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Review – Deadly Revenge By Nancy Kay

March 19, 2013 by LastNerve Leave a Comment

Title: Deadly Revenge

Author: Nancy Kay

Publisher: Desert Breeze Publishing

Buy Link: Buy Deadly Revenge Here!

Rating: You Gotta Read

Reviewed By: Val

Blurb:

After Culinary Herb Gardener Ada Blaine loses the love of her life, she avoids men and spends years turning a beloved hobby into a thriving business. Former Marine Rich McConnell left behind a nasty divorce and traded a promising military career for a hardware store with no complications. He discovers he can’t keep his hands off the elusive gardener, and her determination to remain independent falters when the ever-charming Rich weakens the wall Ada’s built around her heart. Then just as late-in-life second-chance love seems possible, Ada is threatened by a sniper’s bullet, and Rich’s past comes back to haunt him.

Review:

What a refreshing read this was and for a variety of reasons. Most romance books that I read always include twenty something main characters. In Deadly Revenge, the main characters happen to be middle aged, which being close to middle aged myself, helps me to relate more to the characters and on a deeper level. It’s proof that being middle aged does not mean that your love life has to be desolate. Although Ada and Rich have known each other for quite some time, they can pin point just when their friendship turned into admiration. Not only is it enjoyable to read a love story about middle aged characters, but it’s also brought to the reader’s attention that these two characters are established in both their professional and personal lives. I personally find it exhilarating to know that Ada and Rich know exactly what they want out of life and love. They admit their strengths as well as their weaknesses.

I think Ada has to be my favorite character so far in this series. She’s stubborn to a fault but is also steadfast in knowing that no threat is going to make her live in fear. Rich is fiercely loyal to Ada and vows to protect her no matter what the cost. Being an ex-marine, he brings an element of badass to the table which just increases his hotness factor. I found Deadly Revenge to be laced with intrigue and humor with a steady progression that kept the story flowing sweetly. There was not a dull moment. The ending was surprising as well as action packed. I certainly didn’t see that twist in the story coming.

Deadly Revenge is book two in the Deadly Triad series. Book one is Deadly Reflection which involves Ada’s niece Cassie and Nick McGraw, a Philadelphia Detective. Book three in the Deadly Triad series is Deadly Encounter which is TJ and Lanie’s story. Each book in this series can be read as a standalone. However, I can guarantee once you have read one, you will want to read them all. It’s no wonder that Nancy Kay is one of my favorite authors, each time I read a new book she’s written, I fall in love with her writing style all over again. So to Ms. Kay I say once again, you’ve written another stellar book and I look forward to reading the final book in the series. To all the readers I’d like to say hurry out and buy Deadly Revenge, it’s a must have for your book shelf.

Filed Under: Book Reviews Tagged With: Desert Breeze Publishing, Val, You Gotta Read

Review – Burned Into time By Mary M. Ricksen

February 15, 2013 by LastNerve 3 Comments

Title: Burned Into Time

Author: Mary M. Ricksen

Publisher: Wings ePress

Buy Link: Buy Burned Into Time Here!

Rating: You Gotta Read

Reviewed By: Val

Blurb:

A horrific car accident, a Celtic ring and destiny, send a young woman on a journey to the past. In a desperate search for her lost sister, she follows the instructions left her in a bank vault from a hundred years ago.

Little did she know the ring would save her life and change it in ways she could never imagine. Does she have the strength to live through her nightmare and find her destiny?

Can she face her sister now that things have changed so drastically? Only time will tell…

Review:

Lacy finds herself in a fiery car crash that leads to a pivotal moment in her life. How can one moment change her entire being? From the way she looks at life to the way she responds to people, nothing in her life will ever be the same. Life as she knew it is over. Will she be able to deal with her new life?

As the book progresses, Lacy finds that there are many inner obstacles that she must confront and overcome. Her trust in men being one of them. Lacy’s trust is pushed to the limit. The reason of her fear in men is later revealed which helps the reader bond with Lacy’s character and the need to root her on especially through dire situations

Sean finds a woman who is badly burned, and in the snow of all places. How can this be? With questions coming from every direction, he takes it upon himself to take in this beautiful young woman and nurse her back to good health. Little does he realize how important this mystery woman will become to him.

