Contagion

contaigon Author: Marcy G. Dyer

Series: Dark Days #1

Publisher: Roller Coaster Suspense

Release Date: July 11, 2017

Rating: 5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

An altered strain of rabies that turns its victims into Zombies has been unleashed turning the world into chaos and leaving three families to fend for themselves and try to stay alive.

When scientist Reginald Barker develops a deadly strain of rabies, he doesn’t have any idea it will be released around the world and turn people into zombies, but he fears what could happen if it winds up in the wrong hands and has a special fortress built in Texas to keep his family safe. When the outbreak happens, he takes his family and tries to get to safety, a task that is not as easy as he hoped it would be. The contractor he hired, Randi Martinez, knows it is not her property but sees Barker’s development as the only safe place to take her family. Reginald’s nephews also know about the compound and head that way to stay safe. All three families are in a fight to stay alive and ease the torture they feel for different reasons.

Normally for me, a book about Zombies would not be a go to for me. I have nothing against them, just not my usual read. Contagion was an incredibly enjoyable read that left me foaming at the mouth for more. The story was fast and strong with so much that I enjoyed. The characters were all written in a way that made them relatable and easy to want to see them succeed. Even the characters it was obvious that were not meant to be liked were written in such a way I enjoyed reading about them. The story itself had a good message behind it of hope and redemption even when things look their darkest. Dyer did an excellent job with this story and I can’t wait to see what the next installment has to offer. I recommend this to readers that enjoy a thriller with a heart to the story, and enjoying reading about zombies won’t hurt either.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Unraveling

Unraveling Author: Sara Ella

Series: Unblemished #2

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Release Date: July 11, 2017

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

The second installment in the Unblemished trilogy is a great read that will leave you aching for more.

Eliyana Ember has always wanted her world to be a fairy tale. After a defeating her grandfather and saving the second Reflection, El starts to only trust what she can see and touch. The Kiss of Infinity she once shared is nothing but a memory and now that she is becoming queen she doesn’t know if she is prepared to deal with any of it. The Verity is cast within her soul and therefore leaves Joshua by her side ready to rule her birth land. Even with all she has, she feels something is missing. The Callings, she and others have had as magical powers, begin to fail and El wonders if her connection to Ky Rhyen is somehow involved. Light and dark cannot coexist and El needs to find the answers before the Callings disappear altogether.

This book is outstanding, as long as you have read the first. If you come into this having as a standalone or don’t have Unblemished fresh in your mind, you will likely have difficulties. There is so much that is set up in the first book that is relevant to Unraveling in order for everything to make sense that it is very important to have the first firmly in your mind when starting this one. The characters develop much more fully here along with the world. This is very different from our own, but also similar in many, many ways. I enjoyed the introduction of new characters and the interaction they had with already established characters. One of the best aspects is it is a very clean book without losing the intensity of the story, a very rare trait to be found today. Other than making sure you have read the first book, I can’t think of anything negative to say about this book. I can’t wait to see what the third installment has in store.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

A Name Unknown

A name unknown Author: Roseanna M. White

Series: Shadows over England #1

Publisher: Bethany House

Release Date: July 4, 2017

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

Are a thief and an author really that much different?

Rosemary Gresham is one of the best thieves in England, even pulling off a museum heist. Now with England on the brink of war with Germany, everybody’s loyalty is being examined. Who better to find documents to exploit someone’s disloyalty than a thief? That is exactly what Rosemary has been hired to do. Peter Holtstein has the King’s ear and many believe that he is loyal to Germany given that his German parents left England so that Peter could be born in Germany to maintain citizenship. But this may be the biggest challenge Rosemary has ever accepted. Disguised as a librarian hired to help catalogue Peter’s massive library, Rosemary must try to find letters or record archives that prove his is sympathetic to Germany. But she isn’t allowed in his study where he spends most everyday typing. What could he be doing that involves typing all day?

