Book Review Friday - Blitz by Sue Perkins

Book Review for: "Blitz"
Written by: Sue Perkins
Desert Breeze Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-61252-034-6
Avail as ebook only
4.5 Stars

Reviewed by: S. Burkhart

Perkins pens a suspenseful love story set against the backdrop of World War II with "Blitz." Velma Field comes of age just before the dawn of World War II. When she meets Jack Stanley, her courage and resolve is tested like never before.

The novel starts in 1938. The Fields live in Plymouth, England a town on the coast. Velma goes to visit her sister, Florence, and discovers Jack, Florence's brother-in-law in the kitchen. For Velma, the attraction to Jack is heartfelt and immediate. Jack also finds himself attracted to Velma. After a whirlwind courtship, the couple declare their love and plan their wedding for September, 1939.

Fate, however, has other plans. World War II erupts. Jack and Velma have a registry marriage before he is shipped out. Velma tries to maintain her inner strength and moves in with Florence, whose husband also goes off to war. Florence and Velma strengthen their sisterly bond. Florence takes a job working at the post office and Velma joins the Wrens – the Navy's women corps. The war tests everyone's courage, hope, stamina, and endurance. The Germans bomb England continually, blitzing Plymouth. Will Velma's resolve break before she sees Jack again? Will Jack overcome a severe case of Malaria? Can Velma and Jack look the adversities of war in the face to find happiness after it ends? Only time will tell.

Perkins' writing is sharp, engaging the reader right away with Velma and Jack's first meeting. The writing style is easy to read. The story has a nice flow to it. The descriptions are rich and vivid, allowing the reader to picture the setting in their mind as they read. The dialogue captures a rich authenticity of the times.

The characterization is wonderful. Jack and Velma will tug on your heartstrings as the strong supporting cast. Florence's fate had me choking up and I realized then just how subtly, yet deeply, Perkins' story had touched me.

Jack is a noble guy and takes his commitment to the Army seriously. Still, when the Army separates him from Velma, his resolve is tested in way he didn't expect.

Velma wants to prove she's a strong, capable young woman, not just to her family, but to herself. Her worries are something many can identify with today.

The story is sensual for romance readers with tender kisses and sizzling caresses. From page one, Blitz will leave the reader wondering if Jack and Velma will find happy ever after. Blitz will put you in the thick of World War II and leave you turning the pages to find out what happens next.

Book Review Friday - Black Jaguar

Reviewer's note: I love Schartz's Chronicles of Kassouk series. Book 3 releases on 1 NOV, but I got a sneek peek of it. For those who love sci-fi/futuristic, romance and adventure, this series as it all!

Smiles
Steph
*****

Book Review for: Black Jaguar
Chronicles of Kassouk, Book 3
Written by: Vijaya Schartz
Desert Breeze Publishing
ISBN: 1-936000-55-5
Ebook Format
4.5 Stars

Reviewed by: S. Burkhart

Schartz pens an exhilarating story of adventure and the power of love with "Black Jaguar," book three in her futuristic series, "The Chronicles of Kassouk." Prince Kahuel of Yalta travels with Princess Esperenza of Kassouk to an unexplored continent on New Earth. What they find there will test their strength of will, resolve, and courage.

The novel is set in the future. Princes Kahuel and Basilk of Yalta are traveling with Princess Esperenza from Kassouk to an unexplored continent on New Earth. A typhoon destroys their vessel and takes Basilk's life. Most of the travelers are marooned on an unknown land. Kahuel is saddened over his brother's death, but steps up as the group's leader.

Kahuel sets up camp on the beach and send parties to explore the interior. Kahuel, with his loyal jaguar, Diablo, finds a native by the waterfall. Her name is Talina and she is a Princess of the Chosen, the native humans who have the power to read minds. Kahuel is attracted to Talina.

The Chosen are in contact with the Estrell, a race of people from outer space who want to use the Chosen to repopulate their dying race. Kahuel and Esperenza's presence upset the Estrell who order the Chosen to attack Kahuel's people. Talina goes against the order and is banned from the Chosen, by her brother, Vanaru. Talina seeks out Kahuel and the couple makes love. Soon, Talina is captured by the Chosen. Kahuel goes after her, but can the couple overcome the obstacles the Estrell and Chosen place in their way?

Schartz pens an exciting story, about discovery. The plot is tight and filled with surprises.

Schartz uses a good economy of words to paint vivid pictures of the setting. It's easy to see the setting in the reader's mind.

"Black Jaguar" has a great cast of characters that will quickly endear themselves to the reader. Kahuel is noble and honorable, doing all the right things to lead his people, yet his internal struggle is something that the reader can identify with. Talina is a little naïve, but she isn't afraid to take chances and to learn about others. Her love for Kahuel is honest and pure, yet tested when her brother reveals some awful truths about Kahuel to her.

"Black Jaguar" shines as it gives the reader a peek of happy after ever for the previous couples in the series from "White Tiger" and "Red Leopard." Schartz's love scenes are tasteful and sensual.

"Black Jaguar" does not disappoint!

