Category: NetGalley

Visibly Broken by Chelsea Camaron and MJ Fields

Visibly Broken by [Camaron, Chelsea, Fields, MJ]

Publisher: Random House Publishing Group – Loveswept, Loveswept

Date of publication: September 20th 2016

Genre: Romance

Where the book can be found: Amazon 

Book synopsis:

In a powerful, smoldering novel from the bestselling authors of the Caldwell Brothers series (“Bad boy heroes to die for!”—Tracy Wolff), two tortured souls team up to overcome the past, finding the courage to heal . . . and to love.

Jason “Cobra” Stanley was born to fight. With a father like his, he had to toughen up just to survive. Now Cobra tries to take out all of his frustration, all of his anger, and all of his pain in the MMA cage. But after he receives one too many hits to the head during a match, the cycle of violence comes to a screeching halt. Cobra wakes up in the hospital, under the care of a nurse whose blond hair shines like a halo—and whose pure heart touches him on the deepest level.

Lorraine Bosch is a fighter too. The lone survivor of a chilling family tragedy, she prides herself on remaining professional, despite the chaos of the ER. But Cobra is the ultimate distraction. Lorraine knows she should run away screaming from his rippling muscles and shattered psyche. And yet how can she deny this broken man a second chance—especially since she knows exactly what he’s been through? Lorraine’s used to playing guardian angel. Now it’s her turn to find heaven in Cobra’s arms.

My review:

Do not let first impressions ruin this book for you. The first couple of chapters of this book are tough to read. Jason and his girlfriend are abusive to each other. To stop from hitting her, he starts doing MMA style underground cage matches. During one of those matches, he gets hit on the head hard and gets dumped at the ER. That is where he meets Lorraine, a nurse who is damaged by her past.

Like I said above, you need to get past the first couple of chapters to feel the book. I couldn’t understand why the authors would start the book like that. But the more I learned about Jason and his childhood, the more I understood and it is heartbreaking.

It took a while for Jason to grow on me. It took a while to realize that through helping Lorraine, he was helping himself get over his past trauma. He found someone he could protect in Lorraine. Someone who accepted him and his past with no questions asked. Someone who stilled the rage and violence in him. Someone who made him think that he wasn’t the monster that he believed he was.

Lorraine was as damaged as Jason. It took me a while to realize how damaged she was because of the way the book described her. It was brilliant of the authors to do it the way they did. I thought that there were two people instead of one. The more  interactions she has with Dr. Bennett and his family, I came to understand why and it is sick.

The sex scenes were out of control hot. I didn’t like was that Jason was going bareback with Lorraine within days of breaking up with Missy. It bothered me.. The fact that he moved her into his condo without even asking her. That bothered me too. But, in his way, he was protecting her.

The ending wasn’t what I thought it was. The twist fit in with the plot, and I was a little surprised by it. The epilogue was what got me. I was crying at the end.

How many stars will I give Visibly broken? 4/4.5 stars

Will I reread? Yes

Will I recommend to family and friends? Yes

Age Range? Adult

**I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book**

Dead Souls by J. Lincoln Fenn

Dead Souls: A Novel by [Fenn, J. Lincoln]

Publisher: Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books

Date of publication: September 20, 2016

Genre: Horror

Where you can find this book: Amazon

Book synopsis:

From the award-winning author of the acclaimed novel Poe comes an edgy and bone-chilling new novel.

When Fiona Dunn is approached in a bar by a man who claims he’s the devil, she figures it’s just some kind of postmodern-slash-ironic pickup line. But a few drinks in, he offers her a wish in exchange for her immortal soul, and in addition, Fiona must perform a special favor for him whenever the time comes. Fiona finds the entire matter so absurd that she agrees. Bad idea. Not only does Fiona soon discover that she really was talking to the devil incarnate, but she’s now been initiated into a bizarre support group of similar “dead souls”—those who have done the same thing as Fiona on a whim, and who must spend their waking hours in absolute terror of that favor eventually being called in…and what exactly is required from each of them in order to give the devil his due.

My review:

What would you do if the devil approached you, offered your heart’s desire and all you have to do is give him your soul and perform a special favor for him? Would you take him up on his offer or would you walk away?

