SMOKE AND ASHES by Danica Winters

Review by Amanda

Smoke and Ashes by Danica Winters is a good solid story with plenty of drama and suspense going on between the pages. The author does a good job in her debut romantic suspense. The characters were likable; the plot itself had enough ‘fire’ to keep me turning the pages! Kevin Jensen has a serial arsonist on his hands hence he must work tirelessly to capture the maniac. His neighbor Heather Sampson’s house is also set alight and when he rescues her things get pretty hot between them. But Heather comes with lots of baggage, she is married and she is being abused by her husband. What happens next? Grab a copy to find out!

Recommended
4 Stars

NATIVE BORN by Jenna Kernan

Review by Amanda

The conclusion of Jenna Kernan’s Apache Protectors ends on a good note. The author ties up all the unanswered questions and loose ends nicely in this story, meanwhile giving Clyne Cosen a happy and worthwhile happy ever after. Ms. Kernan writes with such passion and depth that is hard not to notice it in her vivid, descriptive storytelling. Drama, angst, a web of deceit and tension filled scenes take the reader on an engaging journey, where every moment counts. FBI field agent Cassidy Walker and Clyne Cosen are at odds with each other. Cassidy’s duty is to protect Clyne but Clyne is hell-bent on refusing to let her babysit him. When villains aren’t at their backs they fight off the sizzling chemistry simmering between them even as their battle for custody over Clyne’s kid sister thickens the plot. It is wonderful to see the author resolve the problems with such clarity. Thrilling and suspenseful, Native Born will leave you wanting more from this talented author!

Recommended
4 Stars

Protecting his brother's bride by Jan Schiesman

Reviewed by Desere

Kira Kincaid is having the worst kind of hell imaginable, her "darling" husband has disappeared , she's being framed for embezzlement and to top it all off her investigation into clearing her name has led her to being forced to team up with Dalton Matthews. He's all kind of off the charts hot and certainly sends her heart racing but he's also trouble she so does not need, and he's her estranged husband's brother! 

Now every woman knows falling for your husband's brother is never a good thing, but in this case it turns out to be the smartest thing she's ever done. Except for one thing who ever is determined to kill her before she can clear her name, is now also out to kill Dalton. And so starts the chase of a lifetime, family secrets, kidnappings, fake death's , guns blazing , bombs exploding you name it this book has it all, and of course a stunning journey of romance. 

The character of Dalton was an all kinds of awesome kick-ass protect at all costs hero in every sense of the word. I loved his kind yet no nonsense nature and my heart broke for the terrible heartache he has to face when confronted by his brother's betrayal.  Having loved and lost of course makes him think twice about getting involved with Kira but the hero inside him refuses to walk away. Through these actions the author showed that there is always a hero inside everyone, even when dealt a knock down blow in life the hero inside us all never dies. 

The character of Kira was one of those heroines all woman want to be, she's strong even in the face of danger of the most epic proportions, she of course hits more than one point of feeling very low and alone but finds her strength and fights her way right back up ready to face whatever wants to knock her down. It broke my heart when the author revealed the heartache she had to go through and of course I won't be spoiling the read by telling you, I will only say it's something no woman ever needs to face. Through this character the author showed that there truly is never any point in staying down when you get knocked down, the longer you stay down the worse it will get and if you let it get to you then you will never find a way out. 

Fast paced, action packed, strong remarkable characters, a brilliant plot and filled with enough humor to add that bit of crazy fun to an excellent suspense filled read. I cried so many times, I cringed , I shouted , I laughed and I felt every single emotion the characters were experiencing, and not not once could I put this book down. A truly on the edge of your seat read with twists and turns you definitely will not see coming and best of all an amazing journey of the past catching up with the future. Watch out world, action suspense romance has come face to face with a new master storyteller! 

5/5 star review 

" Coming face to face with death is all that can save them" 

Sharpshooter (Shadow Agents) by Cynthia Eden

Reviewed by Nancy Crocker


This is my first read by Cynthia Eden and I have got to say, she has another fan. What a fantastic read! It is filled with intrigue, mystery, murder, betrayal, and passion. What more could you want in a fast pace read? I found myself hooked to this book and unwilling to put it down until I finished.

Gunner and Slade Ortez “half brothers” had been raised by their Grandfather for most of their lives. Gunner is the strong silent type who holds his feelings in, not one to show his emotions easily. Slade is the good looking one, but always feeling not quite good enough. And both were in love with the same woman.

Sydney Sloan is part of the same Shadow Agents team as Gunner. They both are part of the E.O.D. Elite Ops Division. Two years ago it was Gunner who saved Sydney’s life when a mission went terribly wrong. And for two years these two have kept their attraction for each other at bay. But just as they give into temptation they are called back to the South American jungles of Peru for another rescue mission of an American citizen being held by rebels. What they uncover will be life changing for everyone, Including the E.O.D. team.

I am hoping to be able to read the next book in the series titled Glitter and Gunfire. It is about another member of the E.O.D. team Cale Lane and the woman he is sent to protect Cassidy Sherridan.

Favorite lines:

"When I Close my eyes, I see Your face." His words, so gravel-rough, had her heart racing. "I don't see a ghost, I just see you." His eyes were on her mouth. "You're driving me crazy, taking over every moment of my life." She couldn't breathe. Because what he was saying - that was the way she felt.

5/5 stars

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Trumped Up Charges (Big "D" Dads: The Daltons) by Joanna Wayne

Reviewed by Nancy Crocker


In Trumped Up Charges by Joanna Wayne: We find Adam Dalton an ex Marine who was badly injured in the war in Afghanistan. He has arrived at his estranged father's ranch to attend what is suppose to be the reading of R.J. Dalton's will. But not so fast, one is suppose to dead before a will is read "right". While at the Dry Gulch Ranch, he receives a call from his mother informing him that his ex-fiancé's twin daughters have been kidnapped. 

Hadley O'Sullivan never told Adam Dalton he was a father. Believing the lies that Adam had told her after he was injured. She made a life for herself and their twin daughters Lacy and Lila. She has been a loving and caring mother to her daughters. Now that their daughters have been kidnapped she tells him the truth. She is determined to find her daughters, no matter that it takes. 

Now Adam and Hadley along with help from R.J. and Fred Casey have joined forces to help find the twins. But one Detective isn't sure that Hadley herself isn't behind the kidnapping. 

This was my first novel by Joanna Wayne, but it will not be my last. She wrote an Amazing Intrigue story, which had me guessing for a while. This was a non-stop read for me. I was waiting not so patiently to see who had taken the girls. Besides main characters that were well written, the author wrote great secondary characters. One in particular that you just wanted to beat the pulp out out. To make a reader feel that kind of passion in my humble opinion is the sign of a really talented writer. Well done !

Any fans of Intrigue novels will not be disappointed. 

5/5 stars

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Even though I was originally given a copy from NetGalley, I had issues with the download and ended up purchasing this book from Amazon.com