Reviews

As an author, I understand the importance of reviews. If nothing else, they let you know if the reader enjoyed what you wrote (and some tell you why they didn't so you can make changes if needed,)

Knowing all that, I still have a hard time writing reviews. Why? Because for me reading is very subjective. I will read almost anything, and rarely have DNF's (did not finish). In fact, the only book I know I've never finished is The Hobbit. And I've started it twice. Not sure why I can't get in to that book :-)

Back to reviews. When I read on my Kindle, I'm offer an opportunity to star books when I get to the end, and sometimes I do, and other times I don't. Why? Because I also feel compelled to leave a written review, and I don't always have the time to leave those for every book I read. (There are times I read at least one book a day, sometimes more.)

When I do review, I give my opinion and tell who I think will like the book. I don't do spoilers, and I rarely recap the story line. That's how I review. When I read reviews (which I don't always. I'm a cool cover and hooked by a book blurb kind of book buyer), I like the ones that warn me that the book is part of a series and ends on a cliff hanger, or that the characters weren't well developed. Do these reviews always deter me? Nope. Sometimes I buy a book because I can't believe it was just that bad :-)

I understand if you don't leave a review when you read, but if you've truly enjoyed a book, try to at least talk it up to your friends. Word of mouth is another great way to help an author. And we appreciate all the help we can get!! Just remember:  ALWAYS BE HONEST in your review.

Thank you to all who have left reviews for each of my books. I do read them/watch them and appreciate the feedback.

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Looking for a light, summer read? See why Meg Gray recommends The Boyfriend Project in this video review. 

FINDING THOR by Kai Strand

This Thursday, Finding Thor, by my good friend Kai Strand, releases. So, to encourage you to add this to your TBR list, I'm sharing my review with you. First, here's the back cover copy of the book.

Tragedy has left Cara Cassidy broken and the only thing keeping her from giving in completely is her guilt. Until Nik Rock.

Nik stirs up feelings in degrees she has never experienced, and causes her to do things that most assuredly give him the wrong impression – like kiss him before their first date. Somehow, he breaks down the walls around her emotions until she has no choice but to forgive herself and feel again.

But a mysterious, troubled past follows Nik, and Cara may prove to be his weakest link.

When a royal princess shows up looking for Nik, and an international gang arrives looking for missing jewels, Cara lands in mortal danger. Will she be able to save herself? What will happen to her newly repaired psyche if she loses Nik?

Romance, mystery, and high stakes – just another day in high school.

Now for my review.

Don't let the slow build fool you. Once the action hits in this book, it hits hard and fast and keeps building to the end. 

Love romance? You'll love watching Cara and Nik dance around their feelings for each other. Will they find their happy-ever-after? No spoilers here :-)

Enjoy intrigue? Stolen jewels, international thieves, and kitchen implement torture play a big part of this story.

But, underlying all of the romance and intrigue and action, is the story of a girl learning how to deal with a tragic loss. Not only how to deal with it, but how to move forward and be the strong, confident girl she was before her life was turned upside down.

Finding Thor is a read that will please across many genres. My final rating 5 stars. A great story with cross genre appeal.

 

About the Author

When her children were young and the electricity winked out, Kai Strand gathered her family around the fireplace and they told stories, one sentence at a time. Her boys were rather fond of the ending, “And then everybody died. The end.” Now an award winning children’s author, Kai crafts fiction for kids and teens to provide an escape hatch from their reality. With a selection of novels for young adult and middle grade readers and short stories for the younger ones, Kai entertains children of all ages, and their adults. Learn more about Kai and her books on her website,www.kaistrand.com.

Subscribe to Kai's mailing list and receive a free short story 

Review of MEET ME IN THE DARK by HK Carlton

Meet Me in the Dark (Book 1 in the Lustful Possession Series) Paranormal Erotic Romance

Crishtin Davenport thought she was attending a simple Halloween event—A good scare to get the blood pumping. But instead she finds her pulse racing over one of the event’s organizers.

Josh Hewes loves nothing more than investigating paranormal activity, but after meeting Crishtin the only thing he wants to explore is her.

However, getting to know one another takes an unexpected turn when some randy spirits get in on the act.

Crish and Josh are inexplicably drawn into a heady web of desire and want nothing more than to possess each other. But they’re not the only ones.

Be careful what you invite in to play…

*****

If you enjoy ghost hunting, possession, and steamy sex, then you will love this quick read from HK Carlton.

When Crish and Josh first meet, sparks fly, but things take an odd twist with lost time at a haunted house. When they finally learn what happened, it only increases their desire for each other, and to learn more about the ghosts they encountered.

The ghosts have their own game plan in motion, and I can't wait to read the next book in the series to find out what happens next!

My final rating: 4 stars

Get your copy of Meet Me in the Dark at Amazon, Kobo, iTunes, and other retailers. 

About the Author:

Born and raised in Canada H K lives in Ontario.

H K Carlton is a multi-published Canadian author of romance and it’s varied sub-genres. Including contemporary, paranormal, historical, family saga and erotica.

Review of DOUBLE LIFE by S Usher Evans

Piracy is a game. How much are you worth?

Since she was a little girl, everyone - from her father to the Great Creator himself - told Lyssa Peate the same thing: she's worthless. But when she becomes the pirate bounty hunter Razia, she can see the price tag on her own head. Employed by one of the four pirate syndicates, she uses bank transactions and her considerable wits to capture rival members. At least, she would be if Razia's boss ever gave her a chance. It's a man’s world, and all she’s allowed to hunt are purse snatchers while she languishes on probation.

To pay the bills, she's stuck in her old life as Lyssa, discovering and analyzing distant planets and selling them for cash. She's doing just enough to stay out of trouble, pretending to be continuing her father's mysterious research while away for long periods of time. Her slimy boss is always asking questions and even assigns one of her younger brothers, Vel, to intern with her. Already struggling to keep the balance between her double lives, she tries everything to rid herself of the kid...

...until the universal police mistake Lyssa’s intern for Razia's hostage.

*****

OK, so let me start by saying, this book isn't my usual read. I really like to have a bit more romance in my stories, but...that doesn't mean I didn't like this book.

Ms. Evans did a fantastic job of world building. And, while there was a lot of science things in there, I didn't feel it was overly complicated or difficult to follow.  

I didn't really understand how a pirate could also be a bounty hunter, as those two things seem diametrically opposed to me. I also felt there were times that Razia wasn't as strong as she could be- that she acted more like Lyssa would (which may have been intentional, seeing they are the same person ;-))

Still, I'm looking forward to reading the Alliances, the second book in the series.

My final rating: 3 1/2 stars.

Get your copy of DOUBLE LIFE free on Amazon

*****

S. Usher Evans is an author, blogger, and witty banter aficionado. 

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