S.H. Timmins's Blog, page 2

My Review of Behind The Mask by C.E. Black

As with any of this author’s books, I had high expectations and was prepared for the level of excellence I have come to expect. The quality of writing, the ebb and flow of storytelling, and the complex execution of character development were flawless. A true pleasure to read a story and work of this calibre. C.E. Black is a precious gem in an industry that can lose it lustre from over-saturation.

In Behind The Mask, we are introduced to a world that is rich with magic and the supernatural.

Kassandra is a lonely vampire wishing for the return to humanity. She is repulsed by her vampiric nature and urges, denying them to a dangerous point. Desperately seeking her place amongst the living again, her desire leads her to the town of Salem, where she is forced to make a choice of the heart and face the realization about acceptance.

Cyrus is a witch. He has been drawn to the ethereal beauty that is Kassandra through sensual visions that leave him believing they are fated. Realizing that she can be the key to their safety against an approaching darkness, he is consumed with the need to bring her to his beloved town.

Xavier is another vampire and the epitome of everything dark and dangerous, arriving into Kassandra’s life just as she believes her greatest wish is within reach. Confusing her with his cryptic messages and the passion he stirs within, she embarks on her path to seek her deepest desire, or so she believes.

Will Kassandra find her humanity in Salem, or the beating of her undead heart? Will the handsome Cyrus be the one to unlock her humanity, or will the smoldering Xavier offer her something far greater?

The messages hidden in this beautiful story are ones that speak to the human heart in all of us. They force us to take a closer look at ourselves and what we believe define us. Even in a world of paranormal creatures and supernatural themes, the humanity in the messages bleed off the pages. A truly magical reading experience.

My Review of The Letter: Dear Michael, by Theresa Sederholt

With great expectations, this book didn’t just deliver, it exceeded. The growth in character and plot development surpassed its predecessors. I am always consumed with a tidal wave of emotion from this author, and this story was no exception. With a firm grasp on her goals for the evolution of her series, she executed this transition beautifully. All the characters that she has created continued to bewitch and beguile us, while introducing new characters to further enrich this amazing series. Michael is a perfect example of building on the excellence of a trilogy and taking it to the next level. An amazing accomplishment from a talented writer.

 

We met, and fell in-love with, young Michael in the Unravelled Trilogy. In this book, Michael is now a young man who is trying to find his own place in a world that he has been sheltered from. After suffering heartbreak and dealing with devastating secret regarding the past, he is looking to his future with uncertainty, and a slight dose of reckless abandon. The last thing he was looking for was a romantic relationship. Sometimes the thing we least expect, becomes the very thing we need.

Dagan was not looking for romance when her brother asked her to help with a project involving his wealthy, good-looking friend. Girls like her, who don’t fit in the standard box, can’t possibly catch and hold the attention of men like Michael… or so she believed.

 

Michael helps to show her that she doesn’t need to fit in a box to be perfect, while she helps to show him that the past does not define who he is. With plenty of family drama, and their own self-doubt, will these two destined soul-mates be able to finally realize that life is like a fortune cookie; it all depends on how you interpret it.

I can’t wait to see what Theresa Sederholt will gift us with next, but I know that it will be amazing. Congratulations on another literary accomplishment.

My Review of Marked (Winter – Blood Courtesans) by Gwen Knight

This was my first book by Gwen Knight, but I will definitely be remembering her name. This author helped remind me how incredible the genre of paranormal fiction truly is – especially when vampires are involved. Knight skillfully created a world where vampires walk among us. She infused her story with the perfect blend of humanity and monster, reminding the reader that evil lurks in the hearts of all creatures, whether that heart beats or not. Knight has an intillect and charm to her writing, creating a story that is smart and fun to read.

Two souls on opposite ends of the spectrum are brought together under the most unlikely of circumstances. One is fighting to save a life, while the other is searching for a reason to live. One is shrouded in lies, yet the other values honesty above all else.

