Fury of Frustration (Dragonfury Scotland, #6) by Coreene Callahan – Review

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4 stars, Book Review, Coreene Callahan, dragons, paranormal, paranormal romance, romance, Scotland, series

Review of Fury of Frustration

Ferguson McGlivery, is slightly more than human.  She just doesn’t know it yet.  Good thing she learns fast!  A she learns about her inheritance, The White Hare inn, and she must take on the dragon-warrior Kruger.  

Kruger is a shrewd businessman just as likely to get what he wants through negotiations as hostile takeovers.  He wants The White Hare.  But neither the previous innkeeper, nor Fergusen will sell.  The couple starts out adversarial, but as these stories go, they can’t fight the attraction between them. 

This series features tough, mean, don’t-mess-with-me male dragon heroes who have a soft spot for the women they fall in love with.  Which makes me like them.  Not so with Kruger.  At the outset of a confrontational first meeting with Fergusen, he lets loose an onslaught of very personal insults which I found despicable.  In real life, people who treat others that way don’t change overnight.  And yet, it would seem Kruger did.  I did like how Ferguson retaliated, especially when Kruger returned to the inn.  I’d tell you, but you need to enjoy that scene, with no spoilers!  Basically, I did not like Kruger at all.  That one scene ruined him for me as a hero.

Beyond my dislike of Kruger, there is plenty more to the story.  Magic, danger, dragons and romance pack the pages of this book and make for a thrilling tale that enhances the Dragonfury narrative.  Readers of Ms. Callahan will want to add this to their collection.

Through Booksprout, the author provided a copy of this book. My review is my honest opinion.

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About Fury of Frustration by Coreene Callahan

Ambition can be deadly…

Born of a powerful god, but exiled on earth, dragon-warrior Kruger conceals the truth of his origins from the world. Forced to live a lie, he proves his worth by becoming a tycoon in a powerful business empire. But when a beautiful woman with ambitions of her own gets in his way, he must decide—accept what he cannot change, or eliminate the threat once and for all.

Haunted by ghosts, Ferguson McGilvery needs out. Out from under her step-father’s thumb. Out of the toxic whirlwind her step-brothers create. Out of the country, far away from the dysfunction that has overtaken her life. When a surprise inheritance sends her to the Scottish Highlands, she clashes with Kruger, a man so infuriating she’ll do anything to foil his attempts to make her leave.

His ruthlessness is legendary. Her obstinance knows no bounds. Can two stubborn souls go from enemies to lovers…or will the fates finally admit they made a mistake by throwing the pair together?

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A Love by Design (The Secret Scientists of London, #3) by Elizabeth Everett – Review

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4 stars, Book Review, Elizabeth Everett, engineering, England, historical, humor, London, Regency, romance, series

Review of A Love by Design

Two best friends, soul mates really, reconnect after years.  One, George, is a young Earl trying to reform English education.   The other, Margaret, is a talented engineer who wants to become successful on her own terms.  It’s 1820 though, when the rich English class doesn’t think that everyone should be educated and women aren’t hired to design bridges.  Both seem to be making headway though, but there are issues around every single corner.

My heart went out to these two, both individually fighting their own battles. All the while, reviving their friendship and becoming closer than ever.  But it seems they can never really be together. 

I really liked this story.  George is funny.  Margaret is serious, but she does have a sense of humor.  They are so lovely together.  The villain(s) were rather obvious and they threw some serious wrenches into George and Margaret’s plans.  Ultimately, the pair will have to figure out that they accomplish more together than they do apart. 

It was a bit murky as to how things got from the last chapter to the epilogue.  And the story did not end like I wanted it to, but it ended as it needed to.  The book includes hints about what happened in the first two books of this series and may impel you to read them.  However, the story stands well alone. 

I love the writing in this story.  It is mostly straight-forward prose, but occasionally, Ms. Everett throws in an inciteful, almost poetic, phrase or paragraph.  They accent the story with elegance and charm.  And also make me want to read more from this author.

Through Netgalley, the publisher provided a copy of this book. My review is my honest opinion.

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About A Love by Design by Elizabeth Everett

You couldn’t design a better hero than the very eligible and extremely charming Earl Grantham. Unless, of course, you are Margaret Gault, who wants nothing to do with the man who broke her youthful heart.

Widowed and determined, Margaret Gault has returned to Athena’s Retreat and the welcoming arms of her fellow secret scientists with an ambitious plan in mind: to establish England’s first woman-owned engineering firm. But from the moment she sets foot in London her plans are threatened by greedy investors and—at literally every turn—the irritatingly attractive Earl Grantham, a man she can never forgive.
 
George Willis, the Earl Grantham, is thrilled that the woman he has loved since childhood has returned to London. Not as thrilling, however, is her decision to undertake an engineering commission from his political archnemesis. When Margaret’s future and Grantham’s parliamentary reforms come into conflict, Grantham must use every ounce of charm he possesses—along with his stunning good looks and flawless physique, of course—to win Margaret over to his cause.
 
Facing obstacles seemingly too large to dismantle, will Grantham and Margaret remain forever disconnected or can they find a way to bridge their differences, rekindle the passion of their youth, and construct a love built to last?

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Mayatte’s Catharsis: A Feathered Serpent Reborn by Jack E. Mohr – Review

Tags

4 stars, Adventure, Book Review, fantasy, folk tale, Jack E. Mohr, young adult

Review of Mayatte’s Catharsis

Jack E. Mohr’s original young adult story has the feel of a folk tale.  It is set on a mythical island inhabited by people who prefer to keep themselves – a lesson they have learned from history. 

When shipwrecked explorers wash up on the island’s shore, the curiosity of youth has Naña and her friend Morchato greeting the strangers.  One of the strangers becomes ill, so Naña takes it upon herself to give aid.  A cure may be possible, but it will mean a dangerous undertaking to obtain it. 

Naña will encounter dangerous travel conditions, vicious creatures, and the magic of a goddess while being helped – and hindered – by one of the strangers.  This is very much a coming of age mission for Naña, one that will be the stepping stone to greater things. 

As often happens in these types of stories, Naña’s kindness toward the island’s visitors is met with the stranger’s greed, sparking yet another very important transformational mission for Naña.

The story ends quite abruptly (and frustratingly), leaving the reader to imagine how Naña becomes the savior of her people and a great leader.

Steeped in mysticism, emotion, bravery and discovery, Mayatte’s Catharis will appeal to young readers of fantasy. 

Thanks to the author who provide a copy of this book.  My review is my honest opinion.

About Mayatte’s Catharsis by Jack E. Mohr

The mythical Island of Mayatte was never meant to be discovered by anyone, and its natives are about to find out why.

When a ship of foreigners crashes along the coast, everyone but Naña is wary of their inexplicable arrival. While others are suspicious and fearful, Naña is curious and even helpful, especially when one of the outsiders becomes gravely ill. But her goodwill might be a fatal flaw that puts the entire island in jeopardy.

While she grows closer to the foreigners, they discover something that could revolutionize the outside world. A resource so powerful, they’re compelled to harvest it at any cost. Naña is now pit against forces that could wipe her people from existence. How can she stop an enemy that’s more powerful than any of them can handle?

Mayatte’s Catharsis is a bittersweet tale of humanity in all its madness. Follow Naña through mystic battles, political unrest, and acts of kindness with magic leading every step of the way.

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