This was a fun and well thought out story. I always enjoy literature during the Great War period as it typically provides a lot of conflict throughout the story, but this particular story had mostly inner conflict that occurred within Rosemary. Her character development was fun to watch. She grew from being a street rat thief to finally believing in God after seeing someone who chose to do good to help her. The romance was brief but the growing feelings for each other were a welcome part of the story. It didn’t center around that, it actually centered around the theme of God’s love and that is what made the story so worthwhile. I’ll be very interested in the future installments of this series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Everything We Left Behind

everything we left behind Author: Kerry Lonsdale

Series: Everything We Keep #2

Publisher: Lake Union

Release Date: July 4, 2017

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

Filling in the gaps from Everything We Keep. This is a terrific series!

James Donato has just woken up to find himself in a strange room in Mexico with two young boys that speak only Spanish. When they realize that he is only speaking English and appears afraid and confused, they bring him a book full of journals and other information where he discovers that he has been living the last six years of his life as Carlos Dominguez, a talented artist who has two children and his wife died five years ago. He also discovers that his fiancée Aimee has left him and is now married to someone else and they have a child together. Crushed, he takes his sons back to California to see his brother Thomas and move into his childhood home when he learns that his other brother Phil is about to be released from prison after he attacked James in Mexico, which is believed to have caused the memory loss. In an effort to keep his sons safe, James takes them to Hawaii to see his sister-in-law to try to understand what happened during the last five years.

This was a much needed book to finally understand what happened to James to make him Carlos and what happened to Carlos to switch him back to James. The epilogue of Everything We Keep matches the beginning of this book with James suddenly waking up to his alternate reality. However, we as readers didn’t know what happened during that five-year period. Now we do. With an alternating story line between Carlos during the past and James in the present, the pieces begin to fit together and we find that James family is more screwed up than we thought possible.

James uses a lot of harsh language throughout this book, but he is very angry and confused and was believable. I felt that the romance in this book was a little more predictable. During the previous, it was intense trying to figure out what Aimee was going to do. However, this one played along really well. The big question is would James and Raquel be able to find each other again after his switch. However, I did not guess what was going to happen with Phil. That was a surprise that I didn’t see coming. I can’t wait for the next installment.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

The Man With Two Names

Two Names Author: Vincent B. Davis II

Series: The Setorius Scrolls #1

Publisher: Thirteenth Press

Release Date: June 30, 2017

Rating: 5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

Can I have the next set of scrolls, please?

These scrolls tell the story of the life of Quintus Setorius, who was a Roman statesman and general during the time of 102 to 72 B.C. This particular book focuses on his early political career that ultimately led to his joining of the Roman military and the base of building his military career. Based on true events, the book is a fantastic piece of historical fiction that I recommend to readers who enjoy the genre or love the world of Rome, such as I.

The writing is very detailed and may take some readers a few pages to get into, but once you get hooked it wraps up in no time. The character development of Setorius and Lucius are both very well done and believable throughout the book. Not a lot of scene is set within Rome itself; however, it is described very well on the battlefields. There is very little language throughout the book, which also made it easier to enjoy. I found myself enjoying the spark of romance between Setorius and Arrea. I really hope that it goes deeper in the future volumes. The only complaint that I have is that it ended with me wanting so much more. Can I have the next set of scrolls, please?

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

A Matter of Trust

A matter of trust Author: Susan May Warren

Series: Montana Rescue #3

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: July 4, 2017

Rating: 5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

The third installment of the Montana Rescue Series proves to be the best by kicking up the action with a perfect romance!

Gage Watson thought his past was behind him, until a young snowboarder goes missing while trying to replicate one of Gage’s most complicated free rides. As a member of the PEAK rescue team, Gage goes out looking for him along with his sister Ella, who he was once romantically involved with before his life was turned upside down. Together they race not only the dangers of the mountain, but also the danger of quickly falling for each other once again.

