball cap. But everything begins to unravel when they finally find people whom want them to become part of their family and the truth may tear them all apart.

Angela Scott has written an emotional rollercoaster of a novel with such a surprising twist towards the end that will make you cringe and cry out at the injustice of what has happened. I loved it, my husband on the other hand decided headphones was the way to go after some of the more heinous secrets where revealed. I say this more to point out that it may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it does have one of the best ending I have come across in a long time. I am trying to be as vague as possible so I will not give anything away but also to do this novel justice, it is truly an amazing read so well written and emotional charged that it is hard to set down. Warning though you may want a big box of tissues at hand just in case you turn into a geyser, it’s that good.

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An Heiress at Heart by Jennifer Delamere Review

An Heiress at Heart

Love’s Grace Book One

By Jennifer Delamere

Lizzie Poole and her brother Tom escape to Australia after Lizzie has an indiscretion with a man who leaves her destitute in Europe. Upon arriving they are both picked out to be free workers by a man who seems all too interested in Lizzie claiming his wife Ria and she will become fast friends. Once they have made their way to their final destination Lizzie soon realizes why Edward was so fascinated by her tale, she looks exactly like his wife Ria. For the past seven years the four have become inseparable friends and after one tragic event then another it is Ria’s dying wish that Lizzie make her way back to London and take her place there to make amends for everything Ria has done to her family. Lizzie reluctantly agrees which soon leads her straight to the man she inevitably fall in love with but can never have.

 

Jennifer Delamere has brought to life a beautiful historical novel transporting the reader straight to London in the mid nineteenth century. The Author brings to life not only a beautiful cast of characters, but also the Crystal Palace and Hyde Park in such irrevocably stunning detail you can imagine every detail to the fullest extent as if you had been there yourself. This novel is thoroughly one of the best historical romances I have come across, so well researched and brought to life that it is a must read for a fan of the genre. Not only is this novel a historical romance though it is also a beautiful Christian romance, and unlike some novels it is not overly “preachy” but more subtle making it interesting to read along as each character faces a unique array of trials that they must overcome.

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Chasers by James Phelan Review

Chasers

Alone Book One

By James Phelan

Jesse, Anna, Dave and Mini are all attending the Un Youth Ambassadors camp in New York, as they are on their way to see the 9/11 memorial their subway carriage is derailed by a massive explosion. The four teenagers from around the world are the only one to survive and soon crawl their way to the surface to find that all of New York City has suffered from a devastating attack. When they come across what appears to be survivors they are elated, but soon have their hopes diminished when the “survivors” soon turn on them chasing after them for their blood, for that one precious drink that will satiate their thirst.

 

James Phelan brings to life an all new form of monster in this novel; he combines aspects of zombies and vampires leaving us with a horrifying image. There is not a single aspect of this novel that I disliked, the characters are relatable thrown into a situation where they are trapped and absolutely “Alone” the monsters are terrifying yet you feel for the souls who have been turned into such monstrous creatures. The only thing I didn’t get was why a group of survivors would stay in a high rise, 30 Rock, when most skyscrapers are collapsing around them, though the setting is superb for this novel as it provides ample life sustaining items for the small group. Honestly though the best part of this novel is the ending, it is amazing with not one but two spectacular twists that definitely secure your interest in the rest of this series.

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The Miracle Inspector by Helen Smith Review

The Miracle Inspector

By Helen Smith

In the near future, London has become an oppressive society, one in which women are not allowed out of the home to work or even socialize with other women. Lucas and Angela is a young couple who have become restless in this society, Angela is tired of being a captive in her own home while Lucas is tired of working as the miracle inspector and facing day in and day out of women fabricating miracles just so they can have some company. Soon they decide they will try to escape London throwing them into more conflicts then they had imagined.

Helen Smith writes novels with a wicked sense of humor; anywhere from dark humor to crude nothing is safe when Helen Smith begins a novel. This novel is a little different with a lot less of the absurd content, though it is not what I expected from the author I found myself falling in love with this story. Now granted, I am a sucker for a dystopian novel, but this novel is so realistic it is scary. The women are sheltered from the cruel world and the dangerous men who live in it they are not beaten or abused just sheltered to the point they are not allowed to leave the house. Unlike many dystopian novels this one does not lean towards the extreme or the science fiction making it unique and definitely an interesting read.

