Diverse Reader: Anne Barwell

Thursday, January 4, 2018

Random Review: Prelude To Love by Anne Barwell #Review #Giveaway

Author: Anna Barwell
Book: Prelude To Love
House line: Dreamspun Desires
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Bree Archer
Publication Date: January 2, 2018
Length: 234 pages

Reviewed by Racheal

Synopsis

Music speaks directly to the heart.

Two very different men face turning points in their lives after the collapse of long-term relationships….

Joel is a music teacher who knows it’s time to forget his ex and move on, while Marcus runs a lawn-mowing business and has come to Wellington to escape the reminders of a recent breakup. Although they’re opposites, when Joel and Marcus connect, their romance has the potential to hit all the right notes.

Too bad neither of them feels ready for new love.

With family and friends in common, dating is risky—things could get messy if it doesn’t work out. The sweet song of possibility draws them to each other, though, and they share a kiss following a Chopin prelude. But it will take some practice and perseverance to find their perfect harmony

Buy Links

Dreamspinner Press

Amazon

Review

Joel loves being a teacher! Even on those days when parents make their kids take lessons even though he knows it's not something they want to do, and he must remind himself to have patience just to get through some of his private classes. His love life; now that is a whole another matter. Since breaking off with his boyfriend Reed five years prior, he really hasn't found anyone to fill that void in his life. Not that it stops his best friends Darin and Ella from trying to persuade him into finding that someone special.

Marcus is moving in with his sister, Ella, after what appears to be a mutual break up from his boyfriend, Garth, just six months prior. He is looking to start up his business in Wellington. He needs a fresh start in a place where he isn't reminded of his ex. Little does Marcus know that Ella, Darin, and even his fourteen-year-old niece, Isabel, have a game plan already set in motion for him.

Bringing together Marcus and Joel is like bringing beautiful music together. Even though some notes may not seem to fit once you hear them together it's like the best melody ever. The two balance each other out whereas their other partners couldn't.

However, with a lack of communication, could these two miss out on the best harmony created for these two emotionally seeking souls?

Giveaway

Enter the monthly review giveaway

Contest ends January 31st

Thanks

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, August 1, 2017

Release Day Review: Comes A Horseman by Anne Barwell #Review #Giveaway

Author: Anne Barwell
Book: Comes A Horseman
Series: Echoes Rising #3
Publisher: DSP Publications
Cover Artist: Reese Dante
Publication date: August 1, 2017
Length: 230 pages

Reviewed by Erin

Synopsis

France, 1944
Sometimes the most desperate struggles take place far from the battlefield, and what happens in secret can change the course of history.
Victory is close at hand, but freedom remains frustratingly just beyond the grasp of German physicist Dr. Kristopher Lehrer, Resistance fighter Michel, and the remaining members of the team sent by the Allies—Captain Matt Bryant, Sergeant Ken Lowe, and Dr. Zhou Liang—as they fight to keep the atomic plans from the Nazis. The team reaches France and connects with members of Michel’s French Resistance cell in Normandy. Allied troops are poised to liberate France, and rescue is supposedly at hand. However, Kristopher is no longer sure the information he carries in his memory is safe with either side.
When Standartenführer Holm and his men finally catch up with their prey, the team is left with few options. With a traitor in their midst, who can they trust? Kristopher realizes he must become something he is not in order to save the man he loves. Death is biding his time, and sacrifices must be made for any of them to have the futures they want.

Buy Links

DSP Publications

Amazon

Review

The setting is France and the year is 1944. World War 2 is underway and victory is close. I have to say that historical fiction is not my usual go to but I couldn't resist giving Anne Barwell's Comes a Horseman a try ... and boy am I sure glad I did. When I first picked it up, I wasn't aware it was part of the series, Echoes Rising, and while I think I might have lost a little bit by not reading the first two books of the series first, I was able to follow along just fine.

The book opens smack dab in the middle of the action. Dr. Kristopher "Kitt" Lehrer and resistance fighter Michael are headed toward the safety of France, on the run from the Nazis. They along with their rag tag group of other resistance fighters--Matt, Ken, and Liang--are frantically trying to escape. This book reminded me of a movie, with action going on all over the place, and the tension ramped up to a 100 at all times. Kitt is desperate to keep his work on the nuclear project out of the hands of the enemy ... and the other side, too.

I was on the edge of my seat from the very first page, and even though like I mentioned above I was left a bit in the dark and filling in the blanks on some things, I was certainly able to connect to all of the characters just fine. Kitt and Michael's desperate need to be together after the war--assuming they'll make it out alive--even though it's not all that likely it will happen. Matt and Ken's willingness to help. There was tension and heartbreak, and action and even some beautifully tender moments throughout the book. I am definitely going to go back and read the series from start to finish just to experience the epic tale of these men. If historical romance is your thing, I suggest you give this series a try!