LIFE, ROMANCE AND ALL THOSE OTHER THINGS

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Showing posts with label Romantic Suspense. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Romantic Suspense. Show all posts

Friday, 16 June 2017

Review: The Ultimatum (The Guardian, #1) by Karen Robards (Goodreads Author)

The Ultimatum (The Guardian, #1)The Ultimatum by Karen Robards
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Karen Robards's latest book, The Ultimatum, which looks like the 1st book in The Guardian Series was one of the most excruciating books I have read by this author.

I had such high hopes after reading Chapter 1......the story started with a bang.......it certainly got my attention.........I couldn't wait to turn to the next chapter!!!

And what happened after turning the 1st page of Chapter 2?? Nothing!!! What follows are loooong and repetitive scenes after scenes. Nothing made any sense...not the characters...not the story......
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By page 200.......the plot just "plodded" along!!! I was still not sure where the story was going........

I am not sure what the plot was suppose to be.........okay, the mc, heroine, Bianca St Ives, is pretty awesome..in the beginning...but how many times did I have to be told what she has hidden in her garter!!!! Is this a romantic suspense...well, romance...was there any...maybe I missed it...suspense.......think I missed that too!!!! Thriller...okay, lots of bad guys, killers and kidnappers, etc etc........oh man.........even the cliff-hanger at the very end of the book didn't make me want to continue the story, which I presume is book #2........

So, final thoughts about this story!!!!!Let the face tell you what they are....
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Oh yes, why the 1,5 stars???? Because the only character I liked was Bianca St Ives!!!!

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Saturday, 1 April 2017

Review: Snapped (Tracers #4) by Laura Griffin (Goodreads Author)

Snapped (Tracers #4)Snapped by Laura Griffin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Snapped is the 4th book in Laura Griffin's Tracers Series and so far the one I have liked the most.

I've always had a soft spot for Sophie Barrett since she was introduced in Untraceable, the 1st book in the series. She's gorgeous, likeable and kicks ass....love the small gun she carries around when she goes off to one of her singing gigs.

In the previous book, Unforgivable, was the set up for Sophie's book and we know that, after the sizzling chemistry between her and the San Marcos detective, Jonah Macon, that these two would be the main characters for the next book.

The story starts off with a "bang" right from the first chapter. A sniper kills people randomly in a college campus. The scenes involving the senseless carnage is filled with tension and suspense.

It soon becomes apparent that the killings were not random and Sophie is in danger from unknown killers who believe she knows more than she actually does. And Jonah Macon goes all full out to keep Sophie safe.

I liked these two together. They have some really humorous and tender moments.....Sophie is an absolutely fabulous heroine....she's funny, independent, vulnerable, strong with some really good lines....
“I showered, shaved my legs, put on makeup, and returned two text messages in the time it took you to snoop around my kitchen. I’d say that’s pretty good.”
Great dialogue.

A good balance between romance, action and suspense, keeping you guessing who the baddies are until almost at the end.

Characters from previous books make an appearance and we are introduced to some interesting new ones....I wonder if the two characters, Gretchen and Sean will be paired off in future books.

This is so far, an interesting and enjoyable series.

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Wednesday, 29 March 2017

Review: Unforgivable (Tracers #3) by Laura Griffin (Goodreads Author)

Unforgivable (Tracers #3)Unforgivable by Laura Griffin
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I have been looking forward to the smart DNA Tracer at the Adelphi Centre, Mia Voss's book since she first made her appearance in Untraceable, the 1st book in Laura Griffin's Tracers Series.

This is her and Detective Ric Santos', who we met in the 2nd book, Unspeakable, story.

I had high expectations but unfortunately they were not quite met. There were a few issues that left me feeling very disappointed.

