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The Queen’s Dog (Empire at Twilight) by N.L. Holmes – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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The Queen's Dog (Empire at Twilight #3)The Queen’s Dog by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Queen’s Dog is Book Three in the Empire at Twilight Series. It is a historical crime mystery that centers around the character of Naheshi who is the Queen’s slave. Naheshi is a eunich who yearns for the love of the self-absorbed Queen and feels rejected when she does not love him back. Feeling scorned he spies on her and reports all of her disloyal activities in the hopes that she will get a divorce. When Naheshi learns that the Queen is set to be executed he must try to save her and free himself of the burden of his own guilt. Another well written book in this series with vivid details and historical information. This book had action, drama, betrayal, lies, deception, revenge, secrets, and love from afar.

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The Sun at Twilight (Empire at Twilight) by N.L. Holmes – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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The Sun at Twilight (Empire at Twilight #4)The Sun at Twilight by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Sun at Twilight is Book Four in the Empire at Night Series. It is a historical mystery that centers around the character of Tudhaliya IV in the Hittite Empire. He wants to rule his empire as past leaders have but his advisors have other ideas on how he should rule. The way in which he wants to rule is viewed as weak and Tudhaliya risks losing his kingdom to his cousin Kurunta. This was a great read that was vivid, and rich with historical information. It was full of mystery, action, suspense, conflict, betrayal, and family drama.

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The Moon That Fell from Heaven (Empire at Twilight) by N.L. Holmes – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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The Moon That Fell from HeavenThe Moon That Fell from Heaven by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Moon That Fell From Heaven is Book Five in the Empire at Night series. It is a Historical mystery that combines both fact and fiction together. The story centers around Ehli-nikkalu, the eldest daughter of the Hittite Emperor. She feels unloved and unwanted by her family, her husband, and her husband’s family. Her husband feels that she is useless because she cannot bear children, yet he rarely visits their matrimonial bed. She is a kind and gentle soul that is easy to empathize with. Ehli-nikkalu stumbles onto some dangerous information and must find a way to get it to her father while trying to keep her kingdom safe from the threat of war. This is a well-written book full of historical details that transport you back in time. This book had action, suspense, danger, angst, murder, betrayal, and twists and turns.

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The Calamities of Camden Callahan (A Revenant Novel) by Brittany Tucker – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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The Calamities of Camden Callahan (A Revenant Novel)The Calamities of Camden Callahan by Brittany Tucker

The Calamities of Camden Callahan is a YA Fantasy that centers around the character of Camden who lost his mother at a young age and was taken in by the captain of a pirate ship. The book starts off with a bang as young Camden and his mother are fleeing from Camden’s father who is determined to kill them. They are almost able to reach the safety of a ship when Camden’s mother is killed in front of him by an unknown assailant. Camden’s mother’s dying wish is for the captain of the nearby pirate ship who discovers her after her attack to care for her son and keep him safe from his father. Fast forward several years and Camden is now nineteen. He has been living the life of a pirate and closely guarding his identity. A dangerous job leads to the burning of the pirate ship which leads to the loss of numerous lives of his crew, including himself. Having risen from the ashes of the burned ship Camden sets off on a journey to find the members of his crew who were kidnapped and a mission to seek revenge on those that murdered other members of his crew. Along his journey he must place his life in farther danger by resuming his true identity which could lead to his father catching up with him after all these years. This book had action, suspense, mystery, murder, pirates, magic, and ghosts. The storyline will take you on a rollercoaster ride of emotions with the highs and lows. I highly recommend this book!

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Killer Smile by Allan Evans – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Killer SmileKiller Smile by Allan Evans
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Killer Smile is a psychological crime thriller full of mystery, intrigue, action, suspense, murder, danger, and a high-stakes game of cat and mouse. Since Detective Cade Dawkins involvement in taking down the serial killer in Killer Blonde he has become the target of a group of ruthless individuals intent on challenging him with his darkest case yet. A group on the Dark Web like to discuss who their next victims will be and challenge each other. Detective Dawkins is now forced to hunt not one, but several serial killers as they attempt to outsmart him. Danger lurks around every corner as he fights for his own life and to save the lives of those around him. A fast-paced, intense, edge-of-your-seat thrill ride that will keep you riveted until the final pages.

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Killer Blonde by Allan Evans – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Killer BlondeKiller Blonde by Allan Evans

Killer Blonde is a crime thriller full of action, suspense, danger, murder, mystery, and intrigue. The story centers around a serial killer and the detective intent on stopping from him. There is a psychopath on the loose killing blondes that all look very similar in appearance to one another. Cade Dawkins is the detective that discovers the recent car accidents he has been investigating are cover-ups for a string of murders. It is up to him to find the killer and put a stop to him before anymore lives are lost. The ensuing game of cat and mouse between the serial killer and Detective Dawkins is tense, action packed and full of twists and turns. This book is fast paced and will keep you reading until the end to find out who the serial killer is.

