Yosemite Firestorm ~ Review

Yosemite Firestorm

By Tonya Stowe

After Livy Chatham comes across a hiker who has died under suspicious circumstances, she becomes the target of an unknown person. Could someone think she saw something she shouldn't have? 

When she is assigned to help lead a climb with rock climber Hayden Bryant the situation quickly deteriorates when the group is targeted. driven by ever-encroaching flames, they'll have to think fast if they hope to outsmart the criminals who are hunting them. 

Yosemite Firestorm is an intense, suspense-filled read that will leave you wondering what's next. With danger surrounding them, Livy is soon left with nothing but her faith to sustain her. A faith that she feels compelled to share with Hayden, whose strength lies in himself following a life-altering event. But being part of the Love Inspired Suspense line-up, one is assured of a satisfactory ending, but also a clean read from start to finish. There are questions as to who exactly is after Livy and what they think she knows. Overall a clean Romantic Suspense that will hold one's attention throughout. Fans of Tanya Stowe's previous works won't be disappointed in this new offering.

I was provided a complimentary of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

 

About the Book:

A raging forest fire

isn’t the only threat…

When an act of arson claims the life of a hiker, Yosemite Park Ranger Livy Chatham is the only witness—putting her right into the path of determined criminals. Only rock climber Hayden Bryant can protect her from the killers destroying all evidence of their crimes. But can Livy and Hayden outrun the danger that’s as hot on their heels as the fires blazing through Yosemite?

From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.

Second Time Around ~ Review

Second Time Around

By Melody Carlson

Malloy Farrell's youngest has just married and left home, leaving Mallory the chance to visit Portside, Oregon, and see the tourist knick-knack shop her late grandmother left her. With every intention of selling the old shop, Mallory instead does a 180 and decides to give the old shop a makeover and repurpose it as a home decor shop. 

Of course, her childhood crush Grayson Matthews has absolutely nothing to do with her decision to put down roots in the small town that was a second home to her while growing up. But when her plans start to go mostly great she starts to relax a little, except for the secret she's hiding in her living quarters. A secret that could ruin everything.

As with all of Melody Carlson's books, this is a sweet read. Yes, there are problems, but such is life. But sometimes you just want a feel-good book, one that you know the author always manages at the end to leave you with a smile on your face. Yes, there are difficulties and a few tense situations that could ruin everything, but this all comes together to present a believable and relatable reading experience. This is a second-chance story, and who hasn't wondered what if I had done such-n-such instead? Well, Mallory gets just such a chance to chase a long-held dream. This a lovely read, perfect after a long day at work.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but to provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

 Who doesn't love a second chance?

When empty nester Mallory Farrell inherits her grandmother's run-down tourist shop in Seaport, Oregon, it seems the only sensible thing to do is to sell it. But when her former secret crush, Grayson Matthews, wants to buy the property in order to complete his plans to redevelop the funky town's business district into a soulless, cookie-cutter outdoor mall, Mallory digs in her heels and decides to renovate the property herself.

With a lot of hard work and a little bit of help, Mallory makes incredible progress turning the store into an eclectic home décor shop called Romancing the Home--all while trying to ignore the depressing and decrepit apartment she's living in on the second floor. When the shop catches the eye of a popular renovation TV show producer, Mallory is thrilled--until it becomes clear that her apartment is to be part of the segment as well.

She's tempted to abandon her dreams and the town under a cloud of shame. But perhaps there's more to Grayson than meets the eye. Can he swallow his pride, change his plans, and help Mallory romance her own home--and possibly her life?

The Baronet’s Lady Biologist ~ Review

The Baronet's Lady Biologist

The Linfield Ladies #3 

By Alissa Baxter

Georgiana Linfield has a passion for biology and natural history and is not inclined to put it aside to fulfill Society's expectations of marriage. But at seventeen, she is about to have a London Season whether she wants one or not.

When Sir Giles Tavistock finds Georgiana in her father's natural history museum, he assumes she is feigning interest in an attempt to gain his notice. But when he later discovers her organizing his godfather's natural history collection, he is more than a little surprised, and Georgiana is less than pleased to have to interact with him until he requests her skills as an illustrator.

