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The Daredevil (WaterFyre Rising Book 2) by Nadia Han – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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The Daredevil (WaterFyre Rising, #2)The Daredevil by Nadia Han
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Daredevil is book two in the WaterFyre Rising series. This book combines action, adventure, drama, and romance as we are introduced to the characters of Royce and Michelle. Royce owns his own company and Michelle is a travel blogger. Both are smart, feisty, hardworking, determined and addicted to adrenaline.

Royce is a billionaire who has worked hard to get to where he is at. He has a zest for life and is always seeking the next thrill and the next adrenaline rush. After a horrendous relationship from his past scarred him, he has no interest in relationships. Michelle has worked hard to get to where she is and does not want to be told what to or have someone dictate her life for her. She too, has a zest for life and is always seeking the next thrill or the next adventure. When Michelle gets sent to Iceland on assignment things change quickly for both Royce and Michelle.
While in Iceland Michelle runs into Joyce and they discover they have mutual friends and knew each other a long time ago. As they spend time together, they chemistry and attraction between them intensifies and big-hearted Royce discovers that he would do anything for Michelle. When unexplainable accidents and murders start to occur at Royce’s business, they quickly realize that someone is seeking revenge. Royce vows to protect Michelle at all costs.

I loved the storyline and fell in love with the characters in this book. Royce and Michelle both had baggage from their past that was holding them back on some ways. When they got together Royce discovered that he could fall in love again and that the right woman was worth fighting for. The chemistry and passion between the two really sizzle. A must read for anyone looking for a book full of action, suspense, danger, murder, intrigue, secrets, revenge, passion, lust, and love.

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The Mastermind (WaterFyre Rising Book 1) by Nadia Han – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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The Mastermind (WaterFyre Rising, #1)The Mastermind by Nadia Han
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Mastermind is the first book in the WaterFyre Rising series. It starts off with a bang and tells the story of a slow burning romance between a girl and her brother’s best friend. Remington, or Remi as he is known, runs into his best friend’s sister, Audri, when he comes back home to finalize a business deal. His hometown holds a lot of painful and disturbing memories for him so coming home does not come easy for him. He does, however, look forward to seeing Audri, his best friend’s sister. Nothing has ever happened between the two in the past because as his best friend’s sister she was off limits. Now the two are brought together because Remi is her new boss. As the two start to spend time together Remi and Audri realize that there is an attraction between them. As they begin a whirlwind romance things from their past begin to surface which have the potential to threaten their entire future. Will they risk everything for love?

This was a captivating read with a great storyline and wonderful characters. Both Remi and Audri are multi-faceted with a good side and a darker side. They are both hardworking, independent, and successful. Remi is now a highly successful businessman and Audri has a successful marketing job and makes her own jewellery. Audri was off limits to Remi when they were growing up because that was his best friend’s sister but as adults that is not an issue. As the chemistry between them intensifies something sinister from their past threatens to ruin everything. The ensuing storyline is riveted with drama, secrets, lies, danger, and suspense. The story takes some twists and turns that will leave you riveted and reading until the end.

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The Innovator (WaterFyre Rising Book 3) by Nadia Han – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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The Innovator (WaterFyre Rising, #3)The Innovator by Nadia Han
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Innovator is the third book in the WaterFyre Rising series. Although this book continues on from the first two books it can easily be read as a standalone. Grayson has been hurt in the past by a woman, so he has all but shunned off women and withdrawn from his family after his uncle’s betrayal. His way of dealing with life is by throwing himself into his work. This keeps him too busy for romance or relationships as he tries to juggle numerous projects all at once. Natalie has recently moved to the United States from Paris for work and has no time for love or romance. She is grieving the loss of her father and intends to focus on the mysteries surrounding her father and his death.

When Grayson and Natalie cross paths they argue and do not get along at all. Grayson does find Natalie very attractive and loves to get under her skin by bickering with her. Natalie is attracted to Grayson as well and continues the banter back and forth with him. As they start to spend more time together things begin to heat up. When they end up alone in a building together will the chemistry between them become undeniable? Can there ever be a future for these two as a couple?

This series has been great and each book builds on the other as the pieces start to come together and form a bigger story. The characters are intriguing as is the case with Grayson and Natalie. Both are hard-working, successful, smart, independent, and hard-headed. Each has found their own way of dealing with loss, grief, and betrayal by shutting out others and focusing on work. They butt heads and bicker because they are more alike than they would like to admit which makes the enemies to lovers’ aspect of this story so plausible. This book was wonderfully written, and the author did a beautiful job of covering sensitive topics such as grief, loss, suicide, and eating disorders. If you want a read full of suspense, tension, romance, passion, and chemistry this book is a must.