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Wondogfilled (Boys Unboxed) by Dr. Kimberlie Harris – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Wondogfilled: Look, a Dog! The story for children who love dogs between the ages of 0-8. A perfect addition to home and classroom libraries. (Boys Unboxed)Wondogfilled: Look, a Dog! The story for children who love dogs between the ages of 0-8. A perfect addition to home and classroom libraries. by Dr. Kimberlie Harris
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wondogfilled: Look, A Dog! Is a children’s picture book designed for children between the ages of newborn to eight years old. The story centers around the wonderful dog filled world of a young boy named Kingston who loves dogs. Whenever Kingston and his mom go for a walk, she points out different types of dogs to him and explains what kind of dog they are. When she starts pointing out other types of animals and explaining what they are, Kingston still tries to say they are dogs. Kingston’s mom tries to teach him that animals like cats and squirrels are different, but he still believes it is just another type of dog. This was a wonderfully written book full of bright, colorful illustrations that would delight any child.

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House of Blood and Whispers by Natalina Reis – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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House of Blood and WhispersHouse of Blood and Whispers by Natalina Reis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

House of Blood and Whispers is a fantasy romance full of action, drama, angst, violence, danger, and a tyrannical leader. The cover of this book is stunning and immediately drew me in which is why I picked it up to read. That, and the title really captured my attention. The story centers around the characters of Cahki and Prince Sung-jin who must team up to try to stop the tyrannical reign of Sung-jin’s father, Emperor Min. Sung-jin is tired of living under the reign of his father who rules the land with force and fear. Sung-jin is kind, tender, caring, and a fierce warrior. He hates how cruel and perverse his father is and wants to bring an end to his reign of terror. Emperor Min is cruel, has no morals, and does not care who he hurts to get ahead. Cahki was kidnapped and held captive by Emperor Min to be part of his harem of other kidnapped women. She is strong, feisty, brave, and a force to be reckoned with. Sung-jin and Cahki have a mutual enemy in Emperor Min and want to be free of his tyranny. When Prince Sung-jin offers her a chance at freedom by marrying him she reluctantly takes it. Together they must fight for freedom for themselves and for the kingdom. Danger lurks around every corner and the dynamic duo must fight for their own survival. This book has a captivating storyline that will have you on the edge of your seat until the very last page. I highly recommend this book!

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Cruel Truths (Tessa and Jordan Book 3) by T. Christensen – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Cruel Truths (Tessa and Jordan #3)Cruel Truths by T. Christensen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Cruel Truths is Book Three in the Tessa and Jordan series. Although this book is part of a series it can easily be read as a standalone. It is an angsty, enemies to lovers’ contemporary romance that centers around the characters of Lindy and Cade. Lindy is an aspiring fashion designer who comes across a posting for a job at a fashion company as a personal assistant. She feels that this would be a good way to get into the world of fashion design and takes the position as Cade’s personal assistant. Cade is head of the fashion board for the company that Lindy wants to be on and has been a cold-hearted jerk to Lindy since they first met. Cade is pushy, rude, bossy, and domineering. Lindy has her family to think of, so she refuses to allow him to intimidate her. When a business deal comes up that requires them to act as a couple, she reluctantly agrees to be Cade’s fake girlfriend. With nerves of steel and a drive to succeed she refuses to allow her emotions to get the better of her while in close proximity to Cade. This proves to be anything but easy as the sexual tension between the two is intense. A great story full of ups and downs, highs and lows, drama, love, hate, angst, passion, and chemistry.

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Faking the Fall (Buckeye Falls Book 4) by Libby Kay – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Faking the Fall (Buckeye Falls #4)Faking the Fall by Libby Kay
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Faking the Fall is Book Four in the Buckeye Falls series. Although this can be read as a standalone, I do recommend reading previous books in the series because there are recurring characters. Each book focuses on a new set of quirky, fun-loving characters and tells their story. Faking the Fall is a small town, fake romance, full of family, fun, and witty banter. It centers around the characters of Alice and James who decide to fake a romance with one another to prevent the town gossip and Nosey Nellies from trying to push either of them into unwanted relationships. Alice has been the center of gossip for awhile in the small town of Buckeye Falls and has a reputation for being a bit of a wild child. She is strong-willed, feisty, determined, and a bit of a rebel who refuses to be defined by the rules of society. Having recently moved back to town Alice just wants to focus on her life, her hopes, and her dreams but the Nosey Nellies constantly interfere and feel that she needs a husband. James has just moved to town after a bad divorce and just wants to focus on his painting. Unfortunately, he finds himself blocked creatively and unable to paint anything. When James and Alice cross paths it is as though fate has brought them together. Alice proposes that the two have a fake romance to keep the towns amateur cupids and gossips at bay. What starts out innocent soon turns into a slow-burning romance as Alice and James begin to have real feelings for one another. The ensuing story makes for a cute read full of angst, sexual tension, and a friends to lovers’ element.