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Glass Houses by Rachel Caine Review

Glass Houses

The Morganville Vampires Series Book One

By Rachel Caine

Super smart sixteen year old, Claire Danvers, is a misfit through and through especially considering the fact that she is a freshman in college. Soon after she starts her new life in Morganville Texas she bites off more than she can chew when she insults Monica and her gaggle of followers who are now out for her blood. After Monica pushes Claire down a flight of stairs she decides she must leave campus and find somewhere else to stay otherwise she may end up dead next time. She soon finds an add that takes her to a house that is best described as “Gone with the Wind meets the Munsters” and three new roommates each eccentric in their own way. Shortly after she moves in she discovers that Morganville is more than just the party town that it seems and is full of dark and dangerous secrets.

Ok so when I first heard about this novel I thought “Young adult romance called Morganville Vampires, another typical vampire romance, Skip it!” Once I started reading this novel it took me completely by surprise, not only is the vampires the bad guys in this book but it surrounds an entire town controlled by vampires and the humans know and most are under a vampire’s protection. After I read this I was hooked, I could not get enough of this novel with its witty repartee and a storyline like this it is an amazing read. Be forewarned this book has one heck of a cliffhanger so have book two ready to continue on!

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Sneak by Evan Angler Review

Sneak

Book Two of the Swipe Series

By Evan Angler

Logan Langly is searching for his sister, when she was preparing to receive her mark that would make her a true citizen she was “flunked” at the last minute; she was taken from her family and everyone she knew. Logan has come across a lead in search that will take him to one of the worst places imaginable, Acheron, a prison for the markless. As Logan continues on his search he soon becomes part of an underground “river” for the markless who wish to find freedom.

Though I haven’t read the first novel in this series this book was absolutely amazing. The beginning can be a bit confusing if you don’t know what is happening but soon you are wrapped up into a story full of outstanding characters each one bringing a different aspect of this story to life. Though the main story centers around Logan and his sister it also encompasses Peck, the leader of “The Dust” a rebel group of teenagers, who is also searching for Logan’s sister as they had been very close before she went missing and also Erin a marked girl whose father is one of the men sent to track down Logan though she does everything she can to help Logan himself. Each storyline intertwines flawlessly making this an interesting and captivating read.

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Crossed by Ally Condie Review

Crossed

Matched Book Two

By Ally Condie

Cassia is determined to find Ky after he has been taken by the Society into the Outer Provinces where the Society intends for him to be a casualty in the ongoing war. But after Cassia arrives she finds that Ky has already escaped into the mountainous caverns. Along the way she discovers remnants of a society that has survived until now and other startling revelations. Soon her journey is not just about finding Ky but also joining the rebellion in hopes of changing the Society itself.

In this book we find out more about Ky and his past as he relives lost memories that have resurfaced due to being in close proximity to where he has once lived, the life Ky once had is so captivating but we also learn more about Xander and Cassia creating a more diverse love triangle between the three and the reader dying to know who Cassia will chose. This entire novel may not have been as great as the first one, sequels rarely are, but the more the story progresses the more enthralling it becomes. Ally Condie did a remarkable job in expanding the story into so much more, creating two other civilizations to coincide with the Society and adding new dimensions to an already fascinating story.

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Manhunting by Jennifer Crusie Review

Manhunting

By Jennifer Crusie

Career orientated businesswoman Kate Svenson has decided to get married all now she needs to do is follow her business plan that she drafted for finding the perfect man to settle down with. She decides to go to an exclusive resort in Kentucky where a lot of powerful men vacation in hopes of finding her Mr. Right. But after one disastrous date after another she decides to give up completely and then is taken off guard when her Mr. Right was under her nose the entire time.

Not many books can make me laugh out loud I may smile and enjoy a scene but to laugh out right is embarrassing but this book was so cute and amusing I couldn’t help myself. Jennifer Crusie has written a fun steamy romance, full of finding love and learning that you cannot always plan every detail of your life no matter how hard you try. I loved Jake the heart throb and the laziest man in the world his outlook on life may be jaded but he makes this book, and the antics that Kate finds herself in as she accidentally maims one date after another, even though sometimes it’s not quite an accident.  If you enjoy contemporary romances then this is definitely worth the read.

