Talon by Ronie Kendig

Book 2 in the Breed Apart series (read review for book one- Trinity, here) follows Aspen Courtland, reeling from the loss of her twin brother, who went MIA overseas. The Marine Corps says he's dead, but Aspen can't accept it as fact. With her brother's traumatized war dog, and a more than mysterious soldier who says he was with her brother the day he 'died', they set out for answers....answers people will kill for. 

PLOT:

Brilliant. Fresh. Action packed. Complex. Everything that should be in an action, suspense, romance book. 

SEXUAL CONTENT: 

Characters fall in love. There's more of an underlying sensual pull between Dane & Aspen, moreso than with most of Ronie's other books, but that suited me fine. Their romance was tastefully written, sweet, kinda tragic and passionate. They kiss a few times. For a cover during an opp, they are married in name only, but nothing happens in regards to bedroom scenes or anything of that nature. A few soldiers make reference to their having made the marriage legitimate, but it's a case of hearsay. 

A soldier's gaze rakes over Aspen, and the context says that he "raped her with his gaze" or something like that. 

Mention is made to someone's father having a mistress (said character is a result of their father having the mistress), and him calling her a whore. 

There may be more references, but as I always say- my point isn't to catch every single one and list it here, it's just to give you a feel as to how each type of content is in the book- and if that is or isn't your jam. 

VIOLENCE:

Typical military/spy/suspense book type stuff. Hand to hand combat, blood, people getting shot- some at close range- people dying etc. There's mention to a character getting beaten as a child, being starved, having no heat or blankets in their room to serve as punishment. Another sub-character is pushed out of a window and falls to their death. 

CONCLUSION:

This book has everything that makes a book a goodie, in my mind. Action, emotion, romance, mystery, emotionally deep characters, a gripping plot- gah! It has it all, people. 

This book would give the Bourne movies a run for their money- but seriously, it would make a fantastic film. 

If you like suspense fiction, or spy type stories...pick this book up and READ IT. NOW. Today! 

5 Stars & I'd recommend it for ages 18+ 

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Love Unexpected by Jody Hedlund

Beacons of Hope - Book 1

Setting: 1859 - Presque Isle, Michigan

This is the classic, marriage of convenience, quickly turns into the husband & wife falling in love type story, with a hint of mystery.

It is mostly a romance, with a few other subplots, but I'd say the main focus is our two MC's being married (only in name) and their process of falling in love & overcoming the hurdles of beginning their relationship out of necessity, and wanting to continue it as a married couple. If those kinds of stories aren't your jam, or you are under 18, I'd give this book a pass.

The plot flowed well and consistently. Since this book has hints of danger, but it isn't a thriller or suspense book, naturally it is going to be "slower", but in my opinion, it carried along nicely and didn't lag anywhere.

As for the romantic/sexual content involved...our two MC's are married, so their relationship has more allowance for them to be contemplating being physically intimate, since they are married. There are a few pretty steamy & passionate kissing scenes, and a good deal of contemplation as to whether their spouse finds them attractive...how to let their spouse know they desire them in a way a married couple would, vs. just a man & wife married in name only, etc etc.
In the end...
-----SPOILERS--------
Patrick & Emma leave the room 
to (it is eluded) be physically 
intimate, but the only thing we 
witness is the husband (Patrick) 
carrying his wife (Emma) out 
of the room. Their time together
is implied only. 

So as you've read, the theme is mature. The MC's process of falling in love isn't dirty & sinful- it is good & beautiful (& designed by God)...but depending on the reader's age, and the season of life they're in, it may or may not be what they need to read. That decision needs to be made by each person, based on where they're at.

I loved both Emma & Patrick as individual character's, and I loved watching them fall in love and their relationship as a couple. It was awkward and funny & real, and that's what I enjoyed about it.

Jody's writing style carried well and beautifully depicted the character's, but also the history of that time.

4 Stars & I'd recommend this book for ages 18-19 +

Along Came Jones by Linda Windsor (Review by Ashley Nikole)

First time I read this book was during my mid-teen years, and I loved it. So, for the love of going back & reminiscing about a good book (which seems rare to find- I am decidedly a media snob and I'm not even sorry about it), several years later, I picked it up & started reading again. 

The first few chapters were great- I felt the plot & character's had a good deal of potential. There were some laughs along the way with a few moments of suspense that could have lead to something amazing, but...it didn't make the cut for me this time round. 

Why? 
I couldn't identify with the character's- maybe Shep (the dude) a small handful of times, but not often. I was not compelled by Diana, her situation, or virtually anything about her. 
The plot lagged & seemed to build up, go *poof* & then kinda smack you in the face when you weren't expecting it, but not in a good way. The plot didn't feel grounded. It just...floated. 

The romance was this awkward 'I don't know you but there's all this sizzling heat when I'm around you' type of thing, but there was no real friendship to back up their unexplained feelings for each other. 
If there is going to be a romantic, or even sexual pull for two character's, I need for there to be something more than the physical side of things backing it up. So, for the MC's (main character's) to have a pull between them, but they fight a bunch, don't trust each other & won't become friends, but they are falling in love...that seems like a recipe for disaster, and it just didn't make me want to root for their relationship. It was more annoying than anything else. 

I wanted to like this book, especially when the first time I read it, I was doing a happy dance cause I thought it was so adorable and sweet. Clearly my taste's in fiction have changed and the bar has been set higher. I'm okay with that. 
If this book floats your boat, great. For me, it didn't. This is not to say that I don't like Linda Windsor's writing. On the contrary, I've read several of her books and I love them- just not this one. 

The one thing I did enjoy about this book was Shep's old-fashioned gentlemanly cowboy behaviour. When the rest of the plot wasn't irking me, I must admit, it was sweet. Apart from that, this book was just a no-go all round. 

1.5 Stars. 

Have you read this book? What was your take on it?