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Murder at the Wedding (Modern Midwife Mysteries Book 1) by Christine Knapp – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Murder at the Wedding (Modern Midwife Mysteries Book 1)Murder at the Wedding by Christine Knapp
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Murder at the Wedding is Book One in the Modern Midwife Mysteries series. It is a cozy mystery with suspense, action, intrigue, drama, crime, and murder. The story centers around the character of Maeve who lives in the quaint little town of Langford located by the seaside in New England. Maeve works at the Creighton Memorial hospital as a midwife. When she is invited to a ritzy wedding at the Country Club for the daughter of the Chief Obstetrician at the hospital, she certainly is not expecting for him to suddenly drop dead during the reception. Maeve’s husband catered the event so now he is the prime suspect in the death of the man. Maeve enlists the help of her mother and sister to try to find the real killer and clear her husband’s name.

This book had an intriguing storyline and interesting cast of characters. Maeve was smart, witty, kind, caring, nurturing, and feisty. I loved that she was a midwife as this is something that I had not read before as an occupation for female MC’s. It was interesting to read the inner workings of being a midwife and what it entailed. Maeve was unable to have children of her own so bringing babies into the world for other women brought her immense joy. At times though, it could be difficult for her and emotionally exhausting. Maeve’s husband Will was sweet, kind, caring, understanding, and one heck of a good cook. He loved his work as a caterer and took great pride in the food he prepared for each event. Maeve and Will had a great marriage and were there for each other through even the most difficult times. I really enjoyed the witty banter between Maeve and the other characters and cracked up a few times at the clever things she would say. I highly recommend this book!

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Devil’s Claw (Logan McKenna Series Book 3) by Valerie Davisson – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Devil's Claw: Logan Book 3 (The Logan Series)Devil’s Claw: Logan Book 3 by Valerie Davisson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Devil’s Claw is the third book in the Logan McKenna Mystery series. It is a crime thriller chock full of action, suspense, mystery, murder, intrigue, and drama. Logan McKenna’s life is going well, and she has settled into a comfortable life in her Southern California home near the beach. She has a new job and finally has plenty of time for her music. When her and her daughter rescue a baby Otter, they take it to the Southern Sea Otter Center where they nurse it back to health. Things take a sinister turn when the land the center sits on becomes the target of numerous individuals who all try lay claim to it. When someone Logan knows is murdered Logan takes it upon herself to investigate the mystery surrounding the property. She quickly finds herself swept up in a world of greed, resentment, loss, betrayals, secrets, and violence. Logan could be the next person on the killer’s hit list if she does not solve this mystery quickly enough. I loved the characters of Logan and Amy. Both are kind, smart, compassionate, and determined. The close relationship they had as mother and daughter was endearing and heartwarming. This story took some twists and turns as Logan worked to solve her latest mystery before more lives were lost. The more I read, the more intriguing the mystery became, and I was hooked until the very end. I highly recommend this series!

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Forest Park (Logan McKenna Series Book 2) by Valerie Davisson – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Forest Park: Logan Book 2 (The Logan McKenna Series)Forest Park: Logan Book 2 by Valerie Davisson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Forest Park is the second book in The Logan McKenna Mystery series. It is a crime thriller full of action, suspense, murder, mystery, intrigue, drama, lies, and secrets. Life for Logan McKenna is looking better, and things seem to be on track. After the rough road she experienced and all of the loss she is happy, healthy, and in a good relationship. Life seems to be coasting along until everything changes in the blink of an eye and throws her world into chaos once again. As Logan awaits the arrival of her boyfriend at their hotel room, she hears a loud boom coming from outside. When she ventures out to discover the source of the sound, she discovers an explosion occurred at the Vietnamese food truck she had been at a short time before. Logan is horrified to discover that the woman killed in the explosion was someone that she had formed a bond with. The police have suspects, two of which are her friends, but Logan feels that they are not the real killer and is determined to find the real culprits. She feels obligated to try to solve what happened and starts digging for clues only to discover there are long-buried secrets that are better left alone. Logan is a character that I really like, and I enjoy reading her adventures, She is smart, tenacious, determined, strong, courageous and does not back down when things become difficult. This adventure led to highs and lows, chaos, confusion, sadness, betrayal, hurt, loss, and hope. I look forward to reading book three.

