Blog Archives
Lex’s Story
Lex’s Story dives into the riveting world of Alexi (Lex) Rogov, a freshly graduated lieutenant from the Air Force Academy. With a unique skill set, he’s immediately chosen for his maiden assignment as an intelligence officer with the Central Intelligence Agency. Paired with Agent Nikita Devin, herself a novice, the plot thickens when suspicions arise about her allegiances. It becomes Rogov’s mission to determine her loyalty.
From the outset, the narrative thrives on crisp, clear dialogue, aptly mirroring the sharp-witted nature of the characters it portrays. This brisk dialogue serves as an accelerator for the book’s pacing. While Biggerstaff’s directness in description captures the essence of a high-stakes intelligence environment, I think a touch more elaboration would enrich the reader’s experience.
One of Biggerstaff’s commendable strengths is her knack for creating suspense. A notable instance is the cliffhanger that goes, ‘”Um, you know who Barrett’s father was, right?” “Yes, I know.” Such moments not only propel the reader forward with an insatiable curiosity but also seamlessly integrate subsidiary characters, enriching Rogov’s backstory without inundating the narrative.
Lex’s Story is a well-crafted tapestry of intrigue and suspense. For those eager to immerse themselves in a captivating espionage thriller and perhaps explore more from Biggerstaff’s collection, this book is a definite recommendation.
Pages: 319 | ASIN : B0CCSTJKC9
Vengefully Yours
Vengefully Yours presents a captivating collection of short stories, interweaving mystery, romance, and profound themes of longing, loyalty, vengeance, and redemption.
A Disgraced former police officer, now a private investigator, is entrusted with the critical task of safeguarding a substantial amount of illicit funds during transportation. However, his mettle is tested when the captivating platinum blond singer, Angelina Darlane, takes the stage, posing a severe temptation.
Ryder, who once rescued Larissa from a life plagued by fear and abuse, has been her secret benefactor, shielding her from harm with his enigmatic past. But now, everything is on the brink of transformation.
Cormac, a resilient ex-Navy SEAL turned mechanic, confronts a shattered future and a resentful heart as Aurelie, the daughter of a powerful US Senator and his former flame, unexpectedly resurfaces. Their reunion unfolds under dire circumstances.
Stellan Stark, a paramilitary assassin, finds himself compelled to confront both a mission and the woman he left behind a decade ago. As his handlers meticulously monitor his every move, Stellan must make a pivotal choice between seeking closure or defying orders once again.
Former Marine intelligence operative Maxen Brigh teams up with the tenacious and captivating investigative reporter Aveline Watson in a relentless pursuit of a murderer. The victim in question happens to be none other than Dr. John Watson, the renowned assistant of Sherlock Holmes and Aveline’s own father.
Private investigator Joe Casey, battling his own demons as a recovering alcoholic, disrupts Mayor Reagan Kane’s re-election party to declare a vengeful mission against the corrupt politician who ruined his life. However, his plans take an unexpected turn when he becomes entangled with an alluring femme fatale. Will she lead him astray, or could she become his path to redemption?
Each story within this enthralling book leaves the reader yearning for more, immersing them in diverse narratives inhabited by characters with their own personal struggles, secrets, and desires. The authors masterfully craft these compelling tales, effortlessly turning pages as the plot unravels and the characters confront their inner demons. Set against the backdrop of the 1940s, the stories possess a nostalgic charm that enchants readers, transporting them to a bygone era brimming with intrigue and peril. Whether you are drawn to the streetwise private investigator, the protective, military figure, or the enigmatic alpha male, Vengefully Yours offers stories that will undoubtedly resonate with your sensibilities. The brevity of each story, though leaving the reader wanting more, speaks volumes about the authors’ ability to create spellbinding narratives.