Winter has been raised to believe that vampires are the enemy, so she wasn’t prepared for the feelings that the perfectly mannered Ethen begins to stir within her. Ethen prefers to live a life of solitude, but finds that one feisty human has opened his eyes to how lonely that existence truly is. Lines are blurred and sacrifices must be made if either of them have a chance at happiness… or survival.

A highly enjoyable book!

My Review of Elias (GRIT Sector 1) by Rebecca Sherwin

Sherwin has outdone herself this time. This story was so flawless in its entirety and seamlessly wove a story that was disturbing, yet beautifully depicted. She gradually introduced revelations, tantalizing the reader with just enough to satisfy while leaving them desperate for more. Each page revealed a deeper plot with greater development. A truly remarkable achievement.

I was enraptured and entranced by this possible world that Sherwin created. My heart raced, it ached and it sighed. My mind was blissfully engaged with the excellence of her written words, while my emotions were on a roller coaster of epic proportions. A cleverly written book that I would recommend to anyone who loves a heart-pounding, mind-blowing story that will have your turning each page faster than the last. Congratulations, Rebecca Sherwin.

Elias Blackwood. The master of a kingdom. The man of the town. The monster in the dark.

Trixie Ashford. An average girl who is trying her best to survive in a city where death lurks in the shadows. A destiny she didn’t know she had, nor one she wants.

In a city where the depraved rule the streets, a power struggle between the dark and the light is waging. Evil doesn’t always court the night, though. Trixie soon discovers that the true monsters of the city are not the ones lurking in the shadows, but far closer than she ever knew. Elias Blackwood is a devil in disguise. He will force her to acknowledge her own demons and question everything she thought she knew. What happens when your moral compass becomes confused and you begin to see that horrors committed for reasons that are questionable, could be for the greater good? Or are they?

I intentionally left this review vague as not to spoil the story for readers. It is a story that needs to be revealed when read, one shocking word at a time.

June 14th 2016

https://www.amazon.com/Elias-GRIT-Sector-Rebecca-Sherwin-ebook/dp/B01FPTHULW

My Review of Don’t Wake The Dead by C.C. Wood

This was my first book by C.C. Wood and I can’t wait to read more of her work. Her writing style was refreshing and brilliant. The level of skill and talent were so apparent, and the story was perfectly developed and delivered right from the first page. The characters were a breath of fresh air and the dialogue was completely engaging. I was like an addict and couldn’t put it down! I absolutely loved this book.

We meet a unique young woman, Zoe, and are introduced to her “special” abilities right from the beginning. She has been isolated from society, due to public scrutiny and her own desire to hide from it. Growing up with a rare gift for seeing the dead, has left Zoe a very lonely person – well, lonely for the living. She has one particular companion, of the spectral variety, that enjoys Zoe’s company more than she is comfortable with. Having a mostly unwelcome roommate, that only she can see and hear, is not the type of company that Zoe craves. She craves acceptance from those around her, none more so than her own family. Living a sheltered life has left Zoe with little trust and healthy dose of skepticism where people are concerned, which means when a charming and attractive man approaches her about filming a show in her “haunted” home, she doesn’t believe him or his motives.

Malachi, or Mal as he prefers, soon realizes that he has his work cut out for him with the beautiful, but guarded, Zoe. Desperate to experience a real paranormal event that will launch his fledgling show into a success, he seeks to film an episode of his show in the house that he is lead to believe is haunted. Little does he know how real (and horny) this ghost is. The veil between the living and the dead is about to be lifted, tilting the perceptions of what he thought he believed.

As Zoe and Mal enter into a tentative working agreement, the sparks begin to fly and the ghosts will have them chasing more than a story for their next episode, but a mystery that just might cost them their lives.

I would highly recommend this story to anyone that wants it all in one book; humor, romance, mystery and thrills. It is quite simply, a great read.

Hopelessly Imperfect by Gabriela Cabezut, Release Date May 17 2016 by Limitless Publishing

Review of Hopelessly Imperfect by Gabriela Cabezut

Gabriela Cabezut is a new author to me, but she is one to watch.  Her writing is exceptional and her story and character development are phenomenal.  This may have been my first book by her, but it won’t be my last.

