 Chaun Hutchins was like any regular 32-year-old. He had a wife, a full-time job, a comfortable home, and a baby on the way, but yet he was not at all satisfied in their marriage. During a fight on the way from a party, he finally got the courage to speak up to his wife, but the moment after a tragic accident left him a widower. Some would think that this is where his life will go down the road. But no, as the child survived he needs to be strong for the baby. Will he have the power to overcome the pain, the guilt and find the strength to move on? Will he get a second chance at life and love? The questions will be answered only when together with his parents and his new friend, Denise, will manage to solve the mystery of the paranormal events that are threatening their peace and putting some of them in danger. A really interesting read, a story that gives you hope only after the main character manages to find answers over the dark troubles from the past in order to have a bright and peaceful future. Aaron D. Brinker adds a touch of romance to the whole paranormal part, everything with a writing style that it is really pleasant to read.
Type of reader: Fans of mystery, thriller, suspense with a touch of ghosts and paranormal elements. I found this being an intriguing story, definitely, a must read. My favorite quotes from this book: “You had no way of knowing what was going to happen, let alone what minor differences would have caused things to change. No matter what we face in life, trials have to be taken as they come. We can never change the past, but only better ourselves for the future.” “You see, the night you died, you felt what I had been feeling our entire marriage.” My rating: 4/5. Find it on Goodreads Follow the author on Amazon
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 After reading and enjoying Angelika, I certainly looked forward to reading another work of this author. I found myself drawn into the story due to many reasons: exquisite language, the tender love between Darcy and Eustacia, certain interesting information about Jamaica and the overall humor.
The story is set in the late ‘60s and it offers the reader a view on how things were at the time. On top of that, and the main topic, it offers a view from the perspective of an effeminate young boy Stanford. While he has his parents full support, due to his increasingly feminine appearance it seems impossible for him to maintain his male identity in Jamaica. Hence he takes the name of Eustacia and moves to Vermont to live with the Coxes. Prior to Eustacia’s arrival Perry, Darcy’s friend, put a spell on him, out of a silly joke: “Dragon’s breath and snatch my beanie! May Darcy find a girl like Jeannie!” To my amusement, Darcy did find his Jeannie bit later in Eustacia. Not only she looked very much like the actress in the movie, but she also loved playing Jeannie’s role with her parents and later on with Darcy. The pure love that it is born between Eustacia and Darcy Cox is really sweet. They develop deep feelings for each other while they are also sharing many common interests at the same intellectual level. As the title says it is indeed a story of true love and the author did a remarkable job by not dramatizing the transgender part but putting in the spotlight Darcy’s lack of judgments regarding it. It would be great if in real life everyone would treat LGBT people with the same respect as we are all simply human beings. The plot is very well constructed and written and it didn't surprise me being charmed by the author’s style already. Type of reader: If you're looking for not only a love story but to open your horizons, broaden your thoughts, views, and understandings from a different angle then this book is for you. My favorite quotes from this book: “Mummy…, Daddy…,” he said, his voice shaking as tears began to run down his cheeks, “I don’t care; I really don’t care…. There’s so much more to my dear, sweet love than a stupid appendage! As far as I’m concerned, Eustacia is a girl, and I’ll take her just the way she is. I don’t care if she’s male, female, or something in between, because life without her would be unthinkable.” “You are who you are; I am who I am. We’re all different, and we all like different things, and there’s nothing wrong with that.” “Jeannie,” Darcy asserted, “when they made you, they broke the mold. For you, there can be no replacement, not now, not ever.” My rating: 5/5. Find it on Goodreads Follow the author on Amazon  Few years after the tragic loss of her husband, Kim – mother of a teenage boy Tim, fights with the sadness of being left alone, of learning how to move on with her life despite the cruel fact that she is never going to see her husband again. Next, to this, she is having difficulties handling her son. As unbelievable as it may seem there is a younger man, Tim’s wrestling coach, that attracts her attention. His name is Chance Carter and he seems to be every woman’s dream. Kim’s life is changing from the moment they first met. Desire mixed with feelings of guilt are a barrier that she needs to overcome. Life has to go on.
