Review ~ J. Kenner's My Fallen Saint

My Fallen Saint by J. Kenner
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Although I had seen J. Kenner’s name on blogs all over the place, this was my first read by this author. I cannot say that I’m disappointed, but I wasn’t overly impressed. Kenner’s strengths are plotting and storytelling. I can see this author writing a great mystery or thriller without romantic elements.

This review will be divided into two parts: Great Story Elements and Not-So Great.

Great Story Elements:

Plotting. As I stated above, the plotting was excellent. We were not given too much information too soon. (Will elaborate more about the timeline in the Not-So-Great section).

Writing quality. Excellent. And it should be. This author is well known with a large and established repeat reader base. Thankfully, this wasn’t an issue because I have purchased books by other well-known authors that were just plain junk.

Dialogue. It was great. Natural and flowed well.

Not-So-Great Elements:

The heroine, Ellie. Most authors think a strong female character with a cop’s background should be written as a superhero, but I find that strategy super annoying. I do appreciate the fact that Kenner did not create Ellie to leap tall buildings in a single bound or make bombs our of mascara wands. However, Ellie was not a stimulating character either. (Well, if you don’t consider that she was basically a dog in heat from all the one-night stands with bar pickups).

Timeline. Another not-so-great point is the time in which this story unfolded. Sure, Ellie returned to California to write a story and investigate her uncle's death but pining away for a guy for ten years is unrealistic and just plain silly. When Ellie first met Alex, they were incredibly young…she was under the age of 18. So, if Ellie was 17 when she first met Alex, this would put her current age at 27. Most women have LONG moved on and forgotten about their teenage hook ups. (At least I know I would have). To the author's mild defense, I do think Kenner’s goal was to create/keep a pre-made connection between Alex and Ellie. Otherwise, the two characters would have to meet and develop a relationship. And this would be a LOT of work for Kenner.

Ellie the instigator/slut. I’ve read a ton of romance novels and I can’t remember a single story where the heroine pursued the hero. When Ellie and Alex arrived in Las Vegas, she turned into a desperate, pushy slut. Yuck. Maybe some readers are okay with it, but it didn’t work for me at all.

Minor Editing Issue. In one of the last love scenes, Alex blindfolds Ellie. But a few lines later, Ellie notes that Alex twitches his mouth. How would Ellie know if she cannot see him?

The Ending: I hate cliffhangers…I hate serials. (sigh). But this is exactly what we got with this story. Although we were not left hanging with a character trapped inside a burning car, we were left with Ellie receiving a mysterious text.

According to the ARC I received, the next installment is not released until 2021. The characters and plot will have LONG become a distant memory by then.

RATING: THREE STARTS
Extra Cup of Regular
Was willing to read on to see what happened next.

View all my reviews

Scepter of Fire by L.M. Preston

Scepter of Fire

The Vigilant

Book 2

LM Preston

Publisher Phenomenal One Press

Date Published: May 1st, 2020

Genre: Urban Fantasy/YA

Book Description:

Dexter didn’t like being a pawn. It seems life was taking him there though. His father and he never saw eye to eye, but being captured and tortured for his father’s mistakes gave Dexter too much to think about.

First, the girl he lost, he’d never forget what they did to her. It changed him, and made him see the small city his father moved him to for what is was, a prison for magicals, the damned, and now him.

Too bad, the creator of the void didn’t realize they would be better off if they’d set him free, because now, he was fighting for his life, and someone he’d have to hide his feelings from to protect, not just from those that want to drag them back, but from him -a vigilant.

Amazon     BN     Kobo      iBooks

Excerpt 1:

Dexter kept his eyes closed.  The binds at his wrist were cold, unforgiving and rigid chains. He needed to stay calm, take it all in and wait until they’d left him alone. His shirt was loose, and his sleeve covered one of the chains on his wrist while the other was rolled high on his shoulder.

  “Doctor Rutherford said to hold him until they come to take him,” a woman who adjusted his head on the pillow mentioned.

  “How long has he been like that?” a male asked.

