Daughter of Valor by Emily Mims

Daughter of Valor

By Emily Mims

The main reason why I personally wanted to read and review this book was because it has to do with the Military, and I feel that the Military doesn’t get enough justification. Sure we can support them, and hear about them, and know they are out there supporting us, and protecting us, but not many people want to write about, and tell a story or even share with you from their stand point. So when someone finally does, I want to be the one to share it with you. After all, it needs made public, and people need to see and feel from those whom have lived and dealt with things like this, from those of us who have, and from those of us who care for those of you who have.  I hope that makes sense.

As for this novel, it is very intense, and well worth the read, because it is going to make you see and feel things and understand many different aspects and views that you would have never thought possible.

Our main character: Holly gives you a look at her life, and she desires and needs for a military career, and what all her plans were, and how they ended up ruined by an ambush. She has to learn things about herself, and make choices she had never anticipated. Her Uncle, a Judge, after her rehabilitation and recovery, than helps Holly by finding her a Nanny position.  Because Holly doesn’t want to sit around and do nothing, she jumps at the chance to do it. 

Jimmy, the man she is now to Nanny for is trying to get elected. But in the midst of all of this, you wouldn’t expect to find murder in this book too, now would you? Yes, low and behold there is even murder! Why? Because someone is trying to ruin Jimmy’s chance at getting elected by framing him for what would or could be murders. 

In the meantime, Holly and Jimmy work on their communication skills, restructuring his family, and focusing on his campaign, and figuring out who could be doing this to him and why. 

I don’t want to ruin anything for anyone, because I am famous for being a spoiler alert specialist. So I will stop here. 

I will tell you, that I loved this book. It was very detailed, and intense, and leads you through a lot of emotions, and directions. It is worth your time and money to read this book. I give it five stars, and think everyone would truly enjoy it. If you want insight on Military, and knowing little things, politics, and how people feel and work, and recover, and what not- this is another plus for you. Truly I suggest reading this book. It is very different from most!

Thank you, Emily for the chance to read this!

Here are my questions for Emily!

1. What made you write this book? I wrote this book for several reasons.  I live in San Antonio, and because of SAMMC we have a lot of wounded warriors in our city-it's nothing to see a handsome young veteran chasing a toddler across the mall on a pair of prostheses or a severely scarred warrior in line at the grocery store.  I admire these courageous people so much!  I also began Holly and Jimmy's stories in the original book in the series (Solomon's Choice) and wanted a chance to tell theirs.

2.  Do you have any photos or descriptions of Holly and/or Jimmy to share?Just what's on the cover

3. How long did it take you to write this book?I began work on it before I'd even sold 'Solomon's Choice'.  I wrote a version that my agent told me was terrible (ouch) so I went back and rewrote it in the form it's in today.  So the answer would be over a couple of years.  Now that I have a publisher and am writing regularly, that same book would take maybe four months.

4. What all have you written prior? I wrote a string of novels and novellas for Candlelight Ecstasy in the 1980's, three of which Boroughs has re-released.  I have a full-length novel and two short stories in the Texas Hill Country series that precede 'Daughter of Valor; in the story line, and have another short story, two novellas and a full-length novel that come after it in the series.  I recently finished the last book in the Texas Hill Country series and planted two heroes to go to Appalachia for a series of stories set in the bluegrass and folk music world.

5. Who are all your favorite Author(s)? Hmmm.  I love Nora Roberts, Jayne Ann Krentz and Heather Graham (Jayne and Heather wrote with me at Candlelight).  Cynthia Eden hits the spot as does Lori Wilde and Lori Foster.  And just about everybody in the Boroughs stable is a favorite of mine.  Oh, and let's not forget Roxanne St. Clair.

6. What are you working on now? I just finished 'Second to None' in the Texas Hill Country series and am plotting the Appalachian series. (I'm a serious plotter-this does a lot to prevent writer's block.)

7. What are your hobbies? I play 5 musical instruments-piano, organ, guitar, dulcimer, and ukulele-and play the ukulele with two performing bands.

8.Have you ever served in the Military? No, but my son is career Army.

9. What suggestions do you offer to future writers? Don't let ANYBODY tell you that you can't do it.  When I was in college my creative writing profs told me I had no talent and to go back to the science department.  I invited them to my first autograph party.

10.Any ways to reach you and follow along with you: I'll list my website and contact info below.  I usually send my readers to Amazon but am also available on the Boroughs website, Allromance, Smashwords and Nook.  Plus, Daughter of Valor is also available in print from Amazon.

