Marie Reviews Ashes by Kelly Cozy

Ashes by Kelly Cozy

BOOK DESCRIPTION ON AMAZON:
Anonymous. That was Jennifer's life. But when she survived a domestic terrorist attack and her last-minute escape became the iconic image of the event, that life was over. Wanting only to disappear and become just another face in the crowd, she cashed in on her unwanted fame and moved to a small town, hidden away and safe.

Retired. That was Sean's life. A former covert operative - the kind the government denies exists - he'd been pushed unwillingly into a life of suburban peace and quiet. But his retirement ended when he saw Jennifer's rescue; from then on he only wanted to find those responsible for the attack, even if it meant turning rogue.

What Jennifer and Sean will both find is that nothing goes to plan, and their paths will cross in a way neither could have foreseen.

MY REVIEW:

I thought I wouldn't be able to read this book because it would be too upsetting to read about subjects like the bombing of a federal building, that it would strike a painful nerve, that it would be too graphic. The author approached it and told the story in a way that did not horrify. I felt sad, yes, but it wasn't too traumatic. Jennifer's tale is of survival, and her struggle to figure out why she survived when others had not, why was she special? Her need for change – some place new and fresh – because she was no longer the person in the photographs being pulled away from that building, leads her to a new home – far away where she is not a "celebrity" and can find a measure of peace. But the past has a way of following you and she has demons left to exorcise.
Sean's story is of a hero put out to pasture, a man who sees Jennifer's rescue on television and wants to help bring those responsible for the horrible deed she survived and so many others didn't to justice. His superiors don't want or need his help, and so he sets out on his own to find and infiltrate the hate group responsible, with a plan to bring their leader to Jennifer so she may be the one to exact revenge. But will she want this gift he delivers to her door step? Ending made me say, "Wow!"
Sean's side of the story has a bit more violence to it, and honestly I skipped over a little, but I am sensitive to that kind of thing. If you are not it probably won't bother you anymore than other plots that include a little torture to get information.
I found that the "bad guy" is likeable. Some one you would befriend in your small town, devoted to his wife and community. Even Sean likes him, which makes his task a little more difficult. Hard to believe he is responsible for such hate and destruction, which also makes the story interesting.
I was given a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

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Marie reviews Accidents Happen By Louise Millar

Accidents Happen: A Novel by Louise Millar

BOOK DESCRIPTION ON AMAZON:
Kate Parker has weathered unimaginable horrors—her parents died in a traffic accident on her wedding night, and her husband, Hugo, was murdered in a tragic break-in gone wrong. All she has left is her young son, Jack, and determined to make a better future for him, she attempts to pull her life back together. But are she and her son safe?


MY REVIEW:

In Accidents Happen, Kate lost her parents to a car accident on her wedding day, her husband to car thieves, her house has been burglarized more than once, and she is bound and determined to prevent anymore accidents from taking any one else she loves. She is constantly running statistics through her mind, searching and researching them in books, on the internet, newspapers, anywhere she can find them. She gathers them and compiles them on her laptop – which is stolen and makes her mental state worse than before since she doesn't have her numbers at her fingertips. She is convinced – even with alarms and other extreme measures she takes to provide safety for her and her son – that there have indeed been more break-ins. Her in-laws indulged her for a while but are growing weary of walking on eggs shells with her, and are on the verge of taking her son away from her because he too is becoming irrationally afraid of shadows and noises. When she realizes they are serious, and how much it is affecting her son, she begins to try to get control of her problem, first through therapy and then more unconventional methods with the help of a visiting author from the states, who just happens to be an expert on these statistics that rule her mind. How far will she go to get her life back, and is she really as crazy as everyone thinks she is?
This book is riveting! The end was a surprise. It is not the happily ever after you'd expect – but maybe a better one! I loved, loved, loved it!
I was given a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

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Marie Reviews Entry-Level Mistress by Sabrina Darby

Entry-Level Mistress by Sabrina Darby

BOOK DESCRIPTION ON AMAZON:
Her father destroyed the lives of his parents and he in turn sent her father to jail. Now Daniel’s a successful billionaire and artsy Emily is his newest employee. Both of them intend to make the other pay for the sins of the past, but revenge has never been so sweet.


MY REVIEW:

Smart, independent, creative artist Emily and successful, business tycoon, billionaire Daniel: a story that seems ill fated from the beginning. Lust, Revenge, and eventually love – all between two characters who are curious about each other – drawn to each other – by a past they can't put behind them. Emily takes a job with Daniel's company with the idea of bringing him down – but it never seems she is very serious about that idea, especially when she starts dating him and has the means to do him the most damage but never inflicts the wound. Can a relationship with all this baggage – between a couple who are so far apart in age – endure the storms that erupt when trying to pretend the past doesn't matter and that they are only playing a game, a temporary diversion, until they tire of it? Or will they finally discuss the past and let it go, admit they love each other and live happily ever after? You'll have to read it to find out. I enjoyed the book, but the story behind the story – what happened with their parents to cause Emily's curiosity and thoughts of revenge– was a little confusing. Overall, it was a good read.
I was given a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

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Marie Review Skinny Bitch In Love by Kim Barnouin

Skinny Bitch in Love by Kim Barnouin
Book Description from Amazon:
From the coauthor of the phenomenal #1 New York Times bestselling Skinny Bitch life­style series—a clever, kick-ass novel about friendship, romance, and making healthy choices both in and out of the kitchen.
Clementine Cooper is a born vegan, com­mitted in every way to the healthy lifestyle she was raised with on her father’s organic farm. But how bad could a little butter be? Bad enough to get the ambitious and talented sous chef fired when an influential food critic discovers dairy in Clem’s butternut squash ravioli with garlic sage sauce. Though she was sabotaged by a backstab­bing coworker, Clem finds herself unceremo­niously blackballed from every vegan kitchen in L.A. Like any vegan chef worth her salt, however, Clem knows how to turn lemons into delicious, cruelty-free lemonade cupcakes. She launches the Skinny Bitch Cooking School in hopes of soon opening her own café in an empty space near her apartment. But on the first day of class, sexy millionaire restaurateur Zach Jeffries puts a fork in her idea with his own plans for the space—a steakhouse. Clem is livid. For a carnivore, Zach is more complicated than she anticipated. He’s also a very good kisser. But could dating one of the most eligible bachelors in the city—and a meat-eater—be as bad for Clem as high-fructose corn syrup? Shouldn’t she fall instead for a man who seems to be her perfect match in every way—like Alexander Orr, a very cute, very sweet vegan chef? Clem thought she was open-minded, but as she confronts the challenges of budding entrepre­neurship, old rivals, ex-boyfriends, and tempting suitors, she begins to wonder if she can ever say “I love you” to a man who hates tofu.

MY REVIEW:

Clementine falls victim to a jealous coworker who slips real butter into Clementine's vegan culinary masterpiece just before it is to be judged by THE food critic. Poor Clementine loses her job but don't despair. She is a strong smart female lead. She pulls herself back up and uses her talents and intelligence to earn money through her own business endeavors, working up to her ultimate dream – owning her own restaurant some day. I liked that she was capable and resilient. I liked the fact she stood up for what she believed in and her lifestyle. Her relationships with friends and family were interesting – but the romance angle had me coming and going. I didn't quite feel the connection between Clementine and Zach. I was almost rooting for vegan chef Andrew to become her romantic lead, and thought I was supposed to for a while. Overall, the story was okay, with a lot of information on veganism. I was given a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review. Honestly, I don't think I'd pay the eleven or so dollars it costs for an e copy.

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