Beauty Reborn by Elizabeth Lowham review

Title: Beauty Reborn

Author: Elizabeth Lowham

Ch: 19 plus epilogue

Pg: 200

Genre: Fantasy fairy retelling

Rating: 4.5 stars

Publisher: Shadow Mountain

Beauty Reborn is the hardest Beauty and the Beast retelling that I’ve read. But it’s the one that’s the most important. As it gives a twist on the reason Beauty went to the beast castle in her father’s place. She’s running from the someone. And just like the Disney version the reader will quickly she who’s the real beast in the story. My heart broke for Beauty. I’m glad that read this one. Trigger warning for sexual assault off page though it’s mentioned, and the aftermath is talked about.

 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Targeted by Lynette Eason, Lynn H Blackburn, Natalie Walters review

Title:  Targeted

Author:  Lynette Eason, Lynn H Blackburn, Natalie Walters

Pg:  361

Genre:  Christian Suspense

Rating: 4.5 stars overall rating

Publisher: Revell

    I loved this novella collection though I have to say that my favorite one was On the Run by Lynette. Even though you can read this novella as standalone I’d recommend reading the blue justice series by Lynette Eason or at least Vow of Justice. And Lynn Blackburn’s Defend and Protect series. And Natalie Walters Harbored Secrets series for background and to not be spoiled.

 

Title:  On the Run

Author:  Lynette Eason

Ch:  20

Rating: 5 stars

    I’ve wanted Daria’s story since I first meet her in Vow of Justice book four in the Blue Justice series. I loved Daria and I also loved that she was a capable FBI in her own right. And Ryker while he wants to keep her safe and protect her, he also trusts her ability. He follows her lead. Quite frankly I think they make a great team. I also loved seeing Linc and Allie again as well as other characters from Lynette’s other series. Even though I would have loved a full-length novel I did love this novella. I also loved that this one was mostly suspense with only a hint of romance.

 

 

Title:  Deadly Objective

Author:  Lynn H Blackburn

Ch: 18 plus epilogue

Rating: 4 stars

    While Deadly Objective isn’t my favorite of Lynn’s books it was an enjoyable read. I generally don’t like books suspense included that focus on either the president or vice presidents’ kids. However, with this one I loved Mason. He was easily my favorite character from this one. Liam has been the only secret service agent that can work with him as they all think he’s a brat. I think he’s just a sixteen-year-old kid who’s whole has changed. Emily is his physical therapist and she’s the one adult who gets him. This is the least suspenseful one of one Lynn’s books but still good. Though it was easy to figure out who was behind everything. But I only figured it out because of Mason.

 

Title:  Caught in the Crosshairs

Author:  Natalie Walters

Ch: 17 plus epilogue

Rating: 4 stars

    I enjoyed Caught in the Crosshairs as I’ve been wanting for Claudia’s story since Silent Shadows and I enjoyed this slight spy Novella. Loved the suspense and the movie references. And I love that Walter’s always manages to work movie references into her books.

 

 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher as part of a blog tour  I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

The Brilliance of Stars by J'nell Ciesielski review

 

Title:  The Brilliance of Stars

Author: J’nell Ciesielski  

Ch: 28 plus prologue and epilogue

Pg:  400

Series: Jack and Ivy book 1

Genre:  Historical Fiction

Rating: 5 stars

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

 

“She kissed Jack hard on the mouth, then aimed her Beretta over his shoulder and fired a round of shots down the medieval corridor of Dobruzov Castle.”

This first line gives me Black Widow and Winter Soldier vibes. So, if that’s what the author was going for, it worked. I normally don’t include first lines in my reviews but this one needed it because I feel like it adds to my review. Because that first line hooked me from the get-go, and that rare.

Ivy is a woman of her time but she’s also quite capable. And Jack knows this doesn’t overstep. Which in my book makes him the perfect hero?. And it doesn’t hurt that books play a part. As both are readers. It’s rare to get a hero in historical fiction that’s a reader who has a balance of intelligence and strength. A sniper needs both. And that’s what we get in Jack. I do believe Jack Vale has become my new favorite historical hero.

The Brilliance of Stars gave me everything I love in historical fiction spies, Russia, Eastern Europe war. Loved that this one takes place during WWI which we don’t have enough of.

In The Brilliance of Stars J’nell gave me something the MCU failed to give me. A chance for the Winter Soldier/ Bucky has a chance to fall in love. She gave me the Winter Soldier and Black Widow vibes that was missing.

 

 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

The Librarian Spy by Madeline Martin review

 

Title:  The Librarian Spy

Author:  Madeline Martin

Ch: 27 plus epilogue

Pg:  355

Series:

Genre:  Historical Fiction

Rating: 4.5 stars  

Publisher: Hanover Square Press

 

I picked this one up because of the title. As a library assistant I’m a sucker for books that involve libraries or librarians. Though I never thought a librarian could be a spy. But then maybe that’s why they are such good ones.

I loved both point of views in this one Ava’ s and Elaine’s. That generally doesn’t happen with dual heroines point of views in historical fiction. I kept reading because I had to know what happened to both women.

And while they used librarians as spies during WWII Ava is fictional because they didn’t use women librarians. But I enjoyed reading a WWII fiction that focused on the men and women behind the scenes who helped win the war stories.

Madeline Martin does WWII heroines beautifully. Can’t wait to see what she does next

 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher as part of a blog tour  I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.