Terrifying Love is one the most action-packed anthologies I have read in a while. You have stories from a variety of authors such as Isobella Dunn, Everly True to Melody Calder and Helle Gadde. I went from kidnapping to a paranormal revenge story with a twist on Bloody Mary (the best if you love creepy) to paranormal fantasy witch on vampire lesbian tales. There is something for everyone. That is truly what makes this a great anthology: something for everyone. I couldn’t put this down. Once you started a story, you had to go right on to the next to see if it got even better. A definite 5 out of 5 stars.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Shelly Kittellhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngShelly Kittell2021-06-16 21:26:512021-06-17 12:25:22Terrifying Love – A Halloween Anthology – Review by Shelly Kittell
Terrifying Love: A Halloween Anthology is 7 love stories with a twist. I enjoyed all of the stories, especially the one set in a haunted house and the final story. However, I am not quite sure why it is referenced as a Halloween Anthology as there are not many references to that date. The stories are creepy, some scary, and all are sexy. They are all good in their own way, and were great reads. I will be looking for more from each of the authors!!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Kayla Bullockhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngKayla Bullock2021-06-16 17:26:582021-06-17 12:18:09Terrifying Love – A Halloween Anthology – Review by Kayla Bullock
This Anthology has an amazing collection of elments it kinds on Romance, paranormal, Fantasy, horror. There are serveal different short stories in this antholgy each of these stories have thier own charm. This collection kept me thinking and my imagination running wild. A great book at a grown up Halloween get together to read over the fire.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Piperhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngPiper2021-06-16 14:19:052021-06-17 00:34:19Terrifying Love – A Halloween Anthology – Review by Piper Foster
You are introduced to the three main characters (Sara, Rachael and Colin) in the synopsis as well as the subject of foster care and social workers. Dunn has written with care on the subject and it will aim straight for your heart. This is a very heartwarming read, while also having romance and suspense.
Dunn writes their intertwined tale in a captivating way that will have you hooked by the end of the first chapter. She gives us insight to the past of these characters with great detail, and that detail continues through, leaving you wanting more. Will be keeping my eyes open for more from her!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00S. Bittleshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngS. Bittles2021-06-16 13:42:572021-06-17 00:33:20Red Coat by Isobella Dunn – Review by S.Bittles
This anthology is a collection of romances with dark elements throughout, there are seven short stories and a poem at the beginning of each, it is a collection which ranges from love which has been twisted by the eye of the beholder to a tale of true love and a curse.
The first story is about a girl who escapes who escapes from her kidnappers and runs into Willow and Evan who come to her rescue and agree to take her home, but what information they manage to get from her shows them that they may be in over their heads, especially when it looks like the kidnappers are possibly following them. Are the three in over their heads, or will they figure out the who and why before they get to the where and when?
The second story is one in which a dancer, Binx has an audition for a top dance company at the local theatre, but when she goes to get her normal order for breakfast she runs into a man, she thinks nothing of it until she sees him again as she leaves, she gets a bit of a creepy vibe. The next day as she heads to work, she finds out that someone she knows has been killed just outside, as she waits to hear about her audition, more unusual things start to happen, but are they going to lead to something good or bad?
In story number three a Queen is left by her King as he wages war on those around their homeland so he can expand their borders, however, she feels saddened and abandoned every time he leaves, when she asks advice from her maid, she is shocked, but considers it, but will she risk everything her mother worked to achieve, just to find love outside a loveless marriage, or will the consequences of such a decision be worse than she could ever imagine?
In story number four, a popular urban legend is explored in a new way as a woman is taken from the life she knows and detests into one where she finds the place she belongs, however, when that peace is destroyed she enacts a vengeful curse on those who have taken her loves, her life and her child’s life away, but how far will this curse reach and is there any way to break it?
