Tag Archives: Vickie

Tough Justice by Tee O’Fallon – a Review

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Tough Justice by Tee O’Fallon – a Review

 

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Description:
It should have been a routine investigation. Instead, DEA K-9 agent Adam “Deck” Decker watches in horror as one Denver hospital seems to be Ground Zero for overdoses of a new drug. Now Deck can only hope a certain icy, green-eyed ER doctor will help him and his canine partner track down the deadly source.

Dr. Tori Sampson has her reasons for not trusting federal agents, especially ones working for the DEA. But the rash of overdoses—including a heartbreaking case involving a teen—is alarmingly high. And the new opioid is not only extremely dangerous, it defies all the usual medical treatments. So Tori has a choice: work with the big, brawny, and annoyingly hot DEA agent…or watch more innocent people die.

Tori’s the only person who can help Deck break the case, and they’ll need to trust each other, no matter how high the tension and attraction sizzling between them runs. But with every question answered, they realize there’s something more behind these typical teen overdoses. There’s a pattern here, and a pattern can only suggest one thing. There’s a killer on the loose.

 

Review:

Tough Justice begins with Dr. Tori Sampson dealing with yet another overdose victim in her emergency room.  This time, it happened to be a “member of service”, which tells them is a police officer, firefighter or EMS injured on duty.  While working on the DEA officer, who was exposed to the deadly drug while serving a warrant, Tori takes charge and order everyone out of the treatment room.  Agent Adam Decker, aka Deck, refused to leave until Tori promised she’d do her best. 

Deck has a huge mistrust of doctors, just as Tori has a DEEP dislike and mistrust of DEA agents.  Due to the number of overdose cases that is happening in their city, the two of them embark on a mission to figure out where the drug is coming from and to save as many as they can.  What they don’t count on is how close to home it actually hits.

Tough Justice is another wonderfully written suspenseful tale by Tee O’Fallon that truly draws you in from the very beginning.  Both characters are relatable and believable.  Once each of their back stories are revealed, it makes you root for them even more. 

The chemistry between Tori and Deck is palpable pretty early on.  It just takes them a minute to let go of their long-held prejudices.  The secondary characters are well written too and leave you wanting more.  No one, in my humble opinion, writes law enforcement/suspense/romance as well as O’Fallon.  And, when you add K-9 officers?  Get out!  LOL!!!  You love the dogs as much as you love the humans in her tales!  The detail with which she tells her stories is incomparable and I can’t wait for the next installment. 

If you’re a fan of the genre, you’ll never, ever, go wrong with one of her books.  Well done, Tee O’Fallon!!!  Very, very well done!

Reviewed by Vickie

Copy provided by Publisher

 

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Accidentally Perfect by Marissa Clarke – a Review

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Accidentally Perfect by Marissa Clarke – a Review

 

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Description:
Workaholic Lillian Mahoney has given everything to her job. The hugely popular lifestyle show she helped create monopolizes her time, energy, creativity, and anything remotely resembling a life. But all it takes is the show’s womanizing, egomaniac star throwing a massive hissy on live TV to utterly implode Lillian’s career in a New York minute.

Now Lillian’s hiding out in the gorgeous and completely unknown seaside village of Blink, Maine. Out of gas. A stolen wallet. A broken heel. And worse, she’s somehow managed to completely piss off the town’s resident hunk, Caleb Wright. She’ll show that hot, grumpy single father exactly what she’s made of.

But Blink isn’t quite what Lillian expects—and neither is Caleb…or his feisty teen daughter she can’t help but love. And while her entire life and career are in shreds, Lillian might just discover what happens when she gives her bad first impression a second chance…

 

Review:

Accidentally Perfect begins with Lillian Mahoney and her team doing a national “good morning” show on the east coast.  The face of company Lillian has created is an ego driven jerk, but he fits the bill.  As the face of the company is preparing a recipe on live t.v., he makes a mistake and then once the cameras stop rolling, blames Lillian for “sabotaging” him.  He throws a tantrum that is filmed by lots of fans and Lillian finds herself odd man out.  After discussing the tantrum with her sister (who is her right hand person), it’s decided that Lillian just needs to lay low for a few days and let things blow over.  Her sister had purchased a cottage in Maine so that’s where Lillian heads……at night……not knowing exactly what awaits her.

Several hours later, Lillian finds herself out of gas and out of money due to her wallet being stolen.  When she starts to walk to a restaurant that she sees in the distance, someone stops to offer her a ride, but she refuses, which doesn’t sit well with the person offering to help.  He pulls away and Lillian continues walking with a broken heel and then in the rain.

