Category: Romance/Adventure - GRANT LEISHMAN

two face the world: marry in haste... (richard and maria book 2) by Sarah Stuart

26/12/2018

Two Face the World is a continuation of the story by author Sarah Stuart in her critically acclaimed, Three Against the World, where we were first introduced to Richard and his supposed daughter Maria, who was dropped on his doorstep at age fourteen, along with the stray dog, Ben. Now grown up, Maria has admitted to herself that her feelings for Richard are much deeper and much more inappropriate than those between a daughter and her father. Richard has always felt the same way and when a DNA test confirms that Maria is not his daughter, they are finally free to express their feelings for each other without any sense of shame or judgement.
Richard has high hope for Maria, once she finished school and goes to University to study design, but Maria is less enthused on the prospect. Once they are in a committed relationship, marriage seems the next obvious step and despite the age difference it is a step both want, both believe in, and both are committed to. Marriage, however proves not the panacea first thought as the pair embark on a series of adventures and calamities that threaten to imperil and derail their entire relationship.
Stuart has always had the ability, in her work, to take what is often seen as unacceptable social relationships and somehow make them not only acceptable, but also desirable. This is a real fillip both to her and her writing ability. Despite the age-gap and the years spent in a father-daughter relationship, the author manages to convince us, as readers, that we should not only accept their relationship, but actively root for its success. This is a rare talent in an author and Stuart always had that, in spades.
Two Face the World is a wonderful, easy-to-read, story that is impossible to put down. As with Stuart's earlier work, the characters are relatable and likeable, but more especially as each book is produced, the strength and depth of Stuart's prose is noticeable. All authors develop and grow as they progress and one of the best parts of being a professional reviewer is being able to see that happen before your very eyes.
You don't have to have read the first book in the series to enjoy the second, because the author drops subtle hints throughout to bring the reader up to speed. However, personally, I think you should read them in order, simply because they are so damn good.
I highly recommend this read - another winner from Sarah Stuart.

You can find Two Face the World, here on Sarah Stuart's Amazon page, along with the rest of her exceptional portfolio.

Lost Love: A Story of Love, insecurities and friendship. (Friends, Family and Love Book 4) by Joni Martin

16/12/2018

In this, the latest iteration of Joni Martins' story of a group of friends and siblings, who find themselves falling in love, within their group, we focus on Theo and Krista's relationship. Just as their friendship was beginning to bloom into love, Theo's sister, Josie and one of his best friend's Ronald put the kybosh on their developing love affair by convincing Theo, a mechanic, that he was not good enough for the beautiful, talented and smart, Krista. Wracked by self-doubt Theo has broken off the relationship and begins to sink into as morass of pain, angst and depression. Similarly Krista is devastated to lose the man she believed was going to be the "love of her life" and she begins also to spiral downward.
All of the couple's friends, as well as Josie and Ronald, now realise their horrific error, but is it too late to convince Theo and Krista that they were wrong to interfere and that the two clearly love each other so much, as evidenced by their depression at being apart, that they were clearly meant to be together. Can Theo and Kristie find each other again and perhaps more importantly can Theo find his self-esteem and his confidence again, after Josie's cavalier treatment of his feelings?
Reminiscent in many ways of an episode of "Friends", I first became attracted to these characters in Martins' book "Captive Love" and Lost Love follows the same, emotional, twenty-something's as they try to settle into the real adult world and make their way in their chosen careers as well as forming relationships.
Martins' writing is straightforward and easy to read. The characters are likeable and easy to identify with, although, at times, I did feel like grabbing Theo and giving him a good, stern, talking to about not worrying about what others thought about him - only his opinion mattered. What I did like was the love scenes in the story, that were hot, passionate and exciting without crossing that fine line into crudity. Martins did an excellent job on that account.
All in all, another good addition to this series and I am keen to see where the next character relationship heads - presumably Josie and Ronald. A good read.

You can find Lost Love, plus the rest of Joni Martins' portfolio, here on her Amazon page:

a bend in time (never without her book 1) by anne C. maxwell

1/12/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

A Bend in Time (Never Without Her, Book 1) by Anne C Maxwell takes the reader on a journey through time as the two main character Omar and Elena discover much about themselves and about each other. Omar and Elena are both well-educated, from high-ranking families in Saudi Arabia. Although she grew up in Saudi, with Omar as a close friend and confidant, Elena is of European extraction and very different to him. They have, however, both always had a secret attraction for each other. When Elena, now an operative for British Secret Intelligence MI6, is delegated the task of infiltrating Omar’s London Bank and discovering whether the bank is secretly laundering money and funnelling it to terrorist organisations, Elena knows she will have trouble keeping her professional and personal lives separate. For Omar’s part, a possessive, dominating man, he quickly discovers Elena is not like other woman, whom he can snap his fingers at and have, at a moment’s notice. The story takes us on twists and turns, from London, to New York, to Riyadh and to France, through both time and location, as the pair face imminent death from several quarters. Will Omar and Elena manage to combine their love with their differing perspectives on life?