Vengefully Yours is a thrilling and seductive collection of interconnected tales, sure to captivate aficionados of mystery, romance, and suspense. The vividly depicted settings, engaging characters, and expertly crafted storylines combine to deliver a mesmerizing reading experience. Whether you seek an escape into a treacherous world of secrets and desire or a transformative journey of redemption and love, this book excels on all fronts, promising to satisfy even the most discerning readers.
ASIN: B0C3ZGGFVT
Sunrise in Saigon
Sunrise in Saigon by Patrick Greenwood is a fiction story based on real events that happened in Vietnam during and after the war. Jack Kendall is an eleven-year-old boy at the time of the fall of Saigon in 1975. Still, many of his questions about the war are not answered until more than thirty-five years later when he makes a trip to Vietnam as an adult after health issues cause him to reexamine his current life. There he meets a woman who he had been communicating with online, and spending time with her takes his mind off his unhappy marriage. But is their relationship worth the risk? And is there any chance that they can be together forever?
I liked how this story spanned several decades of Jack’s life, starting in his childhood and into adulthood, giving the reader more insight into his character and his continuing interest in what happened to the Vietnamese people after the war when the American armed forces left the country. The author included many historical details and vivid descriptions of life in Vietnam and how the people there were still affected four decades after the war. I enjoyed reading about how Jack stepped in to help fix problems at a water plant during his trip to Vietnam. It was admirable that he wanted to take steps in his life to improve his health and mindset, and I liked that he took up cycling. The ending of this book surprised me, and I liked that it was unexpected.
Some of the decisions Jack made in the pursuit of so-called happiness and love were not exceptionally honorable and had detrimental effects on his family life. Jack and Linh’s infidelity is a vital part of this story, and how they are both looking for a connection that is lacking in their current relationships. Finding the answers to his long-held questions about Vietnam seemed secondary to his affair with Linh, especially during his first trip, giving readers a deeper look at his emotional state and his desire for deep emotional connections.
Overall, Sunrise in Saigon is a captivating read that will take the reader on an emotional journey alongside Jack and his quest for happiness. Some relationships are meant to last forever, some just for a moment. This novel shows readers that those moments are no less meaningful and impactful in our lives than the relationships that last for years.
Pages: 325 | ASIN : B0BMNGVK4Z
Parts of a Whole: A Pit Bull Love Story
On the surface, Kerry seems to have it all together, a successful photography business, a happy home with her mother, and a son that she adores. In reality, though, she struggles, and mightily. Each day is its own challenge due in no small part to her severe dyslexia and lingering emotional scars from her abusive marriage. At least she finds comfort in the fact that her son, himself struggling with autism, seems to be doing well with his unofficial therapy dog, Angel, and the routine that they all share. That is until Kerry’s mom invites a tenant to live in their guest home. With Noah’s arrival, life suddenly becomes much more complicated, albeit also more interesting.
Described as a “pit bull love story,” Parts of a Whole by Janet Franks Little is a charming story that combines various pieces of everyday life in a way that is both relatable and engaging. Kerry spends her days in a routine that accommodates her son and fulfills her creative vision as a freelance photographer. Living with her disability makes a routine as vitally necessary as her son’s dog Angel, the adopted pit bull that seems to share a bond with the boy. The story repeatedly returns to the bonds people form with their pets, stressing how they become full-fledged family members.
Despite exploring a variety of heavy subjects such as emotional and physical abuse, PTSD, and complicated family relationships, the author does a great job of keeping the book from ever feeling dark and emotionally exhausting. Kerry’s relationship with her mother, India, is a beautiful representation of the mother / daughter bond that sustains so many young women in their lives. While Noah’s character comes off as stiff and stereotypical, he still has enough depth to create interest.
Healing is a huge theme in Parts of a Whole, as Kerry slowly begins to realize that she is more than just a part and accepts that she isn’t defined by her disability. As she regains the confidence her ex-husband stole from her, she finds the courage to do and say more of what she actually wants and sees that growth in her son at the same time. All in all, it’s a heartwarming story that never suffers from its own weight.
