Review of Resist (Resistance #2) by Tracy Lawson @TracySLawson

Knowledge comes with a price.

Tommy and Careen are no longer naive teenagers who believe the Office of Civilian Safety and Defense’s miracle antidote can protect them from a terrorist’s chemical weapons. After accidentally discovering the antidote’s real purpose—to control citizens’ thoughts and actions--they join the Resistance to fight back.

They soon realize that being part of the Resistance brings with it a whole new set of challenges. Not everyone working for change proves trustworthy, and plans to spark a revolution go awry, with grave consequences. Tommy and Careen's differing viewpoints threaten to drive a wedge between them, and their budding relationship is tested as their destinies move toward an inevitable confrontation with the forces that terrorize the nation.

Where does love fit in when you’re trying to overthrow the government?

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Review

Resist by Tracy Lawson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

*** I voluntarily reviewed this book, I gained no monetary incentives nor was I specifically requested to review the book, these are my honest ramblings and I hope you enjoy reading them - kat***

Actual Rating #4.5 stars '

As we continue Careen and Tommy's journey and they join the Resistance, it brings with it a whole new set of challenges. Who do you trust, are there more hidden agendas? you will be thinking and be mulling over this book when not reading it if you are like me. Careen came out the strongest in this book, Tommy has a lot of growing up to do, and with Wes bringing in the usual Triangle love trope, the relationship side of the story is put to the test. Wes was a thorn in the side for me, he was not a likable character, whether that's because he had is own agenda when it came to Careen I do not know, but even when he was interacting with his Brother and Niece I still felt he was too selfish for his own needs.
The Plot is based mainly in the Headquarters of the resistance and there was less action in this story, but what action there is - certainly rocks the foundations for the characters. I think this was a strong sequel but the OCSD which is running the entire country is now run by the 2IC Madalyn Davies, and she is more mental than her predecessor.

As things go from bad to worse for the nation, The tensions within the resistance group come to a head. I started Book 3 straight after, and I am glad I read these 3 together as the wait would have been bad, I hate waiting to see what happens next.

One thing I would say is that there is a lot going on within the plot and sometimes you wonder how one guy in the wop wops can be running the whole resistance effectively yet the president is completely helpless to stand up to the OCSD.

View all Kats reviews

Author Bio

Once upon a time, Tracy Lawson was a little girl with a big imagination who was obsessed with telling stories. Her interests in dance, theatre, and other forms of make-believe led to a twenty-year career in the performing arts, where “work” meant she got to do things like tap dance and choreograph musicals. A mid-life career change has yielded thus far Counteract, Resist, and Ignite in the YA dystopian Resistance Series, and a nonfiction history book entitled Fips, Bots, Doggeries, and More. Tracy, who is married with one college-aged daughter and two spoiled cats, splits her time between Dallas, Texas and Columbus, Ohio.

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00E84PQMG 
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TracyLawsonAuthor 
Website: http://tracylawsonbooks.com 
The Resistance Series Website: http://counteractbook.com 
Twitter: http://twitter.com/TracySLawson 
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/tracyslawson/ 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-lawson-13422b11 ]
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6114373.Tracy_Lawson

Review: Counteract (Resistance #1) by Tracy Lawson @TracySLawson

Who do you trust when your world unravels and everything you believed is a lie?

For the past fifteen years, The Office of Civilian Safety and Defense has guarded the public against the rampant threat of terrorism. Teenagers Tommy and Careen have never known life without the government-approved Civilian Restrictions. For them, there’s no social media. No one is allowed to gather in public places or attend concerts or sporting events. Only a small, select group of adults have driving privileges. It’s a small price to pay for safety.

Now a new, more deadly, terrorist threat looms: airborne chemical weapons that can be activated without warning. The OCSD is ready with an antidote to counteract the effects of the toxins. Three drops a day is all it takes. It’s a small price to pay for health.

Tommy and Careen obediently take the antidote; neither considers stopping when strange things begin to happen. The day the disaster sirens signal the dreaded attack, Tommy shares his last dose with Careen, even though doing so might hasten his death. It’s a small price to pay for a friend.

Follow Tommy and Careen as they uncover a web of lies and deceit reaching to the highest levels of the United States government and join an underground resistance group that’s determined to expose the truth.

