Waterfall by Amber Garr

Waterfall

Amber Garr

 

Book Description

The water is gone. The wars have begun. Clean water is a luxury most can no longer afford. Climate change, industrial sabotage, and greed have turned country against country as each one tries to provide for its citizens. Terrorist groups target desalinization plants and frustrated governments hunt those who work against them. Rationing, sequestering, and patrolling have become routine at a time when there are too many people and not enough resources. While the world around them disintegrates into chaos, Zach and Vivienne hope that their life in a government-run complex will retain some semblance of normalcy. But when attacks on their water supplies bring war to their sheltered community, they must accept their new fate. Stay and fight or flee and endure—it’s a difficult decision with lasting consequences. Will they choose what’s safe? Or will they choose to survive?

My Thoughts

 

I loved this story. I really think it was a great introduction to Zach and Vee’s story. I really enjoyed seeing the beginning and reading about the events that led up to the war beginning.

Honestly I do not really like the dystopian genre, but I really love this series. Maybe because it seems so much more realistic, like this water shortage can happen in the near future. That scares me and makes it all the more real to me. That might be why I enjoyed this series so much more.

I loved the characters; I thought they were strong, dynamic, and well written. ‘Waterfall’ had a strong plot and was written wonderfully. I do think people need to take a deeper look into water shortages and I am glad that Amber is touching on this in such a captivating series. I cannot wait to read more of ‘The Water Crisis Chronicles’. Amber Garr never disappoints.

* I received this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. I did not receive any compensation for this review.

To Live Out Loud by Paulette Mahurin

To Live Out Loud

Paulette Mahurin

 

Book Description

An innocent Jewish military officer, Alfred Dreyfus, was unjustly sentenced to life imprisonment on a desolate island. The news that could exonerate him was leaked to the press, but was suppressed by the military. Anyone who sought to reopen the Dreyfus court-martial became victimized and persecuted and was considered an enemy of the state.

 

Emile Zola, a popular journalist determined to bring the truth to light, undertook the challenge to publicly expose the facts surrounding the military cover-up. This is the story of Zola's battle to help Alfred Dreyfus reclaim his freedom and clear his name. Up against anti-Semitism, military resistance, and opposition from the Church in France, Zola committed his life to fighting for justice. But was it worth all the costs to him, to those around him, and to France?

My Thoughts

 

‘To Live Out Loud’ was such an intriguing read. I honestly did not know much about the Alfred Dreyfus case of treason, but I have loved everything Paulette has written and it sounded very interesting so I was happy to check it out.

The story was well written and was rather captivating. Not only did Paulette tell the story in a very intriguing way, but she also teaches the reader about a historical event that not everybody knows all the details of, I sure didn’t.

‘To Live Out Loud’ was a nice combination of fiction and fact to makes a great story. I really enjoyed this book and I highly recommend Paulette’s work.

* I received this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. I did not receive compensation for this review.

 

Craved by Lola Smirnova

Craved

Lola Smirnova

 

Book Description

Having been to hell and back, the eager sisters from Ukraine - Natalia, Lena and Julia - decide to retire from selling sex and walk the straight and narrow path back home. But when an old friend calls them with an opportunity to make buckets of ‘easy’ money in South Africa, they find it impossible to refuse.

Return to the night life of the entertainment business brings along all the old familiar temptations - alcohol, drugs, prostitution…

Can the girls resist their vices and stay together? Or will this industry destroy their sanity and their family?

Inspired by real life events, Craved is a fascinating story of addiction, survival and the art of making a living in the sex trade.

My Thoughts

 

‘Craved’ was a nice sequel to a rather interesting story, ‘Twisted’. Warning this book has some very explicit content, so if that is not your kind of story then I suggest you pass on this book. I enjoyed the continuation; I liked seeing the character growth. It was a very interesting story with conflicting emotions.

There were some significant grammatical errors in the book however and I thought that the dialogue could use some polishing. These two issues do take away from the story, but can be fixed to make the story a great strong story.

I commend Lola for bringing attention to some very upsetting, difficult situations that people find themselves in. These things happen all too often and not as much attention is shown to these highly controversial issues as should be.

I did find ‘Craved’ to be captivating, intriguing, and heartbreaking. It was a very good read overall.

* I received this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. I did not receive compensation for this review.