In the fifth story Kayla is a Huntress and one who is feared by all other supernatural creatures or Myres all because of one fateful Halloween night when she was turned into a Vampire and now she is hunting someone in particular on this Halloween night, she is looking for a Witch, anyone will do but time is running out and she has to make promises she wouldn’t normally keep in order to get the information she needs to find one. Will she find her Witch and be able to fulfill her mission in time, or will fate intervene again on Halloween and ruin all her best laid plans?
The sixth story is set in a bank where Anna works and works hard, however, just as things are starting to look up in her life, it all comes crashing down around her when a colleague passed away unexpectedly, the only thing keeping her going is the cute female security guard she has a crush on and who is the only thing now keeping her there, but will she be able to change anything around her and give in to this possibility of romance, or will she end up crashing and burning?
In the final story, Rebecca is being interviewed about a shocking experience she just had involving a spade and a patio, she is shaken to the core and nervous to speak about how she saw the light and tried to escape the darkness around her, but what happened to make her into the scared woman she is during the interview and was it orchestrated by the light or the dark?
This collection keeps you on your toes while you explore the light and dark sides of love.
Terrifying Love: A Halloween Anthology where 8 authors have come together to share their stories that will instil a fear that will leave you with chills as they are creepy and twisted with lots of thrills, mystery, and suspense.
This collection includes: Bringing Home by Serena Nova His Dancer by Isobella Dunn La Siguanaba by Everly Taylor Reflections of the Past by Melody Calder Runes and Fangs by Victoria Larque Bloody Money by Annelie Janssen The Patio and The Spade by Ada Rossi Poems by Helle Gade
Not one story is the same, there are different genres that has something for everyone from paranormal and fantasy, horror, and romance, to so much more. It is one of those collections where you need to read in the light or you will be checking under the bed, behind the curtains and looking to see what is lurking in the shadows.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Jenni Bishophttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJenni Bishop2021-06-15 16:15:492021-06-16 06:52:10Terrifying Love – A Halloween Anthology – Review by Jenni Bishop
This is an amazing collection of stories by authors I have never read before but I really enjoyed each and everyone. As the title suggests there is a romance element but they aren’t sweet boy meets girl romances which makes them unique.
Each story is very different and unique. They cover things such as kidnap, a stalker, ghostly revenge, frued and murder also a romance. The characters are really well written and each story feels complete. I fully lost myself in each story and was left wanting more.
It is a great introduction to the authors and for people who prefer something a bit more than a sweet romance this is ideal for them.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Kerry Carrhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngKerry Carr2021-06-15 09:59:222021-06-16 06:20:34Terrifying Love – A Halloween Anthology – Review by Kerry Carr
This is a brilliant collection of full length stories written by some talented authors. Each is unique, engaging and skilfully written. I was pleasantly surprised by how diverse the stories were and due to that I can’t really choose one above the others. There’s such a mix of genres that there is something for every taste. I struggled to put this book down and if it wasn’t for work I would have read this in one sitting. Cannot recommend this anthology highly enough.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Rayne Easthttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngRayne East2021-06-15 07:36:262021-06-15 10:01:29Terrifying Love – A Halloween Anthology – Review by Rayne East
Terrifying Love: A Halloween Anthology is a collection of stories and poems that some fantastic authors. I loved that each and every one of these stories were completely different from each other. And it was such a bonus that one of the authors has done poems. They aren’t something I usually read and yet I devoured it all. I had read a few of these authors already but some where new to me. I enjoyed each of them for different reasons and they are all authors I would read more of in the future. I think this has to be one of my favourite anthologies and I would highly recommend it.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Kerry Bakerhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngKerry Baker2021-06-14 14:41:312021-06-15 08:39:48Terrifying Love – A Halloween Anthology – Review by Kerry Baker
