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Breach of Trust (The Madeline Dawkins Series Book 8 ) by Cynthia Hamilton – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Breach of Trust (The Madeline Dawkins Series Book 8)Breach of Trust by Cynthia Hamilton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Breach of Trust is Book Eight in The Madeline Dawkins Mystery Series. Madeline and her team are at it again with a few new cases to try to solve. Case number one comes when Madeline is asked to come to Monte Verde, a retirement home that her father has recently moved into. She is concerned that her father is not settling well in his new environment but quickly finds out that she was asked there for other reasons. The facility director asks Madeline to try to solve where the poison pen letters are coming from that are being sent to residents of Monte Verde. Someone is threatening to expose dark secrets from their pasts that could destroy lives. Case number two involves a woman being intimidated and bullied by her ex-husband. Then, of course, is trying to find a daughter who left home so that she could join a cult. Their hands are full, as usual, as they are kept busy with the new cases.

As they start to dig into each case, they discover that the residents of Monte Verde are not as innocent as they may seem. They all seem to have some deep dark secrets that are best left buried. A case involving an estranged ex-husband brings painful memories from Madeline’s past to the surface and puts her on edge. The ex-husband is using bullying and intimidation so that his ex-wife gives up her share of the marital assets. His techniques are concerning and almost criminal which act as triggers for Madeline about her past. The distraught father of a missing girl who is desperate to find his daughter pulls on heartstrings. Throughout all of the cases Madeline must try to also help her own father at Monte Verde.

Another great book by this author who is great at weaving all of the different storylines and cases together. It was fun to read the story and try to solve the cases along with Madeline. The characters were well developed and relatable, especially Madeline. She was smart, brave, and determined. I could feel the emotions she was experiencing as she relived the trauma from her own past and tried to work through it to save a woman in similar circumstances. This was a great read full of danger, secrets, lies, shady dealings, intimidation, tension, and some super sleuthing by Madeline and her team.

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Other People’s Money (The Madeline Dawkins Series Book 7) by Cynthia Hamilton – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Other People's Money (The Madeline Dawkins Series Book 7)Other People’s Money by Cynthia Hamilton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Other People’s Money is Book Seven in the Madeline Dawkins Series. Madeline and her team have taken on several new cases. Jane, a friend from Madeline’s past, asks for her help to figure out who is embezzling money from her husband’s company. As Madeline and her team begin to investigate the first case, a second one pops up when a woman goes missing. The third case involves a wealthy man and a gold digger. The man’s son asks for Madeline’s help to uncover the truth about the woman and save his dad from her greedy clutches. As Madeline and her team start to investigate, they end up with more questions than answers and discover that the cases are somehow intertwined. Madeline and her team seem to be hitting roadblocks in their investigations of each case.

This was a fantastic book with a great storyline. One seemingly straightforward case leads Madeline and her team to other cases. Each case seems to be wrapped up somehow with the other cases as Madeline and her team follow the trail of other people’s money. The team works great together as they follow the trail of clues and even though they hit a few roadblocks along the way it does not deter them from being relentless in solving each case. Madeline feels overwhelmed by tackling so many cases at once, but it does not deter her from doing what she needs to do in order to solve the cases. She is tough, smart, and determined. This book has embezzlement, a missing bookkeeper, a clever gold digger, elaborate cons and scams, manipulation, secrets, tension, drama, suspense, mystery, and a few twists and turns.

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How to Make a Flying Carpet (Alex, the Inventor) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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How to Make a Flying Carpet (Alex, the Inventor #2)How to Make a Flying Carpet by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When a magnet on the refrigerator breaks Alex knows that she must find a use for it because she does not like wasting things. Alex uses the magnets in a variety of ways as she tries to figure out the best use for it. As she experiments with what to use the magnet for, she learns what a magnet does. She learns that magnets stick together but can also pull apart. Alex also learns that magnets stick to metal but not there are some types of metals that magnets do not stick to. After trying the magnets in different ways and learning more about them Alex comes up with the idea to use them to make a flying carpet.

This was another great book by this author that teaches kids about magnets and how they work. Through the use of illustrations and easy-to-learn text the author teaches kids that magnets stick together, and that they will stick to certain types of metals but not others. At the end of the book is information about Earth’s magnetic field as well as what makes a metal magnetic. It is explained in a manner that is easy for younger children to learn. This book not only teaches kids about magnets, but also about not being wasteful, learning to be resourceful and recycle, and about learning to use their imagination.

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Raising Elle (Sweet Valley Series Book 1) by S.E Reichert – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Raising ElleRaising Elle by S.E. Reichert
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Elle Sullivan returns to her hometown of Sweet Valley in the hopes of leaving the life she lived in LA behind her. She returns to her family home battered, bruised, and holding tightly to secrets of the lifestyle she left behind. Feeling frightened and alone, Elle is unsure what reaction to expect from her family that she has not spoken to in years. When her family welcome her home with open arms, she feels relieved, but is still nervous and on edge as she flees her past life. Elle is determined to get a fresh start, so she pushes her fear to the side, puts on a brave face, and throws herself into helping her family fix up the family ranch.

What Elle did not count on facing was her childhood sweetheart, Blake, still living in Sweet Valley. When she runs into him immediately after returning home old feelings start to surface. Blake is just as surprised to see Elle and is forced to come to terms with his feelings for the girl he never got over. After Elle left, Blake’s life started to spiral downwards, and when she returned, he had finally hit rock bottom. When Elle needs help around the ranch fixing it up, she offers Blake the chance to help her. She feels that this will give him the chance to sober up and start getting his life back on track. In the process, Elle, and Blake work together to help one another get their lives back and build a brighter future.

Warning, this has some sensitive subject matter and may cause triggers. It also has some strong language that may offend some. As a survivor of domestic violence this book was a hard read for me. It had a lot of triggers and dredged up some painful memories of my own past with my abuser.

As hard as it was to read about what Elle had gone through it was truly inspiring to see how courageous she was as she pushed through her fears and trauma. Moving forward after abuse is hard to do and there is always a part of you that feels scared and vulnerable. It is difficult to face those fears head-on and push through them so that you can create a better life for yourself. I appreciate how difficult this was for not only Elle, but for Blake as well. Facing the demons of your past like Elle and Blake had to do is scary and requires inner strength and courage that you do not even realize you have.

I loved Elle’s family and the love they had for one another. It was heartwarming to see how they stood together no matter what. It pulled on my heartstrings when her family embraced Elle with open arms even after years without speaking. They were there for her, no questions asked, and without judgement. That brought tears to my eyes and truly moved me. Even the way the small community was so close-knit, and all pulled together was truly inspiring. This was a beautiful read full of gut-wrenching emotions and hard topics like domestic violence and alcoholism. The author did a good job of writing about these sensitive topics and making the characters relatable.

