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Wicked Games (Hidden Valley Elite Book 7) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Wicked Games (Hidden Valley Elite #7)Wicked Games by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wicked Games is Book Seven in the amazing Hidden Valley Elite Series. The characters in each book intertwine with the next book and builds on the previous one so I do recommend reading previous books in this series first. This book is full of angst, betrayal, love, deceit, lies, bullies, drama, tension, chemistry, passion, and an enemies-to-lovers romance. It centers around the characters of Winter and Shane and is told from each of their POV. The storyline starts off with intense tension and drama as Shane is pulled into a situation that could result in him going to jail on charges of involuntary manslaughter. Shane is a football player and is strong, smart, intense, dark, and dangerous. As one of the privileged ones of the Elite he has a reputation for playing to win at all costs and not allowing anyone to stand in his way. Winter has just started the semester at Thane University and is trying to put her dark past behind her. Although eight years have passed, she is traumatized by having to return to the place where her father died and where her mother killed her sister. When she runs into Shane at a local coffee shop, Winter is attracted to him and warnings of how dangerous he is fall on deaf ears. Shane recognizes Winter immediately and memories of her from his past come flooding back. Winter tormented him in grade school so horrendously that he wanted to end his life. When Shane has the opportunity to get to know Winter, he initially decides to plot his revenge against her for the years she bullied him. However, once they spend time together, he begins to see her in a new light. Can the two of them move past the hurt, lies, secrets, and dark pasts to have a bright future? This book took me on an emotional rollercoaster ride and was full of intense twists and turns that kept me riveted until the final page. And that cliffhanger, wow! Cannot wait for the next book in this fantastic series!

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Ghost Talker (Madame Chalamet Ghost Mysteries Book 1) by Byrd Nash – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Ghost Talker (Madame Chalamet Ghost Mysteries #1)Ghost Talker by Byrd Nash
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Elinor Chalamet is a medium, more commonly referred to as a Ghost Talker, that has been using her skills to try to uncover the truth behind who her father’s killer could be. When a body is discovered in the river Madame Chalamet is brought in and asked if she could talk to the dead body. To find out who this person is, she asks the dead body who they are, who they were last with and if he can describe the last hour of his life.

In doing so Madame Chalamet suddenly finds herself wrapped up in some royal matters that involve the Duke de Archambeau. The Duke de Archambeau thinks Madame Chalamet has heard too much and until royal matters are concluded Madame Chalamet is to be a “guest” at his lavish home.

I loved the authors very vivid descriptions of the clothing the characters wore, as well as the furniture and homes of that era. I felt as though I was there, and I could see myself standing in the room looking around at the beautiful furnishings that surrounded me. The characters were unique while also being relatable. Madame Chalamet is a unique character whom I quickly felt drawn to. I loved that she could talk to ghosts because that is fascinating, but she is also strong, smart, witty, and feisty. Duke de Archambeau was a hard one to figure out as he came across initially as being snobbish and uptight, but then there were times he seemed so endearing and sweet, albeit briefly. There appeared to be some sort of chemistry between Madame Chalamet and Duke de Archambeau, but it was so subtle it was hard to tell. I am anxious to read book two and see if and how things progress between the two of them.

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