Review: Fast Burn by Lori Foster

Title: Fast Burn

Author: Lori Foster

Publisher: HQN
Publication Date: March 20, 2018
Series: Body Armor
Pages: 384 pages

Where to buy: Amazon,

Stars: 5

Summary: For the woman who’s his perfect match, he’s willing to break the rules…

The moment Brand Berry meets beautiful, driven Sahara Silver, the connection between them is electric. It’s also something he can’t pursue. Sahara wants him, sure—to join Body Armor, where his MMA skills, size and cocky attitude make him perfect for her elite crew of bodyguards. For Sahara, the agency always comes first, and Brand needs more. Yet when she’s kidnapped by men searching for her missing brother, he doesn’t hesitate.

Somewhere along the way, flirting with Brand for the sake of business turned very personal. Despite his refusal to join Body Armor, it’s Brand who steps up when Sahara needs him most. Now there’s no more time for games, and no point denying the hunger they both feel. They’ll escape together or not at all. But if they survive, can Sahara finally surrender control to claim this blazing passion?

Review:
I have not read a Lori Foster novel in a long time. This is just as amazing and captivating as all of her other novels. Lori is by far one of my top three favorite romance novelists. She absolutely did not disappoint in this book. I picked this book up and did not want to put us down. I love Sahara's Bossiness and the way Brand and her fit together so well. Their relationship is amazing. I have truly missed reading Lori's books and am so happy my boyfriend bought me this one. I cannot wait to read more amazing books by Lori Foster in the future.

What am I reading?

What am I reading?

Finished:

Wild Hunger by Chloe Neill
Note to Self by Andrew Milner

Currently reading:
Low Chicago by George R.R. Martin 

Bench warmers:

Life Happens to us by Ashta-deb
The Dream Daughter by Diane Chamberlain

Up to bat:

The Doomsday Girl by Dave Stanton
The Calico Cat by Amanda James
Darkest Night by Megan Erickson
Still Life by Isobel Hart
Something in The Water by Catherine Steadman
Mr. Nice Guy by Jennifer Miller & Jason Feifer
Royal Mess by Jenna Sutton

Won:
Sadie by Courtney Summers (physical copy)
Heartbreaker by Claudia Dey  (physical copy)

Just Let Time Pass (Dieting after She Died, #3) by Wendy Landers

Review: Brave Enough by Kati Gardner

Title: Brave Enough

Author: Kati Gardner

Publisher: Flux
Publication Date: August 21, 2018
Pages: 320 pages

Where to buy: Amazon

Stars: 5

Summary: Teenager Cason Martin is the youngest ballerina in the Atlanta Ballet Conservatory. She never really had a choice of whether she learned to dance or not. Her mother, the conservatory's artistic director, has made all the decisions in Cason's life. But that's about to change. Cason has been hiding an injury, and it's much worse than anyone imagines.

Review:
Okay, so I may have accepted this book at first because the authors name is spelt the same as mine and that alone is a rare thing. But also because I read a few reviews and descriptions of this book and all came back as amazing! Then I got the book and by goodness this book is fantastic. I could not stop reading it. The characters are fantastic. I connected very well with Cason. Although yes I do kind of hate her name. This book is absolutely amazing and I loved it. Seriously I recommend picking it up and giving it a chance even if your heart may break a little. 

Guest Post: Keith Jahans

Writing Reviews

I read a great deal and fit my reading around the time I devote to writing and promoting my own books.  I review books I have read on my own blog at http://wordpress.peatmore.com.  Most of the books I now read are written by lesser known writers.  As a writer myself, I know a positive review can give a boost to someone's confidence and even help promote their work.  Most of those I read are talented at what they do and deserve a wider audience.