  Dexter remained stone still, keeping his breathing even as his eyelid nearly twitched from the man’s breath near his face. He felt the lift of his eyelid. Keeping his eyes still, while the man flashed a light into them was nearly impossible. Dexter forced himself not to focus, but noted the man’s dark skin and brown eyes. He could have sworn the guy winked at him. Still, Dexter didn’t trust it, he didn’t budge. The man let Dexter’s eyelid go. Dexter almost sighed. It was hard to not blink. He had to wait though, for that one chance to get out.

  “The others he came with will be taken also. Don’t get in the way of those that come to collect. If you do…” the woman warned.

  Dexter forced his fist not to clinch at the mention of his family that was in the car crash with him. He remembered when they sunk into the water. He’d fought to get the door opened and his younger siblings out. Then something hit his head, and he’d drowned in water when everything went black.

  “Like you, I just work here for the paycheck. This hospital needs to be condemned anyway. I was there when they bought them in from the emergency room. I wanted to see how he was doing myself. I swear he wasn’t breathing when they pumped his stomach of water from the lake.”

  “Nathan, just give him the shot and clear out, you don’t want to be here when they take them. It’s never pleasant. I like you. You’re new here, and if you want to keep your job, you will stop asking questions.”

  “Got it.”

  Dexter heard footsteps. Light, and sure, it was the female nurse. Nathan remained there though, still, but the heaviness of his presence was over Dexter.

  “I can’t help you much, but if you have it in you, get the hell out of here. The hospital is going up in flames. Your father and oldest sister, are on this floor, the others... Sorry we couldn’t help all of you.”

  Dexter didn’t trust it. He remained still as the chains on his feet were removed.

About the Author:

L.M. Preston, a native of Washington, DC. An avid reader, she loved to create poetry and short-stories as a young girl. She is an author, an engineer, a professor, a mother and a wife. Her passion for writing and helping others to see their potential through her stories and encouragement has been her life's greatest adventures. She loves to write while on the porch watching her kids play or when she is traveling, which is another passion that encouraged her writing.

Website: https://lmpreston.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LM-Preston-Author-Page-127604857259681/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LM_Preston

Blog: http://lmpreston.blogspot.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3348681.L_M_Preston

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/lmprestonauthor/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lm_preston/

Review ~ Irrevocably Shattered by S. C. Ellen

Irrevocably Shattered by S.C. Ellen
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3 STARS

This was a tough one to rate, but we're always honest in our reviews. Couldn't rank it a five star. But we couldn't rate it a two star either because this book wasn't a terrible read. We'll begin with the reasons.

1. The pace. This book started out with a lot of action. We're given a strong, emotional opening and all of a sudden the action comes to a screeching halt. It also seemed as if some of the scenes in the book didn't really move the story forward. This is why we just couldn't seem to really get into this book and stay there. Until well past the half-way point, the story was predictable. The H saves the h from a bad guy. H and h fight their attraction to each other. Wash, rinse, repeat until the story finally began to propel forward.

2. Couldn't connect with the characters. We really, really tried to care about the H and h but despite the effort, it just didn't happen. Maybe it was due to the ruthlessness that comes with a mafia setting. Mafia romance isn't something that we normally read, so maybe it's all on us.




3. It wasn't clear why the h despised the H early in the story. h even admitted that H was a mystery to her...therefore, how could she instantly decide that she hated him? There was really no reason for h to keep fighting her attraction to H. It's almost as if this was built into the story line solely to build tension, but the angst/resistance just fell flat for us.

The reasons we couldn't give the book a two star:

1. The book was well written. Pushing aside the slow pace, H did go through a bit of a change...this is character development. Good job.

2. The cover art was great. The graphics on the inner matter of the book were good too. There were no grammar/editing issues. The writing wasn't juvenile. (many new authors often struggle with this.) It was apparent this author put time, money and pride into producing a good product for her readers. Good job and thank you, S.C. Ellen.

3. Good plotting.

4. We got a sweet happy ever after ending.



S.C. Ellen has talent, but we most likely wouldn't chose another mafia romance.

Voluntarily read this book for the purpose of a review.

