Tag Archives: suspense

Catching Rose (Calhan Brides) by Virginia Barlow (Book Review)

Rose Tanner dreamed of a fairytale wedding her whole life. But when her prince leaves her at the altar, she wants to know why. Traveling to Texas for answers she finds more than she bargained for. Captured by a human trafficking ring, she fights for freedom. Risking her life to help the other women with her, she discovers there’s more to happy ever after than she thought.

Texas Ranger Chase Calhan wants one thing, to capture El Diablo’s men so he can marry Rose. When they get to her first, he races against time to catch Rose before it’s too late.

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(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 

 

Chase and Rose’s story was everything I hoped it would be. It had suspense, action, life-and-death choices, passion, and deception. 

Chase and Rose first met at Shanna and Reese’s wedding, which took place in  A Fallacious Seduction. I don’t know if it was love at first sight, but if nothing else, it was lust at first sight. Almost two years later, the happy couple were supposed to be getting married. Unfortunately, Rose is left wondering why her fiancé missed their wedding to save “Grace.” Women readers will side with Rose’s need to hunt down her fiancé and get her much-deserved answers. 

Chase and Rose have multiple misunderstandings throughout this tale. Lucky for Chase, Rose has a forgiving heart. There was one moment that most women or men would not be so forgiving of. (No spoilers; you’ll know what I am referring to when you read it.) 

Overall, readers will be impressed with Rose’s strength and how she didn’t allow fear to stop her from fighting back against the enemies. She even put others’ safety ahead of her own. She grew as a character and became the shining star of this book! 

Okay, Chase wasn’t a slouch either. He showed viewers and his adversaries how skillful he was with knives. He never gave up searching for Rose and even spit in the eye of the Grim Reaper to get back to her. Chase and Rose deserved a happily ever after, and they got one!

I can’t wait to see who will capture Max’s (the confirmed bachelor for life) heart. I also can’t wait to see Madelaine find her second chance at love. 

Catching Rose does revolve around a (possible) sensitive topic: human trafficking. Women were abused, which could be another trigger. The abuse scenes were not graphic; the author noted whips used and cuts and bruises were present on the prisoners. 

Catching Rose possesses a steamy tub accompanied by a bed love scene. Warning: It might make you hot under the collar, so turn up the air conditioning and enjoy the couple’s first time together. 

 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤1/2

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

Meet the Author

I love being an author. It’s all about where your characters lead you. I start with a general idea. As the story unfolds I type as fast as I can in hopes I keep up with my characters.They have had me jotting on napkins, making notes while I’m waiting in a line, and waking me up in the middle of the night. The hard part is always the ending. My characters live with me and when I reach the end of the story, it is hard to say goodbye.Sometimes I let the story sit for a few days to make sure I’m okay with them leaving home to get published. Kind of like when you kids move out. LOL

I enjoy my grandchildren, and the time I share with them. They make me smile with their antics. I like to quilt, crochet, knit and sew. Cooking and baking are occasional itches I scratch. The rest of the time, they are necessary evils. LOL.

My greatest support comes from my husband. He has been my sounding board for all my stories. My daughters are also a great support to me. I couldn’t do it without my family.

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A Fallacious Seduction by Virginia Barlow (Book Review)

Winner of The Crowned Heart of Excellence by InD’tale Magazine!
Nominated for Book of the Year by InD’tale Magazine 2021!
Nominated for Book of the Year by N.N. Light’s Book Heaven 2021!

 

A sassy heroine and an alpha lawman clash in an epic tale of mistaken identity by the author of The Wicked Sister!

When the train US Marshal Reese Calhan is riding on explodes, he is one of two survivors. Trouble is, the other survivor is the woman who betrayed him years ago. A woman he thought was dead. This time he will not fall prey to her wiles. He’ll see the vixen jailed for her crimes if it kills him.

Recovering from a recent jilting and now a train explosion, Shanna Johnston has no idea why the handsome stranger insists he knows her and calls her by another woman’s name. His heated looks and knowing kisses spark a fire in her she cannot ignore–even as her own mysterious past is closing in.

Will the two put their differences aside long enough to fall in love?

Purchase A Fallacious Seduction today and find out what happens next!

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 

 

One of my earliest memories revolves around my mom watching soap operas. From 11-3, she watched one after another. Her soaps featured romance, lies, betrayal, suspense, and wild storylines. You could never trust a character to be dead because people notoriously defied death. And if a character did, in fact, meet their maker, a person could return to the show as a twin. A Fallacious Seduction had every quality of a daytime soap opera except it’s set in 1870, not present-day like what you’ll find airing on TV. 