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Shattered (Logan McKenna Series Book 1) by Valerie Davisson – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Shattered: Logan Book 1 (The Logan McKenna Series)Shattered: Logan Book 1 by Valerie Davisson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Shattered is Book One in the Logan McKenna Mystery series. It is a crime thriller full of suspense, action, drama, mystery, suspense, and murder. The story centers around the character of Logan McKenna whose life is quickly going downhill as one bad thing after another keeps coming at her. Two years ago, she lost her husband, which devastated her but then she learned details of an affair he had which crushed her. Her father passed away and with so much going on her music fell by the wayside. Looking for a fresh start Logan sells the computer business her and her husband built and moves to a small home near the beach in Southern California. There she takes a teaching job but is accused of helping her students cheat when their test scores are too high. Now with the threat of losing her job looming in the air Logan needs something to keep her busy and help her regroup. She helps her friends Lisa, and Thomas, a Native American artist, at their booth at the annual Otter Arts Festival. When a local glassblower turns up dead at the booth beside Thomas he is accused of her murder and arrested. Thomas is under suspicion of the girl’s murder because of a mysterious bank transfer he sent to the girl prior to her murder which he refuses to explain. Now it is up to Logan to play amateur detective as she tries to find the real killer and prove her friend’s innocence. As Logan digs deeper the murderer becomes more vicious and danger lurks around every corner. Will she have what it takes to solve the case before it is too late? Logan is a character that is easy to relate to and feel a connection to. She is smart, feisty, plucky, courageous, and never gives up. I look forward to reading more of Logan McKenna’s adventures!

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Sins of the Father (The McIntire County Series Book 3) by Winter Austin – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Sins of the Father: The McIntire County Series: #3Sins of the Father: The McIntire County Series: #3 by Winter Austin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sins of the Father is Book Three in The McIntire County Series. It is a romantic suspense book packed with drama, action, mystery, intrigue, suspense, and murder. This book can easily be read as a standalone, but I do recommend reading the entire series because it is amazing! This story centers around the characters of Deputy Jolie Murdoch and Former Marine Xavier Hartmann. Jolie has had a difficult past and finds herself struggling to find her confidence and self-worth. When she sets off to find a missing girl that disappeared after a local event, she stumbles onto something far more sinister. Jolie finds Xavier covered in blood standing over the body of the girl’s father. He has no memory of what happened, how he got there, or if he killed the man. Xavier has traumatic brain injury because of an IED blast while he was in the service and is prone to having blackouts. The trauma from his past has also left Xavier feeling worthless and lacking in self-confidence. Jolie wants to believe he is not responsible for the man’s murder and sets off to find the real killer. As she delves into the case, she discovers this case is very similar to a cold case that her father had when he was Sherriff. As Xavier and Jolie work to find the real killer they lean on each other for support and find strength in one another. Digging into the case unravels secrets, lies, betrayal, and complex family dynamics. This was a page turner with great characters, an intriguing storyline, and twists and turns that will keep you reading until the end.

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Liar, Liar (The McIntire County Series Book 4) by Winter Austin – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Liar, Liar (The McIntire County Series: #4)Liar, Liar by Winter Austin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Liar, Liar is Book Four in The McIntire County Series. It is a romantic suspense book filled with action, danger, drama, crime, murder, mystery, and mayhem. The story is set in the small town of Eider, Iowa, and centers around the characters of Sherriff Shane Hamilton and FBI Agent Liza Bartholomew. Sherriff Hamilton is trying to solve the case of a series of random arsons as well as two homicides. FBI Agent Bartholomew has been tracking an elusive scam artist and is determined to bring him to justice. She learns his last known whereabouts are in Eider, Iowa and that is where she goes. When Liza Bartholomew arrives, she receives a less than friendly welcome from Sherriff Shane Hamilton. Neither want to work with the other but they soon reluctantly team up when they learn that both of their cases are somehow intertwined. Soon the two are in a deadly game of cat and mouse with a cold-blooded killer who is leaving a trail of bodies in his wake. As the two spend time together a slow burning romance begins between them, but will they act on it? Shane has seen his share of trauma in his past which haunts him to this day. He is unsure what to do with his feelings for Liza who is strong, compassionate, and kind. Liza wants a family but feels obligated to help her brother with his son. Can Liza and Shane find happiness with one another? This story is full of raw emotion, anger, sadness, hurt, loss, secrets, lies, betrayal, heartbreak, and unexpected love. The twists and turns will keep you on the edge of your seat and have you reading until the end.

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Ignite My Heart (North Fork Series Book 2) by Alicia Street – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Ignite My Heart (North Fork Series Book 2)Ignite My Heart by Alicia Street
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ignite My Heart is Book Two in the North Fork Series. It is a contemporary romance full of passion, chemistry, drama, angst, and unexpected love. The story centers around the characters of Morgan and Blake. Morgan is the CEO of a protection agency and is looking for a live-in nanny for his nine-year-old daughter. His movie star ex-wife has suddenly reappeared in their lives wanting to see their daughter but for all the wrong reasons. She is worried about her reputation and wants to parade the child around in front of cameras while playing the doting mommy. Morgan is determined to protect his daughter and does not want her in the public eye which angers his ex, and she threatens to sue him for custody. He decides that he needs a live-in nanny and his friend figures that he has just the right girl for the job.