Though the title and the events at the beginning of the book, with a bit of a slower pace for my taste, give you a clear indication which way the story goes, I did find pleasure discovering all mixed thoughts and emotions that pass through Kim’s mind. When will it finally be the day when they make the next step? The sexual attraction is very well described, the same as the hot sex that follows repetitively as the story continues. Despite the 16 years difference, they seem to be made for each other. Age shouldn’t matter for those in love. What about for Tim or the rest of the close family and friends? Will their relationship be accepted? I let you discover on your own with a promise of a happy ending and possible overcoming with the age difference barrier. Type of reader: Fans of an easy summer-read with lots of steamy scenes though with the warning that it is more than just hot sex and the age difference. My favorite quotes from this book: “What I wouldn’t give for one more touch. One more kiss. One more chance to say I love you. Missing him hurts. It’s destroying me. Everything I do, everywhere I look, reminders of him tease and torment me. Memories bombard and overwhelm me.” “I cry feeling alone. Empty. I have no one in my life to hold me. No one to soothe the heartache. I cry until my swollen eyes close and sleep carries me to another realm.” “There’s been a change in me since the accident. A big one. It’s like I woke that night and found I’ve been living in a cave of darkness. I stayed there, trapped, only I couldn’t see it until Chance peeked his head in and found me. He reached in and pulled me from the cold and darkness.” “I love him? I can’t. I don’t. I won’t allow myself to love him. I love my husband. Still. Always. Enjoying Chance’s company is okay. Fantasizing about him while I get myself off, who could blame me? Having the hottest sex of my life with him, that’s an experience everyone isn’t lucky enough to have. But love? It doesn’t fit. Not for me. Not for him. Not at all.” My rating: 4/5 Find it on Goodreads Follow the author on Amazon  After the successful debut novel “Big Mistake” (Taboo Love #1), the author takes us in another taboo love story. This time is about a gay love but this isn’t so taboo nowadays, is it? Colton and Asher were once stepbrothers and this could be looked at controversial and a big barrier for any further possible intimate relationship. Colton’s father was married to Asher’s mother. Now, luckily for everyone, their parents are divorced.
Asher is a few years younger than Cole and little did they know that secretly they both developed strong feelings for each other. After Asher turned 18 and during Cole’s visit, things evolve. Here starts the spicy part. The truth is spoken. But first Cole needs time to look at Asher as not being related, hence no barriers for their love. On top of that, as he has bipolar disorder, his love for Asher is so strong that he believes that he is too damaged and incapable offering Asher what he really deserves. Asher is so sweet in his determination to be with Colton and forever by his side not only offering love but helping him with his disorder too. The most intriguing and intense part for me was the confrontation between Cole and his father, Chris. While Chris never wanted to accept his son’s diagnose for being accurate, the same he thinks that being gay isn’t normal and it’s all an illusion. Unfortunately, some people are still narrow-minded. The author promises a happy ending and doesn’t disappoint. I encourage you to discover on your own all the details including the hot steamy ones. Once again I was impressed with Lili’s writing craft. Type of reader: Any fan of qualitative M/M (not exclusively) fiction. Age 18+. Intriguing quotes from this book: “It messes up your brain and makes you think gay. It’s a delusion.” He squeezed Colton, hard. “You’re my son. I know you’re normal. Somewhere in there is my little boy. I want him back.” “You’re not gay. I’m not, so how could you be?” his father insisted. “Then I’ll be in the dark with you.” Asher reached out for his arm, so he stepped further back. “You know today is one of those days, but not every day is like this. It’s hard to remember that, where you’re at right now. I’ll learn every idea that could help you, and we’ll do it together. As much as I can, I’ll be… your joy.” My rating: 5/5 (Amazon) 4/5 (Goodreads). Find it on Goodreads Follow the author on Amazon  This is a wonderfully written contemporary romance about a woman who doesn't really know what she wants. Something normal, right? Despite the fact that the main character is rich and successful, her problems have nothing to do with that. She needs to learn to be secure enough in herself to accept love from others and learn to leave all the bitterness behind.
