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Saved by the Everyday Hero (Limited Edition Romance Collections) by Naomi Valkyrie & Various Authors – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Saved by the Everyday HeroSaved by the Everyday Hero by Amelia Hayden
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Saved by the Everyday Hero is a collection of short stories by thirteen different authors. The theme of each story is about everyday people making a difference in small ways that help others learn to love again. One of my favorite stories in this collection was by one of my favorite authors, Naomi Valkyrie. Her story entitled Unexpected Heroes is a M/M Romance that centers around the characters of Elijah and Jude. Elijah moves in next door to Jude with his infant son. When Jude sees Elijah struggling late one night to soothe his baby and get him to sleep, he offers to help. From there a friendship grows as Jude helps Elijah unpack, runs errands for him, and helps with the baby. Both men have troubled pasts that each has been struggling to overcome in their own ways. Through their friendship they learn to trust, to love again, and they work together to overcome challenges that come their way. The friendship between them grows and blossoms into more over time and the two find their soulmate in one another. I have not yet read all the stories in this collection but the ones I did read were heartfelt, uplifting, hopeful, and inspiring. This is a collection that I will be going back to read over and over again. I highly recommend this book!

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Love, Only Better (Bold Journeys Book 1) by Paulette Stout – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Love, Only BetterLove, Only Better by Paulette Stout
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Love, Only Better is the first book in the Bold Journeys Series. It is a beautifully written story of one woman’s journey to self-discovery and sexual empowerment. The story centers around the character of Rebecca who has just been dumped by her boyfriend. He refers to her as an “ice queen” and this is his reason for breaking up with her. Rebecca is devastated but saw the breakup coming. Her roommate is less than helpful and tells her it is for the best because she never liked him anyways. Rebecca has nobody to talk to about her “sexual problem” because the subject is taboo. Rebecca feels as though she cannot do anything right and as though her world is falling apart around her, so she decides to go on a journey to become a better person. This journey is a bit different than the typical eating healthier, going to the gym, working out, becoming a better person journey that most women would go through after a bad breakup. Rebecca decides to try to discuss the matter with her doctor and ultimately ends up becoming part of a research study. Through the study she learns a lot about herself, her sexuality, and gains self-confidence. Enough confidence that she decides to go after what she wants, one of which is the yummy relative of one of her neighbors. Through Rebecca’s journey she runs into some snags, hits some bumps in the road, but overall learns to be confident, strong, brave, and empowered. As her confidence and sexual empowerment improve Rebecca learns how sex and love combine to have a healthy, happy, vibrant relationship. Huge kudos to the author for her bravery in discussing the taboo subject of women’s sexuality. Looking forward to reading the next book in this series!

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Liz’s Road Trip by Bernadette Marie – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Liz's Road TripLiz’s Road Trip by Bernadette Marie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Liz’s Road Trip is a beautifully written, wholesome, feel-good story about one woman’s journey after the loss of a loved one. The story centers around the character of Liz who has just lost her grandmother to cancer. When Liz goes through her grandmother’s phone, she discovers contact information for individuals she does not know. Information for financial advisors and messages from guys calling her grandmother “doll” peek Liz’s interest and has Liz questioning who her grandmother was. When one of her grandmother’s contacts calls persistently Liz finally answer. She is shocked to discover this stranger named Mark knows who she is and seems to have a lot of personal information on her. Then he drops the bomb that he is living in her grandmother’s house in Florida. This cannot be true, and this guy must be pulling a scam because her grandma did not own a home in Florida. As Mark and Liz talk it is discovered that Mark is a biographer who is writing about her grandma’s glamourous past as a Hollywood star who had a zest for life. Liz is surprised to learn about her grandma’s past and her secret life. Liz only knows her grandma as the sweet, loving person she grew up with. With her curiosity piqued Liz sets off on a road trip with her grandma’s cat to fulfill her grandma’s final wishes and to hopefully get answers. Through her journey Liz makes discoveries about herself, makes a friend in Mark, gains a confidante, and learns to live and love life. This was a heartfelt and uplifting story of Liz’s journey as she navigated through grief and loss of her grandma by learning more about her grandma’s past. I highly recommend this book!

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Granting Katelyn (Sweet Valley Series) by S.E. Reichert – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Granting KatelynGranting Katelyn by S.E. Reichert
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Granting Katelyn is Book Two in The Sweet Valley Series. It is a beautifully written, heart wrenching, western romance set in a small town that centers around the characters of Katelyn and Grant. The story is told from the POV of both MC’s so the reader gains insight into Katelyn and Grant’s history and thought process. The storyline is engaging, and the characters are ones that will instantly tug at your heartstrings when you read about their back stories. Katelyn is an all-state barrel racing champion and equine therapist with a no-nonsense, take-charge attitude. She does not back down from a challenge and comes across to some as aggressive. For those that know Katelyn they know that she does not put up with nonsense from anyone. When she is approached to help Grant with his horse that suffered injuries in an accident she did not realize that she would be helping Grant as well. Both Grant and his horse sustained injuries in the same accident, and it has left them broken. Grant comes across as overbearing, grumpy, and rude which makes Katelyn’s work a bit more challenging. Sadly, Grant has endured horrendous emotional abuse at the hands of his manipulative father which has left him scarred and broken. As Katelyn and Grant get to know one another they help one another heal. The chemistry between them grows and they find healing through love. This was an emotional rollercoaster ride as Katelyn and Grant overcame numerous challenges and learned to trust in order to heal. I cannot wait for the next book in this series!

View all my reviews@tarab