Once Lillian enters the restaurant, she feels all eyes on her so she sits in a corner with her back to everyone while she tries to figure out what to do.  What she doesn’t expect is for complete strangers to come to her rescue and ask for nothing in return.  She also doesn’t expect it to make the person who offered her a ride to act as if he’s mad at her.  

Caleb Wright is a lifelong resident of Blink, Maine and is immediately suspicious of Lillian.  It doesn’t help her case when, unknown to her, one of the people whom she offers to help is very wealthy.  Caleb decides that Lillian is running a scam and trying to take advantage.  Of course, Lillian is wealthy in her own right, and her running a scam couldn’t be further from the truth.  

Caleb takes it upon himself to watch Lillian and make sure she doesn’t take advantage of anyone he cares about.  Lillian keeps trying to figure out what she did to make Caleb dislike her.  Neither expected what follows them getting to know each other.

Accidentally Perfect is a nicely story with great and relatable characters.  Lillian and Caleb have amazing chemistry from the first moment they meet, even though they both deny it.  The secondary characters are well written and add so much to the story.  This is a story where you can hear the laughter, the water lapping on the boats and the seagulls squawking.  Most of all, you feel connected to the characters from the very beginning.  I can’t wait for the next installment!  Well done, Marissa Clarke!!  Very, very well done!

Reviewed by Vickie

Copy provided by Publisher

 

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The Sweetheart Deal by Miranda Liasson – a Review

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The Sweetheart Deal by Miranda Liasson – a Review

 

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Description:
Pastry chef Tessa Montgomery knows what everyone in the teeny town of Blossom Glen says about her. Spinster. Ice Queen. Such a shame. It’s enough to make a woman bake her troubles away, dreaming of Parisian delicacies while she makes bread at her mother’s struggling boulangerie. That is until Tessa’s mortal enemy―deliciously handsome (if arrogant) chef Leo Castorini, who owns the restaurant next door―proposes a business plan…to get married.

Leo knows that the Castorinis and the Montgomerys hate each other, but a marriage might just force these stubborn families to work together and blend their businesses for success. The deal is simple: Tessa and Leo marry, live together for six months, and then go their separate ways. Easy peasy.

It’s a sweetheart deal where everyone gets what they want―until feelings between the faux newlyweds start seriously complicating the mix. Have they discovered the perfect recipe for success…or is disaster on the way?

Each book in the Blossom Glen series is STANDALONE:
* The Sweetheart Deal
* The Sweetheart Fix

 

 

Review:

The Sweetheart Deal begins with Tessa Montgomery making bread in her family’s bakery and lamenting life when in walks her ex.  Tessa has no idea why he still frequents their bakery and secretly wishes he would just go away.  After a brief exchange, Tessa is shocked to see that Leo Castorini was seated in the corner of their bakery and heard the whole thing. 

The feud between the Montgomerys and the Castorinis is legendary.  She is shocked to say the least when he approaches her and ultimately tells her that he has devised a plan that will help them both.  His family’s Italian restaurant is next door and has been struggling just as the bakery has been.  When he lays out the plan, Tessa can only think of how crazy the idea is.  Marrying, even a short-lived one, to save their respective businesses?  A Montgomery and a Castorini?  Tessa is floored, but then realizes that it may be just the ticket to not only save their businesses and enable her to fulfil her dream of becoming a pastry chef.

Once they discuss the “terms”, it is full steam ahead.  After all, they don’t even really like each other, so no chance of being hurt.  I believe there’s a saying about best laid plans and all……………

The Sweetheart Deal is a wonderfully written story.  The characters are relatable and pull you in immediately.  Tessa is a wonderful friend, daughter and sister and has had to put her life on hold for far too long.  Leo is trying his best to save his family’s business.  Their chemistry is amazing which only adds to the storyline.  The secondary characters are well written as well and leave you wanting more.  If you’re a fan of the genre, you’ll not go wrong with this first book in the Blossom Glen series.  This is the first time I’ve read this author but do truly look forward to the next installment.  Well done, Miranda Liasson!

Reviewed by Vickie

Copy provided by Publisher

 

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A Scoundrel of Her Own by Stacy Reid – a Review

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A Scoundrel of Her Own by Stacy Reid – a Review

 

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Description:
Lady Ophelia Darby exists in two worlds. In one, she is the impudent, willful daughter of a powerful marquess and darling of the ton. In the other, she moves through the underworld’s shadows as songstress Lady Starlight, protected only by the notoriously wealthy scoundrel Devlin Byrne. But when she stumbles upon her beloved father’s darkest secrets, the line between her two worlds quickly blurs. Now she needs the help of the one man a lady should never trust.