What lifts A Bend in Time (Never Without Her, Book 1) above the average, run-of-the mill, spy thriller is the additional plot twist of the time quirks. With both Elena and Omar being thrown back into differing histories, each has to find their own place in their respective, new societies. Both encounter relationships similar to the one they have with each other in the 21st Century. Using this technique Author Anne C Maxwell has elevated the story above that of a thriller. I found both main characters to be very sharply drawn almost to the point of caricature. Omar was the rich, successful, powerful, domineering, yet incredibly handsome Saudi businessman, with Elena being the absolute expression of the modern woman; beautiful, free, powerful, independent and very much in charge of herself and her life. This culture clash and the tension that created in this love affair made for interesting and absorbing reading. The pair’s adventures in their respective time bends also made for an interesting interlude to the story. As a first book in a planned trilogy involving these characters, the author has set the scene well for subsequent stories.

You can find A Bend in Time, along with the rest of Anne C. Maxwell's work, here on her Amazon page.

innocent bystander (the innocent mystery series book 3) by c.a. asbrey

21/11/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Abigail MacKay is a rarity, a detective for the famous Pinkerton Detective Agency at the end of the nineteenth century. In Innocent Bystander (The Innocent Mystery Series Book 3), by C.A. Asbrey, Abigail is drawn west, from her home in New York in search of her missing sister, Madeleine who it appears has run off with a man who is suspected of leaving a trail of dead, rich, wives behind him. The problem is nobody appears to know how he is killing his wives and although suspected of murder, no charges have ever been brought against him. When Nat Quinn, notorious bandit and leader of the Innocent gang, and his erstwhile Uncle Jake rob a train in Wyoming, they discover among the passengers, the beautiful and seductive Madeleine, who instantly reminds him of Abigail, with whom he has had previous romantic and unresolved issues. When Abigail realises Nat and Jake are her best chance to find Madeleine and save her from her killer husband, she heads into outlaw territory and persuades the pair to accompany her to San Francisco where they will try to discover the mysterious method by which the killer disposes of his wives without medical professionals being any the wiser.

Innocent Bystanders (The Innocent Mystery Series Book 3) is a powerful and exciting adventure that captivated me, as a reader, from the first page. I had not read the previous two iterations of this adventure, but author C.A. Asbrey did a superb job in filling in the gaps of what occurred in books 1 & 2. The characters of Abigail, Nat and Jake could almost have been taken from a “western adventure annual”. They are overdrawn, but purposely, I’m sure, by the author, to emphasise their characters. Nat and Jake were far from your average outlaws, with both having a strong moral compass buried beneath their outward bluster and toughness. Similarly, Abigail was your archetypal heroine; strong, independent, free thinking and wilful, everything you’d expect from a Pinkerton female detective. The author marvellously managed to imbue her with a softer, feminine and uncertain side to her character that just rounded her out perfectly. The plot was cleverly constructed and keeps the reader fascinated. Although this story could probably be classified as a “western” genre, it is far more than that and will appeal to aficionados of western, romance, murder/mystery and adventure. All in all, this is an excellent read and highly recommended.

Do pop on over to Amazon where you can find Innocent Bystander, plus the previous two books in the series, here on C.A. Asbrey's Amazon page:

sea cliff: a love story by mary deal

10/11/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Rachael Connor, outwardly successful and a budding author, to the outsider seemed to have it all. An inheritance from her father had assured her financial stability and she was able to choose when she worked for wages and when she indulged in her one true passion, writing. In Sea Cliff: A Love Story by Mary Deal, we find that Rachael has a dark secret that rules her life, even now, as an adult and long after her father has died. Rachael and her brother Brandon were brought up by a tyrant and abusive father who ruled their lives with both physical and mental abuse that Rachael still carries to this day. She is unable to form lasting relationships with men as she simply doesn’t know how and consequently has resigned herself to a life of solitude, with writing and meditation as her solaces. Enter, Matthew Knight, a successful, ridiculously handsome and well-adjusted young man, who sets his cap at winning Rachael’s heart. True love, though, rarely runs smoothly and both Matthew and Rachael have to overcome the many barriers that life and their pasts put in their way, before they can truly find each other.

Sea Cliff: A Love Story is a simple, carefully crafted romance, but what lifts it above others in the genre is its willingness to address societal issues that might otherwise be glossed over. Author Mary Deal has imbued her character of Rachael with all the angst and fear a sufferer of an abusive childhood would feel. As, a reader, we want to take Rachael and shake her, telling her to “get with the programme.” She has a man who clearly adores her and yet she looks for and finds myriad ways to push him away. Although both of the main characters are too perfectly beautiful/handsome for my liking, there was no stopping me from enjoying the twists and turns their convoluted relationship took. The concept of combining the feelings and actions of the characters in this story with the characters in the story Rachael was writing had the potential to be trite and clichéd and yet Deal made it work well. The writing style is simple and unpretentious, which I did enjoy and I found myself flying through the read. I can definitely recommend this read to lovers of romance.