11. Any info you’d like to add: Just that I love and appreciate every one of my readers!

Links

Website:  http://www.emilymims.com

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/EmilyMimsAuthor

Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Daughter-Valor-Emily-Mims-ebook/dp/B00S0H8LBA

Smashwords:  www.smashwords.com/books/view/508976

Allromance:  https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-daughterofvalor-1720943-149html

And thanks again!  Be sure to send me the link so I can share on all of my media sites.

Undertow: Death's Twilight by Claudette Melanson

Undertow: Death’s Twilight

By Claudette Melanson

The cover art of this book is so beautiful, once I received my copy I just simply admired the artwork on the cover for a bit. There was a lot of work that went into that beautiful cover!

Personally, I have been a long time waiting for this book. Which let me add, if you haven’t read the first book, you might not be able to follow along as well as the rest of us. The two books flow together as “Forrest Gump” says: like “Peas and Carrots!”

Maura, thanks to her mother Caelyn, grew up with a big family secret. She is a Vampire and didn’t know it until she became a full grown adult and moved abroad, and finally met her Father, which she met only by what seemed to be by accident. However, her Mother planned on informing her and explaining everything and what not, but unfortunately Maura then, had an accident-so to speak.

But again, that is from the other book. Her Father Maxwell as you may notice was not in her life as a Child, and now they are attempting to make it as a family. They want to try to be the family they never were. But once they start working on their family unit, tragedy seems to follow. It’s like something always has to ruin the good things, you know?!

While still trying to work on her family, Maura is also trying still working on her love life with Ron. So she uses Christmas to reunite with him and bring her family in closer. 

Caelyn is still trying to deal with the Vampire lifestyle of her daughter. She truly hoped that this might not come to pass, you could just tell, deep down, she didn’t want it to be.

Thankfully, while everything is going up and down, and up and down, all these changes, Susie is here to listen and offer a listening ear. 

I found this story so … heart wrenching, I screamed in my twitter at Claudette. I have always been in love with Maura and Ron, no offense I have insider secrets, and Maura and Ron remind me of Claudette and her husband. And they just can’t fall apart. So I’m reading this, and I scream. My dogs look at me. I grab my cell and scream at the writer. No, this is not happening. THAT is all I am saying because I get in trouble for being a spoiler blower.

As for my review, I personally have a problem with Maura calling Maxwell “Dad.” The Dude wasn’t in her life, I mean, maybe it wasn’t all her fault, maybe it was also Caelyn’s but still. He wasn’t there. To call him Dad from the beginning bothered me. But that’s just me.

I also had a problem with her Mother keeping a secret like that from her. (The vampire part!) Yeah we keeps secrets from our Children like Santa and the tooth fairy, and where the presents are hid. But what about when she became a teen and you gave her the safe sex talk? Why not tell her then? 

But as we all know, this is the choice of the writer, and so be it...

I dearly loved both of the books, and how close they are. They are wonderful and you need to read them both. The first one was called: “Rising Tide: Dark Innocence” and it can also be found in this blog as well. (Search on the left side of the blog.)

This book, just like the last one, which is five stars. I truly enjoyed it. It pulled me in, making me feel everything. I cried, I screamed, and I wanted more, and I became involved. I could see and imagine the characters and their feelings. They are a wonderful family, and they deserve to work things out, all families do. And you want what is best for everyone, trust me. And you will want to read this, all the way through. And you will not be able to put it down. But make sure you read both books! They belong together! They are amazing! And you will be glad that you have read them, and you will be a fan of Claudette just like I am, trust me! I give this book five stars! Now go buy your copy!

My questions for Claudette:

1. Who designed the beautiful cover? Rachel Montreuil from Montreal, QC in Canada. The covers were hand painted. She can do anything! We are going to be working on a children's book together starring my Holland Lop, Butters, in the coming months. This is her Deviant Art page:  http://rasherusuzie.deviantart.com/ .

