"As a Roaring Lion" - a UK & Africa thriller By Jack Welles

As a Roaring Lion
DESCRIPTION AS ON AMAZON:

A feisty defense against rape by a female American veterinarian with a mighty African cross-border conservation plan, leaves the powerful attacker bloody and publicly humiliated. He becomes a revengeful and vindictive enemy who blocks her at every turn and plots to bring her down …
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A lover, local politicians and even her own father, all with their own agendas, cause her even more trouble – is there anyone she can trust?
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The spillover of a decent man caught up in an indecent third-world civil war complicates matters further and a wounded lion turned man-eater doesn’t help.
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Follow the consequences as the story swings from an Argentinean hotel to an English boardroom via the English countryside and the African bush.
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``As a Roaring Lion” is an action packed romantic thriller set at a time of momentous international changes with the collapse of Communism in the USSR and the ending of the Cold War, the dismantling of apartheid in South Africa that led to the release of Nelson Mandela and the end of Mozambique’s ruinous civil war with the advent of democracy as the hardline socialist government there threw in the towel.



MY REVIEW:






(2.5) Some Elements were "Okay" and there were parts that I could say "I Liked It"
I received this blurb about the book in the email pitch for a review:
"A feisty defense against rape by a female American veterinarian with a mighty African cross-border conservation plan, leaves the powerful attacker bloody and publicly humiliated. He becomes a revengeful and vindictive enemy who blocks her at every turn and plots to bring her down …A lover, local politicians and even her own father, all with their own agendas, cause her even more trouble - is there anyone she can trust? The spillover of a third-world civil war complicates matters further and a wounded lion turned man-eater doesn’t help."
I was excited. This would seem a very fast paced and interestingly complex book. The truth is that it was extremely complex, but the most intricacies came in the form of military actions and political subterfuge. The beginning of the book was slow and difficult for me to get in to - I think the writing style wasn't what I'm used to - but because Mary Ann's story was compelling, after about the first 10 or 15 % it got easier. I was drawn in. However, once the story reached about the half way point there were so many subplots and large number of characters to keep track of that it became arduous again. Adding to the level of difficulty was the way the story bounced back and forth to the different subplots of the overall story. I was truly interested in Mary Ann's life and how she would overcome her thwarted attacker. She was a strong and passionate lead character. I enjoyed Roger and Michelle's story, and I think the lion's point of view was one of my favorite and most suspenseful parts of the book. The final chapters came together nicely, and I was impressed with the ending.
If you enjoy suspense thrillers with substantial political elements you may want to give this book a try.
I was given a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

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Forbidden by Salem Kane

ForbiddenDESCRIPTION FROM AMAZON:

"If you're not careful, the fairies will carry you away!"

The old wives tale is more true than anyone knows. In the world that lies parallel to our own, humans and anything human is forbidden. The reason is darker than anyone would guess, but the lure of the promise of the power is a risk that a few evil elves are willing to take.


It is in this world that human Rohana Frost finds herself, carried there by a mysterious man who hunts those of his race that harvest humans. But betrayal comes from the most unlikely of sources and it will take all of Sen Aryn's courage and skill to protect the woman he feels a growing attraction for.



MY REVIEW:



2.5 Stars - Between "Okay" and "I liked it"
When initially reading the email book review pitch, I didn't realize this was a paranormal / fantasy story, or it escaped my attention. You dive right into a whole new world with the main character, Rohana. She finds a stranger, Sen, in her grandfather's cabin - who is badly wounded and very weak - when she goes there planning to regroup and get her life back together after losing her fiance and never knowing what happened to him. The men who wounded him track him down forcing Sen to bring Rohana back to his world.They take a wild ride trying to defeat the evil doers who set Sen up to kill him while trying to deny the feelings building between them because of Rohana's missing fiance. Action scenes sometimes a bit unbelievable, and some of the intimate scenes were repetitive (I don't think the story would suffer any without the sex, just my opinion) but the ideas and plot were intriguing.
I was given a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review. I liked most of it. The mystery element of the missing fiance is sure to shock you when you learn what happened to him and why. Suspend your disbelief, let your imagination take over and you will probably enjoy it more.

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"Going Home Again" by Carol Cassada

Going Home AgainDESCRIPTION AS ON AMAZON:

Fashion photographer Rachel Mitchell was living the good life in New York; she had everything she ever wanted. However, the death of her mother sends Rachel home to Virginia to be with her family. Upset she seeks comfort from her ex-boyfriend Cole Ashton and they start to reconnect. Their reunion makes Rachel question her life and she’s left with a difficult decision, either stay in New York or start a new life with Cole in Virginia. Which will she choose?


