She Wakes the Night-Darcy Carson, reviewed by Diane Scott Lewis

The Sixth installment in my book reviews from small and medium press authors is a treat to read.

To purchase SHE WAKES THE NIGHT AMAZON

Trell is a healer just returned to her homeland after intense study. She is young and eager to learn more.

After a spell from a wizard she thought loved her left her stuck as a tree for a thousand years, Trell is in-tune with nature, and leery of love. She travels and mind-speaks with her protector, Torkel, a dragon who floats above her in a cloak of invisibility.

In the Market place, she saves an Untouchable, a leper-like being, from being stoned. The man, Gren, is forever grateful and insists on traveling with her as she journeys to learn more about healing. But is Gren telling the truth about himself, or does he have more sinister motives?

Trell is confused by Gren's seemingly healthy being which he hides under rags. And he refuses to allow her to examine him. He is actually a prince who needs to bring Trell and her dragon to his kingdom so he may rule once his father dies. 

To complicate matters, they are both attracted to one another. Will Gren tell her the truth and will that cause Trell to flee?

Even if you don't care for fantasy, this book is definitely worth a read. Carson's prose is lyrical, her descriptions beautiful. You'll be drawn into a magical world of dragons, trees that speak, and plants that cry out when plucked without permission. 

I was immediately charmed by the prose and magical creatures, plus the two main protagonists.

Trell and Gren are compelling characters with depth. Trell is kind-hearted and pragmatic in her search for medicines. Gren is on a mission, but his guilt at tricking her, plus his attraction to her, cause his motives to shred. Will they find love together, or face dangers that will tear them apart? You'll root for them both.

Highly recommended.

This is Book 3 of the Dragons Return Series and I recommend you read the first two to follow Trell's adventures.

Diane lives in Western Pennsylvania with her husband and one naughty dachshund. 

To find out more about her novels, check out her Amazon page:

DianeScottLewis

 

Book Review TWISTED LIES, C. B. Clark, by Diane Scott Lewis

Continuing my spotlight on small and medium press authors, today's book review is on TWISTED LIES by C. B. Clark.

Athena suffered a childhood tragedy while living on a remote island. Her parents sailed off and never returned. She drowns her pain in alcohol, struggles to stay sober, and even manages to become a lawyer. To hide from the scandal of her vanishing family, she changes her name and moves far from Vancouver where the event happened. She blames her parents' possible death/disappearance on the island's owner Angus, a man who always gave her the creeps.

That's why she's shocked to learn that Angus has died and left her all his money and business.

Russ was adopted by Angus at a young age after his parents are killed in a car crash. He's angry to learn that his supposedly loving 'father' has left his estate to Athena.

When the two first meet, it's instant attraction, until Russ realizes she's the woman who has stolen his inheritance.

Finally, together, they decide to find out why Angus left her the property, and what really happened to her parents.

The romance starts out a bit over the top, and Russ goes from zero to sixty in caring about Athena, a woman he shouldn't trust. But it is a Romance.

The mystery kept me guessing, with many twists and turns, and I was compelled to keep reading to find out what really happened.

Clark deploys the senses with lush setting details and vibrant smells. I felt I went where her characters traveled. Descriptions are excellent.

Romance readers will love Twisted Lies.

To purchase Twisted Lies, click HERE

Diane lives in Western Pennsylvania with her husband and one naughty dachshund. 

To find out more about her novels, check out her Amazon page:

DianeScottLewis

Hometown, Wendy Rich Stetson, reviewed by Diane Scott Lewis

 

The fourth in my series of small to medium press book reviews. This is a sweet romance with a hunky Amish man as one of the love interests. Enjoy.

HOMETOWN is full of folksy charm as Tessa fixes up her parents' house after being fired from her teaching job due to budget cuts. 

At the local market, she notices a tall, handsome Amish man. He and his niece sell Tessa's favorite dessert, whoopie pies. His sister, bitter Nora, also bakes delicious pies. And Tessa will require her help, soon.

Tessa has also met the local doctor, Richard, who is definitely interested in her. 

After she hires the Amish man, Jonas, to build a gazebo in her family's back yard, their attraction grows. Now she's torn between two men, one who lives in a different world.

Author Stetson writes with assurance, the emotions of her characters richly explored, detailed nuance throughout. They all have secrets from their pasts that skew their present. I found Richard too pushy from the onset, and Jonas sometimes not strong enough, but he's still a great character. Will he leave his community to forge a life with an outsider? Or should he stay and support his sister and niece after their tragedy?

Amish life is explored as Tessa finds it fascinating and limiting. Should she go with the sexy doctor who offers her a high-level life?

I loved fey Rebecca, Jonas' niece, who dances with fireflies. The late night drive through a storm baffled me since there was no emergency, though it made for great drama.

