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Sacrifice Bunt (Ground Rule Book 2) by Bree Kraemer – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Sacrifice Bunt (Ground Rule Book 2)Sacrifice Bunt by Bree Kraemer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sacrifice Bunt is Book Two in the Ground Rule Series. It is a sports romance full of drama, angst, passion, and chemistry. The story centers around the characters of Zara and Noah who appear to be complete opposites and for all outward appearances are enemies. Zara’s focus is on her career, and she has no need for relationships in her life. However, she does happily enjoy no-strings attached sex whenever and wherever she can. Noah has had the hots for Zara since college years earlier when he caught her in a rather compromising position. He has never stopped thinking about her so when he meets her again years later, he vows to swoon her and win her over. The problem is, Zara hates Noah and does not want any part of a relationship with him. She agrees to one night with him but that is all he gets. Will one night be enough? Will Zara realize her feelings for Noah?

This was a well written book that fully draws you into the story of Zara and Noah. It was easy to become immersed in their story and see if Zara would eventually be worn down by Noah. I loved the character of Zara. She is strong, smart, career oriented, and determined to make it in a man’s world. She was unafraid of going after what she wanted and may come across as cold. She is unafraid to admit that she enjoys having no-strings attached sex without the hassle of being in a relationship. When her and Noah hook- up she does not want to realize that she has feelings for him and tries to deny it. It was interesting to see the relationship between the characters develop and see if Noah would be the one man to win Zara’s heart. I highly recommend this book full of drama, love, sex, passion, sizzling chemistry, and enemies turning to lovers.

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Forbidden Blood (The Shadow Chronicles Book 4) by CR Robertson – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Forbidden Blood (The Shadow Chronicles Book 4)Forbidden Blood by C.R. Robertson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Forbidden Blood is Book Four in The Shadow Chronicles Series. If you have not yet read the first few books in the series, I highly recommend that you do, or you may feel a bit lost. In Book One we meet Tasha, who is a vampire with special abilities. She meets Levi, a Lycan by chance one night and the two fall in love. Their love was forbidden because vampires and Lycans are enemies, so their love remained a secret for a while. When their relationship was brought out in the open, they found a way to make it work and be together. Inevitably, war ripped them apart although they vowed to find their way back to one another. In the first book we were introduced to Tasha’s younger sister, Kimber. This book continues with the overall story from the first few books with the focus being on Kimber’s story.

Kimber is also a Vampire with special abilities that were utilized by her coven leader for years while he held her in captivity. She can see the future, the past, and sense the emotions of others which leaves her feeling fragile and vulnerable. A lot of these feelings come from Kimber always being treated as though she were fragile and helpless, which has inevitably left her feeling helpless and like a victim. She does not believe in herself and feels alone. Her family has kept her special abilities hidden until now when she is at the age to be conscripted into the Vampire army. When evil forces and dark magic threaten to crumble the barriers between worlds a Shaman is sent to keep the balance of the worlds and watch over the mortals. Fabian is the one person Kimber can turn to because he understands her and sees Kimber as more than a weapon against evil. He makes her feel safe and helps her to realize that she is a strong and powerful woman.

This story, and this series, were wonderfully written with detailed scenes that fully immerse you into the storyline. The characters of Kimber and Fabian complement each other nicely. From the beginning of the series, I felt as though there was more to Kimber, but she was treated as though she was fragile and needed protection. It was nice to see Fabian enter her life, protect her, guide her, and help her to realize she was not a victim. Fabian gives Kimber the confidence boost she needs so that she feels strong and powerful. A great read with dark magic, vampires, Lycans, shamans, danger, mystery, suspense, love, war, and good versus evil.

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The Sisterhood of Secrets (The Gods’ Scion Book 4) by Winnifred Tataw – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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The Sisterhood of SecretsThe Sisterhood of Secrets by Winnifred Tataw
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Sisterhood of Secrets is Book Four in The Gods’ Scion series. It is a YA fantasy book and part of a series that I recommend you read prior to reading this one. This author has a unique and beautiful writing style that is well worth reading. The author immediately immerses you in the lives of Arcelia and Prince Rodrick, who were an unlikely union from the beginning. Their romance and nuptials inspired many but left others feeling envious and betrayed. I immediately felt a connection to the characters and felt myself rooting for them. They may have come from two different worlds as far as money, culture, and upbringings but they found each other and fell in love despite the odds. Their love and devotion to one another was inspiring. As we follow Arcelia and Rodrick’s journey, we are taken through a world full of secrets that leave Arcelia questioning all that she knows about those she loves. This book takes some twists and turns that will keep you reading until the end to find out what happens next. I highly recommend this fast-paced book full of secrets, lies, betrayals, broken promises, danger, intrigue, mystery, suspense, action, and the moral dilemma of right versus wrong.