Book Links

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Review

Counteract by Tracy Lawson
Kats rating: 5 of 5 stars

*** I voluntarily reviewed this book, I gained no monetary incentives nor was I specifically requested to review the book, these are my honest ramblings and I hope you enjoy reading them - kat***

 So This book was on my To read pile and was pushed back for various reasons. The Author kindly understood and had messaged me to see if I had had a chance to read it. I had started it and thought right - I am going to finish it this weekend. My initial thoughts were that it was an interesting premise but I was wondering what was going on as we moved from Tommy and Careen. But as the story evolves I was hooked, so much so I finished book 1 then carried on with book 2 and I am in the middle of book 3 but my kindle is dead so I am taking the time to write the reviews for books 1 and 2 while it charges up!

The Plot - set in he USA its a Dystopian future that after the current politics could easily be a scary prediction of what could happen if the government/security agency got too much power. For the past fifteen years, The Office of Civilian Safety and Defense has guarded the public against the rampant threat of terrorism. OR HAVE THEY?????

Join Tommy and Careen, two young adults away at college who uncover a web of lies and deceit reaching to the highest levels of the United States government and join an underground resistance group that’s determined to expose the truth. The writing style was good, the character development was also, and as further characters are introduced we see the extent of the civil liberties the residents of the USA have given up. The pace was fast once we got started.

Careen was both brave but also vulnerable, she used her wits to not only help Tommy but, in the end help the resistance.
Tommy, well he had a rough time, injured in a car accident, it takes Careen coming into his life for him to realise he had something to live for.

This book made me think - would this happen? would the public get so scared that they would give in to the pressure of the Authorities and submit to the harsh restrictions? If you like a book that makes you think, and in the current climate would make a very good reading topic for young adults and adults alike.

“Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.” – Ben Franklin

wise words to remember.

  View all Kat's reviews

Trailer

Author Bio

Once upon a time, Tracy Lawson was a little girl with a big imagination who was obsessed with telling stories. Her interests in dance, theatre, and other forms of make-believe led to a twenty-year career in the performing arts, where “work” meant she got to do things like tap dance and choreograph musicals. A mid-life career change has yielded thus far Counteract, Resist, and Ignite in the YA dystopian Resistance Series, and a nonfiction history book entitled Fips, Bots, Doggeries, and More. Tracy, who is married with one college-aged daughter and two spoiled cats, splits her time between Dallas, Texas and Columbus, Ohio.
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00E84PQMG 
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TracyLawsonAuthor 
Website: http://tracylawsonbooks.com 
The Resistance Series Website: http://counteractbook.com 
Twitter: http://twitter.com/TracySLawson 
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/tracyslawson/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-lawson-13422b11 
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6114373.Tracy_Lawson

Review: #5stars No Witness But the Moon (Jimmy Vega Mystery #3) by Suzanne Chazin @SuzanneChazin

“A tremendous talent.”—Lee Child In this powerful novel from award-winning author Suzanne Chazin, a tense stand-off between a Hispanic police officer and an undocumented immigrant leads to the shooting death of one, the shattered life of the other, and the shocking connection between them. . .

 On a clear, moonlit night in December, police detective Jimmy Vega races to the scene of a reported home invasion in an upscale New York community. As Vega arrives, he spots a Hispanic man who fits the description of the armed intruder, running from the victim’s estate. Vega chases him into the woods. When the suspect refuses to surrender—and reaches into his pocket—Vega has only seconds to make a life-or-death decision.

 What begins as a tragic mistake takes an even darker turn when Vega uncovers disturbing links between the dead man and his own mother’s brutal, unsolved murder. Vega’s need for answers propels him back to his old Bronx neighborhood, where he is viewed as a disgraced cop, not a homegrown hero. It also puts him at odds with his girlfriend, Adele Figueroa, head of a local immigrant center, who must weigh her own doubts about his behavior.

 When a shocking piece of evidence surfaces, it becomes clear that someone doesn’t want Vega to put all the pieces together—and is willing to do whatever it takes to bury the truth. Only by risking everything will Vega be able to find justice, redemption, and the most elusive goal of all: the ability to forgive himself.