The struggle of the main character, Lizzie, in finding herself and all the happening really got me hooked. On a funny note, I could say that I felt often hungry reading about all the meals in the story. The story is presented from Lizzie's point of view. I admired her occasional sarcasm, especially during her regular meetings with Ethan. I admit at times I didn't resonate with her but that is fine. Everyone is different and each and every one of us, in fiction or in reality, has its own past; sometimes a dark one. I loved Sarah’s character and I do believe she was the perfect match for Lizzie. At times I couldn't understand how could she tolerate everything Lizzie had said, done or didn't do? Opposite attracts, right? I loved seeing how Lizzie and Sarah met and fell in love. With a good number of necessarily steamy scenes, a lot of humor and heartbreaking scenes, the plot flows smoothly as Lizzie tugs us along, enveloping us in her world and taking us on a whirling emotional ride. An easy and enjoyable read. Type of reader: Readers of contemporary lesbian romance fiction with a strong voice, fantastic writing, deep character development, and an engrossing story. My rating: 5/5. Find it on Goodreads Follow the author on Amazon Author’s website  This is such a great fantasy novel with a really nice flowing narrative, well-done descriptions of characters and places, and deep messages. Sienna, the main character, at the age of 5 was left without her parents and she never ceased to hope that one day she will find them. She is currently living with her adoptive parents and just about to graduate. Her life wasn’t easy and after, constantly placing her in difficult situations. For the past two years, she was forced to stay in a relationship with Jedd, a really dangerous and controlling abusive young man. At the begging, it wasn't clear why does she stay with Jedd and plays his game pretending that everything is fine when she detested him. Later on, everything became clear and made great sense. Sienna is native American but not at all a regular person. She is a “human dreamcatcher”. That is right. She perceives dreams differently than ordinary people. Was she from another planet? Does Earth have a sister planet called Navaeh? She was soon about to discover the answer to that question plus lots of other mind-blowing things and events. Even though she didn’t think she could love someone, the moment she managed to heal from the past, her heart was opened for someone that hopefully deserved her love. No matter how cliché it may sound, while on Neveah, Sienna fell in love with the prince of her dreams, the prince of Feardawn. Will she choose him or rather the good guy Darius? Did she manage to find her parents? You will have to discover on your own. The author surely has a buoyant imagination and gives enough details and explanations, nothing is too much, nothing is missed, just a perfect reading in the world of dreams with the message: "Believe in your dreams!"
Type of reader: Fantasy, fairy tale genre with the warning that the text contains certain elements of abuse and rape. My favorite quotes from this book (there were so many and it was so hard to choose): “As I wander further into the forest, twigs crunch beneath my bare feet and refreshing, cool air fills my lungs. I can always find peace when I am embraced by the mother of mothers: Nature.” “Let me start with saying that dreams are not mere dreams. They are an alternative reality, taking place in another dimension. This dimension, to be exact.” “Just as the grass, trees and flowers need rain to grow, we need sorrow to grow. Our tears are the very raindrops that transform our pain into sunflowers. Suffering is not a punishment, but a lesson to learn from.” “All of us hide behind walls,” Darius says, “whether they are mental, emotional, physical, or otherwise. But there is no wall that can keep you from attaining your greatness, Sienna." My rating: 5/5. Find it on Goodreads Follow the author on Amazon  This is a wonderfully written romance novel. Descriptions and dialogues flow smoothly and you don’t really realize when the time has passed as you don’t want to put the book down until you reached the end. After a bad marriage, Cadence Adams returns to her hometown and gets back into the life of her family that she had not seen or been in contact with for many years. It wasn't easy for her to admit that Nathan, the guy she ran from home with and she married, wasn’t worth all the trouble and the years she has spent with him. Yet, he continues creating her nightmares also later on when Cadence falls in love with James, a gorgeous goodhearted man that was in love with her his whole life. Their love story sounds like a fairy-tale and on top of that James even bought and restored an old castle for her. This may seem cheesy at the first glance, but it was sweet and it felt that it was right for Cadence to finally have some beautiful time. Still, life happens, past messes up often the present, lots of drama has to be overcome in order for the true love to be enjoyed fully at last. Despite the elements from the fairy-tale, in the play of tragedy and happy moments, the end may surprise you. Still, we should not forget that, no matter how beautiful it sounds, life it’s not a fairy-tale. I truly recommend.