Writing is a lonely business so the mere fact that it is obvious that your work has been read and somebody has taken the trouble to write about it is a reward in itself.  But a bad review may have the reverse effect in which case the writer must be philosophical about it.  The fact that not everybody is going to like your work is a fact everyone working in creative art is aware of so a few poor reviews amongst many should be expected.  Most authors even those who have become quite famous have had their work rejected at some point, myself included, when trying to follow the traditional path to publication.  Rejection is part of the job.

Many of the books I have reviewed have been written by people I have met and some have been by those I consider as friends.  The question then arises about how objective I should be and the short answer is that I should be objective as possible.  After all, I am reviewing the work not the person who wrote it.  I find that most of what I read turns out to be extremely enjoyable, some not so, so the extent of my enjoyment is reflected in my review.  But if I think that a piece of writing is particularly bad, instead of writing about it, I will point out my concerns privately and don't publish the review.  This may be considered to be a copout but I know how soul destroying completely negative criticism can be.

I think now is the time for me to share with you the worst review I have received and have pasted it below.

"Utter Disappointment"

Wasted time and money on this crappy short "book". I wish I paid more attention to the description

This is pretty damming but I assure you that I have received many more excellent reviews – honest.  But you can judge for yourself by checking out my books on my website at www.peatmore.com.

Keith Jahans

Author / Publisher

Review: She Was the Quiet One by Michele Campbell

Title: She Was the Quiet One

Author: Michele Campbell

Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Publication Date: July 31, 2018
Pages: 352 pages

Where to buy: Amazon, Barnes & Noble

Stars: 5

Summary: From the author of It's Always the Husband comes a riveting new suspense novel about privilege, power, and what happens when we let ambition take control. 
When twin sisters Rose and Bel Enright enroll in The Odell School, a prestigious New England boarding school, it seems like the opportunity of a lifetime. But the sisters could not be more different. The school brings out a rivalry between them that few ever knew existed. And the school itself has a dark underbelly: of privileged kids running unchecked and uninhibited; of rituals and traditions that are more sinister than they seem; of wealth and entitlement that can only lead to disaster. 
For Sarah Donovan, wife of an ambitious teacher who is determined to rise through the ranks, Odell also seems like the best thing that could happen to their small family. But how well does she really know her husband? What lengths will he go to to achieve his goals? And when one dark night ends in murder, who is guilty, who knows the truth, and who has been in on it all along? SHE WAS THE QUIET ONE. Because murderers are almost never who you expect.
In a novel full of twists, turns, and dark secrets, Michele Campbell once again proves her skill at crafting intricately spun and completely compelling plots.

Review:
This book from the beginning was very gripping. I found it really easy to get into and I really didn't want to put down. Unfortunately I have a day job that requires me to go to it and a boyfriend that also requires attention. But I cannot wait to get further into this book. Honestly this book is one of the best books I have read so far this year. I absolutely couldn't put it down. The end was great. The killer was kind of easy for me to tell. But sometimes that is the easy part. There were bits where I didn't think the cops were going to do their job. I think one of my favorite parts is the fact that I got so into it at the end that I forgot about the anonymous emails. Then boom the very last thing that happens the best thing. You find out who sent it. It is absolutely beautiful. I was just left there like... I thought.. but... How... It was fantastic. I loved this book. The characters were great. I absolutely recommend reading this book. 

What am I reading?

What am I reading?

Finished:

A Wedding on Bluebird Way by Lori Wilde, Janet Dailey, Allyson Charles, Stacey Keith
Hidden by Kelli Clare

Currently reading:
Wild Hunger by Chloe Neill

Benchwarmers:

Note to Self by Andrew Milner
Life Happens to us by Ashta-deb

Up to bat:

Black Dawn by Mallory McCartney
The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton

Won:
How Do You Deal with a Dead Girl? by Andrew Demcak
Hollywood Daze by Simona Moroni
Lady Helena Investigates by Jane Steen
Hagar's Last Dance by Maureen Klovers
The Torch Betrayal by Glenn Dyer
The Dream Daughter by Diane Chamberlain (physical copy)

Review: Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku by Fujita

Title: Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku

Author: Fujita

Publisher: Kodansha Comics
Publication Date: April 17, 2018

Where to buy: Amazon

Stars: 4.5 stars

Summary: The awkward, romantic comedy manga about geeks in love that inspired the new anime! Can a professional man who's secretly a hardcore gamer and a woman who's secretly a fujoshi date without their hobbies getting in the way, or revealing each other's secrets?

