Monique S.'s Blog, page 24

Well worth the read

Rescue Me by Michelle L. Teichman

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I'd given it five stars, if I didn't think the end a bit over the top. I know all about an author's wish to ratchet up the tension for the show down, but in this case it is a bit much. I like my novels to reach the climax and then calm down to let the characters relax and find happiness together, which they did, but for me the price was too high. The leading lady took on too much of a super heroine for a story supposed to be based in real life.

It is still a good read, don't get me wrong. The plot is very well built on both counts, the crime and the romance. (Watch out, spoiler?) The characters are believable until the show-down, when a bit too much of Super Girl (without the resistance to gun shots) comes out to play. But that really is my only criticism.

The writing is smooth and coherent, the character development strong. The romance is sweet and there is no gratuitous sex driving the plot. What is there is vital to the story and reads well. A book I can recommend.



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A briliant mix of romance and suspense

Return to Me by Erin O'Reilly

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A brilliant mix of romance and suspense.

Even though the rason for the crime was, to the attentive reader, clear from the beginning, the development of the characters and the plot was surprising and clever. Eveidently the concept of fate was driving the author into the plot and, having lived through not quite that fundamental experiencess, I can relate to Ellie and her doubts about the frighteneing feeling that nevertheless led her to find her love again. I woun't add more spoilers and just say, that the story touched me deeply and rekindled experiencces, that clearly showed me, how fate sometimes takes a hand in our lives.

The story is well written, the plot more than just credible and the charaters very loveable. It is at the same time sweet, revealing about human weeknesses, comforting and at the same time gripping, a read difficult to put down, unless you fall asleep from eshaustion in font of the screen, what I did at 2h25 in the morning, before finishing the neaxt day. It is THAT good!

A very enjoyable, very recommendable read for anyone into romance and suspense!

Monique.



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Nice romance

'55 Ford by Erin O'Reilly

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Another lovely slow burn romance with an unusual premise. The two ladiescould hardly be any different at first glance, but it is lovely to watch them discover, how simiar they are in certain respects and the resulting romance. A beautifully written story, that warms the heart.



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Conflict of Interest

Conflict of Interest by Jae

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A wonderfully written slow burn romance between two mature women, who overcome their emotional problems as they are thrown together by an experience neither of them could have expected.

For both their Jobs are more than just a means to earn your bread, but the reason they are thrown together by fate could hardly be any worse. Detective Carlisle is fighting her (supposed) inner demons as Dawn, a psychologist, becomes the victim of rape.

As the case develops so does the relationship between the two women, as Aiden Carlisle gets her teeth like a terrier into the case, not prepared to ever let go and equally determined to protect Dawn.

The character detail and development of both main characters but in equal measure of the supporting cast are well worked and proof of a lot of psychological insight. A grippoing read is the consequence.

I really enjoyed this book.



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Fighting the Homm

It is not exactly a match for a Young Adult story description, but it follows up on "What if?" and part of it follows the childohood of Helena and Thorgal from What if?
It is all building up to he next volume (3) in which we'll meet Deidameia, the daughter of Ares and Penthesilea, Thorgal and Sophia, the daughter Odyssa, in her Deidameia incarnation, had with Achilles/Pyrrha.

It will be posible to skip this one and still read and understand volume 3, "The Irish Expedition" once I have finished writing it, but for those of you who like a fantasy/science ficton mix with Aliens in it, I really recommend to read this, too Fighting the Homm.

Foreign influence

For those of you who'd like to read it in exchange for an honest review here's the link:

https://booksprout.co/arc/34934/forei...

There will be 20 copies available, you can choose from .mobi .epub and .PDF

Good reading,
Monique.

Good Composition

Good Composition by Lily Seabrooke

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


In spite of some warnings this is a real feel good book. While it is absolutely obvious what Erin will eventually do, it comes as surprise when she does it. What happens then would be almost miraculous, were there not the fact, that Aubrey is determined to revive the gifted artist she once knew.

Yes, in a way this is a fluffy novel, but who wouldn't love a bit of fluff, if it is delivered with so much love and humour and so well written!

I'll certainly look at more stuff from Lily in future.



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Five shining stars for this

Before You Say I Do by Clare Lydon

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Certainly among the top five of my all time favourites!

I don't think I ever expected to read a romance, that would slowly build up a tension, that, if it were a movie, I'd say was keeping me on the edge of my seat. Both Abby and Jordan are easy to relate to, been there, done that, got no T-shirt to prove it, though. May be there's an unexplord markt there?

Anyway what are the best terms to describe this story, heartwarming? Certainly! Funny? Only if you can laught at reflections of your own mistakes. Touching? Deeply! Happy? Yes! Of course it is a yes, with that hard fought for happy ending for both ladies.

I am tempted to call this a must read, if you want to know how really touching romance is done.
Well done, Clare.

Monique.



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Foreign Influence

Foreign influence
My book "Foreign Influence" is now available in both formats:
Kindle/Kindle unlimited ebook
and
Paperback, both through all the usual Amzon channels.

5.0 out of 5 stars Sweet transgender story with a wonderful main character.

The Princess of Lights by Monique S.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Found on Amazon.de today (03/13/2020)

Amazon Kunde
5,0 von 5 Sternen The Princess of Lights
Rezension aus Deutschland vom 11. März 2020
Format: Kindle Ausgabe
Having read “What if?” and “Viper” before and loved them “The Princess of Lights” certainly startled me a little bit, but then I remembered the title image and realised, that I had been deceived by my expectations of another fantasy/adventure kind of thing. I soon realised, though, that this is a completely different kind of adventure, the adventure of a gifted technician, who, forced by circumstance, discovers a repressed part of herself and embarks on the adventure of joining a musical production, that might be difficult, as the theme could become quite contentious.
As she concentrates, though, on making the technical side as perfect as can be and yet as cost conscious as possible, she unwittingly embarks on a road to success, personally as well as professionally. I will stop here to avoid spoilers, that might reduce your enjoyment of this story, that is as heart warming as sometimes funny, deep and in all a gripping read. There’s romance in there, too, just in case you are wondering. The setting is somewhat contemporary, London in the second half of the 1980s, and it is clear that the authoress has a deep and fond affinity to both, the work and the place here described. I love the book a lot.



Found on amazon.co.uk on 03/25/2020:

Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Sweet transgender story with a wonderful main character.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 25 March 2020
Format: Kindle Edition
I enjoyed this story because it was very heartwarming and left me with a smile on my face. My favourite type of story.



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