A favorite character of mine was a secondary character who didn’t even have any speaking lines. That character’s name was King, the dog. I found it touching how loyal and lovable he was to Lacy and Sean. This degree of loyalty added another layer to the story which I thought was essential.

From the first action packed pages, I found myself gripped in the throes of the very engaging plot line. I couldn’t help but notice how well researched the customs and time period were. I even found myself learning about customs and some odd little facts that I was not aware of up until I read Burned Into Time. I know it may seem trivial to some but one of the little nuggets of knowledge I came away with was “the third eye” (google it). If you would like a condensed version of the meaning and how it relates to this story, I suggest you pick up a copy of this book.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always been a series (and epilogue) girl. I find it exciting that I can follow characters over a certain amount of time. Little did I know that Burned Into Time was the second book in the Time Can Heal Your Heart series. Book One is Keealyn’s story and is called Tripping Through Time. You can bet that I will be reading that one in the very near future. You certainly don’t need to read Tripping Through Time to understand what is going on in the second book, in fact I didn’t even know that Burned Into Time was a series book until I got a few chapters in.

Ms. Ricksen writes with the knowledge of a well seasoned writer. Just when you think you have the story figured out, another twist in the road is presented. With deeply evolved characters and a plot line you won’t soon forget, Burned Into Time will grip you by the heartstrings and not let you go until the final sentence of the book. I’m anxiously awaiting the next book in the series. Pick up your copy of Burned Into Time, you’ll want to get the entire series. Yes, it’s THAT good! This is one book you want to add to your MUST READ book list.

Filed Under: Book Reviews Tagged With: Val, Wings ePress, You Gotta Read

Review – The Devereaux Legacy By Carolyn Hart

December 16, 2012 by LastNerve Leave a Comment

Title: The Devereaux Legacy

Author: Carolyn Hart

Publisher: Seventh Street Books

Buy Link: Buy The Devereaux Legacy Here!

Rating: You Could Read

Reviewed By: Val

Blurb:

Leah Devereaux is a dead woman. At least, that’s what the folks now running the Devereaux plantation tell her: Leah has been presumed dead for nineteen years—since the day that both her parents died.

Leah, very much alive, has returned to South Carolina to uncover the untold story of her parents’ deaths. While some, like her cousin Merrick, welcome her, Cissy and John Edward tell her to stay away, tell her to stop meddling in secrets long kept.

When a ghost known only as the Whispering Lady appears once again at the Devereaux plantation after years of absence, the locals know it’s an omen of death. Merrick and Leah may be the next targets. . . .

Review:

Being a citizen of South Carolina myself, I was fascinated when I first saw The Devereaux Legacy since it was set on a South Carolina plantation. The imagery was spectacular and I could actually feel as though I were immersed in the plantation life. You couldn’t ask for a more fascinating mystery and when everyone finds out that Leah is no longer dead as originally thought, The Devereaux Legacy takes one turn after another. I found it difficult to put the book down at moments.

Having said that, I feel as though I would be doing the reader a disservice if I didn’t say that I did have issues with the characters in this book. I found it hard to swallow the fact that the two characters who fall in love just happen to be step brother and sister. In my opinion, this book would have been a slam dunk if the characters were maybe childhood friends.

I do recommend this book to all mystery lovers who like action in their fast paced reads, that is, if you can get past the relationship of the two main characters. The Devereaux Legacy is a reprint from author Carolyn Hart who went on to write many outstanding books. I look forward to reading more books by Ms. Hart.

Filed Under: Book Reviews Tagged With: Seventh Street Books, Val, You Could Read

Review – Dark Moon by Maggie Tideswell

October 22, 2012 by LastNerve Leave a Comment

Title: Dark Moon

Author: Maggie Tideswell

Publisher: All Things That Matter Press

Buy Link: Buy Dark Moon Here!