 2. Any pictures of Maura, Ron &/or Maxwell you can share or even describe how they look? Well, the Maura on the cover of the Rising Tide book is exactly how I've always pictured her in my head. I don't know how Rachel did that, lol. I do have a visual board on Pinterest that has pictures of how I see them:  http://bit.ly/1pTacsv

There is also a rendering Rachel did of Ron, and she is going to be doing all the characters:

This is a picture of the REAL Ron, my college boyfriend, who I originally based the character upon:

3. Will there be any more of these books?

Oh yes! The third book in this trilogy will be coming out early in the year. It’s half written now. I’ve discovered there is a lot more to Maura’s story than I thought, so there will actually be a series of trilogies focusing on a particular element. This current trilogy is about Maura’s transformation. I think the next will focus on her and Ron. I also plan to write the backstory for her parents meeting and even take it back to when Maxwell first turned, back in the 1600’s. There is much more of Maura to come J

 4. What are you working on now?

Right now I am working on Riptide, the third book in the Maura DeLuca trilogy. I’m also starting to put the bunny children’s book together. I also have a love gone wrong story and one about my time living with an utter psycho in Vancouver. I do a lot of editing for other authors and that has gotten so busy, I need to force time to write. I’ll be cutting back on that somewhat in the new year to make sure I have more time to work on my own books. My editing site can be found at: http://bit.ly/cmeditor .

5. You are the writer that has bunny rabbits running around the house like me, right?! How are they? (If not disregard- but I think you are lol)

The bunnies are very good. Getting ready for Christmas. We have two Holland Lops, Butters and Beckett. Beckett has some Lionhead in her, so she has interesting hairdos, haha. Tegan and Pepper are full-sized rabbits, English Spot mixes. They have their own room off our living room in our house and have more toys than you could even imagine. Very spoiled rabbits, but they deserve it, as most of them came from abusive homes or bad situations. They eat all organic, so I’m hoping all of them will be around a VERY long time.

6. How is hubbies band doing?

Hubby’s band is doing good. They didn’t get to play on the Fan Fridays for the Blue Jays this year—budget cutbacks. But they have a gig this Friday night (tomorrow, December 4^th) at the Linsmore Tavern in Toronto.

7. Tell us again how you came up with this/these great stories!

Well, I’ve always written everything that went on around me inside my head since I was a little kid. Maura I dreamed about so many times and the dreams started to put a whole story together in my head. It just grew and developed from there. A lot of things come from dreams or even real-life experiences. Or other books or shows will inspire an idea. I just LOVE stories and it’s never hard for one to come to life  inside my imagination J

8. Who are/is your favorite Author(s)?

My favorite author is Stephenie Meyers, and I am in love with the Twilight novels. I think everyone forgot how much they loved that story when those books came out after the horrible first movie, but they were truly magical for me. I grew up with Stephen King and Grimm’s Fairytales—the real ones that are more gruesome. Maybe that’s where my flair for the macabre comes from. I love the new wave of Indie Authors. TS Dann is fabulous. Adam Booth’s The End is so fresh and deep, especially for a zombie novel. Sherri Wingler and Tima Maria Lacoba rock. There are just too many to list! Oh and one more traditional book…if you haven’t read You by Caroline Kepnes, do…now! She is a phenomenal writer. That book was perfectly executed and I was overjoyed to find out there would be a sequel.

9. What do you suggest to someone wanting to write their first novella?

A novella is a good place to start. Develop your characters and hire an editor. The biggest problem with Indie books come from the ones that aren’t professionally edited. And keep writing. The only way you can fail is to give up.

10. Please provide for us your info to follow you & all your work:

Website: http://bit.ly/1DVaL7x (www.claudettemelanson.com)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Cmelansonauthor/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Bella623

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7881896.Claudette_Melanson

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

Tsu: http://www.tsu.co/vampyauthor

Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/authorcmelanson

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=18797567&trk=nav_responsive_tab_profile

Google Plus:  https://plus.google.com/u/0/b/104844624163397590666/104844624163397590666

Stumble Upon: http://www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/cmelanson623

Amazon Author Page: http://bit.ly/cmamzauthor

Book Gorilla Author Page: http://bit.ly/1BfSp0L

11. Anything to add?

Thank you for doing this review! I really appreciate it. Best of luck to you and warmest wishes for a very Merry Christmas and Spectacularly Happy New Year to you and all your readers!

Undertow: Death's Twilight by Claudette Melanson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The cover art of this book is so beautiful, once I received my copy I just simply admired the artwork on the cover for a bit. There was a lot of work that went into that beautiful cover!

Personally, I have been a long time waiting for this book. Which let me add, if you haven’t read the first book, you might not be able to follow along as well as the rest of us. The two books flow together as “Forrest Gump” says: like “Peas and Carrots!”

Maura, thanks to her mother Caelyn, grew up with a big family secret. She is a Vampire and didn’t know it until she became a full grown adult and moved abroad, and finally met her Father, which she met only by what seemed to be by accident. However, her Mother planned on informing her and explaining everything and what not, but unfortunately Maura then, had an accident-so to speak.

