I’ve been reading Danielle Steel novels since Danielle Steel started writing novels. But for some reason, it has been years since I have read one even though she has always fascinated me.
Thanks to Netgalley and in being able to read and review the ARC (Advanced Reader Copy), I’ve remembered my love for this amazing author.
Neighbors will be released January 5, 2021.
Of course, you don’t have to wait until then to read this International Bestseller’s many books! Danielle Steel is touted to be the fourth bestselling author of all time, and there’s definitely a reason for that. (Now let my wipe the envy off my sleep and get to my review!)
An engaging book by a brilliant writer with a style that is almost lyrical in its cadence.
Something clicks with reclusive Meredith, once a celebrity superstar, when an earthquake destroys her neighborhood. She makes quick friends and seems to find her way again as she gets outside of the box and the grief that has kept her down for fifteen years. Yet her caretakers, Jack and Debbie, the two people she trusts most in the world, are not what they seem.
The writing is elegant, just like Danielle Steel. Although I found that it started a tiny bit slow, the story moved me and kept me reading because I just had to know what was going to happen next. The characters, all so very real and true, had depths that can shake life up a lot, and it certainly did Meredith’s. A fascinating must read.
This book was amazing. I felt like I took my own trip to Italy to experience all the activities, tastes, and textures with each character, and I’m ready to go back! Heart-wrenching and heartwarming. Francesca, frustrating at times because she didn’t see how putting her work before her family was hurting her daughter and, at times, saw it but just didn’t do anything about it. Her character arc was so interesting and so realistic as she realized the things she was doing and the things she needed to change. Eighteen-old Allegra, a bit of a rebel but so very mature and likable. I loved watching her grow into the woman she wanted to be. And then Sophia, the matriarch who longed for her daughter and granddaughter to find their way back to each other. She believes a trip to Italy will do it, and she had her own story to learn and grow from. I could see and feel the emotion, the characters, the setting, and did not want this book to end.
This book is available for pre-order for release date of January 12, 2021.
I’ve been doing a lot of reading lately! I fell in love with the written word when I was 4 years old, and many years later I haven’t stopped enjoying the art. To me, the written word represents art so unlike many other art forms, and yet so creative. Instead of looking at a beautiful painting, you get lost in the sculpture of how words and sentences are strung together to form a story.
And wow, does Christmas Charms get you lost in the talent of story, but more on that later.
I have to admit I slowed down a lot. 2020 has been a year of introspection and rediscovery for me, and now is my time to admit I haven’t written in … gasp … a year? I lost count.
I have been under contract with my own Christmas story for 2 years now, and I’m still worried the publication date will be sprung on me last minute. That’s the way of some publishers, and I still haven’t quite decided what to do yet. To be even more honest, anything to do too much with writing (other than enjoying reading) has been too much for me to worry about right now.
But in all my extra free time (not writing, too hot to do too much outside, and still social distancing), I have been reading. What came first, the chicken or the egg? The love of reading, or the love of writing? For me, definitely the love of reading! I fell in love with writing because of reading. And (another confession … I’ve got a lot of those today!) I stopped doing and even enjoying both for awhile.
I signed up with Netgalley, which is something I’ve thought about doing for awhile and just never did. But man, I am glad I did! I have discovered so many new authors and books!
Teri Wilson is not new to me. I had the pleasure of knowing her years ago, we are friends on Facebook (although she likely doesn’t remember me) and we had a book signing at Barnes and Noble together years ago. We used to be in the same romance author’s group, until the long distance got too much for me and I had to bow out of the membership. She’s interesting, talented, and almost as adorable as the puppies she loves so much. A truly kind person, who loves what she does. And living many author’s dream life by having her books into movies! I’ll never forget the day I met her, flouncing into the bookstore with her flowing pink dress, heels, and tiara! Such a great personality.
So I was thrilled when this book became available!
I read this in one day, if that tells you anything at all. I couldn’t put it down. Ashley is a career-minded woman with big Christmas plans and dreams for the perfect Christmas, which includes a trip to Paris with the man she hopes will soon be her fiance. She’s so career-minded that she left her high-school sweetheart and has been living what she thought was her dream life in New York City working for a dream company. But then things don’t go as she planned, she ends up with a Christmas charm, and rediscovers the magic of hope, and love. A second-chance romance, poignant and sweet, full of everything that makes Christmas special. Great writing that gave me chills, even in the heat of summer. Highly recommended.