Type of reader: Lovers of romance (not necessarily expecting a happy ending) and those that believe or want to read about true love, the one that doesn't fade in time even when not reciprocated. My favorite quotes from this book: "I would wait a thousand years for you." His voice was sincere, and I believed him." "I would regret life without you, and even if I had to wait another thirty years for you, that would be my best day. The one when we are together. Nathan was a bad story, but you have a chance for happy ever after, and I want that to be with me,” James confessed." “Without you, I would be lost. I cannot promise perfect days, but I offer you my love, my heart, and my soul. They are forever yours." My rating: 5/5. Find it on Goodreads Follow the author on Amazon Author’s website  I fell in-love with Kamand’s poetry more than a year ago and I was thrilled when this collection was published. It stands on my night table ever since and every once in a while I pick it up and I choose randomly a poem. Then I find myself turning the pages as words dance in front of my eyes and my heart feels the music. I see this collection of poetry as an eternal love dance. The dance of words. Some are about deep passionate reciprocated love, others about the inevitable pain when the love for someone it remains sadly one-sided. It is a declaration of love from the author to its muse presented in different section: love, attraction and infatuation, enchantment, heartbreak, devotion and obsession, understanding and unity. It is an emotional journey in the world of words. The message of each poem is deep yet easy to understand. To conclude, I would describe the whole collection as eternal beauty.
Type of reader: Lover of poetry and love in general. For those that admire how the words flow on the paper and take their time and reflect upon the infinite messages those words captured within. It is impossible to pick a favorite poem from this collection but here is one of the many: “Knowing you, I became mindless. Having wasted previous wishes, I’m riddled with regrets. Feeling you, I became hopeless. Adrift in chasms, I surrender to a caress. Loving you, I became love. My universe became love. Planets rotate on love’s axes and apples fall to be near their beloveds. No longer a rationalist, I assert my existence with love. I love, therefore I exist, therefore I love.” My rating: 5/5. Find it on Goodreads Follow the author on Amazon Author’s website  This was such a delightful story with many interesting emotional layers and brilliant writing. It is about Asher, an almost 40-year-old teacher and his student, Angelika, an 18-year-old, beautiful, smart, from Germany. She is gorgeous and he finds her attractive. She is the one to make a first step, first kiss and first talking about her feelings towards him. He is aware though that the relationship between a teacher and a student isn't allowed. And that he is much older than her. She doesn’t see this obstacle, as her heart wants him. Should the main characters take into consideration the age difference as an impediment or they should rather look at it only to understand where the generational differences are coming from? They were born in different decades, therefore their attitude, prejudices and overall concept of love and sexual relationship are different. It was because of love that they had to find ways to deal with the barriers because love doesn't judge. Love listens, understands and accepts. Type of reader: Lovers of the contemporary romance genre searching for well-written novels and who could maybe fancy an age-difference relationship. I truly recommend.
My favorite quotes from this book: “Despite her delightful nakedness, she seemed the very picture of practicality, he thought, which actually added to her charm—a certain je ne sais quoi…” ““Look at me, Angelika.” he said. “What do you see?” She did. “I see my one and only love,” she said, simply.” My rating: 5/5. Find it on Goodreads Follow the author on Amazon  I really liked this sweet romantic story with kindhearted main characters. Kale, soon-to-turn 18, is a smart and beautiful girl who was, unfortunately, abandoned by her mother at birth and raised by her father that physically abused her the entire life. The only bright spot that gave her hope in her life was Wyatt, her best friend from childhood. Unfortunately, he had to move on with his family 6 years back, leaving Kale alone. While they kept contact through letters she was sure she won’t see him again. Yet, the reality was brighter, Wyatt returned and they both expressed their deep love. It was so lovely to see Kale how she finally enjoys her life, all the things that may be normal to many of us, for her were just about to be experienced. She was finally ready to leave her sad past behind and enjoy life at the fullest and let her dreams be fulfilled little by little, only with the help of Wyatt, starting with the embarking on a country road trip. It is heart-touching to read about such a pure and great love that they shared. As nothing goes always right, some shades appeared, luckily with a happy ending.
Type of reader: Lovers of the sweet romance genre, that are prepared to embark on a carousel of emotions, living and breathing with the main character, feeling her sorrow and crossing fingers for a better tomorrow. My favorite quotes from this book: “Everyone experiences ups and downs, but the trick to it is learning to get back up. Learning that there will be a bright spot in all that darkness.” “I knew I couldn’t love anyone else, because I didn’t have any more love to share. It was all for him.” “How could I not think the worst when from birth all I knew was pain and sadness? How could happiness like this be real?” My rating: 5/5. Find it on Goodreads Follow the author on Amazon |
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Message to you:In order to be a good writer, one has to read a lot. And I do and I love it....and I chose to share my readings with you. Feel free to share with me any of the books you have read or wrote, if I find them interesting I will add them to my list. I'll post my reviews on Goodreads, Amazon and all my social accounts. |
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