Terrifying Love is a Halloween anthology of seven short stories and poems. Before each story is a poem by Helle Gade. The First Story is written by Serna Nova and is about Willow and her effort to save a young girl that has been abducted. The title is called Bringing Home and fits well with the plot. Story two is called HIs Dancer and is written by Isobella Dunn. This was my favorite story about a stalker and his obsession to get to BInx. The story alternates between Binx and the stalker’s point of view and is considered to be a prequel to another of Dunn’s books. Story Three is called La Siguanaba by Everly Taylor and is about a woman that wishes to have love instead of royal treatment. Her affair angers the gods and she is punished in a very unusual manner. Reflections Of The Past by Melody Calder is another story I was fond of. A mirror holds a type of portal to an evil ghost bent on exacting her revenge on the families that had killed her and her lovers. The twist at the end was a shocker for sure. Runes and Fangs by Victoria Larque is a story of a vampire and her run in with a witch. This particular vampire is actually a huntress trying to kill off other supernatural beings like witches and other vampires. She finds she needs the witch to assist her in her ultimate goal of killing the vampire that had turned her. Bloody Money by Annalie Jansssen features Anna losing out on a promotion and having to take care of a set of files that she finds are extremely odd. Rumor in the office was that the set of files previous handlers had all died. Anna reports the issues to her boss but he does nothing to rectify the situation. She then reports to the top manager what she was finding. Suddenly, she finds she is receiving death threats and even was attacked. The Final story is called The Spade and the Patio by Ada Rossi. This interesting story was perfect for the end of the book as it is regarding a woman speaking to an interviewer that will decide her fate. The woman tells the interviewer how she was unhappy in her marriage and over the years began to resent her husband. As the woman tells her story, she comes to the realization that her fate was completely in her own hands. She attempts to kill her husband with a spade but her failed attempt causes her to end up in the office with the Interviewer.
This is one of the best short story collections that I have ever read. Each story had a beginning and definite ending with well developed characters and story lines. While this is considered a Halloween Anthology, not all of the stories involve blood and gore. I am rating this collection a full 5 stars because I honestly cannot think of anything I disliked. The pace of the stories was even and every page kept my interest to the end of the book. I recommend this for adults that like reading short stories, I would caution readers as there is explicit content involved in some of the novellas which would make this inappropriate for young readers.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Stephanie Runyonhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngStephanie Runyon2021-06-14 01:29:452021-06-14 08:15:01Terrifying Love – A Halloween Anthology – Review by Stephanie Chapman
Red Coat Author: Isobella Dunn This was a great book! Loved the characters of Sara, Rachael and Colin. It was a super sweet story filled with suspense and some romantic moments. The characters were full-bodied and filled with real-life problems. I felt a strong connection to the main character of Sara, a foster child turned Social worker. She was dedicated and strong. Great story and I look forward to more from this great author!!!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Kellie Piaskowskihttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngKellie Piaskowski2021-06-13 15:01:382021-06-13 17:07:07Red Coat By Isobella Dunn – Review by Kellie Piaskowski
Sara Flemming is a woman with a mission to help those who cannot help themselves, ten years ago she ran away from a family who made living with them impossible, she had tried many times before, however, each time something happened which dragged her back, before she wanted to, but this time she needed to, but fate was not on her side and now she works for the same Social Services who helped her out of her miserable life those many years ago. Colin Fulton was a young man who got into small town trouble with his little brother and a girl who he would do anything to help, however, when she leaves town without a trace and without looking back, he has to carry on life without her and now he is the Sheriff of the town where he used to run wild with his little brother looking like he is going to follow in his path.
One saturday afternoon, Sara is waking up to start a well needed weekend off after a very rude alarm clock decided to annoy her with its incessant beeping, however, just as she is about to start cleaning up her kitchen, she receives a phone call from work where they need help with a girl, they need someone with her history as she is the only one who might be able to deal with her, however, this day will be one she can;t forget any time soon. As she approaches the girls, she observes that she is trying to look like she has it all together and is even a little bored, however, she sees straight through that to the girl who is angry, frustrated and a little bit sad, so as she walks to her office, she heads straight in without even looking at the girl, she wants to read her file first and get an idea of what she will be dealing with. As she does this, she realises just how much the girl looks like her and has a history like she has, so she invites her to enter the office and talk to her. Meanwhile, Rachael is sat outside in the waiting area but cannot believe that she has been given a choice rather than being told what to do, it is so unusual she is thrown, but this is just the start when Sara is honest with her and straight talking, she feels like she might just be able to talk to her, this is solidified when they go and get pizza for lunch and Rachael opens up about what has been going on in her life.