You can take a look at Sea Cliff, plus the rest of Mary Deal's portfolio, here on her Amazon page:

touching the wire by rebecca bryn

22/10/2018

Touching The Wire by Rebecca Bryn is an amalgam of two stories, vastly different and yet inextricably linked. We travel back to the horrors and evil of the holocaust concentration camps and perhaps the worst of them all, in Auscwhitz. The author shows us firsthand and in graphic detail the pain, the suffering and the abomination that was the death camps. Juxtaposed on top of this heart-rending story is the lives of two twins, Charlotte and Lucy, who have always believed their Grandfather held a secret that dated back to World War II. Grandfather would never talk about the war, but they knew of his nightmares and the frequent looks of deep sorrow that would cross his face from time to time.
When the twins' Grandfather dies, they discover a carving he had made, which leads them on a mystery hunt, similar to those he had organised for them as children, however, this time the prize will not be a bar of chocolate but perhaps the truth about what really happened in that murderous death camp and who was ultimately responsible.
At times, the horror of life in the camps is almost impossible to read, but that serves only too highlight the incredible and utter inhumanity of that period and is necessary to remind us that; "he who keeps silent, consents". The author has captured the brutality of the camps, but also she has beautifully captured the indomitable spirit of so many of those who lost their lives, to Nazi madness and the humanity of characters, such as Miriam, shines through the narrative to blunt the evil.
As I said, this is really two stories in one; we have the life and love of Charlotte, as she seeks to find her way in the world, after an abusive and failing marriage, plus we have the mystery of why Grandfather made these sculptures, what they tell, and where they all are, now.
I thoroughly enjoyed this read and yes, although the conditions described in the camps are hard to bear, there is enough good in this story to counterbalance the evil. If you are a WWII story devotee and you like a good mystery, then Touching The Wire is an absolute "must read", for you. Author Rebecca Bryn has performed a superb balancing act with this tale.

You can find, Touching The Wire, along with the author's full portfolio, here on Rebecca Bryn's Amazon page:

Captive Love: A story of love, obsession and possession (Friends, Family and Love Book 1) by joni martins

26/9/2018

Captive Love by Joni Martins is a relatively short primer that introduces the reader to some of the characters who make up her Friends, Family and Love Series. Captive Love gives us an insight into the mind and actions of a mentally unbalanced stalker.
Lydia is a 24-year-old medical receptionist who has dreams of one day becoming a nurse. She has left the family farm and now shares a house with her best friend's elder brother. Their friendship is strong, but platonic. One evening when Lydia doesn't come home and does not turn up for work the next day, her housemate Rob becomes concerned about her whereabouts. This is not like Lydia at all - she is usually so considerate of her friends and always reliable.
Sam is a loner. He grew up the subject of abusive parents and even at the age of five was already having to fend for himself. He has long worshiped Lydia from afar and has always dreamed of their perfect life together - the perfect family that he was so cruelly denied. After years of stalking her Sam decides it is time they were together and it is time to act and help nature take its course in their relationship. Although Lydia remembers Sam from school, she'd never had much to do with him and was never aware of his burning obsession for her.
As a primer for the series, Captive Love does a nice job of introducing the characters that will play a role in future books. The character of Sam is both simple and complex. Clearly he has serious mental issues that have caused him to act this way, but even Lydia can find some sympathy for him, given his awful upbringing. I liked that Lydia's abduction has made the older Rob question his own feelings for her. Wonderful platonic friends now for a couple of years, he must now confront and address the feelings that rise up inside of him when he realises Lydia may actually be with someone else.
This is a good, entertaining and enjoyable read, with the writer's style straightforward and conversationalist. If you are looking for a series that will track you through with a familiar cast of characters then Captive Love is definitely the place to start.

You can find Captive Love, plus the rest of this series, here on Joni Martins' Amazon page:

noemie's journey by victoria saccenti

9/9/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

When Richard Winters points his Harley away from New York and heads south, looking for peace and a release from the memories of a devastating love affair, he wants nothing more than solitude and an opportunity to find himself again. The small town of Summitville in North Carolina where nobody knows him seems a great place to start again, but what he doesn’t count on, though, is meeting the beautiful and desirable young Creole woman by the name of Noémie whose desirability he must fight if he truly is to fulfil his promise to himself of no romantic entanglements. Set in the mid-sixties, against the background of the Civil Right’s Movement, Noémie’s Journey by Victoria Saccenti explores the reality of life for a beautiful coloured woman in the South. Laws may have changed, but attitudes will take generations to change. Richard, a Yankee, from up north, has no perception of what an interracial relationship will entail in North Carolina in the sixties, but Noémie knows well the ingrained racism of her fellow residents that she deals with every single day of her life.

