Review: Forever Friends by Sarah Mackenzie

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As mentioned before, I agree with the comparison to Susan Mallery and Jill Shalvis. If you love them, than you will love Sarah.

Forever Friends was a really wonderful book. Two unlikely women, come together at two different places in their lives and form a wonderful friendship. They weather the storm together and find themselves helping each other bring the joy back in their lives inspiring hope, love and the start of a beautiful friendship.

What I love most about these women were their differences and they complement each others’ lives. Sadie, staying at home to raise of child, with another on the way, is feeling the burdens of motherhood. She was successful and ambitious, once she had her baby, she lost who she was and has grown to feel powerless. Not feeling the support of her husband making more of an effort to help her, she begins to lose herself and with news of a new baby on the horizon, desperately seeks to find a firm grip to mentally survive.

I loved Renee. She is one of those women who on the outside looks like the perfect mother. However, behind those walls harbors insecurities and pain that have been masked to project another narrative. After her husband left her, her life became all about her daughter. Now that her daughter is away at college, she is suffering from empty nest syndrome and struggling to find where she belongs in life. It’s as if she lost her identity once her daughter left. When an opportunity arises that has the potential to give her a second chance at love, her insecurities get the best of her and she struggles with the past wandering or not she is worthy.

One day after an accident, inspiration hit the both of them to open a bakery. Inspiring a spark that not only ignited a fire within them, did they find the key ingredients to the recipe they were looking for?

A sweet treat of two lovely ladies that I know you will love. Their friendship was beautiful. I loved how each had what the other needed which made them so enjoyable to read. They face real issues and challenges that will resonate with you. There are moments that make you laugh and others where you want to give them a hug. They were meant to meet at that moment in time and we get to experience their wonderful journey. Since this was the first book in the series, I’m looking forward to what’s next. I’d recommend adding this one to the list.

Review: His Royal Highness by R.S. Grey

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This book caught me off guard. Truly. I hadn’t expected to enjoy it as much as I did. I’ve said this before but R.S. Grey's books tend to follow the same formula. A snarky young woman gets stuck in a situation. And unfortunately for her the only person who can help her is a Alpha Male jerk. They banter for a little bit. Then they have sex several times and fall in love. It happens for the majority of her books and some point that becomes tiring. Fortunately, His Royal Highness breaks that trend. The characters are sweet. The romance isn’t dependent on one party. It’s for lack of better words magically.

His Royal Highness tells the story of Whitney. She is a princess. Well, she’s plays a princess at this popular theme park. Sort of like Disney. She’s been working there for a decade, and amongst her time there she developed a crush on the owner’s grandson, Derek. She sparks up a mentorship with him and unfortunately for her that doesn’t last long. Because he jets off to London for a couple of years. But now he’s back and will be playing her Prince for the theme park.

I found this to be a fresh and exciting concept. I don’t think I’ve ever read a story about someone who in essence is playing Disney Princess. It was intriguing, especially since Grey put a lot of behind the scenes tidbits (i.e. a tunnel underneath the park). This concept was clearly based of Disney Parks, but it doesn’t take away from the story.

There is one thing that I felt was lacking. I feel as if the ending was rushed. I didn’t necessarily appreciate the time jump.

Characters

Both Whitney and Derek were sweet characters. I found their relationship to be honest, believable and playful. One of my favorite things about the two characters were that they didn’t need each other. They were two independent characters who stood individually but worked together as well.

I will admit that I was nervous in the beginning since Whitney had such an intense crush on Derek when she was a teen. I was afraid that their adult relationship wouldn’t be mature or she would be blinded by the past. But I felt that Grey developed everything nicely and it all worked together.

Another aspect that I enjoyed about this book was that both main characters had a fleshed out backstory. It was prominent and influenced character motives. It was interesting to see Whitney’s dynamic with his family be explored. As well as learn about Derek’s father.

Final Analysis

His Royal Highness is one of R.s. Grey's best work. It’s a captivating tale with two strong leads. Unfortunately, the ending does feel rushed but that doesn’t hinder the overall reading experience of the book.