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Twisted Oath (Bound By Blood Book 1) by A. S. Roberts – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Twisted Oath (Bound By Blood Book 1)Twisted Oath by A. S. Roberts
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Twisted Oath is Book One in the Bound by Blood Series. It is a fast paced, dark romance story that centers around the characters of Serafina and Salvatore. This story is beautifully crafted, with fantastic characters, and will pull you into the twisted worlds of Salvatore and Serafina as they are drawn together while simultaneously being torn apart. Serafina is the head of a powerful family in Italy and dreams of escaping but feels misunderstood by everyone except one man. That man is Salvatore whose sole mission in life has been to seek revenge on those that wronged him. Salvatore had to learn to be strong to survive after being orphaned at the age of four years old. He vowed that one day he would take his rightful place and claim his birthright. The chemistry and attraction between Salvatore and Serafina is undeniable but for Salvatore revenge must come first. He has sworn to take vengeance to gain what is rightfully his as head of the family. Serafina finds solace in Salvatore but must push aside her dreams and do whatever it takes to protect her family. The relationship between the two is intense and explosive as it progresses through the story. A great read full of love, hate, vengeance, justice, passion, angst, drama, chemistry, suspense, romance, and intense emotions.

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Grand Slam (Ground Rule Book 3) by Bree Kraemer – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Grand Slam (Ground Rule Book 3)Grand Slam by Bree Kraemer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Grand Slam is Book Three of The Ground Rules Series. It is a sports romance story that can be read as a standalone, or as a part of the series. I highly recommend reading the entire series because this author has a fantastic writing style that will draw you into her stories and make you want to read more. This story centers around the characters of Grace and Heath.

Grace is working her dream job at the local animal shelter which she loves but it barely pays the bills. When she first meets Heath, it is during an event that she planned for the animal shelter, and she instantly dislikes him. She found him difficult to deal with as well as cocky. Heath is a professional baseball player who makes a lot of money and that also rubs Grace the wrong way. Months later Heath’s sister is having a baby and when he arrives at the hospital he is surprised to run into Grace. A woman he found bossy, rude, and who treated him like a child incapable of doing the simplest task while he was trying to help with the animal shelter event months earlier. Grace and his sister have become friends since the event which Heath was unaware of. Although Heath found Grace bossy and rude, he has not been able to stop thinking about her. Grace finds herself attracted to Heath as well but neither want to admit to their attraction to the other. Is there a chance of love and romance between them?

This was another phenomenal story by this talented author. Her writing style immerses you into the lives of the characters who you instantly feel a connection to. It was interesting to read Heath and Grace’s story and watch them evolve and grow as characters. The initial attraction between them slowly grows into more and you find yourself rooting for them to be together. Heath is a good-looking, professional ball player that makes a lot of money, but the fame and fortune have not gone to his head. He is down-to-earth, looking for the right girl and is not into playing the field anymore. Grace is smart, feisty, hard-working, and determined. She loves her job at the animal shelter and puts her heart and soul into her job. Although the two come from different worlds the attraction between them is undeniable. This book has love, romance, attraction, passion, humor, angst, and a rollercoaster ride of emotions.

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Shalom Israel by Melissa Lavi – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Shalom Israel: A place like no otherShalom Israel: A place like no other by Melissa Lavi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Shalom Israel is a guided tour through the land of Israel and its culture. The author immerses the reader into the landscapes, culture, history, and beauty of Israel through poetry and colorful illustrations. As a photographer myself I must note that the photographer did an amazing job of capturing the history, beauty, customs, and culture of Israel through his photographs. I loved the colorful photos that capture the very essence of Israel and thought the cute little cartoon characters were a nice touch that added a sense of whimsy and fun. This book takes the reader on a journey from lush forest to deserts, beaches, The Dead Sea, graffiti, the food, and everything in between. The glossary at the end of the book with information on the words used and fun facts was a nice added touch. Although it is a children’s book, I feel that it would be a good read for anyone of any age that wants to know about Israel.

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Holding Up the Sky (Giants and Monsters) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Holding Up the Sky (Giants and Monsters)Holding Up the Sky by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Holding up the Sky is part of the Giants and Monsters series by this superbly talented author. Colleen’s dad is a giant who walks around all day holding up the sky. The townsfolk think this is ridiculous and make fun of her dad to Colleen by telling her that her dad needs to get a job. Colleen’s feelings are hurt from being mocked all the time by the other kids as well as their parents, so she comes up with an idea for the kids to get to know her dad. The idea, however, involves her dad putting his hands down and once he does weird things start to happen. Was Colleen’s dad really holding up the sky? What will happen when he puts his hands down? This was a cute, entertaining, and funny story with beautiful, bright illustrations that really make the story come to life. As with all this author’s books the story contained messages for children to learn from. In this book children will learn about being kind, helpful, understanding, compassionate, and about not judging someone based on their appearance. A wonderful read that I highly recommend!