Extra-long book includes 2 Japanese volumes!

GAMES OVER ROMANCE

Narumi Momose has had it rough: Every boyfriend she's had dumped her once they found out she was an otaku, so she's gone to great lengths to hide it. When a chance meeting at her new job with childhood friend, fellow otaku, and now coworker Hirotaka Nifuji almost gets her secret outed at work, she comes up with a plan to make sure he never speaks up. But he comes up with a counter-proposal: Why doesn't she just date him instead?

In love, there are no save points.

Review: 
Hirotaka seems to be more of a Virgo and not a Pieces... Not to be bias by any means being a Virgo myself. Okay, I may be partial as my boyfriend is a Taurus. Parts of the story is a little difficult to follow along with at the beginning. But the further I go in to the story the more it makes sense and I love it. I do recommend this manga for anyone who is a otaku even in the slightest. Has bits of romance and nerdiness. I loved it. 

What am I reading?

What am I reading?

Finished:

Brave Enough by Kati Gardner

Currently reading:
A Wedding on Bluebird Way by Lori Wilde, Janet Dailey, Allyson Charles, Stacey Keith

Benchwarmers:

Note to Self by Andrew Milner
Life Happens to us by Ashta-deb

Up to bat:

The Valiant - Comic book
Noble Vol 1: God Shots - Comic Book
Shimmy Bang Sparkle by Nicola Rendell 
Last Call by Shelli Stevens
One Small Thing by Erin Watt

Review: Potter's Field by Rob Hart

Title: Potter's Field

Author: Rob Hart

Publisher: Polis Books
Publication Date: July 10, 2018
Pages: 304 pages
Series: Ash McKenna (Book 5)

Where to buy: Amazon

Stars: 3.5

Summary: 
The final book in Rob Hart's acclaimed Ash McKenna series shows that Ash can go home again...but it might cost him everything.

Amateur private investigator Ash McKenna is home. After more than a year on the road he's ready to face the demons he ran away from in New York City. And he’s decided what he wants to do with his life: Become a private investigator, for real. Licensed and everything. No more working as a thug for hire. But within moments of stepping off the plane, Ginny Tonic, the drag queen crime lord who once employed him―and then tried to have him killed―asks to see him. 

One of her newest drag queen soldiers has gone missing, and Ginny suspects she’s been ensnared by the burgeoning heroin scene on Staten Island. Ginny wants Ash to find her. Because he’s the best, and because he knows Staten Island, his home borough. Ash is hesitant―but Ginny’s offer of $10,000 is enough to get him on his feet. And the thought of a lost kid and a bereft family is too much for him to bear. 

He accepts, and quickly learns there’s something much bigger at play. Some very dangerous people are vying for control of the heroin trade on Staten Island, which is recording the highest rate of overdose deaths in the city. As Ash navigates deadly terrain, he find his most dangerous adversary might be his own past. Because those demons he ran away from have been waiting for him to come back.

Review:

At 12% into this book I am just waiting for something to just grip me and not let me go. This book is good but I wouldn't really call it gripping. I do like Ash, I am really interested to go back and read the other books to see what made him, him. I don't want to put too much into this review as I feel like I would giveaway some spoilers. But there are a few twists in there that you wouldn't expect. He starts a list of things he needs to accomplish at the start of the book. I am a lover a lists...  It seems he is as good at accomplishing the items on the list as I am. If you read the book you'll see how good I am at accomplishing things on my list. :) I feel it wasn't until about 70% through this book that I was really drawn into this book that it really had me and I had gotten through it a bit quicker. That's when everything started to really get shocking and into the thick of things. I loved the writing all around, I loved the characters and the diversity. But based off of how slow it was at first and through a large portion of the book for me it makes it really hard for me to rate the book. I do recommend reading the book as I stated before I really want to read some of Ash's earlier adventures see what made him into the man. He is because from what I can tell in this book, he has gone down a difficult journey and really came out a wonderful man.