This is a YA book about a young girl who is learning how to cope with the emotional despair and life-changing tragedy of losing her mother.  Hurting those who love her, even inadvertently, has created lingering scars.  She must learn how to forgive herself first, and how live a life that matters, while repairing the damage her escape from pain has caused.

Cassie is struggling to overcome the mess that she created during her mother’s illness, and subsequent death. 

Returning to a school where relations were fake and few, is harder than she anticipated.  Knowing that the one true friend she had, and is the one she needs the most, refuses to even look at her, leaves her feeling bereft and bitter.  She decides she doesn’t need anyone to join her in a world where she is filled with pain and anger, but one unlikely new friend and a mysterious boy slowly start to crumble the walls she has built around herself, and force her to realize that her life is what she makes of it. 

Nate is suffering form his own guilt and pain, and feels a connection to the broken girl that is Cassie.  While discovering the laws of attraction, they also discover that where others have failed to heal them, they might just be able to heal each other.

Will she wallow in the shadow of her mother’s death, or slowly emerge into the light of those still living.

This review is vague, as there are too many nuances and details in this story I don’t want to spoil for the reader.   

While there is the underlying story of a young and blossoming romance, for me, the main focus of this story was one about self-discovery.  The pain of loss, the fear of the unknown, the guilt of self-blame and the despair of knowing you can’t change the past, are all so eloquently depicted and rendered in this tender tale of healing and hope.  The emotional challenges that young Cassie faces, are ones that anyone who has suffered pain, loss, fear or guilt can relate to.  The emotions in this story touched me and resonated with me long after the last page was read.  Bravo, Gabriela Cabezut!  I will be anxious to see where your talent takes you, and to read the next remarkable story you create for us.

The Vixen and The Vet

I absolutely loved this book by Katy Regnery and would highly recommend it[image error]

Most girls have loved a fairytale at some point in their life. This one is written along the lines of Beauty and the Beast, which is my personal favorite.

Two broken souls who are hiding from the world for very different reasons: one is hiding because of wounds delivered to his body and soul, while the other is hiding because she is nursing her shaken pride and confidence. One whose beauty is obvious the outside, and one whose true beauty lies within.

A wounded vet who had a cruel return to the world he knew, after his life was altered forever while serving his country. He chooses to remain hidden in the solitude of his home, to protect the last splintered pieces of his battered soul. A humiliated reporter who has fallen from the heights of her success because she trusted her heart, and it cost her the job she loved. She is scrambling to repair her reputation and career. Interviewing the damaged recluse might just be the piece she needs to make her return to the industry she loves.

Falling in love with the town beast was never part of the plan. The piece soon becomes a story of love, healing and hope; their story. Having to make a decision between the man that has come to mean everything to her and the career she loves is tearing her apart, but as her sister tells her, “You can’t ride two horses with one saddle.” Either choice will cost her something, or someone, she loves.

Falling in love with the most beautiful girl in the world, just might break the last fragile piece of his soul. Love was something he assumed would be forever denied to him, and he was prepared to face an existilance bereft of it for the rest of his lonely life. He can’t believe that the one thing he has longed for the most, yet never thought possible, is within his grasp. He doesn’t trust it, and he knows that the world will never accept it. He needs to chase the darkness from his life so that he can stand in the light again. He realizes that in order to have a life with her, he needs to change the way he sees the world, and the world sees him. What begins as an attempt to secure her love, helps him to learn that the scars on the outside are not the only ones he needs to heal.

This is my summary of the story without giving anything away.

If you love a truly romantic tale with an abundance of emotion and depth, I highly recommend this book.

A Stone in the Sea by A.L. Jackson

A Stone In The Sea by A.L. Jackson

The writing in this book is almost lyrical and poetic in its rendering.  I was captivated and spellbound.  I highly recommend this book.

This is not your typical romance.  This story is about the desperation of love.  The hidden corners of the heart. It is not an easy love, nor is it gentle.  It is about two broken souls who have been clinging to the dark, while trying to break out into the light.  It’s about pain and sorrow, fear and loneliness. It’s about one man’s fall from grace, and a woman’s struggle to return to it.  Both are burdened with secrets, and plagued by events of the past.  One wants to remember how it feels to live, while the other wants to forget the pain of death.  Sometimes the thing we fear the most, is the one thing that can save us in the end.

