Sunday, April 29, 2018

Rhona



Rhona
The Moorland Maidens, Book 1
By: Maryse Dawson
Narrated by: David Quimby
Length: 3 hrs and 38 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 08-21-17


An enjoyable read starting out with a kidnapping and love follows. I enjoyed the struggle the girls give and how Rhona out witted Leon. For a minute I thought it was going to go in to BSM with the spankings but nothing became of that which was great by me. I enjoyed the conflict the two had as well as their romance. There was romance but it moved a little fast, they are kidnapped, something happened, she is back with her parents, they meet again, and they fell in love. There wasn’t a lot of enter action but it was a good story that for the most part held my attention. It isn't all cut and dry there are issues they have to overcome to be together which is intersting.

I thought the narrator was great he brings a lot of emotions to the story. His male and female character voices were pleasant as well as his normal voice. I always knew who was talking and what they were feeling. He made it easy to picture the limb that fell and the scenes that come after it. I thought that was funny and chuckled a few times. There is no repeating of words, no background, I could not tell if any breaks were taken, the volume stayed the same throughout. He gives a great performance that pulls you making you feel each emotion that the characters are feeling.

Rhona is a spit fire not taking the kidnapping laying down, she is always looking for a means to escape as well as giving her kidnapper a run for his money. It was very easy to like her and her spirited ways, as well as fiery attitude. Leon character fits with this time period, do as I say or else. He can be gentle but very strong willed. He doesn’t know just how to take Rhona which leads to some fun reading.

I thought the spanking scenes were a little much with her bare bottom in the air, I am sure they wear some type of underclothing back in that time period. For the most part it was a good listen, interesting and at times pulls you in. I laughed a few times and felt their pain a time or two. All in all it was not a bad listen and I did enjoy it. The story I give a 3.5 moving it up to a 4.

Buy links
Audible

Amazon

Summary
In the year 1091, the Scottish king, Malcolm III, is a thorn in England's side. He is constantly invading and taking English lands for his own gain. The English king, William II, has had enough. Seeking to bring Malcolm to heel, he demands the capture of his nieces to use as hostages against him.
By the king's command, Rhona and her cousins are captured and taken south, where they are imprisoned as pawns to be used in a battle between kings.
But Rhona is no milksop. With steel in her heart and fire in her belly, she seeks to escape at every opportunity. A difficult task, when her gaoler is a handsome Norman knight who has no compunction in taking a feisty maiden to task.
Leon has never met a woman like Rhona. Her fiery spirit stirs him like no other and he finds himself falling in love with the passionate, auburn-haired maiden. But can he win her heart? Will she ever be able to love the man who took her captive?

All That's Unforgiven

All That's Unforgiven (SunnyDale Days #4)
by Constance Phillips


Another one of those touching second chance stories that just reaches in a grabs you. I liked that it was with older characters that have made mistakes and trying to right that wrong but at the same time showing their fear of making the same mistake again. The author gives you a little mystery, secrets, as they work on their future hoping it is together but afraid it may not be.  The grass isn’t always greener on the other side but sometimes it take years to understand that. What if you came home to work on your relationship with your son, hoping to get the only women back you ever loved but also find your dream job of years ago? Will you give into your desires of the career you want or the love you can’t live without?

The author really puts a lot of emotion into this story, with wonderful detailed description that I had no trouble picturing the scenes. My heart broken for these two as they work through some very painful memories that tore them apart. The big question has always been can you forgive and if you can will you be able to forget and put it all behind you or will what comes with it make a bigger hole than the pain of the last time your heart was broken by the same person.

I thought the characters were great, they really pulled on my heart. I think most of us have the one who broke our hearts beyond measure. We truly would love that second chance to make it right but that chance never comes, so we move on, but they are never far from our thoughts. Here even after divorce there is still a very strong bond that won’t let go. Sam wants to be a better man, he wants to show his ex-wife he can, he also wants to be there for his son and get to know his older one better. It broke my heart watching these two deal with the issues and for Sam as he has some tough choices to make.

I thought it was a touching read that really pulls you in giving a story that grabs your attention and keeping it. Well worth your time to give it a read. I think this is my favorite so far in this series for so many different reasons.


Buy Link
Amazon

Kobo

B&N

Summary
Sunnydale Days: Hearts, horses and healing...

Can Sam Crawford make up for a decade-old mistake before it ruins his chances at future happiness?
*****
Some mistakes can’t be forgiven; they must be rectified.

Wanting nothing more than a second chance with his first wife, Sam Crawford convinces Betty he’s rooted in Sunnydale Farms and committed to a new life with her.

Betty fears the only thing Sam can be faithful to is the next excitement-filled adventure. Fear becomes reality when someone from Sam’s past shows up in Caseville, Michigan, offering him the high-paying horse-breeding job he left a decade ago.

Will his attempts to amend his past cost him his future happiness?

All That's Unrealized

All That's Unrealized (SunnyDale Days #3)
by Constance Phillips


Life is tough at times we need to slow down because it becomes overwhelming, a little too much to handle in this fast pace world. For some a break means losing too much in your career it can make or break you but if you don’t take that break it just may break you anyway. Sometimes what we think we want isn’t what we really do. It takes time, doing, waiting and more time to see what we really want is right before our face.  Another sweet, sexy read with a touching story line of their struggles getting where they want to be and with whom. As always it is nice to see past characters and retouch with them along with a few happy surprises along the way.