It took no time at all to get completely invested in Kerry’s life, and with each new secret she revealed, the feeling of knowing her personally only increased. There were parts that I felt were convenient and picture-perfect, but sometimes that’s exactly what you need. Parts of a Whole: A Pit Bull Love Story is a stirring and heartfelt romance novel that will leave you feeling good about life.
Pages: 332 | ASIN : B09Z7DBG7W
Twist My Heart
Twist My Heart by author Brooke Taylor is the first book of the wicked games series. It narrates the story of a feisty fugitive trying her best to convince a retired Navy SEAL to help her and her dog.
Thea, or as Nik calls her, Tigger, suffers from amnesia, and the only thing she knows is that she’s on the run and must keep her dog Titan by her side. At first, the retired Navy SEAL is reluctant to help her, but he gives in. So they are on the run, trying to find out more about Thea’s past life and who’s looking for her. All the while, the sexual attraction between the two keeps on growing every minute they spend together.
Taylor’s descriptive writing style draws readers into the story and gives them the feeling they are on the run with Nik and Thea. Additionally, by incorporating both first and third-person points of view for the characters, readers will get a full view of the thoughts and actions that are occurring in this action-filled drama.
The book’s pacing is superb. There is never a dull moment between the on-the-run action and the building romance of Nik and Thea. In addition, the mystery of Thea’s identity as it unfolds is intertwined into the action and romance seamlessly. Altogether, this makes the novel engaging and fast-paced.
Character building is a strong element of Taylor’s writing. Thea is portrayed as a strong woman. However, I felt there were some scenes showing her as a damsel in distress that needed saving by strong warrior Nick. The instances where Thea did fight for herself were refreshing and exciting and more in line with the character that is built up by Taylor.
An interesting aspect of the story is Thea’s approach to amnesia, everything’s new to her, and she’s watching the world as if through a child’s eyes, giving the reader a unique point of view on everyday details that we usually don’t think about as we do them daily.
Twist My Heart is filled with heart-racing action scenes and steamy romance that will catch the attention of action and adventure readers and romance lovers. Watching the mystery of Thea’s identity and why she is on the run unfold will keep readers hooked from beginning to end.
Pages: 396 | ASIN : B08VJGQSKQ
Fate’s Final Destiny
Fates Final Destiny by E T McNamara takes the timeless ‘Boy next door’ love story to a whole new level. Not only do you get an emotionally captivating tale of how true love can stand the tests of fate, but a lesson in history as the characters navigate the difficult times of the Dust Bowl, Great Depression, and subsequent war that followed.
The story begins as we meet two close-knit, farm-owning families who live next door to each other in small-town Goodwell, Oklahoma. Readers get a look into all that goes into farm-life, and the dreams of a different future for some of the characters. We watch as our two main characters, Michael and Cindy, develop from children into teenagers and their neighbor-friendship turns into young love. A devastating event results in their physical separation, but they keep their love alive through love letters filled with hopes and dreams of their future. When a disapproving family member begins to secretly intercept the letters before the other receives them, they are both left heartbroken, believing the other has moved on with their life. Fate takes both characters on separate, interesting journeys- their paths almost leading back to each on several occasions, but the timing never seems to be right. The wonder of whether fate will ever work in their favor leaves the reader entranced in the story, rooting for their happily ever after.
Readers will enjoy this fascinating literary hybrid of part love story, part historical fiction. Readers with military ties will find solidarity reading through these turbulent stories. Getting a look into the emotions of soldiers making life and death decisions as they lived through war, and the subsequent mental and physical effects that stay with them, was educational, eye-opening, and will no doubt increase the understanding and empathy for all that serve.
Fates Final Destiny is an inspiring tale of love lost and the journey to find footing in an ever-changing world. This memorable book will appeal to those who enjoy historical fiction, romance, and war drama.
Pages: 371 | ASIN : B098VZC135
LITERARY TITAN 