Nightwalker by Jacquelyn Frank

Nightwalker

Jacquelyn Frank

 

Book Description

Kamen is a Bodywalker, an ancient soul reborn in one human host after another. He’s also a prisoner of his own kind: for it was Kamen who released Apep, the deadly god who threatens the existence of their world. To atone for this grievous error, Kamen accepts an urgent mission: to convince the other nations of the Nightwalkers to set aside their centuries-old conflicts and band together. If he fails, all will be lost. And no tribe presents a greater challenge than the Wraiths, the spectral beings who are feared and despised for their lethal deathtouch.

 

 Kamen makes first contact with a stunning, ghostly pale beauty named Geneviève. Part Wraith and part human, scorned as a half-breed, Viève shares the hunger for redemption—and for connection. Her scintillating touch holds the kiss of death, and yet it makes Kamen feel more alive than ever. Soon his lips are pressed against hers, sending Viève into fits of desire and forging a bond that breaches the divide between them. Now they must unite all the Nightwalkers, from Vampire and Shadowdweller to Djynns, and fast—for Apep is ready for war.

My Thoughts

 

Wow, what a finale! This book was amazing; it really did justice to give a fantastic finish to such a wonderful series. I honestly didn’t expect Kamen to play such a huge role in the final books. Nor did I ever expect that I would actually like him, but in the end I feel that this character really grew and changed; making this story even better.

I loved the plot, the twelve Nightwalker races, super amazing! I loved seeing all my favorite characters banding together to fight an incredible evil. This story was just phenomenal. I am a little sad that it’s over, but I am very happy with how it ended. I loved this series so much and I will be rereading it over and over for years to come.

* I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. I did not receive compensation for this review.

Forged by Jacquelyn Frank

Forged

Jacquelyn Frank

 

Book Description

When Katrina Haynes discovers a large man lying wounded in the snow, she fears he is at death’s door. But as Kat tends to his injuries, she quickly realizes that they’re the least of her worries. With an irresistible Scottish brogue and a strange ability to harden his chiseled body like a statue, the stranger awakens a desire she is unable to resist—and a fascination about the intriguing world he exists in.

 

 As a proud Gargoyle, Ahnvil must safeguard the Nightwalker to whom he’s sworn fealty. But as this bewitching woman nurses him back to health, arousing an almost uncontrollable hunger within him, he is possessed with the fierce impulse to protect her as well. And he will have to shield her—for by coming to his rescue, Kat has placed herself in the middle of a supernatural war . . . and exposed herself to dark, powerful magic. As human and Gargoyle forge an unbreakable bond, Kat will discover that despite his intimidating strength and size, one thing Ahnvil does not possess is a heart of stone.

My Thoughts

 

‘Forged’ is the fourth book in The World of Nightwalkers series. This book told the story of Ahnvil, the gargoyle protector of Menes. What at an incredible story this book told. I really love that Frank has the ability to change it up just enough in each book to keep it fresh and intriguing.

This is not your typical love story with a conflicting war background. It’s an intriguing, beautiful, sensual adventure that I could not put down. Kat and Ahnvil’s story is such an amazing one. I also absolutely loved that the first set of Nightwalkers were included in this story. I loved those books and to see those characters again just made me so excited. The blending of the books was done so creatively and flawlessly, I adored it.

I loved ‘Forged’ and I can’t wait for the fifth one.

* I bought this book of my own accord. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. I did not receive compensation for this review.

Forsaken by Jacquelyn Frank

Forsaken

Jacquelyn Frank

 

Book Description

As a mercenary, Leo Alvarez has signed on for a lot—but he never signed on for his best friend becoming host to the soul of an ancient Egyptian pharaoh. Jackson is now inhabited by a Bodywalker, and Leo is forced to grapple with a realm of supernatural beings far more dangerous than anything he’s ever encountered.

 

 But when Jackson is wounded by an attack from a demon god, Leo must team up with another supernatural creature—a Night Angel—to save his friend from utter destruction. With skin as black as midnight, hair as white as snow, and a body of pure perfection, the Night Angel arouses a burning desire in Leo, even as he refuses to be intimidated by her power—or the power of those who would destroy his friend. An unusual alliance is forged, electrified by sexual temptation, and together the two must unite their strengths to bring down a supreme evil.

My Thoughts

Leo and Faith’s story was really intriguing. I liked that Leo got a bigger role than just being a human victim. To me personally I really thought it added a new dimension to the series. I love the introduction of the Night Angels. Faith and her people were very interesting and useful.

Apep definitely got really dangerous in this installment and I cannot wait to see more of a battle.

The tension and emotions between Faith and Leo were palpable. I loved it; I just wanted them together so badly.