Mia becomes a totally different character to what she has been previously portrayed. She's like this insecure person who does the most stupid things possible - the most stupid??? How she lets herself be manipulated by everyone around her...never mind manipulation...but hey, to allow Ric to treat her the way he does.....and how she deals with being blackmailed by the bad guy who supposedly has kidnapped her nephew..........Ric........I just couldn't get this guy!!! He blows hot and cold towards Mia. One minute he ignores her than he wants her. He feels nothing...then he worries about her safety..........come on................he acts beyond an idiot...Most of the time - my feelings were that Ric was not really into her...in fact I would have liked her to have been coupled with someone more interesting...........actually, I wanted to tell her on numerous occasions............Chemistry!! What chemistry???????

Then there's the plot..............talk about absurd!!! The reason for Mia being in danger.........really!!!! Didn't feel real.....and the bad guys!!!! No, totally not exciting at all.

I was so sorry that I couldn't engage with Mia in this book............to be honest, I liked some of the secondary characters more..........especially Mia's work colleague at the Delphi Centre, Sophie. Now that character's story I am so looking forward to.

So, let me end this by saying...........it's not a horrible book........just an okay one.

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Review: Eyes to the Soul (Psychic Visions, #7) by Dale Mayer (Goodreads Author)

Eyes to the Soul (Psychic Visions, #7)Eyes to the Soul by Dale Mayer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

3,5 stars

Eyes to the Soul is Book #7 in Dale Mayer's Psychic Visions Series and we finally get Stefan Kronos (my favorite character in this series) story. We finally get to find out more about his past and who he has been in love with for a long time.

I have mixed feelings about this book - that's not saying that I didn't like the story - I did - it's just that there were a couple of things that bugged me a bit.

The storyline was fresh and unique and kept me at the edge of my seat a few times.

I liked the bit we get of Stefan's back-story but just thought it was not enough. The same with Celina's back-story. There are a lot of questions about their pasts

I admired Celina for the way she lived and how she looked at life - but at times she did drive me a bit batty with some of the things she did.

Previous characters that I have come to like are woven into this story and I loved how the characters interact with each other.

The twists and the identity of the bad guy were pretty well done...I never had an inkling on who it was....surprised surprised!!!

I liked the cover.

I certainly can recommend this series to anyone who loves suspense, romance, paranormal and some great and memorable characters.

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Monday, 27 March 2017

Review: Rare Find (Psychic Visions, #6) by Dale Mayer (Goodreads Author)

Rare Find (Psychic Visions, #6)Rare Find by Dale Mayer
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Rare Find, book #6 in Dale Mayer's Psychic Visions Series.

Tabitha's psychic gift is her ability to communicate with animals. She runs Exotic Landscape, where she tends to animals in need.

She was introduced in Knock Knock, the previous book in this series and this is her story. Something bad happens when she helped someone and Detective Ronin Chandler helps her uncover the danger she's facing.

The psychic phenomena does become a bit confusing at times but it doesn't detract anything major from the storyline.
I do enjoy characters from the previous books interacting in the story....

Oh - my favourite character in this book?? Without a doubt - the green-eyed Tiger

And the cover - stunningly gorgeous!!

I didn't love this one as much as I did book #1, Tuesday's Child but it was still a good addition to a series that I am becoming something like addicted to the stories and characters.

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Review: Knock, Knock… (Psychic Visions, #5) by Dale Mayer (Goodreads Author)

Knock, Knock… (Psychic Visions, #5)Knock, Knock… by Dale Mayer
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I've read 3 books in Dale Mayer's Psychic Visions Series so far and I must admit I am kind of hooked. I like how the romance, suspense and psychic/paranormal genres merge in the stories.
Knock, Knock is the 5th book in the series.

I liked the storyline and there was enough suspense (though a bit slow at times) to keep my interested and though I liked the hero I did find the heroine a bit irritating at times. I also felt a lack of chemistry between the heroine, wealthy and beautiful Shay Lassiter, who uses her money to run the non-profit Lassiter Foundation and ex-cop and computer genius Roman Chandler.

I enjoyed meeting up with Maddy, from Maddy's Floor, the 3rd book and Stefan, introduced in Tuesday's Child, the 1st book in the Series. Now, he's an interesting character and I can't wait for his book.

