Book Review - Blacktop Wasteland by S.A. Cosby

 

Beauregard “Bug” Montage is a devoted husband, a doting father, a patient son, a loving cousin, and a fledgling business owner, who is also the best getaway driver in town. Bug knows that he has no future in driving getaway cars and tries to focus on his business. 

Bug worked hard to build his business and focus on his family. However, he finds himself struggling to maintain his lifestyle and finds himself drawn to his dangerous past. Especially, when someone from his past shows up and offers him an opportunity to join the crew for a jewelry store heist.  Bug feels that he has no choice but to get involved if he wants to keep his family safe but, he finds that he likes being in the driver seat for dangerous situations more than he should.

I enjoyed this fast paced action packed novel even though it was a bit predictable at times. I thought the characters were well fleshed out and interesting. I didn't really care for the ending because it felt like a non-ending to me. Overall, it was an interesting read and I look forward to reading more books by the author.

Book Review - Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid

 

In August 1983, it's the day of Nina Riva's annual end-of-the-summer party. It is the party of the year and everyone who is someone is there. The Riva siblings are famous and everyone wants to be around them. Nina is a supermodel and surfer, Jay is a championship surfer, Hud is a famous photographer along with their baby sister, Kit. The siblings are famous and a source of fascination because their dad is the famous singer, Mick Riva.

Nina isn't excited about the party and hates being the center of attention. She was also just publicly dumped by her famous pro tennis player husband. Hud is keeping a secret from his beloved brother and he knows that it might break their bond. Jay is excited to be reunited with his dream girl. He can't stop thinking about her and hopes that she shows up to the party. Kit is keeping a few secrets of her own, including, inviting a guest to the party that would turn everyone's world upside down.

I read this book after reading Daisy Jones and The Six and felt there was quite a few similarities. It was like one book was the "what if" for the other. I thought the book was an interesting read but, at times it felt overwhelming with the amount of  characters. Similar to Daisy Jones, I felt like the novel lacked an actual story and was filled with a lot of trivial details. I did like that a few characters did make appearances in this book and the author's other books. I look forward to reading more books by the author.

Book Review - We Are the Brennans by Tracey Lange

 

Sunday Brennan wakes up in a Los Angeles hospital covered in bruises after being in a drunk driving accident. She realizes she will have to swallow her pride and go home to her family in New York. She is afraid to go home after abandoning her family and her high school sweetheart five years ago without any explanations.

Sunday wants to make amends and rebuild her life even if it means dealing with her resentful brothers and ex-fiancé. She starts to realize that they might need her as much as she needs them.  However, a dangerous man from her past is out to destroy their family business and their family. Sunday realizes that the only way to save the family from financial ruin is to tell her family her secrets. As Sunday tries to come to terms with her past, she realizes she isn't the only hiding something.

I picked this book because of the beautiful cover. However, I should know better than to do that by now because this book was super boring. The plot barely moved along and the big reveal was predictable. I thought the reason for Sunday leaving to be silly and found it hard that she didn't talk to her boyfriend before leaving since they had an unbreakable bond. If you like cozy romantic reads, you will enjoy this book.

**Disclosure - I received a free a copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**

Book Review - Watch Over Me by Nina LaCour

  

 Mila is used to being alone. She is eager to find her own place to belong. Perhaps, this is why she agreed to a second chance at a remote farm surrounded by waves and flowers. However, Mila didn't know that the place was haunted by ghosts.

Mila just graduated from high school and has aged out of the foster care system. She is offered a teaching job and a place to live on an isolated farm near the Northern California coast. Mila is excited to have a home that she can calls hers. However, she didn't know that the place is haunted by the past and her old memories are resurfacing.

The novel was a quick and interesting read. I like that the author created an interesting story of how Mila needed to let go and accept her past before she can find a place to belong. I found that the some of the characters were mysterious or overly friendly or "aggressive" without including Mila in the reason why. I did find that the novel was a quick read and felt that the author could have gone into more detail about certain things. However, I am excited to read books by the author.