Enter Blake who is the sister of Morgan’s friend. She is out of work, down on her luck, and has been living rent free in her friend’s cabin in the woods. Blake hates living there and is terrified of being alone, so she tells her brother she plans to get a dog for protection. Her brother invites her over and tells her that he has something for her. Blake thinks that he got her a dog, so she stops to pick up dog biscuits on the way to her brother’s home. She is quite surprised when she sees the sexy stranger in her brother’s home instead of the dog she was expecting. Blake quickly learns the real reason she was invited over and is less than thrilled at the idea of becoming a nanny. With few other options available to her, Blake agrees to take the job. As Blake and Morgan spend time together their attraction grows, and Blake begins to feel like a family. Can they ever be a true family with Morgan’s ex threatening to rip them apart?

This was a beautifully written, heartwarming story with wonderful characters. Morgan was strong, smart, and a doting single dad who would do anything to protect his daughter. Blake never thought that she would have a family of her own nor did she ever see herself as a nanny. She found herself falling for this man and his daughter and felt like she belonged. Morgan’s ex-wife was someone that deserved a slap. Oh my gosh, she was horrendous and self-centered. It was all about her appearance and making herself look good for the cameras regardless of who she hurt along the way. This was a rollercoaster ride of emotions for me as Morgan and Blake navigated the ups and downs in their relationship. I look forward to reading more by this author!

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Beyond Friendship (The Irresistible Series Book 3) by Marlyn Love – Review byTara Johnson Barnes

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Beyond Friendship (The Irresistible Series #3)Beyond Friendship by Marlyn Love
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Beyond Friendship is the third book in The Irresistible Series. It is a slow burn, friends to lovers, contemporary romance full of passion, chemistry, lies, secrets, betrayal, drama, angst, and sexual tension. The story centers around the characters of Brian and Amanda and is told from each of their POV. When Brian first meets Amanda, he is stunned by her beauty and feels an instant attraction to her. He jumps at the chance to play the hero and come to her rescue when he sees her receiving unwanted attention from a gentleman admirer. Amanda is instantly attracted to Brian and the chemistry between them is undeniable. However, as fate would have it Amanda is the sister of his best friend, so Brian puts her in the friend zone and tries to ignore his feelings for her. This might be for the best anyhow because Brian is notorious for having one-night stands with women but refuses to have anyone become close to him. He has very good reasons for not allowing anyone to get too close to him and has been harboring a secret for years that not even his best friends know about. Years go by and Brian and Amanda have been doing their best not to act on their attraction to one another. It is almost unbearable, but Brian feels it is for the best because of the secret he harbors. When his secret is revealed, Amanda stands by his side but is he too damaged for them to have a relationship?

This storyline was intriguing and sucked me in from the first few pages. Instantly I needed to know what would become of the attraction between Amanda and Brian. Would they fall into each other’s arms? Would she be just another one-night stand? Would his best friend be okay with the relationship? It was interesting to see how the tension between Amanda and Brian built and how he had enough respect for her to not follow through with his attraction to her. Then to learn that Brian had reasons for not wanting more than one-night stands with women. Initially, he comes across as a playboy who uses women and tosses them aside. It turns out there was far more to it than that and he guarded his heart closely for very valid reasons. Amanda was sweet, kind, smart, and very understanding when she learned of Brian’s secrets. I loved this slow-burn romance between the characters and how the relationship between them built over time. I look forward to reading more by this author.

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Shadow’s Fall (Shadowstalker Series Book 3) by Natalie Johanson – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Shadow's Fall (Shadowstalker Series Book 3)Shadow’s Fall by Natalie Johanson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Shadow’s Fall is Book Three in the Shadowstalker Series. Although it could possibly be read as a standalone, I recommend reading the other books in the series first. I started with the third book not realizing there were two other books prior to this one. I will be going back to read those ones and then rereading this one because it will make more sense knowing the full backstory. It is a YA fantasy story with action, suspense, mystery, intrigue, magic, drama, and danger. The story centers around the character of Rose who has become the newly appointed Chief of her clan. She is trying to deal with a lot of issues at once but at the top of her list is finding Gerik and stopping him from hurting anyone that she cares about. If anyone can possibly stop him, Rose can because she is smart, strong, fierce, and determined. As Rose sets off on her adventure King Micah returns to a world full of chaos and anger. He must try to find a way to turn things around and keep everyone happy. The two characters have their work cut out for them. The author creates a great story full of secrets, sacrifices, lies, magic, and adventure that keep you riveted until the end. Anxiously awaiting the next book in this series!

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Mr. Barsins’ Toy Emporium by Lois Wickstrom Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Mr. Barsins' Toy EmporiumMr. Barsins’ Toy Emporium by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Mr. Barsins’ Toy Emporium is a chapter book designed for children between the ages of eight to twelve years of age. This book is a fantasy story that follows the adventures of several children as they discover magic, adventure, excitement, and perhaps a bit of danger while exploring Mr. Barsins’ Toy Emporium. In a magical room hidden from view is a place where all four seasons exist at once. In this room is where the elementals live, and each child is allowed to adopt one as their friend. Four children end up at the emporium for different reasons and each discover adventures with their new imaginary friend. Soon they are caught up in the fantasy worlds of dragons, gnomes, mermaids, and sylphs. This was an entertaining and fun storyline with interesting characters. I loved the illustrations that were sprinkled throughout the book. Anxious to see what this author comes up with next!

