Accidents Happen by Sharon Karaa #review#

If I asked you what Death would look like, you’d probably go for something along the lines of an angry skeleton wearing a monk’s robe and carrying a very sharp farm implement with which to rip your soul from your body–am I right? Maybe he’d even have glowing yellow orbs where his eyes should be and speak with a voice that comes from his toes and goes right through you, despite the fact he doesn’t actually have a larynx or any vocal chords to speak of. And he’d have a strange obsession with egg-timers.
In fact, apart from the angry bit, he was nothing like that.
Life is a bitch, but if Tabitha Brownlee was to be believed, Death is an alcoholic megalomaniac with a penchant for single malt and eyebrows that meet in the middle.  The problem?  He alone had the power to put her soul back into her body and evict the crazy S.O.B. who’d taken her place.

A wonderfully funny and sweet romance about the mistake that could lead you to your soul mate.

Tabitha Brownlee is a art museum curator. She’s being driven crazy by her mom who has dementia, and her best friend Janice who doesn’t think she should get married and now she’s stuck, stuck in-between life and death. Eight days before her wedding to her best friend John she’s hit in the head by a sign and  accidentally killed. A soul collector named Mort , Death hates the name Grim Reapers, tries to get her back in her body but he ends up in there instead. She’s frantic to get back to her body, she keeps thinking about only having 8 days till her wedding.

Mort, the soul collector is a crazy S.O.B. and has to pretend that he’s Tabitha until Death can present her case to the Council in 6 days. Tabitha is stuck in Mort’s place working with Cooper , the best soul collector around. They take an instant dislike to each other, he thinks she’s a gold digger, she thinks he’s an arrogant ass. They have to get along and work together to get her back in her body.  Can Death, who happens to be a tad crazy and a drinker to boot, win the case and get her put back where she belongs? Can she and Cooper get along with each other long enough to collect the souls Mort was supposed to be grabbing?  I really enjoyed this book I laughed a lot and since I love a good romantic comedy I really enjoyed this book. If you’re into romantic comedy this is definitely a good one for you.

Independent reviewer for Romance Authors That Rock. 5 sweet and funny hearts. 

 ://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1996373579

https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R96WOUXEVQR1D/ref=cm_cr_dp_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B072F5SNCN

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Outland Exile Book 1 Old Men and regrets by W. Clark Boutwell #review#

The United States is dead and the Democratic Unity killed it.

After catastrophic wars and the Meltdown, The Unity rules from its East Coast citadel, leaving the outlands to savages and its strangely altered plants. Providing free health care, employment, and ThiZ (the drug of any really civilized life), the Unity mandates retirement at forty before fatigue and error contaminate a culture of youth, innovation and vigor.

With liberating body implants, history’s finest democracy supervises every citizen for her/his/its own and the nation’s welfare. Seventeen-year-old Lieutenant Malila Chiu, is a veteran officer who, despite well-earned fame, finds her career in tatters. Vandalism at a distant station triggers her demotion. Facing denunciation … or worse, Malila’s one option is to enter the outlands to repair the station herself. At first, the repairs go well.

Dropping from fatigue, she wakes to find a hideously ancient savage has murdered her platoon and now holds a knife at her throat, making her the … Outland Exile.

Massively destructive wars and the Meltdown have destroyed what at one time was the United States, and now the east coast is the Democratic Unity. The rest of the country outside the Unity is called the Outlands, where “savages” and weirdly altered plants reign.

Second Lt. Milila Chiu at only 17 is a veteran officer of the Defensive Unity Forces for Security, she’s a excellent hunter using her avatar and also she’s a sniper.  When she’s demoted, for something she didn’t even do, (unbeknownst to Milila she’s thrown under the bus as part of another’s ambition) she’s sent to the Sunprarie Station, a distant outpost on the edge of the Outlands to repair the damage done by the “savages” . Along with her platoon of CRNA soldiers as bodyguards, she begins attempting repairs. On the second night there the entire platoon is killed and she is kidnapped by what she assumes is a demented Sisi. A Sisi is any and all citizens who at the age of 40 are sent into their own enclaves,  and considered a useless and non-productive member of society, not deserving of any respect.