A quick and enjoyable read.

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Thursday, 23 March 2017

Review: Forsaking Gray (The Colloway Brothers, #1) by K.L. Kreig (Goodreads Author)

Forsaking Gray (The Colloway Brothers, #1)Forsaking Gray by K.L. Kreig
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

2,5 stars

This was moi........whilst turning the pages of Forsaking Gray the 1st book in K.L. Kreig's The Colloway Brothers Series......
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.....I should have screamed out louder!!! Because Gray and Olivia's story is all about........MISCOMMUNICATIONS...
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....if only these two "knuckleheads" didn't go through all those MISUNDERSTANDS.......
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........they would have avoided so much pain and heartache...but no! They do it the hard way!!

Look, I liked Gray most of the times. How he put up with Livia is beyond me. She was one of the reasons that I couldn't get into these two HEA!!!

Okay, she did go through hell...but did she have to handle it the way she did!!! Why not open up to Gray right away and try and make things work out! But no, she has to go off, go through more pain herself..never mind what Gray goes through. And even when they get together again..she still has doubts about his feelings!!!! REALLY, ARE YOU FOR REAL GIRL!!!

I felt the story could have been wrapped up much quicker. It started to drag for me towards the end.

This was just an okay for me. However, I am interested in following this series as there were other characters in this story that made me want to know more about them.

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Tuesday, 21 March 2017

Review: Lost in Between (Finding Me, #1) by K.L. Kreig (Goodreads Author)

Lost in Between (Finding Me, #1)Lost in Between by K.L. Kreig
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Lost in Between the 1st book in Finding Me Duet, is the second book by K L Kreig that I've read. The first one, Black Swan Affair was not one of my favourites, so I was hoping that this one would surprise me.

Surprised me it did...in such a good good way!!
We all have one.
A price.
That magic number that will get us to agree to do anything, be anything.
Don’t sit on your gold-plated high horse and say you don’t because you do. Everyone does. Each of us has something we covet enough that we’d sell ourselves to have it.
Shaw Mercer, Seattle billionaire playboy needs a temporary girlfriend to keep the paparazzi in line during his father's election as the city's mayor.
“Shaw’s presence is commanding, absolute. A force to be reckoned with. So, I expect him to claim, own, invade. But he doesn’t. He takes his time, imprinting me instead. Slowly branding me as promised, drawing my top lip in between his before doing the same to the bottom.”
Willow Blackwell, beautiful, smart, working two jobs to pay her mothers' medical bills. Her day job is a narrator of romance audio books (I loved that) and her other job is an escort/companion to rich men.....
“We look pretty, we adorn our clients, we dote, we mingle, we act the part we’re given, and we go home at the end of the ‘date’ a few hundred or thousand dollars richer, with our legs shut and our pride intact.”
What I liked about this book

* The two main characters. Shaw Mercer is without a doubt an alpha-male but he has a softness and kindness that shines out in the way he interacts with his family, friends and Willow. He's sexy, hot and totally interesting.

I adored Willow. There's a lot of secrets she keeps back. I found her endearing and very likeable. Her kindness and understanding truly shines out of her.

* The chemistry between Shaw and Willow - I thought the build-up was done very well....as was the development of their relationship.

* Great dialogue - witty, real and some really hot and dirty talk between the two main characters.

* Fantastic secondary characters. Liked the family dynamics and am most interest in finding out more about Noah and Sierra.

* The story is told in dual POV - Shaw and Willow's which gives you a good insight into their heads and their feelings.

* The twist at the end that leaves you with a cliff-hanger of note.

This was such a great book and I can't wait for the next book to discover more about Willow and where she and Shaw go from here.
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My favourite quote:

‘It takes a special girl to open a boy’s eyes to what’s right in front of him, Willow. But when he realizes it, he’ll fight to the death for her and only her. Don’t settle until you find that man.’

