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Heavy Shot (Nashville Assassins: Next Generation) by Toni Aleo – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Heavy Shot (Nashville Assassins: Next Generation #7)Heavy Shot by Toni Aleo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Heavy Shot is Book Seven of the Nashville Assassins: Next Generation series. This is a sports romance book that centers around the characters of Austen and Dimitri. Austen has had a rough life full of abuse and neglect. She has learned to be strong and wants to make her grandfather proud, so she takes a job with the Assassins. Dimitri is back from playing hockey in Russia and comes to try out for the Assassins team. When a mix-up with housing occurs Dimitri and Austen end up in the same apartment. Although at first the two do not necessarily hit it off they eventually reach a truce. The witty banter, teasing, and chemistry between them builds as they get to know one another better.

This was a well written book with an engaging storyline and lovable characters. Austen has had a horrific past full of abuse and trauma but has not let that deter her from having a bright future. She learned to be strong, assertive, feisty and stand on her own two feet. Dimitri comes across as being cocky and arrogant initially but as the story unfolds, we see another side of him. He is sweet, kind, and gentle with Austen which was wonderful to read. The author did a beautiful job of writing about sensitive subject matter and the after effects a survivor of abuse experiences. The love story between Austen and Dimitri was inspiring. A wonderful story full of angst, witty banter, humor, hope, love, passion, and romance. I highly recommend this book!

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Mr Lucky (Trentbridge Tales Book 1) by Lee Wood – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Mr Lucky (Trentbridge Tales #1)Mr Lucky by Lee Wood
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Mr. Lucky is Book One in the Trentbridge Tales Series. It is a fast-paced, British Crime Thriller that centers around the character of former Detective James Sheldon. James is no longer a Detective and luck really has not been on his side at all. James has not only lost his career, but he has also lost his family, is homeless, and has sunken into self-despair. When he suddenly wins a substantial amount of money in the lottery things should look up for him. Instead, James’ life takes a turn for the worse as he is in a battle to survive against numerous people who suddenly seem to have it out for him. Will he be able to outrun, outwit, outfox, and out maneuver the savory characters intent on destroying him?

This was a well written book with a compelling storyline and interesting characters. James was down-on-his-luck with no hope for a bright future. He had sunken into self-loathing and despair until winning the lottery. Coming into millions of dollars should have instantly improved his life but as luck would have it, life got infinitely worse. James had to pull himself together and dig down deep for the strength to save his life from those after him. This was a fast paced, edge of your seat, intense psychological thrill ride that will rivet you and have you reading until the end. I highly recommend this book!

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Reticent Hawke (The Hawke Family Second Generation Book 2) by Gwyn McNamee – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Reticent Hawke: A Billionaire Reverse Age Gap Best Friend's Older Sister Forbidden Romance (The Hawke Family Second Generation Book 2)Reticent Hawke: A Billionaire Reverse Age Gap Best Friend’s Older Sister Forbidden Romance by Gwyn McNamee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Reticent Hawke is the Second Book in The Hawke Family Second Generation Series. This is a forbidden romance, older woman, friends to lover’s story told from multiple POV’s. The story centers around the characters of Jude and Angelina. Jude was not born into the Hawke family but was adopted by them, so he is considered family. He had a rough childhood which has left him traumatized and weary of human touch. Angelina/Angie is a member of the Hawke family and is 12 years older than Jude. She is the only person who has been able to reach Jude and the only person that he feels comfortable with. Angie and Jude feel a very strong connection and bond between them that goes beyond being family. They are intensely attracted to one another and find it hard to work through the feelings they have towards one another.

This book was beautifully written and took me on a rollercoaster ride of emotions. The characters of Jude and Angie were instantly lovable and relatable, and the storyline hit close to home for me. As an older woman who met, fell in love, and married a younger man I can fully understand society’s view of this type of a relationship. It is socially acceptable for older men to date younger women but not necessarily the other way around. My husband is fifteen years my junior and even I struggled with the age gap and how society would view our relationship. The author did a wonderful job of writing about this reverse age gap romance. I found myself rooting for Jude and Angie to be together. This book has angst, drama, passion, family, hope, romance, tension, and love. I loved this book and cannot wait for the next one in the series! I highly recommend this book!

View all my reviews@tarab