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The Promised Plan by Sharon Hughson – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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The Promised PlanThe Promised Plan by Sharon Hughson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Promised Plan is an interweaving of short stories and poems and tells the story of grief, loss, estrangement, and familial relationships. It is a gut wrenching read full of raw emotions and feelings that will leave you in tears. This is a story that I know many, including myself, can relate to. As a mother we all want for our children to be close so when an estrangement occurs between siblings it can be difficult for a mother.

This story centers around a mother who devises a plan to reconcile her daughters but passes away before she is able to do so. As her dying wish she enlists the help of her granddaughter, Merci, to help her get her daughters to reconcile. Lacey attempts to keep estranged from her sister Krista, until her daughter intervenes. She risks disappointing and hurting her daughter if she does not try to forgive her sister. Can these women come together and reconcile after losing their mother? Or will hurt, anger, and hard feelings keep them estranged?

The author beautifully tells the story of how hurt, disagreements, and misunderstandings can occur between siblings. The result is not just estrangement between the siblings, but it causes a ripple effect through the family that can cause feelings of anger, betrayal, and sadness. After losing their mother Lacey and Krista must decide if they can push the hurt, guilt, and anger behind them and forgive one another in order to reconcile. The story hits home for me because of my relationship with my sibling so this was a difficult and emotional read for me. This book will take you on a rollercoaster ride of emotions as the author navigates through the difficult topics of death, grief, loss, familial relationships, estrangement, secrets, lies, anger, betrayal, hurt, forgiveness, and reconciliation. I highly recommend this book!

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Tally and the Angel: Book Two, Canada by Eleanor Dixon – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Canada (Tally and the Angel #2)Canada by Eleanor Dixon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In Book two of Tally and the Angel they are off to Canada to continue the adventures her and her sidekick, Jophiel, started in book one. In the first book Tally met an angel named Jophiel who was contained in a necklace that she inherited. This book is geared towards pre-teens, in the 9-13 years of age category, but is a fun read for all ages.

In her latest adventure Tally finds herself in Whitehorse where the temperatures are at minus 25 degrees centigrade. Her dad has booked them a holiday at a retreat where they can learn how to cross the tundra with a team of sled dogs. Tally immediately notices how cold it is when her nose hairs freeze up so Tally and her dad have to learn to dress for the weather. This requires layering up on their clothing in order to stay warm. They then set off across the snowy tundra in search of adventure but get more than they bargained for when Tally’s dad is injured.

He is taken to a small, remote village to heal where the villagers do not leave because of an ancient curse. Tally’s dad is now in imminent danger and only Tally and Jophiel can save him by battling against Both earthbound and mythical creatures like gold hunters and mystical wolves. Tally is in a life-or-death situation as races against time to save her dad and rid the village of the ancient curse.

This book was wonderfully written with a great storyline, descriptive scenes, and amazing characters. The scenes were described so vividly that it immerses you into that place. Right down to describing frozen nose hairs with the cold temperatures. I understand completely how that feels because I live in a part of Canada where temperatures can sometimes get to minus forty degrees centigrade over the winter months. What a shock it must have been for Tally to go from India to the Yukon, yikes! The author did a fantastic job of describing the climate, the Yukon, and sled dogs. Tally and Jophiel both really grow as characters and the bond between them starts to forge as they spend more time together. Tally learns to be courageous in the face of danger in order to save her dad. This book was full of danger, suspense, mystery, action, and adventure as Tally went up against both real and mythical beings. A great read for all ages.

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Tally and the Angel: Book Three, Japan by Eleanor Dixon – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Japan (Tally and the Angel #3)Japan by Eleanor Dixon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In the third book in the Tally and the Angel series, Tally, her dad, and her angel Jophiel, set off for Japan. Twelve-year-old Tally quickly gets wrapped up in an adventure involving some new Japanese friends. Japan makes for an amazing backdrop as Tally is faced with numerous challenges that include a cursed drum, a ghostly queen, mythical beings, samurai warriors, and long-buried secrets. While she is busy trying to solve mysteries her sidekick angel, Jophiel seems to be a bit distracted by a mysterious Japanese angel who may or may not have the have the answer about the curse from long ago. Tally becomes in a race against time, and she must be brave if she is to solve the mystery. She also must decide if she trusts her new friends.

This was a beautifully written book that immerses the reader into the modern world of Japan as well as its history, culture, and ancient traditions. As Tally becomes immersed in the culture of Japan, we are able to learn of its ancient traditions such as sumo wrestling, taiko drumming, and tea ceremonies. We learn how strong and courageous young Tally is as she tries to solve the mystery surrounding Miyu and Yoshi. Through her adventure Tally learns about friendship, trust, and bravery. This book is full of danger, suspense, mystery, intrigue, drama, and paranormal elements. A perfect addition to any pre-teen’s library.

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