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The Finding (Berrycreek Heights Series Book 1) by A. M. Porto – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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The Finding (Berrycreek Heights, #1)The Finding by A.M. Porto
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Finding is the first book in the Berrycreek Heights series. It is a YA thriller that centers around the characters of Victoria and Logan and told from each of their POV. The two first met when Victoria was five years old, and Logan was aged seven. The two were neighbors and became fast friends, spending almost all their time together. Victoria’s mom passed away when she was young, and she was left with her abusive, alcoholic stepfather Zach. As Victoria got older, she reminded Zach more and more of her mom and he became increasingly more violent towards her. Logan swore to protect her but when the unthinkable happens he feels tremendous guilt, sadness, and remorse for being unable to protect Victoria when she needed him the most. Twelve years go by, and Logan has never stopped thinking about Victoria or what happened to her. He has never stopped looking and vows to seek out justice for those responsible. Will Logan ever find out what really happened to Victoria?

The author did a phenomenal job with this story, and it captured my attention from the first few pages. I was riveted by the storyline and unable to put it down until I completed it. The characters are wonderfully written, lovable, and relatable. Victoria is sweet, kind, loving, smart, and courageous. The abuse that she suffers at the hands of her stepfather and numerous others is deplorable and unimaginable. It made me cringe to read as she was subjected to horrific things that no person should ever have to endure. Yet, despite it all she never gives up and continues going. Victoria is a fighter who never gives up hope and looks to a brighter future away from the abuse and cruelty. Logan is sweet, kind, loving, and courageous. He has loved Victoria since practically the first moment he met her. He made it his mission to protect her from harm and keep her safe. When Logan feels that he failed at that he vows to find out what happened to her. After twelve years he never gives up, even though many others would have given up searching for answers. It was heartbreaking to think about how helpless Logan felt to protect the woman he loved and how he felt that he had let her down. It is heartwarming to see that the love between Victoria and Logan still holds strong no matter the time or distance. Their story really pulled at my heartstrings, and it took me on a rollercoaster ride of emotions. Their story was filled with love, loss, betrayal, grief, sorrow, abuse, tragedy, drama, and suspense. I seriously cannot recommend this book enough! Looking forward to reading more by this author!

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Cruel Start (Hidden Valley Elite) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Cruel Start (Hidden Valley Elite #4.5)Cruel Start by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Cruel Start is part of the Hidden Valley Elite series. If you have not read the rest of the books in this series, I highly recommend that you do. Each previous book lays the foundation for the ones after it and introduce characters as it gives their backstory. This one is a new adult romance, enemies to lovers, story that centers around the characters of Aspen and Phoenix.

Phoenix and Aspen are heading off to college soon and trying to make the most of their summer. After a steamy night of passion together between Aspen and Phoenix after a party, Aspen discovers that she is pregnant. She feels obligated to tell Phoenix but tells him that she will accept responsibility of the baby and he can move forward and live his life. Neither of the two have had ideal role models in their parents so they have no example to follow. Aspen’s parents chose to get married to do the right thing and have had a miserable marriage. Phoenix’s dad walked away when he learned of Phoenix’s mom becoming pregnant with him. With these kinds of role models in their lives neither know what love or a healthy relationship is so both Phoenix and Aspen have sworn off relationships. Whatever choice they make will forever alter the course of their young lives. Will they choose to work together to raise the child? Will they each choose to go their separate ways?

As with all the books in this amazing series this was well written, with descriptive scenes, wonderful characters, and a storyline that pulls you in from the first pages. The characters of Phoenix and Aspen are ones that you feel yourself rooting for. Both have baggage from growing up in toxic environments so neither really know what love or a healthy relationship is. For that reason, they have chosen to remain single. However, fate intervenes when the attraction they feel at a party is acted upon and Aspen becomes pregnant. The two are faced with some difficult decisions at a young age that affects the bright futures they both had laid out for them in college. The author takes the reader on a rollercoaster ride of emotions with lust, passion, drama, bullying, dysfunctional families, angst, heartache, sorrow, secrets, lies, betrayal, and a teen pregnancy. I cannot wait for the next book in this series.