We meet a fallen rock star who is hiding while he awaits the verdict caused by his sins.  The last person he needs to drag down into the cold, hard darkness with him is someone as pure and good as the country girl who has ensnared him in her soft, warm light.  Wanting her to see him for himself, he hides the truth of who he is.  He never knew she was hiding as well.

She only wanted to protect the ones she loved.  She didn’t want the distraction of a stranger, who was as beguiling as he was mysterious.  Knowing their time was finite didn’t seem to deter her heart, though.  Falling in love with a man who seems to cloak himself in anger and despair, just might be the one thing she can’t resist.

With lies and heartbreak at every turn, will their love be enough, or like casting a stone in the sea, will the ripples of it destroy all they hold dear?

This story ends on a cliffhanger, but continues in Drowning to Breathe.

My review of The Shadow of Hope by Courtney Shockey

Review for The Shadow of Hope by Courtney Shockey

I always know that when I read a book by Courtney Shockey, I will be lead down a dark and twisted path.  This book was no exception and did not fail to disappoint. 

We meet a young woman, Kayla, who is determined to rise above the pain of her past and find her “forever” home.  A home where she belongs and can begin to really live her life, instead of just existing. She has finally found that happiness and acceptance in a town called, Salene’s Pass.  After purchasing her very first house, she literally runs into a handsome stranger while running the grounds of her property.  Regardless of her wariness, her resolve is weak in the face of someone who makes her feel more alive in five minutes, than she has in her entire life.  Hope is not a word that she ever thought she would be able to relate to, but one that begins to quietly whisper of the possibility to her.

Adam is the “mystery man” that all the tongues are wagging about in town.  When rumors start to circulate about who Kayla is becoming involved with, the warm and welcoming reception she has come to know and love in town, quickly turns cool and aloof.  Kayla begins to feel uneasy about this change in atmosphere, especially when she finds herself a victim while visiting her favorite cafe.  An uneasy feeling settles over her.  Adam wasn’t looking for love when he decided to temporarily stop at this little town for some hunting and solitude, but that doesn’t stop him from quickly inserting himself into Kayla’s life and realizing that there is more to his feelings than simple attraction.  When events begin to reveal themselves, and he discovers that Kayla may not be safe, his feelings are tested in ways he never thought possible.

I don’t want to reveal too much about the story, but I will say that I have left out key players and the end of the book on purpose. 

I was truly impressed with how Shockey wove this story.  You know that there is going to be a link to the first book in this one, but the way in which she delivers this is genius.  While being a complete story on it’s own, the continuation from the first is blended beautifully.  I was genuinely thrilled with the way this book ended, and cannot wait to see where the third book will lead us.  One thing for sure, it will be on a ride that is full of thrills and chills.  Congratulations, Courtney Shockey.  You have delivered us into evil, yet again, and we wouldn’t want it any other way. 

My Review for Shifted Under Construction by C.E. Black

I have come to expect an amazing story from Black, and this one was no exception. I am always transported into a story that is lush and vivid in its imagery and detail, with characters that live and breathe in the pages. As always, I was captivated and consumed by the story and could not put it down! Bravo C.E. Black on another amazing addition to your incredible world of shifters.

Harper Mattox is harboring some deep emotional scars from a previous relationship, so love is the last thing on her mind when she takes a temporary position as a construction site secretary. Lust on the other hand, seems like a pretty good idea, especially when she meets her impossibly gorgeous new boss, Christian Viera.

Being the ultimate playboy, Christian is only willing to offer Harper hours of ultimate pleasure, and happily begins his seduction of the shy and tantalizing new secretary.

Unforeseen danger forces these two lovers to stop dancing around the embers of affection, and to acknowledge the flames of love that are raging between them. Will they willingly leap into the flames, or will one of them have to become burned before they do?

You won’t want to miss the heat in this scorching new story about the beloved, Bad Boy Alphas.