That is what Fiona ran into in this book. After seeing her boyfriend of 3 years hugging another woman at the airport, she returns home to find that she has locked her keys in the apartment. Upset, she heads to the local bar, where she approached by a man who claims to be Scratch. He wanted to know if Fiona would give him her soul to get what Fiona wanted. All she had to do was perform a special favor. At this point, I would be calling over the bouncer to have him escorted off the property. But for some reason, Fiona didn’t, and she agreed.

Imagine her surprise when she wakes up in her bed and in the apartment that she locked her keys into. Imagine her surprise when her neighbor approaches her with her clothes and an envelope with her name on it. There is a card inside with her name, date, and favor.

Things start to get super creepy. Fiona starts going to a support group of people who have also made a deal with the devil. They ranged from a college student who wanted to levitate to a lesbian who wanted to be straight (yes, you read that right, even I did a WTF there) to a couple who desperately wanted children to a mysterious photographer. They meet once a month to see if they are all still there and to check their cards.

I am going to shut up at this point because the book got creepy and surreal. The favors got called in on everyone in the group.

The ending of the book was surprising. I expected some of it, but I didn’t expect the other thing what happened. Totally didn’t expect it and it kind of threw me off.

How many stars will I give Dead Souls? 5

Will I reread? Yes

Will I recommend to family and friends? Yes

Age range: Adult

**I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book**

At Risk by S.G. Redling

At Risk by [Redling, S.G.]

Publisher: Thomas & Mercer

Date of publication: September 20th, 2016

Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Suspense

Where you can find this book: Amazon

Book synopsis:

Colleen McElroy grew up wealthy and pampered, the daughter of a prominent society family in Lexington, Kentucky. But her privileged upbringing could not prepare or protect her from her cruel and abusive first husband. Although her calamitous marriage left her with physical and emotional scars that have yet to heal, they haven’t prevented her from doing her best to rebuild her life.

Charismatic Patrick McElroy has scars of his own from his traumatic childhood in the foster care system, but with his business partner, John, he has built a celebrated, state-of-the-art home for at-risk youths. When one goes missing, Colleen is plunged into a nightmare of uncertainty about the girl’s disappearance. Is she paranoid, seeing disasters where there is just bad luck, or does an unspeakable evil lurk behind the new life she’s made for herself? No longer sure of whom she can trust, Colleen will have to rely on herself to discover the truth.

My review:

This book was fantastic!! Mysteries are usually not my cup of tea; I can generally figure out who the murder was by the middle of the book and then get bored reading. But not this book. The bad guys are clearly stated from the get-go. One emerges at in the middle of the book, and the last couple of bad guys appear at the end of the book.

It is the build-up that got me going. The book starts slow and picks up steam as I get deeper and deeper into the book. By the end, its full throttle to the climax of the book. I rarely read a book that can keep that momentum going. So bravo to the author!!!

The beginning of the story was great. It starts with Patrick, Colleen, Bix, and John at a fundraiser for Patrick and John’s project, a state of the art home for at-risk youth. I got a sense of the strange dynamics among the foursome. Colleen is newly married to Patrick and considers herself an outsider to the trio. Patrick and John met when they were children at a group home, and then they met Bix when they were teenagers in another group home.

Colleen notices that something is off with Patrick. He is being secretive and he keeps telling her that he doesn’t want her involved with what he was doing. Big red flag there. One day, Bix approaches Colleen with a phone that she cloned from John and someone texts a list of names. Colleen agrees to play detective and stumbles into something that goes beyond a cheating husband.

As for the characters, I did like Colleen the most. She started as a timid mouse of a woman, still getting over her ex-husband’s abusive ways. By the end of the book, she blossomed into this woman who wasn’t going to take crap from anyone.

I didn’t understand her friendship with Bix. It was a love/hate relationship between them, with the hate being on Bix’s part. If someone ever talked to me the way Bix talked to Colleen, I would have laid them out flat. She was an abrasive, unlikable character.

I didn’t like John either. He came across as slimy, secretive and was always drunk. He rubbed me the wrong way from the first time he appeared in the book.

Patrick was OK. He seemed to be easily influenced/pushed around by Bix and John. He keeps dismissing their behavior and the way Bix treats Colleen as leftover mannerisms from when they were in foster care.