Jesse Johnstone a Captain in the Reconstructed States of America,has taken her, as a Unity officer, for his superiors to interrogate. He takes her from the outpost into the Outlands, from the old state of Wisconsin all the way to Kentucky. Along the way Jessie tells her stories of the old ways and life in the Outlands. Milila thinks that’s all they are at the beginning, just stories from a demented old Sisi. The more he tells her and the more he shows her the more she starts to question all she thought she knew as the truth. She faces lots of trials through the trip to the settlement, she’s almost raped and sold into a brothel, and at one point her depression at being shamed by being captured, she contemplates suicide. Eventually on the trail they meet up with Moses, another member of the Kentucky settlement who volunteered to help Jessie and continue on to Kentucky.  Once they reach the settlement, Milila meets Sally (Moses’ wife) and Captain Delarosa and is questioned by both. If Milla can escape, and does she even want to, from the settlement and her captors what then? Can she make it back to Nyork and the “safety” of the Rampart with out Jesse? What awaits her back home ? With a superior officer who has set out to destroy their superior officer and with Milla as collateral damage, her safety, life and career are in serious danger. The Unity has political fractions called the Red and Blue. Like our democrats and republicans  there’s the usual political back stabbing and talking crap but in these times any scandal real or fictional can bring death.

My absolute favourite character is Milla,  once her eyes are open and she can “see the stars” she’s not afraid to fight and defend what she believes in. I enjoy dystopian novels and making the main character a strong female made me enjoy it even more. I really enjoyed the other characters too, they all came alive for me.

This starts out kind of slow and confusing with all the talk of the CORE and the ways of the Unity but trust me stick with it as it gets really interesting. I especially enjoyed the interaction between Jessie and Milila and Sally. Milila learns so much from Sally and starts to change. The author paints a vivid picture of the characters and the surroundings. The pace is steady and the characters are quite intriguing and full of life. I give this book 4 stars and will definitely be reading book 2. I need to find out what happens to everyone after the cliff hanger in book 1.

This book was an Onlinebookclub.org. Book of the Day.

Independent reviewer for Romance Authors That Rock.

http://forums.onlinebookclub.org/shelves/book.php?id=101724

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1959772885

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/review/B017GBCAXU/RMCSDR0W2SENA?ref_=glimp_1rv_cl

Full Circle (Shattered Lives Book 5) by Rissa Blakeley #review#

Product Description

With Erik Carlson’s treatment plan in place, he and Luke Richards head back to the East End of London…and where it all started.
The treatment sends Luke into a whirlwind of sickness, bordering on true death. Feeling as if he were losing the battle, anger and hatred rule his every waking moment.
Will Luke survive his treatments and return to his life as Henry Daniels?
After Henry’s death, Gunther Erikkson feels guilt-ridden. Even with Cora standing by his side, he finds it difficult to allow himself to heal.
Will Gunther accept Cora’s love?
Elaina spends her time mourning Henry, neglecting herself, dropping all responsibilities on Anne. A realization hits, sending her into a downward spiral of fear and sadness…until someone from Henry’s past sweeps her off her feet.
Will Elaina allow herself to move forward and fulfill Henry’s final wish?

 

If you’ve read books 1 through 4 then buckle in you’re in for one hell of a ride. If you haven’t read them STOP RIGHT NOW, grab them, you won’t be disappointed.

Henry is dead or so Elania thinks. He’s actually back where it all started, hopefully for a cure. He’s hoping to go back to his family a “normal ” man. He’s hopeful, scared, sick, and violently angry. Is there any was Henry can be “normal” ?

Elania loses it when Henry dies, staying in her room in a severe depression and leaving everything on Anne. When circumstances force her to rejoin the world can she? A blast from the past gives her a chance to do what Henry wanted and move on but is she willing to let Henry go?

Anne is devistated with the death of her only son but she has to hold it together and take care of her grandson and Elaina. She doesn’t really get a chance to grieve except when she’s with Gunther. She feels it’s her fault because she couldn’t stop Roger from breaking Henry.

Gunther feels like it’s his fault that Henry is dead, he didn’t see it coming to stop him. He also is falling more and more for Cora but with all this going on what will happen with them? Can he help Anne and Elania and keep his self and his family together through all this?

I had my doubts that Ms. Blakeley could tie it all up neatly with one final book in this amazing series but she definitely did it and did it with flair. There is no stone unturned nor question unanswered n the lives of these unique characters. I understand why Henry did what he did but I was mad at him for a while until I started seeing what he was going through to get back to his family a normal man. I’ve never really liked Elania, to me she was a selfish and immature woman, especially for being in the apocalypse, but toward the end I started to like her a little. Gunther, ah Gunther I’ve been team Gunther since the start.

