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It Comes From Within (House Valdis Series) by Naomi Valkyrie – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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It Comes From Within (House Valdis #2)It Comes From Within by Naomi Valkyrie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It Comes From Within is Book Two in The House Valdis Series. It is a polyamorous urban sci fi fantasy filled with action, danger, mystery, suspense, secrets, lies, drama, romance, friendship, vampires, shifters, aliens, magic, and paranormal. This book picks up where the first book left off, so I highly recommend reading Book One first. It will introduce you to the characters as well as give you each of their backstories. Xenobia is struggling with her new leadership as she tries to merge House Valdis with the former House Muerte. The stakes are high and the merging of the two houses comes with a great deal of responsibility that she does not feel prepared for. As if that is not enough, Xenobia is faced with a new enemy, the White queen, who is determined to create her own den of vampires and become ruler at all costs. The story is told from the POV of numerous characters which enables the reader a deeper understanding of each of them. A fast paced, action-packed, rollercoaster ride that leaves you breathless in anticipation of the next book. This author never fails to deliver a fantastic story!

View all my reviews@tarab

Bella: An Appalachian Love Story & Jagged Dawn: Logan’s Beginnings by Valerie Davisson – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Bella-An Appalachian Love Story & Jagged Dawn-Logan's BeginningsBella-An Appalachian Love Story & Jagged Dawn-Logan’s Beginnings by Valerie Davisson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is two books in one containing Bella: An Appalachian Love Story and Jagged Dawn: Logan’s Beginning. These two books are prequels to the Logan McKenna Mystery Series.

In Bella, we are taken back in time to 50 years prior to where Bella’s story first begins. In the Appalachian hills we meet Logan’s great grandmother Norah, and Giovanni, a young immigrant from Italy. Giovanni is a master artist crafting violins and it is he who creates Bella, a violin that is passed from generation to generation. Living life in the Appalachian mountains was not always easy but the family persevered and did what they could to survive off the land.

In Jagged Dawn we are introduced to Logan, the great granddaughter of Norah, We find Logan in California just weeks prior to the accident that changes her entire world. Logan is left wounded from the accident and faced with an uncertain future. Her once comfortable life is thrown into a tailspin, and she is forced to change everything she has ever known. She must decide if she will just survive or find joy in her life again. Returning home, she finds her beloved violin Bella and starts playing her again. She also finds her sapphire blue 1958 Corvette and finds herself enjoying cruises down the highway in her Corvette. These are two things that she had left in her past but that she now finds that bring her comfort and joy.

Although these books were very different from one another they flowed beautifully together. Norah and Giovanni’s love story was beautiful, yet tragic. Logan’s story was tragic yet inspiring. Both books show exactly how resilient people can be after tragedy strikes. These books were beautifully written, and I look forward to reading more in the Logan McKenna Mystery Series.

View all my reviews @Tara Johnson Barnes