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Love and Punishment
Susan Mac Nicol
2022 Finalist
294 Pages
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Romance - Suspense
Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite
Love and Punishment by Susan Mac Nicol is a suspenseful romance novel with a serial killer on the loose and taunting the authorities to catch him if they can. Detective Anthony Parglietto had his work cut out for him by the Bow-Tie Killer who seemed to enjoy Anthony’s misery. The serial killer would rape, torture, and kill his victims and leave a bow-tie around their necks to mark them as his kills. Flynn Parker, an investigative reporter, has made it known that he would like to tell the serial killer’s story. So the killer kidnaps him but lets him go. After that, he leaves a series of emails for Flynn to figure out who the serial killer is and not to share the information with Anthony, or there would be consequences. As the killer stays one step ahead of the two of them, things start to get dangerous. Somehow, Flynn and Anthony need to figure out the clues before it is too late.
I love a good mystery filled with suspense and plenty of action. Anthony and Flynn make a great couple and partners. While things aren’t going their way from the start, they make it work. In the beginning, I thought Flynn was foolish to invite BTK like that, but that was such a good turn of events by the author. Susan Mac Nicol did a fantastic job with building the story up, making readers invest in the story and surprise them with twists after twists. The character development is brilliant, the plot is outstanding, and the pace is perfect. There is never a dull moment in Love and Punishment. Something is happening on every page, and I love that. I would highly recommend this novel to LGBTQ romance fans!
Love and Punishment by Susan Mac Nicol is a suspenseful romance novel with a serial killer on the loose and taunting the authorities to catch him if they can. Detective Anthony Parglietto had his work cut out for him by the Bow-Tie Killer who seemed to enjoy Anthony’s misery. The serial killer would rape, torture, and kill his victims and leave a bow-tie around their necks to mark them as his kills. Flynn Parker, an investigative reporter, has made it known that he would like to tell the serial killer’s story. So the killer kidnaps him but lets him go. After that, he leaves a series of emails for Flynn to figure out who the serial killer is and not to share the information with Anthony, or there would be consequences. As the killer stays one step ahead of the two of them, things start to get dangerous. Somehow, Flynn and Anthony need to figure out the clues before it is too late.
I love a good mystery filled with suspense and plenty of action. Anthony and Flynn make a great couple and partners. While things aren’t going their way from the start, they make it work. In the beginning, I thought Flynn was foolish to invite BTK like that, but that was such a good turn of events by the author. Susan Mac Nicol did a fantastic job with building the story up, making readers invest in the story and surprise them with twists after twists. The character development is brilliant, the plot is outstanding, and the pace is perfect. There is never a dull moment in Love and Punishment. Something is happening on every page, and I love that. I would highly recommend this novel to LGBTQ romance fans!
Recommend this book:
 by JB Schroeder focuses on Charlie and Mitch’s relationship, and the missing Ian Cross. After a stressful questioning by the district attorney, Charlie doesn’t feel confident enough to face her past with Thomas Weihle. The man had caused her emotional and physical trauma and as a result, she did not trust anyone...){kind=link}
Trapped
Retrieval, Inc. Book 2
JB Schroeder
2022 Honorable Mention
338 Pages
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Romance - Suspense
Reviewed by Stephanie Chapman for Readers' Favorite
Trapped (Retrieval, Inc. Book 2) by JB Schroeder focuses on Charlie and Mitch’s relationship, and the missing Ian Cross. After a stressful questioning by the district attorney, Charlie doesn’t feel confident enough to face her past with Thomas Weihle. The man had caused her emotional and physical trauma and as a result, she did not trust anyone. Mitch tries to reach her but discovers she has run off without telling anyone. Charlie was volunteering in a soup kitchen when Stephen Cross enters and asks if his son Ian had shown up there as he had disappeared mysteriously. Charlie knew Ian was a recovering addict and she suggested that Stephen bring in Mitch as a private investigator. Mitch knew she would not commit to salvaging their relationship when she called for his help. Where is Ian? How much trouble has he gotten into or is he still alive?