But again, that is from the other book. Her Father Maxwell as you may notice was not in her life as a Child, and now they are attempting to make it as a family. They want to try to be the family they never were. But once they start working on their family unit, tragedy seems to follow. It’s like something always has to ruin the good things, you know?!

While still trying to work on her family, Maura is also trying still working on her love life with Ron. So she uses Christmas to reunite with him and bring her family in closer.

Caelyn is still trying to deal with the Vampire lifestyle of her daughter. She truly hoped that this might not come to pass, you could just tell, deep down, she didn’t want it to be.

Thankfully, while everything is going up and down, and up and down, all these changes, Susie is here to listen and offer a listening ear.

I found this story so … heart wrenching, I screamed in my twitter at Claudette. I have always been in love with Maura and Ron, no offense I have insider secrets, and Maura and Ron remind me of Claudette and her husband. And they just can’t fall apart. So I’m reading this, and I scream. My dogs look at me. I grab my cell and scream at the writer. No, this is not happening. THAT is all I am saying because I get in trouble for being a spoiler blower.

As for my review, I personally have a problem with Maura calling Maxwell “Dad.” The Dude wasn’t in her life, I mean, maybe it wasn’t all her fault, maybe it was also Caelyn’s but still. He wasn’t there. To call him Dad from the beginning bothered me. But that’s just me.

I also had a problem with her Mother keeping a secret like that from her. Yeah we keeps secrets from our Children like Santa and the tooth fairy, and where the presents are hid. But what about when she became a teen and you gave her the safe sex talk? Why not tell her then?

I dearly loved both of the books, and how close they are. They are wonderful and you need to read them both. The first one was called: “Rising Tide: Dark Innocence” and it can also be found in this blog as well.

This book, just like the last one, is five stars. I truly enjoyed it. It pulled me in, making me feel everything. I cried, I screamed, and I wanted more, and I became involved. I could see and imagine the characters and their feelings. They are a wonderful family, and they deserve to work things out, all families do. And you want what is best for everyone, trust me.

And you will want to read this, all the way through. And you will not be able to put it down. But make sure you read both books! They belong together! They are amazing! And you will be glad that you have read them, and you will be a fan of Claudette just like I am, trust me! I give this book five stars! Now go buy your copy!



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Defensive Heart: Donnelly's Book 2 Dorothy F Shaw

Defensive Heart: the Donnelly’s Book 2

By Dorothy F. Shaw

Let me begin by reading you the warning that comes within this book:

“This book might piss you off. But if I’ve done my job, while you’re busy being pissed off, you’ll also fall in love with the hero and heroine. May contain: A pompous, misogynistic ex-husband. A rebellious teenager. A ton of sex. Adventurous sex. Make up sex. Desperate- OMG-CLOTHES-OFF-sex. Did I mention there’s a lot of sex?”

After reading this in the beginning, those of you whom like books like this, are all reading licking your lips. Don’t even deny it. Especially those of us, whom know Dorothy Shaw. 

And for those who don’t personally know Dorothy, once you read any of her work, let me tell you what. If you haven’t ever learned that when you read her work- that you too will get horny, well than… it’s just too late.

Now, as I read this book, I couldn’t help but fall in love with Jimmy Donnelly all over again. His masculine body all tattooed and pierced, and so built up and sexy. He is your typical bad boy type, the one that everyone sits there and wants and longs for.

Now as for Sonja Martin, she is a Manhattan Attorney with a fifteen year old that is a rebel who just wants to make a name for herself so to speak. Sonja also has this ex-husband that just doesn’t want to stay out of the picture, not that he can- because they have a child together. But he wants to be more of a nuisance than anything. 

So Sonja has basically written off men, but when she meets Jimmy, she sees the bad boy in him, and you know how opposites attract?! You see her as the good girl, him as the bad boy. Therefore opposites make for the perfect couple. Now mind you, yeah she wants to resist, but who can resist that for so long? Temptation does win over eventually.

This is a very erotic dreamy story. I love the fact that it touches on commitment issues and the fact that opposites can attract. I also love the fact that there is a teen involved and family issues. Something people need to see and realize, and the that Dorothy wrote everything so on point was excellent. You don’t very often see people putting opposites together, because they think, “Oh this won’t work.” 

But it does, and more often, relationships are based on trial and error. And putting exes in here and family issues was also very spot on, for people to see and read real life issues, makes readers want more, and feel more involved. 

I truly enjoyed this book, and give it five stars. As usual Dorothy makes you wet, and gives you a real life perspective. Definitely worth the read, and truly enjoyable.