The ending was explosive and it showcased how strong Colleen was. It showed that you never truly know a person, no matter how close you are to them.

How many stars will I give At Risk? 5

Why? This is a true mystery that keeps you guessing until the end of the book.

Will I reread? Yes

Will I recommend to family and friends? Yes

Age range? Adult

Why? No sex but there is mention of a forced sexual situation. Also a ton of violence and language.

**I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book**

The Girl from the Sea by Shalini Boland

The Girl From The Sea: A gripping psychological thriller with a heart-pounding twist by [Boland, Shalini]

Publisher: Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Member’s Titles

Date of publication: June 9th, 2016

Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Suspense

Where you can find this book: Amazon

Book synopsis:

‘I can’t remember anything. Not even my own name.’

When Mia James is washed up on a beautiful, sun-drenched beach she has no idea who she is or what happened to her. She doesn’t even recognise her own face – until a man comes forward claiming to be her boyfriend and providing her with an identity.

As Mia tries to adjust to the perfect life she was living before her accident, she quickly realises that something is wrong. Why is everyone around her lying to her? What don’t they want her to remember?

My review:

Mia is found half-drowned on the beach by a good Samaritan. When she is at the hospital, she finds out that she has retrograde amnesia. After the police put her face on the news with a “Do you know this woman,” her boyfriend shows up to identify her. She is released into his custody.

This is where the book gets excellent. Mia starts remembering bits and pieces of what happened to her. She is seeing the specter of an angry, blonde woman and thinks that she is hallucinating. As she regains her memories, she realizes that not everything is what it seems.

I don’t like stories about amnesia, but this one had me hooked. The mystery behind the accident was written so skillfully that I had no clue what happened until the end.

Mia didn’t click with me. I don’t know why there was such a disconnect, but there was.

Let’s speak about the end, but I won’t be ruining anything for anyone. It had to have been the best ending in a mystery that I have EVER read. There are two twists that were huge. The final pages of the book, let’s say, stalker.

How many stars will I give The Girl From the Sea? 4

Will I reread? Yes

Will I recommend to family and friends? Yes

Age range: Adult

**I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book**

Land of Careful Shadows (A Jimmy Vega Mystery: Book 1) by Suzanne Chazin

Land of Careful Shadows (A Jimmy Vega Mystery Book 1) by [Chazin, Suzanne]

Publisher: Kensington Books

Date of publication: July 20th, 2016 

Series: Jimmy Vega Mystery

Land of Careful Shadows – Book 1

A Blossom of Bright Light – Book 2 

No Witness But the Moon – Book 3 (Review here)

Genre: Mystery, Thriller

Where can you find this book: Amazon

Book synopsis:

Some secrets can’t stay buried . . .

A body is discovered in a reservoir north of New York City. The victim is young, female and Hispanic. In her purse, police find a photo of a baby. Where is the child? Is she alive? And what about the disturbing note found at the scene? “Go back to your country. You don’t belong here.”
 
Homicide detective Jimmy Vega knows how hard it can be to walk the razor-thin line of acceptance in a place like Lake Holly. Reluctantly turning to Adele Figueroa, a passionate defender of immigrants’ rights, Vega must confront a small town’s darkest secrets and deepest obsessions—before they savagely tear apart the world he’s sworn to defend.

My review:

Suzanne Chazin is fast becoming one of my favorite authors to read. I read No Witness But the Moon and loved it.

Jimmy Vega is introduced when a body is pulled from the reservoir. He is a county cop, but they sent him to Lake Holly to assist in the investigation because they believe that the woman pulled from the lake was murdered. He realizes that solving this murder is going to be almost impossible. The young woman was part of Lake Holly’s illegal immigrant community and getting them to talk will be next to impossible without help. So he goes to his best bet, Adele Figueroa, a lawyer who is very close to the immigrant community.

Rodrigo is introduced also. He is an illegal immigrant trying to find work so he can send money to his wife in Guatemala. But that is not all. He has a tie to the dead woman.

