Review: Crown of Souls by Ronie Kendig

About the book:

When You Stare Into the Abyss It Also Stares Into You

The bullet that rips into Cole "Tox" Russell was never meant to kill. It was meant to send a message. Only one man is skilled enough to have taken the shot, a rogue Special Forces operator who vanished months ago.

 

Alec King is perhaps the only person as skilled as Tox, and he's out for justice. Furious with orders that got his men killed, he intends to make those responsible pay. And he insists Tox join him, believing they are the same breed of soldier.

Afraid his old friend could be right, Tox battles a growing darkness within himself as he and his team are forced into another deadly encounter with antiquity. It appears Alec is harnessing the power of a mysterious artifact, a crown that history has linked to some of the worst slaughters in humanity. Racing to stop Alec before his vengeance is unleashed, Tox must fight the monster without becoming one.

My rating:
2 stars
(View my rating system)

My thoughts:

Crown of Souls is a book that took me a long time to read. I think I started reading it in August of 2020 and finally finished it January of 2022. I had to take a break from reading it, as it was just not holding my interest. 

I enjoyed the main characters and present day sections (for the most part), but the supernatural elements and sections of the story from the past were just not for me.

All in all, Crown of Souls was an okay read. Parts of the story were interesting, but mostly I had a difficult time following everything and there were some things I didn't like. I do plan on finishing the series, though, as I already have the third book in my TBR pile.

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

Find the book on:
Amazon (aff link), Goodreads

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Review: Light from Distant Stars by Shawn Smucker

About the book:

When Cohen Marah steps over the body of his dead father on a cold spring morning, he steps into a labyrinth of memory. In the week that follows, he must confront his traumatic past, a violent present, and the most frightening question of all-did he kill his father?

My rating:
2 stars
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My thoughts:

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Review: Blue Ridge Sunrise by Denise Hunter

About the book:

Former free spirit Zoe Collins swore she'd never again set foot in Copper Creek or speak to the man who broke her heart. But return she must when her beloved Granny dies, leaving the family legacy to Zoe--a peach orchard nestled at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

 
When Zoe returns home with her daughter and boyfriend Kyle, she finds that she's the only person in town who doesn't expect her to give up the life she's established far away from Copper Creek. Everyone believes she was born to run the orchard, but how can she make it her home after so many years?

Cruz Huntley never quite got over his first love, Zoe Collins, the little sister of his best friend Brady. Not when she cheated on him during their "break," not when she took off to parts unknown with good-for-nothing Kyle Jenkins, and not even now--five years later.

As life-changing decisions and a history with Cruz hang over Zoe's head, tensions rise between her and Kyle. Even as she comes to terms with the shifting relationships in her life, Zoe still isn't sure if she can remain in Copper Creek with her new responsibilities . . . and her first love.

My rating:
2 stars
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My thoughts:

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Review: All Summer Long by Melody Carlson

About the book:

She's ready to take on a new challenge. What she doesn't expect is an old flame.

Tia D'Amico is thrilled to move to San Francisco to help her aunt transform an old luxury yacht into an upscale floating restaurant. What's not to love? Sunset dinner cruises, posh wedding receptions--the possibilities are endless and far more appetizing than staying in a monotonous job in her Podunk hometown. Besides, some of her best memories are tied to San Francisco--especially the memory of Leo Parker, her crush from a long-ago sailing camp.

When Leo Parker himself turns out to be the yacht's captain, Tia is floating on air. But will it all come crashing down around her when she discovers his heart belongs to someone else?

Get ready for a romantic summer in San Francisco, where the future glistens brighter than the Bay at sunset.

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Review: A June Bride by Marybeth Whalen

About the book:

The reality show ended with an engagement, so why doesn’t this feel like the fairy tale she thought it would be?

The Rejection Connection hardly sounds like the place to fall in love, but Wynne Hardy walked off the reality-TV set with an engagement ring. And in the whirlwind of publicity and preparation that follows a TV-bride-to-be in her fifteen minutes of fame, Wynne barely has time to consider how she really feels about her new fiancé . . . to say nothing of how she still feels about her ex.

As the wedding plans develop, so too do Wynne’s doubts: Is she in love with Andy? Or is this really about Callum—the ex-boyfriend who sent her onto Rejection Connection in the first place? A nationally televised snub might be the best revenge . . . but is it a good reason to get married?

When Callum resurfaces at the worst possible moment, Wynne can’t help wondering if she’s made a huge mistake. Is her marriage a publicity stunt? And what happens when the cameras stop rolling, and she has a husband she barely knows?

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Review: The Diamond Secret by Lenora Worth

About the book:

He's a pirate, an adventurer—and Esther Carlisle has just let him into her New Orleans antiques shop. Cullen Murphy claims he knew Esther's late father…and that her wild-dreaming daddy discovered the true location of the legendary chocolate diamond. Esther knows she should show the handsome treasure hunter the door. And she will. In a minute. Everything changes when gun-wielding thugs barge in and start shooting. Esther may not trust Cullen, yet staying at his side is the only way for her to find the diamond first—and stay alive.

But some treasures can be found only with the heart….

