Book Review: The Secret of Lies

 
                                             Today's Review is on The Secret of Lies by Barbara Forte Abate

The Secret of Lies is an absolutely fantastic book!  An impressive and detailed story of love, loss, and betrayal.  From the very beginning I felt my heart reach out to Stephanie, and it stayed there wrapped in her life story even hours after I had finished reading.

Every summer Stephanie "Stevie" Burke and her sister Eleanor travel to Long Island and the summer home of their Aunt Smyrna and Uncle Cal.  Nothing is out of the ordinary until one summer when there is a noticeable difference in the relationship of Smyrna and Cal and the relationship between Cal and Eleanor.  Everything comes to a head the night Stevie and Jake come upon Eleanor and her uncle locked in a naked and compromising position.

Then Eleanor goes missing only to be found floating among the rocks by Stevie.  Stevie is not the only one that knows about the relationship between Cal and Eleanore though. Stevie's aunt Smyrna has also known. With her parents so grief stricken, Stevie agrees with her aunt to keep the truth about the relationship between her husband and Eleanor a secret.

As time goes on and Stevie suffers the loss of her father, the loss of her aunt, and the loss of her mother. The one thing she can not seem to loose the guilt that she has carried from that horrible night.  She is even unable to open herself to the love she feels for Ash and his love in return, even after they are married.

The Secret of Lies was an intense story for me.  An amazingly accurate account of how many lives can be affected by one single moment in time, and how long the repercussions can last. 

My only complaints are 1. That there were some grammatical errors; for which I have to lower my rating, 2. I felt that poor Jake wasn't given a proper good-bye, and 3. I just hate how the book ended, but then again I hopeful for a sequel.

4.5 of 5 stars

Book Review: Awake at Dawn

 
                                               Today's review is on Awake at Dawn by C.C. Hunter

Awake at Dawn is the second book in Hunter's Shadow Falls series that focuses on the life of Kylie Galen. Though she is surrounded by a variety of supernaturals she still doesn't know what she is exactly.

In this installment Kylie experiences both physical and emotional changes. She becomes faster and her hearing becomes heightened. Her heart rate increases, she grows taller, and even her breasts increase a whole cup size.

Though her relationship with Derek seems to be heating up she dreams about Lucas. This causes Derek to ultimately back away until she can make her choice between him and Lucas and not feel guilty about it. When she finds out that Derek has decided to work with Burnett's team she begs him not to go but he too must sort out his feelings too.

As if that is not enough, Kylie is being visited by a ghost who is trying to let her know that someone she loves is in danger. Along with that, there is another threat to Kylie. The rogue vampire from the first book is back and he's watching her, and with the help of his grandfather he just may have her as his wife, but not if Lucas has any say in it.

Awake at Dawn is full of excitement and adventure. I just wish Kylie would make up her mind between the two boys, but then again I may find it hard to make up my mind too if I had two gorgeous young men vying for my affection.

3 of 5 stars

Book Review: Chihuawolf

 
                                             Today's review is on Chihuawolf by Charlee Ganny

Chihuawolf is Ganny's first book written for today's younger audience with an affinity for Werewolves. An exceptionally well written story of the underdog finding his true self.

Paco is just a tiny short-haired dog with protruding eyes who has a major case of big dog envy. In order to win the love of the graceful Afghan Hound Natasha, Paco sets out on a mission to become a Werewolf.

With the help of B-Boy; the energetic Jack Russel, Paco goes to Mount Diablo with his best friend Coco, the Labrador Retriever, to find the Werewolf and drink rain water from one of its paw prints. After all, B-Boy found this method on the internet therefore it must be true.

When they find the Werewolf,  Paco decidedly changes his mind. The Werewolf isn't exactly what Paco had imagined. Ugly, dirty, and mean, the Werewolf follows Paco and Coco down the mountain and into their neighborhood. Along the way Coco gets injured making her unable to help when Natasha is dognapped.

Paco will need the help of all of his other friends to rescue Natasha and thwart the nasty Werewolf.

It is no surprise to me that Chiuawolf is so good. I have read other books by Ms. Ganny under her different pseudonym's Savannah Russe and Lucy Finn and all were excellent.