With each book in the Montana Rescue series, Susan May Warren has brought the characters to life and kept readers on the edge of their seats. A Matter of Trust brings all that and more. Of the three books in the series, this has be my favorite. Gage has a lot in his past he wants to let go of and it just isn’t going to happen for him. That is so true for so many of us. We may try to let go of the past but it always comes creeping back at us. I loved the way Warren used Gage’s past to help him turn into the man he is today. It goes to show that if we don’t let our mistakes, no matter how bad they may seem, ruin the rest of our lives we can do something great. Ella has just as many demons that she can’t let go of and it almost brings her to the brink of destruction. Fans of Warren’s work and the Montana Rescue series will be pleased to see many of the favorite characters back for smaller parts in this installment. I didn’t expect to enjoy Gage and his story as much as I did but I am pleased to say it hooked me from the beginning and there was no turning back. I recommend this book to fans of romantic suspense and those who have enjoyed Warren’s writing.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Every Deadly Kiss

Every Deadly Kiss Author: Steven James

Series: The Bowers FIles #2

Publisher: Berkley

Release Date: July 4, 2017

Rating: 5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

If you have never read a Steven James novel, I suggest you start now with this one. It will keep you up at night and have you looking twice and double locking the doors.

FBI Special Agent Patrick Bowers is back and ready to solve a series of murders taking place in Detroit. Not only are there murders to be solved, there is also a terrorist plot that is more than a century old making it one of the toughest cases Patrick has ever had to tackle. When Patrick is called in by his old girlfriend to help on a case, he questions briefly if it will affect his current relationship but tries to convince himself it is just for work and can be kept professional. When he arrives, he finds a connection between the murders and his former lover. With the murders continuing and the threat of a bioweapon attack increasing, Patrick finds himself digging deep to solve all the clues before it is too late.

I have been telling people for several years that Steven James is the best there is. The way he can spin a story and keep you on the edge of your seat is better than anyone out there and he is at the top of his game with Every Deadly Kiss. The amount of time and research he puts into these books shows as you read. This is not the kind of book you can skim and still get everything out of it you need to understand the story. Every page, paragraph, and sentence is full of information that is vital to the story and the way James gets that information across will keep you on the edge of your seat and up way past bedtime. With this book set as another prequel to the original Bowers files, it is interesting to see the relationships develop between Patrick and the other key characters that we have grown to love throughout the years. Patrick still has his quirks and we see them develop more into what they eventually become. For me, a Steven James novel is always going to be at my “Top of the Year” list. There is just something about his writing that resonates with me more than almost any other author I read. Unlike his earlier books, this one has a bit more language and adult content, not a lot compared to what many authors like to put in, but still a little more than I’m used to from him. With that being said, it completely fit in with the characters and how they would react with something that they would actually say. That’s what I want, the character to act as they naturally would and every character James writes in his novels fulfills their role. That is an incredible difficult task but one that he pulls off with ease. I cannot recommend a Steven James novel highly enough and Every Deadly Kiss is no exception.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

The Right Side

Right Side Author: Spencer Quinn

Publisher: Atria Books

Release Date: June 27, 2017

Rating: 3.5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

A military thriller with heart and soul for human and animal lover alike.

LeAnne Hogan has been to war in Afghanistan and made it back, almost in one piece. She is hesitant to reenter the world after coming home missing an eye and half her face scarred. It helps that she doesn’t remember most of the trauma that almost killed her, but also troubling because she thinks her injury and the death of her comrades could be her fault. While at the hospital. she inadvertently becomes close to her roommate, Marci who dies unexpectedly. LeAnne now finds herself driving across the country with no destination in mind and no real future. Without meaning to, she finds herself in Marci’s hometown and discovers that Marci’s eight-year-old daughter has gone missing. As she partners with a stray dog that has claimed her as his own, they begin their own search for the missing girl and begin to discover secrets no one wants revealed.