Devlin Byrne stands on the edge of London society, knowing he will never be accepted. No one else knows that his obscene wealth and ruthlessness aren’t without purpose. Or that his purpose has golden-brown eyes that shimmer with mischief, the palest of skin, and a lush mouth that beckons to be kissed, and deeply. But having Ophelia is only the beginning of Devlin’s plans.

It’s undeniable that Devlin Byrne is a dangerous temptation—but just as Ophelia begins to trust him, maybe even fall for him, she discovers she’s not the only one with secrets. And his would lead her down more than just the path of scandal…

Each book in the Sinful Wallflowers series is STANDALONE:
* My Darling Duke
* Her Wicked Marquess
* A Scoundrel of Her Own

 

Review:

A Scoundrel of Her Own begins with Lady Ophelia Darby (8 years old) coming to and discovering that someone about her size was carrying her.  Then she remembered that she had been on her way to a party only to have her carriage break through a bridge and plunge her into the icy river.  She had no idea where they were but was relieved when her rescuer found a small cottage where they could seek shelter.  Niall (12 years old) took on the role of protector and provider while Ophelia and he started a routine that would make their days passable.  The two discussed life and their dreams as they drew closer. 

While outside one day, a man from a nearby estate asked Ophelia if she was indeed Lady Ophelia.  When she confirmed who she was, the man took her and Niall to where her parents were waiting.  Ophelia introduced her parents to Niall as the one who braved the river and saved her.  Niall picked that point in time to inform them that he and Ophelia were to be married.  Her father informed the “flea-infested beggar” that he would not be marrying his daughter and sent him away. 

Fifteen years later, Ophelia’s marquess father believes he is on his death bed and tells her a secret about her birth that changes everything she has ever known.   Her father only gives her a minute amount of information and refuses anything more.  Not only does her father survive, he still refused to expound on what he had told her.  To add to her burden, Ophelia discovers secrets about her father’s affairs that could sink them all.  She then takes it upon herself to garner the information she so desperately needs.  As she creates an alternate identity, that of Lady Starlight, it enables her to move through the various areas of town that the ton wouldn’t be caught dead in. 

Devlin Byrne is well known but knows he will never be accepted by those in the ton.  He set out years ago to amass a fortune and has done so.  Devlin has few friends, but they do know what drives him so.  As he is strolling down the street one night, he sees a beautiful young woman being approached by men who meant to do her harm.  Once they see Devlin, they think better and leave the area.  When Devlin finally gets a look at the woman’s face, he knows he has found his Fifi…………. Lady Ophelia Darby.

A Scoundrel of Her Own is a nicely written story with great characters.  Ophelia is strong and independent and is driven by an internal fortitude that will endear her to the reader.  Devlin is a self-made man who is honorable and very protective of those he considers his.  The chemistry between Ophelia and Devlin leaps off the page and leaves you rooting for them.  The secondary characters are well written; however, I would have liked a little more information as to how things worked out with her parents in the end.  It is a part of a series, so I do wish that I had read the others before this one, but don’t feel that I missed anything about the two main characters. If you’re a fan of the genre, you’ll certainly enjoy this book.  Well done, Stacy Reid!

Reviewed by Vickie

Copy provided by Publisher

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Her Forbidden Highlander Husband by Allison B. Hanson -a Review

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Her Forbidden Highlander Husband by Allison B. Hanson -a Review

 

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Description:
Liam MacKinlay is certain that when he asks for Evelyn Stewart’s hand in marriage, the third time’s the charm. For hasn’t he risen to war chief of the clan MacKinlay, a seasoned warrior, and an honored member of the clan that took him in as a child? But once again, her father denies Liam the lass he lost his heart to years ago.

Daughter of the Laird of the Stewart clan, Evelyn is expected to perform her daughter’s duty, including marry for the better of the clan…. even if that’s against her will. But upon learning her father plans to trade her to an unknown clan in exchange for cattle, she will do almost anything to escape the future set out before her— including running away and marrying Liam MacKinlay.