A Fallacious Seduction has a dramatic start when an explosion rockets a train off the track, leaving only two survivors: Shanna and US Marshall Reese Calhan. One could question the validity of only two survivors or how convenient it was that Reese’s horse (Pegasus) also survived the fiery crash. And what are the chances Reese would come face-to-face with a woman he thought died years ago? But in the land of fiction, there are no rules.

Most of the story centers on four points: Reese is adamant that Shanna is his ex and wanted criminal Jenna. Shanna firmly and repeatedly refuted his allegations. Reese keeps questioning where Jenna’s boys are. Reese fights his attraction to a woman that shattered his heart. The more they battle over Shanna’s identity, the more it becomes crystal clear why Shanna looks like Jenna. It was blatantly obvious. Why couldn’t Reese see it? Oh yeah, the writer didn’t want him to…yet. But, one pivotal moment gave Reese undeniable proof that Shanna was not Jenna! 

Shanna and Jenna looked the same, but that’s where their similarities stopped. Jenna is a character you’ll love to hate. Shanna is a fearless heroine who will defend herself against any man, and her self-preservation skills were tested on multiple occasions. She has big cojones!

A Fallacious Seduction has a sweet ending – mirroring everything Shanna always wanted. (Read the story for more information). 

If you like historical or western romance novels, check out A Fallacious Seduction! 

 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

Meet the Author

I love being an author. It’s all about where your characters lead you. I start with a general idea. As the story unfolds I type as fast as I can in hopes I keep up with my characters.They have had me jotting on napkins, making notes while I’m waiting in a line, and waking me up in the middle of the night. The hard part is always the ending. My characters live with me and when I reach the end of the story, it is hard to say goodbye.Sometimes I let the story sit for a few days to make sure I’m okay with them leaving home to get published. Kind of like when you kids move out. LOL

I enjoy my grandchildren, and the time I share with them. They make me smile with their antics. I like to quilt, crochet, knit and sew. Cooking and baking are occasional itches I scratch. The rest of the time, they are necessary evils. LOL.

My greatest support comes from my husband. He has been my sounding board for all my stories. My daughters are also a great support to me. I couldn’t do it without my family.

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Twitter/X Link

 

 

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Silhouette of the Sun by Avery Davis (Book Spotlight)

Honorable Mention-The New York Book Festival

This is the story of three strong and determined women, weathering love and loss in the pursuit of independence. Constance is an entomologist and single mother providing for her Anna at a time when providing was prominently done by men. Anna is an artist who must choose between cancer treatment or completing her pregnancy. Paige is Anna’s daughter who is guided in her dreams to fulfill her potential of curing cancer by listening to the whisperings of her mother and grandmother. Drew is the man who ties them all together.

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D (Amazon) 5 stars:This is an excellent first novel that tackles deeply complex themes. Well placed twists and turns reveal character growth and triumph that will stay with me for some time.”

Megan (Amazon) 5 stars: “This book was beautifully written. The author’s attention for detail is phenomenal. The rich descriptions of her scenes transports the reader. The characters in the book are splendidly developed and your attachment to them will keep you entranced in the book until the end. A great read from start to finish!”

Kindle Customer (Amazon) 4 stars: “This complex story of three women’s lives, told through their eyes, kept me wondering how their lives would relate. Initially, I felt frustrated that more wasn’t revealed about the first character. As the book progressed, however, the author reveals the three characters’ relationships in a very interesting way. The important influences each one had on their daughter’s, granddaughter’s and great-granddaughter’s life was intricately woven throughout the story. At times heartbreaking, this book explores many past and present women’s challenges and delves into a future where important ethical decisions need to be made. It’s ending is inspiring and gratifying.”

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Meet the Author

 

Avery Davis graduated in Environmental Law. She lives half of the year in Cordova, Alaska as a fisherman’s wife and the other half drying off in the deserts of Utah. She is the mother of three, who love a good bedtime story.

Reedsy Author Link
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“A Fallacious Seduction” and “Catching Rose”(Calhan Brides) by Virginia Barlow (2 Book Spotlight)

Winner of The Crowned Heart of Excellence by InD’tale Magazine!
Nominated for Book of the Year by InD’tale Magazine 2021!
Nominated for Book of the Year by N.N. Light’s Book Heaven 2021!

 

A sassy heroine and an alpha lawman clash in an epic tale of mistaken identity by the author of The Wicked Sister!
When the train US Marshal Reese Calhan is riding on explodes, he is one of two survivors. Trouble is, the other survivor is the woman who betrayed him years ago. A woman he thought was dead. This time he will not fall prey to her wiles. He’ll see the vixen jailed for her crimes if it kills him.