BOOK LINKS

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REVIEW

No Witness But the Moon by Suzanne Chazin
 Kats rating: 5 of 5 stars

 *** I voluntarily reviewed this book, I gained no monetary incentives nor was I specifically requested to review the book, these are my honest ramblings and I hope you enjoy reading them - kat***

 This is the first Jimmy Vega Novel I have read, and I quite like my crime novels, and the honourable but flawed heros/or heroines. Jimmy is one of those heros that quietly goes about his job, he is good at what he does - that is until one moonlit night in December. Jimmy is the first on the scene of a reported home invasion and when he spots a man who fits the description of the armed intruder, running from the victim’s estate. Vega chases him into the woods. When the suspect refuses to surrender—and reaches into his pocket—Vega has only seconds to make a life-or-death decision.
 What would you do? The topic of Police shootings is a controversial one and I thought the author did a good job with how the aftermath could play out.

 When he is stood down during the investigation Vega uncovers disturbing links between the dead man and his own mother’s brutal, unsolved murder.

 He needs answers and heads back to his old Bronx neighborhood, where trouble brews in the form of Protests. With his daughter and girlfriend beginning to suffer from the backlash, Jimmy doesn't know who to trust.

 This is a gripping story that keeps the reader guessing to whether Vega will be able to find how the death of his mother and the shooting are related before he is hung by either social media or the department. I really enjoyed reading this book, and I will be checking out the other books in the series. Suzanne has written a fast paced and very true to life story, highlighting that the aftermath of a shooting is never cut and dried.

 #NetgallyRead #Crime #Police

  View all kats reviews

Author Bio

Suzanne Chazin is the award-winning author of two mystery series. Her first (THE FOURTH ANGEL, FLASHOVER, FIREPLAY) stars Georgia Skeehan, a scrappy female firefighter-turned-fire-investigator for the New York City Fire Department. The series, hailed as, "searing and emotionally explosive," by USA TODAY and "dazzling," by PEOPLE MAGAZINE, was inspired by her husband, a high-ranking chief in the FDNY.
Suzanne's second mystery series stars Jimmy Vega, an upstate New York cop navigating the brutal, veiled world of the undocumented. "Hits the heart, not just the pulse," raves Lee Child. Her first book in the series, LAND OF CAREFUL SHADOWS, was chosen as an "Editors' Pick of the month" by RT BOOK REVIEWS. PUBLISHERS WEEKLY called it, "timely and engrossing," and Jimmy Vega, "engaging and psychologically complex." Book #2, A BLOSSOM OF BRIGHT LIGHT, was praised by PUBLISHERS WEEKLY for its "fascinating, multidimensional lead characters."

Suzanne was inspired to write the series after working for two years on an outreach project with immigrants near her home in suburban New York. The more she learned about the lives of the undocumented, the more touched she became by their courage and quiet determination.

 Although Suzanne was born in New York City and partly raised in Tenafly, NJ, she is also the daughter of immigrants. Her father was Russian. Her mother was English. The clash of cultures made for an interesting upbringing. While most of her friends were chowing down on hamburgers, Suzanne was eating piroshki (Russian meat pies) and roast beef smeared in Bovril (looks like road tar, don't ask what's in it!)        Her first job out of Northwestern University's journalism school was writing financial advice for doctors (those poor MDs!) Thankfully, she switched to safer topics, eventually writing essays and articles for American Health, Family Circle, Ladies Home Journal, Money, The New York Times, People and Reader's Digest.       

Suzanne's third Jimmy Vega book, NO WITNESS BUT THE MOON, released in November 2016. She is currently at work on her fourth and hopes her novels will raise greater awareness about the issues the undocumented face in the U.S.

For more information, please visit her website at: www.suzannechazin.com

Review: Deserving Taryn By A.C. Wilson Cover by @Creation1nspire @acwilson_author

Blurb

“There was nothing like family. It cemented hopes, dreams and loyalty together to create a group of people who would do absolutely anything for each other.” –DeservingTaryn

A snowy Christmas Eve morning finds Taryn Green back in South Dakota, standing on the doorstep of the Crossing Pines Ranch and wondering what reception would await her return. Only three years have passed, but Taryn is dubbing it a lifetime she would never wish to relive. The charming, controlling boyfriend from high school was quickly transformed into something much, much worse. The courage to leave Dustin Lafke took a year for Taryn to gather. She wonders if it is truly over? Will he let her go?