View all my reviews

Title: Irrevocably Shattered

Author: S.C. Ellen

Genre: Dark Romance

Release Date: March 20, 2020

Carson

My soul was damned from the start. No amount of repentance could save it, and it would be a sick joke to even try. 

There was no god for me. There was only hell. A hell I’ve grown well accustomed to because of the savage hand life had dealt me. 

My fate was sealed long before I sold it to the La Cosa Nostra. Violence and destruction were all I ever knew. All I ever craved. It was what fueled the monster inside of me that embodied my soul, and left countless of men at my mercy. 

I knew there would come a time when I finally had to pay for all of the vengeful sins I committed. Too bad that it had to be her that paid the price.

Alayna

He was my fathers second in command. 

Sent for the sole purpose of protecting me from our enemies. 

I didn't know it then, but it wasn't our enemies I would need saving from... it was from him that I did. He captured the only thing my enemies couldn't steal -my heart, and by my father's standards that was a crime punishable by death in the eyes of the Italian Mafia. 

It wasn't a matter of if we'd get caught, it was a matter of when, but who would dare try to save me from a man that had nothing left to lose? And did I truly want to be saved?

S.C. Ellen is from a small town right outside of Detroit, Michigan. She loves all things mafia related and uses her love for old films and even older music to influence everything she writes.  When she’s not writing, she’s either playing with her beloved Yorkie or has her face stuck in a book with a nice glass of wine to accompany it. 

Her writing consists of bada** alpha males and headstrong female leads with major plot twists that will leave you in tears, or on the edge of your seat. She believes strongly that the darker the book, the better the read, so warning labels are always advised!

HOSTED BY:

Billionaires on the Beach boxed set

Billionaires on the Beach: A Sweet Billionaire Romance Boxset
Published by: Enchanted Quill Press
Publication date: June 1st 2020
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Sink your teeth into this addictive anthology of gorgeous Billionaires finding true love on the beach.

Billionaires on the Beach is a limited collection of stories from clean and wholesome authors.

Packed with adorable meet-cutes, swoon-worthy romance and so many happily ever afters, you’ll be left beaming ear to ear by the end.

This collection includes:

Forbidden romance
Secret Babies
Fake marriages
Second Chances
Enemies to lovers
Sun, sea and sand
And many heart-soaring dates!

This anthology is the perfect staycation for readers who enjoy sweet and clean Billionaire romances. Only available for a limited time. Scroll up and one click now to get started.

Goodreads / Amazon

—

SNEAK PEEKS:

“The Billionaire’s Nanny” by Laura Burton

Benjamin’s smile turned to a look of horror as she waved her phone at him.

“I’ve followed you on Instagram.”

Benjamin dragged a hand through his messy hair and looked away with a sheepish smile.

“Ah. You found me, then.” He stooped down and picked Maggie up in his arms. She cuddled into him, wrapping her arms around his neck.

“Benjy,” she said in a baby voice. The sight made Krista melt inside.

“You were right. You are fun.”

And insanely sexy, she added silently with a smirk.

“Well, you might notice I haven’t posted for a month,” he pointed at her phone as he bobbed Maggie up and down. Krista got to her feet and patted the sand off her legs.

“Well, I’m sure your 1.2 million followers miss you. Let me take a picture of you with Maggie.”

Krista positioned her phone up to capture a picture of Benjamin stooping his head low against Maggie’s brow. She looked up at him with big eyes and her hand touched his cheek. The two of them were perfectly framed by the sunset and glowed dark against the ocean.

“Your followers will die when they see this.”

—

“My Real Life Time Out” by Rimmy London

“The way you navigate the world around you—the way you care for it. There’s something so genuine about you that makes me want to be more. I love being around you. Everything about you.”

He paused to take a shaky breath. “I just wanted to tell you now instead of pretending I didn’t feel anything…because I do.”

His gaze was tentative, vulnerable and so unusually insecure. He’d said the perfect words, all smothered in simmering glances like butter.