Now here are my review questions for Dorothy:

1.) the Donnelly characters do you have any photos or descriptions to provide for us to imagine or see who they are?

Two Photos attached for you. One of Sonja and one of Jimmy from book 2, Defensive Heart  =) 

2.) what made you write this delicious book?

 I had to…it was Jimmy’s turn! Too easy? Well, honestly, when I wrote book 1, Unworthy Heart, I had no idea it would become a series. But when Jimmy showed up in book 1, I knew his book would be next. 

3.) what are you working on now?

 I’m getting ready to release book 3 in The Donnellys - Shattered Heart. Look for it on January 19th! 

 Also, I’m currently revising a single title contemporary romance called Stripped Bounty… This book, well, it was definitely a much harder book to write for me. Not that writing is ever easy, but some  stories just flow smoother than others. Stripped Bounty challenged me for sure. Its different than The Donnellys series, but I think (or hope) people will love it. 

 After I get Stripped Bounty turned in to my editor, it’s time to start the 4th book in The Donnellys series. 

4.) aside from writing, what other hobbies do you have?
 Well…besides my full time career in technology management that I attend to, there’s also my kids. Plus sleep…unfortunately i have to sleep, so there’s not much time for other hobbies. =(

5.) how long did it take you to write this book?

 Defensive Heart took me longer than it should have. Probably close to a year because I took a long break about half way through and wrote another book, but also focused on edits and revisions for book 1, Unworthy Heart. 

6.) out of all your own books- which one is your favorite?

Right now, I feel like it’s Shattered Heart, book 3 in The Donnellys. But this is subject to change. =)

7.) any tips for new writers?

 I have a ton of tips - but the one thing, the one most important thing out of all of them is...to finish the book. Sit down every day and write until you finish the book!

8.) please share with us all of your sites, info and where we can learn all about you:

 http://www.dorothyfshaw.com/

 http://www.facebook.com/DorothyFShaw

 https://www.facebook.com/TheDonnellysseries

 https://twitter.com/DorothyFShaw

If you go through my website - you’ll be able to find all sorts of links to other blogs I have out there. Poems, general posts about life etc. Have fun! 

Any extra info you'd like to add or share:

As always its an honor and a privilege to have you read me, Deneale. Thanks for making some room for me! <3

Defensive Heart by Dorothy F. Shaw
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Let me begin by reading you the warning that comes within this book:

“This book might piss you off. But if I’ve done my job, while you’re busy being pissed off, you’ll also fall in love with the hero and heroine. May contain: A pompous, misogynistic ex-husband. A rebellious teenager. A ton of sex. Adventurous sex. Make up sex. Desperate- OMG-CLOTHES-OFF-sex. Did I mention there’s a lot of sex?”

After reading this in the beginning, those of you whom like books like this, are all reading licking your lips. Don’t even deny it. Especially those of us, whom know Dorothy Shaw.

And for those who don’t personally know Dorothy, once you read any of her work, let me tell you what. If you haven’t ever learned that when you read her work- that you too will get horny, well than… it’s just too late.

Now, as I read this book, I couldn’t help but fall in love with Jimmy Donnelly all over again. His masculine body all tattooed and pierced, and so built up and sexy. He is your typical bad boy type, the one that everyone sits there and wants and longs for.


Now as for Sonja Martin, she is a Manhattan Attorney with a fifteen year old that is a rebel who just wants to make a name for herself so to speak. Sonja also has this ex-husband that just doesn’t want to stay out of the picture, not that he can- because they have a child together. But he wants to be more of a nuisance than anything.

So Sonja has basically written off men, but when she meets Jimmy, she sees the bad boy in him, and you know how opposites attract?! You see her as the good girl, him as the bad boy. Therefore opposites make for the perfect couple. Now mind you, yeah she wants to resist, but who can resist that for so long? Temptation does win over eventually.

This is a very erotic dreamy story. I love the fact that it touches on commitment issues and the fact that opposites can attract. I also love the fact that there is a teen involved and family issues. Something people need to see and realize, and the that Dorothy wrote everything so on point was excellent. You don’t very often see people putting opposites together, because they think, “Oh this won’t work.”

But it does, and more often, relationships are based on trial and error. And putting exes in here and family issues was also very spot on, for people to see and read real life issues, makes readers want more, and feel more involved.

I truly enjoyed this book, and give it five stars. As usual Dorothy makes you wet, and gives you a real life perspective. Definitely worth the read, and truly enjoyable.


View all my reviews