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The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks

The Notebook

By Nicholas Sparks

He comes every morning with his tattered notebook to read to her, the story of Noah and Allie. It started with a summer romance, but after that summer they are separated thinking they will never see the other again. Until one day Allie sees a house in a newspaper, it is the house that Noah had always said he would restore and he did. Allie who is engaged to be married decides she needs to see Noah and to tell him of the engagement herself and hopefully be able to move on with her life, but soon they fall in love all over again.

Nicholas Sparks is an evil, evil man I never begin any of his novels without a box of tissues by my side, I have only come across one of his books so far that didn’t leave me in tears, but this novel put the others I have read to shame. It is so beautiful and moving, the love the main characters share is so strong that the thought of it can cause me to emit a heartfelt sigh. I had put off reading this book for a while now because I had seen the movie and if this book was anything like it I knew I would be crying like a baby, but I was not prepared for what awaited me. Whereas the movie focuses a lot on the summer the two spent together this novel focuses on the time that came after and I don’t think it could have been better. I wish I had read this a long time ago it was absolutely amazing.

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Divergent by Veronica Roth Review

Divergent

Divergent Trilogy Book One

By Veronica Roth

In once was called Chicago the people are divided among five pre-determined factions each one based on a person’s characteristics. But Beatrice Prior has the option of belonging to three of the five she is an anomaly she is divergent, able to manipulate the simulation that is used to determine where she belongs so she has a choice. She chooses Daunted the courageous who push themselves to face their fears in order to protect those around them until the Erudite faction begins to change everything for each of the factions.

It is interesting to think that people could be categorized by their own human behaviors but it is far too unrealistic, no one is enough alike to become an entire colony of people. The factions are inventive however with each one focusing on a set of standards that were used to improve the quality of each person life.  If you can ignore this hiccup it’s not a bad book, well written and the descriptions are so well done you can see yourself in the shambles of what was once a great city. The only other problem I have with this book is that the main character is supposed to become stronger but the way it is written she still seems the same to me hopefully in the next book we will see greater changes.

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Children of the Gods by Monica Millard Review

Children of the Gods

By Monica Millard

Every twenty-thirty years the “Gods” come into the village where Reka lives to choose a new host body. Reka tries to blend into the crowd and prays she will not be chosen but unfortunately she is and not just to host any “God” but the queen. When they pull her into the ship that will soon become her home every part of Reka fights back but as they insert the queen into her body she fears it was all for nothing, that is until she wakes and realizes Anaya is the consciousness that lies in the background and she is still in control of herself.

This book starts off a bit slow, there isn’t much action in the entire thing it is a romance as Reka begins to fall in love with the man who is her king, Jaxson. The inner turmoil she must face is the main focus of the story and Monica Millard did a wonderful job the only thing I wish is that when she mentions the flashbacks that Anaya is showing Reka that she would go into more details some of them she just mentions that Anaya did it and moves on. If you are a fan of Stargate then you will love this book they are very similar in some aspects but then very different in others, it is an interesting book and I hope I will be able to read the next book since this one is left with a fantastic cliff hanger!

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Legends Lost Amborese by Janet McNulty Review

Legends Lost

Amborese

By Janet McNulty

An evil wizard has plunged the land of Tesnayr into darkness, three hundred years later Amborese finds a necklace that signifies she will be the one who will be able to reunite the five lands and put a stop to Clymorus. Amborese must travel to the land of the elves to find the other half of her pendant and combine them to make the Gantylla Shealayr and save her people. Along the way she meets several beings who soon become her allies in the fight for freedom.

Janet McNulty managed to incorporate many classical fantasy characters including a gryphon, unicorns and even orcs, making this a great read just to see what she will bring to life next. This book has so many sub story lines you know precisely what each character is going through and each one plays a role in the epic battle, though this can be a daunting task for some authors Janet McNulty did a wonderful job keeping you informed and never loosing you in the process. I did enjoy this book but it wasn’t as original as I had hoped we have seen a lot of the characters in the past and the story line is a bit clichéd; chosen one must stop the big battle and gains several allies along the way. If you are a hard core fan of the genre I am sure you will love this book.

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