Colin is dealing with his usual small town policing problems while also rescuing his little brother from a young woman’s clutches, this is easier said than done, so he ends up coming out on patrol instead, but they come back to something a little harder than dog wrangling. Meanwhile, Rachael has been put somewhere temporary while her situation is sorted out, but something spooks her again and she runs away on the bus to somewhere Sara would rather forget, but she is forced to go retrieve her as she has the best rapport with her, but when she gets there and realises she is unharmed and in the Sheriff’s office, what she doesn’t expect to see is who the Sheriff is and her thoughts and feelings about him, however, he is in no doubt about his feelings for her. Will Sara and Colin be able to work together to keep Rachael safe from harm, or will their pasts catch up to all of them in this small town? This is a story of trust, memories, pasts and presents coming together to forge a future from uncertainty which will have you on an emotional rollercoaster as you follow the path as well.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Roxsanne Lesieurhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngRoxsanne Lesieur2021-06-12 18:09:352021-06-13 11:56:49Red Coat by Isobella Dunn – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.
This is a nice romantic story that has suspenseful elements. It has wonderful flow and the characters have some depth to them. The story touches on the lives of these 3 characters. It doesn’t go too deep but I still liked them. I enjoyed the idea of the “red coat”. It worked nicely into the story. I liked this story but didn’t love it.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Lisa Helmickhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngLisa Helmick2021-06-12 09:40:192021-06-12 11:19:33Red Coat by Isobella Dunn – Review by Lisa Helmick
Red Coat by Isobella Dunn is a mystery suspense story that will aim straight for your heart. This book contains things that may cause triggers so beware. The story has flashbacks so we get to see where it all began. Never the less it is a heart warming tale where one woman was raised through the foster system and now works as a social worker helping others like her. But one case in particular stands out and now the past has resurfaced. This troubled teen certainly makes Sara earn her keep as she fights to find her when she runs.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Jenni Bishophttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJenni Bishop2021-06-12 00:37:492021-06-12 11:08:20Red Coat by Isobella Dunn – Review by Jenni Bishop
This book definitely kept my attention. It was hard to put down! The authors all did an amazing job capturing fear, heartbreak, fear, and excitement in a small amount of time. There are 7 short stories as well as a poem for each short story that work together beautifully. The poems would draw me in, and then the author would captivate me with unique stories that I probably would have never read on my own had they been separate books. I’m glad I gave this book a shot because I was introduced to several different authors- some of which have been added to my must read list! I highly recommend giving this book a chance, and then going to read the authors’ other works. I know I am!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Hailey Hophttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngHailey Hop2021-06-11 20:07:272021-06-12 08:26:09Terrifying Love – A Halloween Anthology – Review by Hailey Hop
Red Coat by Isobella Dunn is one of those stories that will tug at your heartstrings.
Sara was in the foster system when she was younger, and that fueled her during her studies to become a social worker. Because of Sara’s background, she is the best for dealing with “problem children”, or the ones who are difficult to place for whatever reason. When Rachael’s name comes across her desk, Sara is quick to try to get to the bottom of it. When Sara finds out she has more in common with Rachael than once imagined, it brings emotions to the surface that Sara thought she had gotten over some time before. With Sara’s past unraveling, will she be able to help Rachael?