Liam’s discovering that beneath Evelyn’s sweet disposition is an iron will to match any warrior. But now their marriage may start a war between the clans and Liam must fight for his new wife and his family. Even if it means raising his sword against those he calls “kin”…

 

Review:

Her Forbidden Highlander Husband begins Evelyn Stewart being summoned to her father’s study. Once she arrives, her father, the Laird of the Stewart clan, informs her that she is to marry someone from a neighboring clan in order to obtain cattle to replenish their dwindling herd. Her heart sinks as she can’t bear the thought any man ever touching her again after being kidnapped and “ruined”. She also knows that once her father makes up his mind, he cannot be deterred. Just as she doesn’t understand why he seems to blame her for her kidnapping, she also doesn’t understand why he acts as he no longer loves her. She is told she will be married by summer’s end and there is nothing she can do about it, other than to honor her father’s wishes.

Liam MacKinlay, war chief of the clan MacKinlay, arrives see the Laird of the Stewart clan to ask for his daughter’s hand in marriage……. for the third time. Liam had met Evelyn Stewart when he and his clan had helped rescue Evelyn from a horrible predicament and he had escorted her home. It, for him, was love at first sight. When he arrives and is shown into the Laird’s study, he once again askes for Evelyn’s hand in marriage and he is once again turned down.

Liam, heartbroken and dejected, heads to the barn to get his horse and leave. When he turns to leave, he finds none other than Evelyn Stewart, bag in hand, standing before him. To add to his shock, she informs him that she wants to marry him and leave with him right away. Having always wanted his own family, after being abandoned by his own and never knowing them, they are married right away. On their way out of town, Evelyn asks to make one more stop, and Liam obliges his new bride, only to have her emerge with something that changes everything.

Once they head back to Liam’s home, it doesn’t take long for them both to wonder if they had made a huge mistake. Liam knows and even understands why Evelyn is skittish around men. Evelyn knows in her heart that she can trust Liam, but it’s her mind that needs convincing. Once they arrive back on MacKinlay land, the real test begins. They just hope that a clan war doesn’t begin as well.

Her Forbidden Highlander Husband is a well written story that pulls you in from the beginning. Evelyn’s backstory is hard to read at times but handled beautifully. Liam’s backstory may be easier to read, but it’s heartbreaking. I do think that Evelyn’s outbursts were a bit over the top at times, but after I reminded myself of what she’d been through, it made more sense. The twists and surprises that present themselves will endear this book to all who read it. You may also shed a tear or two. If you’re a fan of the genre, you’ll enjoy this just as I did. Well done, Allison B. Hanson!!!!

Reviewed by Vickie

Copy provided by Publisher

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Lord Grantwell’s Christmas Wish by Diane Gaston – Dual Review

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Lord Grantwell’s Christmas Wish by Diane Gaston – Dual Review

 

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Description:
He wished to never see her again

Now he wishes she’ll stay…

Lord Grantwell hasn’t seen Lillian Pearson since she betrayed him years ago. So when she arrives on his doorstep looking for sanctuary, he’s not inclined to offer it! But when the two orphaned children in his care ask if she can stay for Christmas, how can he refuse? Grant and Lillian discover an intense attraction still simmers between them, and Grant starts to wonder if he has done her a grave injustice…

 

Barb’s Review:  Lord Grantwell’s Christmas Wish by Diane Gaston is a stand-alone historical novel.  We meet our hero, Lord Grantwell (Grant) from the start, as he watches the snow build up outside his mansion. With the death of his brother, Grant is now the Viscount, and just recently been saddled with two young children (William and Anna) that belonged to his brother’s wife from a previous marriage.   Grant is in the process of getting a governess for the children, and is surprised when he is told that someone just arrived to ask about the position.

Grant is shocked to see Lillian Pearson, our heroine, who arrives to ask for help; he tries to send her away, as he feels she betrayed him years before.  But with the weather so bad, and his need for a governess, Grant agrees that she can stay until Christmas.  He learns from Lillian that she is on the run, being falsely accused of killing her husband, and if they find her, they will take her back to hang her.

Lillian takes over the care of William and Anna, and slowly they begin to trust her, and become very close.  Grant watches how well she is with the children, an also feels the old attraction for her; but he has not forgotten her betrayal, even though she insists she is innocent.

I loved the children, and how Lillian was so great with them.  With Christmas coming closer, the planning to make presents, decorate, food for the holiday was fun to watch, with the entire staff also taking part.  Most of all, we watch and see how Grant also begins to help Lillian and children, which was very sweet and well done.  Grant and Lillian finally succumb to their relationship from the old days, and despite his anger of the past, he knows he still has feelings for her. Will Grant allow himself to have Lillian stay and forgive her?