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A River of Crows by Shanessa Gluhm – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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A River of CrowsA River of Crows by Shanessa Gluhm
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sloan Hadfield’s life was changed forever in 1988 when her younger brother disappeared while on a fishing trip with their father. Although Ridge’s body was never recovered their father was charged for his murder and sent to prison. It was suspected that their father killed Ridge while in the midst of one of the blackouts he was prone to having from his flashbacks of his time spent in Vietnam. After Ridge’s death his mother started to spiral out of control and slowly descend into madness that had her repeatedly being admitted into a mental facility. After her mom was committed to a mental health facility long-term, Sloan moved away to attend college and start a life of her own.

Twenty years after her brother’s death, Sloan is forced to return home to look after mother who has been released from the mental health facility. Sloan is reluctant to return home because of the painful memories from her past but she is the only family her mom has left. After suffering from a recent divorce, she really has nowhere else to call home. Seeing her childhood home dredges up her painful childhood and how much she misses her brother, and her childhood prior to his death. They were once a happy family but now she feels lost, alone, and bitter at how her life turned out.

Missing her brother, Sloan visits their favorite place, Crow’s Nest Creek, which also is where he was last seen. This is the place Sloan, Ridge, and their childhood friend, Noah, spent countless hours watching the crows. This is the one place that helps her feel close to her brother and where she feels a sense of calm. Sloan still has numerous unanswered questions about her brother and what happened to him twenty years ago and starts reliving the moments leading up to his disappearance. When the body of another young boy who disappeared around the same time as her brother is discovered Sloan starts to wonder if the two disappearances were somehow linked. As she starts to ask questions and search into her brother’s disappearance, Sloan is shocked at the secrets that are revealed. The truth shocks her to her core.

This book was intense and impossible to put down! I was a bit upset when I was interrupted a few times while trying to read it because I needed to see what happened next. I was not prepared for the twists and turns the storyline took and I am certain I gasped out loud at points throughout as the truth behind Ridge’s disappearance were revealed. The storyline was well developed, well laid out, and clearly thought out from start to finish.

The characters were ones that I immediately felt a connection to. Sloan was to be admired for standing by her mom no matter how bad things got. Caroline was one that I both loved and hated at the same time. As I was able to catch a glimpse into her past, I could empathize with her because of the trauma she has been through. This helped to explain her actions to a certain extent. However, it is not a reasonable excuse for her outrageous behavior and violent outbursts. When Sloan made excuses for her, or covered up and lied for her mom, it made me want to slap her. Yet, at the same time, I could understand that she still loved her mom and wanted to protect her. It was a true rollercoaster ride for me as I felt the emotions alongside each character. This book had action, suspense, drama, intrigue, lies, hidden agendas, betrayal, sinister family secrets, and a lot of information about crows. I have a whole new outlook on the lives of crows and a whole new respect for them. This book did not disappoint and I will definitely be looking for more by this incredibly talented author!

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Noah’s Not So Super Summer (A Super Series–Book 1) by Brittany Tucker – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Noah's Not So Super SummerNoah’s Not So Super Summer by Brittany Tucker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Noah’s Not So Super Summer is Book One in the Super Summer Series. It starts out with a bang as twelve-year-old Noah is desperately trying to escape from a group of bullies that are pursuing him. In an effort to evade capture Noah dodges into the bathroom of a local gas station and hides in one of the bathroom stalls. This is when Noah’s life goes from bad to worse as suddenly, he is being attacked by a mutant rat the size of a moose.

This becomes the turning point in Noah’s summer as his dream of being in The Summer With Supers Youth Program is crushed. A program he wanted to join in an effort to become popular, gain respect, and with any luck get away from the bullies that torment him. Instead, his dad forces him into helping him with his failing Mega Maintenance Company. Now he has to spend his summer cleaning up the destruction left behind after the mutants as they terrorize Lincoln City. Noah decides that he needs to investigate who or what the mastermind is behind the mutants and try to stop whoever is responsible.

This was a fun and enjoyable read for all ages. The characters were wonderful and the growing pains they experienced were relatable. Noah, especially, was a character that any kid who has ever been bullied can relate to. All he wanted was to be bully-free and popular. He felt the way of doing this was by taking part in the youth program with Supers. When his dreams were crushed, and his plans changed for the summer, Noah found a way to make the most of it. He decided to try to stand up and make a change by trying to rid the city of mutants by investigating who the mastermind was creating them. Noah was both smart and courageous which is admirable and inspiring. This book was full of action, suspense, drama, danger, adventure, bullies, mutants, and of course, super heroes. A twist on the classic tale of good versus evil, bullies versus the good guys.

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Operation Escape (Space Force Rejects Book 2) by Landra Graf – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Operation Escape (Space Force Rejects Book 2)Operation Escape by Landra Graf
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Operation Escape is Book Two in the Space Force Rejects series. The characters intertwine with the first book in the series but could be possibly read as a standalone. This book is told in two different perspectives and elaborates on the world of the Space Force. This book tells the story of Sera, who is the daughter of the head of the space force. Considered to be a failure by him due to her small size she was ordered to be terminated. Thankfully, Sera was rescued by her Uncle Garsett who then raised her and helped her to believe in herself.

Uncle Garsett has been missing for three months and Sera needs to find him and rescue him. She trusts few people, other than pilot Markus Engle who used to be Captain in the Space Force Special Ops. Sera’s uncle told her repeatedly that she could trust Markus and that if she ever needed help that he would be the one to ask. Markus has no choice but to help Sera because physical pain will be inflicted on him if he does not help. Sera asks Markus to fly her to Earth where all Space Force prisoners are forced to serve their sentence. The last person to see her uncle was an ex-commando who is on Earth and Sera wants to talk to him.

Sera and Markus are at odds through the mission and fight constantly, yet Sera feels attracted to Markus. When their ship is stolen, and Sera and Markus are left stranded their mission comes to a grinding halt. They are stranded on Earth with no protection against animals and violent criminals. When they receive an offer of help, they have to choose whether or not to accept it. If they do not accept the help they will not survive.

This book was a wonderfully written sci-fi adventure with action, adventure, mystery, drama, intrigue, suspense, and a bit of romance. The characters were intriguing, especially Sera who seemed to be a bit of an unlikely heroine because she was naïve and inexperienced as far as rescue missions go. Things got heated between her and Markus as they fought about the mission yet there seemed to be an underlying attraction. Markus feels the desire to protect Sera even if it means risking his life to do so. Another great book in this series by this talented author.