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Twisted Eros (Modern Mythica Book 1) by Aria Skylar – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Twisted Eros (Modern Mythica Book 1)Twisted Eros by Aria Skylar
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Twisted Eros is Book One in the Modern Mythica series. It is an erotica romance full of raw, unbridled passion, explosive chemistry, lust, and role playing that will have you gasping to catch your breath. Kay runs her own business and has no time for fun, games, or relaxation. Her sisters decide that she needs time away and pretty much force a vacation on her. They feel that the best thing for Kay is to have an “abduction” experience where she can have fun and walk away afterwards with no-strings attached. Kay is reluctant but once “abducted” by Eros she finds herself relaxing, enjoying herself, and actually getting into the role of her alter ego, Pysche. Eros is more than her “abductor” and has sinister plans for Pysche/Kay that are being plotted out by Kay’s rival. What neither Kay nor Eros expect is to fall for each other during the kinky role-playing sessions. The result is a rollercoaster ride of love, lust, passion, angst, drama, betrayal, and revenge, as the two try to come to terms with their feelings and maneuver through the family drama. This book will leave your reading glasses fogging up as the steamy sex scenes build between Kay and Eros. The characters of Eros and Kay are wonderfully written, and you feel drawn to each for different reasons. Both have baggage they are carrying around and that is what draws them to one another. Eros has clearly had a rough childhood with a less than ideal role model in the form of his mother. A fantastic read from beginning to end!

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Brutal Nights (Hidden Valley Elite Book 4) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Brutal Nights (Hidden Valley Elite #4)Brutal Nights by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Brutal Nights is the Fourth Book in the Hidden Valley Elite Series. This book continues with the story of Sky, Gia, and Damon that we met in the third book in the series. If you have not already read it, I recommend that you read it first or you may feel lost. Gia and Sky are best friends, or were, until they were both fighting over the same guy, Damon. Gia wanted Sky to set her up with him, but Sky and Damon instead became attracted to one another. The passion between them has intensified and could no longer be denied, which Gia learns the hard way when she walks in on the two of them. Gia not only becomes angry but chooses to retaliate by bullying Sky and enlisting others to help her carry out her cruelness towards Sky. Sky is devastated over losing her best friend and wants to win her back, so she pushes Damon away. However, Damon realizes that he really likes Sky, enjoys her friendship, and wants to be with her so he is not going without a fight. As the drama between the trio unfolds Sky is terrified that all her secrets will be revealed and that her whole world will collapse in around her.

I was riveted from the first few pages and wanted to see what would become of Sky and Damon. The passion, suspense, danger, intrigue, suspense, and angst are intense as Sky and Damon’s story reaches its conclusion. The characters were well written, and the storyline was attention grabbing, making you want to read until the end to see how things turn out. It was great seeing how much the character of Damon matured through the book and seeing a softer side of him. Gia is such a spoiled, self-centered, self-serving bully that I could not help but want to slap her. I admired Sky’s strength in how she handled not only the bullying by Gia and her friends but also the conflicts as they unfolded. A great read that I highly recommend!

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Fetching Dreams by Mary Bleckwehl – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Fetching DreamsFetching Dreams by Mary Evanson Bleckwehl
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Fetching Dreams is a beautifully written and inspirational YA family book. Neyah and Abby live in two very different worlds but form a friendship as pen pals through a school project. Neyah lives in Africa and does not have water in her village. She misses a lot of school because of having to walk several miles to bring water to her family for bathing, cooking, and for the livestock. Neyah’s village struggles with diseases caused by the lack of running water and her daily life is full of dangers as she faces bandits on her way to get water. Abby lives worlds apart in Minnesota and has a good life in comparison to Neyah. She has clean, running water and modern conveniences but her life is far from perfect. Her parents have issues, and she has been diagnosed with having a brain tumor. The two girls work together to raise awareness and money for water in Neyah’s village. The characters of Abby and Neyah are well written and the strength and courage the two girls had was inspiring. Both girls were smart, independent, and faced challenges head-on. The unlikely friendship between Neyah and Abby will inspire and uplift you as they encouraged each other to follow their dreams. This book was a rollercoaster ride of emotions as the girls faced their own challenges and helped each other even though they were worlds apart. I highly recommend this book!

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Walk Off (Ground Rule Book 1) by Bree Kraemer – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Walk OffWalk Off by Bree Kraemer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Walk Off is Book One in the Ground Rules series. It is a second chance romance story that centers around the characters of Celia and Kyle. Celia broke Kyle’s heart eight years ago but he has never gotten over her. When he sees her at the wedding of a friend all the memories come flooding back. He still loves her and even though she broke his heart his feelings for her have not changed. Celia still loves Kyle, but she lied to him years ago and has been hiding a secret from him ever since that could cause Kyle to hate her forever. Can Celia and Kyle get past the hurt, secrets, and lies and get a second chance at love? This is a beautifully written story with wonderful characters whose lives were easy to become invested in. You could not help but root for them to work through the hurt from their painful past and get a fresh new start together. Celia’s decision was clearly a gut-wrenching one to make for Kyle to have a chance at a future. The chemistry between them is undeniable and hard for either of them to deny. This book was full of raw emotions, love, loss, secrets, lies, betrayal, angst, drama, chemistry, passion, and second chances.