The Right Side is a book that is going to be perfect for some people and completely turn others off. I found myself at both ends of the spectrum. The story itself was very compelling and the relationships that were formed, especially between LeAnne and her four-legged friend, were just right. On the other hand, I had a lot of trouble getting past the vulgar language. I’m not a fan of language in books unless it is done just right. There have been a few authors of the years that have had a way with their writing that inserting language in the story me see right past it. I wasn’t able to do that here. I know LeAnne is a soldier and that is typical of how they would talk, but it till didn’t fit in with the character enough for me to enjoy. I did however enjoy her drive and desire to help do the right thing, not only with the missing daughter of her roommate but also with clearing up who was responsible for her getting hurt. LeAnne is the kind of character you want to route for and see come out on top. The fact that she is a broken protagonist makes her the kind every reader can get behind and enjoy reading about.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

One Wrong Turn

one wrong turn Author: Deanna Lynn Sletten

Publisher: Lake Union

Release Date: June 20, 2017

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

All it takes is one wrong turn to change a life. One moment perfect, the next moment shattered.

When Clay gets a call that is wife Jess has been involved in a vehicular accident, he races from Los Angeles to the Victorian home in northern California that his wife has been converting to a bed and breakfast. Due to the impact of the accident, she is currently in a coma. Things might go easier when he sees his daughters, Maddie and Jilly, except that he hasn’t talked to them in almost two years. Clay has been recovering from alcoholism and after rehab for the third time planned to make it stick because he couldn’t lose his family, but in the end, he almost did anyway. Maddie is twelve and is angry with him and scared. Jilly is seven and doesn’t remember him enough to be angry. Can the stress of this situation keep him from turning back to the bottle? What if Jess never wakes up? All because of one wrong turn.

Okay, so I was hooked after the first chapter. A few short hours later, I was done. That’s just how good this book is and how well written it is. Sletten knows how to garner an emotional response from me that makes me keep reading to find out what is going to happen. Even when one of the main characters has a debilitating problem that is destroying his or her life, you just have to keep reading. It’s painful to watch this because you can tell what is about to happen, but you just must keep going. You can’t help it as a reader. In this case, it happened twice. The back story for Clay was necessary, but just so sad to keep continuing. But Jess always had a ton of love for him. But the most difficult to watch was Maddie’s transition in present day. To realize that the story she had made up about her father wasn’t true and to finally she her walls crumble.

I’ll admit, I wasn’t sure how this was going to play out. I was prepared for a broken heart as a reader at the end, but still had hope for a miracle. If you want to know what happened, you are just going to have to read it yourself!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Wilders

Wilders Author: Brenda Cooper

Series: Project Earth #1

Publisher: PYR

Release Date: June 13, 2017

Rating: 4 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

Another dystopian novel that is a bit more unique than you might think.

Coryn Williams has grown up in the metropolis of Seacouver, Washington. A town that has been developed under a weather dome. This is a new generation of smart city that is completely connected with each person and tells them when they need certain items or when to go to the doctor. But the city is not for everyone, many suffer from it. Coryn’s parents each took their life and her older sister must get out of the city before it drives her to the same fate, so she sets of to work for a rewilding foundation that is reestablishing the ecosystem that humans have destroyed.

Three years later, Coryn is set to graduate from school and must head into a career. Instead she decides to do the unthinkable; voluntarily go outside of the dome to find her sister. But will her sister want to see her? And will the city let her back in?

Dystopian novels are rapidly becoming a dime a dozen. It’s hard to find something new and fresh that doesn’t build upon an already realized idea. However, Cooper definitely piqued my interests with this one. I’ve done a lot of research into smart cities and how they currently interact versus how they are planning to connect in the future with the internet of things. This book easily brings my fears into place with the amount of data that the city knows and how the city can protect itself.

Coryn was an interesting character. She was very independent (and stubborn) and set out to find her sister with no thoughts of what could happen to her. But she got more than what she bargained for once she found her. I’m curious if the storms were a result of the damaged ecosphere, but that may come in a future book.

There is some occasional harsh language for a YA novel, which is why I took it down to 4 stars. Even so, it is a really good read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.