Jimmy Vega is a complex character, and I loved it. One one hand, he was a great cop with a kind heart, but on the other hand, he had a shitty personal life. His daughter is falling apart, mentally, after almost being killed by a train a few months ago. His mother was murdered in a messed up robbery a couple of years ago, and he still carries the grief around with him. On top of it all, he finds out that his high school girlfriend lives in Lake Holly and he still has feelings over that breakup.

Adele came off as a bitch in this book. I liked her in the other book a lot better. She was determined to block Jimmy at every turn because she was afraid that the killer was an illegal immigrant and he/she would be deported. I got where she was coming from, but I also understood where Jimmy was coming from. He had a case to solve and here is Adele, throwing roadblocks in his way, until she realized that she could be more of a help to Jimmy. Those couple of chapters drove me nuts.

This book was different. There were several different “mysteries” going on at the same time. There was the young woman who was murdered. Then there was the rash of hate crimes that killed an immigrant. Plus the mystery of what happened to the woman’s baby and what happened that night of Jimmy’s daughter’s accident.

I liked is that the author wrapped the different mysteries at different times with different outcomes. It kept my attention focused on the book.

The ending was great, and I felt for Jimmy in the last chapter. Being a parent is hard and making sure that your kids do the right thing is even harder.

Will I reread? Yes

Will I recommend to family and friends? Yes

Age Range: Adult

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book

Mosh Pit (The Rose Garden Arena Incident: Book 1) by Michael Hiebert

Mosh Pit (The Rose Garden Arena Incident Book 1) by [Hiebert, Michael]

Publisher: Dangerbooks

Date of publication: September 18th, 2016

Series: The Rose Garden Arena Incident

Mosh Pit – Book 1

Media Frenzy – Book 2 (review here)

80 Proof – Book 3

Genre: Mystery, Thriller

Where you can find this book: Amazon

Book synopsis:

Stephanie Banner is twenty years old the night Dakota Shane stands center stage while six bullets ring out through the stadium. Five deaths occur from those shots, although only four ever go on record.

All four are women.

It happens in Portland, Oregon, at the Rose Garden Arena. The show is a sellout. Twenty-two thousand seats gone in less than four hours.

For the eight days leading up to the concert, a handful of disparate lives intertwine as their world unravels. Their sanity, their relationships, their work, their children, the law, and even death hangs in the balance. Among them are: the learning-disabled black kid from East St. Louis trying to move past having his little sister die in his arms when she and his Momma become collateral damage during a drive-by; the quick-witted black man who, after losing control of his car on his way to visit family in Portland, finds himself duct-taped to a chair, a hostage to a meth-addled lunatic wanted for a double homicide; the Latino son now desperately struggling to rise above his abusive father and help his mother and sister move on to a better life, while unable to let go of the tremendous guilt he bears over the fate of the other sister he once had; the slash-punk singer who manages to score her band the best gig of its career, only to learn she may not have a band left to play it; the Korean psychiatrist finally confronting how much of her life has slipped by her—how many years she lost—while focussing on far less important things; the ex-LAPD detective now working for the Portland PD finally facing the ghosts that still linger from the time of the Rodney King riots—a past that forced him to drag his family up out of LA; the bitter ex-wife of a disc jockey who still secretly listens to her ex-husband’s midnight radio show as she drinks herself into a whiskey coma; the out of control daughter having unprotected sex with strangers hoping that pregnancy might draw the attention of parents unable to see past themselves…

And then, Dakota Shane: chart-topping superstar with a dark secret, caught in a media and tabloid frenzy full of rumor, speculation, and lies. She’s off her meds and grappling to find any semblance of herself that might still exist inside an identity forged over the past five years by an extremely successful record company’s marketing department.

Each of these lives is a story and the stories collide with each other like silver balls bouncing off bumpers on a pinball machine.
But in the end, The Rose Garden Arena Incident is a tale about passion, about bravery, about redemption, about fixing those things in the world that are fixable and learning to live with the things that are not—A heartbreaking story of tragedy, despair, and loss that still somehow leaves you with a glimmer of faith, love, and hope.

The Rose Garden Arena Incident is a “serial thriller.” The story takes place over seven separate books, each encompassi

My review:

I don’t like serial novels. I don’t have the patience to wait for each installment to come out. I might make the exception for The Rose Garden Arena Incident.