Ms. Blakeley you’ve done it, a perfect end to a awesome series and I’m sad to see this world go but thank you for letting me go along for the ride.

Goodbye Henry/Luke, Elaina, Gunther , Cora, Anne and everyone else I’m going to miss you all.

I wish I could give it more than a 5 it deserves way way more.

Independent reviewer for Romance Authors That Rock. 5 shattered hearts.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1961688954

https://www.amazon.com/review/R3G6NQRG1S6K8G/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

Hibernation by S J Epps #review#

The world has flipped upside down. It is now a rainbow nation. A new class of citizens has arisen from hibernation and rejects the heterosexual idealism and culture. In the aftermath of legalized same-sex marriage in the U.S., two pastors are pulled into a new kind of civil war—those who vehemently oppose the new ruling and those who embrace it wholeheartedly. Lawsuits run rampant. Ministers are imprisoned. Riots ignite. Church doors are shuttered and chained. Will the church be eternally silenced or will their outrage shake the heavens?
Pastor Sams attends the public rallies and even makes appearances in the courtroom to show his solidarity in standing with Pastor Charles. However, there is a constant fear that threatens their cause and their friendship. As new developments arise and new rebellions crop up, the fabric of America they once relied on starts to shred. The church appears to be losing its voice as the LGBT community lunges forth out of hibernation.

This is a book about what could happen if the LGBT laws were drastically changed all of a sudden, not gradually. In this short story the laws have changed all of a sudden, now you can be prosecuted for intolerance, name calling , preaching in your church against LGBT if there are two or more members LGBT in your congregation, or simply refusing to marry a same sex couple.

That’s where the story begins. Pastor Simon Charles has refused to marry a pair of lesbians in his congregation so now he’s on trial for a hate crime.

Pastor Winter Sams is a man with a secret that could destroy him, his family and his church.

Simon asks Winter to stand by him during his trial and Winter agrees but what’s going on in Winter’s life could hurt Simon more than help him if it comes out. Winter’s wife is trouble with a capital T and she is driving him crazy.

This is a good short book but I didn’t feel the author leaned one way or the other on the LGBT stance. The court decision was pretty much predictable but I really liked the way the author ended the story. All in all I give it a 4 as it kept my attention and really showed a lot of conflict with the characters and in their lives. This book is an Onlinebookclub.org book of the day.

Independent reviewer for Romance Authors That Rock. 4 hearts.

http://forums.onlinebookclub.org/shelves/book.php?id=120507

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1958779443

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/review/B01EZEQCRQ/R1C6YN339P3J3L?ref_=glimp_1rv_cl

Playing Hurt by Gerald Nardella #review#

The fear and insecurity in growing up in a small town that offers little opportunity and few role models, exacerbated by an uncertain future and pressure by emotions difficult to control, inspired Gerald L. Nardella to write this novel. Life’s struggle can be lonely and painful. Gerald grew up in a small town, experiencing firsthand the insecurities from living in a broken home. Those insecurities still haunt him to this day.

This is a story about teenage life in a small town in Texas in 1960-61 and a few nights that will change the lives of Brian,Deanie and Dick forever. The book starts after Brian the quarterback and Deanie a cheerleader have had a big fight. What follows is the normal teenage angst and problems facing most high schoolers. There’s break ups, make ups, you’re typical high school rivalry and life in a small town in 1960.
When a blast from Deanie’s past shows up the troubles multiply.
This is a really good look back into the past, the characters are well written and the story keeps you interested from start to finish. I really enjoyed it and would recommend this book to anyone 13 plus. This book is an OnlineBookClub.org  Book of the Day.

Independent reviewer for Romance Authors That Rock. 4 hearts.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1950344228

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/review/B00XX4P032/R8FLFZ7S9XE8N?ref_=glimp_1rv_cl

 

http://forums.onlinebookclub.org/shelves/book.php?id=32495

The Journey: The Ultimate Power Book 1. by Shadahyah Elizabeth # review#

“All bear witness to my words, for the time is nigh. For on the night of a purple moon in the village of Terra, three sisters shall give birth to three daughters, who will lead the chosen to the ultimate power.”

Words many had forgotten: Until now.

On her 18th birthday, Elizabeth Kimache is approached by a mysterious stranger. What she first believed to be a marriage proposal, soon turns into a nightmare as she and her father are forced to run away from home with the stranger as their guild. With the threat of an unknown enemy approaching, Elizabeth will soon discover a truth so deadly, it could cost her life.