Noémie’s Journey serves to remind us just how far we have come in the forty years in race relations, but equally it also makes us examine our feelings toward people who are different to us, today – a touchstone for American society, as much now, as it ever has been. Author Victoria Saccenti does a superb job of highlighting the institutional and deep racism that was just below the surface of civil society, especially in the South, in those turbulent years of the mid to late sixties. At its heart this book is a love story and a beautiful one at that. I particularly loved the author’s ability to convey the depth of love and the power of their passion, in her words, without ever having to resort to crudity or erotica. As a reader, I felt the build-up of sexual tension and revelled in the “when will they”, just as much as the participants. This is a real fillip to the author and it is what makes this book so very readable and one of the best of its genre. I thoroughly enjoyed this read and can highly recommend it to all readers who like a true romance, but also enjoy a bit of action and thoughtful social comment.

You can check out Noemie's Journey, here on Victoria Saccenti's Amazon page, along with the rest of her portfolio

miss etta: a novel by deanna lynn sletten

30/7/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

We’ve all seen and enjoyed that great movie Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, but have you ever wondered what happened to the real woman, named Etta Place, from that movie? Well, author Deanna Lynn Sletten has given us a fictional account of who she may have been and what may have become of her, following Butch and Sundance’s supposed demise, in her novel Miss Etta. We will discover her life, as a young woman, before her chance encounter with the infamous outlaw, Harry Longabough, better known to history as the Sundance Kid. The author takes us, through Etta’s eyes, on a journey through the American West, to New York City and down to South America, where it is believed Butch and Sundance met their end. The story is told as flashbacks for Etta, who now lives quietly in a small mid-western town, as Emily Pleasants, where she is a highly respected and loved schoolteacher, yet all the while always aware that her past could catch up with her and knowing those famous Pinkerton Detectives are still looking for the whereabouts of the criminal Etta Place.

Miss Etta is a truly sweeping novel that spans the decades and the country. Author Deanna Lynn Sletten has taken her beautiful lead character, Etta and imbued her with a strength of character required to not only survive the trying times of living with two outlaws, but to overcome them with cheerfulness and hope for the future, despite the overwhelming odds. I particularly loved the moral dilemmas Etta faced in loving Sundance and Butch. Constantly all three of them found their lifestyles at odds with the morals drilled into them as children and with justifying what they were doing, when they all knew deep down it was wrong. Ultimately they all longed for a life where they could put the past behind them and begin again. I appreciated that when Etta was faced with the choice between the deep love she had for Sundance and anything other option, it was always love that won out. At its core, this is a beautiful love story about family, about a deep, passionate love for one man, and life-long love and friendship for another. I did enjoy the sometimes jealous interplay between Butch and Sundance, both of whom loved Etta with all their hearts. This is a fantastic story, a great adventure and a real joy to read. I recommend this book highly to all lovers of romance, action, adventure and history.

You can find Miss Etta, by Deanna Lynn Stretton, along with the author's full and extensive portfolio, here on her Amazon page:

life happens on the stairs by amy j markstahler

16/7/2018

This award-winning, debut novel, Life Happens on the Stairs by Amy J Markstahler is a wonderfully fresh and realistic look at life and love and the contrasts between the "haves" and the "have nots"; the "elite" and the rest of us ordinary folk. Markstahler has definitely touched a spot in her readers hearts with this beautiful and touching portrayal of young love.

Elsie Richardson, a seventeen-year-old budding artist should be preparing for college, but when a brain tumour strikes down her father and he is incapacitated in hospital, Elsie realises she needs to make some sacrifices, for the sake of her hard-working mother, who is struggling to make ends meet, with no income from Elsie's father. Elsie agrees to take on some of her mother's house-cleaning jobs to give her the time to spend with her husband, before the seemingly inevitable happens. It is whilst cleaning a Southern Society's grand lady's house, that Elsie first meets the handsome, young wealthy grandson, Tyler Vaughn. The attraction between the two is instantaneous, but being aware of her mother's admonition not to do anything that could affect her cleaning job, Elsie is forced to keep her attraction and growing love for Tyler, from her mother. The idea of Tyler ever dating anyone from "the other side of the tracks" is absolutely abhorrent to Tyler's domineering, arrogant and incredibly rude Grandmother, so Tyler also must keep the relationship quiet, on his side, also.

I loved the simple, sweet style of the prose Markstahler writes in. It makes the story very readable and her detailed descriptions of the surroundings gives the reader a wonderful insight into the grandeur of an old, southern, plantation mansion. The interaction and sizzling electricity between Elsie and Tyler is definitely the highlight of the story for me. For readers who love good old-fashioned values, true romance, yet without glossing over our character's flaws and mistakes, then Life Happens on the Stairs will be a rewarding and satisfying read for you.

I enjoyed this story immensely and again, I am pleased and excited to find another, superb, indie author arriving on the literary scene. I expect bigger and even better things from Markstahler in the future. She has definitely hit the mark on this coming-of-age romance. It's a superb debut novel, in my opinion and well worthy of the five stars I'm giving it.