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Friday, 17 March 2017

Review: Throne of Truth (Truth and Lies Duet, #2) by Pepper Winters (Goodreads Author)

Throne of Truth (Truth and Lies Duet, #2)Throne of Truth by Pepper Winters
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

1,5 stars


Okay...I'm going to be a bit....not more than a bit...unpopular here!!!! Now, before you all LOVERS of Pepper Winters follow up to the amazing Crown of Lies (which I more than loved....see my review here ... https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3... ).....try to "diss" me or even think of doing worse than that...like ...
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.......let me quickly explain why I was beyond DISAPPOINTED in Throne of Truth!!!

PS....There may be a few minor spoilers...but nothing major!!

Now, I loved Noelle "Elle" Charleston and Penn Everett in the first b0ok. There was something charming about these two together and when we were left with the cliff-hanger.....I just wanted to "dive" in!!!!

No, No, No!!!! Talk about rolling my eyes.........
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Not only did I have to put up with one third of the story about the stupid and implausible Elle's kidnapping.....which after a chapter or two.....I found myself .........
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YES, THERE WAS A LOT OF EYE ROLLING AROUND WHILST I WAS TURNING THE PAGES...........

Oh, yes, where was I....okay, so the kidnapping is over..........thank heavens!!! On with something exciting next...but NO!!!! I had to put up with even more UNBELIEVABLE stuff re: US LAWS ............now, I am not totally in the know about the laws in America...but even so....I know for a fact that what happens to Penn after Elle is rescued, could not possible happen!!!! MORE EYE ROLLING!!!! All the drama whilst Penn is jailed for not a day, not two days...but more like weeks...or months!!! Can't remember....but .......
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And what happened to feisty and interesting Elle???? She morphed into someone that's totally unrecognisable from the 1st book.........and Penn.........let me not even go there!!!

Let me conclude this rant........I lost interest in the characters and what happens to them....before the end...I couldn't give a toss!!!!

PS......The reason for 1/2 star..........I actually like the author's writing style!!!

I certainly wasn't expecting the way the story went!!! But hey, I'm in the minority here...so if you want to give this book a try...no, if you've read book 1, then you should probably give this a try..me....no, Throne of Truth ain't gonna be a reread or a keeper for me!!

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Review: Brighter than the Sun (KGI, #11) by Maya Banks (Goodreads Author)

Brighter than the Sun (KGI, #11)Brighter than the Sun by Maya Banks
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

I can't believe I finished this book!!!!

Brighter than the Sun is the 11th book in Maya Banks' KGI Series..........why I even bothered reading this one after the last two books being so MEH MEH MEH.....I have no idea!!

I liked the first couple of books in the series but I am just so ready to give up on continuing!!!
Let me note down some of the things that really really drove me to drink!!!!!!

* This is supposed to be Joe Kelly's story...but what we get here!!! We get pages and pages and more pages of the whole Kelly Clan.......the men, their wives, their kids, how much they love each other......
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By Chapter 4.....I'm so like..........
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But, I continued!!!!

* Everyone in the Kelly world is wonderful...nice....kind....loving.....beautiful..........
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By Chapter 7.....I'm now beyond....
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So, do I continue with this weird story???? Yes....I know, I'm a sucker for punishment!!

* INSTA-LOVE............JOE, the wannabe bachelor forever sees Zoe aka Stella for the first time....and ZAP............It's love love love.......he thinks she's wonderful...beautiful......
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He takes her fishing and what happens....yes, he thinks she's more than just beautiful....
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Yes, after two or three days....Joe is beyond smitten!!! He's found his soul mate!!! So what if he knows nothing about her life !!! Yes, folks, it's that inner feeling he has about perfection.......

And now we have ZOE aka STELLA running away from her very evil and criminal father and her boyfriend...who she discovers wants to do very nefarious deeds with her...and I don't mean lovemaking!!!! So, she runs away with the help of her best friend, Rusty Kelly and meets the Kelly clan and falls in love...not only with Joe but with all of THEM!!!

But, wait, there's a catch!!!