The Baronet's Lady Biologist is a delightful addition to The Linfield Ladies series. There is a bit of a mystery woven throughout this Regency-era Romance. And, of course, being a Regency-era read, there is a good dash of intrigue and danger. I love how Georgiana is more than upfront about her outdoorsy inclinations, while Giles is so self-important he thinks every lady is out to "get" him. He is also quick to judge without all the facts. Let's just say if these two get together, it won't be because of Giles's first or even second impression. This book, while part of a series, can be easily read without the benefit of reading the previous two books. Highly recommended for a long afternoon or weekend read with your favorite cup of tea nearby.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

Georgiana Linfield is a lady biologist who is determined to travel the world. Upon arriving in London for the Season, she decides the best way to fulfill her dreams is to find an amenable husband to indulge her every whim. Refusing to give up her interest in natural history for a dull domestic life, she sets out to forge a different path for herself.

When her father's elderly cousin asks her to set his natural history collection in order, she accepts his request with joy. However, the task brings her into almost daily contact with his godson, Sir Giles Tavistock, a renowned entomologist, who regards her with suspicion. When Sir Giles discovers her skills as a scientific illustrator, he asks her to sketch his South American butterfly collection, and they forge an uneasy truce.

However, their tenuous connection is shattered when Sir Giles believes a rumour casting Georgiana in a far-from-flattering light. Vowing to have nothing more to do with him, she keeps him at a distance. But when the baronet's butterflies attract unwanted attention, a series of events unravel, making Georgiana wonder if the famous collector might have done the impossible and captured her heart.

Recruit of Talionis ~ Review

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Recruit of Talionis by C.J. Milacci, 
hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

 Recruit of Talionis

 Talionis Series #1

 By C.J. Milacci

 The Recruit of Talionis is an intriguing read. Set sometime in the future,  the world as we know it has been drastically altered by something known as the Demise, and it is in this environment that we are introduced to Bria Averton. Bria is seventeen years old when her life is altered when she is stolen away from her home to an unknown city known as Talionis. 

 What is Talionis? And why she was brought there along with hundreds of other teens is foremost on her mind. All too soon, Bria learns that she is to forget her past and willingly serve Talionis and its ruler, Commander Demetrius Ark, without question. Following rules has always been a thing with Bria, and she isn't about to willingly and blindly serve her captors as they try to turn her into the perfect soldier. But her captors know things about her that they shouldn't, and they are more than happy to use any means possible to force her compliance.

But those who rule and control Talionis don't know Bria and her determination to escape and warn her family of this unknown threat to them. 

This is a harsh world. Punishment for failure or disobedience is severe, and kindness is vulnerability to be leveraged. Welcome to Talionis! This is definitely a dystopian read at its best. Survival is paramount, and betrayal is to be rewarded.

This is an action-packed read that is sure to engage. I will admit I found this to be a book I didn't want to put down. The characters are well-developed, and there are a few I really dislike (I mean, I really, really dislike them). There are a couple characters I can't get a good read on - are they evil? Are they sympathetic to the plight of the recruits? And then there is our small group of recruits determined to resist and not lose themselves to Talionis. Truly an excellent read that is a must-read, in my opinion. I love how it ended so that one knows more is to come. 

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Support the Kickstarter campaign to bring book two, Fugitive of Talionis, to print.

Kickstarter campaign for Fugitive of Talionis (Talionis Series #2)

About the Book

Title: Recruit of Talionis
Series: Talionis Series #1
Author: C.J. Milacci
Publisher: Fayette Press
Release Date: November 3, 2022
Genre: Young Adult Sci-Fi Dystopian

"Forget where you came from. Forget the life you knew. You are now recruits of Talionis!"

A teen with a dark past. A secret military force that kidnaps new soldiers. Can she survive as a Recruit of Talionis? 

America has fallen. Seventeen-year-old Bria Averton grew up in a small town of survivors near the ruins of Portland, Maine. It’s all she’s ever known — until she’s kidnapped along with hundreds of other teens and brought to the city of Talionis. A city no one knew existed. 

The soldiers tell them the intense trainings are for the good of the survivors, and Bria resists being forced into a new life as a recruited soldier. But she soon finds the dangers in the city are greater than she imagined. 