She broke Aidan’s heart when she chose her dreams over their relationship. Isn’t that part of the mystery of love? Why do people do the things they do when they are in love? SPOILER ALERT: It tore me up inside when he ate her very terrible Christmas cookies and stared right at her. How could she not remember her love for him? Well, maybe she did. You’ll just have to read it to find out everything else.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and to Teri Wilson for allowing me to read and review this wonderful book. It goes on sale October 6, but you can pre-order it now! You can click the picture to be taken to the Amazon sales page!
Welcome to today’s tour and review of Ultimate Kill, by Kristine Mason. Kristine will be awarding a $5 Amazon gift card to five randomly drawn commenters during the tour. Be sure to make a comment, and click on the link to follow the tour for more chances to win!
Blurb:
When the past collides with the present, the only way to ensure the future lies in the ultimate kill…
Naomi McCall is a woman of many secrets. Her family has been murdered and she’s been forced into hiding. No one knows her past or her real name, not even the man she loves.
Jake Tyler, former Marine and the newest recruit to the private criminal investigation agency, CORE, has been in love with a woman who never existed. When he learns about the lies Naomi has weaved, he’s ready to leave her—until an obsessed madman begins sending her explosive messages every hour on the hour.
Innocent people are dying. With their deaths, Naomi’s secrets are revealed and the truth is thrust into the open. All but one. Naomi’s not sure if Jake can handle a truth that will change their lives. But she is certain of one thing—the only way to stop the killer before he takes more lives is to make herself his next victim.
Excerpt:
Naomi’s heart raced. Her mouth went dry. An uncontrollable shiver ran through her body.
The past five years suddenly disintegrated. As if she’d just woken from a disjointed nightmare, the months of running, of searching for the perfect place to hide in plain sight, the lonely days and even lonelier nights faded into a blur.
Jake.
Tears welled in her eyes. For the lost years, the lost love, for the future they could never have. She quickly blinked them away and opened the car door. Her legs weak, her stomach somersaulting with embarrassment, excitement and regret, she placed a shaky hand on the door for support. A small part of her wanted to climb back into the car, drive off and pretend Jake had never come to Woodbine. But a large part of her, the part that had never stopped loving him, that had never allowed the memories of what they’d had together die, wanted to run to him. Throw her arms around his neck and kiss him.
“Jake,” she whispered, then cleared her throat. He looked so damned good. Tan, lean, muscular, his big toned arms showing from beneath his short sleeve golf shirt, his dark hair no longer in his trademark military crew cut.
Chin trembling, hand still clinging to the opened car door, she took a small, tentative step forward. “Jake,” she said louder, firmer.
He pushed off the SUV and slowly approached, his gaze never wavering from hers. Lightheaded, she stayed put, kept her hand on the door for fear she might crumble to the asphalt. She’d dreamed of seeing him again, had imagined what she might say, the excuses she could give him. But anything she’d ever come up with had sounded terrible, selfish and ridiculous. Even if what she’d tell him was the truth.
Now that he was less than five feet away from her, she had no idea what to say or do. A million questions buzzed through her mind. Was he married? Did he have children? Fresh tears filled her eyes. God, she really was a selfish bitch. She wanted him happy, had always prayed he’d find someone to love, but deep down she’d hated the thought of him loving someone else. Making love to another woman. Creating a child. A future that hadn’t included her.
“You look beautiful,” he said, his voice rough, raw. He blinked, looked to the ground and took a couple of more steps until he stood within arm’s reach. When he met her gaze, she expected anger and resentment, instead she found anguish, longing and heat in his dark eyes.
She pressed her lips together to stop her chin from trembling and swiped at an errant tear. She’d hurt him. Because she’d loved him so much, she had no choice but to run from him.
Until the bastard who’d murdered her family and forced her into this self-imposed exile was rotting in Hell, she’d keep running. Otherwise, Jake would end up like everyone else she’d loved.
Dead.