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The Master of Demise by Nadija Mujagic – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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The Master of DemiseThe Master of Demise by Nadija Mujagic
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Master of Demise is a gripping and fast-paced psychological crime thriller about one man’s downward spiral into a path of self-destruction. Mitch had a seemingly perfect life with a loving wife and a great career as a well-respected professor. Then his life turned upside down when one of Mitch’s students took his own life and fingers were pointed at Mitch. As he slowly starts to lose everything that he had worked so hard for Mitch begins to make a series of choices fueled by desperation and his own narcissism. As Mitch becomes driven by his own ego, he makes one bad choice after another that lead to violence and betrayal. When other deaths occur, Mitch becomes the main suspect, and he is asked to leave the university. The author did an amazing job of keeping me hooked from the first few pages and building suspense throughout. The twists and turns kept me on the edge of my seat and the ending took me by surprise. The characters were well written, and Mitch was someone that I loved to hate. It was hard to tell if he was a victim of circumstance or if he was more sinister than he let on. This book had action, suspense, mystery, intrigue, drama, secrets, lies, and twists and turns that will keep you reading until the end. I highly recommend this book!

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My Goodbye Girl by Anna Gomez – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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My Goodbye GirlMy Goodbye Girl by Anna Gomez
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

My Goodbye Girl is a heartfelt and poignant story of a chance encounter turning to love. When Simon and Tessa meet by chance on an airplane their chance encounter blossoms from a friendship into a romance. The problem is that they live very different lives, in different countries, and are focused on their own individual success. As the love between Tessa and Simon grows, they meet in different places around the world until fate intervenes and Tessa must decide if she is ready for love. The writing is superb, and the author takes us on a rollercoaster ride of emotions as we anxiously wait to see if love will overcome all in the end. The characters are well written, lovable, and relatable. I highly recommend this story of friendship, romance, love, loss, and hope.

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A Teacher’s Heart by Melissa Lavi – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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A Teacher's HeartA Teacher’s Heart by Melissa Lavi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A Teacher’s Heart is a beautifully written and informative story for children of all ages. The illustrations were bright and colorful and really brought the story to life. It does not matter what someone looks like on the outside, what their personality is, or what their teaching style is. All teachers care and want to support you. All teachers want to put you on the path to success. The author delivers an important message about how all teachers have one thing in common and that is that they all have big hearts. I highly recommend this book!

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Rise of the Hunter (Blood Prophecy Series) by Barb Jones – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Rise of the HunterRise of the Hunter by Barb Jones
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Rise of the Hunter is book four in the Blood Prophecy series. It is a supernatural thriller full of magic, action, suspense, mystery, danger, and a twist on the age-old battle of good versus evil. This story continues from the first three books and The Tall Dark Man becomes the center of the storyline. If you have not read the first few books, I highly recommend reading them first or you may feel a bit lost. The story is told from multiple POV’s and through different time periods which I found to be a bit hard to follow. In all honesty, it became confusing to have so many different time jumps back and forth which is why I have taken away one star in my rating. With that being said, the author does a great job of explaining the history of the prophecy and the Tall Dark Man’s desire for vengeance. The characters were interesting and well written. The overall story of The Tall Dark Man is fast paced, dark, and full of dark magic, vampires, witches, wolves, demons and the paranormal. Overall, this was a fantastic read.

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Huff… Puff… Grind! (Science Folktales) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Huff...Puff...Grind! The 3 Little Pigs Get Smart: a science folktale (Science Folktales)Huff…Puff…Grind! The 3 Little Pigs Get Smart: a science folktale by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Huff…Puff…Grind! The Three Little Pigs Get Smart is a bit of a twist on the classic fairytale, The Three Little Pigs. The Three Little Pigs, Stella, Hal, and Brad have all built what they feel are sturdy homes after having studied architecture in school. When the big bad wolf comes huffing and puffing at each of their doors, he finds their homes will not fall. Stella, Hal, and Brad get together and try to find another use for all the big bad wolf’s hot air. Rather than have the big bad wolf be an enemy they make a deal with him and turn him into an ally. This was a cute and imaginative retelling of the classic that teaches children about kindness, friendship, working together, and problem solving.

