Now in My Bookbag: Devil Creek, by Casey L. Bond

I like this novel about love, heartbreak, and acceptance. Set in rural West Virginia, this story delivers a sense of community, old and new friendships, and the story of unconventional family. It also contains suspense and some violence.

It has lovable characters who face life, the highs and the lows. Aislin, the female protagonist, has experienced a lot of hard knocks. The history of her life includes abandonment, abuse, betrayal, loss, and heartbreak. She works continually to overcome and persevere. Her best friend, Gabe, suffers from a misplaced sense of duty, a tendency to overprotect, and a desperate need to suppress the survivor’s guilt he feels. The other characters are also well imagined and well written.

The plot of the story is very interesting. It contains a lot of different elements, yet remains cohesive throughout. I am unsure, however, about the end of the book. I can’t help wondering if the story resolution might have been better served at the end of chapter 16, then there could be a look a couple of years into the future. However, I am okay with the ending as it is. This is an enjoyable book that I really like. 4 1/5 stars

Now in My Bookbag: Viral Justice, by Julie Rowe

For the most part, I enjoyed this read. It had an interesting concept and a lot of action. I enjoyed most of the back and forth between Max and Ali. I liked the fact that Ali was such a strong female character, and I loved the way she didn’t take any crap from anybody.

I thought that the book could use some more editing and proofing. There was a lot of repetition in ideas, scenarios, and dialogue. In addition,  there were quite a few grammatical errors.

Overall, I liked the book. Readers who like less romance, and a lot more action and violence, would probably enjoy this book. I would enjoy  it more with some extra editing and proofing.

3.5 stars

What I Am Reading

Through Netgalley, I have the wonderful opportunity to read and review books that I may not have ordinarily noticed. I previously read, and reviewed, two books I found at Netgalley: Ties That Bind, & The Golden Anklet.

I am currently reading a novel titled Viral Justice (Biological Response Team), by Julie Rowe. I should be finished later tonight and will have my review done tomorrow.

Here is the jacket blurb about Viral Justice:

As a general’s daughter, Alicia Stone has fought twice as hard for everything she’s earned in the military. A Special Forces consultant with black belts in three martial arts, she’s as strong as her surname implies. No one dares call her Alicia—no one but Colonel Robert Maxmillian, head of the Biological Response Team.

With Alicia at his side, Max must lead the team into northern Iraq to investigate a virus—or is it a weapon—killing the area’s population. Charged with guarding his body, she can’t help wanting his hands on her body. Max would be the perfect fling. But he demands more.

The heat builds between them, but danger quickly follows. As the two get closer to the source of the virus, they’ll have to risk their future to outsmart a scientist with nothing to lose.