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Notebook Mysteries ~ Suspicions (Notebook Mysteries Book 5) by Kimberly Mullins – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Notebook Mysteries ~ Suspicions (Notebook Mysteries book #5)Notebook Mysteries ~ Suspicions by Kimberly Mullins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Suspicions is the fifth book in the Notebook Mysteries Series. Set in 1880’s Chicago, this book follows Emma as she continues honing her sleuthing skills and solving mysteries everywhere she goes. This story starts off with a bang as Emma is hit from behind by an unknown assailant who starts stabbing at her with knitting needles. Not faltering for a moment, she is able to take the woman down and grill her for information to aid her in solving her latest case. The woman who attacked her is the head of a nefarious crime ring and Emma interrogates her seeking leads to solve a child kidnapping ring.

As Emma, Jeremy, and friends follow leads to solve the child kidnapping ring and rescue the abducted children they begin to realize it is part of something bigger. As they work to save the children smaller cases pop up everywhere and they realize that it is all part of a larger crime organization. The cases keep leading them to someone from Emma’s past who is behind bars, but Emma cannot figure out his involvement. Somehow from behind the prison walls he is able to pull Emma’s puppet strings and keep her guessing.

This was yet another great book by this amazing author. Although this could be read as a standalone, I recommend reading the other books in the series first. They will help to provide background information on the characters and provide details that will add to the fifth book. The characters, the plot, the storyline, and the settings are brilliantly described and immerse you fully into the story.

This story, as the others, grabs your interest from the first pages and does not let go. I was on an emotional rollercoaster ride along with Emma as she fought to save the children from the clutches of the organized crime organization. I felt tears of both sadness and joy as Emma and Jeremy swooped in to rescue the abducted children. The characters are ones that I immediately felt a connection with from the first book. Especially the character of Emma, who is easily relatable with admirable qualities. She is feisty, brave, pigheaded, determined, courageous, and wise beyond her years. A great read full of mystery, danger, heart pounding suspense, and nail-biting action.

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The Lone Star Child (The Gods’ Scion Book 3) by Winnifred Tataw – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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The Lone Star ChildThe Lone Star Child by Winnifred Tataw
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Lone Star Child is the third book in The Gods’ Scion Series and continues the story from the first two books. If you have not read the first books you may feel a bit lost while reading this one. This book is fast paced and full of action, drama, suspense, betrayal, and the desire for revenge.

Caro is a space acolyte and disciple to the goddess that rules the universe who finds that her position prevents her from having friendships. She finds her position a lonely one and feels detached from those around her. When Caro is kidnapped, it sets off a series of events in which secrets are revealed. The other acolytes do not know where she is or who has her. What secrets are preventing the acolytes from finding Caro? Who can be trusted?

Caro is with an enemy who has been plotting against those that discarded them as outcasts a millenia ago. Ophiuchus was imprisoned after wanting to share their gift with the world and for the past millenia have plotted revenge against those that imprisoned them and tossed them away like they were worthless. With the help of one space acolyte, they may get their revenge as well as their freedom and the Gods will not see it coming. With Caro’s help their freedom may become a reality and they will crush all those that mistreated them in the past. The Gods called them monsters, so they will become monsters as those that imprisoned them feel their wrath.

This book is a fantasy adventure with gods, royalty, magic, family ties, loss, heartache, and the strong desire for revenge against those that betrayed you. The storyline is compelling, the characters are wonderful, and the scenes are described so vividly that you get drawn into the story alongside the characters. The underlying issues of love, hate, family ties, revenge and betrayal lead the reader on an intense rollercoaster ride of emotions. You can feel the hurt, the anger, the sadness, and the hatred along with the characters and want them to all find peace and happiness within their lives.

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Esprit de Corpse by Ef Deal – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Esprit de CorpseEsprit de Corpse by Ef Deal
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Jacqueline Duval and her twin sister Angelique Laforge are on a locomotive when it suddenly comes to a dead halt on the tracks. As they get out to investigate what could have possibly caused the locomotive to grind to a halt Jacqueline discovers something she has never seen before. It seems that a metal man has slammed into the locomotive full force. When Jacqueline pries open the helmet on the metal man something supernatural escapes. She decides to take the metal man home to look it over in her workshop. When someone breaks into her workshop and tries to steal the metal man it sets off a chain of events that lead them straight into danger as they try to stop a war.

This was a fun read, and I loved the setting. It was well written and vividly described which pulled me right into the story alongside the characters. Angelique and Jacqueline are interesting characters that I immediately loved. Both women were intelligent, brave, and faced danger head-on. A fantastic steampunk fantasy filled with danger, suspense, supernatural, shapeshifting, mystery, and drama.

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Consigliere’s Revenge (Sicilian Gods Book 3) by Via Mari – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Consigliere's Revenge (Sicilian Gods Book 3)Consigliere’s Revenge by Via Mari
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Consigliere’s Revenge is Book Three in the Sicilian Gods series. When beautiful reporter Izzy Arden shows up uninvited to the Larussio Crime Family’s nightclub, Lorenzo Larussio is immediately hit with a wave of anger. As Consigliere to the crime family, it is up to him to seek retribution towards anyone who threatens their position in the crime world. Izzy is nosy and poses a threat to the Larussio family as she digs for dirt on the family to expose them. Lorenzo’s job is to control Izzy but instead he finds himself drawn not only to her immense beauty but her feisty attitude.

As Izzy delves deeper into the Larussio Crime Family and exposes their secrets through her articles she knows the danger it poses for her. Stories and photos of the going-ons of the Larussio’s sell papers because people want to know about them. Women, especially, fawn over the Larussio men and she fails to understand the attraction. Or she did, up until she met Lorenzo. Although she knows the family is heavily involved in the criminal underworld, she cannot help but be attracted to Lorenzo Larussio. Can a relationship between them even be a possibility?

This book was intense from the first few pages as Lorenzo, Consigliere to the Larussio Crime Family, sets his sights on Izzy. His job is to protect his family at all costs and her stories exposing his family’s dark secrets threatens to destroy all they have worked for. Lorenzo is dark, sinister, and deadly which makes him the perfect person to keep his family safe. Yet, when he meets Izzy, something about the stunningly beautiful reporter causes a shift in him. Izzy knows her job is dangerous, but she does not back down easily. She is determined to fight for the truth even if it puts her life at risk. When Izzy meets Lorenzo, she too feels a strong attraction to him that cannot be denied. As the passion between them intensifies, so does the danger. When Izzy’s life is in jeopardy Lorenzo will do anything to keep the woman, he loves safe. Brace yourself for an intense read full of action, suspense, danger, passion, intrigue, and violence as Lorenzo and Izzy work through the complexities of their relationship.