JB Schroeder makes a dynamic plot come alive with an immense amount of conflict. I understood why Charlie lacked trust in people, as anyone suffering from the psychological effects of abuse would. However, the way she used her past as an excuse to hurt others was selfish. Mitch went above and beyond to be supportive and understanding. His career as a private investigator was just starting, and he considered her feelings regarding his work. Stephen Cross appeared to be a concerned father, but why he was not forthcoming with important information was appalling. As the story progressed, I didn’t know if Ian could survive his ordeal or if Charlie would open up her life to Mitch. The suspense intensified as the danger became imminent, and I couldn’t stop turning the pages. The cliffhanger conclusion came out of the left field, as I had not expected any unresolved issues. I recommend Trapped for readers who enjoy suspenseful stories presented from the viewpoints of several well-developed characters.
Trapped (Retrieval, Inc. Book 2) by JB Schroeder focuses on Charlie and Mitch’s relationship, and the missing Ian Cross. After a stressful questioning by the district attorney, Charlie doesn’t feel confident enough to face her past with Thomas Weihle. The man had caused her emotional and physical trauma and as a result, she did not trust anyone. Mitch tries to reach her but discovers she has run off without telling anyone. Charlie was volunteering in a soup kitchen when Stephen Cross enters and asks if his son Ian had shown up there as he had disappeared mysteriously. Charlie knew Ian was a recovering addict and she suggested that Stephen bring in Mitch as a private investigator. Mitch knew she would not commit to salvaging their relationship when she called for his help. Where is Ian? How much trouble has he gotten into or is he still alive?
JB Schroeder makes a dynamic plot come alive with an immense amount of conflict. I understood why Charlie lacked trust in people, as anyone suffering from the psychological effects of abuse would. However, the way she used her past as an excuse to hurt others was selfish. Mitch went above and beyond to be supportive and understanding. His career as a private investigator was just starting, and he considered her feelings regarding his work. Stephen Cross appeared to be a concerned father, but why he was not forthcoming with important information was appalling. As the story progressed, I didn’t know if Ian could survive his ordeal or if Charlie would open up her life to Mitch. The suspense intensified as the danger became imminent, and I couldn’t stop turning the pages. The cliffhanger conclusion came out of the left field, as I had not expected any unresolved issues. I recommend Trapped for readers who enjoy suspenseful stories presented from the viewpoints of several well-developed characters.
Recommend this book:
Broken
K.M. Harding
2022 Bronze Medal
381 Pages
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Romance - Suspense
Reviewed by Rylanne Burdette for Readers' Favorite
Dani has lived through horrors that nobody should have to experience, and she exists apart from everyone else because of it. She is missing her memory from several major years of her life, and she doesn’t expect to ever get them back. Dani lives by herself, works a couple of jobs, and has a passion for music, but getting close to people is not something she enjoys or excels in. But when she meets Damien, she slowly feels herself connecting with him despite her initial reaction to their attraction. However, when something happens that brings glimpses of Dani’s memories back, she’s shocked at what her life looked like before. Will she and Damien be able to survive what happened, or will her past catch up to her once again? Broken by K.M. Harding is a romance that dives deep into grief, loss, and healing.
Romance is one of my favorite genres, and I’m so glad I had the opportunity to read this book. The plot and characters sucked me in from the start, and I couldn’t wait to see the story develop. The random second-person comments scattered throughout Broken caused a bit of disconnection for me, but it wasn’t enough to completely take away my curiosity about Dani and Damien’s relationship. The plot twist between them came out of nowhere and truly shocked me; I really liked it! Overall, I would recommend Broken by K.M. Harding to readers who enjoy romances that lean toward the darker side. This was a captivating book full of suspense, action, and great chemistry between two wonderful characters.
Dani has lived through horrors that nobody should have to experience, and she exists apart from everyone else because of it. She is missing her memory from several major years of her life, and she doesn’t expect to ever get them back. Dani lives by herself, works a couple of jobs, and has a passion for music, but getting close to people is not something she enjoys or excels in. But when she meets Damien, she slowly feels herself connecting with him despite her initial reaction to their attraction. However, when something happens that brings glimpses of Dani’s memories back, she’s shocked at what her life looked like before. Will she and Damien be able to survive what happened, or will her past catch up to her once again? Broken by K.M. Harding is a romance that dives deep into grief, loss, and healing.
Romance is one of my favorite genres, and I’m so glad I had the opportunity to read this book. The plot and characters sucked me in from the start, and I couldn’t wait to see the story develop. The random second-person comments scattered throughout Broken caused a bit of disconnection for me, but it wasn’t enough to completely take away my curiosity about Dani and Damien’s relationship. The plot twist between them came out of nowhere and truly shocked me; I really liked it! Overall, I would recommend Broken by K.M. Harding to readers who enjoy romances that lean toward the darker side. This was a captivating book full of suspense, action, and great chemistry between two wonderful characters.