She doesn't think she's good enough for either Joe or his family!!!! Ooooh...so many tears......it was a total TEARFEST!!!
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* And then there's the most absurd plot ever!!! Let's just say that we get nothing about the bad guys...who they are...how they find Zoe, despite the disguise...yes, the baddies find her but the Kelly guys and all their "tools" never ever guess that she's in hiding!!! And if you think that's the most absurd thing...it's not!!! When the Kelly men come to Zoe's rescue...we never get to find out what they do or did to the bad guys!!! The baddies just POOF off the pages!!!

I can't continue with my "rant" anymore!!!! Just let me show you how I felt when I turned the last page...........
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So, if you're a fan of this series.....and you want to read this latest addition....and you're not bothered by having a total...........
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..........then go ahead!!! At your own risk!!! ME......I AM DEFINETLY GIVING UP ON THE KGI WORLD FOREVER!!!

What, not going to read Rusty Kelly and Sean, the local sheriff's story!!!! I DON'T THINK I AM GOING TO PUT MYSELF THROUGH ANOTHER PURGATORY MOMENT!!!!!

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Tuesday, 14 March 2017

Review: Wait for Dark (Bishop/Special Crimes Unit #17) by Kay Hooper

Wait for Dark (Bishop/Special Crimes Unit #17)Wait for Dark by Kay Hooper
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

Wait for Dark by Kay Hooper is the 17th book in her Bishop/Special Crimes Unit Series. I have read most of the books in this series and I enjoyed the first couple of them. But it seems that this series is running out of steam for me...............in fact, I surprised myself that I actually finished reading until the end...because I suffered a headache every time I picked the book up!!!
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The storyline is about four residents of Clarity, N.C., who suffer fatal “accidents” , totally unrelated, in a month. Unit chief Noah Bishop sends a team of four of his agents, Hollis Templeton and her partner, Reese DeMarco and two other agents - each have different psychic powers which they will use to solve the crimes.

Instead of working to finding the serial killer, we are given pages and pages and conversations and conversations about how their powers work, and how much they suffer from their powers, etc etc blah blah blah................

I wanted so much to give up on this book...but hey I persevered...after all I wanted to know who the bad and evil killer was!!! Let me just say, I had no idea whatsoever about the identity until the very end.......now, that should have been a huge surprise..yes it was in some way...but really!!!! Where did the killer come from???

Devil worship, paranormal, pentagrams, red herrings......heck.....enough!!!

I think I might just give this series a miss in the future!
Though I may read one or two of the ones I've missed previously!

I suppose if you are a fan of this series, you will probably want to read this one...but honestly....I cannot recommend it!! And yes, it's just me!!! You go ahead and make up your mind!!!!

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Wednesday, 8 March 2017

Review: Unspeakable (Tracers, #2) by Laura Griffin (Goodreads Author)

Unspeakable (Tracers, #2)Unspeakable by Laura Griffin
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Unspeakable is the 2nd book in Laura Griffin's Tracers Series and this story is about Elaina McCord, an FBI rookie agent, who has been sent to a small town in Texas to help with a murder investigation. She feels unwanted apart from Troy Stockton, the true-crime writer we met previously in book 1.

I liked Elaina - the manner in which she handled herself in a male dominated environment was done pretty well. She has a human side to her and is not afraid to admit to her mistakes and that determination to do a good job.
I wasn't sure about her and Troy being together. I had this idea about him in my head....sleeps around...a total charmer...no depth. But actually, he turns out to be the opposite.
And it worked for me that there wasn't this insta-love kind of thing with them. There were ups and downs and there was a lot of baggage the two had to deal with before anything went any further.

Some interesting secondary characters which I am sure will make appearances again in the next books.

The story was well-paced with some pretty chilling moments and surprisingly enough I actually never guessed who the serial killer was until it was revealed at the end.

A nice mix of suspense, romance, action and interesting characters.

A definite recommendation if you like romantic suspense.

