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Brutal Days (Hidden Valley Elite Book 3) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Brutal Days: A High School Bully Romance (Hidden Valley Elite Book 3)Brutal Days: A High School Bully Romance by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Brutal Days is Book Three in the Hidden Valley Elite Series. It is a fast paced, and riveting bullies-to-lovers story that centers around the characters of Skylar and Damon. Skylar is an aspiring writer and best friend to Gia, who has set her sights on football running back Damon. Part of Gia’s senior plan involves becoming popular by dating a popular student. Gia wants Sky to act as matchmaker and although she wants no part of it, she reluctantly goes along with it because she will do anything for her best friend. Sky wants nothing to do with athletes and is not impressed by them or their status yet for some odd reason is attracted to Damon. Plans go a bit sideways when Damon becomes attracted to Sky even though he finds her to be mouthy. He is attracted to her feisty attitude and becomes determined to bend her to his will. As the attraction and feelings between them grow, Sky and Damon must hide how they truly feel or risk having their secrets exposed.

The author’s writing is exquisite, and I was drawn in to the story right from the beginning as I read about the complex relationship between best friends Skylar and Gia. The characters were multi layered and well developed, which can be seen through the characters of Sky, Gia, and Damon. Sky loves her best friend and will do anything for her yet knows that her friend can be demanding and unreasonable at times. Right out of the gate we learn that Sky is smart, loyal, dedicated, and wise beyond her years. She is not impressed by status or titles and has no desire to be popular. Gia, on the contrary, wants to be popular, wants to date an athlete, and is determined to be prom queen. She comes across as selfish, spoiled, manipulative, and used to getting her own way. Gia might consider Sky to be her best friend but also treats her like her puppet. Damon is a typical jock who is self-centered and used to getting his own way. This book was full of angst, secrets, lies, drama, tension, sizzling chemistry, and forbidden romance. I cannot wait for the next book in this series!

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Concert Hall Hit (A Darcy Gaughan Mystery) by J.C. Kenney – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Concert Hall Hit: A Darcy Gaughan MysteryConcert Hall Hit: A Darcy Gaughan Mystery by J.C. Kenney
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Concert Hall Hit is Book Two in the Darcy Gaughan Mystery series. It is a cozy murder mystery story that centers around the sudden and mysterious death of legendary British blues guitarist Derek Tuffnell. He had been signing autographs mere hours earlier during a meet and greet at Darcy Gaughan’s record store which makes her the prime suspect in his murder. To clear her name, Darcy takes it upon herself to solve Derek’s murder. As she starts digging into the case and unraveling the clues the list of suspects grows.

This was a brilliantly written cozy murder mystery that will have you trying to solve the mystery alongside our MC Darcy. I loved the small-town setting to the story and all the music references. The storyline was compelling and draws you into the story, and the characters were well developed. Darcy is a character that is lovable and relatable. She is smart, talented, strong, tenacious, and determined. Lacking trust in the local police who seem determined to pin Derek’s murder on her, she takes matters into her own hands to solve the case and find the real killer. The ensuing investigation is full of drama, mystery, suspense, and tension. The twists and turns in this murder mystery will keep you on your toes guessing whodunit. I highly recommend this book.

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Talks Like Thunder (Red With Native Blood Book 1) by Randal Nerhus & Marjorie Carter – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Talks Like Thunder: Red With Native Blood: Novella OneTalks Like Thunder: Red With Native Blood: Novella One by Randal Nerhus
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Talks Like Thunder is Book One in the Red With Native Blood Series. It is set in the Arizona Territory in 1871 and tells the story of a seven-year-old Apache girl named Talks Like Thunder. She is suddenly uprooted from all that she knows by her estranged grandfather from the Chiricahua village. As she grows and matures into a young woman, she has the desire to prove herself and transforms herself into a fierce warrior. When she is taken captive by US soldiers, she vows to seek revenge.

Talks Like Thunder is a beautifully written, poignant, and moving story about a young Apache girl who perseveres no matter what challenges come her way. The storyline is compelling, the scenes are vividly described and immerse you fully into the story, and the characters are well developed. Talks Like Thunder is strong, smart, kind, gentle, determined, and a fierce warrior. Changing environments, and even time spent in captivity, did not break her spirit. This was an amazing story with Indigenous American history, beliefs, and culture, and full of raw emotions that will have you reaching for a Kleenex. I highly recommend this beautiful and thought-provoking novella.

View all my reviews@tarab