Recommend this book:
Ghosts in Sunlight
Book 1 - Marian and Marc
Gretta Curran Browne
2022 Silver Medal
311 Pages
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Romance - Suspense
Reviewed by Masha A. M. for Readers' Favorite
Ghosts in Sunlight by Gretta Curran Browne is an intense love story. It follows the lives of Marian and Marc, two young souls who meet each other unexpectedly. Marian is working in a restaurant when Marc arrives as a customer with his friend Jimmy. Marian and Marc are soon preoccupied with each other and before long they develop a passionate love. However, there are a lot of obstacles in their way. In a flashback to an earlier timeline, another character (Jacqueline) is shown as an inquisitive young girl during World War II who does everything in her power to protect her beloved France as a part of the Resistance.
I enjoyed reading this marvelous story. Gretta Curran Browne has a way with words, envisioning such intense love. I adored the characters, especially Marian, who was a helpless soul at the beginning and couldn't find a way forward for herself. The meeting between Marian and Marc is described astoundingly. I liked the plot of Ghosts in Sunlight, the steady way the story was developed, and the descriptions of the characters. The pacing is right, and the timeline of the setting is perfect for the plot. Seeing 20th century France lit up the story and my emotions just welled up. I felt intense sympathy for the group fighting for their freedom, their patriotism, and their love for their country. It was so incredible. I highly recommend this interesting, stirring novel.
Ghosts in Sunlight by Gretta Curran Browne is an intense love story. It follows the lives of Marian and Marc, two young souls who meet each other unexpectedly. Marian is working in a restaurant when Marc arrives as a customer with his friend Jimmy. Marian and Marc are soon preoccupied with each other and before long they develop a passionate love. However, there are a lot of obstacles in their way. In a flashback to an earlier timeline, another character (Jacqueline) is shown as an inquisitive young girl during World War II who does everything in her power to protect her beloved France as a part of the Resistance.
I enjoyed reading this marvelous story. Gretta Curran Browne has a way with words, envisioning such intense love. I adored the characters, especially Marian, who was a helpless soul at the beginning and couldn't find a way forward for herself. The meeting between Marian and Marc is described astoundingly. I liked the plot of Ghosts in Sunlight, the steady way the story was developed, and the descriptions of the characters. The pacing is right, and the timeline of the setting is perfect for the plot. Seeing 20th century France lit up the story and my emotions just welled up. I felt intense sympathy for the group fighting for their freedom, their patriotism, and their love for their country. It was so incredible. I highly recommend this interesting, stirring novel.
Recommend this book:
Shadow in the Mountain
Shadow SEALs
KaLyn Cooper
2022 Gold Medal
294 Pages
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Romance - Suspense
Reviewed by Jennifer Ibiam for Readers' Favorite
Former Navy SEAL Ryker Tufano and his teammates went to Ethiopia on a mission. They walked into an ambush that wiped out the troop. Ryker suffered survivor’s guilt and drowned himself in alcohol because not only did he lose his brothers, but he was also dishonorably discharged from the Navy. A stranger called out of the blue to tell him that his brothers in arms were alive. It was all a setup, and he swore vengeance. Ryker returned to Ethiopia, where he teamed up with Xena Riggs for the rescue. Sparks flew between Ryker and Xena, but she had a secret that put him in his present predicament. Will Xena’s secret ruin their budding passion? Can they save the captured SEALs? Shadow in the Mountain by KaLyn Cooper has all the details.
Shadow in the Mountain by KaLyn Cooper is the fourth book in the Shadow SEALs series, a blend of action, drama, and romance. This novel deserves a place on the big screen and I loved the brilliant plot and unique cast of characters. The development was also fantastic, capturing me every step of the way. Working for the government in sensitive capacities is a harrowing adventure because the more you look, the less you see. The higher-ups use people as pawns to further their agendas and ruin lives. It’s pathetic. Xena was my favorite character in this book. She combined vibes from Tomb Raider’s Lara Croft and Colombiana’s Cataliya to give me full-time action. I loved the fast pace and KaLyn’s writing style, which was easy to follow. Do Serena and Ajax have a story? They deserve one. Thank you for a beautiful book.