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Review: Tempting Zander (Knight Security, #4) by Carole Mortimer (Goodreads Author)

Tempting Zander (Knight Security, #4)Tempting Zander by Carole Mortimer
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

TEMPTING ZANDER is the 4th book in the Knight Security Series by Carole Mortimer, better known as one of Mills & Boon/Harlequin Presents author. This book can be read as a standalone - you don't have to read the other 3 books in the series.

THE SYNOPSIS: Zander Buchanan is brought in as head of security for Kate Stewart, a superstar singer. Kate has an ex-boyfriend who is stalking her and she has hired Knight Security to supplement her normal security. Zander has wanted Kate desperately even as he is exasperated by her. He knows he has to keep his distance to do his job. She's hot for him, too.

It's a nice story and nice characters but to be honest.....not memorable at all. The plot was pretty predictable.

It was one of those okay - nothing special reads but certainly did not give me a "spark" to want to read this series.

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Saturday, 4 March 2017

Review: Wildfire (Fire, #3) by Anne Stuart

Wildfire (Fire, #3)Wildfire by Anne Stuart
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Wild Fire is the 3rd book in Ann Stuart's Fire Series (which is a spin-off from her Ice Series)

To be honest, this series has been a bit of a letdown - the Ice was such an amazing series and I was expecting the spin-off to be just as good.....but it isn't.

The story revolves around a young Committee (that very secret spy company!!!) who goes rogue on her first mission....yes, the poor girl falls in love with the bad guy, who she was suppose to kill off but instead marries him. She should have been wiser because her now very bad husband has done some really bad things to her!!

I liked the premise of the story and I was looking forward to an exciting and fast moving plot...but oh no!!!! For the first 100 pages or more, it was more than something like this.........
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Thing speeded up in the last part of the book....but at times I had a bit of "roll my eyes" moments....
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............. these spies sure do the most unbelievable things ever!!!!

I did like the main characters...Sophie was quite a pleasant surprise! And Malcolm..wow, Anne Stuart sure knows how to write hot and sexy alpha males!!

So, I liked Wild Fire...........just didn't love it!!!

My reviews on the 2 series:

Ice Series
Book 1: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Book 2: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
Book 3: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
Book 4: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
Book 5: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Book 6: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

Fire Series
Book 1: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Book 2: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

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Sunday, 19 February 2017

Review: Sacrifice by Sharon Bolton (Goodreads Author)

SacrificeSacrifice by Sharon Bolton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sacrifice is S J Bolton's debut novel........it's a dark, terrifying and an absolutely gripping thriller that will have you hooked from the very first page.

The Story
Tora Hamilton has moved with her husband, Duncan Guthrie to the Shetland Islands, where he was born with the hope to working out the problems they are experiencing in having a baby.

When she makes a gruesome discovery the body of a young woman, with strange rune symbols carved into her flesh and her heart ripped, in the ground surrounded her home, she becomes involved in trying to solve the mystery of who she was.

Despite the warnings to leave the case to the local police, she continues with her enquiries and soon uncovers some frightening information with links to the islands folklore and legends.

Intense, fast paced with twists and turns that leave you guessing until almost the end.

What made this story really interesting was the setting and the way that the author wove the local folklore and legend into the plot.
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The Characters
I found the characters easy to connect with and I particularly found Tora Hamilton, very engaging. She's a very good pediatric consultant surgeon, but she has so many insecurities about herself....she always finds herself saying the wrong thing at the wrong time and just rubs everyone around her the wrong way. Her social skills are pretty dismal...........and that just made her more human to me. I wanted her to succeed and I worried about her as she continued with her "Miss Marple" sleuthing!!

There were some interesting secondary characters like Sgt Dana Tulloch, and Tora's boss, Kenn Wickliff.

The Setting
The setting of the wild, beautiful, isolated and remote Shetland Islands,
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is vividly written that you almost feel that you are there.