—

“I Never Told You” by Jessie Cal

Jess finally shoved the last piece of her s’more into her mouth. “I think it’s time to call it a night,” she said with her mouth full, and his heart ached a bit. Thoughts of holding her in his arms and watching the night sky flooded his mind, and he shook his head like shaking off a spell.

“Do you need help getting Bill’s grandkids in the tent?” he offered, standing with her.

“That would be great.” She squeezed his arm as a thankful gesture, and he forced himself to ignore the electricity that came with her touch. “If you can carry Zach, I’ll pick up little Cole.”

Even in the way she dragged her feet, he could tell she was tired. His mind suddenly conjured an image of him pulling her into a comforting embrace, but he pushed it aside.

After laying the last boy down inside the tent, he stepped out only to find himself standing in front of her again.

“Thank you.” She let out a tired sigh. “You must be exhausted.”

“I enjoyed every minute of it, though,” he said, flashing her a soft smile. “Minus the shark incident, of course.”

She blurted out a laugh then covered her mouth so as not to wake the kids. “Really? Cause that was the highlight of my day.”

“You’re mean.”

She stifled another laugh. “Good night, Logan.” She leaned in and wrapped him in a hug. Her hair smelled like salt water which was oddly comforting. When she pulled back, he grabbed her hand. He had no idea why, or what he would say. And she was looking at him, waiting for an explanation, but he didn’t have one. He simply wanted to hold her hand.

No, that wasn’t true. That wasn’t all he wanted.

He opened his mouth to speak, to tell her about all the crazy flutters he’d been feeling in the pit of his stomach all night, but then she looked down at their fingers laced together, and he no longer knew what to say. What was she thinking? Did she like the way it felt as much as he did? Should he just pull her into his arms and kiss her?

“I think being on this island is messing with our heads,” she whispered, slipping her hand out of his and pulling away. “Good night, Logan.”

And there was his heart again, racing at the sound of her saying his name. “Good night, Jess.”

GIVEAWAY!

REVIEW ~ Irrevocably Shattered by S.C. Ellen

Irrevocably Shattered by S.C. Ellen
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3 STARS

This was a tough one to rate. Couldn't rank it a four star. And it wasn't a two star either because this book wasn't a terrible read. I'll begin with the reasons why I couldn't rate it a four:

1. The pace. This book started out with a lot of action. We're given a strong, emotional opening and all of a sudden the action comes to a screeching halt. I also felt as if some of the scenes in the book didn't really move the story forward. This is why I just couldn't seem to really get into this book. And until well past the half-way point, I felt as if the story was predictable. The H saves the h from a bad guy. H and h fight their attraction to each other. Wash, rinse, repeat until the story finally began to propel forward.

2. I couldn't connect with the characters. I tried SO hard. I really, really tried to care about the H and h but despite the effort, it just didn't happen. Maybe this issue was from all the bloodshed and ruthlessness that comes in a story line containing a mafia setting. Mafia romance isn't something that I normally read, so maybe it's all on me.




3. It wasn't clear why the h despised the H early in the story. h even admitted that H was a mystery to her...therefore, how could she instantly decide that she hated him? There was really no reason for h to keep fighting her attraction to H. It's almost as if this was built into the story line solely to build tension, but the angst/resistance just fell flat for me.

The reasons I couldn't give the book a two star:

1. The book was well written. Pushing aside the slow pace, H did go through a bit of a change...this is character development. Good job.

2. The cover art was great. The graphics on the inner matter of the book were good too. There were no grammar/editing issues. The writing wasn't juvenile. (many new authors often struggle with this.) It was apparent this author put time, money and pride into producing a good product for her readers. Good job and thank you, S.C. Ellen.

3. We get a sweet happy ever after ending.



I do think the S.C. Ellen has talent, but I probably wouldn't chose another mafia romance title.

I voluntarily read this book for the purpose of a review.