This book is an Online bookclub.org Book of the day.

This is a YA story of a prophecy involving three teenage girls. Now normally I’m not a big fan of YA but after the first few pages my interest was piqued and I was hooked. I read well past my usual bed time. I couldn’t put it down, there’s more twists and turns than a mountain road.

“All bear witness to my words, for the time is nigh. For on the night of a purple moon in the village of Terra, three sisters shall give birth to three daughters, who will lead the chosen to the ultimate power.”

Elizabeth, Jasmine and Renee are best friends and also share the same birthday. On the day of their 18th birthday their village is attacked and the barely escape with their lives. King Ramos is after the 3 girls that possess the ultimate power and believe s that to control the girls is to control the world. He sends Prince’s Caleb and Hugo to do his dirty work and capture the girls. The girls know nothing of their powers all they know is they can communicate telepathically, now they’re on the run.

There’s a lot of danger and many more questions than answers. I really enjoyed this story and can’t wait to read more of the story. My only complaint and I understand why, but so many questions are left unanswered due to the next book but I’d like to know more of the story of the prophecy and the girls lives. I’ll have to read book 2 and hopefully it will answer all my questions.

Independent reviewer for Romance Authors That Rock. 4 hearts

http://forums.onlinebookclub.org/shelves/book.php?id=75280

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1944534522

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/review/B01BUINQZ6/R1ODWQYX00CCTX?ref_=glimp_1rv_cl

The Pursuit of Time by William H. May #review#

In the year 2038 as the world struggles to adapt to energy shortages and the effects of global warming, advances in medical technology make human brain transplants possible. This story chronicles the effect this advance has on society and the fight by one dying man to extend his life with the help of his attorney friend. It challenges stereotypically held views of the elderly and their capabilities.

This book is a OnLineBookClub.org Book of the Day.

I totally enjoyed this book,  it’s a book of “what if”. What if you got a second chance at life. What if you only got that chance if you could prove something you did 50 years ago. What if you had to convince some judges what you’re saying really happened.

In the year 2038 brain transplants are not only a possibility they’re done. There’s a transplant program and due to the high demand the application process is quite extreme. Transplants are awarded by a tribunal to certain qualified individuals, self-scarifice, betterment of society and heroism are only a few of the reasons to qualify. The odds of approval aren’t much better than hitting the lottery.

John Axelton is a 76 yr old retired professor has only approximately two years to live. He’s decided to apply for the program.

Phillip Douglas is an attorney who’s speciality is transplant applications. He once was a student of John’s, so when John asks him to help he’s more than willing to help him.

John tells him the story of an act of heroism that happens 50 years ago, in 1982 way before the transplants started. Now Phil has the job of proving John’s story is true and getting him in front of the Tribunal to get him approved.

This story also bring up the question of who really deserves a second shot at life ?  Also who really has the right to decide who deserves that second chance?

The characters were well written and the descriptions of Colorado were amazing. I could picture the beauty Colorado and of the mountains thanks to the authors vivid descriptions. My only complaint is this books premise is good but it took me a while to get into the story as it starts out kind of slow. I’m glad I stuck with it as it’s an interesting story once it gets further in. I also felt some of the characters were just added for filler but I definitely didn’t like the State Rep Tom he was an ass lol.

Independent reviewer for Romance Authors That Rock. 4 hearts

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1938528142

http://forums.onlinebookclub.org/shelves/book.php?id=104281

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/review/B019PJZNDU/RQ3C4B5MDNKB7?ref_=glimp_1rv_cl

The Alienation of Courtney Hoffman by Brady G. Stefani # review #

 

Fifteen-year-old Courtney wants to be normal like her friends. But there’s something frighteningly different about her—and it’s not just the mysterious tattoo her conspiracy-obsessed grandfather marked her with when she was a child. The last thing Courtney wants to do is end up crazy and dead like her grandfather—but what about the tattoo? And the alien scouts who visit Courtney in her bedroom at night, claiming to have shared an alliance with her grandfather?

With her new friend Agatha’s apocalyptic visions, Courtney begins connecting the dots between the past, present, and future—of her bloodline, and the ancient history that surrounds it. So is she going mentally insane, like her family claimed her grandfather did, or is she actually a “chosen one” with ancestral connections to another world? Either way, Courtney has a mission: untangle her past, discover the truth, and stop the apocalypse before anyone from school finds out she’s missing.

