Release Week Review: Trapped in Yosemite by Dana Mentink

When a massive earthquake levels the region, secrets and unknown dangers are exposed…

The ground in still-icy Yosemite National Park isn’t stable, and K-9 handler Von Sharpe fears the worst. But his worries are pushed aside when he sees an SUV viciously forced off the road…with his ex-fiancée at the wheel. It’s only when Stella Rivers steps out of the vehicle that the very ground under their feet cracks and breaks with the onslaught of a terrifying earthquake. 

When her meeting with a mysterious client is ambushed, Stella witnesses the man being gunned down by a sniper and becomes a target herself. With the threat of aftershocks triggering landslides and floods, the new mom has no choice but to run to save her baby girl—even if it means teaming up with the man who has no idea he fathered her child.

Trapped in a dangerously unstable wilderness with a killer closing in, Von and Stella are running out of time to get to safety. And every fissure reveals a new secret that will shake them to their foundation…

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What I thought about Trapped in Yosemite 

Stella is in for a surprise when she meets with her latest client in Yosemite. There's lots that goes awry here -- her client is murdered in front of her and the region is hit with a major earthquake that causes all sorts of havoc.  Complicating things is the fact it appears that the sniper is now after her.  Thank goodness she's rescued by her ex-fiance, Von Sharpe (what a name! ).

Von is basically a good guy, but doesn't deal with life's blows very well by retreating into his job in the military.  He's an amazing K-9 handler and his dog Bear is absolutely awesome in his role as protector in this.  

Secret baby meets second chance in this story as both Von and Stella have to deal with the decisions they've made, all while trying to solve the mystery of who is shooting at them.  There's a good bit of action here and I loved that. I have to admit I didn't see the solution to all of this until those final pages!

Overall, this was a very satisfying romantic suspense that kept me hooked until the very end. There are conversations about faith and religion.  I liked that about the story because I think these are conversations that are important between romantic couples. Von's growth in this story is palpable, and while Stella's was more subtle, she learned from her experiences as well.  I did find things slow in spots, but not overly so, and I was rooting for Von and Stella all the way!

 

 

Dana Mentink lives in California where the weather is golden and the cheese is divine. Her family includes two daughters (affectionately nicknamed Yogi and Boo Boo.) Papa Bear is retired from the fire department and he met Dana doing a dinner theater production of The Velveteen Rabbit. Ironically, their parts were husband and wife.

Dana writes in two genres, cozy mystery and romantic suspense. She’s a USA TODAY, Publishers Weekly, and Amazon bestselling author as well as a two time ACFW Carol Award winner, and a Holt Medallion recipient. Her suspense novel, Betrayal in the Badlands, earned a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award. She is honored to write for Harlequin’s Love Inspired and Poisoned Pen Press.

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Release Day Review: The Boy Who Cried Bear(Haven's Rock #2) by Kelley Armstrong

 

In The Boy Who Cried Bear, New York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong keeps readers on the edge of their seats while detective Casey Duncan tries to locate the threat before it’s too late. . .

Haven’s Rock is a well-hidden town surrounded by forest. And it’s supposed to be, being that it’s a refuge for those who need to disappear. Detective Casey Duncan and her husband, Sheriff Eric Dalton already feel at home in their new town, which reminds them of where they first met in Rockton. And while they know how to navigate the woods and its various dangers, other residents don’t. Which is why people aren't allowed to wander off alone.

When Max, the town’s youngest resident—taught to track animals by Eric—fears a bear is stalking a hiking party, alarms are raised. Even stranger, the ten-year-old swears the bear had human eyes. Casey and Eric know the dangers a bear can present, so they’re taking it seriously. But odd occurrences are happening all around them, and when a dead body turns up, they’re not sure what they’re up against.

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What I thought about The Boy Who Cried Bear

Haven's Rock is a sanctuary of sorts -- one where people can go with things in their past that aren't held against them.  Think witness protection or just bad bad luck.  The town is run by the people who live there and they have built their own little world that is their safe zone.  This safe zone is threatened multiple times and multiple ways in The Boy Who Cried Bear.

 

Max and his family were formerly in a witness protection program that went bad, and now they are recovering in Haven's Rock.  One of Max's favorite things to do is to go into the forest.  When out hiking one day, he sees what the thinks is a bear -- but a strange bear with human eyes.  When Max goes missing days later, the search is on for the ten year old and the bear. 

Complicating everything is the mining village in close proximity.  They are very secretive and want to dictate just what and where Eric Dalton (the town sheriff) and Casey (his detective wife) are doing to search for the boy.  I just really liked these two characters -- the way they interact, how they solve the mystery, and how they deal with some personal life things that happen to them along the way. Oh, and their dog Storm is pretty awesome too!