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Small Fry by Stephenie Wilson Peterson – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Small FrySmall Fry by Stephenie Wilson Peterson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Silas Fitzpatrick is used to being small for his age because of a Growth Hormone Disorder but that does not prepare him for what happens to him on his first day of sixth grade. When he walks into class the teacher mistakes him for a lost elementary school student because of his small size. When Silas tries to explain to her that he is eleven years old she still does not believe him and sends him to the Principal’s Office. The Principal also does not believe him so the first day of middle school starts off bad.

Silas does not let the mishaps surrounding his small size on the first day of middle school stop him from making friends. He joins band class where he meets a group of other students who also face challenges because they are different. These differences have resulted in the school bully, Chad, calling them names and picking on them. Although Chad still picks on the others his bullying seems to be focused solely on Silas. He follows Silas around calling him names, throws spitballs at him, and pushes him around every chance he gets.

When Silas discovers that Chad is running for sixth grade class president he decides to run as well. Along with his friends they decide to start a misfit revolution as their way of standing up to the school bully. However, Chad wants to win and will do so at any cost. Silas must be brave enough to stand up to his bully and overcome his fear of what others think of him because of his small size. As he struggles through the challenges he faces at middle school he finds small comfort in emails he sends to his grandfather. The two have always been close and his grandfather is good at keeping the secrets Silas tells him. Sadly, his grandfather is starting to lose his memory and does not always remember who Silas is.

Throughout the book Silas messages his grandfather and tells him how school is going and the struggles he is facing, not just with the school bully but with one of the teachers as well. His English teacher hates him and does not treat him well because she believes his small size is a barrier. As Silas confides in his grandfather through messages, he also struggles with how his grandfather is slowing losing his memory because of Alzheimer’s. My heart broke for Silas as he had to come to terms with his grandfather not always remembering who he was.

This was a beautifully written story as told from the point of view of an eleven-year-old boy about how he navigates through the challenges he faces because he is small for his age. It is a heartfelt story geared towards middle school children and discusses the sensitive topic of being bullied for being different. Silas might be small, but he is mighty as he does not allow the bully to get the best of him. He perseveres and overcomes anything thrown at him, no matter how difficult it may be. No matter how badly he was treated he still chose to stand up for others. Silas is a true inspiration with a pure heart and courageous nature.

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The Crown of Stones: Magic-Borne (The Crown of Stones Book 3) by C.L. Schneider – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Magic-Borne (The Crown of Stones #3)Magic-Borne by C.L. Schneider
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Magic Borne is Book Three in The Crown of Stone Series. This instalment in the series concludes the story of Ian Troy. After the resistance was lost Ian was forced into hiding where he must find a way to save his people from the evil clutches of Jem Reth, who has made himself emperor. Ian suffers under the weight of what magic has done to him. Although it causes pleasure for him it also comes with great pain as it is slowly turning him into more of a beast than a man.

Ian and his people have been subjected to slavery and endured suffering under the rule of tyrannical leaders. The fate of Ian’s people lay on his shoulders and in order to free them from the realm he needs to destroy The Crown of Stones. The outcome needs to be successful in order to save them which is a heavy burden to bear. Will he have the courage and strength to save himself and his people from the clutches of evil?

If you have not read the first two books in this series, I highly recommend that you do. Each story builds upon the preceding book. This series has captivated me from the beginning with its storyline and kept me riveted to the end. The characters are amazing and facing their own unique challenges in a world full of tyrannical leaders, slavery, and abuse. They crave freedom and may pay the ultimate price to achieve it. Ian is a character that you both love and hate at the same time. He makes some terrible decisions but has good intentions, so you feel conflicted. Ian is struggling with his own inner demons and conflicts as he fights the urge to use magic. He is constantly fighting the beast within that he is slowly becoming each time he uses magic. This takes us on an emotional rollercoaster ride along with Ian as he tries to navigate who he is becoming. Overall, an amazing series full of magic, action, suspense, drama, intrigue, friendships, tyrannical leaders, and the battle of good versus evil.

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The Crown of Stones: Magic-Scars (The Crown of Stones Book 2) by C.L. Schneider – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Magic-Scars (The Crown of Stones, #2)Magic-Scars by C.L. Schneider
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Magic Scars is Book Two in The Crown of Stone Series. It continues the story of Ian Troy, a Shinree, who has now been captured by his enemy King Draken of Langor and sent to prison. While imprisoned he was drugged so that he was unable to use his magic. Ian has lost not only his memories because of the drugs but has also lost his will after being tortured. He has no fight left and is a shell of his former self.

When Ian is rescued by an unlikely ally, he must fight to regain his memories and strength. As his body slowly purges itself of the drug, he comes to realize that the world he left is not the same. Those he left behind has been subjected to horrors at the hands of King Draken. A rebellion is underway, and Ian must find and repair The Crown of Stones so that its magic can be used. Ian is the only one who can save them which places immense responsibility on his shoulders. His addiction to magic and connection to The Crown of Stones lead him to search for answers. In his search, Ian uncovers some ancient secrets that have implications for not only him but also his entire race.

Another great book in this series that was hard to put down. The writing and attention to detail are so vivid that it feels as though you are there with the characters. Ian is someone that is very complex and although has a dark past you cannot help but feel bad for him. You want to see things work out for him in a positive way. Ian is in a struggle to overcome who he was in the past versus who he is now. The pain, sorrow, conflict, and guilt over past actions are a challenge for him. Another great book full of action, suspense, drama, intrigue, and magic. Now onto Book Three!

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The Crown of Stones: Magic-Price(The Crown of Stones Book 1) by C.L. Schneider – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Magic-Price (The Crown of Stones, #1)Magic-Price by C.L. Schneider
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Magic Price is Book One in The Crown of Stone Series. The book starts off fast paced and full of action, suspense, murder, and mayhem. We are introduced to Ian Troy who is a Shinree, a reviled group of individuals who have been shunned and bred as slaves. Their use of magic is scorned and therefore suppressed by the use of drugs. Ian has been forced to serve with the Rellan army and fight their ongoing war against the Langorians.

When Ian stumbles onto The Crown of Stones buried in a crevice on the battlefield, he uses it powers to end the war. In doing so, Ian causes more harm than good and leaves a path of destruction in his wake. This leads him to place himself in self imposed exile as he relives those moments over and over again. Years later Ian still lives with the regrets from the choices he made but when ghosts of his past surface with new threats Ian is faced with the difficult decision of using magic again. Will the use of magic help or cause more devastation?

This book was not at all what I expected it to be. From the first page the story was fraught with danger, violence, murder, mayhem, bloodshed, action, suspense, and of course magic. I expected the use of magic to have a positive outcome when used by Ian. I was quite a surprise to see that the use of magic actually had very negative and damaging consequences. The characters, storyline, and plot were well written and detailed which brought the story to life. I was so intrigued by the story that I immediately moved onto Book Two in the series so I could follow Ian’s journey and see what happened next.