 Then there is Levi Kodallas—her loveable, dependable friend. The same genuine country boy, whose heart was shattered the moment he realized she had broken up with him and fled to college halfway across the country. She doesn’t blame him for not wanting to forgive her. She can’t forgive herself. No one deserves to be burdened by her past mistakes, especially Levi. Taryn decides that she has to move forward, but to do that, she must retreat. She accepts a mission to discover truth, to chase happiness and finally, if she’s found worthy, to deserve love.

 Buy Links

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Review

 Deserving Taryn by A.C. Wilson
Kat's rating: 5 of 5 stars

*** I voluntarily reviewed this book, I gained no monetary incentives nor was I specifically requested to review the book, these are my honest ramblings and I hope you enjoy reading them - kat***

We have the conclusion of This YA series, Three years have passed, since Taryn left with Dustin,
After leaving Levi with a broken heart, Rejecting the treasure of his love.
The Three years are Three that she would never wish on her worst enemy.
The charming, controlling boyfriend from high school quickly showed his true colours. But even then Taryn was blind to what was waiting with open arms.
Levi the boy every mother would love to see dating her daughter, he is the rock from her past that she thought was a weight holding her back, she never realised that his love would have lifted her to wherever she wanted to rise.
How I wanted Taryn to open her eyes, but time and circumstances were putting up blockades at every turn.
Ms Wilson has shown in Taryn the that the road to finding self-worth is a long traveled one, it took courage for Taryn to leave Dustin Lafke running with the cash in her pockets, looking over her shoulder for his brutal retaliation if he does catch up with her before she can get to safe borders.
Arriving Christmas Eve at the Crossing Pines Ranch, her family welcome her with open arms,
BUT Will Levi be as forgiving?
Taryn has a long journey ahead of her, will she manage to find the courage to accept that she deserves to be loved?
Will she realise in time, or will she find that her treasure has been taken by another?
I have really enjoyed this series, I fell in love with the Crossing Pines family when I read Black Hills Angel and I have stuck with them ever since.
I hope this isn't the last of the characters either. I have fallen a little in love with this Black Hills Ranch and its people.

View all Kat's reviews

Author Bio

A Nebraska native, A.C. Wilson now lives in historic Abilene, Kansas with her husband and two boys. Always an avid reader, A.C. first fell in love with historical romances both Regency and Western. The world was a wide open place where adventures could happen even between the pages of a book. Deciding to give the characters in her head some room to breathe, A.C. started typing and hasn't looked back.

The Black Hills series books are contemporary western romances set in the iconic beauty of the Black Hills of South Dakota. The Johnson family holds true to their values of love, duty, family, and loyalty.

The Broken Country novels are clean, young adult contemporary western romances set in western Nebraska. Readers will recognize some familiar characters from the Black Hills Series as the younger generation fights for what is most important and learns how to believe in themselves.

Watch for a new books coming in 2016 and 2017.

A.C. Wilson

Author of Black Hills Series

www.facebook.com/acwilson2013

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http://awilsoncornell.wix.com/acwilson

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Just One More Breath by Leigha Lewis @authorleighalew

Just One More Breath by Leigha Lewis

Blurb

What would you do if you've lost everything? If the reason you woke up in the morning no longer existed? If life dealt you a blow so devastating that something as simple as breathing was just too painful, how would you find the strength to go on?
Nicole Miller was happy, busy with her family and her dream job. Life was perfect. When tragedy struck, she succumbed to her devastating loss and crumbled under the heavy weight of her despair. She didn’t know where to find the strength to keep going.
Divorce Attorney, Shawn Burns had seen too many destroyed marriages to believe that happily ever after actually existed. By avoiding commitment, he remained aloof, and most importantly, unattached. Nicole, Shawn’s old college friend, is the only woman that he would ever be willing to give his heart to, but she was married to someone else…
Some friendships survive under stress. Some do not. Can Shawn, provide the healing balm for his friend’s soul? Will Nicole ever be able to find hope, forgiveness, or love for her desolate heart?

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Book Links

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Review

Just One More Breath by Leigha Lewis
Jenni's Rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am giving this review on behalf of Katsindiebookblog. This is definitely an ugly cry book. As a wife and mother, it grabbed me immediately. Nicole married her H.S. sweet heart, had a kid, and was living the dream. One day her husband basically through his hands up and says he can’t do the marriage anymore. After being strong and doing everything she can for her and her son, visitation starts with their son. First day, first couple of hours, she gets an emergency phone call to go to the hospital.