In this YA novel Courtney Hoffman thinks she’s going crazy like her grandfather. He had her tattooed at 7 years old with mysterious symbols and swore he talked to aliens. Now at 15 she’s having dreams about the aliens and they’re starting to visit her. The aliens tell her they had an alien e with her grandfather and that she’s the “chosen one”.  She tells her mom what’s going on and she quickly had Courtney committed as she refuses to discuss let alone believe anything about aliens.

With aliens popping up in her dreams and bedroom, worm holes, annoying parents, a crush and the threat of an apocalypse what’s a girl to do? Courtney does the only thing she can think of, along with friends, old and new, she goes on a journey to unlock her past and find out the truth.

This is an exceptional book with lots of twists and turns and a mix of Sci-Fi, religion and mental illness. An excellent story for the YA reader in your life.  This book is a OnLineBookClub.org Book of the Day.

Independent reviewer for Romance Authors That Rock. 4 hearts.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1932483545

http://forums.onlinebookclub.org/shelves/book.php?id=91123

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/review/B01DU18WDW/R374Q8DKP2SWKF?ref_=glimp_1rv_cl

Melhara by Jocelyn Tollefson #review#

Witches. Demons. Angels. Ancient prophecies and eternal wars.

Kyra Parker seems to have it all: a successful career woman, wife, and mother; she’s living the life she always wanted. But appearances are deceiving. In reality, she’s a witch who has forbidden herself from using magic—at least the powers she has control over. Only two of her closest friends know her secret—one they share.

Kyra can no longer ignore her destiny when she is exposed as the key to the end of the world. She transforms into a dark witch after reluctantly surrendering her soul to the demon, Alastor, to save her loved ones.

With her friends, Alexis and Axel, chasing her across the country in an attempt to free her from the demon’s influence, Kyra ventures ever closer to the point of no return. Her family and friends need to work together before it’s too late to save her—and the rest of the world—from the demon apocalypse.

There’s just one problem—she doesn’t want to be saved.

A dark prophecy the from the book of Revelations comes to life when angels, demons, and witches battle for fate of humanity.

Kyra Parker tries to be normal, a wife and mother, she tries to hide her witch side from everyone. She’s been having nightmares about battles between Heaven and Hell since she was a child.

Alastor is the demon who’s been searching for Kyra for years. She’s the key to unlocking the gates of Hell. If he can convince her to join him he plans on turning the tables from good to evil and then the occupants of Heaven and Hell will trade places, releasing Hell on earth. He kidnaps her and all the people she loves, threatening to kill them. She strikes a deal agreeing to join him if he promises that he won’t harm any of them ever. Now her best friend Alexis and Alexis’ brother Axel, who are both witches, must try to rescue Kyra and save the world from an apocalypse.

The prophecy is unfolding and Kyra is in the center of it all. Will Kyra and the demon win or is there hope of saving not only Kyra but the world ? How will it all end ? The answer to these and many more questions will be found in this fast paced, action packed book. I hope there’s another coming, I’d love to read more of this exciting story. This book is an OnLineBookClub.org. Book of the Day.

Independent reviewer for Romance Authors That Rock. 5 hearts.

http://forums.onlinebookclub.org/shelves/book.php?id=131934

 

https://www.amazon.com/review/R3ZAL5JJN20ZX/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

 

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1930528921

 

A Book for Oreo by Caralee Jardine #review#

Every now and then you meet someone and instantly know they are special. This is an amazing love story of a cat named Oreo and the woman he picked to be his mom.

Oreo was famous for getting into mischief and compromising situations. You will laugh at his antics and keep wondering what he will do next!

 

I laughed, and I cried at this short but sweet and amazing story of the love between Caralee and her cat Oreo. She rescued Oreo from a shelter when he was a baby kitten and had 15 wonderful years with him. She tells all sorts of stories about her life with Oreo and how he made her life better. Caralee writes about the last of Oreo’s life and how leaning on her faith helps her get through this terrible loss.
This is an awesome read about the love between a woman and the cat who was her child. I definitely think if you’re going to read this you better have kleenex handy. I absolutely loved this one. 5 stars isn’t enough for this heartwarming remembrance of a beloved member of the family.
This is an OnLineBookClub.org Book of the Day.
Independent reviewer for Romance Authors That Rock.

http://forums.onlinebookclub.org/shelves/book.php?id=104477

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/review/B01IRT2Y9U/R4X1Q46FM6YST/ref=cm_cr_dp_mb_rvw_1?ie=UTF8&cursor=1

 

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1930396675