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Sandy's Spotlight - BOOK REVIEW - Sara's Promise by Deanna Lynn Sletten

8/28/2013

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Sandy's Spotlight
BOOK REVIEW
Sara's Promise
by
Deanna Lynn Sletten

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The following is my August 28, 2013, 4 Star Review:

Book:  Sara's Promise
Author:  Deanna Lynn Sletten
Genre:  Contemporary Romance
Length:  Approximate 259 Pages


Do you believe in soul mates?  I do.  In SARA'S PROMISE by DEANNA LYNN SLETTEN, we meet a family that is hit with a very large loss when Sara, wife and mother, dies unexpectedly.  She has given up her dreams for this family she loves so dearly, but everything she did was taken for granted until she died.

Five years later, William is still grieving this loss of his wife and feeling guilty for finally understanding all the beloved Sara gave up for him and their children when Sara once again gives him the gift of love.

I have debated long and hard on how to write this review.  I loved the storyline.  I thought it was unique and beautiful.  The only problem I had with this book was I just could not get emotionally involved in it.  There were scenes that normally would have ripped my heart out.  There were also touching scenes that I felt I should have had some sort of reaction to, but I just didn't.  This is just one of those books for me that I could easily put down and walk away from rather than continually think about it until I picked it up again.  

I felt as though I was being told a story rather than being submerged in the author's words and because of this, I just had a difficult time connecting to it.  It didn't make me feel the emotions I should have felt while reading it.  That being said, I did very much enjoy the story and would recommend it to anyone that likes romance.  If you are lucky enough to be able to engage in this story, you will be in for a ride and will probably rate this book 5 stars after reading it.  Either way, it's a good book.


Sara's Promise Blurb:
**2013 Finalist in the National Indie Excellence Book Awards for Romance**


Do you believe in soul mates?

William Grafton had the perfect life. He had a lovely wife, Sara, and two wonderful children. But one day his perfect forever was shattered when Sara died suddenly, leaving him alone to raise his children and figure out how he would ever get through life without his soul mate. Five years later, he finds himself looking into a familiar pair of blue-green eyes that remind him of Sara. The woman is the exact opposite of Sara, yet he finds he is drawn to her. But after a few strange occurrences, he begins to wonder – has his Sara come back to him as she once promised in the form of this new woman? Or are these just coincidences?

Annie Paxton doesn't believe in soul mates or fate. She had watched her father die of a broken heart after her mother passed away and has since cast away any fairy tale ideas of love. Then she meets the man who has been haunting her dreams and she begins to see love in a whole new light. But her dream man is still tied to his deceased wife, and Annie doesn't know if he will ever be able to break away from his past. As strange occurrences unfold, Annie wonders if William could ever truly love her for herself and not for the traits that remind him of Sara.

Were William and Annie brought together by fate, coincidence or by Sara keeping her promise?


Author Links:
Website
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Goodreads

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Sandy's Spotlight - 2 Book Reviews - Highland Lords Series by Tarah Scott

8/26/2013

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Sandy's Spotlight
BOOK REVIEW
HIGHLAND LORDS SERIES
My Highland Love - Book 1
My Highland Lord - Book 2
by
Tarah Scott

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The following is my August 26, 2013, 4 Star Review:

Book:  My Highland Love
Series:  Highland Lords - Book 1
Author:  Tarah Scott
Genre:  Historical Romance
Length:  Approximately 331 Pages


In MY HIGHLAND LOVE, the first book in the Highland Lords series by TARAH SCOTT, we meet Marcus MacGregor, Marquess of Ashlund, and Elise Kingston, an American heiress that has been shipwrecked and taken in by the MacGregor clan.  Elise's story is heartbreaking and one that if she could only trust Marcus with, she would reap the rewards of revenge she so rightly deserves, but keeping her secrets puts the man she grows to love and herself in great peril.

MY HIGHLAND LOVE is so much more than just a historical romance.  Besides some pretty breathtaking love scenes that are written beautifully, it's got suspense, thrills and vengeance.  Ms. Scott wrote a story that is intricate in its storyline details and beautifully romantic at the same time.  Elise's character is strong and bold yet also gentle, nurturing and loving at the same time which I found utterly refreshing.