Review: Marvel Comics: The Untold Story by Sean Howe

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There is an age old debate amongst comic book readers everywhere. Marvel or DC Comics. I’ve always leaned towards DC Comics. But I recently grown to enjoy Marvel. But regardless of which one is better, there is no denying that Marvel movies are one of the most successful movie franchises in the world.

Marvel Comics: The Untold Story examines, for lack of better words, the untold story of Marvel comics. This was such an interesting and thought provoking read.

Marvel comics did not appear out of nowhere. There was a lot of blood, sweat, and tears. A lot of people lost jobs. A lot of people left and went to the competition (DC Comics). There was back stabbing. People will do anything to get to the top.

This book does not hold back any punches. It tells the whole truth. And that involves painting some significant prominent Marvel individuals (i.e. Stan Lee & Jack Kirby) in negative lights at some points in the book. And it is important to mention that I didn’t sense any bias.

It was hard to put this book down it. It is definitely an engaging page turner. There is a lot of information packed into this book. And the author does a great job of keeping it organized and not overwhelming. It is told in a linear fashion and it doesn’t jump. It starts from the early development of Marvel and continues from there.

Another thing that I want to mention is that non comic book readers can read this book. I’ve only read a handful of comics and seen around 75% of the Marvel movies but this book didn’t turn me away. It doesn’t focus too much on the superheroes but instead the development of the company.

Final Analysis

Marvel Comics: The Untold Story is an amazing tale of how this empire came to be.

Review: How Fires End by Marco Rafala

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Summary:

A dark secret born out of World War II lies at the heart of a Sicilian American family in this emotional and sweeping saga of guilt, revenge, and, ultimately, redemption.After soldiers vacate the Sicilian hillside town of Melilli in the summer of 1943, the locals celebrate, giving thanks to their patron saint, Sebastian. Amid the revelry, all it takes is one fateful moment for the destiny of nine-year-old Salvatore Vassallo to change forever. When his twin brothers are killed playing with an unexploded mortar shell, Salvatore’s faith is destroyed. As the family unravels, and fear ignites among their neighbors that the Vassallo name is cursed, one tragedy begets another.Desperate to escape this haunting legacy, Salvatore accepts the help of an Italian soldier with fascist ties who ushers him and his sister, Nella, into a new beginning in America. In Middletown, Connecticut, in the immigrant neighborhood known as Little Melilli, these three struggle to build new lives for themselves. But a dangerous choice to keep their secrets hidden erupts in violence decades later. When Salvatore loses his inquisitive American-born son, David, they all learn too late the price sons pay for their fathers’ wars.Written with elegiac prose, How Fires End delves into the secret wars of men; the sins they cannot bury; and a life lived in fear of who will reveal them, who will survive them, and who will forgive them.

Review:

Words can’t describe how beautiful this debut is. How Fire End sparks the light of a voice that shares the journey of a family’s requital of their sins bore from their past and the consequences of generational guilt leading to their atonement bringing their story full circle. The richness of the old and new Italian culture permeates through their voices placing you in a different time savoring every moment.

I loved the breakdown of the book from the different character perspectives. It brought something special that complemented the narrative of their experience from the past, present and future. I felt starting with David was so powerful because it brought to the crossroads the past and the present being the catalyst for atonement from the sins of his family’s past and the sacrifices the weight of guilt being relinquished at the history repeating itself. His wonderful storytelling kept me turning the pages slowly not wanting to rush because it was a story worth reading. Overall, beautiful writing and characters that you can become absorbed into, How Fire Ends was an outstanding debut. I’d recommend reading this one.

Review: The Play by Elle Kennedy

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Words can not describe how much I enjoyed The Play. There was something magical about it.

The Play centers on Demi and Hunter, two college students who have to complete a class assignment together. Throughout their time together, the two development a true friendship. That friendship is tested when Demi begins to have problems with her relationship with her boyfriend.