What follows is a heartwarming and fun story that becomes suspenseful as we reach the final ¼ of the book.  Lillian will find herself in a bad situation when she is discovered, and her life on the line.  Will Grant allow them to take Lillian away or find out what is the real truth. It was very exciting and tense.

Lord Grantwell’s Christmas Wish was a wonderful sweet story, with two precious kids, and a couple that were destined to be together. I really enjoyed this story, as it kept me glued to the book.   I suggest you read Lord Grantwell’s Christmas Wish, which was very well written by Diane Gaston.


Vickie’s Review: Lord Grantwell’s Christmas Wish begins with Lord John Grantwell, known as Grant to his friends, pondering the fact that he was now Viscount Grantwell.  The title had been inherited by his brother, but he and his wife had been killed in an accident.  Unbeknownst to Grant, his sister-in-law had two children (from a previous relationship) whom he had known nothing about.  The children had been stashed away with their grandfather and upon his death, the children were brought to Grant.  He had no idea how to raise children and had turned their care over to one of the maids.

Grant’s butler enters the room to tell him that someone is here about the governess position for the children, and he tells him to show her in.  However, Grant was not in the least prepared to face the woman who waltzed into his study.  It was a person with whom he had had a passionate relationship with long ago only to have her betray him……Lillian Pearson. 

When Lillian tells Grant that she needs his help and a place to stay, his first inclination is to tell her no.  With the snowstorm raging outside, he thinks better of it and has her take care of the children until he can hire a proper governess and the roads become passable.  Lillian is immediately taken with the children, as they are with her.

It doesn’t take long for Grant and Lillian to realize that the children have only truly ever had each other, and they were desperate for a family to love them and who doesn’t hide them from visitors.  It also doesn’t take them long to realize that the feelings they once held for each other have never really gone away.

As those who are chasing Lillian make themselves known, Grant finds himself wondering if he had it wrong all along and Lillian was telling the truth about never having betrayed him.  He also finds himself wondering what he has wished for is right in front of him.

Lord Grantwell’s Christmas Wish is a wonderfully written story.  The characters are well written and the worldbuilding pulls you in immediately.  Lillian and Grant’s chemistry is palpable from their first encounter, which, for me, is rare these days.  Their backstory is told in a way that isn’t repetitive and gives you just enough so that it adds to their chemistry instead of detracting from it.  The secondary characters are also written well, however, I wish that I had more information about the children’s background.  For me, there is no greater praise than when you can “see” the snow and “smell” the fire in the hearth while you’re reading.  This story does just that.  If you’re a fan of the genre, and even if you’re not, this one will pull you in from the first words.  Well done, Diane Gaston!  Very, very well done!

 

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Serve ‘N’ Protect by Tee O’Fallon – a Review

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Serve ‘N’ Protect by Tee O’Fallon – a Review

 

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Description:
Ambushed and left for dead, U.S. Secret Service K-9 Officer Markus York is on the mend and laying low in a safe house while his team tracks down his attacker. But Markus isn’t good at sitting still. Even with his K-9, Ghost, for company, he gets restless and decides now is the perfect time to do some repairs around the house…and inadvertently tears open his wounds.

Fresh out of a bad relationship that ended after a car accident left her with limited mobility, freelance accountant Cassidy Morgan has sworn off men. At least, that’s the plan. Until a frantically barking dog leads her to a neighbor’s house where she finds a mysterious man out cold and bleeding on the floor…and mumbling things like “no, they’ll find me” when she tries to call an ambulance.

Yeah, that’s not at all concerning.

Despite Markus’s surly attitude, Cassidy senses there’s something else at work beneath his rugged, keep-your-distance exterior. Whatever it is, it’s sexy as hell.

With someone still trying to kill him, Markus doesn’t want an innocent to get hurt, let alone take care of him.

If only his dog wasn’t crazy in love with her.

If only the chemistry between Markus and Cassidy didn’t explode whenever they were in the same room.

If only Cassidy wasn’t a target now, too.

 

 

Review:

Serve ‘N’ Protect begins with Cassidy Morgan decorating her home for Christmas and thinking she may have gone a smidge overboard.  She had always loved Christmas and this one would be different for so many reasons.  Lucky to be alive after a horrific accident, she has fought to put her life back together again, both personally and professionally.  As she sat working on her laptop, she heard a continuous barking outside and found a beautiful dog outside that kept running towards her neighbor’s home.  When she saw that a window had been broken, she grabbed her phone and followed the dog.