I had no idea that there was a first book in this series, so this one reads well as a standalone.  It took a few pages to understand who was who, but that wasn't a big deal.  I was hooked on this story early on and found every single free moment to read this to its conclusion in just a day or two. The story held my interest throughout and now I want to go back and read that first book in this series.

 

The Boy Who Cried Bear is an action-packed mystery set in a secluded northern location. While this mystery is sort of concluded by the final pages, I can sense there are many more stories that could come out of Haven's Rock, so I'm putting this on my favorites of 2024 and going to keep my eyes out for more in this series.  Loved it!

About the Author

Kelley Armstrong believes experience is the best teacher, though she’s been told this shouldn’t apply to writing her murder scenes. To craft her books, she has studied aikido, archery and fencing. She sucks at all of them. She has also crawled through very shallow cave systems and climbed half a mountain before chickening out. She is however an expert coffee drinker and a true connoisseur of chocolate-chip cookies.

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Release Week Review: Redemption's Edge (Vampire Motorcycle Club #3) by Alyssa Day

Tempting love can be fatal—even for the most dangerous vampire in Savannah—in New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Alyssa Day’s tantalizingly sexy romance…

Meara Delacourt loves being underestimated, especially when it comes to her enemies. Few know that the wealthy socialite and philanthropist is a 300-year-old master vampire—or the horror that rains down when her emotions spiral out of control. The consequences are nothing short of devastating. Which is why she can’t risk an attraction to the irritating, arrogant, and unbelievably hot Edge…even if she wanted to. And oh, she does.

Scientist-turned-vamp Edge knows exactly what it’s like to fear emotions. He keeps a tight rein on his, knowing that—thanks to being the subject of a cruel experiment—falling in love is an instant trigger for his death. Fortunately, he can control himself…he has no choice. But the golden, sexy-as-hell Meara is one temptation he can’t find a cure for.

Now they’re forced to fight the pull of their attraction, knowing that every moment of surrender brings them closer to the edge of disaster. But as the Chamber—a sinister organization of ancient warlocks—decides to seize control of Savannah, they’ll have no choice but to fight together, knowing it could spell doom for them all. Especially when the Chamber reveals the one secret that could end it all…

The Vampire Motorcycle Club series is best enjoyed in order.
Reading Order:
Book #1 Bane's Choice
Book #2 Hunter's Hope
Book #3 Redemption's Edge

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What I thought about Redemption's Edge

I've loved this series from the start and I've been waiting for more!  Redemption's Edge really brings it with action and romance.  I was invested in Meara and Edge from the very first pages, and I couldn't wait to keep reading to see what happens to them.

What I've liked about this series from the beginning is that it doesn't take itself too seriously!  Like having a volleyball game between the wolves and the vamps, and angels and all the supes. There's a bit a lightness and humor to what could be a dark story.  And I just really like all these characters, starting with Bane and Ryan's story.  It just works for me, and I can just escape right into the story.

The yearning between Edge and Meara is off the charts as they go to defeat the infamous Lord Neville and the Chamber.  Even though it could kill them both, they are still so into each other.  It's just lovely.

Edemption's Edge is a terrific ending to this wonderful supernatural romance series.

 

 

About the Author:

 

Alyssa Day (aka Alesia Holliday) is the New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of the Warriors of Poseidon and Vampire Motorcycle Club paranormal romance series and the Tiger’s Eye Mysteries paranormal mystery series, with more than a million books sold. A recovering trial lawyer, Alyssa has won many awards for her books, has had her books translated into many languages (but is holding out for Klingon!), and loves all things spooky—and she's always rescuing dogs. For more info: www.alyssaday.com.  

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Review: Credence by Penelope Douglas

Tiernan de Haas doesn’t care about anything anymore. The only child of a film producer and his starlet wife, she’s grown up with wealth and privilege but not love or guidance. Shipped off to boarding schools from an early age, it was still impossible to escape the loneliness and carve out a life of her own. The shadow of her parents’ fame followed her everywhere.

And when they suddenly pass away, she knows she should be devastated. But has anything really changed? She’s always been alone, hasn’t she?

Jake Van der Berg, her father’s stepbrother and her only living relative, assumes guardianship of Tiernan who is still two months shy of eighteen. Sent to live with him and his two sons, Noah and Kaleb, in the mountains of Colorado, Tiernan soon learns that these men now have a say in what she chooses to care and not care about anymore. As the three of them take her under their wing, teach her to work and survive in the remote woods far away from the rest of the world, she slowly finds her place among them.

And as a part of them.

She also realizes that lines blur and rules become easy to break when no one else is watching.

One of them has her.

The other one wants her.

But he…

He’s going to keep her.

*Credence is a new adult standalone novel suitable for readers 18+.