As someone who would love to foster and adopt, this hurt my heart. Though I’m not sure it’s an accurate representation of the current foster system, it’s just sad to think this could ever happen to a child.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Carly Voglerhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngCarly Vogler2021-06-10 23:02:482021-06-10 23:22:13Red Coat by Isobella Dunn – Review by Carly Vogler
This is my first read by Ms. Dunn and I can say that I am very impressed, Red Coat by Isobella Dunn is a great read with lots of different elements in play. I was hooked on Ms. Dunn’s story within the first few pages and couldn’t stop reading until I had finished the book. Ms. Dunn gives us a suspense romance full of emotions, drama, intrigue, mystery and more. Her characters not only had brilliant descriptions, but she made sure that all of their emotions were in order for this story. Depending on your background this book can contain triggers for certain scenarios and emotions, but over all Ms. Dunn does a beautiful job of telling a foster kid story. This story was so wonderfully descriptive and detailed that I look forward to reading more from this author.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Stephanie Corbinhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngStephanie Corbin2021-06-10 19:28:502021-06-10 23:07:03Red Coat by Isobella Dunn – Review by Stephanie Nicole
I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I picked up Red Coat by Isobella Dunn for an afternoon in the sun by the pool. I was so engrossed in this book though that I quickly found myself with a bit of a sunburn and a book hangover. This was quite the enthralling read and I was completely taken away into Sara’s world. She made me want to reach in and hug her and Rachel several times. This book really was layered with elements of romance and mystery but also brought drama and coming of age in as well. I enjoyed the way Dunn balanced the heavy and made it feel as if you were able to enjoy it in any setting, like I said I enjoyed this by the pool but also could have found myself enjoying this under the blankets on a cold rainy day. I look forward to seeing what else might be available by Isobella Dunn and what may come next.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Liz Vrchotahttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngLiz Vrchota2021-06-10 16:30:502021-06-10 22:56:02Red Coat by Isobella Dunn – Review by Liz Vrchota
I wasn’t sure what I was going to reading when I picked up this book, the synopsis didn’t give too much away and the author is new to me – but I like to step out of my comfort zone at times so I thought I would give it a go and I really wasn’t disappointed at all. The story had so many different layers to it and I thought I would have found it confusing but the author did an amazing job with it. The characters were really interesting to read about and my heartstrings were definitely pulled a few times throughout. I did find myself invested in the characters, their lives and stories and it had this real feel about it. It was definitely surprise read for me and one I would absolutely recommend!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Katie Matthewshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngKatie Matthews2021-06-10 08:47:582021-06-10 08:59:07Red Coat by Isobella Dunn – Review by Katie Matthews
Red Coat by Isobella Dunn is a cute little romance story with a bit of mystery thrown in to add some intrigue to the story. Sara, our main character is a teenage runaway and has been bounced from foster home to foster home. We get to follow along with her as she is an adult and now must face her own delinquent case and help Rachael overcome her fears of the foster system as well. But wait, a curveball has been thrown at Sara when she returns to Victory to reclaim her delinquent. Red Coat is a great read with Sara the main character being so easy to identify and empathize with. The few detours away from the romance into the intrigue are beautifully written and provide a relief from the typical romance genre. The intimate scenes are loving, tender, and heart warming written in such a way that the love the characters have for each other jumps off the page and into your heart. What a great read and I highly recommend following this author for more incredible stories. Fun and easy to read, Red Coat is perfect for a quiet afternoon by the pool, or a night wrapped up in a blanket by the fireplace. You will not be disappointed!!