You can find Life Happens on the Stairs, by Amy Markstahler, here on Markstahler's Amazon page.

three against the world: a waif, a stray, and the search for romance by sarah stuart

12/6/2018

As a long time fan of Sarah Stuart's quirky and controversial romances, I was excited to read her latest offering; Three Against the World: A Waif, A Stray and the Search for Romance. I was certainly not disappointed. When Richard's ex-wife unexpectedly drops a fourteen-year-old girl on his doorstep one night and claims, she is his daughter, Richard's life changes forever. Richard, Maria and their rescue dog, Ben, suddenly finds themselves as "three against the world". Richard is determined to do whatever he can to make-up for Maria's terrible childhood at the hands of her mother. The best solution, in Richard's mind is to find himself a loving wife who can be a stepmother to Maria and create a happy family for them all. Chaos and misunderstandings ensue as Richard and Maria build a relationship, searching ultimately for trust and unconditional love.

Stuart's work has obviously been deeply affected by her love of music and specifically musical theatre, something that is plainly evident in this story also, with even the chapter titles named after songs and show tunes. Her character development of the two main characters (three, if you count the dog Ben) is, as always superb. As readers, we come to love the three characters, as they seek to place themselves in a world that, at times, seems to reject them. As a Father, I can fully identify with Richard's desire to protect and love his newly acquired daughter with every fibre of his being.

Stuart's romances are never straight-forward and Three Against the World is more proof of that. The quirks and twists she throws into this love story are what lifts it above the run-of-the-mill romance stories. I absolutely loved this story and do not hesitate in saying this is her best work, I've read, so far. I can highly recommend this story to anyone who likes quirky, dark-humoured, typically English romances. If you love human foibles, you will love this story.

Be sure to pop on over to Amazon and take a closer look at Three Against the World, plus the rest of Sarah Stuart's amazing portfolio of works.

in another life by angela Gascoigne

8/6/2018

Holly Dineen's perfect life fell apart when her husband was killed in a car accident. It has taken her a long time to pull herself, with the help of her best friend Trudi and medication, out of her depression. Things are finally looking up for Holly and her new relationship with the gorgeous Polish immigrant Marek seems to be on track, when her mind and her life are thrown into turmoil again. When she finds out things from her husband's past that she struggles to deal with, she again begins a rapid spiral out of control and back into the depths of depression and mental illness.

In Another Life, by Angela Gascoigne is another one of this author's sweet, quirky and yet deeply moving, at times, glimpse into the lives and loves of very ordinary people, with very ordinary problems - people just like us; her readers. I have been an enormous fan of Gascoigne's writing ever since I read her first book several years ago. Her style and her offbeat and sometimes slightly dark sense of humour, perhaps reflects my own jaundiced, but ever hopeful view of the world. As a writer, she gets the human condition and more importantly identifies the flaws and character quirks that make for excellent storytelling. There is something simply relaxing and soothing about Gascoigne's books. I always feel deeply the peace and the angst of the characters she invents.

In Another Life is not pretentious, literary, or particularly deep, but what it is, is using storytelling to highlight a real problem in many people's lives - that of depression and mental illness. When I finish a Gascoigne book, I always feel a sense of completeness in the story and its characters. To me, there is probably no higher praise for an author. This book is a wonderful read and one I can highly recommend.

Do yourself a favour and pop on over to Amazon to take a look at In Another Life, plus all of Angela Garcoigne's superb work, on her Amazon page.

prime vector by diana a. hicks

7/6/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Humanity has finally found the way to immortality. But, there are consequences to being immortal. In order to obtain this immortality, you must be subjected to the virus Ukruum and require regular booster shots to maintain your immortality. This is the premise of the dystopian, science fiction novel, Prime Vector by Diana A Hicks. The virus must be grown, along with the Ukruum plant, in order to keep supplies of the virus constant. The plant itself destroys the soil it grows in, so when earth was virtually destroyed by the plant, a group of scientists terraformed Mars and set about growing the product there. It soon became apparent, however, that immortality must be limited to just a few and the Immortals, through their Forever Queen and the QEC Army, would control and subjugate the rest of humanity to maintain their immortality. Catita John always thought she was just the unlucky younger sister of QEC Commando and Immortal Ry John, but when she sees her sister murdered (something which shouldn’t happen to an immortal) she vows to track down the killer. When she meets Tek, the son of an original immortal scientist, the sparks fly immediately and it is clear their destinies and the future of Mars and Earth will be inextricably linked to them.

Prime Vector is exactly what it sets out to be; a dystopian, science fiction story with a heap of old-fashioned romance thrown into the mix. Given that the story is from romance author Diana A Hicks, this is hardly surprising. Hicks has a style that allows the reader to make assumptions and draw their own conclusions about the plot, many of which will prove to be false. She has an expert ability to throw red-herrings into the mix that come back to surprise and trip up the reader. I particularly liked the slow release of information that had me guessing right until the end. Her two principal characters Cat and Tek were beautifully well drawn and their relationship was sizzling right from the very first chapter. Again, Hicks had the ability to allow her characters, Cat especially, to recognise the emotions she felt for Tek, but to still question their validity and their appropriateness, especially given their relative positions in the state of the story. I appreciated the fact that the author left a small door open at the end for the possibility of a sequel, should the desire take her. As a straight romance writer, I always find it pleasing when an author stretches herself and tries something new, as Hicks appears to have done here. Prime Vector is a fast-paced, rollicking story that action, science fiction, and romance junkies will enjoy. I certainly did.

