20Backlistin2020 book review: Out of Luck by Kendall Talbot

Oh my god, this book has sat on my digital shelf for 11 months, I am so glad I finally got to it because it was an action-packed read that kept me guessing until the end.

When Charlene’s father is murdered in front of her it is the catalyst that sets of a series of events that after a while she has no control over, as secrets and lies begin to come unravelled, Charlene throws herself into the path of danger.

While I couldn’t even begin to imagine running off to Cuba to hunt down my past, that is exactly what Charlene does. Her only saving grace is that she is lucky enough to have landed sexy ex-naval officer Marshall as her skipper to get her across from the US to Cuba, an illegal and potentially dangerous journey in itself.

These two have an instant connection, but both fight it as they have their own agendas and their own personal issues to deal with.

Charlene was one tough young woman, her father had given her lots of training over the years, and this is the only thing that kept her alive. While I thought some (most) of her decisions were really not the best idea, she was running completely on her emotions and to her, they seemed to be the only decisions to make.

While Marshall is determined not to care about Charlene, when she doesn’t make the rendezvous, he is, of course, determined to try and save her.

There is plenty of action, suspense, and chemistry in this fast-paced romantic suspense novel and I am going to try and hunt down the first book in the Maximum Exposure series. I remember reading and enjoying book 2 Out of Mind but it looks like these are being rereleased, so I might have to wait to read book 1 Out of Reach.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for a digital copy of this novel in return for an honest review.

#AWW2020 25/50

#20Backlistin2020: Book Review: Beyond Identity by Karrie Roman

I read a previous novel by Karrie Roman and thought it was a fabulous read, so I was keen to read Beyond Identity, but for some reason it has been on my shelf since the end of August, I’m not sure what was happening around that time but I seem to have a fair few backlist books from this period. This is my fourth #20Backlistin2020 review and it does feel so good to be getting some of these great books read.

This was one book I was loath to put down in order to go to work, I was hooked from the beginning and despite some of it feeling a little bit hard to believe, I really enjoyed it.

I really liked both of the main characters, Noah, who is currently homeless, is bashed on the streets one night ending up in hospital. Harry is a financial reporter trying to become an investigative journalist, he is doing a story on the homeless community and when he hears of the assault on Noah, he turns up at the hospital to see if he can interview him.

Noah was a great character, at first unwilling to ask for help, but slowly letting his guard down as his relationship with Harry progressed. As I found out about Noah’s situation, it seemed it was another all too familiar case of a child getting lost in the system, just like real life. I really liked Noah and I liked seeing how he was tough but vulnerable.

I liked Harry, I liked how his compassion and empathy wouldn’t allow him to turn away from Noah, a complete stranger when he was in need of someone to help him, and that he was willing to follow Noah and help him to uncover the truth about his past.

There was plenty of chemistry between Noah and Harry, as well as genuine affection, and I loved how this relationship bloomed.

The truth about Noah’s past and his parents went in several directions I wasn’t expecting and one I was. It will never cease to amaze me the lengths some people will go to to be top dog. There were a few moments when I didn’t know if all was going to end well or not and I had to keep reading despite the need to sleep.

I look forward to reading more books by this author.

Thanks to NetGalley and Ninestar Press for a digital copy of this novel in return for an honest review.

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#20Backlistin2020: Book Review: To Wed a Wild Scot by Anna Bradley

To Wed a Wild Scot by Anna Bradley has been waiting to be read since at last July, it feels good to have ticked my third #20backlistin2020 book off the list.

It was the absolutely gorgeous cover that first attracted me to this novel, I haven’t read many regency romances, but Maddison Michaels introduced me to the genre and I have found I really enjoy it, especially if the female characters are strong ones.

Juliana, our main character is definitely a strong female, she’s headstrong, gutsy, stubborn and determined, though at times full of self-doubt. Logan, our leading man is also headstrong, stubborn and determined, but he has a soft heart underneath his imposing character.

I really enjoyed this novel, there were a few times I wished the characters would stop jumping to conclusions and just talk to each other, but this is an ongoing issue I have with many novels, at least they worked things out between them eventually.

I really do love a strong, sexy Scotsman and this novel definitely ticked that box for me. With great secondary characters, as well as a very unlikeable character that they have to deal with, this was an enjoyable read, and I’ll be looking for more books by this author.

Thanks to NetGalley and Lyrical Press for a digital copy of this novel in return for an honest review.

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