Rating: You Need/Gotta Read

Reviewed By: Val

Blurb:

A spellbinding novel of love, murder, and the supernatural. Chance meetings can have far-reaching effects. Loved ones may not be who they seem. The line between comprehension and confusion is thin ~ particularly when one’s thoughts are being manipulated by another. In Dark Moon, the eternal triangle takes an innovative twist into the occult as dark magic fights against those who serve the Light. The prize? A woman’s soul.

Review:

Before I begin this review, I must say that being from South Africa myself, I enjoyed the small nuances throughout the book pertaining to South African culture. A word here or phrase there made this a must read book for me. I found this to be a refreshing change from any other author I have read.

Now let’s get on to the review shall we? Although I found the story a little bit confusing at first, there does come an “ah ha” moment. The moment when everything comes together to make up a thrilling read of suspense, murder, angst and love. With characters I loved to hate and one I even hated to love, I found Dark Moon to be a full-bodied novel of intrigue and passion.

Never before have I read anything by Maggie Tideswell and now that I have, I have another author to add to my “favorites” list. Even if you are not a fan of paranormal, you will find yourself sitting down with a page turner that is a pulse-pounding read. I strongly recommend Dark Moon.

Filed Under: Book Reviews Tagged With: All Things That Matter Press, Val, You need to/gotta read

Review – A Marshal of Her Own By Linda LaRoque

June 3, 2012 by LastNerve 2 Comments

Title: A Marshal of Her Own

Author: Linda LaRoque

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Buy Link: Buy A Marshal of Her Own Here!

Rating: You Gotta Read

Reviewed By: Val

Blurb:

Despite rumors of ‘strange doings? at a cabin in Fredericksburg, investigative reporter Dessa Wade books the cottage from which lawyer Charity Dawson disappeared in 2008. Dessa is intent on solving the mystery. Instead, caught in the swirling mist that surrounds the cabin, she finds herself in 1890, in a shootout between the Faraday Gang and a US Marshal.

Marshal Cole Jeffers doesn’t believe Miss Wade is a time traveler. He admits she’s innocent of being an outlaw but thinks she knows more about the gang than she’s telling. When she’s kidnapped by Zeke Faraday, Cole is determined to rescue her. He’s longed for a woman of his own, and Dessa Wade just might be the one ‘if she’ll commit to the past.

Review:

From the beginning of this story, we find that Dessa Wade is a strong willed character who is about to find out things aren’t quite as they seem. Armed with ambition and a sassy attitude, Dessa finds herself in one very unexpected adventure. Enter the hunky, drop dead gorgeous Marshal Cole Jeffers, Cole cannot believe his eyes when Dessa appears out of nowhere. Instantly attracted to her, Cole finds himself questioning his bachelorhood.

The relationship between Cole and Dessa simply sizzled. The back and forth banter between the two had me giggling at moments and at others, mentally screaming “kiss her, hurry!” Cole was not your ordinary man, he was a man of strength and character, with a lot of humor and pure male hotness thrown in. Dessa was the quirky new woman in town who raised a few eyebrows with her actions. Cole’s main concern was trying to help this woman uphold her good reputation. He was a man who had his hands full.

Each time I read a Linda LaRoque book, I am swept away to a world of intrigue where the characters are enchanting and genuine. I have to admit that historical romances have not always been my favorite genre to read but there is something about the way Ms. Laroque presents the story. I never really thought about the expectations of the time period and the concessions one would have to make to live in the 19th century vs. the 21st century.

Ms. LaRoque brings her characters to life with vivid descriptions and effortlessly weaves humor with drama. This is one author who has definitely done her research on life in the 1890′s. Any book by Ms. LaRoque is one I automatically add to my to be read list because I KNOW it’s going to not only be a fun read but educational as well. Treat yourself to a the luxury you deserve and take a few hours to sit down and read this book. A Marshal of Her Own was a visually creative, touching and uplifting romance. I highly recommend this book.

Filed Under: Book Reviews Tagged With: The Wild Rose Press, Val, You Gotta Read