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Return to Hoodoo (Boudin, Bourbon, and Barbecue, Book 1) by Reggi Dupree – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Return to Hoodoo: A Paranormal Women's Fiction Novel (Boudin, Barbecue, and Hoodoo Book 1)Return to Hoodoo: A Paranormal Women’s Fiction Novel by Reggi Dupree
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Gwen has just returned to her hometown of Hoodoo to collect on an inheritance. Her plan is to only remain long enough to sign papers and leave again. For Gwen, Hoodoo holds nothing, but painful memories and she just wants to put the past behind her and leave town as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, things do not go as she had planned when she discovers that there are strings attached to collecting on the inheritance that require her remaining longer than intended. As if that is not enough to deal with, Gwen witnesses a murder and because of her past and subsequent reputation around town she becomes the prime suspect.

I absolutely loved this book and the author’s writing style which really drew me into the story. Not only were the scenes vividly described but the dialogue was brilliant and cracked me up more than once. The characters were ones that I was drawn to, especially Gwen. She was down-to-earth, unstoppable, funny, witty, real, raw, and did not take nonsense from anyone. Gwen is someone that I could easily find myself wanting to hang out with. The town of Hoodoo fascinated me with the fact that it was full of ghosts, vampires, werewolves, and witches. I want to take a trip there to explore the supernatural, starting with the house Gwen inherited. Absolutely amazing book and brilliant writing!

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The Traveler: Book 3 by Deborah Dugan – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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The Traveler: Book 3The Traveler: Book 3 by Deborah Dugan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In Book Three of The Traveler Series, we continue to follow Harry, a highly intelligent ancient being who has transformed into many shapes over the millennia and traveled the universe. Each shapeshifting experience brings him more power and knowledge. During each transformation he goes into a period of stasis which for him is quick, but for the humans in his life take years. After his most recent shift he made his way back to Tristan after being gone for five years. His new configuration is a surprise to Tristan who takes a bit to adjust to Harry’s new form. It is a whole new experience for Harry as well as he learns how to navigate the emotions as well as the new dangers and obstacles he faces in his new form.

This book was an interesting sci-fi book with a time traveling twist. The characters were wonderful and the relationship between Tristan, Elena, and Harry was heartwarming and adorable. I loved how Harry is able to transform into different forms and travel through time. It was like reincarnation with a twist which fascinated me. I loved the twist the book took at the end as we watch Harry emerge once again. This book was entertaining, imaginative, creative, thought provoking, and engaging. It was packed full of action, danger, mystery, suspense, and time travel.

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Obedience (Ties That Bind Book 1) by Liza Snow – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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ObedienceObedience by Liza Snow
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Cassandra has wanted to perform with Cirque de Lys ever since she was a child and first saw her idol Chandler performing his aerialist routine. From that moment she vowed that she would do whatever it took to be a silk aerialist and join the circus. When Cassandra’s dreams come true, and Chandler becomes her mentor she realizes that she cannot live without him. Chandler soon realizes that Cassandra means more to him than just being one of his students. On the surface it seems that fate has brought them together but what they do not realize is that something far more sinister is at play. Their lives have become intertwined, and they both have demons from their past that they are trying to escape from. Can they shake the shackles of their dark pasts to have a bright future?

This is an interesting story about romance between a student and her mentor. The borderline obsession that Cassandra had for her childhood idol Chandler turns from admiration to passion, then to romance, and ultimately to love. The age gap between Cassandra and Chandler was interesting and did not seem plausible until many years had passed. The book took an interesting plot twist when it was discovered that there were sinister elements at play, and they were brought together for a reason. Danger and suspense lurk under the surface as both Cassandra and Chandler try to escape demons from their past. It seems they both have secrets they have been hiding from the other that could put their lives in danger. The book ends on a cliff-hanger which sets you up for the second book in the series. I cannot wait to follow the further adventures of Cassandra and Chandler to see what deep dark secrets they are hiding.

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Non-Verbal by Molly Zenk – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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NonVerbalNonVerbal by Molly Zenk
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Non-Verbal is inspired by a true story and tells the life of severely autistic Emerson Rayne from her point of view. Emerson lost her ability to talk at the tender age of fifteen months old. Now, at the age of fourteen, Emerson is trying to navigate the difficult world of middle school. Middle school is tough enough as she deals with bullies, friendships, and the stress of being a teenager but for Emerson she must also deal with over protective stressed out parents and stressed-out teachers. She tries to remain good Emerson so she does not stress everyone out but finds that sometimes bad Emerson cannot help but lose control. Sometimes she cannot fight the urge to run away or eat the things that she knows that she should not eat. Sometimes the bugs crawl on her skin and she cannot stop scratching. Sometimes she feels like her body is on fire and she tries to make it stop. Having a daily routine usually helps to keep Emerson grounded and from having outbursts but sometimes the sensory overload from the bright lights and loud noises at school set her off. Now for some reason she is having outbursts that lead her to self-harm and she seems mentally and emotionally unstable. It is up to Emerson’s parents to try to keep her safe and find her the help and support she needs in both the health and education systems.

This was an absolutely beautiful and moving story that tells the point of view of someone who has ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder, an intellectual disability, and a sensory processing disorder. We see firsthand from her point of view life through Emerson’s eyes and although she is unable to speak, she has a voice and wants to be heard. We see the struggles and challenges she faces everyday as she fights the urge to do things like run, run, run. How she so desperately wants to be good so she does not worry those around her but cannot control how she reacts to certain stimuli in her environment. Bullies, loud noises, bright lights, and straying from her routine all set Emerson off and she is unable to stop from reacting. Good Emerson turns to bad Emerson, and she is saddened that she has worried those that love her and care for her. Emerson’s parents do everything they can to protect her, get her the help she needs, and show her that they love her. It was easy to empathize with Emerson and her parents with the struggles they all faced. A touching story that really gave insight on the dynamics surrounding those that have ASD and the daily struggles and challenges they face. A poignant, thought provoking and heartfelt read.

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Unexpected Entanglement (The Echo Series Book 3) by C.R. Alam – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Unexpected Entanglement (Book 3 of the Echo Series)Unexpected Entanglement by C.R. Alam
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Unexpected Entanglement is the third book in The Echo Series. It centers around Rowan who has been working hard to restore a rundown inn that has been in her family for years. Her father was working with her to restore the inn until his sudden passing. Before her father died, he told Rowan a deep dark secret that he has kept hidden from her and her brother all their lives. This secret shocks Rowan to the core and alters the course of future events in her life.

Fast forward several months and a wealthy hotelier named Chris has arrived at Vinalhaven. As a man who owns hotels all over the world he is well known and well respected in the hotel industry. His plan was to only remain for twenty-four hours and do some snooping around on the owners of Vinalhaven. However, his plans quickly change when he offers to help Rowan who is fighting a tight deadline to get the inn ready for her cousin’s upcoming wedding.