4 of 5 stars

Book Review: Wicked

 

                                                  Today's review is on Wicked by Addison Moore

Wicked is the fourth installment in Moore's Celesta series and remains as one of my favorite series to date.  As with the other installments, Wicked maintains the level of adventure, suspense, and romance.  You find yourself loving one character one minute and hating him/her the next.

Chloe is back and makes her come back appearance at Skyla's birthday party where she has just found out that her whole family, along with Logan, are Counts. 

While Chloe has has her claws into Gage by way of blackmailing him, Logan goes on a murderous spree to prove to Skyla that she can trust him and that he loves her.  However things are not always as they seem. 

Everything seems to come to an end and things begin to look good for Skyla until Chloe lets Marshall know that she knows what he is.  This leaves Marshall with no option but to hand her over to the Counts himself. 

Who can Skyla really trust? Will Logan really offer her as a blood sacrifice?  Will Gage rescue her in time?  Does Marshall really love her?  What will come of Skyla now? With the cliffhanger at the end of Wicked, I have absolutely no clue, but I'm itching to find out.

An awesome addition to an already fantastic series.  You have to pick it up and give it read!!

4 of 5 stars

Book Review: Foretold

        
                                           Today's review is on Foretold by Raine Thomas

Foretold is the third and final installment in Thomas' Daughters of Saraqael series. Written in the same descriptive and eloquent style, Thomas brings an enticing end to the series.

As anticipated, Foretold brought together Skye and Caleb in a style that was befitting of Skye's bubbling personality. Skye literally gets the wedding of her dreams at the stroke of midnight after a great Ball.

All is not fun and games however. The Mercesti are still after them, and the great battle foretold in "The Great Foretelling" is at hand. It is up to Skye, with her unyielding faith and the rest of her family to lead the Estilorians to victory.

This series was fantastic. I simply loved it and can not wait for Thomas' next series.

4 of 5 stars

Book Review: Sapphire

 

                                   Today's review is on Sapphire by Jeffe Kennedy

Sapphire is an erotic romance short story that focuses on the life of M. Taylor Hamilton, a successful business woman and Adam Kirliss, the rich and handsome business owner.

While on her bosses yacht, Taylor is yet again hit on by Adam. This time however his approach is much, much different. Up on the secluded upper deck of the yacht Adam handcuffs Taylor to the railing. While in control of the situation, he gives Taylor a "safe word", Sapphire. To stop Adams kinky type seduction all she has to do is utter that one word.

After a joyful sexual release, Taylor agrees to meet with Adam the next day for lunch where she then agrees to meet him that evening. When she arrives at Adams home the "fun" begins. Throughout Adams BDSM seduction all he wants is for Taylor to let down her "ice queen" walls and to stop trying to maintain control of her life. The next morning however she realizes that she just can't, so she scribbles Sapphire on to a piece of paper and runs out of the house.

Ultimately Taylor realizes that she can not get Adam out of her mind or her heart and arranges to proposition Adam in much the same manner that he had on the yacht. Needless to say, Taylor and Adam make an exceptional pair.

A tastefully written erotic story, Sapphire inspires a female reader to just let go and enjoy the moment of sexual experimentation. (as long as it remains safe.)

3 of 5 stars

Book Review: Central

 
                                Today's review is on Central by Raine Thomas

Central is the second installment in Thomas' Daughters of Saraqael series and focuses primarily on Olivia and her growing relationship with James. Thomas's descriptive writing of the Estilorian world is fantastic, making you feel that you are sitting in the background watching everything that is happening around you.

In Central, the sisters, along with their Gloresti's begin to become a family in and of themselves. This bond becomes even stronger when they unexpectedly create a type of magical, binding bond between them all resulting in yet another unusual tattoo on all of their wrists. It is with this amazing bond that Amber, Gabriel, Skye, Caleb, and James are able to help Olivia when she is captured by the Mercesti.

To watch as James comes to terms with his love for Olivia was sweet and romantic, and a bit funny at times, reminding me of my own first brushes with love. Now it's time for Skye and Caleb. Perhaps that is what will happen in Thomas' third installment, Foretold.

Well written and no editing errors. Go figure. With so many books being poorly edited lately it is a joy to see one well done.

4 of 5 stars