Former Navy SEAL Ryker Tufano and his teammates went to Ethiopia on a mission. They walked into an ambush that wiped out the troop. Ryker suffered survivor’s guilt and drowned himself in alcohol because not only did he lose his brothers, but he was also dishonorably discharged from the Navy. A stranger called out of the blue to tell him that his brothers in arms were alive. It was all a setup, and he swore vengeance. Ryker returned to Ethiopia, where he teamed up with Xena Riggs for the rescue. Sparks flew between Ryker and Xena, but she had a secret that put him in his present predicament. Will Xena’s secret ruin their budding passion? Can they save the captured SEALs? Shadow in the Mountain by KaLyn Cooper has all the details.
Shadow in the Mountain by KaLyn Cooper is the fourth book in the Shadow SEALs series, a blend of action, drama, and romance. This novel deserves a place on the big screen and I loved the brilliant plot and unique cast of characters. The development was also fantastic, capturing me every step of the way. Working for the government in sensitive capacities is a harrowing adventure because the more you look, the less you see. The higher-ups use people as pawns to further their agendas and ruin lives. It’s pathetic. Xena was my favorite character in this book. She combined vibes from Tomb Raider’s Lara Croft and Colombiana’s Cataliya to give me full-time action. I loved the fast pace and KaLyn’s writing style, which was easy to follow. Do Serena and Ajax have a story? They deserve one. Thank you for a beautiful book.
Recommend this book:
In Plain Sight
Ashley A Quinn
2021 Finalist
266 Pages
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Romance - Suspense
Reviewed by Stephanie Chapman for Readers' Favorite
In Plain Sight is the intriguing story of what kindness can do for the less fortunate. Ashley A. Quinn introduces Rayna, picking vegetables when she finds Mason. The boy had been beaten, burned, and was severely dehydrated. Rayna offers to help him, but Mason refuses to go to the hospital or police. Rayna calls her ex-boyfriend Thomas, a veterinarian, to assist her in treating Mason’s injuries. When they finally earn his trust, Mason tells them that he was being held captive by human traffickers that prostituted underage children. He reveals that there are at least five other children held captive by the “Smiths.” Rayna and Thomas bring in close friends and convince Mason to lead them back to the house he escaped from. Upon reaching the property, they find a clue revealing there are a lot more people involved in the human trafficking ring.
Ashley A. Quinn wrote a story filled with conflicts and conditions that would be daunting to normal people. Rayna’s naivety makes her trust others too easily. Her past relationships have caused her a lot of grief, including the feeling of abandonment when Thomas pursued veterinary school instead of marrying her. I could imagine the tension that filled the room when Rayna attempted to avoid Thomas while Mason was present. There were moments when I wanted to shake her and tell her to reconcile her differences with him. Thomas was deliberate in his actions, and I could tell he felt remorse for ending their relationship on bad terms. Couple the relationship problems with an illegal child trafficking ring and the complicated plot develops quickly. I understood Mason’s problem with trusting people, especially when he refused to go to the police by telling Rayna, “They will just send me back.” It made me wonder how many times he had tried to ask for help but was ignored. In Plain Sight is a very fast read, with constant changes in personal and professional relationships. Although the ending was more involved with social issues than I originally anticipated, it provided an excellent closing. Due to the sensitive subject, I recommend this book to adults who like romance novels with a touch of danger.
In Plain Sight is the intriguing story of what kindness can do for the less fortunate. Ashley A. Quinn introduces Rayna, picking vegetables when she finds Mason. The boy had been beaten, burned, and was severely dehydrated. Rayna offers to help him, but Mason refuses to go to the hospital or police. Rayna calls her ex-boyfriend Thomas, a veterinarian, to assist her in treating Mason’s injuries. When they finally earn his trust, Mason tells them that he was being held captive by human traffickers that prostituted underage children. He reveals that there are at least five other children held captive by the “Smiths.” Rayna and Thomas bring in close friends and convince Mason to lead them back to the house he escaped from. Upon reaching the property, they find a clue revealing there are a lot more people involved in the human trafficking ring.