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Wild For Me (The Balefire Series Book 3) by Tam DeRudder Jackson – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Wild For Me (Balefire, #3)Wild For Me by Tam DeRudder Jackson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wild For Me is Book Three in The Balefire series. It is a second chance, contemporary romance that centers around the characters of Annabelle and Dakota. We were introduced to them in previous books as secondary characters, but this book goes into their story. Annabelle has recently graduated from college and has been given the opportunity to do an internship with her favorite band, Balefire. The internship will allow her to gain admission to an MBA program that she wants to attend. The tricky part is that two years ago Annabelle slept with the lead guitarist, Dakota, of the band Balefire and she never expected to see him again. Dakota has slept with numerous women over the years and prides himself on never sleeping with the same woman twice. When he slept with Annabelle, he never expected to see her again, but he does find himself thinking about her and wondering how she feels about him. As fate would have it Annabelle and Dakota are brought together when a member of Balefire is about to get married to Annabelle’s best friend. The attraction and chemistry between Annabelle and Dakota is undeniable but she does not want to be accused of sleeping her way to the top. Dakota has a reputation for sleeping around so he must try to prove to Annabelle that he truly does care for her. The push and pull between the two becomes intense as Dakota and Annabelle navigate their feelings and attraction for one another.

This was another great book in this rockstar romance series. The characters of Dakota and Annabelle grew from what we read briefly in previous books. Annabelle is hardworking, smart, ambitious, and determined. She was attempting to explore her wild side when she slept with Dakota and never expected it to become anything more than her fulfilling a dream of hers. Afterwards, Annabelle put it behind her and focused on graduating college and pursuing her MBA. Dakota has a reputation for being wild, carefree, ambitious, and a bit of a jerk. He never expected any woman to make him feel the need to settle down and stop sleeping around until he met Annabelle. His fear of commitment stems from something traumatic in his past which enables us to better understand why Dakota acts the way he does. It was interesting to read and see how the chemistry would play out between Annabelle and Dakota and if there was any hope of a real, true relationship. I am looking forward to the next book in this series.

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A Death on Fools Lane (An Eve Sawyer Mystery) by Jane Suen – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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A Death on Fools Lane (Eve Sawyer Mystery #4)A Death on Fools Lane by Jane Suen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A Death on Fool’s Lane is Book Four in the Eve Sawyer Mystery series. It is a cozy mystery with action, suspense, drama, intrigue, secrets, lies, and crime. Although it could possibly be read as a standalone, I do highly recommend reading the first books in the series because they introduce you to the FMC and give her backstory. The story centers around the character of Eve Sawyer who is a college journalism student with the uncanny ability to find a good story. I love the character of Eve and was drawn to her in the first book in this series. She is smart, feisty, determined, strong, and brave. Eve is also a bit of an amateur sleuth who enjoys tracking clues and solving mysteries that may otherwise go unsolved. When Eve and her friends decided to spend the Christmas holidays together house-sitting for her friend Cassie’s aunt the last thing, they expected was to be awakened to the police knocking at the door. As they soon discover a retired police detective and his retired cadaver dog have discovered a dead man hanging from the tree in the backyard of Cassie’s aunt’s house. Now Eve and her friends must determine who this man is and why he is there. They must also try to figure out if this man’s death was a murder or a suicide. As they try to unravel the clues, they discover that someone is not keen on the mystery being solved and danger lurks around every corner for Eve and her friends. The ensuing investigation takes some twists and turns that kept me guessing and that grabbed my attention until the very end. I highly recommend this book!

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Gumshoe Goes To A Quinceanera (Gumshoe Mysteries Book 2) by Laura Hawks – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Gumshoe Goes To A Quinceanera (Gumshoe Mysteries Book 2)Gumshoe Goes To A Quinceanera by Laura Hawks
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Gumshoe Goes To A Quinceneara is the second book in the Gumshoe Mysteries series. It is a YA cozy mystery that continues with the adventures of Mia and her sidekick Gumshoe. If you have not yet read the first book, I highly recommend that you do. It introduces the characters of Mia and Gumshoe, gives their backstory, and how they met. This time around the two are trying to find a murderer before he ruins her friend Tiffany’s quinceneara. Mia and Gumshoe come face to face with the sinister world of corruption as they track the clues.

This was another great book in this series with a fast-paced and intriguing storyline. I fell in love with the characters of Mia and Gumshoe in the first book. I love the relationship that Mia and Gumshoe have and got a chuckle out of the banter between them. This book had action, mystery, murder, mayhem, magic, suspense, drama, and twists and turns that hook you until the end. I highly recommend this book!