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The Passion of 3: A Second Chance MMF Romance by Ariella Talix – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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The Passion of 3The Passion of 3 by Ariella Talix
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Passion of Three is a steamy MMF second chance romance that centers around the characters of Caro, Nash, and Greyson. The trio used to be in a band called Chaos years ago but went their separate ways when Caro mistakenly believed that Nash was cheating on her. Caro is now living in Kentucky and after a decade accidentally runs into Nash at The Kentucky Derby. They reconnect and rekindle their relationship but the third piece of their trio, Greyson, is missing. They set off on a mission to find him and put their relationship back together. The trio runs into a few difficulties and struggles but before long the trio’s relationship strengthens and the passion between them is both undeniable and unstoppable. The story was well written, and the characters of Caro, Nash, and Greyson were relatable and lovable. The chemistry between them was intense and I am certain my glasses fogged up while reading the steamy and spicy romps in the hay. This book had action, suspense, mystery, heartache, heartbreak, love lost, love regained, intense passion, romance, and even a kidnapping. I highly recommend!

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The Hussar’s Duty (The Winged Warrior Series Book 3) by Griffin Brady – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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The Hussar's Duty (The Winged Warrior #3)The Hussar’s Duty by Griffin Brady
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Hussar’s Duty is the third book in The Winged Warrior Series. It is a historical adventure that is set in the 17th Century at the time of the war between the Ottoman Empire and Central Europe. Although it can be read as a standalone, I recommend reading the first two books so that you know more about the backstory and characters. The author has done an amazing job of transporting the reader to the 17th Century through detailed writing that fully immerses you in each scene. The storyline centers around the characters of Jacek and Oliwia who have been living a peaceful life until Jacek gets called back into duty. Jacek was a warrior with the Winged Warriors but now has turned his focus to devoting his life to his wife and family. When he is called back to duty Jacek finds that he feels conflicted between duty to his country or the love of his family. Jacek’s character is one that is easy to get heavily invested into as he must make the gut-wrenching decision of choosing loyalty to his country or the love of his family. I highly recommend this book that is full of adventure, action, drama, danger, angst, and romance.

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Falling Again (Buckeye Falls Book 3) by Libby Kay – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Falling AgainFalling Again by Libby Kay
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Falling Again is Book Three in the Buckeye Falls series. This book can easily be read as a standalone, but I do recommend reading the first two books because the characters all intertwine with one another throughout the series. This second chance romance story centers around the characters of Natalie and her husband Anthony.

Anthony and Natalie Snyder’s lives may seem perfect to outsiders, but they struggle to find time to be together because their lives have become too busy. Anthony is consumed by his job as Mayor and the challenges he faces trying to follow in his father’s footsteps. Natalie is overwhelmed with running her business, juggling motherhood, and trying to be everything to everyone all at the same time. When they finally get a chance to go away for some time alone will it be too late to rekindle their romance and save their marriage?

The author did a beautiful job of writing a story about the challenges of juggling both work and family while finding time as a couple. This is a universal issue that many married couples struggle with and not all marriages are able to overcome these struggles. Adding in small town gossip and the challenges of everyone knowing your business before you do added an extra layer of stress and tension. Although the topic seems heavy the author kept the story light, and it was a fun, enjoyable read. The characters of Natalie and Anthony were wonderful, well written, lovable, and relatable. I especially loved the character of Natalie and felt a connection with her as she struggled a bit with her confidence and self-esteem after having children. It was easy to root for this couple as they worked through their struggles. Natalie and Anthony’s story was full of drama, tension, stress, angst, gossip, self-esteem issues, and the delicate balancing act of work, family, and marriage.

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Secrets of the Sorcery War (Ruarnon Trilogy Book 2) by Elise Carlson – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Secrets of the Sorcery War (Ruarnon Trilogy #2)Secrets of the Sorcery War by Elise Carlson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Secrets of the Sorcery War is Book Two in the Ruarnon Trilogy. This book continues where the first book left off, so I highly recommend reading Book One so that you get an idea of the backstory and who the characters are. It is a YA fantasy that focuses on Ruarnon who feels pressure to live up to their parents’ expectations to take roll of successor to the throne of Tarlah. Ruarnon is young but wise beyond their years, as is the secondary character of Linh. When their parents are kidnapped Ruarnon must take charge and plan a rescue mission. Will they be up to the greatest challenge of their life? The author does a great job of transporting the reader into the fantasy world of Ruarnon and captivating us with descriptive scenes that immerse you into the scenes with the characters. A great read full of mystery, drama, action, danger, secrets, lies, and suspense.