This book is fantastic!! It starts on the day of the shooting and goes back eight days. Which in itself isn’t new to me but how the author did it is. I met 4 of the main characters in that brief chapter. Then he backed it up to 8 days ago. Each book is a day in the life of all of the characters.

This first book lays the groundwork for the rest of the book. I met Brenda, Stephanie, Karma, among other people and got to see what they did on that day, eight days before the incident.

The ending of the book left it open for book 2, and there are so many questions I have, but I will not put here. Hopefully, they will be answered in book 2!!

How many stars will I give Mosh Pit? 5

Why? This was a great starter book for this series. Well written with characters that are believable, you get hooked and wonder what is going to happen in the next book.

Will I reread? Yes

Will I recommend to family and friends? Yes

Age range? Adult

Why? Sexual situations, underage drinking, and language.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book

Tamzin Clarke V Jack the Ripper by Lauren Stock and Robert Stock

Tamzin Clarke v Jack the Ripper by [Stock, Lauren, Stock, Robert]

Publisher: Dragon Girl Press

Date of publication: January 19th, 2016

Series: Tamzin Clarke

Tamzin Clarke V Jack the Ripper – Book 1

Tamzin Clarke V the Mummy – Book 2 (review here)

Where you can find this book: Amazon

Book synopsis:

Tamzin Clarke’s life seems to be falling into place. She has Jimmy, her musician boyfriend, and a solid group of friends. She’s been taking dance class for ten years, and has been promoted to instruct a first year tumbling class. She works in her dad’s antique shop on the weekends, and is proud of her grades in school.

Then she meets Daniel, the one who makes her question everything. Who is Daniel, and why does he keep disappearing?

When her sister is murdered, Tamzin’s mom is the lead detective on the case, which soon turns into a serial killing spree. The deaths mirror the case of Jack the Ripper, but there couldn’t be a connection. Could there?

Tamzin is now on the case.

My review:

When I saw the title of this book, I almost passed it over and thought to myself “Really.” Then I read the blurb and got intrigued. Jack the Ripper, the most infamous murderer in history, being written into a YA book? Hmmmmm. Then the bad thoughts happened, mainly along the line of “this book is going to suck” and “I shouldn’t read/review this book because I know I will give it a low rating.”

I am happy to say, that not only did the book not suck but I am not giving it a low rating. This book was a great read with two storylines that are blended well together.

The book starts with Tamzin’s much older sister, Vickie, being murdered by a caped gentleman while she is undercover to catch johns.

That’s when I met Tamzin. She is devastated by her sister’s death but she has a great support system of her mother, father, boyfriend, and friends to help her through it. On her way home from dance class, where she teaches  5-6-year-olds, she meets a mysterious boy who she finds out is named Daniel.

She works for her father in his antique shop, and in her spare time, she babysits a young girl in her class. In the meanwhile, three more murders are committed by Jack Angel.

One day, after her sister’s funeral, the creepy owner of the club down the street stops in to see if her father has any new items. While he is there, the little girl who Tamzin babysits for comes in, and the creepy guy gets even creepier by sniffing them and saying that they smell good.

Later on that day, Tamzin gets a phone call from her mother saying that Maxine is missing. So what does Tamzin do, she decides to go and track down Max herself with Daniel and her friends.

I loved Tamzin. She was spunky, bright and came across as a sweetheart. But she shouldn’t have gone running off after Max. A big no but, hey, what is a heroine is supposed to do.

Daniel was an enigma for most of the book. I couldn’t figure out how he was disappearing. When Tamzin figures out who Daniel is, I was surprised.

Jimmy was alright. I can understand his jealousy when Tamzin starts spending time with Daniel.

The end of the story was great, and I loved that the author attempted to humanize Jack the Ripper.

How many stars will I give Tamzin V Jack the Ripper? 5

Why? This is a book that I would feel comfortable letting my tween daughter read. Well written and fast-paced, it takes you on a wild ride!!

Will I reread? Yes

Will I recommend to family and friends? Yes

Age range: Teen on up

Why? Very clean (no sex or foul language). There is violence but it is tastefully written.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book

Through Raging Waters (Snowy Range Chronicles: Book 1) by Renee Blare

Through Raging Waters by [Blare, Renee]

Publisher: Prism Book Group

Date of publication: July 8th, 2016

Series: Snowy Range Chronicles.