The Killer In The Woods by Rick Van Etten

The Killer in the Woods
A Robert Vance Novel
Book One
Rick Van Etten

Genre:  Crime Fiction/Mystery

Publisher:  Proud Point Press

Date of Publication:  June 1, 2020

ISBN:  978-1-7348269-0-6

ASIN: B087Y9ND2M

Number of pages:  254

Word Count:  78,000

Cover Artist:  Eric Labacz

Book Description: 

ROBERT VANCE IS A MAN WITH A SECRET…

Robert Vance is a magazine editor who works from home and lives in a house full of books. His neighbors think of him as a quiet, unassuming man. His passion for pheasant hunting with Preacher, his German wirehaired pointer, is typical of sportsmen living in the Midwest. But what isn’t so typical—and what his neighbors don’t know—is that occasionally Robert hunts something besides pheasants.

Robert hates bullies and injustice. When someone has a problem with either, he or she can hire Robert to make the situation right.

But Robert isn’t—in his own mind—just a contract killer. He lives by a set of rules that dictate who, where, and why he can kill. So when a well-meaning citizen discovers Robert’s latest target and winds up being charged with the killing, Robert must take steps to ensure the man’s freedom.

STEPS THAT WILL MOST LIKELY INVOLVE KILLING AGAIN…

Amazon

Excerpt Chapter 1

The money is good, but that’s not why I do it.

Kill people, I mean. That’s what I do, and I’m very good at it. And yes, the compensation is usually more than adequate.

But don’t start jumping to conclusions. I’m not a spook. I’m not some ex-Agency, ultra-ultra-deep-cover, government-trained assassin who got my start in the military and, having discovered a unique talent, couldn’t let it go. Nor was I ever encouraged by my “Uncle” to put my special skills to use for the common good, in which capacity I might still have the occasional brush-up with colleagues who might or might not be among the so-called good guys and might or might not be people I should trust.

No. I don’t play at espionage. I don’t call secret phone numbers and get my orders from people who use lots of acronyms and won’t allow their names to be spoken aloud on an open line, and I don’t have hidden files tucked away somewhere that I can use as leverage if I find myself running afoul of a power player. I never served in the military, and the extent of my contact with the government consists of filing my income taxes every year, renewing the registration on my SUV and voting in the occasional election. The few times I’ve been called for jury duty I’ve managed to get myself excused.

Sounds pretty dull, doesn’t it? You’re right; it is. And that’s by design.

If you saw me on the street or in a restaurant or a shopping mall or an airport—and there’s a reasonable chance you have seen me in some of those places—you’d most likely give me no more than a passing glance. There’s quite a bit about me that’s just plain average—size, looks, clothing. I wear glasses, and my hair is getting thin on top.

I dress comfortably and rather conservatively. I recently became eligible for Social Security—I’m old enough to have served in Vietnam, but I was in college at the time and my number in the draft lottery was high enough to keep me there.

I don’t go out of my way to attract attention, but neither do I live an introverted, reclusive life. I’m not married, but I date casually, and I occasionally get invited to parties and cookouts and can hold my own in a conversation on a variety of subjects. People usually laugh at my jokes, and I keep myself reasonably well informed about most current events. I read extensively, and my house is full of books.

I also have a Browning gun vault full of shotguns, but those are primarily related to my regular job—I’m the editor of an outdoor sporting magazine, a “hook and bullet rag,” as such publications are irreverently referred to within the publishing industry. I’m a bird hunter by avocation, and a six-year-old German wirehaired pointer named Preacher—for Clint Eastwood’s grizzled character in the movie Pale Rider—shares my home.

Sometimes I use one of my shotguns for something besides upland game or waterfowl. That’s a safe enough practice, as I’ll explain later. When a shotgun is too large for the job at hand—when it’s necessary to get up close and personal to the target, in other words—I’ll occasionally use a handgun. But I never keep these after the job is finished. That’s Rule Number 3.

I travel a good bit for my job—I get quite a few invitations from advertisers throughout the hunting season, and by taking advantage of these invitations I’ve hunted in many locations and at many top-drawer facilities around the world. Sometimes—not frequently, but once in a while—my two jobs overlap. The advertiser picks up the tab for my hunt (in exchange for some editorial ink), and by staying an extra day or two—usually on the pretext of visiting an old childhood friend or a seldom-seen relative and always at my own expense—I manage to take care of the other assignment while I’m at it. It doesn’t happen that way very often, but it’s convenient when it does.