Rhonda and Trevor have always has sparks between them but here they will have to meet them head on and see just what they mean. Both now have issues they must face and it looks like they may face them together bring them closer then they have ever been. One thing the author has showed us in this series is how important family value is to us all. Sometimes we need to work that out for ourselves. For this reason it was easy to relate to the characters and their story. There are some heartbreaking moments which really pulled me in along with a very sweet plot that touched me. It’s a pull and tug with one knowing what they want and the other wanting it to but not willing to give up the life and dream they have always had.  Max is sweet and kind I really wish there was more about him and how Rhonda and Trevor interacts with him. He is a big part of the family and I felt something was missing there.

I did like all the characters it is a great plot with some touching reading that is very enjoyable. I enjoyed watching Rhonda and Trevor love grow and the sparks flying. They are just wonderful people that have a delightful story to tell you.

Buy Link
Amazon

Kobo

B&N

Summary
It’s what the doctor ordered for Rhonda Gables, owner of three successful boutiques: four weeks of rest between winning this season’s Retail Project and claiming her prize. Rhonda must decide if being a TV reality show star is worth leaving behind her loved ones, including the increasingly appealing Trevor Collins.
***

In a month, fashion mogul and reality TV judge Conrad Ryse, of The Retail Project fame, has promised to take Rhonda Gables under his wing and invest in her fledgling career. That’s her grand prize after a winning season on his show. Too bad exhaustion has sent Rhonda out of her city apartment, away from her three successful boutiques, and into her cousin’s guest room for a month of recuperation in her hometown.

She’s on the cusp of everything she’s ever wanted, but what will it cost? Doctor’s orders be damned, she balks at first. But soon Rhonda is both delighted and disconcerted by the attentions of her friend-maybe-lover, Trevor Collins, and the contentment she is surrounded by back home. She must realize all she’s willing to compromise and all her heart truly desires.he’s left unclaimed.

All That's Unclaimed

All That's Unclaimed (SunnyDale Days #2)
by Constance Phillips


Small towns can be a wonderful place to live as this author shows us in this delightful series. I love second chance romances. The first time around things got in the way along with complicated issues the time just wasn’t right, Ben was just a little to shy to ask Anna out. Things needed to be worked out as time goes by and bring Ben back to town he starts to think maybe just maybe the time is right for the women he loves.

When I was a young girl I loved riding horses it is so relaxing, enjoyable, gives you time to work through issues as you race across the fields as well as a feeling of peace, calmness and freedom. For me it was easy to relate to this story of using horse riding with children with physical and emotional special needs to help them get all the feeling above and know they can master something. It is also very helpful for the adults that help them. I enjoyed seeing the characters from the past book and meeting new ones. It was great to see where they are and what is new in their life.

Ben has or is losing those he loves it is a very trying time for him. He can be bullhead, stubborn and bratty at times. He has always has issues with his father, and he will have to work through them. Anna has so much patience with him, it was very touching how she reached out to him and bought him around. Life is too short as Ben learns with Anna help she has opened up a whole new world for him as well as his father. I thought this was a good touching read that I enjoyed. I can't wait to see what the next book is about.

Buy Link
Amazon

Kobo

B&N

Summary
Ben Crawford is forced to face the ghosts of his past after his mother’s accident and Anna Jenkins’s announcement she’s starting her own stables. Only then does he find the strength to hold on to all he’s left unclaimed.
***
Ben Crawford has always believed the professional respect and acceptance he desired couldn’t be found at Sunnydale Farms. There were just too many ghosts residing in his broken home. Only when Anna Jenkins, the one constant at his mother’s therapeutic riding facility, announces she is leaving to start her own stables is Ben forced to grasp hold of all he’s left unclaimed.

Sparks of Deception

Sparks of Deception (Shattered Lives #4)
by Barb Shuler


This is another great read in the Shattered series, we have watched these two grow up going through so much and finally when they find their own and try to start a life together things take a tailspin leaving them in danger that could lead to death.  The author touches on a topic that is dear to our heart, it is so much in the news, in our schools, in our lives. It is never easy to live in a world that is all about me, me, me, filled with hate, getting even, trying to be on the top with friends, trying to fit in with those friends that you are willing to hurt other to get there. I thought the author did a great job showing how a bully works, showing the pain of its victims.

Derek is a wonderful person putting his friends and family first. If you need help he is there, he is supportive, caring and so very loving. Alana likes is a loner she stays to herself, is the happiest in the background looking on.  She is a very sassy little thing and can stand up for herself if she must, she has had to learn but she has learned her lessons well. She is sassy, fun and caring.

A great story filled with, drama, suspense, emotional turmoil and romance. The author grabs your attention from the start taking you on another emotional ride that keeps you invested in the story until the end.  It is a very intense read of young love and what you’re willing to do to keep it.

Buy Link

Summary
Nothing is ever what it seems. When you think life is straight-forward, someone kicks your feet out from under you.

Starting a new journey in our lives was supposed to be a happy, joyous occasion… but things burst into flame. We have to fight to keep alive, keep breathing, and to find the answers to the questions swirling around us.

I found the love I'd been waiting for when I was thirteen. Today someone tried to take me away from her. They stalk and lay in wait for me to stumble.

But I'm going down swinging. Deception will do nothing to change what we have. Sparks may fly, but we'll fight the fire… together.