Escape is impossible, and Bria fears drowning in the evil of the city… and the guilt from her own past. But can she find hope, even here?

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | IndieBound | BookBub

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About the Author

CJ Milacci has found creating to be therapeutic in the chaos of life. Writing is her favorite way to create, and she seeks to take her readers on a grand adventure that begins with a single word. As a referee, she is always relearning the hard lesson that it’s impossible to make everyone happy, and she’s discovered that stories can be found anywhere, even on a lacrosse field. She is passionate about crafting stories of good overcoming evil, finding hope in the midst of seemingly hopeless circumstances, and true acceptance. Always willing to get real about hard issues, C.J. also enjoys the cheesiest of puns. She loves deep conversations, yo-yos, rollerblading, and finding reasons to throw a dance party. She chats about writing, her faith, and the hope found in Jesus, bubble tea, and other fun adventures online (@cjmilacci) and at cjmilacci.com.

Connect with CJ by visiting cjmilacci.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(2) winners will each receive a print copy of Recruit of Talionis with swag and a $15 Amazon gift card!

The full tour schedule is linked below. 

The giveaway begins at midnight on March 27, 2023, and 

will last through 11:59 PM EST on April 3, 2023. 

The winner will be notified within 2 weeks of the close of the giveaway 

and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of the prize. 

US only. 

Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

The giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

The Metropolitan Affair ~ Review

The Metropolitan Affair

On the Park #1

Jocelyn Green

Dr. Lauren Westlake has worked hard to get where she is - assistant curator of Egyptology for the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Her father's expeditions to Egypt were always taking him away from her, but he has finally offered her the long-promised chance to join him on one. But first, she has an event to plan.

But the sudden interest in Egyptology has resulted in an unexpected but not surprising uptick in forgeries. When Detective Joe Caravello seeks her out, Lauren agrees to help him in any way possible. But getting the answers they seek will bring them into a dangerous game that could cost them dearly. 

The Metropolitan Affair is set in 1925, in New York City, during the opulence of the pre-Depression era of Prohibition. Lauren has been part of the upper echelons of society, while Joe came from the working class. A chance meeting during their youth gave them a friendship that had the promise of maybe something more. But years have passed and the chance to renew an old friendship while working together is before them. 

This was an intriguing read; I mean, who knew that Egyptmania was a thing, much less one that was so deeply embedded in the bygone eras of American history. The layers of secrets are complex, and to truly get to the answers needed, they will be taken to the edge of danger where one false step could lead to danger. But are they ready for the truth? Get ready for an exciting mix of mystery and romance in Jocelyn Green's newest Historical Romance.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I share my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

Bestselling author Jocelyn Green sweeps you away in a dazzling novel of secrets, betrayal, and romance within one of New York City's most esteemed museums.

For years her explorer father promised Dr. Lauren Westlake she'd accompany him on one of his Egyptian expeditions. But as the empty promises mounted, Lauren determined to earn her own way. Now the assistant curator of Egyptology for the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Lauren receives two unexpected invitations.

The first is her repentant father's offer to finally bring her to Egypt as his colleague on a new expedition. The second is a chance to enter the world of New York's wealthiest patrons who have been victims of art fraud.

With Egyptomania sweeping the city after the discovery of King Tut's tomb, Detective Joe Caravello is on the hunt for a notorious forger preying on the open wallets of New York's high society. Dr. Westlake is just the expert he needs to help him track the criminal. Together they search for the truth, and the closer Lauren and Joe get to discovering the forger's identity, the more entangled they become in a web of deception and crime.

Just Gus ~ Review

Just Gus

By McCall Hoyle

Gus is a working dog tasked with guarding sheep and chickens. And Gus is good at what he does, keeping the wild prey away. Until Gus comes up against a dangerous foe who injures him badly. Gus needs to rest someplace while he heals. But for a working dog, Gus is driven to do his job, so he needs to be away from his sheep and his need to guard. 

Gus's connection with Diego proves to be a blessing. Diego struggles with worry and fear, but his connection with Gus helps him cope. But can a dog use to open outdoor spaces be content living in a house in a neighborhood?

Just Gus is an excellent book for middle-grade readers. The book is presented through Gus's point of view. We experience Gus's fear and frustration as he faces the unknown when his very identity is challenged.  What determines a person's (or dog's) worth? And how do we handle our fears and worries when they overwhelm us? 