Although Prime Vector is not yet for sale on Amazon, you can take a look at author Diana A. Hicks' other works, on her Amazon page:

cascading petals by jane c. brady

31/5/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Bullying is never okay! That is what they always say in schools all over the world, but is it just a platitude that those in authority spout, without truly adhering to? In Cascading Petals, by Jane C Brady we face bullying head-on, in not an abstract manner, but in a deeply personal and realistic way. Jewel Hart has spent most of her school days as the subject of intense bullying; bullying that has lowered her self-esteem and led her to question her place in the world, whether she even belongs here. In this her final year, a senior now, she hopes and prays that things will be different and the year will fly by until she is released, to be an adult, to go to college and to escape the remorseless taunting and pain. When Jewel meets Kaiden Carter she believes she has finally found a kindred spirit, someone she can believe in and trust. Maybe, this final year will be a good one, after all, she consoles herself. For Jewel and her new friends, the final year of high-school will bring the subjects of bullying and teen suicide to a dramatic head, teaching them all something important about themselves and the world.

Cascading Petals is very much a teen romance story and one that is beautifully told, by author Jane C Brady, but it is very much more than that. The author uses the story to explore dark and often hitherto hidden places where teenage minds and angst can reside, especially when faced with the hurtful taunts and lies of not only their peers, but even some of their teachers. The ulterior motive of this book was clearly to shine a light into areas that we, as adults, are often afraid to go and to show just how incredibly debilitating systematic and concerted bullying can be to, not just those being bullied, but often to the perpetrators themselves. Brady tells the story, with no holds-barred and yet maintains a sensitivity and a compassion that we wish was present inside of those who choose to relieve their own inner pain at the expense of others. The characters are real and perhaps not even your typical target of bullies, but I’m sure that was the intent of the author also; to show that it is not only the overweight, or the acne ridden, or the socially awkward teenagers who can be the butt of these young people’s anger and hurt. This is one of the best books on the subject I’ve read and Brady is to be congratulated for telling this difficult story without resorting to clichés and over-emotional responses. A great job.

You can take a look at Cascading Petals by Jane C. Brady, here on her Amazon page:

two hearts find christmas (two hearts wounded warrior romance #5) by tamara ferguson

28/5/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

There is a legend in Crystal Rock, Wisconsin that a kiss shared in the Crystal Rock Cave is a kiss for all eternity. When Josh kissed Nina, as frightened teenagers, little did either of them realise that many years later their lives would again be thrown together and the possibility of the legend coming true would be manifest. Josh returns to his home town, just before Christmas, a wounded hero from Iraq, a wounded warrior, no less. When he enters the Crystal Rock Wounded Warrior’s Rehabilitation Centre, he is reunited with, the now nurse, Nina. Can either of them rise above their troubled childhoods and find true love, despite the past that keeps returning to haunt them. This is the premise of this novella; Two Hearts Find Christmas (Two Hearts Wounded Warrior Romance Book 5), by Tamara Ferguson. This is the fifth book in this series based around Crystal Rock, former FBI Special Agent Jake Loughlin, and his family and friends.

This is not the first Tamara Ferguson novella I’ve read and indeed not the first Wounded Warrior novella, either. Different characters, within the group that make up the Jake Loughlin circle of family and friends are explored in each of these stories. Josh and Nina, as characters were easy to identify with and to root for. Both had had difficult, traumatic, childhoods and Ferguson dealt with some potentially horrific subject matter with sensitivity and grace. Some might argue the romance plot is fairly formulaic, but Ferguson gives much more depth to the stories, with her complicated backstory and continuity of history through the years. Definitely Two Hearts Find Christmas (Two Hearts Wounded Warrior Romance Book 5) is a chilling reminder of the evil that does exist out there among us, but also a sweet reminder of the sanctity and power of true love, plus the indomitability of the human spirit to triumph over adversity and to work for good. Although I’m not American, it was perhaps appropriate that I read this tale over Memorial Day weekend, as Americans honour the many fallen as well as the multitude of wounded warriors.

Tamara Ferguson is a prolific, highly-acclaimed author whose novella; Two Hearts Find Christmas, plus the rest of her extensive portfolio, can be found here, on her Amazon page:

far endeavor: A windflower saga novella (the windflower saga book 9) by aleksandra layland

25/5/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Far Endeavor: A Windflower Saga Novella by Aleksandra Layland takes us on a journey through time and adventure as we follow the travels of three siblings; Lord Branimir Rongo, plus his sister and brother, as they set sail to find antiquities worth studying, for the University where they all either teach or study. This hazardous journey will open up new horizons for all three siblings and will change their lives forever. Especially for Branimir, whose original quest for manuscripts will change to a search for his history and that of his family and clan. Born of the Kimbrii, the indigenous people, Branimir and his siblings are typical of his people, a mixture of the white and the dark. Their skin may be dark, but their eyes give away their heritage. Layland has created herself an entire uncharted world here, where dangerous voyages on small boats are required to find and explore ancient cultures.