Ashley A. Quinn wrote a story filled with conflicts and conditions that would be daunting to normal people. Rayna’s naivety makes her trust others too easily. Her past relationships have caused her a lot of grief, including the feeling of abandonment when Thomas pursued veterinary school instead of marrying her. I could imagine the tension that filled the room when Rayna attempted to avoid Thomas while Mason was present. There were moments when I wanted to shake her and tell her to reconcile her differences with him. Thomas was deliberate in his actions, and I could tell he felt remorse for ending their relationship on bad terms. Couple the relationship problems with an illegal child trafficking ring and the complicated plot develops quickly. I understood Mason’s problem with trusting people, especially when he refused to go to the police by telling Rayna, “They will just send me back.” It made me wonder how many times he had tried to ask for help but was ignored. In Plain Sight is a very fast read, with constant changes in personal and professional relationships. Although the ending was more involved with social issues than I originally anticipated, it provided an excellent closing. Due to the sensitive subject, I recommend this book to adults who like romance novels with a touch of danger.
Recommend this book:
Take My Heart
A Romantic Suspense Novel
J. J. Sorel
2021 Honorable Mention
299 Pages
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Romance - Suspense
Reviewed by Stephanie Chapman for Readers' Favorite
J.J. Sorel's Take My Heart is a romance novel with a twist. Ava Rose has taken a job caring for an elderly woman in the evenings. Agatha proves to be an unfiltered, martini-drinking, smoking, Wuthering Heights fan. Ava looks forward to her evenings with Agatha and ends up discussing her love life. Justin didn't fit the bill for love, but her mother insisted she should marry for money rather than for love. Then Justin's stepbrother enters the picture with revenge on his mind. Bronson had an ulterior motive when he went after Ava but finds himself completely infatuated with her. After spending the night with Bronson, Ava discovers the journal he had written to get revenge against Justin.
Take My Heart isn't an average romance novel. J.J. Sorel has crafted suspense and mystery into this intense, passion-filled story. The amount of drama balances well with the steamy scenes, making the book hard to put down. Agatha was funny with how forward and unfiltered her comments were. I could imagine the little old lady sipping martinis, smoking cigarettes, and retelling her life in tantalizing detail while modest Ava sat there blushing. The parallels between Ava and Bronson with regard to Agatha's tale of her romance with Monty are discernible. The ending of the book is completely unpredictable and adds to the mysterious events that occurred that Ava couldn't predict. This steamy, suspense novel is a 5-star novel I would recommend for fans of gothic romances. The characters are sure to entertain, the dialogue is engaging, and the plot is well-developed. My favorite feature of the book was the multiple storylines being blended together and the uncertainty of Ava's decisions affecting all of them. I have read this book twice, and it never failed to hold my attention.
J.J. Sorel's Take My Heart is a romance novel with a twist. Ava Rose has taken a job caring for an elderly woman in the evenings. Agatha proves to be an unfiltered, martini-drinking, smoking, Wuthering Heights fan. Ava looks forward to her evenings with Agatha and ends up discussing her love life. Justin didn't fit the bill for love, but her mother insisted she should marry for money rather than for love. Then Justin's stepbrother enters the picture with revenge on his mind. Bronson had an ulterior motive when he went after Ava but finds himself completely infatuated with her. After spending the night with Bronson, Ava discovers the journal he had written to get revenge against Justin.
Take My Heart isn't an average romance novel. J.J. Sorel has crafted suspense and mystery into this intense, passion-filled story. The amount of drama balances well with the steamy scenes, making the book hard to put down. Agatha was funny with how forward and unfiltered her comments were. I could imagine the little old lady sipping martinis, smoking cigarettes, and retelling her life in tantalizing detail while modest Ava sat there blushing. The parallels between Ava and Bronson with regard to Agatha's tale of her romance with Monty are discernible. The ending of the book is completely unpredictable and adds to the mysterious events that occurred that Ava couldn't predict. This steamy, suspense novel is a 5-star novel I would recommend for fans of gothic romances. The characters are sure to entertain, the dialogue is engaging, and the plot is well-developed. My favorite feature of the book was the multiple storylines being blended together and the uncertainty of Ava's decisions affecting all of them. I have read this book twice, and it never failed to hold my attention.
Recommend this book:
Chasing Arlo
Genoa Mafia Series
Ginger Ring
2021 Bronze Medal
265 Pages
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Romance - Suspense
Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite
Chasing Arlo is a crime romance novel written by Ginger Ring. Layla is the oldest daughter of mob boss Bruno Rinaldi and heir to the Rinaldi empire. Arlo Brunetti is a soldier for the Caponelli family, who works as a bodyguard for his best friend and heir to the Caponelli fortune, Roman Caponelli. Since her teenage years, Layla has a deep crush on Arlo. While Arlo reciprocates her feelings, he never acts upon them due to the class divide between the two. Circumstances change when Fedor Dubnikov of the Bratva pursues Layla's hand in marriage and, after being rejected, bombs a party involving the Rinaldis and Caponellis. Arlo and Layla must now find a way to be together amidst a war with the Bratva, which threatens to destroy everything they hope for.