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Gumshoe And The Mysterious Mushrooms (Gumshoe Mysteries Book 1) by Laura Hawks – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Gumshoe And The Mysterious Mushrooms (Gumshoe Mysteries #1)Gumshoe And The Mysterious Mushrooms by Laura Hawks
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Gumshoe and the Mysterious Mushrooms is the first book in the Gumshoe Mysteries series. It is a YA cozy mystery for thirteen- to eighteen-year-olds. The story centers around the character of a young girl named Mia who discovers at the age of fifteen that not only is she a witch but that the stray cat she has been feeding behind her family restaurant is her familiar. The cat likes to be called Gumshoe because he recalls a former life where he was a Private Investigator, referred to as gumshoes in those days. Mia has always known that she can sense things before they happen but it all suddenly makes sense when she learns that she is a witch. When customers who ate at her parent’s restaurant suddenly become violently ill, Mia and Gumshoe set out to solve the mystery of the mushrooms that are reportedly the culprit. Danger lurks around every corner as Mia and Gumshoe start to unravel the mystery of who is responsible for the poisonings.

I loved this storyline and adored the characters of Mia and Gumshoe. Mia is smart, sweet, kind, and talented. She is a talented up and coming chef and loves cooking. Gumshoe makes for a perfect sidekick for Mia. He is clever, funny, wise-cracking, and as one would expect from a PI, he loves to drink and smoke. Together the two are unstoppable and able to crack the clues to solve the mystery. This book is a quick read and takes some twists and turns along the way. It has action, suspense, mystery, magic, familiars, and witty banter. I really enjoyed the ending where Mia helps Gumshoe remember more about his past. The recipes included at the end were a fantastic touch, thank you. I look forward to reading more by this author!

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Born to Die (The McIntire County Series Book 2) by Winter Austin – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Born to Die (The McIntire County Series: #2)Born to Die by Winter Austin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Born To Die is the second book in The McIntire County Series. It is a gripping romantic suspense book that centers around the character of Detective Cassy Rivers. We first met Cassy in Atonement, the prequel to this book. If you have not yet read the first book, I highly recommend that you do as there are details that will overlap. Cassy is the sister to Nic Rivers who was the main character in the prequel, Atonement. She is still dealing with the aftermath of barely escaping from her life two years ago. Now faced with the tragic death of a fellow officer and a string of robberies she must ask the help of her ex against her best wishes. This man broke her heart and has left her with trust issues. What she does not realize is that her ex, Boyce, had very good reasons for doing so. As Boyce and Cassy work side by side the attraction between them grows and things heat up in more way than one.

This book was another well written story with a strong female character who persevered and battled through her own demons. The relationship between her and Boyce was an interesting dynamic that kept me reading so I could see how it all played out. The two clearly had feelings for each other but because of how it ended, Cassy had trust issues. Boyce had his reasons for leaving and did so to protect her, but she still felt betrayed. This book had action, suspense, drama, lies, secrets, betrayals, passion, and romance. I look forward to reading the next book in this fantastic series!

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Cruel Love (Hidden Valley Elite Book 6) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Cruel Love (Hidden Valley Elite #6)Cruel Love by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Cruel Love is Book Six in the Hidden Valley Elite series. This book continues with Aspen and Phoenix’s story, so I highly recommend reading the books Cruel Start and Cruel Hate prior to reading this one. Without reading those books prior to this one you will not understand the characters or their backstory. The story starts with a bang that will immediately draw you into the story and hook you until the end. After a horrific car accident Phoenix was hospitalized and is suffering from memory loss. He wakes up to discover a beautiful blonde girl by his bedside but has no recollection of who she is. Phoenix not only does not know who Aspen is but has no memory that he is the father to her unborn baby. In his mind Phoenix is only fourteen years old and has suffered a head injury incurred during a football game. Aspen is devastated that Phoenix does not remember her or that she is pregnant with his child. She fears that she will be left to raise their baby on her own. Everyone is walking on eggshells around Phoenix for fear that they will set his recovery back, but Aspen does not want to hide the pregnancy from him. The car accident has changed the entire dynamic of their relationship and complicates matters even farther. Will Phoenix remember who Aspen is? Will Aspen be left to raise their baby on her own?

This story immediately drew me in from the first few pages and kept me riveted until the end. Phoenix risked his life to save the lives of Aspen and their unborn child. In doing so, the accident has left him suffering from amnesia and he no longer knows who Aspen is or that she is pregnant with his child. It was an interesting dynamic as both Phoenix and Aspen’s lives were changed by that fateful accident. Phoenix wakes up a different person than the bully he was before. Aspen fears setting back his recovery but eventually her pregnancy will be noticeable and will be impossible to hide. Both characters are forced to make some difficult choices and navigate through numerous challenges as they fight for themselves and their unborn child. It was an intense rollercoaster ride of love, loss, tragedy, unplanned pregnancy, drama, lust, passion, secrets, lies, betrayal, angst, and drama galore. I highly recommend this book!