I was drawn to Red Coat, just from the cover art. I have never read anything by Isobella Dunn, and this seems like it might be her first book, which is amazing. I loved this book. I got hooked in the first couple pages, reading about Sara and her teen troubles. We then come across Rachael, whose story seems to mirror Sara’s. I am a sucker for the pull at your heart strings stories of foster care. Rachael’s path and Sara’s intersect when she is caught running away from her foster home, and Sara is called in on the case. By the time it got to that point, I was hooked and couldn’t put the book down. Dunn has a great writing style, and I fell in love with most of the characters. I say most, because I didn’t love Colin- I found him a little pushy, but he also had a incredible sweet side. All the supporting characters played a big role, and the book was a good balance. There was a little bit of hoping for a happy ending for everyone, and sitting on the edge of your seat in fear of what is to come. It was a little more suspense filled than I expected, but I was not disappointed. Highly recommend this book and I look forward to reading more by this author.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Elizabeth Sanchezhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngElizabeth Sanchez2021-06-09 21:00:522021-06-10 08:24:58Red Coat by Isobella Dunn – Review by Elizabeth Sanchez
Red Coat by Isobella Dunn is quite an engrossing romantic suspense. The story is emotive, with intrigue, a little mystery, drama, and more. Sara has worked really hard to leave her past behind her. She works as a social worker who works within the foster care system as a way of ensuring other children don’t have to endure what she did. But when Rachel is brought into the agency for running away again, things take a dramatic turn. Sara can’t help but see herself in Rachel and wants to help her, but things get complicated and Sara finds herself face to face with the past she left behind, with danger closing in. Well worth the read!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Angela Hayeshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAngela Hayes2021-06-09 11:18:022021-06-09 11:32:16Red Coat by Isobella Dunn – Review by Angela Hayes
Red Coat by Isobella Dunn is a heartwarming tale of rekindled love, learning to trust again, and finding family that strums all the appropriate heartstrings.
Sara, finding her latest foster placement no longer safe, decides that it is time for a new one. She has been warned that if she attempted to run away again, she would have to be moved. Hoping the threats are real, that is exactly what she does. Luckily, the threats are true but that means leaving her best friends behind.
Ten years later, Sara is now a Social Worker working for a foster care placement agency. Sara specializes in hard to reach children. Rachael is brought to the agency because she has run away, again. Sara is called in on her day off to try to talk to Rachael to find out why she doesn’t want to remain in her current foster placement. Rachael finds Sara different from all the other adults in her life that just make decisions for her, never really listening. Sara earns Rachael’s trust enough for Rachael to disclose the real reasons she doesn’t want to return to the foster home, a reason Sara knows all too well.
Rachael’s former foster father is on the run because Rachael talked. Sara promised that he would not find her but when he calls the group home she was placed, Rachael decides to make it so he won’t find her by disappearing in the middle of the night. Rachael runs to the one place Sara doesn’t want to return, the same town Sara abandoned years before. When Sara arrives in town to retrieve Rachael, she discovers that her former best friend, Colin, is the town sheriff. Now Sara must rely on Colin to keep Rachael safe from looming danger.
Can Sara and Colin rekindle the friendship and possibly find love? Is Sara the family that Rachael is longing for? Will the danger follow them?
This book contains triggering material for some. Graphic descriptions of domestic assault, child abuse, and attempted rape throughout the book may make this a difficult read for some. Inaccurate portrayals of the foster care system and its processes ruined the overall enjoyment of the story this reviewer. Some of these inaccuracies were key parts of the plotline causing the rhythm and flow to be off. This is not the first story I have read by Ms. Dunn. Where I do enjoy her storytelling ability, this one was a bit of a disappointment due to this and some other minor issues in character and plot development. I look forward to reading her next story.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00M Policicchiohttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngM Policicchio2021-06-08 20:36:262021-06-09 07:54:22Red Coat by Isobella Dunn – Review by M Policicchio
Red Coat by Isobella Dunn is a story of finding yourself through the toughest of situations. Although I’m unfamiliar with the life of a foster child, especially teens living in this reality, I feel the author did justice to help the reader understand the issues these individuals face and how difficult it is to grow up essentially alone and untrusting in a world where you feel unwanted. This story is about Sara, a former foster child turned social worker. Her background leads her to have a special understanding of other children in the system, which is where we meet Rachael, a teen in the system running away from her current foster parents due to abuse. To protect Rachael, Sara will do anything in her power to save her, even returning to a former small town where Sara had once ran from under her own foster care. Here, Sara runs into her former best friend, Colin, who has always held a flame for her and will do anything to protect and show his care. The reader is taken on a journey of finding love, friendship, and most important family. This story will make you realize how important these connections are to those currently in foster care and those that survived the system about how difficult it is to trust that these connections are true and valued by all involved. Wonderful story and highly recommended.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Bethany Rollinshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngBethany Rollins2021-06-08 10:33:052021-06-08 14:03:14Red Coat by Isobella Dunn – Review by Bethany Rollins
Sara Flemming went from being a troubled youth to helping them as a social worker. She had someone that was willing to fight for her and she wanted to do the same for those that were following in her footsteps.