Review: Whatever it Takes by Virginia Kelly

Title: Whatever it Takes

Author: Virginia Kelly

Publisher: Season Publishing
Publication Date: April 9, 2018
Pages: 222

Where to buy: Amazon

Stars: 4

Summary: A woman frantic to find her child…
Laura Iglesias’s young son was kidnapped by a powerful and unscrupulous San Matean ex-general turned politician in order to flush her father, his top rival, out of hiding. With a reward out for her arrest, she’s masquerading as a waitress so she can get inside the estate where she believes her son is being kept—until a stranger intervenes.

A man with a mission…
CIA special ops officer Mark Williams has no idea what he’s getting into when he helps a pretty waitress avoid the advances of the ex-general. When Mark realizes that she’s the widow of the man whose death haunts him, he vows to help her and her child get away. But helping her puts him at odds with his mission to take down the villainous ex-general. Torn between duty and the debt to a dead man’s family, Mark is forced to make decisions that tear at his soul and could end in disaster.

A country on the brink…
Pretending to be man and wife on a quest to find her son, Mark and Laura fight an overwhelming attraction and give in to desire. But when they discover where her son is hidden, the villain makes a final power play that could destroy the country. Mark’s choices are stark: stop him or save Laura and the boy. And when Laura learns Mark’s true identity and purpose, she must decide if she can trust this man who lied to her about everything, maybe even about the passion they shared.

Review: 
It has been a long time since I have read a romance book like a really long time. It is really refreshing. I really enjoy that this book is more focused on more than that. They are trying to find her son and obviously fighting the obvious. I feel as of late I have been a bit of a hard critic. This book started really strong it held my attention and then somewhere along the way I just got a little lost. I found myself having a hard time staying focused and wanting to pick the book back up. I found at times that I just wanted it to get to the point. This book however is good. It may unfortunately just be me and my patience and just looking for a book I absolutely love. This book has a fantastic ending and I do love it but I feel like there could have been a little bit more to it. Maybe I have high standards after not reading a lot of books for so long. I'm not sure but I do recommend giving this book a chance. It is worth it!

What am I reading?

What am I reading?

Finished:

Tulsa by S.L. Scott
Fast Burn by Lori Foster

Currently reading:
Brave Enough by Kati Gardner

Benchwarmers:

Note to Self by Andrew Milner
Life Happens to us by Ashta-deb

Up to bat:

The Memory Box by Eva Lesko Natiello
The Scars I Bare by J.L Berg
Hidden Charm by Jill Sanders
As the Tide Comes In by Cindy Woodsmall, Erin Woodsmall
806 by Cynthia Weil
The Good Twin by Marti Green
Daddy Darkest by Ellery Kane
What Lies Below by Barbara Taylor Sissel
Find You in the Dark by Nathan Ripley

Review: Tulsa by S.L. Scott

Title: Tulsa

Author: S.L. Scott

Publication Date: 5/3/2018
Where to buy: Amazon,

Stars: 5

Summary: From New York Times Bestselling Author, S.L. Scott, comes a hot new rock star romance that will sweep you off your feet and leave you with a smile.

The rumors are true. At least where I’m concerned.

Drummers hit it harder and do it better.

Women love me and I love them. But I like to think of myself as a sensitive soul trapped in a lady-killer’s body. Not so surprisingly, I’ve been called cocky a time or two. What can I say? We can’t all be boy scouts.