 **Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Book Review - Boy on the Beach by R.D. Maddux + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

Andrew Foster is a struggling real estate developer. He is haunted by past and feels his career is stalled. When an angel investor offered to fund Andrew's dream project, he feels his life is back on track. However, when he visits his sister on the beach each week, he sees a black SUV that follows him. When a strange twist of events threatens his dreams, will Andrew be able to survive?

I thought the novel was an interesting read with a good plot twist. However, I found myself hating Andrew and hoping terrible things keep happening to him. I felt like he was very self-centered and inconsiderate. I thought he was caused a lot of his own suffering and to others but, he was mostly dismayed when things turn out badly for him. I felt as if he considered other people and wasn't self-indulgent, things might have been better for him.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**

Book Details:

Book Title: Boy on the Beach by R.D. Maddux
Category: Adult Fiction; 304 pages
Genre: Mystery / Thriller
Publisher: Ezekiel 12 Publications
Release date: March 11, 2017
Content Rating: PG-13 + M (There are implied sex scenes but no graphic descriptions of lovemaking. There is one scene with some violence.)

Book Description:

Andrew Foster, a real estate developer in San Diego, is a man suddenly haunted by his past. Memories, like specters from his former life of sex, drugs and rock and roll have come crashing into his current world of business in this sunny coastal city. The ominous, repeated appearance of a black SUV at the beach where he meets his sister each week, has triggered fears that it’s payback time for a bad choice he made years ago.

To add to his frustrations, his hopes of a big breakthrough in the San Diego real estate market haven’t come to pass. He’s starting to wonder if his visions of success will ever come true when an investor offers to finance his dream project. Soon things start to fall into place for Andrew in business, life, and even love. He starts dating the beautiful and business-savvy Nicole but even with her at his side he can’t seem to shake the ghosts of his past. As the relationship with Nicole deepens, Andrew opens up to her about the many loves and adventures that have taken him from the crazy days of living in Big Sur and Joshua Tree to business success in San Diego. Her wise insights help him face the character flaws that have caused him to fail in his past relationships.

Rounding out his social life is his once-a-week task of assisting his sister with her nanny job watching a young boy named Chandler. They build sand castles on the beach and enjoy the beauty of nature together. But the now ominous weekly appearance of a strange car at the beach has awakened Andrew’s fears. Is the boy in danger? Or worse, has an enemy from Andrew’s past come seeking revenge and now Chandler’s caught in the middle?

A strange twist of events threatens to destroy Andrew’s dreams, but as he searches for answers, a sudden revelation offers hope of a future he never imagined.

Buy the Book:

Amazon ~ Autographed copy

Add to Goodreads

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Meet the Author:

R.D. Maddux has story telling in his blood. Since he was young he’s always loved a good tale. He’s been writing seriously since he was in high school and college. His novels range from Mystery and Intrigue to Sci-fi/fantasy. With Boy On The Beach he’s set the story in modern America, to be exact, on the West Coast of California. He’s a native of the golden state and has been a resident of San Diego since 1987. Before that he grew up in northern California and lived in the Sacramento Valley and Bay Area with sojourns in some of the beautiful parts of our state.

Living in California for over 60 years he couldn't help but watch the way things have changed in our culture and the impact this coast makes on the rest of America and the world. So even though Boy On The Beach is fiction, like most serious novels, it is not without a context and comment on issues we all face in our changing world. It takes place in real locations that are very familiar to him and its characters, which are fictional, no doubt have their counterparts in the real world. Boy On The Beach is a story of intrigue, suspense, revenge, love and redemption with flashbacks to the era when sex, drugs and rock and roll set our culture on it's inevitable journey to our present day. This idea has been rattling around in his heart and mind for a decade and it's finally coming to the page.