This is a story with heart and is perfect for any young reader who loves animals, especially dogs. I love how it shows Gus's transition from a guardian of livestock to an emotional support dog. I also liked how Diego changes when he has Gus at his side. I have no qualms about recommending this book to middle-grade readers. This book both informs and entertains while exploring this timely topic.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

A boy and his dog learn that they are better together.

Gus is a livestock guardian dog with one job—protecting his farm from coyotes and foxes. He likes keeping the sheep, the chickens, and his humans safe, and he’s very good at it.

One day, Diego and his dad come to visit the farm, and Gus immediately connects to the small boy. They both like to sit still and enjoy the quiet, and Gus can tell that Diego likes being around a gentle giant of a dog, that it helps relieve the boy’s constant worry.

When Gus detects the scent of a bear in the woods, he rushes to protect his flock, injuring his leg in a fight with the dangerous beast. Wounded, Gus needs to rest and heal away from his sheep, so he doesn’t risk reinjuring his leg. Diego suggests Gus come home with them to the North Carolina coast.

Suddenly, Gus is thrust into a new world of saltwater and sand and neighbors who don’t appreciate the presence of a large guard dog, like the neighbor who reminds Gus of his first owner—the junkyard man with the heavy boots.

Gus realizes Diego might need a friend as much as his sheep need a protector, but if he can’t learn to control his instincts, like barking and patrolling the neighborhood, Gus might lose his chance to stay in his new home. If he can’t protect the farm or his boy, Gus worries he might never find his place in the world.

Just Gus is a tender story of belonging and of two friends who learn they are better together than they were alone.

Under Fire ~ Review

Under Fire

Defend and Protect #3

By Lynn H. Blackburn

Special Agent Tessa Reed had a problem that was a major stumbling block in her chance of more than friendship USSS Special Agent Zane Thacker. But Zane put them firmly in the friend zone as he knew the demons Tessa battled were more important than anything else. He needed to be there for her as a friend and as a support for her.

After six months in D.C., working as hard at protecting the President, Zane is back in Raleigh, N.C., working with his friends and former colleagues in anticipation of the President's visit. The Raleigh office has had its share of trouble over the last couple of years, and this protection/security detail could be just the thing to push the past firmly into the past. And working with Tessa again is something Zane wouldn't miss for anything.

But chasing down threats to the President in the days leading up to his visit takes an unexpected turn when someone starts threatening Tessa. Is it just random? Or is it something more serious? 

Under Fire is the third book in the Defend and Protect series that brings new danger to the Raleigh Secret Service office. There are plenty of intense moments of action while Zane and Tessa deal with their complicated friendship and past. And they have an interesting past, one which keeps Zane firmly in the friends-only camp, though he would've liked to be more. (And this plays a big part in this book while explaining things in the previous book.) Overall this was a good read and an excellent series conclusion. Yes, conclusion, and I really dislike conclusions, especially when I like the characters. But the nice thing is the characters could show up later in another series as a fun surprise. There were a few guest appearances in this book from the author's Dive Team Investigations series. I love Sabrina, btw! If you are a fan of Christian Romantic Suspense you will want to read this book (and series). The book can be read as a standalone, but reading the previous books will help out with the backgrounds of the other characters who play supporting roles in the book. But no matter how you read this book, I recommend you add it to your TBR list.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

USSS Special Agent Zane Thacker has landed his dream assignment - protecting the president of the United States. When the president plans a fundraiser at the exclusive estate of a political supporter in Raleigh, Zane is thrilled to be working again with Special Agent Tessa Reed, his best friend--and the woman he desperately wishes could be more.

Though Tessa almost lost everything, she battled her demons and came out on the other side healthy and healed. But when her role as the liaison between the Raleigh office and the president's protective detail wrenches her past back into the present, her greatest failure threatens to come to light.

Zane refuses to let Tessa go through this alone. But can he stand by the woman he loves and protect the president from a mounting threat at the same time?

Sparks fly as award-winning romantic suspense writer Lynn H. Blackburn closes out her Defend and Protect series with this explosive tale of secrets kept, lies exposed, and relationships restored.