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The Hand of God: From Oppenheimer to Hypersonics by Paul McCarthy – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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The Hand of God: From Oppenheimer to Hypersonics - A Crash Course on Nuclear Weapons and Humankind's Most Dangerous GameThe Hand of God: From Oppenheimer to Hypersonics – A Crash Course on Nuclear Weapons and Humankind’s Most Dangerous Game by Paul McCarthy
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Hand of God: From Oppenheimer to Hypersonics is a fast-paced, insightful, and detailed look into nuclear weapons. The author does a fantastic job of describing what a nuclear weapon is, the science behind them, and a bit of the history of their development. From the basic science of what an atom is and how it became weaponized to the politics involved in the use of nuclear weapons and the dangers of them. The book is well written, easy to read, and informative. It is written in a manner that is easy to follow and could easily be understood by anyone. It is a real eye opener of the dangers of nuclear weapons and how easily they could be used to eradicate life as we know it. It was humbling, terrifying, sobering, and thought provoking. Not a book that I would typically read but I am glad that I did.

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Daring Ceri (True Platinum Rock Star Romance Series Book 6) by Morgana Bevan – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Daring Ceri (True Platinum #6)Daring Ceri by Morgana Bevan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Daring Ceri is Book Six in the True Platinum Rock Star Romance Series. It is a second chance, rockstar romance full of love, loss, lust, betrayal, angst, and passion. The story centers around the characters of Ceri and Alex who went their separate ways years earlier. Alex’s band was on the verge of becoming famous and he broke it off with Ceris so he would not be cheating on her. Ceri was heartbroken over this but after years apart she has finally found someone and is about to become married. However, things get a bit tricky when she discovers that she is somehow legally married to Alex after a drunken wedding ceremony in Fuji years ago. Now she must find Alex and get divorce papers signed. When Alex sees Ceri he regrets breaking up with her and wants to win her back. He tells her to return to his band as their backup dancer for one tour and if she has no feelings for him, they can go their separate ways. The ensuing journey is a rough one as Alex tries to prove his love and loyalty to Ceri who is determined to not have him break her heart for a second time. No matter how hard she tries to fight it though, Ceri is inexplicably drawn to Alex. This was a steamy second chance romance that hooked me from the first pages and had me reading until the end.

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Lucky Break (Trentbridge Tales Book 2) by Lee Wood – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Lucky Break (Trentbridge Tales #2)Lucky Break by Lee Wood
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Lucky Break is the second book in the Trentbridge Tales series. It is a British crime thriller full of action, suspense, mystery, murder, intrigue, deception, art, danger, secrets, and lies. Although it can easily be read as a standalone, I do recommend reading the first book because some of the characters overlap. The book brings back Detective Sheldon whom we met in the first book. James Sheldon is now working as a Private Investigator who has been asked to prove the innocence of the main suspect in a murder at the Albion Hotel. The murder involves a man who seems to have had several lucky breaks in the art world that have amassed him millions of dollars. Unfortunately, his luck ran out and he ended up dead. Now it is up to PI Sheldon to solve his murder. He is smart, feisty, and determined to solve the case. As PI Sheldon digs into the case and unravels the clues, he discovers an unlikely murder suspect who has been hiding right under his nose the whole time. The case takes some unexpected twists and turns that makes the book impossible to put down. Anxiously awaiting the next book in this amazing series!

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What We Never Say (Bold Journeys Book 2) by Paulette Stout – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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What We Never Say: Bold Journeys Book TwoWhat We Never Say: Bold Journeys Book Two by Paulette Stout
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What We Never Say is the second book in the Bold Journeys series. This book picks up where book one left off so if you have not read the first book, I highly recommend that you do, or you may not understand the characters and their backstory. This story centers around Rebecca and Kyle who have now moved in together. Rebecca has a blog that is gaining in popularity and is asked by a major magazine to write a story. When Kyle finds out he is rightfully upset because he used to model for the magazine and was sexually assaulted by the magazine editor. It is a dark part of his past that was so traumatic for him that he tried to bury it and forget it. However, he is now forced to confront his past and come forward with what happened. When he tells Rebecca she is less than understanding and chooses to go forward with writing the article because it will be good for her career. Will Rebecca and Kyle be able to overcome this part of his past and move forward?

The author did a realistic job of approaching the difficult and sensitive topic of sexual assault on men. This is a topic that garners a lot of attention and support for women who have been sexually assaulted but there is little to no discussion about sexual assault on men. Due to embarrassment men keep this to themselves and do not seek help for fear of not being believed or being ridiculed. Rebecca’s reaction and lack of support towards Kyle’s dark past is one of the reasons men do not come forward. After reading the first book I knew that Rebecca was coming from a place of low self-esteem and was just discovering herself. She was coming into her own, trying to find her place in the world, and take control of her own life. At the same time Rebecca’s lack of empathy and support towards Kyle’s painful past should have been a deal breaker for their relationship. Kyle should have walked away but it was easy to see that he, too, had self esteem issues. It was a very complicated situation for both Rebecca and Kyle as they tried to navigate through Kyle’s traumatic experience. This book had love, hope, angst, despair, secrets, lies, betrayal, and sensitive subject matter.

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