OK, so if I really don’t do it for the money, why do I do it?

Simple.

There are two things I can’t abide in this world—a bully, and injustice.

The two often go hand in hand, and when I encounter either, I bristle. When someone else has a problem with either, he or she will sometimes seek me out to make the situation right.

Over the years, I’ve become very good at this. And that’s my real motivation—the feeling of satisfaction that comes from having done a job well, righted a wrong, balanced the scales or eliminated an oppressive threat.

It’s my way of leaving the world a little better place than I found it.

About the Author:

Rick Van Etten is a former college English instructor, corporate communications professional and retired magazine editor whose numerous articles and features have appeared in Gun Dog, Wing and Shot, Sports Afield, Ducks Unlimited, Game and Fish, Petersen’s Hunting, Farm and Ranch Living and Reader’s Digest. An Illinois native and lifelong upland bird hunter, Rick now lives in Iowa with a middle-aged Irish setter and an elderly tortoiseshell cat. The Killer in the Woods is his first novel.

Website: https://proudpointpress.com

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Rick-Van-Etten/e/B087Z4VHVV/    

Lake Effect by K.C. Gillis

A Jordan Reed Mystery

Mystery, Thriller

Release Date: May 26, 2020

Publisher: Chesterfield Press

Mysterious marina accidents. Destroyed evidence. Can a tenacious reporter decipher the twisted clues at a small-town lake?

Jordan Reed is burned out from all the attention on her previous high-profile story. But when a new lead lands in her lap, she reluctantly postpones her vacation to investigate a classic New England marina. With hundreds of dead fish washing up on Copper Lake’s otherwise pristine shores, Jordan suspects a sinister cover-up.

But by the time she arrives on the scene, she’s surprised to discover the police chief eliminated every last carcass and seems hellbent on blocking her inquiries. And her search for the culprit takes a perilous turn when gambling kingpins descend on the city and a string of unexplained calamities plague the docks.

Can Jordan expose the corruption, or will she be the next to go belly-up?

Lake Effect is the second book in the fast-paced Jordan Reed mystery series. If you like steely female sleuths, gripping action, and clever twists that’ll keep you guessing, then you’ll love K.C. Gillis’s page-turning mystery.

Buy Lake Effect to dive into dangerous waters today!

Other Books in the Jordan Reed Mystery series:

A Jordan Reed Mystery

Publisher: Chesterfield Press

Published: February 2020

Strange symptoms. Bloody secrets. Can one reporter solve a medical mystery before she ends up in a body bag?

Jordan Reed put her world on hold to hunt down corruption. So when the gutsy journalist gets tipped off about blood money changing hands at a pharmaceutical factory, she dives into the story. With an otherwise healthy worker dropping dead of multiple organ failure, Jordan suspects something far more sinister than a simple accident…

Daring to go up against big pharma, she gains an ally on the inside and recruits two friends to join the investigation. But after a string of false leads and tight-lipped witnesses, she ties her case to disturbingly similar evidence in a medical trial on the other side of the globe. And if she doesn’t expose the lethal conspiracy soon, Jordan is terrified she and her team could be the next victims of the lethal cover-up.

Can Jordan take down a greedy corporation before they sacrifice more lives in the drive for profit?

Toxic Deception is the first book in the gripping Jordan Reed thriller series. If you like tenacious heroines, underdog stories, and edge-of-your-seat action, then you’ll love K.C. Gillis’s page-turning tale.

Buy Toxic Deception to unravel a contagious mystery today HERE!

About the Author

K.C. (Kevin) Gillis is the author of the Jordan Reed mystery series. Despite being a lifelong lover of stories and books, writing took a distant back seat as his professional career travelled through the Canadian Air Force, a decade as a chemist, followed by a long and continuing run in corporate America. With writing no longer in the back seat (but not quite yet in the front seat), Kevin now has the Jordan Reed series well underway. His personal interests focus on endurance and water sports. Having grown up in the Canadian Maritimes, he now lives in the US northeast.

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