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Seen by Lori Nelson – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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SeenSeen by Lori Nelson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Seen is a dystopian sci-fi thriller that centers around the character of Mouse, a soon-to-be sixteen-year-old girl. The story is crafted beautifully with a storyline that keeps you hooked, and scenes written so vividly that you are completely immersed into the story with the characters. The characters are well written, engaging, and lovable. Throughout the story we see them grow as they are put through one excruciating test after another that will test their strength and courage. Mouse is the one I instantly felt an emotional connection to with all the heartache, stress, and turmoil that comes at her. She is ambitious, smart, determined, hardworking, and courageous. In her quest to become a hard-hitting journalist she takes to the streets with her drone seeking a newsworthy story. What she stumbles onto changes her life and puts her in a position that could destroy her family. Things become intense and take a sinister turn when Mouse is kidnapped and one of her family members might be responsible. The author takes us on a gripping, edge-of-your-seat, intense ride as Mouse learns horrifying things about her family that put her own life in danger. This book had action, suspense, danger, murder, violence, mystery, secrets, lies, and betrayal. I highly recommend Seen!

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The Wandering Isles: A Crown of Stones Novella (Soulbound Journeys Book 1) by C. L. Schneider – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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The Wandering Isles (The Crown of Stones)The Wandering Isles by C.L. Schneider
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Wandering Isles is Book One in the Soulbound Journeys Series. It is an action-packed fantasy novella that continues with the Crown of Stones Series and can be read as a standalone, or as part of the series. The story centers around Ian Troy who we were introduced to in the Crown of Stones series. He has sacrificed everything for peace in his land and they no longer need his magic. Now feeling as though he is free to choose his own path, he leaves his home behind and sets off on an adventure with his friend Jarryd Kane. Tracing the routes of his ancestors he discovers a mysterious place known as The Wandering Isles. The island seems abandoned, but it is hard for them to tell, and this is where things take a turn and become dark and mysterious for Ian and Jarryd. This place may have secrets that would have been better left undiscovered. Ian and Jarryd are put to the test as the bounce between reality and nightmares starts to take its toll on them. This was a captivating psychological fantasy packed full of action, adventure, suspense, danger, intrigue, and magic. The author did a marvelous job of world building with some dark undertones and a hint of danger that keeps you reading until the end.

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The Messy Kids by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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The Messy KidsThe Messy Kids by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Messy Kids is a whimsical and entertaining read with colorful illustrations that will surely engage children (of all ages). The story centers around Chester whose mom has asked him to clean his room, but he decides that he wants to go outside and clean the sandbox instead. While in the sandbox Chester meets a small group of aliens known as the messy kids. Instead of cleaning the sandbox they just make a bigger mess. When Chester goes inside to clean his room the messy kids help him by pushing all his toys under the bed. This does not make Chester’s mom very happy, and she tells him that he must clean it again and to show the messy kids how to clean it properly. An engaging read that will surely have you giggling over the antics of the messy kids. It teaches children how to lead by example and how rewarding it can be when they clean their room properly.

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Hope and Lies (The Abredea Series Book 1) by C.H. Lyn – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Hope and LiesHope and Lies by C.H. Lyn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Hope and Lies is Book One in The Abredea Series. It is a dystopian fantasy told from multiple points of view that all help to weave the story together. Each helps to tell the story of Pangaea along with its society, caste system, history, and the rebellion. Told from the point of view of different characters and different time periods we learn how each one has coped through corruption, politics, loss, heartache, struggle for equality, and their journey to self-discovery. The stories will grip you and compel you to read until you see how they all intersect together to tell a much larger story. This storyline will take you through some twists and turns, and a rollercoaster ride of emotions that might have you reaching for the box of Kleenex. Many of the characters are ones that you will become invested in as they struggle through highs and lows and overcome challenges thrown their way. Their strength, perseverance, and resiliency are admirable. Through rebellions, kidnappings, destruction, power struggles, grief, pain, and loss, they can find hope, love, and strength. This book is a beautifully written dystopian fantasy that will have you reading to the end.

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Ghosts of Alda (The Obscured Throne Trilogy Book 2) by Russell Archey – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Ghosts of AldaGhosts of Alda by Russell Archey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ghosts of Alda is Book Two in The Obscured Throne Trilogy. It picks up where the first book left off so you will want to make certain that you have read book one or you might feel a bit lost. It is a dark horror fantasy that takes place in the Land of Alda. Telling the story from multiple points of view we learn of each character’s struggle to survive in a post-apocalyptic style world after The Rupture destroyed their world and the sacred, magical aldyr trees. Evil forces have taken control of Alda and held it in its grip with the Black Gnarl being at the center of it all. Their may be hope for the Land of Alda and its inhabitants because good forces are being sustained by the Fifth magic. Will the good forces be able to save them or will evil continue to destroy everything they know? This is a gripping tale full of danger, suspense, drama, mystery, intrigue, magic, and dark secrets. The author has done a masterful job of crafting vivid imagery that fully immerses you into the story and characters that you quickly become invested in. Anxiously looking forward to book three in this series.

