BOOK REVIEW # 2015-067 - SOULS: A Novel

This is the second book by Jennifer Hinsman I’ve had the pleasure of reading/reviewing. The first had been “Angel of Death” which I’d won through an internet giveaway.

I’d enjoyed reading this book and the fact the author didn’t disappoint me as some of the same elements which drew me and probably others as well into the storyline of her other book are present here as well. Both of her books share having a murder, the mystery surrounding it, and a romance between the protagonist and some great looking guy; however this time the erotic element is gone which I felt was great.

I love having Ann becoming a cougar and falling in love with a much younger man who I estimate to be about ten years her junior. The book is loaded with suspense and enough twists to keep you wanting to read the next page and the next, right up to the totally unexpected one when Ann finally deduces who had been her twin sister’s murderer.

With a storyline which had me riveted reading the KINDLE Edition until the last page, how can I not give Ms Hinsman the 5 STARS I’m giving her?

US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0085N82W2

UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0085N82W2

BOOK REVIEW # 2015-066 - CHRISTMAS IN NEW YORK

I’d won a copy this book as part of a giveaway offered by Patty Blount and as I always do when I receive such a book I give my honest opinion for it. In this case it’s the novella she’d written for this anthology. 

I found the other three novellas written by other authors to be quite endearing, with each one telling a tale which only could have taken place in one of the best cities for the Christmas holidays, New York. Memories of a love from years ago, trust, forgiveness, a rekindled affair are all elements which went into these three stories. There’s an entire spectrum of emotions in these pages, emotions which pull you in as you can almost sense what the characters are going through.

As for the novella written by Ms. Blount there is a definite kismet which has taken place between the two main characters, Elena Larsen and Lucas Adair. They paths had cross several years before at the yearly remembrance which is held for families of those that had perish on 9/11. Both share the loss of their mothers and all the memories which go along with it. While Lucas has gotten over the grief for the most part with all the volunteering he’s done, Elena still carries it with her and hasn’t allowed herself to trust others even the one she’s close to and loves. These two almost share a past surrounding a crystal snowflake. With Christmas being the season of love and hope, can these two individuals connect with each other and start a relationship.

I truly loved what each of these four stories which is why I’m giving Ms. Blount and the other three authors 5 STARS for the endeavors they’ve written here.

US:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/194224004X

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/194224004X

BOOK REVIEW # 2015-065 - REWIND TO YOU

This book is third of the three books I’ve recently won which had been offered as part of an internet giveaway by the publisher and the following is my honest opinion for this book.

As with any young girl there’s a strong desire to have the best summer possible after graduating high school and before heading off to college. So Sienna, her mother and brother head off to Tybee Island, where the family had spent countless summers before. But this time it’s different, there’s a lot of guilt her father is no longer alive having been killed as she had been driving the car.

Sienna would love to have the memories of that night disappear, however this is impossible as visions keep on playing in her mind each time she sees a site from a happy moment in her life during one of her stays on the island.

During one of these mental rewinds of the past she blacks out, but luckily one wonderful hunk of a guy, Austin Dobbs, comes to her aid and she immediately gets smitten and her first true romantic relationship ensues. While she has a history, he has issues; yet somehow they make something out of it. 

Ms. Johnston has created a wonderful coming of age story, one which will have you feel the roller coaster of emotions along with the characters of the book. The story tugs at your heartstrings and has you shedding tears for them; and might have you recall memories of when you’d been around Sienna’s age; which is why I’m happy to this book 5 STARS.

US:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00J7W1FS8

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00J7W1FS8

STATUS REPORT # 47

Sorry for the lack of a status report for these past two weeks, I’ve been going through a lot, but things are a LOT BETTER NOW. To begin with, I’m glad my wonderful OH is out of the hospital and now is a REHAB facility which is about 2 miles from where we live instead of a little more than a half-hour away [mostly parkway driving].

I took a few days off from reading/reviewing books so I can just relaxed after coming home from the hospital until my OH got transferred after I’d left on Thursday. With more time available, not having to travel I’d read/reviewed three books over the weekend, luckily this had included one children’s book, and a short novel; with this done I’ve whittled the number of books I have in my possession to read/review down to two, with three more on the way.

With my backlog of books needing to be reviewed down to a manageable level, I’ve decided to return to my writing endeavors. The first endeavor I’ll be working on is going to be my MG/YA Urban Fantasy entitled “The Secret of the Well.”  Hopefully, I’ll be able to type the elusive final period by the end of the month.