Connect with the author: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Instagram

Enter the Giveaway!

Ends Aug 25, 2018

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Book Review - She Who Knows No Fear: Another Tale of the Heart by by Barbara Bras + Giveaway

Photo Source - Amazon

Cassie is finally getting her dream come true. She is marrying her best friend who is also the love her life. Cassie will never have to be alone again. Until Zack didn't return from surfing one afternoon which causes Cassie to panic that she might lose Zack. Will Cassie be able to get over her fears?

I have not read the first book but it doesn't seem that readers need to read both books. When I first read the summary, I thought the book was about Cassie dealing with Zack disappearing. However, it turns out the book focuses on Cassie dealing with her abandonment issues. I was quite puzzled by the number of different story plots added in but they didn't develop further. For example, Cassie finds out that her grandmother was divorced, hearing thoughts from her dead grandmother and also having the ability to read other people's thoughts. Cassie's ability to read people's thoughts felt like it was added as an afterthought and it was never mentioned by her friends or family. I felt Cassie was a bit childish and helpless by herself. I felt like the conversations were stilted and unauthentic. Overall, I think it was an interesting story but it should have been developed a bit more.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review**

About the Book

Title: She Who Knows No Fear
Author: Barbara Bras
Genre: Contemporary Women’s Fiction
Release Date: December 8, 2017
Cassie’s dream is about to come true. She’s marrying her best friend, the love of her life.
She will never be alone again. But when Zack fails to return from surfing, Cassie’s safe world comes crashing down around her and she begins her struggle anew. Haunted by her conviction that her late grandmother left her something that will help her, Cassie discovers hidden “treasures” in the house she inherited. With the help of her stepmother, Cassie unlocks the secrets of her grandmother’s journey and along the way finds the ultimate answer for her own life.

About the Author

In 2015, Barbara Bras left her career to pursue her dream of serving God. She believed that her first step was to share the amazing story of God’s blessings in her life. Wrapped in God’s Grace, A Life Rediscovered does so through a trio of narratives. It begins with the story of her son’s miraculous adoption and the challenging years that followed, her grandparents’ remarkable survival in Armenia, and her own quest for purpose and love. Once written, Barbara realized her life’s new purpose. Captured by St. Paul in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, she views her writing as a tribute to the God who comforts and strengthens us in hardships and trials, and as her mission to encourage others. Her first novel, She Who Knows, A Tale of the Heart, seeks to inspire and encourage. The sequel, She Who Knows No Fear: Another Tale of the Heart, released in December 2017. Solo Deo Gloria, To God Alone Be the Glory

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Barbara is giving away a grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card plus a signed copy of She Who Knows and She Who Knows No Fear!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/ca74

Book Review - A Place at Our Table (Amish Homestead #1) by Amy Clipston

 

Photo Credit - Amazon

Kayla Dienner vowed to protect  her heart after seeing the heartache her sister-in-law, Eva, faced when Kayla's brother, Simeon died while firefighting. Less than two months after her brother's death, Kayla's boyfriend, Abram, also breaks up with her. She felt abandoned and hurt, so she closed off her heart to love.

James Riehl tries to juggle the volunteer work at the fire department and running his farm. James finds he barely has any time for himself, let alone to find the time to date someone. However, when an accident calls him to the Dienner's family, James can't deny the attraction he feels for Kayla. Will Kayla and James be able to put their past behind them and love again?

