Archives for August 28, 2018

* Review * SET THE NIGHT ON FIRE by Laura Trentham

* Review * SET THE NIGHT ON FIRE by Laura TrenthamSet the Night on Fire by Laura Trentham
Series: Cottonbloom #6
Published by St. Martin's Paperbacks on July 31, 2018
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five-stars

Ella Boudreaux has a lot to prove to her family, friends, and foes—and to herself. So when her marriage ends she decides to invest her energy and money into a place that brings back some of Ella’s happiest memories: the Abbott brothers’ garage. Maybe, if she puts her mind to it, she can teach skeptical, stubborn Mack Abbott how to make the business a true success. Which would be a lot easier if the hunky mechanic didn’t make her motor run quite so fast…and hot.

Mack was furious when his brother, Ford, sold his share of the business. He’s in no rush to team up with a wealthy divorcée who shows up to the garage in stilettos—and the longest, sexiest legs he’s seen in forever. But Ella’s grit and determination won’t quit…and soon Mack can see that she’s been down a few rough roads herself. Neither Mack nor Ella can deny the fierce attraction that’s revving up between them. Could it be that true love has been in the backseat all along…and they’ve finally found the key?

 

A delectable story of starting over and finding what you never knew you were looking for! Who knew middle brother Mack with all of his gruff surliness would turn out to be my favorite?? I’ve really loved this series and all of the Abbott brothers that we’ve had put before us so far, but Mack just stole my heart. I didn’t expect to like him so much, but the way he took to Ella even though he didn’t want to, it was just a touching story. Really enjoyed it, and hope we get Ford’s story one day!

Ella Boudreaux might have recently lost a cheating husband, but she’s gained the means and freedom to do what she pleases. One of the happiest times in her life revolved around cars, so when she’s handed the opportunity to buy into Abbott Brother’s Garage, she jumps at the chance. She plans to use her marketing skills to aid the guys in building their classic car restoration persona. She wasn’t counting on the negative attitude and downright hatred of the situation from one of the Abbotts though!

Mack Abbott will do just about anything to make sure the garage his father started and spent his life tending to remains a success. He’s been trying for months to get Ford to buckle under and be a help to him and his other brothers in the day to day running of the shop, but all Ford seemed to want to do was gallivant here and there until he up and betrayed them by selling his quarter of the business to some trophy wife has been. He’s furious … and he’s going to get back that 25 percent ownership if it’s the last thing he does!

five-stars

* Review * BABY TEETH by Zoje Stage

* Review * BABY TEETH by Zoje StageBaby Teeth by Zoje Stage
Published by St. Martin's Press on July 17, 2018
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three-stars

Afflicted with a chronic debilitating condition, Suzette Jensen knew having children would wreak havoc on her already fragile body. Nevertheless, she brought Hanna into the world, pleased and proud to start a family with her husband Alex. Estranged from her own mother, Suzette is determined to raise her beautiful daughter with the love, care, and support she was denied.

But Hanna proves to be a difficult child. Now seven-years-old, she has yet to utter a word, despite being able to read and write. Defiant and anti-social, she refuses to behave in kindergarten classes, forcing Suzette to homeschool her. Resentful of her mother’s rules and attentions, Hanna lashes out in anger, becoming more aggressive every day. The only time Hanna is truly happy is when she’s with her father. To Alex, she’s willful and precocious but otherwise the perfect little girl, doing what she’s told.

Suzette knows her clever and manipulative daughter doesn’t love her. She can see the hatred and jealousy in her eyes. And as Hanna’s subtle acts of cruelty threaten to tear her and Alex apart, Suzette fears her very life may be in grave danger…

 

You’re in for a wild ride! The gist of this story is extraordinary, and the underlying ideas could have made for a really powerful story … however, the writing style left a bad taste in my mouth. I’m all for writing an illness into a story to get awareness or to make it feel more real and to give it something you can sink your teeth into as you read, but I really did not need the candid details over and over of what bodily functions occurred. The story has a bite to it and is filled with torment, but be prepared to be grossed out a bit as well.

Suzette Jensen has suffered through illness the majority of her life, but she’s trudged along taking joy when she can and settling into life. She’s married to the man of her dreams, loved her work, and when she became pregnant was a bit hesitant of how her body might react to it, but was thrilled to see the joy this baby brought to her husband’s face. Now, seven years later, she’s having second thoughts. Her daughter Hanna has never spoken even though she’s brilliant and can read and write without a problem. She misbehaves when it suits her, making it impossible to find a school that will keep her enrolled. All that Suzette wants is for a semblance of life to go back to what it was before when she enjoyed getting out of the house and working … but Hanna has other ideas, and as she progressively gets worse and the hatred in her eyes increases, she starts to fear for her life!

Alex Jensen adores his daughter. She’s the ray of sunshine in his life before he leaves for work and a delight to tuck into bed when he gets home. Reading together is one of their favorite past times. He knows she has a mind of her own and gives his wife a bit of a hard time, but he never in a million years believes she does the things that Suzette says she does. She’s his little angel. His wife is just tired and exaggerating everything … isn’t she?

three-stars

* Review * IN THE LAWMAN’S PROTECTION by Janie Crouch

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * IN THE LAWMAN’S PROTECTION by Janie CrouchIn the Lawman's Protection by Janie Crouch
Series: Omega Sector: Under Siege
Published by Harlequin Intrigue on September 1, 2018
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four-stars

An agent will do anything to take down a terrorist.

Even if that means using a woman as his weapon.

To locate a terrorist, Ren McClement must find the criminal’s “dead” wife Natalie. His plan: use the innocent beauty as bait. But when his duplicity leads them into grave danger, Ren reveals his secret to Natalie...and his passion for her. Will furious Natalie be able to forgive his lie? And will they get to the mastermind before he unleashes mass destruction?

 

It all comes back to bite him! When terrorist Damien Freihof began his rampage on the Omega Sector unit, he claimed it was revenge for them killing his wife, but circumstances lead them to believe she’s not really dead, and that she might be just the bait they need to bring this madman out of the woodwork so they can take him down once and for all. This has been an exciting series with lots of twist and turns, and this book was a fairly fitting end to it all.

Omega Sector founder Ren McClement will stop at nothing to bring down the terrorist who has been attacking his group of highly trained law enforcement officers for the last few months. Freihof has killed, injured and tormented more than anyone can stand, so Ren’s determined to bring his reign of terror to an end once and for all … even if he has to use an innocent party to do it!

Natalie Anderson has been on the run from her demented husband for several years now, and she should know better than to trust a man she runs across, but Ren seems so sincere. Little does she know that he knows exactly who she is and who she’s running from … he just believes she’s an accomplice instead of a victim! As he comes to know the real person, Ren wishes there was another way out of this mess, but he has no other option than to reveal that she’s still alive … will it end her life for real this time, or will he be able to save the day and keep her as well as the rest of his team safe from Damien Freihof?

four-stars