This is a novella and as such relatively short, but I found it fascinating and it drew me into this culture and world that Aleksandra Layland has created covering a broad span of stories. The writing is simple, yet endearing and draws you into the story beautifully as she explores the heritage and birth-right of these three siblings, as they set out on what was supposed to be just a simple voyage of archaeological interest, but would instead turn into a life-changing journey for all three of them. At its heart; Far Endeavor; A Windflower Saga Novella is a romance, and a very acceptable one at that, but scratch the surface and you find much more. The author’s dry and sometimes wicked sense of humour comes through in her characters, as does the subtle, but very real, commentary on racism, sexism, war, and social mores that are equally as relevant in our world as they were in Lord Branimir’s. I have not previously read any of Layland’s work, but if nothing else, this book opened up a world of possibilities, for me, as a reader. I was impressed by this work and would encourage readers to take a look at her entire Windflower series, as I will indeed be. This is an excellent read.

Absolutely do pop on over to Amazon and check out Far Endeavor, along with the entire Aleksandra Layland collection:

that unexpected kiss (kissed by fate #2) by tamara Ferguson

6/5/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

More than just a romance, That Unexpected Kiss (Kissed by Fate Book 2) from Tamara Ferguson is an intriguing mixture of romance, human trafficking, murder and abduction. Dylan Nash is an FBI agent under cover at Crystal Rock. He and his mother have been searching for his father’s murderer for over twenty years and they are finally closing in on the suspects. Dylan is also looking into a human trafficking ring that had been operating out of Crystal Rock in the past, seeking the local connections. When Dylan first met Julie Thompson, several years earlier, both had felt an inexplicable connection that generated electricity and chemistry. Julie moved away, though and the connection was never explored, instead Dylan hooked up with Julie’s best friend Kate. Now Julie has come home to Crystal Rock and sparks are about to fly. Julie’s past, is also mired in tragedy, with the disappearance of her mother when she was just five. It is all about to come together in this novel.

Tamara Ferguson is a well-known and celebrated romance author, whose work I had yet to read. If The Unexpected Kiss (Kissed by Fate Book 2) is an example of the quality of her work, I’m sure it will not be the last Ferguson book I read. The pace was frantic, whether it was the adventure or the passionate romance between Dylan and Julie. Ferguson’s writing is simple, elegant and incredibly easy to read. I found myself disappointed when the book ended as I wanted to explore more of these characters and the wonderful location. This book, with its darker undertones is definitely much more than just another pulp romance. The mystery and the intrigue grabs the readers right from the very beginning and carries us along full-throttle, fully investing in the believable characters. I can highly recommend this reading, for romance and thriller/mystery readers alike. It is definitely as good as anything in that genre market out there. Thank you to Ferguson for such an enjoyable read.

Do pop on over to Amazon and take a look at That Unexpected Kiss, plus the rest of Tamara Ferguson's very extensive portfolio of novels, on her Amazon page:

a motherland's daughter, a fatherland's son by ellie midwood

20/3/2018

If you read my reviews, you will know what an enormous fan I am of Ellie Midwood's novels set during the second world war. Her latest release; A Motherland's Daughter, A Fatherland's Son has done absolutely nothing to dampen my love and enthusiasm for this immensely talented author. In my humble opinion this is Midwood's finest work to date and she just gets better and better with every story she pens.

Set, initially, at the start of World War II, when Germany and the USSR were allies, we meet Kira, a Russian military interpreter and Werner, a young, German soldier who meet in Poland, whilst their superiors are discussing the things allies discuss at the time of war. Kira and Werner fall completely and hopelessly in love, with the ultimate plan being for Kira to defect to Germany and the pair to marry. Herr Hitler, however, has other ideas and when Germany reneges on it's mutual non-aggression treaty with the Soviet Union and invades their territory, the two lovers find themselves facing each other on the battlefield. How can their love possibly survive the horrors both will experience, as atrocities are committed by both sides, on their enemies? Is there a way out for these two lovers, or was their future doomed when the first Panzer division rolled into Soviet territory?

In many ways, this story reads like a modern-day Romeo and Juliet; the two lovers destined to never be together. As each chapter alternates between Kira and Werner, the reader is drawn into deep sympathy for these characters, as they try to make sense of the horror that their daily lives have devolved into. As a reader, I can honestly say, by the end of the book I alternated between hope and despair for this angst-ridden pair, as they both tried desperately to keep the warmth of their love alive despite the horror.