I enjoyed this book so much, I couldn't wait to read the second book in the series, My Highland Lord.  If you enjoy historical romance, if you enjoy a book with a storyline that will have you guessing what on earth is going to happen next, you've just got to pick this book up.  It is a very entertaining read.


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The following is my August 26, 2013, 4 Star Review:

Book:  My Highland Lord
Series:  Highland Lords - Book 2
Author:  Tarah Scott
Genre:  Historical Romance
Length:  Approximately 361 Pages


As soon as I finished the first book in the Highland Lords series, My Highland Love, I couldn't wait to pick up the second book, MY HIGHLAND LORD by TARAH SCOTT.  I am now a huge fan of Ms. Scott's. 

MY HIGHLAND LORD is the story of Kiernan MacGregor, the Marquess of Ashlund, (Marcus MacGregor's son) and Phoebe Wallington, a London heiress.  As with the first book in this series, MY HIGHLAND LORD has a very intricate storyline that I truly enjoyed.  Ms. Scott does not fall back on romance alone.  Her writing takes the reader on a journey of conspiracy, collusion and even treason with characters that are strong in their convictions and strong in their personalities.  I might add there is a kidnapping in this book that I found hilarious.  I still smile when I think of it.

I enjoy Ms. Scott's writing so much, that I'm looking forward to reading more of her work.  If you're looking for a historical romance, you should give this series a try.  You'll be surprised at the depth of Ms. Scott's writing and the way she can spin a story.  Very enjoyable.

Click on the book cover below to be directed to the Amazon purchase link:

My Highland Love - Book 1 in the Highland Lords Series Blurb:
How does a woman tell her betrothed that she murdered her first husband?

Shipwrecked in the Scottish Highlands, American heiress Elise Kingston quietly plans revenge for the deaths of her daughter and the brother who sacrificed his life to save her.

When Marcus MacGregor, Marquess of Ashlund, returns to his Highland home to discover a stunning American woman has been taken in by his clan, his attraction is instant and he resolves to make her his--no matter what secret she's keeping.

Elise is shocked by her need for Marcus and, too late, discovers that her feelings make him a target of her enemy--a man powerful enough to destroy even a Scottish nobleman.


My Highland Lord - Book 2 in the Highland Lords Series Blurb:
London Heiress kidnapped by the Marquess of Ashlund, read the headlines. Yet no one tried to save her.

Phoebe Wallington was seven years old when a mass assassination attempt rocked Regency England. Her father was the only accused traitor to elude capture. Now as a grown woman and a British spy, she is no closer to learning what really happened that day.

Phoebe's quest for the truth takes a sudden turn when she's kidnapped by suspected traitor Kiernan MacGregor, the Marquess of Ashlund. However, Kiernan may not live long enough to stand trial. Someone wants him dead…and Phoebe stands in the killer's way. Kiernan knows only one thing will keep her out of the killer's reach. Marriage to the Marquess of Ashlund.


Author Links:
Author Website
Goodreads
Facebook
Twitter


Good news!  While putting this blog post together, I found out that Ms. Scott is going to be releasing the third book in the Highland Lord series soon.  The title is My Highland Chief!  I can't wait! 
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Sandy's Spotlight - 2 BOOK REVIEWS - Almost Human, Second Trilogy, Books 1 & 2, by Melanie Nowak

8/19/2013

4 Comments

 

Sandy's Spotlight
BOOK REVIEW
ALMOST HUMAN - SECOND TRILOGY
Born To Blood - Book 1
and
Descendant Of Darkness - Book 2
by
Melanie Nowak

PictureClick on book cover for excerpt
COMBINED REVIEW:

Book:  Born To Blood
Series:  Almost Human, Second Trilogy, Book 1
Author:  Melanie Nowak
Genre:  Paranormal Romance, Fantasy Romance (Vampires)
Length:  Approximately 374 Pages



And:

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Book:  Descendant Of Darkness
Series:  Almost Human, Second Trilogy, Book 2
Author:  Melanie Nowak
Genre:  Paranormal Romance, Fantasy Romance (Vampires)
Length:  Approximately 446 Pages


The following is my August 19, 2013, 5 Star review for both books:

I came across a poster the other day on Facebook that sums up my feelings regarding the ALMOST HUMAN Series by MELANIE NOWAK to a tee.

