Blog Archives
Entirely
Entirely by Talya Blaine is the third book in the Transformation series, which follows Quinn, and her relationship with Jonathan, as she must face difficult choices and life-changing events. This book focuses on each character’s development and how they impact Quinn’s relationship and future. Quinn’s life shifts unexpectedly as she begins to question what lies ahead and, most importantly, her relationship with Jonathan. She quickly learns how one decision, fulfilling a simple request, can change everything.
Blaine highlights the electrifying but complex connection between the two main characters and how they must navigate unpredictable situations. While Quinn’s commitment to Jonathan seems impenetrable, she must agree to do a favor for Octavia without question, which sends her life into a spiral of trouble. While there is a cautiously optimistic tone throughout the book, Quinn’s world has a fragile nature that feels like it could shatter as things develop.
The main reason I’m drawn to this book and series is because of how well the story develops within and outside of Quinn and Jonathan’s relationship. An element of suspense and tension builds, giving the storyline a gripping, intense atmosphere. The intimate scenes added more depth and daring boldness to the story. There’s enough to take the reader to the edge but pull them back in with more unexpected twists.
Blaine focuses on the ripple effects of betrayal on an emotional and personal level, which is easy to identify with, as the characters are well-developed and realistic. Entirely by Talya Blaine is a fantastic story, and I recommend reading the entire series as it unfolds into a fun but exciting romance with many surprises and exquisite intimacy. It’s an excellent read for romance fans and anyone new to the genre. I also look forward to reading more work from the author.
Pages: 232 | ASIN : B0BWGF28BH
Madly Deeply Wildly
Katherine Turner’s Madly Deeply Wildly is a poignant and emotionally charged story of a woman’s journey toward healing, self-discovery, and love. The novel follows Renata, a writer who has lost her words, as she finds the courage to leave her abusive boyfriend after several years of physical and emotional abuse. Renata moves back to her hometown and takes a job as a cashier at a local cafe, where she forms strong bonds with the people around her, who become her chosen family. Along the way, she begins dating Chad, a goofy yet observant baker, and slowly begins to disentangle her painful past from her present.
Madly Deeply Wildly is an engaging and well-written novel that adeptly captures the complex emotions of a victim of gaslighting, domestic abuse, and rape post-trauma. Renata’s journey is raw and authentic, with the readers rooting for her to overcome the scars of her past and live her best life. Turner’s portrayal of the conflicting thoughts and feelings that plague Renata on a daily basis is heart-wrenching and realistic, making it easy to empathize with her struggles. While the novel’s pacing is swift, with the story delving straight into grief and abuse at the beginning, the plot’s development is engaging and well-structured. The romantic subplot between Renata and Chad is undeniably adorable, although some readers might find the romance to be too fast-paced, given Renata’s past and ongoing PTSD. Furthermore, while Chad is written as the ideal book boyfriend, some readers may find his character to be too perfect, but he is precisely what Renata needs at the time.
Turner has written an uplifting and inspiring novel that illustrates the power of resilience, love, and self-discovery in overcoming past traumas. The supporting characters are endearing, and readers will find themselves invested in their lives outside of Renata’s story. Ultimately, Madly Deeply Wildly is a must-read for anyone who has experienced trauma and is looking for hope and inspiration to overcome their struggles.
Pages: 378 | ASIN : B0BZMQSZGV
Dancing Skies & City Lights
Dancing Skies & City Lights by Sheleila D’Paiva is an immersive work of fiction that takes readers on a journey of self-discovery, hope, and life transformation through adventure. The novel follows Katelyn, who leaves her seemingly perfect life and sets out on a quest to rediscover herself. However, as she travels the world, crafting her present moment by moment, her past comes back to haunt her. Will she realize she belongs to this world, or will her fantasy come crashing down?
This multifaceted travelogue is a beacon of hope for all those with a wanderlust spirit. While the travel adventures are undoubtedly a highlight, they serve as a means to an end – a way for Katelyn to confront her fears and insecurities and ultimately find a more profound sense of purpose and meaning in life. The author’s writing style is descriptive and engaging, with short sentences and dialogue tags that add a touch of realism without sacrificing coherence. She skillfully conveys Katelyn’s internal struggles and emotions through repetition and contrast, providing a depth of character that is both intriguing and relatable.