**Now grab your tissues**

Her baby boy dies and she is now officially left with nothing. Can she pull herself out of her hole and continue with her life? Or will the smallest things set her off? Nicole’s best friend Zena does everything she can to help her out, even gets her to go back to work to at least forget anything for those few hours a day. At a back to work party for Nicole, her old college buddy Shawn comes. Shawn is a divorce attorney who doesn’t believe in love. He’s had his share of cases that leads him away from it. He is WELL known as the player. Shawn and Nicole have always been great friends. He steps up some to help Nicole out with her emotions. Something seems to change between the 2, not just their normal friendship. Can Nicole trust in herself to let go of her pain and past to move forward and possibly love again? Can Shawn step away from what he sees at work and possibly find the impossible true love? This was a great debut novel from Leigha. Nothing was left out of this book. Any and all details were put in here at the right moments. I can’t wait to read future novels by this author!

View all Jenni's reviews

Author Bio

I was born on the beautiful island of Barbados. Now, I live in Brooklyn, New York with my husband, three year old daughter and Maltese puppy. I love to read stories about the most unlikely individual finding all consuming, heart stopping love.

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Strike to the heart By Malia Mallory Review @MaliaMallory #Sports MMA

Strike to the Heart - Champion Hearts Book 1 by Malia Mallory

Blurb

Tonight wasn’t about love, it was about greedy desire.

From NYT and USAT Bestselling Author Malia Mallory

When tennis star Jo Parker-Barrow meets MMA fighter Zane Ryan at a US Open party, she has no idea who he is. She just knows he’s handsome and sexy. Throwing her usual caution to the wind, Jo allows herself one hot night with a stranger.

But Zane doesn’t want to remain a stranger. He pursues Jo until she can’t say no, but neither can she say yes. She’s had her fill of men who take risks for a living, and Zane is a mixed martial arts fighter at the top of his sport. Can Jo love not only the man but the fighter as well? 
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Review 

Strike to the Heart - Champion Hearts Book 1 by Malia Mallory
Jenni's rating: 4 of 5 stars

I am giving this review on behalf of Katsindiebookblog. Jo is a great tennis player, working her way through tournaments such as the popular US Open. Zane is a popular MMA fighter. One night, huge party, they see each other across the way and have an instant connection. Jo doesn’t do relationships, especially when it comes to men in dangerous professions. Jo is just looking to rewind, relax and get on with her tournaments. Zane falls instantly for Jo and wants more than just a one nighter. Can Jo look past what Zane does for a living, or will she continue to push possibly the best thing in her life away? I’ve read my share of Malia’s books and have loved them. This one is no different. It is well written with great imagery in it. Yes, it’s a little fast-paced, BUT it will keep you on your toes through the whole read. For a fast-paced romance novel, this would be a great choice. Chemistry is an instant between the two, it’s just a question if Jo can step over her imaginary boundaries and take a leap for possible love. ]
View all Jenni's reviews

Review: The Cloud Leopard's Daughter (The Smuggler's Wife #4) by Deborah Challinor @HarperNZ

Thank you to Harper Collins NZ for allowing me to review this book

Blurb

On the gold fields of the colonies, enemies are easily made. In the confines of a ship, they can turn deadly. For readers of Bryce Courtenay's POTATO FACTORY, Philippa Gregory and Tracy Chevalier.

When Kitty and Rian Farrell sail their schooner Katipo III into Dunedin Harbour in 1863, they are on tenterhooks. The new Otago goldfields have attracted all-comers, including their friend Wong Fu from Ballarat, who has sent a message for their help.

To their surprise, Wong Fu reveals he is more than a mere fortune seeker - he is in fact a Cloud Leopard tong master and his daughter, Bao, has been kidnapped and taken to opium-ridden China.

Kitty and Rian agree to retrieve the missing Bao, but as they sail closer to their quarry the stakes jump dramatically. And little do they know that the deadliest threat lies in their midst.

The Cloud's Leopard's Daughter takes us through dangerous and unpredictable shoals of love, lust, greed and opium, in search of not one, but two, fiery yet vulnerable women - puppets in other people's calculated games.

