Book Reviews

Book Review: Thunder by Bonnie S. Calhoun

Thunder
by Bonnie S. Calhoun
Rating: 5/5
Book 1 of The Stone Braide Chronicles
Revell – Fiction/Suspense/Young Adult

Selah Rishon Chavez lives in a post-apocalyptic America where only remnants of civilization remain after the Time of Sorrows tainted the land with radiation. The day before her 18th Born Remembrance, she goes against her parents’ wishes and goes hunting for a Lander, an alien-like humanoid who is worth a bounty if their distinctive mark remains on their skin after they arrive on their land. As she tries to subdue one, her older brothers take over and steal her prize. The next morning when she wakes up, she finds the Lander mark on herself and confronts her mother. Her mother shares the truth with her and tells her to flee for fear that her father and brothers will kill her. Selah is not who she thought she was. Her father is not who she thought he was. As she tries to make plans to escape and disappear, she realizes that the only one who can help her is Bodhi Locke, the Lander her brothers have taken captive to sell. Can she trust Bodhi with her secret and her life? Will he be able to explain what she is? Will she ever feel like she belongs?

After reading the free pre-quell, Tremors, I was hooked. I don’t think I’ve ever read anything from this author, but I’m a sucker for all the YA post-apocalyptic reads. I could not put the book down. I was so caught up in the world that Calhoun created and had to know what happened next. I haven’t had that in a book in a while. It’s an easy read that’s clean and exciting and fun. I loved the characters and cannot wait to get to know them even more. I am now a huge fan and can’t believe I have to wait so long till the next book in the series comes out. I might just have to reread the story again; it’s that good.

Do yourself a favor and read this book if you want some reading that’s entertaining and just plain fun.

I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

The pre-quel, Tremors, is free on Kindle now.

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October 7, 2014 by Kim Book Reviews

Book Review: Tried & True by Mary Connealy

Tried & True
by Mary Connealy
Rating: 4/5
Book 1 of Wild at Heart Series
Bethany House – Fiction/Historical

Meet Kylie Wilde. She is done dressing like a boy. She served during the war and is ready to go back east to civilization after she fulfills her promise to homestead and sell her land to Pa. She doesn’t have a problem with other people helping to take care of her, unlike her two older sisters who still dress as men. However, when the local land agent, Aaron Masterson, arrives to make sure everything concerning the homestead is all legal, her secret comes out. Although she is attracted to the handsome Mr. Masterson, can she trust him to keep her secret? Will he even care? Aaron also served in the war and cannot imagine how a woman did the same, but she is still trying to defraud the government. How can he ignore both in good conscience? When problems arise concerning Kylie’s homestead claim, can Aaron convince her to stay? Can they discover who is stirring up trouble for Kylie and for Aaron?

This story is just too adorable in my opinion. I really enjoyed reading about the characters and I cannot wait to read more. The premise is so interesting from a female’s viewpoint of surviving the war. I admire the courage that these women went through to serve their country. The interactions between Kylie and Aaron and her sisters are quite hilarious and endearing. I look forward to reading more about the characters in the next books in the series. I’ve read some of Connealy’s books before and was not disappointed. I am definitely a fan. Her writing is fresh and light. Kylie’s character development was realistic and touching. Aaron’s character development was liberating and inspiring.

I definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction with a thread of humor.

I received this book from the publisher for an honest review.

October 5, 2014 by Kim Book Reviews

Book Review: Deceived by Irene Hannon

Deceived
by Irene Hannon
Rating: 4/5
Book 3 of Private Justice Series
Revell – Fiction/Romantic Suspense

Kate Marshall has managed to pull her life back together after losing both her loving husband and sweet 4-year-old boy three years ago in a boating accident. When an errand takes her to the mall during her lunch break, she sees a boy who looks like her Kevin would if he was 7 years old. As she’s on the escalator, she yells out his name and the boy turns to look at her. Suddenly, a man sweeps the boy away and she is left with a feeling of dread and confusion. After all this time, how could her son still be alive? It’s true that his body was never found, but where has he been for three years? Kate turns to the only private investigation agency that seems credible in St. Louis, Phoenix Inc. She hesitantly retells her story to former Secret Service agent Connor Sullivan with the hope that he will believe her crazy story. Who was that little boy and the man with him? Can Connor figure out who the boy or man was with little to no identifying information? Can Connor keep their agency’s “no dating clients rule” as he and Kate get closer? Is Kate in even more danger now that she suspects her son may be alive?

I was so happy to get to review book 3 in this series. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the other two books about these P.I.’s. I’m always impressed with Hannon’s ability to create a realistic scenario that captures the reader’s attention and draws them into the suspense. The story seemed a little long in my opinion but I did not find it boring. I could tell that Hannon puts a lot of effort into her research to make the story credible. She is so talented when she writes characters who are so endearing. Of all her characters in this series, I will miss Nikki the most – she needs her own novella – unless I missed her backstory from another book? (Nikki works for Phoenix as admin and computer forensics.) I thought she had great characters but not necessarily a lot of character development; however, since this is the last book, that might be part of why this happened. All in all, I was satisfied with the ending of this heart-pounding story.

I would definitely recommend this book for anyone who enjoys a clean, romantic suspense.

I received this book for free from the publisher in an exchange for a review.

October 5, 2014 by Kim Book Reviews