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Ashes of Aldyr (The Obscured Throne Trilogy Book 1) by Russell Archey – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Ashes of AldyrAshes of Aldyr by Russell Archey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ashes of Aldyr is Book One in The Obscured Throne Trilogy. It is a brilliantly written collection of short horror fantasy stories that had me hooked from the first few pages. Each story is linked together because they all occur in the Land of Alda. Each has different characters that are attempting to deal with the destruction caused by The Rupture in his or her own way after it viciously tore apart their land. Once sacred and magical aldyr trees were destroyed and have become scarce and now Elves are dying because they rely on the sacred power of the aldyr branches. The characters are all struggling to survive in a world that is slowly dying all around them. Something sinister is coming and danger lurks around every corner as the characters try to survive in a post-apocalyptic world that has been destroyed by evil forces. The individual stories weave together beautifully, and the overall story had dark and sinister undertones. The scenes were vividly described and really suck you into the story as though you are there with the characters. The author has done an amazing job of blending horror, fantasy, and magic in a post-apocalyptic type of world where dwarves, elves, and humans fight for survival. I look forward to reading the second book in this series.

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Truly Unfortunate (Welcome to Knollville Book 1) by C.A. King – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Truly Unfortunate (Welcome To Knollville #1)Truly Unfortunate by C.A. King
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Truly Unfortunate is Book One in the Welcome to Knollville Series. It is a superbly written supernatural crime book with twists and turns that will hook you and keep you reading to the end. The story centers around Truly who is seeing a doctor in the hopes of regaining her childhood memories. Her doctor feels that something terrible must have happened to Truly as a child that she has repressed for all these years. Truly’s life at present is not going well and she is struggling to make ends meet even while working three jobs. Her landlord has just increased her rent, will not do necessary repairs in her apartment, and is trying to blackmail her into sleeping with him to help pay her rent. Then, of course, she is having visions that she is unsure whether are suppressed memories coming back to her or if she is hallucinating. Each vision has her blacking out for small amounts of time and leaves her feeling like she was in a fog. To make matters worse people around her seem to be dying at an alarming rate and she was the last one to have had contact with each of the victims.

Jeff is the other character that the story focuses heavily around. He is a member of the Knoll police who is determined to solve the mysterious deaths in Knollville. He does not believe that these deaths were accidents and suspects that these are all linked. Jeff suspects that they might even be linked to when he was a child and his nine-year-old classmate died in an accident. He always felt her death was suspicious and that is what compelled him to join the police force. Jeff strongly feels that the other girl who was present during the accident of his classmate was somehow involved but he has never been able to prove it. Not only was this young girl present when the classmate, a notorious bully, died but the young girl’s stepfather and mother also died when she was young. Now this young girl, Truly, just happens to be the last person to have seen each of the victims in a recent string of mysterious deaths. Jeff is determined to prove that Truly is involved in all the deaths and that they were not accidents but were instead murders.

This book was entertaining and had me captivated from the first few pages. The author’s writing style is unique, brilliant, and masterful. The storyline was a bit dark and twisted at times as Truly’s story took center stage. The characters were engaging, lovable, and relatable. As I was introduced to Truly, I immediately felt sympathy for her because of her horrific childhood. It was obvious that she had been horribly abused and therefore her mind suppressed the memories for her to cope. Yet, at the same time, I could not help wondering if she was involved somehow in all the deaths, even those going back to her childhood. Was that the real reason behind her suppressing the memories of her childhood for so long? I also wondered about the current visions that left Truly feeling as though she had lost chunks of time. How long were these lapses and what else was going on at the time? These mysterious little tidbits kept me reading to learn more. I was intrigued by the mysterious undertones, the links between past and present, and whether Truly was involved, or if it was coincidental. The twists and turns the book took had me on the edge of my seat, well done! I cannot wait for the next book in this superbly written series. This is a great read and I highly recommend it!

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Stalked by the Devil (To Kiss a Stalker Series) by Stacy-Deanne – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Stalked by the DevilStalked by the Devil by Stacy-Deanne
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Stalked by the Devil is part of the To Kiss a Stalker Series. It is a fast-paced romantic suspense that centers around the story of Melody, her sister Sahara, and Sahara’s billionaire boyfriend Keith. Melody is unemployed and living with her successful, supermodel sister Sahara. Sahara is dating billionaire Keith and is hopelessly in love with him, but Melody hates him and is convinced there is something sinister lurking under Keith’s charming exterior. Melody is determined to find out the truth behind Keith’s charming façade and prove that he is not a good person and is not the man her sister thinks that he is. Danger lurks in the shadows as Melody tries to prove who Keith really is and neither of the sisters may be safe when Sahara gets a stalker.