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Review: A May Bride by Meg Moseley

About the book:

 A year's worth of novellas from twelve inspirational romance authors. Happily ever after guaranteed. 

She thinks she has prepared for her wedding all her life...but it seems she may have forgotten the most important part. Ellie Martin, a country girl in Atlanta, has dreamed of a traditional wedding all her life—a wedding just like the one her younger sister is planning back home. Their single mom will pay for Alexa's wedding, but Ellie started her own wedding fund years ago. She only needs to find a groom. At a wedding at her church, Ellie bumps into a man who's one of the guests. She's noticed him around the neighborhood, but today he introduces himself as Gray Whitby. They embark on a whirlwind romance, but her mother doesn't trust freewheeling men like Gray. When Ellie risks her own future for her sister's sake, Gray feels betrayed. Will he always play second fiddle to Ellie's family? Will Ellie and Gray reconcile their differences so her dream wedding can come true, or will the romance they've begun come crashing down?

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Review: Born of Persuasion by Jessica Dotta

Born of Persuasion (Price of Privilege) by Jessica Dotta
Tyndale House / 2013
Find on: Amazon, Goodreads

About the book:

The year is 1838, and seventeen-year-old Julia Elliston’s position has never been more fragile. Orphaned and unmarried in a time when women are legal property of their fathers, husbands, and guardians, she finds herself at the mercy of an anonymous guardian who plans to establish her as a servant in far-off Scotland.

With two months to devise a better plan, Julia’s first choice to marry her childhood sweetheart is denied. But when a titled dowager offers to introduce Julia into society, a realm of possibilities opens. However, treachery and deception are as much a part of Victorian society as titles and decorum, and Julia quickly discovers her present is deeply entangled with her mother’s mysterious past. Before she knows what’s happening, Julia finds herself a pawn in a deadly game between two of the country’s most powerful men. With no laws to protect her, she must unravel the secrets on her own. But sometimes truth is elusive and knowledge is deadly.

My rating:

My thoughts:

I think Born of Persuasion is a book you either love or don't. I've seen many reviews that raved about this book, but also know of people who couldn't get into it and/or didn't like it. Unfortunately I fell into the latter group and this book took me SO long to get through - I ended up having to skim/skip sections just to finish!

The main problem for me was I couldn't connect with the writing style. I liked that it was written in first person, but didn't like when it seemed as though the story was being told after the fact. I just found that not to my personal liking. Another thing I didn't like were the characters. Julia, as well as some other characters (particularly Mrs. Windham) annoyed me. I did, however, like Edward's character - for the most part.

All that said, I thought the last part of Born of Persuasion was good and there were a couple scenes that really held my attention. So, all in all, this was just an OK read for me.
 
*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

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Review: Zero Visibility by Sharon Dunn

Zero Visibility by Sharon Dunn

Love Inspired Suspense / 2012

Find on: Amazon, Goodreads

About the book:

Why was she a target? 

Merci Carson doesn't have a clue—but she knows she owes her life to the quiet man who roared to her rescue in his snowmobile. EMT Nathan McCormick is used to handling challenging situations, but between the unexpected blizzard that stranded the lovely student and the desperate men chasing her, he has his hands full. Yet for Nathan, failure is not an option. Merci's bravery and kindness challenge his guarded heart, bringing every protective instinct forward and making him start to hope for the future. Together, they could be something special—if they can solve the mystery in time.

My rating:

My thoughts:

Zero Visibility was a nice read, though not one of my favorite Love Inspired Suspense books. The story was interesting and kept my attention, but I didn't really care for the writing - it seemed to repeat things needlessly and just wasn't that crisp. Also, some things didn't seem that believable to me.

The characters were fine. I liked the attraction between Nathan and Merci, but I have to say, it did seem like things progressed really fast.

I really liked the setting for Zero Visibility. Being stuck on a mountain with the bad guys added a great layer of suspense.

Overall, Zero Visibility was an okay read.

*I received an eBook copy via Netgalley for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*

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Review: Yours Truly by Karen Cogan

Yours Truly by Karen Cogan

Pelican Book Group / 2012

Amazon / Goodreads

About the book:

Scott and Melissa have perfect lives. They live for good times and the sole enjoyment of each other—God isn’t in the picture, and Scott and Melissa like it that way. When a near fatal accident puts Scott in the hospital, he shares a room with an elderly Christian whose witness convinces Scott of his need for Christ. Melissa is distraught. She does not want their lives to change, nor does she want to allow Christ into her life. Yet, the harder she fights surrender, the closer she comes to faith. Will she become a believer or will Scott and Melissa take separate roads?

My rating:

My thoughts:


Yours Truly was a short novel that I found to be somewhat choppy and predictable. Because of the length, I  didn't get to know the characters that well and therefore didn't connect with them that much.

I didn't like how the story seemed to go so fast. A lot of the scenes were really short and didn't go into that much detail -  it kinda felt like it was zooming through the story.

I liked the redemption story - that was probably my favorite part of Yours Truly. I especially liked seeing how Melissa reacted to Scott's conversion and the events that took place after that.

While I did enjoy parts of Yours Truly, overall, it was just an OK book that I don't plan on rereading.

*I received a complimentary eBook copy of this book for my review. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*

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