Author Ginger Ring's tale of star-crossed lovers feels like a hybrid between Romeo and Juliet and The Godfather. Chasing Arlo is a love story set against the backdrop of warring mafia families. Filled with romance and political intrigue, the plot moves at a brisk pace using two POV characters in Arlo and Layla. You spend time in their headspace, and their relationship forms the backbone of the narrative. Apart from the back and forth between Arlo and Layla, I also enjoyed Arlo's brotherly dynamic with the Caponelli family heir, Roman. The twists and turns feel organic, keeping you immersed in the story. Overall, I enjoyed Chasing Arlo. I will recommend it to readers who enjoy love stories and crime novels.
Chasing Arlo is a crime romance novel written by Ginger Ring. Layla is the oldest daughter of mob boss Bruno Rinaldi and heir to the Rinaldi empire. Arlo Brunetti is a soldier for the Caponelli family, who works as a bodyguard for his best friend and heir to the Caponelli fortune, Roman Caponelli. Since her teenage years, Layla has a deep crush on Arlo. While Arlo reciprocates her feelings, he never acts upon them due to the class divide between the two. Circumstances change when Fedor Dubnikov of the Bratva pursues Layla's hand in marriage and, after being rejected, bombs a party involving the Rinaldis and Caponellis. Arlo and Layla must now find a way to be together amidst a war with the Bratva, which threatens to destroy everything they hope for.
Author Ginger Ring's tale of star-crossed lovers feels like a hybrid between Romeo and Juliet and The Godfather. Chasing Arlo is a love story set against the backdrop of warring mafia families. Filled with romance and political intrigue, the plot moves at a brisk pace using two POV characters in Arlo and Layla. You spend time in their headspace, and their relationship forms the backbone of the narrative. Apart from the back and forth between Arlo and Layla, I also enjoyed Arlo's brotherly dynamic with the Caponelli family heir, Roman. The twists and turns feel organic, keeping you immersed in the story. Overall, I enjoyed Chasing Arlo. I will recommend it to readers who enjoy love stories and crime novels.
Recommend this book:
More of Us to the West
Adrift
Trinity Dunn
2021 Silver Medal
544 Pages
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Romance - Suspense
Reviewed by Stephanie Chapman for Readers' Favorite
As her plane crashes into the Pacific Ocean, Alaina Grace can only think of her husband Chris. Trinity Dunn’s More of Us To The West chronicles Alaina’s struggle to survive and her hopes of keeping her marriage alive. After days of floating in dark waters with nine other survivors, several of whom are gravely injured, land appears in the distance. Alaina’s relief is brief as she inwardly mourns the loss of her husband. She doesn’t trust anyone to understand her pain, especially with the company of the survivors that all came from a background of money. Jack, a star from her childhood, pushes her buttons and nicknames her “Red” despite knowing her annnoyance at the name. As the story continues on, flashbacks of her romance with her husband fill her mind, but the hope of seeing him again slips away. She becomes infatuated with Jack, and begins to feel as though she has developed a family with Lilly, Jim, and the others.
I was immediately drawn into More Of Us To The West. Every personality detail of the characters flowed to where I could envision them. From Jim’s Oklahoma accent and odd sayings, Lilly’s princess actions, and Isobel’s innate ability to understand complex issues despite being deaf made the story come alive. Trinity Dunn created an island paradise for me to wish I was there with them. I couldn’t put this book down with the suspense of whether they would be rescued, or if being stranded on the island was preferable to what may have been occurring around the world. The plane crash happened for no apparent reason, there are no other inhabitants on the island, and the missing satellites in the sky were all included in several conspiracy theories each person had. I couldn’t decide which one to follow because they all were believable. The dialogue seemed to be natural and realistic. The cliffhanger ending nearly killed me. I desperately need to read the sequel in the series. This is a very emotional story, and I caution anybody who chooses to read this epic tale to keep tissues nearby. A 5-star story that will have you falling in love with every character. I highly recommend this book.