All the characters rang true for me and I vastly enjoyed this novel. Highly recommended for those who like their romances well-written and sweet.

To purchase Hometown, click HERE

Diane lives in Western Pennsylvania with her husband and ne naughty dachshund. 

What Happens in Denver, book review, by Diane Scott Lewis

Here is my latest book review, showcasing small and medium press authors. Enjoy a wild ride into beer brewing and romance.

WHAT HAPPENS IN DENVER by Liz Crowe

Andi, who runs a popular bar and beer tasting establishment, is shocked when her husband kicks her out and takes over with his mistress. His actions are horrible. Now she must reinvent herself, with a new job, and eventually a new man.

This isn’t your typical romance. Andi is not attracted to big, burly James at first. He’s not her type. He’s gruff and dismisses her, too. She’s focused on finding a job, though she has to start at the bottom and relocate to a new city.

Well written, with nuance, where even Sloane, Andi’s new friend, is rounded out as a woman who barely nibbles on lettuce, constantly exercises, but runs a business. She’ll need help later. The politics of beer and the history of brewing adds interest to the story. These are two damaged people struggling to love again, wrapped up in making a success of their beer business.

I wish Andi had spent less time moping in the beginning, and over-drinking, instead of making plans to find a new job. Her mom and friend force her to do that. The author shows her experience in the brewing industry. I learned some fascinating facts in this compelling read.

To purchase this book, click HERE

Diane lives in Western Pennsylvania with her husband and one naughty dachshund. 

Fifty percent off sale, historical novels by Diane Scott Lewis

Enjoy strong women in authentic settings. Eighteenth century intrigue, adventure, mystery, and romance, all for a 1.50 a book.

If you've never used Smashwords you're missing out. A simple purchase of an ebook, no frills, no fuss. The site is full of top quality work.

Purchase at Smashwords

Book Review Death by Sample Size - Susie Black by Diane Scott Lewis

 Another in my series of book reviews of small to medium press authors. The Big Guys can't have all the fun.

Death by Sample Size

Ditzy Swimwear vice president Holly finds a dead body in an elevator on page two! Bunny Frank, an important fashion buyer, is sprawled out with a bathing suit stuck in her mouth. As you get to know more about Bunny, it’s not who wanted to kill her, but who didn’t.

Thwarted love, bribery, and Bunny’s arrogance irritated everyone in the Los Angeles clothing industry. There are multiple characters introduced fast and furious in the beginning, each with their own quirk, and extreme dislike of Bunny. A few had even threatened her.

 I learned fascinating details about the cut-throat fashion business. Like her character Holly, Author Susie Black is a successful apparel sales executive. The back-biting and off-beat humor had me chuckling. Holly is a strong woman, living in a houseboat, who even tries to play sleuth after someone is arrested. Did they really commit the crime? Even a villainess deserves justice. A fun, light beach read.

 This is a Holly Swimsuit Mystery Book 1.

 Buy link: HERE

Diane lives in Western Pennsylvania with her husband and one naughty dachshund. 

Book Review HEARTQUAKE by Terry Newman, by Diane Scott Lewis

 I'm starting a new feature, writing book reviews of up and coming authors, and small or medium press authors.

Today's review is Heartquake by Terry Newman.

About the author: Terry Newman has always loved words. As the editor-in-chief of a national natural health publishing company, she has written books on a variety of topics, as well as writing direct-mail advertising.

She’s also worked as a reporter, a communications specialist and a freelance writer. She’d had clients worldwide, and researched and wrote hundreds of eBooks and print books as well as ghostwrote novellas and short stories.
One day she woke and decided to make her dream of writing her own novel come true. She sets all her stories in fictional towns in northeast Ohio and writes about things she loves—like coffee.

Terry has led workshops on writing and character development.
She has a daughter, a son-in-law, and a grandpuppy, and lives in North Lima, a real town in northeast Ohio.

REVIEW, FIVE STARS: Riley is a billionaire trying to simplify his life by moving back to his Ohio home town. Charlee runs a coffee shop and is anxious for a huge change in her life. It's an immediate attraction when he walks into her shop. But Riley hides a dark secret. He's a lionshifter, his family notorious in decades past. He and his brother both change into big cats and roam the city at night. Will Charlee accept this bizarre aspect of the man she loves, or is she hiding her own secret?
The romance happens quickly, but the pace is brisk. Both Riley and Charlee are likeable characters. Riley runs a buy-out business. She's given more rounding out by being urged to run for city council, and fight the fracking that might be causing health problems in local children. Newman's prose is smooth and highly readable. You will enjoy following the love trials and adventures of Riley and Charlee.

Purchase: HEARTQUAKE

Diane lives in Western Pennsylvania with her husband and one naughty dachshund.