Buy Links

Amazon US  ~ Kobo ~~ HarperCollins ~ Mighty Ape

Review

 The Cloud Leopard's Daughter by Deborah Challinor

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

*** I voluntarily reviewed this book, I gained no monetary incentives nor was I specifically requested to review the book, these are my honest ramblings and I hope you enjoy reading them - kat***

When I saw this book on my list of books to choose to review, I immediately was drawn by the cover, it's lovely but also shows the wildness of the NZ coastline and when I read the blurb it was a definite Yes for me to request, as not 6 days before I had spent an afternoon at the Dunedin Early Settlers Museum ( going off track a bit but if you ever visit Dunedin this is a Free admittance and an excellent place to visit )

historical fiction is not a top genre for me to choose, but if the blurb draws me in I will read it, you see I am fussy when it comes to the books based in the past, there has to be some life in the story, the characters have to be relatable to me. Well Deborah Challinor hit the nail on the head.

Not only did the characters feel real, but the storyline was both familiar but also educated me at the same time.

Now the "rough and ready crew" of the schooner Katipo III were a mix of ethnicities and I knew that there were 3 other books in the 'series' of the Smugglers Wife Series But this did not make reading this book confusing, it just made me want to find the others and schedule them to read at some point.

We have the initial request for help from an old friend Wong Fu who must be introduced in a previous book, and we find out he is more than just a pan-handler, he is, in fact, a Tong Master, hence the title of the book , he is the Cloud Leopard and his daughter, Bao, has been kidnapped and taken to opium-ridden China. ( now I learned a lot about the opium trade reading this book!)

With the rest of the crew, Kitty and Rian set sail to find Bao, but it will not be easy, with unscrupulous relatives trying to hinder the rescue and pirates on the seas and most of all Jealousy in the midst of what is perceived as a happy family aboard the Katipo lead us on a very unpredictable adventure.

The Cloud's Leopard's Daughter kept me reading late into Friday night, all of Saturday afternoon and evening.

if you like books that bring you a sense of adventure, and a glimpse of the past ( and thankfully NZ has indoor plumbing now) then grab a copy.

check out my Post on my blog as the author is in Southland this week - I hope to meet her on the 22nd in our local library!

View all Kat's reviews

Author Bio

Born in Huntly, she holds a Ph.D. in New Zealand history from the University of Waikato. Challinor has worked as a fulltime writer and historian since 2000.

Primarily known for her historical novels, Deborah Challinor’s first published books were non-fiction history books, including the best-selling Grey Ghosts: New Zealand Vietnam Vets Talk About Their War (Hodder Moa Beckett, 1998).

Her first historical novel, Tamar, was published in 2002 and has been reprinted six times. Tamar is set in Auckland, Hawke’s Bay, and South Africa and covers the period from 1879 until the Boer War. The series continues with White Feathers (2003) and Blue Smoke (2004).

Union Belle (2005) tells the love story of a young woman caught up in the 1951 waterfront strike, and Kitty (2006) is set in the Bay of Islands in nineteenth century New Zealand. Both novels have been at the top of the New Zealand fiction bestseller list.

Attention to historical detail is an important part of writing for Challinor. ‘I base my novels on actual historical events, and it’s very important to me to research those events in depth and to present them accurately,’ she says.

Reviewing Union Belle in North and South magazine in April 2005, Warwick Roger commented that: ‘You can smell the beer and cigarette smoke in the public bar of the Huntly Hotel, hear the band at the Saturday night dances at the miner’s hall … it’s a book I kept sneaking back to whenever I had a spare quarter hour, eager to advance the story.’

Fire (HarperCollins, 2007), Challinor's seventh novel, is set in Auckland during the hype leading up to the royal visit of 1953 but is based on the Ballantyne’s department store fire of 1947 in Christchurch. A powerful and dramatic story of passion, ambition, and greed, it became a number one bestseller.

Amber, the sequel to Kitty, was published later in 2007 and also became a bestseller. Amber opens in New Zealand in 1945, on the eve of the Northern War in the Bay of Islands, in which Kitty is caught up. Sent to Auckland away from the fighting, Kitty encounters an orphaned part-Maori girl she names Amber. Together they return to the Bay of Islands, where both Kitty must risk her own life to save Amber’s.

Isle of Tears (HarperCollins NZ Ltd, 2009) is a story about 14-year-old Scottish immigrant Isla McKinnon and her younger brothers and sister. When they are orphaned they are adopted by Taranaki Maori and become caught up in the wars in Taranaki, the Waikato and the Bay of Plenty.