To Soar on Eagle’s Wings – Book 1

Through Raging Waters – Book 2

Genre: Romance, Christian

Where can you find this book? Amazon

Book synopsis:

If Mother Nature has her way, Timber Springs will never be the same…

A warm spring and early rainstorms melt the snowpack. Spring runoff compounded by the storm of the century sends Timber Springs into a tailspin.
Tossed into the role of rescuer, local pharmacist Paul Fitzgerald must face his past before the whole world falls apart. While he fights to contain the beast around him, he finds his steadfast control slipping through his fingers. And life…everyone’s life…hangs by a thread once again.
She isn’t a hero. Melissa Hampton has her own demons to battle. After she learns of her mysterious beginnings amidst her mother’s keepsakes, she faces more than just the river rushing outside her door. Now, she must discern friend from foe…but as waters rise and tension climbs within Timber Springs, she needs to rise to the challenge or lose the only man she’s ever loved.

Can two people find each other through raging waters?

My review:

I was pleasantly surprised by this book, considering that it started slow. I had trouble getting through the first couple of chapters before it picked up steam.

Through Raging Waters is a Christian romance and I was expecting it to be incredibly preachy. It wasn’t. Melissa and Paul’s relationship interweaved skillfully with each other and other people. Unlike some other Christian novels I have read, their relationship and religion wasn’t preachy.

Through Raging Waters is not a standalone book. I wish that I had read To Soar on Eagle’s Wings (which is Rachel and Steve’s story) to understand some of the back stories in this book. It doesn’t take away from the book at all. It raised some questions on my end about what happened in the first book.

I did like Melissa. She was strong in faith and spirit. I couldn’t have gone on living in a town where my attacker resided and not known who he was. It would have driven me crazy. I felt awful during the scenes where she uncovered her deceased mother’s secrets and then met her father. Talk about hitting you in the feels.

Paul was an enigma to me. I couldn’t figure out what he did. I did figure out that the discussion about his job happened in book 1.  His faith was just as strong as Melissa’s. I believe that his prayers and Melissa’s determination to get to him are what saved him.

I liked that the romance between Paul and Melissa was almost not there. There were sparks at the beginning that got squashed by the flood, Paul’s father having a stroke and Paul leaving on the rescue mission. The whole time he was gone, they both thought of each other regularly and with love. It wasn’t until Ajax forced Melissa to come to terms with her feelings and she let Paul know how she felt that the book took on the romance angle.

The ending of the book was great. There was a big plot twist that I saw coming but didn’t expect and another one that took me by surprise. I liked that while everything was wrapped up for Melissa and Paul, the author left the book open for the other children.

How many stars will I give Through Raging Waters? 4/4.5

Will I reread? Yes

Will I recommend to family and friends? Yes

Age Range: Teen

**I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book**

Bender by Gene Gant

Bender

Publisher: Harmony Ink Press

Date of publication: June 16th, 2016

Where you can find Bender: Amazon

Book synopsis:

Nineteen-year-old Mace Danner is a college freshman—and a male prostitute. He specializes as a submissive-for-hire to dominant clients. Mace has never experienced any erotic longings, but his profession satisfies much darker needs. He believes he deserves the abuse because he was responsible for the death of his brother. When ill-treatment at the hands of customers isn’t penance enough, Mace turns to the bottle, hoping to drink away the demons still plaguing him.

RA Dex Hammel doesn’t like the road he sees Mace going down, and he offers his help before it’s too late. There’s no denying the chemistry between the two young men, but a lingering lack of physical desire continues to confuse and upset Mace. He seems set on destroying himself, and Dex might not be able to save him.

My review:

I am going to be nice about this: If you don’t like LGBTQIA books or lifestyle, stop here and hit the back button. I will not publish any rude remarks.

This book made me ugly cry while I was reading it. I wanted to reach through my Kindle and hug Mace and tell him that it was alright and that everything was going to be OK.

Mace is an escort who specializes in BDSM as a submissive. He lets men and women abuse his body. Because he feels this is the only way he can atone for his brother’s death, which Mace believes that he caused. The hurt in those paragraphs came off the pages in waves and hurt my heart.