‘Forsaken’ was a great addition; it added in more of the Nightwalker races, there was lots of an action, lots of passion, and suspense.

I loved this book, it was well written and irresistible. Overall it was a fantastic read.

 

* I bought this book of my own accord and decided to review it. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. I did not receive compensation for this review.

Exposing the Heiress by Jennifer Apodaca

Exposing the Heiress

Jennifer Apodaca

 

Book Description

 

This Marine will protect her at all costs...

When wealthy heiress Alyssa Brooks finds out her stepfather has been paying her fiancé to marry her, she's humiliated and betrayed. She quickly breaks the engagement, only to be blackmailed by her now ex-fiancé, who threatens both Alyssa and the son she gave up for adoption. With nowhere to go, she turns to the one man she can trust.

Former Marine sniper Hunter Reece's lethal skills could save Alyssa's life. But his little sister's best friend has turned into a woman, who is an irresistible mix of secrets and sexiness. And while Hunter can trust himself to protect her, he can't trust himself to keep his attraction hidden...or even pretend to be the man that Alyssa remembers.

Because the only way to keep the lovely heiress safe is to become the one thing he knows she could never love...a killer.

 

My Thoughts

 

Alyssa immediately stuck out to me as a character. She had experienced great loss and pain and after that she had pretty much shut down. She lived for everyone else. She had the weight of the world on her shoulders; only living to please other people.

Then something happens and she realized her whole life is based on a lies and now her life is in severe danger. So she does the only thing she can think of, which is seeking protection from an old marine friend.

Hunt is dedicated to protecting Alyssa, but he is convinced he cannot function as a normal human being after years spent being a sniper. They were childhood friends, so after all these years’ feelings begin to bubble to the surface.

I thought Alyssa and Hunt were both dynamic characters that grew and overcame so many obstacles throughout the story. It was an endearing, heart wrenching, and beautiful tale of deception, growth, and overwhelming loves. The plot was strong and intriguing. I finished, ‘Exposing the Heiress’ in one night, I just couldn’t put it down. I had to find out what happened.

Another great read from Jennifer that pulls at the heart strings.

 

*I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. I did not receive compensation for this review.

Forever by Jacquelyn Frank

Forever

Jacquelyn Frank

 

Book Description

After being brought back from death, police officer Jackson Waverly receives the shock of his life: he has become host to a Bodywalker, a spirit that is reborn in flesh and blood, and part of a proud, ancient race that uses its extraordinary gifts to battle dark, evil forces. Jackson’s spirit is a powerful one—none other than the Egyptian pharaoh Menes, who longs to reunite with his eternal love, the Egyptian queen Hatshepsut.

 

 While Menes is obsessed with finding the perfect vessel for his queen, Jackson cannot stop thinking about Dr. Marissa Anderson, the gorgeous precinct shrink who keeps pushing him to confront his grief over the loss of his K-9 partner. But what Marissa really arouses most in Jackson is intense desire, which is exactly what Menes is looking for. To fight a great enemy, pharaoh and queen must join; but to host Hatshepsut, Marissa will first have to die. Fate has given Jackson a profound choice: save Marissa from Menes’s plan or keep an entire species from the brink of extinction.

 

My Thoughts

 

‘Forever’ is the second novel in The World of Nightwalkers series. I really enjoyed the first book ‘Forbidden’. To me Jacquelyn’s writing is always irresistible; she creates such amazing new worlds. This series is one of my favorites.

Surprisingly I like the sequel ‘Forever’ even more than I liked ‘Forbidden’ and I couldn’t put ‘Forbidden’ down, so that is definitely saying something. I really loved the idea of the mummification process that the Ancient Egyptians did, put them into the Ether and gave them a sort of immortality.

I have always had a fascination with Ancient Egypt, so this series was a treat for me. I was very fond of Jackson and Marissa in the first book and to see their story continue and unfold. I also really enjoyed reading about Menes. I love pharaohs and their queens; I mean how cool is that? So to have Menes’ story told was very cool. I loved the difference between Menes and Jackson’s personality.

When I first read the synopsis I was worried that the ending would be predictable, but I was pleasantly surprised. ‘Forever’ kept me on the edge of my seat until the very last sentence. Both characters are extremely strong and stubborn, so having them go through this dynamic story together creates sparks; amazing, irresistible, luscious sparks that you can’t turn your eyes away from.

I love this story and cannot wait to read more.

 

*I bought this book of my own accord and decided to review it. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. I did not receive compensation for this review.