As her plane crashes into the Pacific Ocean, Alaina Grace can only think of her husband Chris. Trinity Dunn’s More of Us To The West chronicles Alaina’s struggle to survive and her hopes of keeping her marriage alive. After days of floating in dark waters with nine other survivors, several of whom are gravely injured, land appears in the distance. Alaina’s relief is brief as she inwardly mourns the loss of her husband. She doesn’t trust anyone to understand her pain, especially with the company of the survivors that all came from a background of money. Jack, a star from her childhood, pushes her buttons and nicknames her “Red” despite knowing her annnoyance at the name. As the story continues on, flashbacks of her romance with her husband fill her mind, but the hope of seeing him again slips away. She becomes infatuated with Jack, and begins to feel as though she has developed a family with Lilly, Jim, and the others.
I was immediately drawn into More Of Us To The West. Every personality detail of the characters flowed to where I could envision them. From Jim’s Oklahoma accent and odd sayings, Lilly’s princess actions, and Isobel’s innate ability to understand complex issues despite being deaf made the story come alive. Trinity Dunn created an island paradise for me to wish I was there with them. I couldn’t put this book down with the suspense of whether they would be rescued, or if being stranded on the island was preferable to what may have been occurring around the world. The plane crash happened for no apparent reason, there are no other inhabitants on the island, and the missing satellites in the sky were all included in several conspiracy theories each person had. I couldn’t decide which one to follow because they all were believable. The dialogue seemed to be natural and realistic. The cliffhanger ending nearly killed me. I desperately need to read the sequel in the series. This is a very emotional story, and I caution anybody who chooses to read this epic tale to keep tissues nearby. A 5-star story that will have you falling in love with every character. I highly recommend this book.
Recommend this book:
Justice
A Choose A Hero Romance™
Tracy Tappan
2021 Gold Medal
772 Pages
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Romance - Suspense
Reviewed by Cayla-Paige Nortje for Readers' Favorite
Justice Hayes could never resist a challenge: she wasn’t brought up that way. So when she’s given the biggest challenge of a lifetime – something that no woman has ever conquered before – how on earth could she let this opportunity pass her by? Justice by Tracy Tappan is the story of an exceptionally strong-willed woman who tries to find her place amongst the toughest of men and the most ruthless of instructors. With the unquenchable thirst to prove herself to the men around her, there’s no time for romance or for her pesky attraction to fellow teammates, but life has a funny way of showing us that it has its own set of rules. As time progresses in the program, Justice finds that she’s forgotten her roots, but she’s soon reminded that if she not only accepts but embraces who she really is, she’ll achieve the impossible.
Tracy Tappan does a fantastic job of being able to bring out various emotions through her writing. There were times where I would laugh out loud, fist pump the air, or step into the story to give some instructors a piece of my mind. And then there were times where I broke down in tears and found myself connecting with Justice’s character on a deeper level through the shared feminine experience. As a woman, I can’t help but feel a great sense of pride in reading this book and seeing the true grit in Justice’s character. The storyline of Justice trying to prove her strength as a teammate despite her gender, and not having her femininity seen as a weakness, is exceptionally relatable to women around the world. Pushed to a brink that not many women have ever been pushed to before, Justice will be a testament to just how much power and strength a woman can possess.
Justice Hayes could never resist a challenge: she wasn’t brought up that way. So when she’s given the biggest challenge of a lifetime – something that no woman has ever conquered before – how on earth could she let this opportunity pass her by? Justice by Tracy Tappan is the story of an exceptionally strong-willed woman who tries to find her place amongst the toughest of men and the most ruthless of instructors. With the unquenchable thirst to prove herself to the men around her, there’s no time for romance or for her pesky attraction to fellow teammates, but life has a funny way of showing us that it has its own set of rules. As time progresses in the program, Justice finds that she’s forgotten her roots, but she’s soon reminded that if she not only accepts but embraces who she really is, she’ll achieve the impossible.
Tracy Tappan does a fantastic job of being able to bring out various emotions through her writing. There were times where I would laugh out loud, fist pump the air, or step into the story to give some instructors a piece of my mind. And then there were times where I broke down in tears and found myself connecting with Justice’s character on a deeper level through the shared feminine experience. As a woman, I can’t help but feel a great sense of pride in reading this book and seeing the true grit in Justice’s character. The storyline of Justice trying to prove her strength as a teammate despite her gender, and not having her femininity seen as a weakness, is exceptionally relatable to women around the world. Pushed to a brink that not many women have ever been pushed to before, Justice will be a testament to just how much power and strength a woman can possess.
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