One of the most refreshing aspects of the novel is Katelyn’s willingness to be vulnerable and share her struggles with readers. As she takes risks and faces obstacles, readers will find themselves rooting for her every step of the way. The book is filled with humor, heart, and a sense of adventure that will uplift readers and leave them inspired. While the premise and flow of the story are engaging, the main conflict in the story may feel unremarkable to some readers. However, character development is the main theme explored in this novel, and D’Paiva delivers on that front with great skill. While some complex themes may have been sidelined, the story’s main goal is to take readers on a journey of personal growth and transformation.
Dancing Skies & City Lights by Sheleila D’Paiva is the perfect travel fiction to get lost in a daydream while following Katelyn’s journey of self-discovery. It’s an inspiring and engaging read that will appeal to those seeking a novel filled with hope, adventure, and personal transformation.
Pages: 179 | ASIN : B0BZHLVTG9
Marked as Queen of Hearts
Marked as Queen of Hearts is an enthralling romantic suspense novel by acclaimed author Blye Donovan, marking the fifth book in her renowned Rolling Brook series. The novel presents an intriguing second-chance romance set in a small town, making it a captivating read for lovers of the genre. The book features the talented crime fiction author Tori Graham, who returns to her hometown in Illinois from California to seek the assistance of her former flame, Captain Rafe Alonso. Rafe has relocated from Chicago to take up a new position as the small town’s police captain. However, a case from his past continues to plague him, and his path crosses once again with his ex-girlfriend, whom he hasn’t seen in ten years. As a new case surfaces, with eerie resemblances to the previous Suit of Hearts Slasher serial killer case, the question arises, could this be a copycat killer, or did Rafe send the wrong man to jail for the previous murders? The book builds an air of mystery and suspense as readers are left to uncover the killer’s true identity.
The author skillfully weaves in several hints about Tori and Rafe’s past relationship in the book’s early stages, compelling readers to continue reading to find out what went wrong between them. The pairing of a crime fiction writer and a police captain is clever, and the author does a fantastic job of taking the reader on a thrilling ride. I liked the two together, and I wished Tori had played a more substantial role in the investigation, collaborating with Rafe to piece together the clues. Nevertheless, the author crafted a thrilling story that hooked me from start to finish. Rafe’s anger issues were a concerning element at times, but they added depth to his character and made him more relatable to readers. In addition, the author took the time to incorporate vivid descriptions of Rolling Brook’s charming small-town setting, immersing the reader in the story. The story’s pace picks up as the reader learns more about the people and town, and an air of mystery and suspense builds throughout the story, keeping me engaged.
Marked as Queen of Hearts is a captivating romantic suspense novel that will have readers on the edge of their seats. Donovan’s masterful storytelling and engaging characters make it a must-read for fans of the genre.
Pages: 290 | ASIN : B0BTQ5KFDC
The Celine Bower Story
Carly Brown’s The Celine Bower Story: Chronicle Two is a gripping tale of murder, revenge, and the quest for escape. This exciting story follows the life of Celine Bower after she endures a brutal attack and rape and sets out to seek her own justice. However, in order to evade police questioning regarding the violence inflicted on her attackers, Celine must go into hiding. Meanwhile, we also follow Troy Alexander, who is struggling with losing his mother, a strained relationship with his father, and a disturbing urge to murder young women. Eventually, these two characters’ paths intersect in a suspenseful and captivating narrative.
The author’s masterful character development and descriptive language shine through in this novel, particularly in how she portrays the characters’ personalities and actions. For example, the use of phrases such as ‘Troy said venomously’ paints a vivid picture of his persona, allowing the reader to better visualize the events in the story. While there are some references to ‘Chronicle One,’ the evidence of what Celine is running away from is gradually incorporated into the narrative skillfully and captivatingly. Readers will have no trouble following the storyline and understanding where Celine is coming from.
Carly Brown has done an exceptional job of creating complex and intriguing characters with unique backstories. In addition, the delicate handling of specific themes throughout the book adds depth to the characters and the storyline. While there are moments where the pace of the story may seem slow, and the connection between the individual stories may not be clear, these elements ultimately contribute to the reader’s anticipation and curiosity surrounding the narrative.
Overall, The Celine Bower Story: Chronicle Two is an excellent read full of unexpected surprises, and I would highly recommend it to anyone seeking a thrilling and thought-provoking novel.