Recovering from a recent jilting and now a train explosion, Shanna Johnston has no idea why the handsome stranger insists he knows her and calls her by another woman’s name. His heated looks and knowing kisses spark a fire in her she cannot ignore–even as her own mysterious past is closing in.

Will the two put their differences aside long enough to fall in love?

Purchase A Fallacious Seduction today and find out what happens next!

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

Rose Tanner dreamed of a fairytale wedding her whole life. But when her prince leaves her at the altar, she wants to know why. Traveling to Texas for answers she finds more than she bargained for. Captured by a human trafficking ring, she fights for freedom. Risking her life to help the other women with her, she discovers there’s more to happy ever after than she thought.

Texas Ranger Chase Calhan wants one thing, to capture El Diablo’s men so he can marry Rose. When they get to her first, he races against time to catch Rose before it’s too late.

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

Meet the Author

I love being an author. It’s all about where your characters lead you. I start with a general idea. As the story unfolds I type as fast as I can in hopes I keep up with my characters.They have had me jotting on napkins, making notes while I’m waiting in a line, and waking me up in the middle of the night. The hard part is always the ending. My characters live with me and when I reach the end of the story, it is hard to say goodbye.Sometimes I let the story sit for a few days to make sure I’m okay with them leaving home to get published. Kind of like when you kids move out. LOL

I enjoy my grandchildren, and the time I share with them. They make me smile with their antics. I like to quilt, crochet, knit and sew. Cooking and baking are occasional itches I scratch. The rest of the time, they are necessary evils. LOL.

My greatest support comes from my husband. He has been my sounding board for all my stories. My daughters are also a great support to me. I couldn’t do it without my family.

Website Link
Twitter/X Link

 

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Kris & The Pirates: The Adventures of Kris by Art Blegen (Book Review)

It was supposed to be a fun day at the beach.

In the middle of the ocean, Kris finds an island with beautiful, sandy beaches. The ideal place to go swimming! Once she can teach the biggest, strongest sailor not to be afraid of the water, that is.
The perfect day is interrupted when a bunch of pirates appear out of the jungle. They capture the crew and chase Kris through the jungle. Now the pirates are trying to steal the ship and leave Kris and the crew stranded on the island.

Can Kris escape the Pirates?
Can she rescue the crew?
Can they steal their own ship back and get home?

Kris & The Pirates is the next installment of The Adventures of Kris, where imagination and friendship can overcome any obstacle.

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I received a complimentary copy of this book from Reedsy Discovery. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

 

Have you been so engrossed in a book that you felt like living it? Could you picture the characters and the locations or even hear a foreign accent as dialogue is exchanged? Kris, the heroine, gave new meaning to being immersed in a good book! In the real world, she was a typical kid, complaining about not wanting to do something a parent, her dad, asked her to do. In this case, that would be attending a costume party in March. She understood dressing up for Halloween, but a costume party in March was stupid, according to her. Kris would rather get lost in a good book. Me too! 

When Kris cracked open her current read, she found herself smack dab in the thick of things. She felt the breeze on her face, watched in amazement as dolphins played, and moved around the ship as easily as she did her bedroom in the real world. Kris’s biggest problem was the captain’s annoying son, James. That soon quickly changed when they went ashore, and they were given an unfriendly welcome by several stranded pirates who were ready to leave.

As Kris searched for food, her path crossed with several talking animals. Stevie, the sloth, spoke as slowly as he moved. Sam, the snake, stretched out every “s” and gave kisses. Kris met Michael, king of monkeys, who was always in the mood to play a game. Other animals were present on the island—some who aided Kris and one particular animal that was just plain mean, like those awful pirates. 

Kris and The Pirates was two stories in one. In the pirate world, Kris seeks help from the multiple talking jungle animals she met while searching for food and a hiding spot! The real world was not as exciting as the island, but one encounter did cause her to scream in fright. How and why will only be unveiled if you read the book, and I highly recommend you read the book!

After I finished the story, I wondered if Kris’s time as a sailor was real or if it was just a person’s imagination gone wild. Whatever the answer is, I (again) recommend you read the book. Why? Because it’s that good! It has action, suspense, humor, and (let’s not forget) talking animals! 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

Meet the Author

Art Blegen is the author of imaginative chapter books for readers from 6 to 10 years old. He is an advocate for children to ensure they have a balance of positive examples in their lives. Wholesome stories and a healthy imagination can lay the foundation they will use for the rest of their lives.

Reedsy Author Link
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