Here are the books I read and reviewed in June that are four or five-star reads!
Jess’s Reckoning: (Book 3 Sweet Western Romance) The McIntyres
By Linda Broday
I have read the first two books and loved them, but was eager to get to Jess’s story. Jess McIntyres seeks revenge for his parents’ deaths. He has been hunting down the killers under an alias name and is accepted in the outlaw world. He is pursuing the most dangerous one, Lone Wolf and his gang, but he is also being followed by Abigail. She is a determined journalist who runs her own paper and not only wants his story, but to keep him safe. He takes her to a town, believing she’ll be safe there. Jess makes it into the place run by Lone Wolf, who controls everything and everyone there. Plus, there is one sibling left to find after the kids were scattered following the parents’ murder. Jess passes Lone Wolf’s approval when someone from a past gang recognizes him. What he quickly learns is that once you are there, you can’t leave. Unfortunately, he hadn’t deterred Abigail from following him. She shows up with some women who offer their services to the men. Lone Wolf puts Jess in charge of the group and begins to learn that this isn’t just about his revenge. There is a town hidden behind doors, and a woman he doesn’t want to care about to consider. Abigail and Jess are strong characters who both have a deep sense of justice. There are a few surprises that I wasn’t expecting, plus secondary characters who were equally as strong and easy to root for. Surprise allies were in the mix, along with a dog I couldn’t help love. The settings were so vivid, and the family’s history really added depth to the western romance. I can highly recommend this and the entire series!
“Giant Shrews from Outer Space” reminded me of the old black-and-white B-movie creature movies I used to watch as a kid. Along with that, this felt more modern, with the added gore and cell phones. Sixteen-year-old Claire is being driven by her mom, Linda, to visit and stay with her dad, Conner. They broke down in a small, old mining town, Abundance. They try to call Conner, but he’s buried in his work as he always is, so they end up being stranded there. The town takes advantage of Linda and Clare’s misfortune while their own citizens are being brutally killed. When Claire and her new friend, Andy, try to warn the town to stay away from the mine because there are giant killer shrews, they are ignored. The multiple POVs are not all human perspectives but include the shrews and ghosts. There is humor, especially from the shrews who view humans as cattle, while unexpected heroes emerge as the town becomes isolated. This dark fiction has sci-fi, horror, a bit of romance, greed, and family dynamics. It was an entertaining read!
“The Secret Dragon” is geared towards young readers. It is the first of six in a series where the story continues into the next book. Saffy is bored. She was on a break, but her family was unable to go anywhere. It has been raining, and she decides to go outside to her backyard when there’s a break in the weather. She finds a ratty-looking little dragon statue on a bench. When she picks Lily the dragon up, the fantasy part of the story begins, and a mysterious world needs her help. It’s a cute, fast-read fantasy with dragons, royalty, and witches. I was curious what would happen next, as her journey has only begun and continues in the next book. Fun for kids or for parents to share reading experiences with their children.
by Terry Tyler
I have been enjoying this revenge series and was eager to read the third one. The two stories focused on two women’s marriages falling apart, but they handled it in completely different ways. In the first novelette, “The Torment of Frances Cullen,” Fran put aside her desires as a young girl to marry her sweetheart. She thought she had the happily ever after, but it soon became clear she was there to make him look good at all times and follow his plan. Although she didn’t get the education she wanted, she had her family, job, and house. They moved up to a gated community and socialized with women she didn’t care for. Then, everything changed, and her husband was tossing her aside. Fran couldn’t recover from this rejection, and the story took a dark and surprising twist. In the second story, “The Content Creator,” Jennifer is a journalist who lands her own local show. Her marriage gives her a child, Lydia, but also a betrayal she discovers later. Her husband moves on to his second wife, who is a great stepmother for Jennifer’s daughter. It all seems very civil. Then the ex moves on to a younger woman, Sook, a content creator who impresses Lydia. When Lydia confides in her mother, Jennifer makes a decision that changes her and others’ lives. The twist at the end was a surprise as the truth was revealed. Another great addition to the series, and I can’t wait for the next one. I can easily recommend this.
ALSO READ: Here I left a four or five-star rating
Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter by Heather Fawcett
Embrace your inner child by reading a good book! Denise
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