*****
Here's a link to the publisher's page: http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-120/Vijaya-Schartz-Chronicles-of/Detail.bok

Book Review Friday - White Tiger

I just want to gush a little about Vijaya Schartz, her novel, White Tiger, and it's award winning cover! hehe. I always wanted to read this story, but it got put on the backburner with all my other stuff I had to read. I wanted to read it because I like sci-fi/speculative/futuristic type stories. Boy did Vijaya deliever. This story had me riveted. I was anxiously looking forward to reading it and hated it when I had to put it down.

Also, the cover won EPIC's award for best sci-fi/futuristic cover and the QUASAR award from EPIC for best overall cover. That told me the story inside was just as special.

Here's my review.
Smiles
Steph

*****

5 Stars

Schartz has created a world rich in futuristic mythology with "White Tiger," Book One in the Chronicles of Kassouk. Tora is a human soldier whose loyalty to the Emperor is without question. As she follows Field Marshall Killion to war, she meets a man called Dragomir who challenges all that she knows to be true about the world.

The novel is set on the plant of Kassouk. The plant's natural climate is Arctic. Humans settled there after leaving a decimated Earth. They know the planet as New Earth.

The Godds have also come to Kassouk, but it's obvious they are an alien race. There are no female Godds so they mate with human females called Valshas. Their children are known as mutants. The Godds provide for the humans, but they also have enemies – the Reptoids. When the Reptoids shoot down the weather satellite that controls the weather, the climate on Kassouk becomes frigid. The Godds prepare to leave, but only after harvesting their female mutant children's eggs.

Tora, daughter of a great general, realizes there is change in the air when the satellite is shot down. The Reptoids and Zerkers pursue the humans of Kassouk, and so Tora takes her company White Tiger, and follows Field Marshall Killion's army into battle.

Along the way, she meets Dragomir, a man who ignites the more passionate, baser emotions in her. Dragomir confesses to be a mutant, but harbors secrets. He warns Tora of a human traitor and leaves after the couple share a forbidden night of passion.

Can Tora find the traitor to the human race and rekindle the love she shared with Dragomir.

Schartz's writing is crisp, original, and filled with creativity. The plot is smooth, action-packed, and moves fast.

"White Tiger" uses a good economy of words to explain the rich mythology and exotic locales of Kassouk without weighing down the reader.

The novel has a strong supporting cast that quickly endears itself to the reader. Driana is a loyal friend, Leah is a clever and beautiful mutant, Phaleg is the fierce Reptoid leader, and Khor and Kasil are the heartless Godds.

Dragomir is honest and loyal, brave in the face of adversity. His only weakness is his love for Tora. Tora is also loyal to her beliefs and exhibits a courage to be admired.

The love scenes are sensual and tasteful. From the first page to the last, "White Tiger" will take the reader for a breathless ride filled with action, adventure, myths, and love.

Book Review Friday - Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas

Book Review for: "Devil in Winter"
Written by: Lisa Kleypas
Avon Books
ISBN: 978-0-06-056251-9
374 pages
Print/Ebook
4.5 Stars

Reviewed by: S. Burkhart

Kleypas pens an intriguing tale of romance and suspense with "Devil in Winter." This is book three in Kleypas's "Wallflower Series," a set of stories involving four friends in Victorian England.

Set in London, 1843, Evangeline (Evie) Jenner, is a "wallflower" of a young woman with vibrant red hair, freckles, and an uncomfortable stammer. Yet, while her appearance lends itself akin to being a "wallflower," Evie has a strength of spirit and courage that few men can match.

The novel opens with Evie approaching Viscount Sebastien St. Vincent, a scoundrel to the ultimate degree, and proposing a marriage of convenience. Evie's father is dying and she stands to inherit his gambling club; only her mother's family keeps a brutal, watchful eye over her. Now that Evie is of age, she goes to St. Vincent with her proposal. She's not the type of woman who would catch his attention on a first glance, yet her courage impresses him. When he asks Evie why him, she replies she'd prefer a devil of her own choosing.

Evie and Sebastien make haste to Gretna Green in Scotland and get married. Sebastien's motives for entering into the marriage initially involve the promise of Evie's fortune, but he soon discovers that Evie's made of sterner stuff and he admires her for it. After a wedding night filled with passion, Sebastien realizes that Evie has touched his soul in a way other women have not.

Once back in London, Evie and Sebastien go to the gaming club where Evie's father dies. Joss Bullard, a man at the club, and Evie's family give the couple a challenge to meet, especially when Bullard aims a gun at Evie to shoot her. However, it's Sebastien who takes the bullet for his wife. Will Evie give her rake of a husband a chance at love if he recovers?

Kleypas's writing is crisp. The plot is solid and character driven. The pacing slows just in the right parts to let the reader catch their breath.

Kleypas's descriptions are rich and vivid, using a good economy of words while never slowing down the story.

Both Evie and Sebastien grow as characters. When we first meet Sebastien, he's shallow and caught up in material wealth. As he learns to help run the club and trust in Evie, he grows, discovering that Evie's steadfast nature, courage and strength mean more to him than possessions.

When we first meet Evie, she shows raw courage by proposing to Sebastien. She's comfortable with him because she knows what to expect from him. Her stammer lessens as Sebastien extends trust to her, and she, in turn, learns to trust him.

The novel is "sophisticated/intense" for romance readers and Kleypas's love scenes are graphic, yet tasteful. Overall, "Devil in Winter," is a sinful read that will keep the reader turning the pages to find out what happens next.