Posts

Murder Creek by Jane Suen – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

Murder Creek (Eve Sawyer Mystery, #1)Murder Creek by Jane Suen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Murder Creek is Book One in the Eve Sawyer Mystery Series. It is a murder mystery that centers around the character of Eve Sawyer. Eve is a journalism student who chooses to write an article about a woman who went missing twenty years ago. The only clue to the woman’s disappearance was a bloody scarf that was left behind. Eve decides to delve into the case acting as an amateur sleuth to solve the cold case. Eve has an ability that few others prior to her had which give her a bit of an upper hand in solving the case. As an empath she has unique abilities that allow her to notice minute details that others might overlook. Eve can also feel and sense the moods of others which allows her to tune into their mindset. An added bonus is that as an empath people feel more comfortable with Eve and will openly confide in her.

This was a wonderfully written book with an intriguing storyline and relatable characters. I adored the character of Eve and felt a connection with her. She was smart, feisty, determined, and courageous. I loved that the author chose to write Eve as an empath because I have not yet read about a character with that ability. Empaths have unique gifts and abilities that often get overlooked. They can pick up on energy, moods, and feelings of those around them. Empaths can often sense when someone is lying and picking up on negative energy. Empaths are those that others generally feel comfortable around enough to open up and discuss things that they generally would not divulge to anyone else. How do I know this? I know from personal experience because I discovered a few years ago that I am an empath. Random strangers have come up to me at bus stops and at my workplace and told me things that they have never told another person. These individuals were surprised afterwards that they told me what they had. I can sense other people’s moods and pickup on their energy. Negative energy is emotionally draining so it is important to be surrounded by happy, positive individuals. A huge shoutout to the author for giving the character of Eve the unique ability of empath. This book had action, suspense, mystery, intrigue, and a few twists and turns that kept me reading until the end. I anxiously await the next book in this amazing series!

View all my reviews@tarab

A Rainbow Like You by Andréa Fehsenfeld – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

A Rainbow Like YouA Rainbow Like You by Andréa Fehsenfeld
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A Rainbow Like You is a contemporary fiction book with drama, love, loss, heartache, heartbreak, drama, angst, and tension. The story centers around the character of musician Adrian “Jazzer” Johnson and is told from his POV. Adrian has loved music from an early age and was always driven by the passion to succeed and become a rock star. He dropped out of high school and chose to focus on his career, becoming the leader of a hugely successful rock band. Adrian’s life is not all sunshine and lollipops as he had hoped. The perfect life he hoped for did not happen for him and becoming a popular rock star did not guarantee his happiness. His marriage at a young age turned into a traumatic divorce. He lost his mother, has a less than desirable relationship with his dad, and has turned to alcohol to cope. With so much going on Adrian cannot seem to have the ability to create any new music. Adrian’s life is spiraling out of control until he meets a young girl by the name of Hastings. She has the ability to see music in colors which is a stark contrast to Adrian’s color blindness. Hastings tells Adrian that she can help him, and he reluctantly agrees to accept her help. As the two spend time together they share stories of painful pasts.

This book was beautifully written and not what I expected at all. It was not the typical bad boy, drug addicted, swoon worthy rock star story. This book was centered around a character who seemingly had a perfect life in the sense that he had fame, fortune, and success. Yet, success came with a price and there was a lot going on behind the seemingly perfect façade. Adrian was a tortured soul with a troubled past who was fighting some inner demons. Having suffered so much heartache and loss he was suffering and drowning in his grief. When Adrian met young Hastings, they forged a friendship that helped him grow emotionally and move forward. Their friendship was endearing and heartwarming. This book was a rollercoaster ride of emotions that left me reaching for the box of Kleenex more than once. I highly recommend this book!

View all my reviews@tarab

Dead Keen (Things Unseen Book 2) by Anise Eden – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

Dead Keen (Things Unseen #2)Dead Keen by Anise Eden
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Dead Keen is Book Two in the Things Unseen Series and the sequel to Dead Sound. If you have not yet read the first book in the series, I highly recommend that you do. Book One will give you an introduction to the characters and their backstories which will give you a better idea of the ordeal that the characters have been through. Dead Keen is a gripping psychological thriller with elements of action, drama, suspense, romance, danger, and drama. Picking up where the first book left off, Neve and Con are flying to Ireland in the hopes to rest, relax, and recoup from the ordeal that they have recently been put through. The pair are enjoying the beauty of Ireland until they get entangled in a mystery involving a deadly cult. Suddenly, their magical getaway turns sinister, and they find themselves in a deadly game of cat and mouse. Neve and Con find themselves battling against video game designers, ancient gods, and evil cult leaders. The tension builds throughout the book as the pair try to unravel the lies and secrets while facing off against an evil cult leader.

Another amazing book by this talented author who drew me into the story from the first few pages and kept me hooked until the end. The writing was so vivid and descriptive that it pulled me into the story and made me feel as though I was there in Ireland with the characters. Neve and Con are a wonderful couple who fit together like pieces of a puzzle. The ordeals that they were put through brought them closer together as they leaned on each other for support. A brilliant rollercoaster ride with twists and turns that will keep you riveted until the end. I highly recommend this book!

View all my reviews@tarab