This is a tough book to read, partly because Midwood is so accurate in her depictions of the true horrors of this war. She does not hide from the raw senselessness and violence that saw one quarter of the population of the Soviet Union wiped from the face of the earth, in the bloodiest conflict in human history. She doesn't gloss over it - and neither should she. This was a horrific war that, at times, portrayed the very worst of the human condition, but... and it's a big BUT, this war was also capable of showing great human kindness, understanding and love and Midwood displays this beautifully and with great tenderness. I think the author summed it up perfectly when she talked about how individual soldiers from both sides, quickly found common ground when they were forced into a position of cohabitation, as they were in the Russian medical centre. German and Russian wounded rapidly realised they had much more in common, that drew them together, than that which pulled them apart. It is this insightful writing by Midwood, that lifts this book FAR above your average war story.

As I said earlier, I believe this book is Ellie Midwood's most powerful and most enjoyable book to date. I can only wait, with bated breath, for the next missive from this ultra-talented author's pen. A Motherland's Daughter, A Fatherland's Son is an absolute triumph and a must read for all fans of the genre and all readers everywhere. Bravo, Ellie Midwood!

Absolutely do pop on over to Ellie Midwood's Amazon page, where you can take a look at; A Motherland's Daughter, A Fatherland's Son, or indeed any of Midwood's incredible portfolio of books. I guarantee if you chose any book from her selection, you would not be disappointed.

love buries a spring bird by charles forgrave

15/3/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Love Buries a Spring Bird, by Charles Forgrave takes us back to our youth, when romance and our burgeoning sexuality was something we contemplated endlessly. Set in the gorgeous upper reaches of Michigan, on the shores of Lake Superior, Cortney, who lives in the ex-fishing village and lumber town, meets up with Jackie, from the nearby city of Soo, who is staying at the lake for two weeks with her family and her best friend Ellie. Cortney and Jackie hit it off immediately and spend the rest of the holiday in each other’s company, exploring and hiking the many trails around the village as well as visiting Cortney’s special place on an island in the middle of Lake Superior. When it becomes time for Jackie and her family to return home, reality bites for the love struck pair and so begins a regular commute for Cortney as he tries to keep the relationship alive once the summer excitement has worn off.

There is much to like about this story. We’ve probably all experienced that summer romance, when we were absolutely certain of our feelings and certain of our love for our new partner, only to discover when summer ends and the day-to-day grind of live intrudes, it is much harder to keep the relationship alive. Charles Forgrave’s descriptions in, Love Buries a Spring Bird, of the beauty of the area that is known as the Upper Peninsular of Michigan, does much to endear the story to the reader. The writing style is different to any I have experienced before and may be too simplistic and repetitive for some readers, but there is a certain syncopation to the author’s lines that lifts it above prose, almost into the realm of poetry. Although the author did give his character of Cortney, the opportunity to think and ponder on bigger questions than just making love to Jackie, the character of Jackie, I felt was a little wooden and mono-syllabic. I found the few sexual scenes in the book to be almost “teenage boy jokey” and if that was what the author was aiming for (his potential Y/A audience), then he definitely hit his mark. This was a pleasant enough coming of age/teenage romance and worth a look.

the flowers of penruddock: a romance collection by ronnda eileen henry

3/3/2018

Reviewed for Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

The Flowers of Penruddock: A Romance Collection from Ronnda Eileen Henry is a collection of seven substantial novellas that all focus on the mythical land of Penruddock, which Henry has created and expanded on over time. The novellas all take place over different periods of Penruddock’s history; a history, it seems that is measured by before and after the rule of Good King Adelard. King Adelard was the last King to rule over a unified and united Penruddock. Upon his death, the island nation was divided up into six kingdoms, each to be ruled by one of his six sons. The story of Good King Adelard and what led to his decision to split his kingdom is told in the fourth novella: Hyacinth – Love Royal and True and is in itself fascinating. Each of the seven novellas is named after the lead female character in the story, also being the name of a flower. So, we have Poppy, Rose, Violet, Hyacinth and more. As a bonus, at the end is a story written by the author titled: Cousins One and All, a Jane Austen fan fiction story.

I loved this wonderful collection of simple love stories. There is nothing pretentious about Ronnda Eileen Henry’s writing and in The Flowers of Penruddock: A Romance Collection, she gives us simple, sweet and uplifting love stories about real characters. I particularly liked that age, occupation and social status had no bearing in the character’s choices of who they fell in love with. Many of the stories are centred around nobility and royalty, where “love matches” are often the last consideration when arranging a marriage. More important are improving one’s status or adding a title to one’s family name. Henry’s characters rise above these material issues and true love is found, pursued and defended stoutly. Because all the stories revolve around the Island of Penruddock, albeit at different times in history, I always felt an affinity with the location of each new story. This is a long collection of stories, but one that can be delved into and read at one’s leisure. Each story stands alone and I can highly recommend this to anyone who loves, good, clean, but exciting romantic adventure. My favourite stories? – Marigold: Love in Two Acts, closely followed by Peony: Forged in Love, but truth be told, I enjoyed them all immensely.

Do pop on over to Amazon and check out Ronnda Eileen Henry's The Flowers of Penruddock as well as the rest of her extensive portfolio:

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