It also adds an sense of eeriness
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and darkness which creates an atmosphere of menace and creepiness.
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Overall Feeling
SACRIFICE is a spine-chilling, clever and incredible debut novel and I am definitely going to be reading more of this author's work.

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Monday, 13 February 2017

Review: Mists of the Serengeti by Leylah Attar (Goodreads Author)

Mists of the SerengetiMists of the Serengeti by Leylah Attar
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book has been on my mind long after I finished reading the last page.....something like over a week ago. I've read some good and some great books and even some incredible ones too.
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But this one - Mists of the Serengeti by Leylah Attar is one of those timeless ones...a story that spoke directly to my soul. It evoked images, memories and so many emotions in me. A book that has stayed with you forever from the moment you put it down and no matter how much you try...it's like the author's words were speaking for me....
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Unique. Riveting. Haunting. Lyrical
So often a scene from book pops into my head and I find myself thinking about the story over and over again.

Having read so many reviews about this book, which have given loads of information on it, I have, therefore, decided to give more of my feelings on the story. What did I experienced reading this beautiful, powerful, emotional, poignant and breath-taking story of how a tragic moment brings two broken people together, under the most extraordinary circumstances and places, who find redemption, love and healing.
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WHAT WAS IT ABOUT MISTS OF THE SERENGETI THAT MADE IT SUCH AN UNIQUE EXPERIENCE FOR ME?

Beautiful and Powerful Prose: The words resonate with so many meanings.
“Sometimes we need to be jarred out of our own reality. We base so much of ourselves on other people’s perceptions of us. We live for the compliments, the approval, the applause. But what we really need is a grand, spine-chilling encounter with ourselves to believe we’re freaking magical. And that’s the best kind of believing, because no one can unsay it or take it away from you.
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They evoked images, memories and so many emotions to me.

The Story: The complexity, depth, profundity and multi-layers that make you think about it again when you least expect.
“We don’t always understand the things we do. We just do them and hope we’ll feel better.”
Reminded me of some many things about life that have happened to me....
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The plight of the ostracizing of a certain group of people in Tanzania as well as some of history of the Masai people, is seamlessly woven into the story and fits in without it becoming the focal point in the story.
It's a story about love, loyalty, power, loss and fighting for survival.

The characters: Sympathetic characters that you care about, that you're rooting for, that you want them to win, that you want for them to overcome the challenges in their lives.

Jack Warden, a divorced coffee farmer in Tanzania and Rodel Emmerson, schoolteacher from England. Both flawed. Both struggling with their own demons, imperfections, traumas, obsessions and the amazing way we see the internal and external changes in the conflicting situations they experience that pushes them into reaching their dreams and goals.
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"This is what it looks like when you wander somewhere between sand and stardust, and meet a piece of yourself in someone else."
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Characters that are human, real life, with their own insecurities and frailties. I adored Goma, Jack's grandmother
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and Bahati, the family friend, who shines through the pages. The fragility and strength of the albino children.

The African Setting:
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I loved the evocative descriptions of Tanzania and the Serengeti. I have visited both places and the author brought to life the sense of place and time so incredibly well.
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The Epilogue: Sad. Raw. Totally unexpected. It just blew me away!!

I was inspired. Reminded me again that anything is possible. You can reach amazing heights even when you're thinking that all is dark around you.

For me, Mists of the Serengeti, was a masterpiece in storytelling.

I will end my review thus:
"YOU KNOW WHAT'S HEARTBREAKING?
IT'S NOT WHEN BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO YOU, OR WHEN LIFE TURNS OUT COMPLETELY DIFFERENT FROM
WHAT YOU THOUGHT IT WOULD BE.

WHAT'S HEARTBREAKING IS WHEN YOU DON'T GET BACK UP, WHEN YOU DON'T CARE ENOUGH GO PICK
UP THE MILLION BROKEN PIECES OF YOU THAT ARE SCREAMING TO BE PUT BACK TOGETHER,
AND YOU JUST LIE THERE, LISTENING TO A SHATTERED CHORUS OF YOURSELF."
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