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Cruel Hate (Hidden Valley Elite Book 5) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Cruel Hate (Hidden Valley Elite #5)Cruel Hate by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Cruel Hate is Book Five in the Hidden Valley Elite Series. This book continues with Aspen and Phoenix’s story from Cruel Start, so I highly recommend reading it first. Honestly, this is an absolutely amazing series that should be read from the first book to understand who each character is, as well as their backstory.

In Cruel Start Aspen decided a good way to test her freedom would be to have a one-night stand with a handsome stranger at a party. Then she learned a short time later that she was pregnant and had to tell this sexy stranger, Phoenix, that he was about to be a baby daddy. Now, having learned of her pregnancy Phoenix is asked by Aspen to go along with her as her fake boyfriend when she reveals the news of her pregnancy to her parents. Neither of them want a real relationship so the idea of a fake relationship seems like it could be a good idea. Phoenix wants to focus on his football career and sees this as a good way to keep the punt bunnies from pursuing him. Aspen hopes that Phoenix will offer her support and step up to help her co-parent the baby. Neither of them are prepared for the complications that arise from their fake relationship.

Aspen and Phoenix are both struggling with school and personal issues which neither wants to bother the other with and this complicates matters farther. Both come from dysfunctional families, have just started college, and both have big dreams for their future. Phoenix wants to pursue his career in football and get drafted into the NHL. Aspens wants to pursue her art and open a fantasy board shop with her sister where boards with her design would be sold. Aspen has no support from her parents and does not feel that Phoenix is stepping up to the plate as he should. She realizes that it is up to her to raise the baby on her own and support herself. Phoenix is having personal issues with his brother and wants to be there for Aspen but somehow keeps messing up. Then there is the undeniable attraction and chemistry between them that only complicates things farther.

This has been an outstanding series from the first book and each book just gets better than the last. The storylines are intense, complicated, and take twists and turns that keep you hooked until the end. The characters are complex, engaging and throughout the book we see them grow. Initially Aspen seems like a girl just testing the bounds of her newfound freedom by losing her virginity. We quickly learn that Aspen is smart, strong, and able to take care of herself. She refuses to raise her child in the type of dysfunctional family that she grew up in. The constant bickering between her parents created a toxic environment and she vows that her baby will not grow up in that kind of environment. Phoenix comes across initially as a jock who uses his good looks and charm to woo women. We quickly learn that deep down he is sensitive, kind, and compassionate. He wants to help but has a lot going on and tends to get preoccupied. Phoenix wants to help raise his baby and does not want to be anything like his own deadbeat dad. This book had angst, drama, family dynamics, unexpected romance, and leaves on an intense cliffhanger. I cannot wait for the next book!

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Ashali and the Blue Horseman by Jordan Elizabeth – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Ashali and her friend Miranda fully intend to make the most of their Spring Break and decide to go out to a club together. Miranda has no problem letting her hair down or meeting guys but Ashali, on the other hand, cannot seem to be as uninhibited as her friend. Until she spots Jase, that is, who Ashali feels inexplicably attracted to. Jase is good looking, polite, and charming so Ashali instantly feels at ease with him. Jase and Ashali immediately hit it off and Jase invites Ashali to come back to his house. This is something that Ashali would never normally do but she feels as though she can trust Jase and accepts his invitation.

Ashali is unsure what to expect when she gets to Jase’s home but decides to try to relax and get to know Jase better. What she never expected was to get kidnapped by a group of assassins that are known as Ives who want to use her against Jase.  As it turns out, Jase is a vigilante known as the Blue Horseman and Ives thinks he has something they want that will aid them in their sinister plot to take over the world. Of course, Ashali does not take well to being kidnapped and as it turns out she can hold her own against the bad guys. Before long Ashali and Jase have teamed up in a quest to uncover what kind of dark secrets Ives has been keeping.  Ashali and Jase are now in the fight of their lives as they battle evil and dark forces all around them.

I truly enjoyed this book and found it difficult to put down as the author drew me completely into the world of Ashali and Jase. I was surprised again and again as the book took twists and turns that I did not see coming. The character of Ashali comes across as being dainty, sweet, and innocent at first glance but as you read farther you discover that she has strength and mad fighting skills. Jase initially comes across as a bit of a playboy but as the story unfolds so does his character. As the story develops, we discover that Jase is the Blue Horseman, and that he is a force to be reckoned with. Together, Ashali and The Blue Horseman make a dynamic and unstoppable crime-fighting duo. This book was action-packed throughout and impossible to put down. I highly recommend!