Rachael is running away from a foster home due to her foster father who was abusive. She is reluctant to trust Sara, but when she finally realized that Sara wasn’t just going to brush her off like everyone else has she opens up and tells her everything. Now that she knows there is someone that is standing in her corner she feels safe until she gets a phone call that sends her running for the hills once again.
Colin Fulton has never left the small town of Victory and is now a Sheriff. When he catches a young girl that had an APB out on her he never thought she would be the reason that the love of his youth would return. Would Sara remember him? Would she want to try and rekindle a relationship that had been dormant for all these years?
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Charlisa Wahtomy-Albahttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngCharlisa Wahtomy-Alba2021-06-07 21:06:232021-06-08 06:46:30Red Coat by Isobella Dunn – Review by Charlisa Wahtomy-Alba
Sara Flemming knows what it’s like in the foster care system, after a troubled childhood spent running away from various group homes and care facilities. Now, as a social worker, she feels a special connection to the children she cares for. When she meets fifteen year old Rachael, a young teen in foster care, she sees parts of herself reflected in Rachael and knows she must do what she can to help. Sara reluctantly agrees to return to her hometown of Victory, in order to collect Rachael, who, after being arrested, is waiting for her in the local police station. As Sara bonds with Rachael, she finds out Rachael is on the run from her abusive foster father, and both Sara and Rachael agree that Victory is the safest place for Rachael, even though Sara is reluctant to reconnect to the town (and the people) she once called home.
Isobella Dunn is a relatively new author, and “Red Coat” is her newest romantic suspense. The novel covers issue of foster care and physical and sexual abuse, so it may be a trigger for some.
This novel played out like a Hallmark or Lifetime TV movie, complete with a quaint little town and a completely predictable ending. The simplistic language was a struggle for me; I would’ve preferred more developed and structured conversations. Dunn ensures every character has all of their inner thoughts put on paper, and there was definitely a need for stricter editing.
I enjoyed Sara and Rachael as characters, and right from the beginning you could see they were perfect for each other. It was obvious what the outcome was going to be between these two, and it definitely ended on a happy note. Right away, I found the character of Colin to be brash and forward, and honestly, he bordered a little on abusive and harassing. At the end of the novel though, Colin is more likable, but I think with a little more time for relationship history and character development, especially when it comes to Colin and Sara, I would’ve seen him the way the author intended. There seemed to be a giant gap missing between Colin and Sara’s relationship, and I needed more from them.
There was a lot of action in this novel, which was refreshing. When Rachael’s former foster father comes into the picture, even though the outcome is predictable (and some of the events were completely unrealistic), it was great to see Sara run to Rachael’s aid and overcome the predator.