MY REVIEW:



This book was a smooth and easy read. The story had its sweet and tender moments. However, it seemed "familiar" - I have read the same type of story many times. I wanted to find something new, a new twist or disturbance that made it stand out as unique. The main character's thought process was a little repetitive. Actually, I thought there was too much of her thought processing, talking to herself in her head more than I wanted to read. There wasn't any terribly strong conflict with choosing between the two men... and the scene that drives her to the decision was predictable.
I was given this book for free in exchange for an honest review. I liked it enough to finish the story but didn't find it compelling. If you are looking for a light easy beach read, this may be right for you.

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"Keeper" by Robyn Roze

Keeper (Keeper Series, #1)

DESCRIPTION FROM AMAZON:

**New Adult (College) Romantic Suspense**

Olivia Marshall's life was idyllic until it all came crashing down ten years ago. Now she's looking for a way out of the crushing reality that threatens to consume her. Biding her time and inching closer to the door of freedom, Olivia decides to run away to escape the increasingly belligerent man who won't let her forget their shared torment. However, she will discover he's not the only thing she's running from. We really can be our own worst enemy.

Nick Moretti saved Olivia's life all those years ago. They both lost everything that night and he's determined not to lose her, too. After all, she owes him--everything. His motocross career gone, his first love lost, his life spent raising a girl when he himself hadn't grown up yet. No, he's hell-bent on recovering something from their shared tragedy, hell-bent on not forgetting the past, even if it threatens the present and their futures. He's determined to force Olivia to face the past and him. When his denial mixes with obsession, it's a recipe for disaster.

Jake McCloud is the quintessential playboy. He's not looking for love or a relationship. He's having way too much fun playing the field. Then a near accident puts Olivia in his path. She ultimately changes his life, giving him an alternate vision of the future he hadn't even known he wanted. Olivia is different from any girl he's ever met. She's not high maintenance, not clingy or possessive. In fact, she doesn't seem the least bit concerned whether he's interested in her or not, or even how long he stays around. He knows she's hiding something, but he can't figure out what it is. Whatever it is, he wants behind the wall she's clearly built to protect herself.

Olivia Marshall is about to discover that sometimes the easy way is the hardest way out.

(Mature themes and sexual content for 18+)

WARNING:  Keeper sets the foundation for the three MC's and their ultimate collision course. Be warned: there is a lot of sex and unanswered questions in this first installment. Book 2 contains the answers and Book 3 is the resolution.


MY REVIEW:





I finished reading "Keeper" very quickly. A lot of steamy romance, and well, yes... sex... if you enjoy or don't enjoy page melting sexual content - that is your encouragement or your warning. 
Olivia Marshall's life has barely been touched on, but it gives just enough information about her and the other characters to catch your interest and make you want to read the next book to learn more. I look forward to the rest of her story and finding out if she and Jake are going to last or if Nick will change her mind and her plans. I definitely can't wait to find out what the tragic event was that drew Nick and Olivia together.
So far, I recommend you start reading this series.

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"Venice in the Moonlight" by Elizabeth McKenna

Venice in the Moonlight
DESCRIPTION ON AMAZON:

Take a vacation from the London ton and visit Venice in the Moonlight!

A Story of Vengeance, Forgiveness, and Love

After her husband's untimely demise, Marietta Gatti is banished from the family's villa by her spiteful mother-in-law. She returns to her hometown of Venice and her only kin--a father she hasn't spoken to since her forced marriage. Her hope of making amends is crushed when she learns she is too late, for he recently has died under suspicious circumstances. Grief-stricken, Marietta retraces her father's last night only to discover someone may have wanted him dead--and she may be next. When the prime suspect turns out to be the father of the man she is falling in love with, Marietta risks her future happiness and her life to avenge the death of a man she once hated.

Elizabeth McKenna's latest novel takes you back to eighteenth century Carnival, where lovers meet discreetly, and masks make everyone equal.



MY REVIEW:






I was anxious to read this book. I love a good historical romance, and I wasn't disappointed. The story plays out in an engaging setting during an interesting time frame. The characters are believable, and the lead male character is unique. The paragraphs and chapters flowed smoothly; making it a very quick read. I just kept reading. The romance was built up nicely, but there was also Marietta's emotional struggles, and a strong mystery suspense element to keep the reader intrigued.
I was given a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review. I truly enjoyed every page.

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