Nikki Faris has thrown off my rhythm. With her red lips, smart aleck mouth, short skirts, long legs, and blue-sky eyes, the beautiful lead singer has become a complete distraction on this tour. 

She loves to give me a hard time when all I want to do is give her the pleasure of my hard—time right back.

Tulsa Crow can save his pick up lines, great eight-pack abs, and cute dimples to use on someone else. My band earned their spot on The Resistance’s tour just like The Crow Brothers. I’m not going to blow it getting sidetracked by a cocky rock star that wants to sleep his way through the states. I’ve been called a name or two, but easy isn’t one of them.

But the best intentions with him turn into a walk of shame for me. Only, I don’t feel shame. Instead, I’m doing the very thing I said I wouldn’t—falling for a playboy.

We make sinful music when we’re on the road, but what happens to our melody when the tour ends?

Review:
I have never read a book by S.L Scott before but after just starting this book for the tour I absolutely will in the future. This book is so easy to read and it flows so easily. At first I had to focus on if Nikki was talking or if Tulsa was. But the further I got into the book not only did I get a really good feel for both characters and not need to look at the names anymore but it almost felt like they became one. A lot of the scenes were so well written I could almost see and feel them. This is one of the best books I've read so far this year. I absolutely loved this and I cannot wait to read more books as amazing and really makes you believe love isn't dead. I am so sad to have finished this book. But I am so happy to have been able to review this book. I absolutely loved it! I hope you all will as well. I recommend if you love music, love and romance to give this book a shot because it is absolutely worth it!
-Kati

Review: Sea Music by briege brannigan

Title: Sea Music

Author: briege brannigan

Publisher: Troubador Publishing

Where to buy: Amazon

Stars: 5

Summary: After a traumatic few months, artist Jess Cooper arrives in Northumberland to recuperate and to reassess her life. Idly looking in an estate agent's window, she is drawn to Sea Music - a cliff-top house overlooking the North Sea. Enchanted by the name, she is inexplicably compelled to view it. While there she has a strong sense of deja vu - warm feelings at first, giving way to a sense of loneliness and searching for someone. At the top of the cellar steps, she is suddenly light-headed and unable to make the move to descend. Something unpleasant is clawing at her mind, but she can't bring it to the fore. That evening she is haunted by a woman's face and a name - Lydia. Always believing she has no relatives apart from her parents, she is shocked to learn that Lydia was her aunt who died in a mysterious fall at Sea Music. She also discovers that Lydia's baby son was abducted a few years before her death, and the abductor never found. Jess sets out to unearth the reasons why her parents never told her about her aunt and the events leading up to Lydia's mysterious death. Sea Music is a gripping story of betrayal and tragedy, loss and guilt. Spanning more than thirty years, Sea Music is a compelling story of one woman's search for the truth. This book will appeal to fans of mystery fiction.

Review: 
At first this book was a little difficult for me to get into. But it didn't take me more than a dozen or so pages to not be able to put this book down. My boyfriend was talking to me and I would tell him after this page. I would talk to him about the characters as if they were real people. I can feel that the book is coming to an end and to hold off finishing it I am starting my review. I haven't been able to read a book all year. I am so happy this is the first one I will be able to finish. This book is absolutely amazing. Dave reminds me of a few people I use to have in my life and who I am happy I no longer have in my life. I absolutely loved this family as I started getting further in this book and I could start to see it all fall into place I started to see a bit on how I thought it was going to end. I suppose I will have to get to the end of it to see if I am correct but I really really do not want this book to ever end. Honestly the book just kept wanting it to keep going. I can still remember the first time I read the first like real big shock in the book. That's one thing I just can't get out of my head. I can't say if that's what got me but I know that definitely contributed to me not being able to put the book down. This book had so many absolutely amazing twists and turns in it that the guess I had made was even incorrect. It left no loose ends. Normally I hate seeing from so many characters points of views but that was definitely a benefit in this book. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to be gripped till the end.