Dunn’s novel is uplifting and light (even though the subject matter can be dark), and it was an easy read. I immediately cheered for both Sara and Rachael, and found the ending to be completely satisfying. “Red Coat” shines a light on the length that humans will go to in order to protect the ones they love, even when faced with hardship and trauma.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Erinhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngErin2021-06-06 11:16:312021-06-07 05:10:03Red Coat by Isobella Dunn – Review by Erin Clemence
Terrifying Love: A Halloween Anthology is a collection of 7 stories and additional poems by 8 talented authors. With plenty to choose from- there’s romance, suspense, the supernatural, paranormal, fantasy, Halloween themes, some horror, emotion, and lots more. If you love stories that keep you on the edge of your seat, with enough thrills and chills to keep you hooked, then this is an anthology you will want to add to your reading list. I read quite a lot of anthologies as I love the diversity that can be found within these collections. And this certainly fits the bill, as it has a great mix of storylines, all with their own originality, and assortment of interesting characters. I thought I would just read one story a night, before bed, until I had finished the book- but I got so caught up with it that I ended up reading the whole thing in one sitting #sleepisoverrated.
The collection contains: -Bring Him Home By: Serena Nova -His Dancer By: Isobella Dunn -La Siguanaba By: Everly Taylor -Reflections of the Past By: Melody Calder -Runes and Fangs By: Victoria Larque -Bloody Money By: Annelie Janssen -The Patio and the Spade By: Ada Rossi -Poems by Helle Gade
The book contains the work of some authors who I am familiar with, but most stories are from writers who are new to me, so this has been a fantastic introduction to these new (to me) authors- as well as allowing me to catch up with the work from authors that I know and love.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Angela Hayeshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAngela Hayes2021-06-05 10:03:472021-06-06 20:45:03Terrifying Love – A Halloween Anthology – Review by Angela Hayes
The new stories of the frightening ways love can manifest are interspersed with haunting love poems. Each tale takes you to the edge of your seat. Will strangers risk everything for each other? Does true love last through the centuries? Can beings see past their differences or long-held beliefs to find true love?
One of the stories that had me gripping my pillow was Reflections of the Past by Melody Calder. Mary’s story started with feeling out of place where she should have felt at home. The chances Mary took to find belonging led her to real love. When everything in Mary’s world is destroyed, she finds a way to get her revenge. Sins of the past haunt Lia in ways she doesn’t even know yet as Mary’s vengeance collides with Lia’s heart. With Lia’s understanding, Mary is finally able to find peace.
The other story that caused my pillow distress was Runes and Fangs by Victoria Larque. Kayla has every reason to hate after what she has gone through. Minette should feel the same way but doesn’t let her light fade because of the actions of others. When Kayla first meets Minette, Minette should cower but doesn’t. Minette finds it within herself to be strong. Kayla should despise Minette but can’t seem to feel anything other than protective. Together, they seem to be able to accomplish the impossible while finding love.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00M Policicchiohttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngM Policicchio2021-06-04 15:42:232021-06-05 08:10:38Terrifying Love – A Halloween Anthology – Review by MPolicicchio
Red Coat Isabella Dunn is an easy but engaging story that really does tug at the heartstrings. For me this book is entirely about the characters. They are so relatable that I became invested in them immediately and really connected with their story. I figured this book would be pretty emotional while reading it but I didn’t quite expect to be taken on such a journey. It really felt like I experienced the highs and lows with the characters. This is a fantastic book that I thoroughly enjoyed. I would highly recommend it.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Kerry Bakerhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngKerry Baker2021-06-03 14:56:002021-06-04 07:03:10Red Coat by Isobella Dunn – Review by Kerry Baker
Sara Flemming was once a foster kid with penchant for running from her placement homes. All grown-up now, she chose to be a social worker for the same fostering agency that struggled to find her a home as a child. When a new young teen arrives on the scene, one with the same history of running as Sara, she seems to be the only one that can understand and get through to the girl. Circumstances collide to bring some childhood friends zooming back into her life, and Sara has to not only help her charge, but deal with unfinished business from the past. This story is well written and easy-to-read. I enjoyed the pacing of the story and getting to know Sara and Rachael. It was sensitive to the topic of foster care while also being unflinching in the realities that can sometimes occur. A good read, give it a go.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Erica Shoebridgehttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngErica Shoebridge2021-06-01 15:21:352021-06-02 09:03:54Red Coat by Isobella Dunn – Review by Erica Shoebridge
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