My Review:
I don’t know where to start with my review, so I’ll start with the beginning. The beginning drew me in and I longed to know more about the reunited lovers, Jake and Naomi. I confess to skipping ahead through repetitive thoughts once they were reunited, because I couldn’t wait to read more about the villains! Honey Badger, Ric, Santiago, Vlad … the brothers. They were all interesting characters and the villain was one of the best, and scariest, villains I’ve read in a long time. Those scenes were very well written and Naomi’s conflict with reuniting with Jake was very well understood. Her “stalker” as she called him was super super super villainous and believable. Well written, action-oriented scenes. A clever plot with interesting twists. I highly recommend you pick up a copy and start reading today!
Author Bio and Links:
I didn’t pick up my first romance novel until I was in my late twenties. Immediately hooked, I read a bazillion books before deciding to write one of my own. After the birth of my first son I needed something to keep my mind from turning to mush, and Sesame Street wasn’t cutting it. While that first book will never see the light of day, something good came from writing it. I realized my passion and found a career I love.
When I’m not writing contemporary romances and dark, romantic suspense novels (or reading them!) I’m chasing after my four kids and two neurotic dogs.
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Welcome to the Review Tour of King of Bad, by Kai Strand!
Kai will be awarding a $25 Amazon GC plus a signed book mark to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour (International). a Rafflecopter giveaway
Jeff Mean would rather set fires than follow rules or observe curfew. He wears his bad boy image like a favorite old hoodie; that is until he learns he has superpowers and is recruited by Super Villain Academy – where you learn to be good at being bad. In a school where one kid can evaporate all the water from your body and the girl you hang around with can perform psychic sex in your head, bad takes on a whole new meaning. Jeff wonders if he’s bad enough for SVA.
He may never find out. Classmates vilify him when he develops good manners. Then he’s kidnapped by those closest to him and left to wonder who is good and who is bad. His rescue is the climactic episode that balances good and evil in the super world. The catalyst – the girl he’s crushing on. A girlfriend and balancing the Supers is good, right? Or is it…bad?
My Review of King of Bad:
The only thing I didn’t like about this book was that it had to end. I wanted to finish it, but I didn’t want to see it end!
Great character development, good twists, and a unique storyline among a common tale of villains and superheroes. The story flowed well and smoothly, and the author did an excellent job of making me feel like I was inside the story, inside Jeff’s head. This story is a unique gem among a common theme of superheroes. The author does a great job of balancing the character with the action, the setting, and the plot. I never felt like I was reading a story; I felt I was a part of the story. I’d love to see it on the big screen! I can’t wait to see what else Kai Strand has to offer her readers.
I’d give this book five stars! An A+! And absolute 100. Even though it’s a young adult fiction, it was a great read for adults as well. I couldn’t put it down. I wanted to see what would happen next and was surprised in the end. Highly recommended for you or your teen!
Excerpt…
“Source, who is she?”
Source followed Jeff’s line of vision. “Oh, that’s Oceanus. Don’t even think it, kid. She’s already found a match.”
“What do you mean?”
“See the guy next to her?”
“The skinny red head?” Jeff hoped.
“No, the other one.”
“Oh, the Adonis?” Jeff’s heart fell. He’d no hope to thwart the god-like S.V. seated next to Oceanus.
“Not far off. People call him Set. The God of chaos, storm, wind. He’s a great guy.” Sarcasm wrapped around Source’s words. “Descended from a long line of super villains Known he’s an S.V. his whole life so came to the school ready to rule from what I hear. Real nasty character, even for an S.V. You don’t want to piss him off.”
“Oh, I won’t piss him off. I don’t go looking for trouble.” Jeff considered his life before the academy and real-ized that looking for trouble was the only thing he used to do. He amended his statement, saying, “Much.”
His stomach knotted. Had the academy turned him into a coward?
Source chuckled. “Don’t worry. You’ll get a name and things will settle into some sort of normal. Once we figure out what your root ability is, I’ll help you develop it. Though, after your hulk impersonation, I doubt anyone will dare taunt you.”
Jeff felt the anxiety lift. Source was okay for a bad guy.
About Kai Strand
When the electricity winked out, Kai Strand gathered her family around the fireplace and they told stories, one sentence at a time. Her boys were rather fond of the ending, “And then everybody died, the end.” Now an award winning children’s author, Kai crafts fiction for kids and teens to provide an escape hatch from their reality. With a selection of novels for young adult and middle grade readers and short stories for younger children Kai entertains children of all ages, and their adults. Visit Kai’s website, www.kaistrand.com, to browse her books, download companion materials or to find all her online haunts.