Although both Chris and Rowan try to remain professional about their arrangement, they find it hard to deny their attraction to one another. When he gets roped into playing the role of Rowan’s doting fiancé things take a turn. Suddenly things between them sizzle and the sparks between them start to fly. Will Rowan and Chris be able to work together when things start to go wrong at the inn and its future is at stake? Is there a future between the two of them? Is there a future for the inn?

The chemistry between Rowan and Chris was undeniable and it was interesting to see where the story was going. Especially since Chris was at Vinalhaven to basically spy on Rowan and her brother. Obviously, a heart wants what it wants, and attraction is hard to deny. The long-lost family member part of the story was intriguing and gave the storyline an interesting twist. I needed to read farther and see if there would be a family reunion of sorts between the siblings and how that would go. This book had mystery, drama, chemistry, passion, unexpected romance, and a twist with long-lost siblings.

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Your Trainer Says Hi! (Vengeful Vixens Book 2) by Indie Sparks – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Your Trainer Says Hi!Your Trainer Says Hi! by Indie Sparks
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Your Trainer Says Hi! is Book Two in the Vengeful Vixens Series. The story centers around Nadine who has recently opened up a juice bar with her boyfriend of six months, Heath. When Heath withdraws all of the money from their business account to invest in a sure-fire MLM scam, Nadine is both devastated and furious. She tells Heath that he is to pay all of the money back but in the meantime, she figures that she will take over his pre-paid personal training sessions as partial revenge for his treacherous act. Nadine refuses to allow her ex to break her and decides that she needs to bounce back on her feet right away.

Nadine’s only intention when going to see Heath’s personal trainer is to take away his beloved trainer from him. However, when she sees Wick her body betrays her with other intentions. Trying to shrug off the attraction she tells herself that she is only there for the workouts. It seems that not only does Wick notice that Nadine is attracted to him, but he enjoys the affect he has on Nadine. The two of them exchange sexy banter back and forth as Wick puts Nadine’s body through the wringer in the gym. When he invites her back to his place to soak and relax her muscles in his hot tub the sexual tension builds and before long Wick is putting Nadine’s body through the wringer again.

I loved this book and was hooked from the first few pages. I could not stop laughing out loud at the witty banter and jokes between Nadine and her BFF Oakley. I laughed so hard that the tears started when I read the scene where Nadine confronts her ex, Heath, about the MLM scam he invested in. My husband actually looked at me and asked me what was so funny, so I read a few pages to him. The scenes were so vividly described that I felt as though I was watching a movie as the scenes leaped off the pages.

The characters were relatable and lovable. Seriously, the friendship between Nadine and Oakley was epic. The jokes they cracked kept me in stitches. Oakley was there to act as a calming agent for Nadine when she needed it and help her pick up the pieces of a broken relationship. Heath was a character that you loved to hate because he was such a dimbulb and showed no remorse over his actions. Wick seemed like an arrogant jerk but ended up being a sweetheart. Nadine was smart, feisty, and unstoppable no matter what life threw at her. This book had wise-cracking friends, witty banter, revenge plots, betrayal, sexual tension, passion, unexpected romance, BFFs, and manipulation.

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With Fire and Sword (Thunder On The Moor Book 4) by Andrea Matthews – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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With Fire and Sword (Thunder on the Moor, #4)With Fire and Sword by Andrea Matthews
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

With Fire and Sword is the Fourth Book in the Thunder on the Moor Series. It centers around the characters of Will, Maggie and Dylan who are in different centuries. Will and Maggie are settling into their new life in the twentieth century while Dylan remains in the sixteenth century. Dylan realizes that something does not seem right and that the threads of time seem to have snapped. He must find a way to contact Will and Maggie and have them return to the sixteenth century and mend the rip in the fabric of time or it will forever alter the events in both centuries. He sends them a message by leaving a note tucked inside a diary in the hopes that they will find it in their present day. When Will and Maggie stumble onto Dylan’s mysterious note they must find a way to travel back in time and help Dylan.

It is up to Will and Maggie to travel back through time to the sixteenth century and repair the rip in the fabric of time or risk the course of history being forever altered. The problem is that the amulet Will And Maggie used for time travel has no stone left in it. How can they possibly travel back in time to help Dylan without the stone in their amulet? If they could get there, what events are they supposed to correct to mend the fabric of time? Is it worth it to risk their lives by travelling back through time?

I loved this book on time travel and was blown away by the storyline, the characters, and the attention to historical details. The descriptions were so vivid that I felt as though I was there with the characters and experiencing events firsthand as they unfolded. The characters were well written and relatable. I became fully engaged in each of their stories and how they would unfold. I loved that Will and Maggie were reading old diaries and looking through historical records. Having that connection to their past was fascinating to me. This book had action, suspense, danger, mystery, intrigue, and of course, time travel. A great read for anyone interested in historical fiction.

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Yeti Left Home by Aaron Rosenberg – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Yeti Left HomeYeti Left Home by Aaron Rosenberg
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wylie Kang is a Yeti who spends his days trying to blend in with the townsfolk of Embarrass. He lives a quiet life in the outskirts of town in a small cabin. Home is where he enjoys the simple pleasures like a comfortable recliner, a television, and most importantly soft toilet paper. Wylie has vowed that he will never go back to using leaves again since discovering toilet paper. These creature comforts have changed his life and he finds joy in his secluded, peaceful sanctuary.

When Wylie starts having violent dreams that coincide with a series of strange murders his entire world changes. A Hunter of the supernatural comes to town looking for Wylie and he has no choice but to flee. Armed with his recliner, tv, a bag of food, and some personal items Wylie jumps into his trusty green truck and heads out of town.

Wylie heads to the Twin Cities where he figures that he will blend in except he finds himself in a city teaming with supernatural activity. Not only is the Hunter hot on his trail but there have been a series of strange murders here as well. Wylie is faced with the choice of fleeing his new home and leaving his new friends behind or finding the killer.

This was a great story about the struggle to fit in and feel a sense of belonging. Wylie was a great character who loved to live a peaceful life and cause no harm to anyone. He rolled with the changes and managed to keep a smile on his face no matter what came at him. Wylie enjoyed his secluded life back home in Embarrass but in the Twin Cities he made friends, formed bonds, and truly felt like he belonged. There was a sense of suspense, danger, and mystery as Wylie and his friends raced to catch a killer and save Wylie from the Hunter. The witty humor and banter left me chuckling to myself on numerous occasions.

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Little Red, the Detective (Science Folktales) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Little Red, the Detective: a science folktale (Science Folktales)Little Red, the Detective: a science folktale by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Maureen is asked by her Grannie to come visit so she can measure her for a new sweater she is knitting for her. Maureen loved the last sweater her Grannie made for her so much that she wore it all the time. She wore the red sweater so much that her friends and family started calling her Little Red.