Now Available in Paperback

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What I thought about Credence

 When I read the synopsis of this book, it was obvious to this reader that this book was not about conventional relationships or conventional people. That being said, a questions that plagued me throughout this very dark not-really-a-romance -- where is the line between unconventional and just downright in need of professional help? When is a dysfunctional person over the line?  Is there a line between love and obsession? Love and sex? Lots of lines in this story for this reader.

Tiernan loses her parents and gets sent to her father's stepbrother.  It's clear from the start that there's no love lost here and it's a bit hard to believe that she would be sent there, but then there wouldn't be a story then, would there?  If you are looking for logic here, you may not find it.  This is story that you just have to suspend what you know and just go with it, if you can. It's not a book for everyone and it crosses the line with the content.  I think that's what drew me to reading this book. How far can an author go with forbidden themes?  This author tries to answer that, and that's the most interesting aspect of this story. 

Review: Elton John: Captain Fantastic on the Yellow Brick Road

A beautifully produced celebration of the iconic and beloved rock star,  Elton John  features live onstage and candid offstage photography, an entertaining history, and gatefold timeline.

Few rock artists continue to gather more and more adulation with age than Sir Elton Hercules John. In this re-release of  Elton John at 75  (2022), veteran rock journalist Gillian Gaar provides a unique examination of Elton’s life and career through the lens of 75 career accomplishments and life events —from his first steps as a solo artist to the breakthrough album  Goodbye Yellow Brick Road to his flamboyant stage presence, and beyond.

Key studio albums are featured, of course, as are a curated selection of his earworm singles. But Gaar delves deeper to reveal the events that helped chart the course of Elton’s
 
Every page is illustrated with stunning photography , including gig posters , 7-inch picture sleeves , and more. This incredible package also includes a gatefold Elton John timeline .

The result is a fitting tribute to one of the most admired stars in rock.

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What I thought about
Elton John: Captain Fantastic on the Yellow Brick Road

This book was absolutely lovely! I wasn't sure what to expect. After reading Taupin's book of late last year, I was a bit leery that this might ruin what I consider to be some of the music that got me through my teen years. I was the person running to the store on release day to buy that EJ album and I still listen to Goodbye Yellow Brick Road on the regular.

I loved the format of this book. Short descriptive segments framed with some amazing photographs through the years. I think I loved the artwork the most, as it brought me back to the 70's when life was full of a promise for the future. I started reading this and didn't put it down until the very end. I read it cover to cover and I'm still thinking about it the next day. There were even some lovely tidbits of info that were new to me, which I also enjoyed.

This is a wonderful telling of Elton John's life story. While it focuses mostly on the musical side, there are some personal moments here that round out the picture of the man who gifted us with so much entertainment. I recommend this to new and old Elton John fans. It's a definite keeper for your personal library. 

 

Release Day Review: Bride by Ali Hazelwood

 A dangerous alliance between a Vampyre bride and an Alpha Werewolf becomes a love deep enough to sink your teeth into in this new paranormal romance.

Misery Lark, the only daughter of the most powerful Vampyre councilman of the Southwest, is an outcast—again. Her days of living in anonymity among the Humans are over: she has been called upon to uphold a historic peacekeeping alliance between the Vampyres and their mortal enemies, the Weres, and she sees little choice but to surrender herself in the exchange—again...

Weres are ruthless and unpredictable, and their Alpha, Lowe Moreland, is no exception. He rules his pack with absolute authority, but not without justice. And, unlike the Vampyre Council, not without feeling. It’s clear from the way he tracks Misery’s every movement that he doesn’t trust her. If only he knew how right he was….

Because Misery has her own reasons to agree to this marriage of convenience, reasons that have nothing to do with politics or alliances, and everything to do with the only thing she's ever cared about. And she is willing to do whatever it takes to get back what’s hers, even if it means a life alone in Were territory…alone with the wolf.

 

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 What I thought about Bride

An arranged marriage to keep the Weres, Vampyres, and Humans from going to war with each other -- I'm all in for this title. I really have liked this author's contemporary romance titles and this one was even better in my opinion. I was drawn into this narrative right away, and I couldn't put this one down until Misery said I could! 

There's some great world building here, and very engaging characters. I fell for Misery Lark right away and became invested in her story. And then there's her father, and her new Were mate. I've read quite a few paranormals in my day, but this one just seemed so fresh and entertaining. There's plenty of action, which I love, and plenty of slow burn as Misery and her new mate find common ground.

Loved it! I need more of this world!  

About the Author

I'm Ali, and I write contemporary romcom novels about women in STEM and academia. I love cats, Nutella, and side ponytails. I'm also currently learning to crochet, so as you can tell I'm a super busy gal with an intense and exciting life! 

My favorite thing in the world is to explore traditional romance tropes—and to picture how they’ll play out in academic settings.

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