Like mentioned earlier, I really enjoyed The Play. It was truly one of those books that is hard to stop reading, and one where you sad when it's over. It's that good. I think that mainly has to do with the relationship between Demi and Hunter.

Characters

Demi has a boyfriend when her and Hunter first meet. She and Hunter had a strong friendship. They never crossed any lines while she was in a relationship and Hunter respected her relationship. They truly were friends without any hidden agendas.

And when Demi's relationship with her boyfriend eventually ended, it was interesting to see her and Hunter become something more. Although playful as friends, when they got together the relationship became more intimate and honest.

There are plenty of soft and quiet moments with this couple. As well as loud and playful moments. Together they are a power couple. Separately they are powerful. It's truly a win win with these two characters.

I think their friendship is what made them have a strong, beautiful relationship. They just work on all levels.

Hunter has been a supporting character in other books within the Briar U series. But unfortunately, I rarely remember him. So this book felt like an introduction to him. And you know what? He's honestly the greatest. He's an all around good guy who wants to do what's best for his team-even if that means being celibate.

Like Hunter, Demi was amazing. She was a genuine character, who wanted the best. And honestly, she deserved the best. She was witty and smart.

Final Analysis

The Play works on all levels. The romance, the friendships, the development- it is all amazing.

Review: 29 Seconds by T.M. Logan

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Summary

From T.M. Logan, the bestselling author of Lies, comes 29 Seconds, a sensational new thriller that explores what happens when a split second thought of revenge takes on a life of its own.

“Give me one name. One person. And I will make them disappear.”

Sarah is a young professor struggling to prove herself in a workplace controlled by the charming and manipulative Alan Hawthorne. A renowned scholar and television host, Hawthorne rakes in million-dollar grants for the university where Sarah works—so his inappropriate treatment of female colleagues behind closed doors has gone unchallenged for years. And Sarah is his newest target.

When Hawthorne's advances become threatening, Sarah is left with nowhere to turn. Until the night she witnesses an attempted kidnapping of a young child on her drive home, and impulsively jumps in to intervene. The child’s father turns out to be a successful businessman with dangerous connections—and her act of bravery has put this powerful man in her debt. He gives Sarah a burner phone and an unbelievable offer. A once-in-a-lifetime deal that can make all her problems disappear.

No consequences. No traces. All it takes is a 29-second phone call.

Because everyone has a name to give. Don’t they?

Review

29 seconds. Three conditions. One deal with the Devil. I don’t even know where to start with this book but once it hit midway, there was no putting it down.

I’m curious to know other reader thoughts on Sarah. Here is a woman who is intelligent, strong and trying to succeed in academia. She has a boss who is truly the catalyst for the me too movement. He is untouchable, powerful, a bully and feels entitled to make advances and propositions threatening her and all the other women jobs. Caught in a bad situation and tired of the harassment she decides it’s time to take matters into her own hands but weighs out the war with the consequences.

Upon a chance interaction, Sarah finds herself putting her maternal instincts in drive when she saw a young girl in danger and saved her life. Unbeknown to her, the person she saved was connected to organized crime and in his world, all debts must be repaid. Sarah, not thinking too much about it, rather than just doing what she thought was right, found herself at a crossroads with a proposal that could put someone’s fate in her hands. This stranger gave her the offer of a lifetime. If she gave him one name, they would disappear and her debt repaid. If she decides to go to the point of no return, there’s no turning back and whatever happens will.

Now this hits the midway part of the book that brought such angst and tension. From this point on the book becomes so addicting that it becomes impossible to put down. I struggle with my perception of Sarah because who she showed herself to be contradicts how she handles her decision she makes. Some make say she becomes weak because she knew what she signed up for and the consequences of dealing with her that decision. I’ll let you decide. I wasn’t expecting that ending which gave me such a nice surprise.

Overall, this was fantastic. The beginning was like warming up a car but once it hit the second part it took off and become an instant page turner. The twists kept coming and you’ll not want to put it down. Put this one on the list.