When Little Red sets off into the woods to visit her Grannie, she stops to look for purple cone flowers to take for her Grannie to use for tea. There are so many similar looking flowers that Little Red is unsure which is the one she is looking for. When a wolf comes along and asks her if he can help Little Red figures that she will accept his offer because he would know better than her. The wolf picks out some cone-shaped purple flowers and hands them to her. As Little Red is taking out her plant identification book to identify the flowers, she realizes the wolf has vanished. She continues on to Grannie’s house, but Grannie has vanished. It is now up to Little Red to solve the mystery of where Grannie went.

I loved the author’s cute twist on the classic version of the story Little Red Riding Hood. Little Red has some sleuthing skills under her belt and uses those to save her Grannie from the big bad wolf. Young kids will learn about science and fingerprinting in this story. This book had a bit of mystery and sense of danger to it with an underlying message about how it is unsafe to talk to strangers. As always, the illustrations were beautiful and really brought the story to life.

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The Romanov Heiress by Jennifer Laam – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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The Romanov HeiressThe Romanov Heiress by Jennifer Laam
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Olga, as the oldest of the Romanov sisters, has taken it upon herself to keep her younger sisters safe. After fleeing from Russia to England they are trying to adjust to their new situation while keeping their true identities a closely guarded secret. When dark family secrets surface, Olga must find the source of the rumors before they destroy her family. The rumors are about her late mother, Empress Alexandra, betraying Russia, and their allies during the Great War. These rumors could destroy her late mother’s legacy and the future of the family.

Olga goes undercover as a maid named Olivia at the home of the Lord Hammond where she suspects the rumors started. As she works for the Hammond’s she begins to learn the truth about her mother and soon begins to find out the complicated connection between their two families.

I loved this historical fiction book and the author’s take on the real Romanov family. It was beautifully written and the attention to detail bring the setting, the era, the story, and the characters to life. The characters are relatable, and you are able to feel the overwhelming range of emotions that the Romanov sisters must have experienced as their lives are thrown into turmoil. It was full of suspense, mystery, intrigue, secrets, and lies.

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Rogue (The Talisman Series) by Tam DeRudder Jackson – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Rogue (The Talisman Series)Rogue by Tam DeRudder Jackson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Rogue follows the story of Baz, a warrior who has been forced to turn rogue. The choice was not one that he wanted to make but it was either pledge himself to the evil Morrigan or go into hiding. Baz made the best choice he could under the circumstances and has had to live with that decision for the last few years. He does not like working for the war goddess Morrigan but completes all the missions she gives him while his real goal is to start a class of Celtic fighters.

Delaney is a warrior-talisman hybrid who acts as protector to save her warrior community. Her whole life has been spent trying to live down the choice her uncle made to go rogue. When a cryptic message leads her to an abandoned home she comes face-to-face with a lone rogue. Rather than kill her he takes her to his lair where their attraction and emotions threaten to ruin both of their missions.

Delaney knows that this lone rogue is a danger to her community and as their protector it is up to her to neutralize the threat. So why is she finding it so difficult to do? Baz discovers that Delaney is his mate, his talisman, and struggles to come to terms with that. Will they realize their love for one another or does fate have other plans for them? Will they be able to look past who they are to outside forces and get to know who they really are?

This book was action packed and full of intense situations for Baz and Delaney. Although unlikely mates they have an undeniable chemistry between them which makes the storyline interesting. Baz might be a rogue might it was not his choice. After having a rough life, he did what he had to do. Delaney is trained as a warrior and protects those around her. Both Baz and Delaney have been brought up in situations where they had to learn to be strong and fight to survive. A great paranormal romance full of action, magic, suspense, danger, and the battle of good versus evil.

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Just One Time (Beaumont Creek Book 1) by Samantha Baca – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Just One Time (Beaumont Creek, #1)Just One Time by Samantha Baca
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Abby has just turned forty and finds herself feeling depressed because her life is not what she expected it to be at this point. In her mind she should be happily married to a man who loves and adores her and have beautiful children they dote on. Whenever Abby sees others living the life she feels that she should have by now she cannot help but feel a bit envious. Of course, Abby’s mom harps at her constantly about having a baby and getting married so that does not help. She feels overwhelming sadness about running out of time to have a baby and it consumes her thoughts until she gets a brilliant idea that involves her best friend Nate.

Nate and Abby have been best friends since childhood and are practically inseparable. They tell each other everything and always have each other’s backs. When Abby confides her feelings to Nate about wanting a baby, he is more than happy to help. They agree that as best friends they will be great parents and decide to take the next step in their friendship. Nate and Abby decide that rather than do costly fertility procedures that they will conceive a baby the old-fashioned way. Wary of how this will affect their friendship they discuss taking things slow but that all changes with one moment of intense passion that sparks between them.

That one moment of passion turns into several more nights of passion between them. Neither Nate nor Abby expected this to happen and are taking it one day at a time. Each finds themselves falling in love with the other, but fear of rejection stops them from discussing their feelings. When Abby becomes pregnant it is unexpected and the timing is horrible. She has recently started dating a man that her mom set her up with. Abby’s parents are unaware of the turn that Nate and Abby’s relationship took or that Abby is pregnant. What will become of Nate and Abby’s friendship? Can they ever be more than friends?

I adored this book and was surprised by the style of the author’s writing. It was not at all what I expected from a friends to lovers romance book. The relationship between Abby and Nate was unique and to be admired. They were so close that they were able to let their guard down with one another, although this was a bit reluctantly and ill-timed in Abby’s case at times. I actually laughed out loud numerous times, even during some of the steamy sex scenes. (My husband actually looked at me a few times and asked what was so funny, but we were in mixed company, so I was unable to read the parts to him that I was chuckling at.) All I will say is that they were a bit unusual and not typical of a romantic or passionate moment. For me, I felt that they were realistic and raw which made me want to read all that much more. Abby had some moments during her pregnancy that I am sure many women can relate with and Nate was a trooper through them all.

I loved this book, but I think my favorite part was when Abby told off her sister’s ex husband. I nearly peed myself laughing at what she said to him. I might have to keep Abby’s words in mind the next time someone gets on my bad side, lol. I loved this book and cannot begin to say enough good things about this author’s writing style. It was romance, passion, friendship, love, angst, and a smidge of jealousy with a side of wit and humor thrown in. I loved it and cannot wait to read more by this author.