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Sacrifice Bunt (Ground Rule Book 2) by Bree Kraemer – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Sacrifice Bunt (Ground Rule Book 2)Sacrifice Bunt by Bree Kraemer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sacrifice Bunt is Book Two in the Ground Rule Series. It is a sports romance full of drama, angst, passion, and chemistry. The story centers around the characters of Zara and Noah who appear to be complete opposites and for all outward appearances are enemies. Zara’s focus is on her career, and she has no need for relationships in her life. However, she does happily enjoy no-strings attached sex whenever and wherever she can. Noah has had the hots for Zara since college years earlier when he caught her in a rather compromising position. He has never stopped thinking about her so when he meets her again years later, he vows to swoon her and win her over. The problem is, Zara hates Noah and does not want any part of a relationship with him. She agrees to one night with him but that is all he gets. Will one night be enough? Will Zara realize her feelings for Noah?

This was a well written book that fully draws you into the story of Zara and Noah. It was easy to become immersed in their story and see if Zara would eventually be worn down by Noah. I loved the character of Zara. She is strong, smart, career oriented, and determined to make it in a man’s world. She was unafraid of going after what she wanted and may come across as cold. She is unafraid to admit that she enjoys having no-strings attached sex without the hassle of being in a relationship. When her and Noah hook- up she does not want to realize that she has feelings for him and tries to deny it. It was interesting to see the relationship between the characters develop and see if Noah would be the one man to win Zara’s heart. I highly recommend this book full of drama, love, sex, passion, sizzling chemistry, and enemies turning to lovers.

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Forbidden Blood (The Shadow Chronicles Book 4) by CR Robertson – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Forbidden Blood (The Shadow Chronicles Book 4)Forbidden Blood by C.R. Robertson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Forbidden Blood is Book Four in The Shadow Chronicles Series. If you have not yet read the first few books in the series, I highly recommend that you do, or you may feel a bit lost. In Book One we meet Tasha, who is a vampire with special abilities. She meets Levi, a Lycan by chance one night and the two fall in love. Their love was forbidden because vampires and Lycans are enemies, so their love remained a secret for a while. When their relationship was brought out in the open, they found a way to make it work and be together. Inevitably, war ripped them apart although they vowed to find their way back to one another. In the first book we were introduced to Tasha’s younger sister, Kimber. This book continues with the overall story from the first few books with the focus being on Kimber’s story.

Kimber is also a Vampire with special abilities that were utilized by her coven leader for years while he held her in captivity. She can see the future, the past, and sense the emotions of others which leaves her feeling fragile and vulnerable. A lot of these feelings come from Kimber always being treated as though she were fragile and helpless, which has inevitably left her feeling helpless and like a victim. She does not believe in herself and feels alone. Her family has kept her special abilities hidden until now when she is at the age to be conscripted into the Vampire army. When evil forces and dark magic threaten to crumble the barriers between worlds a Shaman is sent to keep the balance of the worlds and watch over the mortals. Fabian is the one person Kimber can turn to because he understands her and sees Kimber as more than a weapon against evil. He makes her feel safe and helps her to realize that she is a strong and powerful woman.

This story, and this series, were wonderfully written with detailed scenes that fully immerse you into the storyline. The characters of Kimber and Fabian complement each other nicely. From the beginning of the series, I felt as though there was more to Kimber, but she was treated as though she was fragile and needed protection. It was nice to see Fabian enter her life, protect her, guide her, and help her to realize she was not a victim. Fabian gives Kimber the confidence boost she needs so that she feels strong and powerful. A great read with dark magic, vampires, Lycans, shamans, danger, mystery, suspense, love, war, and good versus evil.

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The Sisterhood of Secrets (The Gods’ Scion Book 4) by Winnifred Tataw – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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The Sisterhood of SecretsThe Sisterhood of Secrets by Winnifred Tataw
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Sisterhood of Secrets is Book Four in The Gods’ Scion series. It is a YA fantasy book and part of a series that I recommend you read prior to reading this one. This author has a unique and beautiful writing style that is well worth reading. The author immediately immerses you in the lives of Arcelia and Prince Rodrick, who were an unlikely union from the beginning. Their romance and nuptials inspired many but left others feeling envious and betrayed. I immediately felt a connection to the characters and felt myself rooting for them. They may have come from two different worlds as far as money, culture, and upbringings but they found each other and fell in love despite the odds. Their love and devotion to one another was inspiring. As we follow Arcelia and Rodrick’s journey, we are taken through a world full of secrets that leave Arcelia questioning all that she knows about those she loves. This book takes some twists and turns that will keep you reading until the end to find out what happens next. I highly recommend this fast-paced book full of secrets, lies, betrayals, broken promises, danger, intrigue, mystery, suspense, action, and the moral dilemma of right versus wrong.

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