This is the first book I have read where the main character is asexual. Asexual means that some people do not have sexual feelings. Some asexuals will have sex to please their partners and to feel close to them, but they don’t have the feelings. I had heard of asexuals before but have never read a story featuring one. So it was fascinating to me.

The relationship between Dex and Mace was perfect. It was the first stepping block to getting Mace better. I loved Dex’s character. He was everything a boyfriend should be and then some!!

How many stars will I give Bender? 5

Why? This was a beautifully written book about loss and sexuality. The author packed a lot in the 86 pages and I did want more.

Will I reread? Yes

Will I recommend to family and friends? Yes

Age Range: Adult

**I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book**

The Girl Who Could Read Hearts by Sherry Maysonave

The Girl Who Could Read Hearts: A Family and the Power of Intuition by [Maysonave, Sherry]

Publisher: Empowerment Productions with Balboa Press, Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Member’s Titles

Date of Publication: April 21st 2016

Genre: General Fiction

Where the book can be found: Amazon

Book synopsis:

Winner 14 Awards ─ Explore the supernatural, angels, souls, miracles, the afterlife, heaven, the power of love, intuition, & prayer ─ intertwined with a mystical family storyline and a touch of romance. “A moving, memorable story… a highly recommended, evocative read…” 
Set in the San Francisco Bay Area and inspired by a vivid dream with the author’s deceased sister shouting from a mountain top, this intriguing novel blends autobiographical fact and narrative fiction straight from the author’s heart. “Riveting.” 

If you enjoy CS Lewis, Ann Voskamp, Eckhardt Tolle, Oprah, Judith Orloff, or mystical stories like The Shack, or The Alchemist, or The Celestine Prophecy, you’ll be captivated.

Kate Kindrick is born gifted with a 7th sense ─ the ability to read human hearts coupled with keen intuition. Kate struggles to understand her premonitions while surrounded by skeptical, sometimes cruel, family members and their secrets. Is Kate psychic? A medium? Simply intuitive? Empowered by Angels?

The segments of this story that embrace death are drawn from Sherry’s real-life experiences when she was present with beloved family members as they passed away. Her wondrous encounters of loved ones’ spirits after their physical deaths are deeply engaging. This tantalizing novel percolates with subtle wisdom that is inspirational, transformational, and healing. 

“A breath of fresh, clean air…” “Intriguing characters” “… a page turner”

Whether you believe in the supernatural, existence of souls, miracles, the power of prayer, angels, heaven, or not, this thought-provoking book explores issues relevant to many of today’s societal woes: prejudice, abuse, eating disorders, and limiting belief systems. It delves into the mysteries of death and of angels, intuition, finding God in all, and true love. Full of spirit, it brims with inspiration, daring, hope, and the importance of following our dreams. 

My review:

This book started off slow. Slow to the point where I almost stopped reading it. After the first couple of chapters, the story started and it was a great one. Christianity is discussed in this book, but it was not shoved down my throat. The author shows the **bad** side of being a Christian and she showcases it well.

I loved Kate’s character. She is innocent and sweet that I wanted to give her a huge hug when the bad stuff started happening to her. Her ability to read hearts is something that was passed down from her grandmother. The descriptions of what people’s hearts looked like were eerie.

I didn’t like the names and how they always started with the same letter. Put it this way, her Aunt was Ruthie Renee. It bugged me.

The bad guy in this book was a legit bad guy who hid behind his wealth and Christianity. Every time I read his scenes, I got a bad taste in my mouth. I wanted to swoop down into the book and smack him in the face. He did get what was coming to him in the end and I was glad.

The ending was bittersweet. If I wasn’t sitting in an orthodontist office, I would have burst out into tears.

How many stars will I give The Girl Who Could Read Hearts? 3.5/4

Why? A very well written book that takes you on an emotional journey with a little girl who has a very rare, very special 7th sense of reading hearts. You get caught up in the story, after the slow start, and start rooting for people to make the right choices/decisions.

Will I reread? Yes

Will I recommend to family and friends? Yes

Age range? Teen

Why? No sex. Also, there is an eating disorder portrayed, domestic abuse and child abuse. Also, racism and medical misconduct are portrayed.

**I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book**