A revised edition of Challinor’s Grey Ghosts (HarperCollins NZ) was published in 2009. This edition included a new chapter on how the New Zealand Vietnam veteran community has fared since the book was first published in 1998.

Website ~ Facebook ~ HarperCollinsNZ

REVIEW: Igniting the Spark (Daughter of Fire #4) by Michelle Irwin @writeonshell

Blurb

Igniting the Spark (Daughter of Fire #4) by Michelle Irwin

Death beckons, calling Evie Myers to the darkness. She isn’t ready to leave, and Clay isn’t ready to let her go.

After fighting back from the brink, Evie’s life is forever altered. Together with Clay, she finds a home and sanctuary within the fae community. Everything has changed, and life is perfect. Or so they believe.

They soon learn their trip into the heart of the Rain kicked off a revolution, and Clay is called back into the fold. But when Evie needs Clay the most, one mission will risk it all.

When her happy ending hangs in the balance, and everything looks lost, how will Evie find the strength to fight for what she wants the most? 

Buy Links 

 Amazon US ~ Amazon UK ~ Kobo ~ B&N

(Book 1 is free in Evie's series: Amazon US ~ Amazon UK) 

Review

Igniting the Spark by Michelle Irwin
Kat's rating: 5 of 5 stars

*** I voluntarily reviewed this book, I gained no monetary incentives nor was I specifically requested to review the book, these are my honest ramblings and I hope you enjoy reading them - kat***

THIS BOOK is the conclusion of the Series in Evie's POV but the story will not be completely over until Clays POV is given as Michelle Irwin has written these companion series very well giving the reader more with each book without really repeating the storyline that much. This is the best companion series I have read so far, and in a way, I will be sad, but I can always re-read them again.

OKAY!!! I actually read this book in order due to me being indisposed when it released - and by in order I mean after Clay's Book Court the Fire, and for the best overall read, I recommend that you read in this order:








and Yet To Be Named Sons Of Rain Book 4 when it's released in 2017 (Michelle has promised that it will be next year) This book is on my can't wait-list as what happens to Clay in this book was like OMG!!!

OK now onto this Review:

At the end of Courting the Fire we were left with a big dramatic ending, and now that Evie is recovering within the fae community, life is perfect. ( But Ms. Irwin is mean, that is not good enough for her wicked author ways, she makes it a bit harder for them to get their HEA!)

The Rain is having an internal revolution, and Clay goes back to work with Ethan. Promises are broken and when Evie needs Clay the most, he leaves promising to return.

Well, we all know that the book would be boring if nothing happened, and boy did it just.

Ms. Irwin has taken the reader on a roller coaster ride of emotions, she had me in tears, gripping my kindle, shouting at Clay, wanting to kick Ethan... you get my drift?

I can't say much about the plot without giving much away, so all I can say is that this series will be on the TOP FAVE PNR Authors with Nalini Singh Rachel M. Raithby A.K. Michaels
I have not read any book of Ms. Irwins that I haven't loved, and if you like Contemporary Romance with speed check her other series out as they are just as entertaining and well written.

The Characters are like real people to me, I have watched this couple grow and deal with issues of Family hating their union, being on the run and still finding happiness in the little things, yes this is fantasy but when I am reading their story, in my head its real, and they find happiness in the midst of tragic circumstances, it makes you think about what problems you perceive as hard and you realise that yes, life's not so bad. That's why I read HEA's because even though they may be fiction/fantasy or plain old made up Contemporary Romance. you can take their experiences and take inspiration to add to your real life. Well, that is what I do, but I know that every reader is different.

The Story flows well, and we are taken deeper into the realm of lore and myths as the story evolves, I like how Michelle adds more tidbits to the actual supernatural world that exists in myth and makes me want to google and find out more.

I will say that we are left wondering at the end - and I mean before the Epilogue ( and this is where I say that we will really not know the real ending until Clays 4th Book) Ms. Irwin has sneakily not really answered the question, but we do get our HEA in the Epilogue so I finished this book with an AHHHH and a smile on my face. and a secret wish that the author will do a Sub-series involving the next generation ( Are you reading this Ms. Irwin, hint hint!)