This was a fast-paced, intense, and captivating storyline with characters that are instantly relatable and engaging. Melody has the best interests of her sister at heart even though it is hard for Sahara to see. There is a history between them that involves meddling in past relationships, so this plays a factor in how Sahara treats Melody when Melody tells her that she does not like or trust Keith. Keith is someone that you instantly dislike because he comes across as slimy, manipulative, condescending, and arrogant. The author did a great job of building the suspense and mystery in this book as we learn who we can or cannot trust. The twists and turns that will grab your attention and keep you reading to find out what happens next. This book had romance, action, danger, mystery, stalking, and obsession.

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Living with Conviction: A True Crime Memoir by Toby Dorr – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Living With Conviction: Unexpected Sisterhood, Healing, and Redemption in the Wake of Life-Altering ChoicesLiving With Conviction: Unexpected Sisterhood, Healing, and Redemption in the Wake of Life-Altering Choices by Toby Dorr
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Living With Conviction is a powerful True Crime Memoir written by the author about how she helped a convicted murderer escape from prison in a dog crate. It is a poignant, moving, real, and raw account of the sensationalized news story that was the inspiration for the movie ‘Jailbreak Lovers’. Told from Toby’s perspective the reader gets a firsthand account of the events leading up to the escape as well as when they were captured nearly two weeks later. Toby takes the reader through her time incarcerated in prison and her journey towards finding redemption, healing, and her own self-worth.

Having a Diploma in Criminology, and loving true crime books, this book was a must read for me. It is one thing to read a book written about a true crime case, or watch a movie about it, but it is another to read a firsthand account from the person themselves. Reading Toby’s memoir helped me gain insight into the reasons why someone might decide to commit a crime and helped me to gain a better understanding of the complex emotions that are often involved. Toby’s story is more complex than the sensationalized news story, or the tv movie of the week. It is about more than the thrilling jailbreak, the running from the law, or the high-speed police chase as Toby and John tried to evade capture. It is a story about self-discovery and finding one’s self-worth.

This was a beautifully written memoir that gives the reader insight into how one wrong mistake can have life altering changes. Toby’s life forever changed the moment she met and fell in love with a convicted murderer while she was working in the prison dog training program. Until the moment she met John her life had been dull, monotonous, and she had never even had a speeding ticket. When she met him, she felt like she was truly being listened to for the first time in her life and the two formed a strong connection. Until Toby met John it is apparent that she never felt heard, and that she felt unloved, and unwanted by those around her. Toby seems to be a people pleaser who did not know how to say no or stand up for herself. Meeting John changed that for her because he was attentive and for once in her life, she truly felt heard and loved. Helping him escape prison was a mistake that came with repercussions but ultimately helped her become stronger and find her purpose in life. This book had drama, danger, angst, heartbreak, love, hope, courage, faith, healing, and redemption. I highly recommend this book!

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Underneath The Whiskey by Chelsea Lauren – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Underneath The WhiskeyUnderneath The Whiskey by Chelsea Lauren
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Underneath the Whiskey is a gut-wrenching tale of a man who is struggling with his sexuality and feels compelled to be what society and his wife expect him to be. Benjamin is a successful businessman with a wife and young children. On the outside he seemingly has everything, but appearances can be deceiving. His marriage is more of a charade, and he has tried to force himself to be the man that his wife wants him to be. He went to conversion therapy as his wife insisted and was “cured” of his homosexuality after he had a brief affair with another man. Benjamin wanted to leave his wife but was unable to because she became pregnant, and he felt obligated to stay and care for her and the baby. Instead, he stayed, went to therapy, and forced himself to be happy in the life he had. Benjamin placed his time, focus, and energy into starting his dream business of owning a coffee shop.

Benjamin’s coffee shop business is thriving, with several locations now open, and he needs to hire a manager to help run the daily operations. This is when he meets Caden, who applies for the position of manager. Benjamin feels attracted to Caden and the two have an instant connection and he no longer must hide who he is. As the two spend time together and carry on a secret affair Benjamin finds himself conflicted with the double lives he is living. Both men have issues and baggage that they must work through as Benjamin is forced to face the demons from his past. Will Benjamin continue leading a double life? Will he finally leave his wife and come out of the closet?

This was a heart-wrenching and compelling read that had me riveted to the end. The storyline and scenes were well written, and the characters were ones that you instantly feel a connection to. Benjamin was a man that was unhappy in his life but felt obligated to stay out of a sense of duty to provide for his wife and children. He struggled with his sexuality, but his wife and therapist told him that he was wrong to feel that way and that his affair with another man was a mistake. This story was not full of sunshine and lollipops as Benjamin struggled through self-doubt, he sinks into despair, begins to drink to take the edge off, and starts to spiral out of control. Crippled by fear, doubt, insecurity, and familial obligation, Benjamin begins to hit rock bottom. This book may have triggers for some as it dealt with issues like alcoholism, suicidal thoughts, mental illness, conversion therapy, and abuse. It was filled with raw emotions that will take you on a rollercoaster ride and have you reaching for the Kleenex. I highly recommend!

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