Pages: 200 | ISBN : 1771616482
Never Stop Running
Dr. Melissa Caudle’s Never Stop Running is a captivating novel that follows the life of a woman named Jackie who has experienced multiple lives but struggles to find meaning in her current one. Jackie, a school teacher, embarks on a school trip with her friend Beth and their respective classes. Tragically, the bus driver suffers a heart attack while en route to the museum, resulting in a fatal collision. Unfortunately, Jackie is the only one seriously injured and remains in a coma for several months before waking up with no memories of her past life.
The novel delves into the concept of past lives and regression therapy as Jackie attempts to recall her previous life before the accident by seeking out the source of her trauma. As she grapples with the memories of her past lives, she must also come to terms with her current family, who are strangers to her. Her husband David, mother Margarette, and two young sons, Tyler and Sebastian, one of whom has no recollection of her, add to her struggles.
Whether you believe in the notion of reincarnation or not, Never Stop Running is a mesmerizing tapestry of numerous tales. The book seamlessly weaves together not only the perspectives of the present characters but also those from Jackie’s past lives. The writing style is affected by the era in which the flashbacks occur, making the shifts in the timeline effortless and non-disruptive. Caudle expertly immerses the reader into Jackie’s world with her vivid descriptions and captivating characters.
Never Stop Running is a thrilling work of psychological fiction based on a true story. Readers follow along as Jackie discovers her soul mate in past lives and tries to come to terms with her current life and situation. I wholeheartedly recommend this book, as it is an enthralling and exhilarating read that will keep you engaged until the very end.
Pages: 283 | ASIN : B07MTTRJQK
How To Bust A Player
How to Bust a Player is a romantic novel filled with humor. This entertaining novel follows the story of three friends, Myisha, Rochelle, and Shalece, as they contend with the messy side of relationships. Throughout their years of marriage and dating, they have come to know that unfaithful men are just a part of the game. That is why they learned how to bust a player, and now they’re teaching you. The novel is a spin on the 90s film, How to Be a Player. If you enjoy books with themes like Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man: What Men Really Think About Love, Relationships, Intimacy, and Commitment, this book may be for you.
Author Jerri Smith-Baker starts the story with background information on how men and women operate, particularly in sexual and intimate relationships. The provocative language used in the book is not for the faint of heart. However, Jerri is blunt and honest with her descriptions and assessments.
The story’s plot is captivating, and I wanted to know more about these women and their stories. I found myself connecting with Myisha, Rochelle, and Shalece because they are hard-working women who have had bad experiences dating, and at the end of the day, they are there for each other. I felt like I was reading a play, especially the way the author sets up each of the women’s backstories for the reader.
How to Bust a Player follows three women who experience love, lust, and disappointments, but at the end of the day, they are strong women who just want to be in a committed relationship. I recommend this book to those who want to enjoy a story of friendship and the trials and tribulations of relationships.
Pages: 192 | ISBN: 145209716X
Ride
Morgan wanted out. After spending her childhood with her abusive mother, alcoholic father, and successful sister, she wanted nothing more than to carve her own path in life as a film director. Likewise, Alayna wished to have a picture-perfect family, even if it meant putting her dreams of singing behind her. Separated by the trauma of their past and brought back together by the death of their mother, these two sisters want nothing more than to move on with their lives. But that’s easier said than done, especially when home means old ghosts are lurking around every corner.
Inspired by the music of Lana Del Rey, author Zachary Ryan tells the compelling story of two sisters trapped by circumstance and family ties as they try to right the wrongs of the past in his newest novel, Ride. The story itself is a beautifully written tale of trauma and healing. As the chapters flip between Alayna’s and Morgan’s perspectives, the reader is welcomed to the full scope of the story and both sides of the sister’s harsh upbringing. In this gripping book, Ryan doesn’t stray away from difficult topics such as suicide and drug abuse but accepts them as a brutal part of life. His willingness to discuss both the good and the bad brings the story to life.
Zachary Ryan tells a narrative that makes it hard not to feel genuine sympathy as you watch the sisters work their way through old ghosts and drudge up long-buried trauma. He writes the story in a way that allows you to bury yourself under the words. With the exception of a few jarring jumps between past and present, this book was a captivating and smooth read, and I found it hard not to put it down.
Ride is a compelling women’s fiction novel about the strained relationship between sisters and the struggle to work through past trauma. Readers will be taken on a journey of self-discovery and reflection as the sisters heal from their upbringing and find a way to move forward in life.
Pages: 341 | ASIN: B0BKYHV2PT
LITERARY TITAN 