View all Kat's reviews

Author Bio

Michelle Irwin has been many things in her life: a hobbit taking a precious item to a fiery mountain; a young child stepping through the back of a wardrobe into another land; the last human stranded not-quite-alone in space three million years in the future; a young girl willing to fight for the love of a vampire; and a time-travelling madman in a box. She achieved all of these feats and many more through her voracious reading habit. Eventually, so much reading had to have an effect and the cast of characters inside her mind took over and spilled out onto the page.

Michelle lives in sunny Queensland in the land down under with her surprisingly patient husband and ever-intriguing daughter, carving out precious moments of writing and reading time around her accounts-based day job. A lover of love and overcoming the odds, she primarily writes paranormal and fantasy romance.  
Website:http://www.michelle-irwin.com
Twitter:  @writeonshellFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichelleIrwinAuthor
Amazon Page: http://amzn.to/2fbFTKK

Review: Blue Lily, Lily Blue (The Raven Cycle #3) by Maggie Stiefvater @mstiefvater

Blurb 

Blue Sargent has found things. For the first time in her life, she has friends she can trust, a group to which she can belong. The Raven Boys have taken her in as one of their own. Their problems have become hers, and her problems have become theirs. The trick withfound things, though, is how easily they can be lost.

 

Links

Amazon US - Amazon UK - B&N

Review

  Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a personal read, I have loved this series and so far this was my favourite, maybe because Blue comes into her own, she is one cool chick, and I think she is the glue that binds the group of 'Finders' I think that Maggie has a unique voice and it lends well to this series, and that the author has based the story around the Welsh King Glendower or Owain Glyndŵr as spelt in the old way. I felt that it gave the story more mystery, it got me interested anyway and I went off on a tangent to google what actually happened to him, and considering King Richard III was found under a council parking site in Leicester, you never know what the modern world is hiding.

I do love the mystery of the Ley-Lines
So this series has kept me gripped, it took me a while to finish it with my other scheduled reads.

But even now I can remember it all, and can't wait to read The Raven King hopefully before Christmas :D

I like Ms Stiefvater's style of writing, her characters are complex but easy to love, even Ronan! I could go on but I don't want to spoil the book or the series so I will end it here. BUT owow the epilogue made me glad that I can read the next book as soon as it arrives in the post!



View all my reviews

Re-Release: If I Could I'd Wish It All Away By Lisa Helen Gray

Re-release Blitz for Best Selling Author Lisa Helen Gray's debut novel If I Could I'd Wish It All Away

Amazon UK * Amazon US * Amazon CA

When you hit rock bottom the only way forward is up, right? 

When Lola Lawson escapes her abusive boyfriend, she goes back to the only place that’s left to go. She returns to the one place where the memories of her parents will comfort her. 

It’s taken Lola sixteen years to return to Cabin Lakes where her parent’s best friends Mark and Lilly live. 

What she wasn’t expecting was for her childhood crush and best friend, Dean Salvatore to be grown up and sexy as sin. 

As Dean Helps Lola come to terms with moving on, Lola finds something she hasn’t had in a long time, family.

Just when Lola feels like she finally has the one thing she’s always dreamed of, her past comes back to haunt her.

With a storm brewing, can Dean get to Lola in time to shelter her? Or will she forever live in the past she fears?

Foul Play ~ Amazon  US / Amazon UK/ Amazon CA

Malik ~ Amazon US / Amazon UK /  Kobo / Nook

Mason ~Amazon US / Amazon UK / Kobo / Nook

Myles ~ Amazon US / Amazon UK / Kobo  

Evan ~ Amazon US / Amazon UK / Kobo 

Max ~ Amazon US / Amazon UK /  Amazon CA

Maverick ~ Coming Soon

Better Left Forgotten ~ Amazon UK / Amazon US / Kobo / Nook

Obsession ~ Amazon UK / Amazon US / Kobo / Nook

Forgiven ~ Amazon UK / Amazon US / Kobo / Nook

Lisa Helen Gray is Amazon's best selling author of the Forgotten Series and Carter Brother series. 

She loves hanging out, but most of all, curling up with a good book or watching movies. When she's not being a mom, she's been a writer and a blogger. 

She loves writing romance novels, ones with a HEA and has a thing for alpha males. 

I mean, who doesn't!

Just an ordinary girl surround by extraordinary books

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