Cassidy knew her neighbor was out of the country, so when the dog was “insisting” that she go inside, she used the hidden key to see what was going on inside that had the dog so upset.  That’s when she found a man, who was not her neighbor, laying on the floor next to a ladder.

Markus York, and his K-9, Ghost, had come to his friend’s house to recoup after being ambushed and left for dead.  He was supposed to be taking it easy, so how hard could it be to change a lightbulb?  The next thing he knew, a strange woman was pulling out her phone while talking to herself and Ghost saying she was calling 911, which was the last thing that needed to happen.  Once Cassidy made him a believer that he was either going in her car or an ambulance to the emergency room, he relented and let her help him to her car.  He knew he was supposed to lay low until they figured out who had tried to kill him, but he also couldn’t bleed out while waiting.

Once Markus was attended to at the emergency room, someone took a shot at them in the parking lot.  He called the police, anonymously, to report what had happened and went back to his friend’s house.  Eventually, his commanding officer and friends (also in law enforcement) make it there and Cassidy is offered the job of taking care of Markus to make sure he doesn’t overdo anything.  Not only does she need the money, but she feels like Markus needs someone to look after him.  However, once someone comes after Cassidy more than once, Markus knows he’s not the only one in trouble. 

Serve ‘N’ Protect is another wonderfully written story from Tee O’Fallon.  All three characters (Markus, Cassidy and Ghost!) are written well and relatable.  The world that O’Fallon has built with this series pulls you in immediately and makes you reluctant to leave once the story is over.  I loved Cassidy and her determination to not only recover from her accident, but to thrive.  Markus is surly, with good reason, but eventually comes around.  The chemistry between the two of them is amazing and leaves you wanting more.  I also loved the intrigue and the real-life problems they both were dealing with.  The secondary characters are intriguing, most of which we have met in previous books of the series.  If you are a fan of the genre, you will never go wrong with one of O’Fallon’s books.  Well done, Tee O’Fallon!  Very, very, very well done!

Reviewed by Vickie

Copy provided by Publisher

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The Breath Between Waves by Charlotte Anne Hamilton- a Review

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The Breath Between Waves by Charlotte Anne Hamilton- a Review

 

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Description:
Penelope Fletcher gave up everything to board the RMS Titanic.

Forced to travel to America for her father’s new job, Penelope left her home in Scotland, her beloved grandmother, and even her girlfriend, who promptly got engaged to someone else. Heartbroken, Penelope isn’t looking forward to the weeklong journey. Or that her parents want her to find a husband in America. To make matters worse, she also has to share a cabin with a complete stranger.

Ruby Cole, her spunky Irish roommate, is unlike anyone Penelope ever met. They become fast friends as they bond over crushing family expectations and sneaking into lush parties together. That Ruby likes women, too, comes as a surprise to Penelope, but she knows their affair can only be temporary. Because as soon as the Titanic arrives in New York, Penelope will have to marry someone of her father’s choosing.

Before long, though, they’ll both have to decide what–and who–is really worth fighting for.

 

 

Review:

The Breath Between Waves by Charlotte Anne Hamilton begins with Penelope Fletcher and her family boarding the RMS Titanic.  Penelope has had to leave her home in Scotland and those she loves behind.  Her father has accepted a job in America and both of her parents expect her to find a husband soon.  Neither of those things is what she wants to do.  To add insult to injury, she must share a cabin on the ship with someone she doesn’t even know.

As Penelope is starting to unpack, her roommate, Ruby Cole, comes into their shared cabin.  Penelope is instantly drawn to Ruby.  The two young ladies become fast friends as they navigate the ship together and spend more and more time together.  Penelope finds herself attracted to Ruby and to her relief, she finds out that Ruby likes women as well.  As they develop feelings for each other, tragedy hits and the two of them get separated not knowing if the other has survived the sinking of the unsinkable ship.

The Breath Between Waves is a creative retelling of the Titanic story.  Both main characters were well written, as were the secondary characters.  The instant (and I do mean instant!) attraction that Penelope had for Ruby was a bit much for me, but I did enjoy them getting to know more about each other.  If I’m being honest, there’s a lot of Jack and Rose in the second half of the book.  With the parties they attended and trying to keep their affair a secret took me back to those scenes in the actual movie.  With all of that said, I did enjoy the book.  If you’re a fan of the genre, as well as stories about the Titanic, you’ll certainly enjoy it as well.

Reviewed by Vickie

Copy provided by Publisher

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