And then I’ll love to finish writing my Contemporary Romance novel entitled, “His Darkest Secret.”

I’d love to THANK everyone who has contacted privately with your kind words of support these past seven weeks, it’s meant a lot to me.  Please visit my profile on Amazon and check out the books I’ve reviewed, you might find something to read.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/A19QLCLVPLZH0B

I’d also love for you to check out my two books either for yourself or as a gift for the young girl in your family, remember summer is here and it’s a great time to read a book.

http://www.amazon.com/author/robinleighmorgan

THANKS AGAIN and have a GREAT WEEK with whatever you do !!! :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) 

BOOK REVIEW # 2015-064 - NO QUARTER: DOMINIUM - Novella 1

I received a signed copy through a giveaway on GoodReads and the following is my honest opinion for this novella.

I’m a romance author and the main reason I don’t venture into writing Regency or Historical Romances is the amount of research needed to make sure the things written about are correct. While errors in regards to editing are “acceptable”, factual errors aren’t.

Ms. Evans has basically done a decent job in this regards, however there are times in which the language being used is not appropriate for the time the story takes place, which some editing should be able to resolve.

The storyline deals with a shipwreck, in which two young sisters [Atia and Livia] survive and wind up in the worst city possible during the years the story takes place, 1869 in Port Royal, Jamaica. It is here they get kidnapped, separated and wind up in the slavery system which is prevalent at this time.

This first novella is essentially about Atia since she doesn’t get reunited with her sister Livia until towards the end.

When they get separated Atia becomes the prize in a card game. When the scorned French pirate, Gator Gar, becomes enthralled by the sheer beauty she possesses he quickly sets out to free her from her predicament. With a price on both of their heads they make their way to the Blue Mountains after which the attraction they have for each other becomes intense. There is unexplained outbreak of scarlet fever in the city which aids them in their escape.

While I enjoyed the premise for this volume of the serious, the storyline itself could be tighten up a bit. All-in-all, with all things considered, I’m giving this first volume of the series 4 STARS.

US:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SYVPPSO

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00SYVPPSO

BOOK REVIEW # 2015-063 - KICKIN' LENNY SCORES A GOAL

I received a copy of this book from the author for an honest review. It should be note I’d won a copy of the first book of this series through a giveaway on LibraryThing.com and had written a review for it as well.

Once again, Michael Stubben has succeeded in communicating to young readers an important life lesson; this time the lesson Kichin’ Lenny learns deals with sportsmanship and teamwork.

While Lenny is a great goal keeper, his younger brother is a great scorer; and each longs to be like the other. When Lenny finally scores a goal, he enjoys what he has done and then realizes he has had the same fun feeling when he succeeds in blocking the goals being attempted by the other team.

The author in writing this book doesn’t talk down to the child reading it but draws the readers into the story and its lesson by addition of humor.

I’m pleased to give this book 5 STARS.

US:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/1942485026

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1942485026

BOOK REVIEW # 2015-062 - BENEATH SCARLETT VALLEY

I received a signed copy of this book from an internet giveaway I’d entered and the following is my honest opinion of it.

”Beneath Scarlett Valley” by Ms. Dempster is a multi-genre YA paranormal romance novel which contains elements of a fantasy and mythology. On the surface Harper and Cassidy look like two beautiful sisters; however they share a horrific secret, they’re actually two 117 year old half-breeds consisting of being part human and part Furor who have an insatiable to kill again and again every time the demon rage of this side rears its evil head; which is why they’ve returned to their childhood home in Scarlett Valley. It is here they hope to find and then drink from the ever-moving Source of Immortality so they can replenish theirs.

When Harper and Cassidy return to Scarlett Valley, Cassidy has had her fill of an endless life and while she desires to welcome Death with open arms she’s still committed in helping her sister find their quest. However, love comes into Cassidy’s life in the form of Sebastian, the school’s swimming star, and now she’s reconsidered ending her existence.

To add suspense to the story Ms. Dempster adds not only a adversary, the Seer, whose mission is to the prevent the Source from being found; she also has characters who they’re what they appear to be. The pacing of the story with its numerous plot twists add to the enjoyment of reading this book.

The only thing I found which might have improved the book, in my opinion, would be a better title. [Suggestion: “The Source of Immortality”].  But, in the end, I’m giving this book 5 STARS.

US:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ME9VKUO

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00ME9VKUO