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When I was a little girl, I would sit at my grandmother's kitchen table listening to her gossip about people I had never heard about.  My mother would be shocked at what grandma was sharing and she'd ask her, "Who is this you are talking about?"  My grandmother would glare at my mom, humph, and in all seriousness state, "From my story of course."  My mother would grin and my grandmother would continue to tell her the events that happened to these people in her soap opera that became very real friends to her.

Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought it possible for me to get so wrapped up in a storyline and characters that I would come to think of them as "real" friends, but through Ms. Nowak's writing, that is certainly the case.  I truly care about these characters.  I can't tell you how many times I've screamed at my Kindle, "What are you thinking?" or "No. No. No."  There are characters that I want to see killed off in the most horrific manner (namely Sindy because I can't stand the bitch), and there are characters that I just want to throw my arms around and say, "Everything will be alright."

If you are looking to get lost in a series, forget your everyday worries and become personally involved with the characters of a really good book, then you simply must pick up the ALMOST HUMAN Series by MELANIE NOWAK.  I must warn you, though, there is no fluff in the ALMOST HUMAN Series, it is dark and there are events that happen within the pages that never occur to the reader.  It will keep you off balance.  You will be sucked in, and will not be able to put this series down.

I am waiting for the third book in the second trilogy to come out as we speak and I feel as though I'm going through withdrawals.  I NEED TO FIND OUT WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN!!!!!!


Amazon Purchase Links for the ALMOST HUMAN Series. (Click on the book cover to be directed to the purchase link)

Born To Blood - ALMOST HUMAN - Second Trilogy, Book 1 Blurb:
Alyson used to think that vampires were almost human; that is, until she became one. Finally consenting to be lovingly turned by her boyfriend Mattie, Allie has come to possess traits and powers previously unknown among vampire kind. Now Allie seeks the help of the elder vampire Cain, to discover not only what she is capable of, but why.

Still healing from heartbreak over Cain, Felicity looked forward to a nice, human relationship, but dating the son of a vampire hunter, and having a psychic bond with one of his prey makes life far from normal. How can Ben and Felicity discover the truths of love when they are forced to live with so many secrets?

Someone has contrived a diabolical plan to control destiny, and blood may not only be the catalyst for change, but also the master of manipulation behind it. Is rebirth as a vampire always at the discretion of an undead sire, or sometimes is one simply born to blood?

*ALMOST HUMAN is a series of successive trilogies, not stand-alone books. Each trilogy is self-contained enough to be read alone as a 3 book set, but the story unfolds chronologically, and the characters do continue from one trilogy to the next. Main storyline closure is in each 3rd book, but there are also story-ties leading from one trilogy to the next in the series.


Descendant Of Darkness - ALMOST HUMAN - Second Trilogy, Book 2 Blurb:
The saga continues...

Heartbroken and soul searching, the vampire Cain believes he has finally found his purpose. He is mentoring Allie, who is grudgingly coming to terms with the fact that she is unique among vampires... The United One. Together with Allie's husband Mattie, they are working to discover her powers, when the vampiress Sindy returns with some new tricks of her own.

Ben and Felicity have tried to leave their past involvements with vampires behind them, settling into human life together, despite having to deal with Ben's vampire hunting father - but is mundane love strong enough to supersede the supernatural?

The vampire Elric has sabotaged his master's plans to control The United One more times than for which he can expect to safely escape the consequences. Coven Master Arif knows what he wants, and the guiding forces behind his plan know how to help him get it... If Elric rebels, he could lose his love, but thwart disaster for the human race. Is staying true to the coven in order to save his love, worth the price the world will pay?

When you are descended from darkness, is it still possible to reach for the light? In times of peace, prepare for war.


Author Links:
Author website
Facebook
Twitter
Goodreads
4 Comments


    Books by
    Sandy Wolters

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    The Rock Star Series took 1st Place Winner: Best Contemporary Romance Series
    2014 PRG Reviewer's Choice Awards

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    Another Door Opens, Book 2 in the Rock Star Series took 1st Place Winner: Best Contemporary Romance Novella
    2014 PRG Reviewer's Choice Awards

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