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Doctor Frank Enstein (Doctors of Eastport General) by C.A. King – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Doctor Frank Enstein (Doctors of Eastport General)Doctor Frank Enstein by C.A. King
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Doctor Frank Einstein is a plastic surgeon who spends his days doing cosmetic surgery for superficial women who he feels do not need the surgery. Unlike many other cosmetic surgeons Doctor Einstein is not in his line of work for butts and boobs. He does it to make a difference in the lives of those who really need it. Those that have been scarred or disfigured. When a job opportunity opens up in the burn Unit of Eastport General Frank jumps at the chance.

As a child Doctor Einstein lived through a fire so he knows the damage such a traumatic event can do to a person both mentally and physically. That day changed his life and he vowed that when he grew up, he would do something that made a difference in the lives of others. Working in the burn unit at Eastport General gives Frank the opportunity to do just that. When some of Frank’s new co-workers invite him out to a local bar for drinks to get to know one another he reluctantly goes.

At the bar, he meets busty barmaid Barbara who he is immediately attracted to, but she makes a less than favorable impression on him. When she finds out Frank is a plastic surgeon, she tries to ask him a question about his line of work, and he immediately jumps to the wrong conclusion. Frank immediately shuts down Barbara’s line of questioning and abruptly leaves the bar. Barbara is flabbergasted that this doctor has been so rude to her and is unsure why he acted that way over such a simple question. Frank immediately feels guilty and wants to apologize for being so rude, but will Barbara ever be able to forgive him?

When Frank and Barbara first meet the chemistry is instant, but they make a bad first impression on one another. Frank realizes that he goofed when he acted so abruptly and knows he needs to apologize. Thankfully, Barbara is understanding and is willing to forgive him and get to know him. As Frank and Barbara get to know each other better each realizes the other has more to them than meets the eye. Frank did not go into cosmetic surgery to be with superficial women who only care about their looks. He did it because of his past history as the victim of a fire and wants to help those who have suffered similar situations. Frank wants to make a difference and help disfigured patients gain confidence and self esteem. Barbara has been well endowed naturally and lives in constant pain from the strain on her back. All she wants is a life free of pain and one where men think of her as more than a pair of breasts. When Barbara meets Doctor Frank, she finally has hope. A great read about love, first impressions, chemistry, romance, understanding, and compassion.

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Under My Care (Chase Care Book 3) by R.L. Dunn – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Under My Care (Chase Care Book 3)Under My Care by R.L. Dunn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Under my Care is the third book in the Chase Care Series. It follows the story of Peter Walter the Clinical Facility Director for Chase Care. This role is a bit different from past ones where he has been a physician assistant and a pararescue jumper for the Air Force, but it is far from keeping him out of danger. The book starts with a bang as Pete is on a mission to save a mother and daughter who have been kidnapped.

The mother is unable to be saved by the time Pete and his team arrive and only the young daughter, Linde is left behind. The building is on fire, so they rush to rescue her from the burning building, but Linde and Pete are now in need of urgent medical care. The team is forced to land their helicopter at the nearest hospital after a blizzard hits the area. The ER is busy as other local residents have sought shelter from the blizzard and need urgent medical care. One patient in need of urgent care just happens to be the young daughter of the bad guys.

When Pete arrives at the hospital, he comes face to face with the beautiful woman he has never forgotten. He has not seen her since an unforgettable mission in Afghanistan. A mission that left them both hurt and left their lives in turmoil. Dr. Rowena Anderson has moved herself and her two sons back to her family’s ranch in Montana to keep them safe. She is now working as an Emergency Room Doctor at Guardian Hospital. When Dr. Rowena sees Pete again, she realizes that secrets are hard to keep buried. Her and Pete must work together to decide what their future will be. Will they be able to survive the chaos and pursue the chemistry between them?

This book will grab your attention and suck you into the storyline from the beginning. It is fast paced with so much going on at once that it is almost impossible to catch your breath. The characters of Rowena and Pete were relatable, and you could feel the chemistry between them. It was interesting to see how their story would unfold. Both were strong, independent, and unafraid to look danger in the eye. This book had it all from the heart racing, nail biting action, suspense, danger, and intrigue to the romance, love, passion, and chemistry between characters. I am anxious to read book four in this series.

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The Silent Road by S.N. McKibben – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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The Silent RoadThe Silent Road by S.N. McKibben
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Dan is a man who seems to screw up everything he touches. He spent so much time away from home trying to make money to support his wife and daughter that it caused his marriage to collapse. Not only did his marriage fail but his ex-wife thinks he is a deadbeat. He has failed to follow through with past promises to his daughter, so she has lost all faith in him. The only thing Dan has left is his rig and driving on the open road hauling freight. Or it was, up until the day he was pulled over and was caught driving without a license.

Getting caught driving without a license could not have happened at a worse time for Dan. He needs the money to pay for his daughter’s college tuition. If Dan cannot come up with the money, he risks losing his daughter forever. Dan is forced on probation and must have a co-driver with him in order to prove that he is capable of getting his commercial license. The problem is that Dan does not want to have Jake as his co-driver. He knows Jake’s dirty little secret, and he wants no part of it. Unfortunately, Dan’s boss gives him no choice and Dan must make the best of it as he tries to convince Jake to bend the rules a little bit so that he can make good on the promise he made to his daughter.

As Dan and Jake head out on the open road they get to know one another better. Dan finds that he enjoys Jake’s company a little more than he expected. In all honesty, a lot more than he expected, and it scares him as he finds himself questioning his own sexuality. Could Jake be what he has been looking for, what has been missing from his life, all this time?

This was an interesting MM romance with a big rig, hitting the open road, feel to it. As Dan and Jake hit the open road together it becomes a symbol of their freedom from the constraints of society’s beliefs, judgement, and condemnation. On the road they do not fear what others may think and are allowed the freedom to get to know one another in an open and honest manner. The characters of Jake and Dan are clearly more layered than this story allowed as it was more focused on the relationship between the two men. The author asked for feedback at the end of the book on whether readers would like to read more about Dan and Jake. This reader says, yes, I would love to read a book on each one where the story focuses solely on them, their background, past relationships, and so forth.

I personally, would read a book about Dan which goes back to his marriage to his ex-wife. What was their relationship like? In The Silent Road we know his marriage collapsed because he worked away from home so much. Were there other contributing factors that caused his marriage to fail? Was their relationship rocky to begin with? Did Dan display any signs that might explain his interest in Jake? Was he not attracted to his wife? Was there an underlying reason that kept him on the road and away from his family? A reason that he may not have realized at that time. I would love to know more about Jake as well. Was he always attracted to men? In The Silent Road we see signs of society’s disapproval over his lifestyle. Was there ever a time in his life where he felt the need to conform to society’s beliefs about who he is and hide his sexuality? Was he ever married? If so, does he have children? All in all, this was a good book and I enjoyed it. It left me wanting to learn more about the pasts of both Dan and Jake and I want to read more.

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