I have read a few other books from Amy Clipston and felt they were enjoyable. However, I felt that Kayla was a bit demanding. James is reeling from a tragedy and Kayla wants him to put her first, when they only just started dating. She tries to be understanding,  but once they start dating, she puts most of the burden on James. She used to go visit James at work, but after they start dating, she expects him to plan all the dates along with seeing him everyday. When James tries to make the effort, she is constantly pushing him away and then wonders why he doesn't make the effort. However, he is always the one coming back and asking for another chance, even when Kayla broke up with James just when he needed her the most. Kayla came across as needy and demanding when they became a couple instead of the caring and understanding person, she was portrayed to be.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**

Book Review - The Mark of the King by Jocelyn Green

Photo Credit - Amazon

Julianne Chevalier is a 25 year old midwife loves her job. Unfortunately, after a mistake has happened and her client dies, Julianne is thrown into jailed and receives a tattoo signalling that she is a convict. When news travels that John Law are looking for women to transport to New Orleans to build a new colony, she trades her life sentence in hopes to locate her lost brother; her last living relative.

However, nothing is gained for free as Julianne is about to find out the hard way. She is forced to wed a fellow convict in hopes to populate the new colony for good of France. When, she arrives to New Orleans with her new husband, she finds out Benjamin is no longer in New Orleans. In her journey to find out the truth about her brother, she crosses path with military captain Marc-Paul Girard who knows more about Benjamin than he lets on.  Will Julianne be able to reunite with her brother? What dark secrets is Marc-Paul hiding? Will Julianne be able to live her life or will she be branded a convict?

The novel was an interesting read. It was filled with mystery, death and romance (love triangle). It was a bit slow in the beginning and middle. However, I kept reading on to see how the story ends and it doesn't disappoint for those who live happy endings! 

**Disclosure - I received a  free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**

Book Review - Multiple Listings by Tracy McMillan

Photo Credit - Amazon

Nicki Daniels has learned how to live on her own since she was young. She learned how to depend on no one and how to take care of herself and her son. However, her life is about to be turn upside down when her career con father comes to visit and moves in with her, her son, and her boyfriend. Family drama fills the pages of the book when each of the characters wants different things. Will the be able to get along? Will Nicki be able to forgive her father?

The comedic novel is filled with humor, plot twists and bonds between family and friends with little gems of friendship, relationship and forgiveness sprinkled in. Personally, I didn't really care for the main character; I found her rather boring and a bit annoying. The story seemed one dimensional and lacked depth. I was expecting more from this novel and not just a "cozy read' where there isn't much going on. 

**Disclosure - I received an unedited ebook copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion**

Book Review - Baker's Magic by Diane Zahler

Photo Credit - Amazon

**May Contain Spoilers**

Flowers, Magic, Pirates, Princesses, Maidens, Kidnapping, Bees, Bugs, Baking and Mayhem -- Oh My!

Bee has always been alone.  While wandering around in a new kingdom, Bee stole a bun from a bakery out of desperation. She was immediately caught but the baker took pity on her. Taking her under his care, they both realize Bee is an amazing baker. When one of Bee's friends needs help, Bee stops at nothing to protect those she loves. Together they embark on a journey to save her friends and the kingdom while protecting all she holds dear.

The heartwarming story is filled with quirky cute characters. The book is full of adventure and imagination. I can see how this can be a favorite about middle school age children and it teaches them a valuable lesson on believing yourself while protecting your family.

*Disclosure - I received a free uncorrected eBook copy of this book for my honest opinion*

Book Review - The Confessions of X by Suzanne M. Wolfe

Photo Credit - Amazon

** May Contain Spoilers **

The poor daughter of a  mosaic layer, she was destined for a live of poverty. When her father passed, she moves in with her aunt and uncle who hopes for a better life for her. She comes across Augustine a brilliant scholar, who she falls in love with. While Augustine was born in a higher social class it seems their love was doom from the beginning. Will their love be strong enough to keep them together?

The beautifully crafted novel shows how two people who are in madly in love with each other try to fight the odds for their love for each other. Her story may have been forgotten in time but her love for her husband and child would stand through test of time. A bittersweet tale of putting your love for someone above yourself and watching everything you have become lost. (P.S. Read with a box of tissues nearby because you will find yourself crying and ask "How can one person bear so much?")

-Disclosure - I received a free copy of the book for my honest opinion-