Release Day Review: Unspeakable WOrds by Sarah Madison #Review #Giveaway

Author: Sarah Madison
Book: Unspeakable Words 2nd Edition
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: L.C. Chase
Publication Date: March 10, 2017
Length: 200 pages


Reviewed by Morningstar

Synopsis

Special Agent John Flynn is everything Jerry Parker is not: dangerously handsome, coolly charismatic, and respected by his peers. Special Agent Parker is dedicated and meticulous, but his abrasive personality has given him a reputation for being difficult. When new information on a cold case appears, Parker is assigned to work with Flynn, and the sparks fly as their investigative styles clash. Contact with a strange artifact changes everything when it bestows unusual and unpredictable powers on Flynn… and the two men must learn to trust each other before a killer strikes again.

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Amazon

Review

I’m one of the lucky ones going into this knowing that there are two more books to follow and like most murder mysteries I most likely wouldn’t have tied everything up into a nice little bow. I love murder mysteries, each clue is like pulling loose one knot at a time in a ball of tangled yarn. This one was complex in that we start out in one case only to switch to what seems like a totally different one.

Jerry is the kind of guy that lives the Benjamin Franklin quote “A place for everything, everything in its place.” His apartment, his desk, his life is perfectly ordered exactly the way he loves it. No risk, no danger. Until he’s put on a serial killer case with another Agent from out of state. The problem is Jerry has an eidetic memory so looking at murder scene pictures is more than unpleasant. But he can’t fight it because as useful as that eidetic memory is to the Bureau there are those there that dislike him on the spot. He believes it’s because he’s gay not just because he has an abrasive attitude. When Agent Flynn arrives he hates him on sight with all his good looks, charm, and tough guy attitude. It has nothing to do with how hot he finds him.

Flynn and Jerry, talk about slow build! Flynn is straight and not even a little bit confused about that until he comes into contact with a relic that gives him the power of telepathy. Is it the mind reading or Jerry that is bringing out these thoughts now? The story is told completely from Jerry’s POV so we never get to see inside the mind of Flynn but it did make for an interesting and unique story when it’s told from the POV of the one that doesn’t know all that the other is thinking.

These two were alike as much as they were different. Jerry hated that his eidetic memory set him apart, he felt used as though it was the only reason he’s any good; but loves it all the same since it has shaped him and how he thinks. Flynn loves being good looking, it comes with perks, but once he hears the thoughts of those around him he grows to hate that that is how people see him. They’re both terse and grumpy and have many issues to work through, together and on their own. I loved the cute and funny banter and flirtations between these two. It was bale to lighten the mood of an otherwise heavy story of murder and kidnapping.

I wish there were parts that were expanded on like when Jerry helps Flynn learn to control the telepathy it was all tell and no show, it’s not something that takes away from the story but I think it could’ve only helped. The Grimm Fairy Tale murder case is left unsolved at the end, but that made sense to the plot, but I do hope that it is picked up again in the next two books for the sake of the reader's minds. Flynn still has some major communication issues, even more so than Jerry does and not much is focused on even the idea that it’s an issue so again I hope it’s addressed in the next book.

Overall a good read but if you hate not having all the answers make sure you get all the books before you read.

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Random Reviews... Holiday House Swap by Sarah Madison #Review #Giveaway

Author: Sarah Madison
Book: Holiday House Swap
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Publication date: December 21, 2016
Length: 189 pages



Reviewed by Meredith


Synopsis

Reclusive writer Noah Kinley is facing a dilemma: how to confess to the world he’s really the author of a best-selling romance series. For years, his friend Julie has been the face of his brand, but she wants her life back now. Fast running out of ideas for his popular series, Noah wants to break out into other genres. Not that he’s writing much of anything at the moment anyway, thanks to paralyzing writer’s block. With his publisher breathing down his neck for the next installment, he hopes a change of scene will get his writer’s juices flowing again. Desperate enough to try anything, during the holidays Noah swaps his isolated cabin in the woods for a gentrified horse farm.

USAF Major Connor Harrison has chosen forced retirement over facing charges for an unauthorized mission to rescue a buddy from behind enemy lines. No one expects him home for the holidays, and he certainly didn’t anticipate finding a stranger in his house, much less Noah Kinley with his acid tongue and a wry sense of humor that pierces all of Connor’s defenses.

Both men need to figure out what the next chapter in their lives will be—and whether it will include each other.

Buy Links

Dreamspinner Press

Amazon

Review

I really loved the concept of this story. House swapping! I mean, it partially terrifies me. I don’t like people in my space but in this instance it made for a good story!

Noah is a writer who is suffering from the dreaded writers block. He swaps houses with a guy and his family. They take his cabin he gets their mansion. So far so good! Now the way Noah finds out he’s not alone in the house had me laughing hysterically! You’ll see. 

Now, Noah is not just any writer. He’s a New York Times Best Selling Author! He writes romance mysteries that do amazingly well. The issue? His friend, who’s a girl, is the face of his work. Yes, it’s as much of a mess as you’d think.

Connor is the owner of the mansion and he’s home after a forced retirement form the USAF. You’d think they would be like oil and water but Noah and Connor are a perfect pair. They are the perfect balance the other needs. 

I can go on and on about story line, plot, all that but then I’d give away the story and there would be no point in reading it.  I loved Noah, minus his indiscretions with his lying to his fans. Yes, later I understood it and it does make sense. Wonderful personality. And for someone who starts off reclusive he actually didn’t show any of that. I read the blurb as a man who never left his home for awhile, didn’t interact with people all that. When his friend tries to get him to come to Paris to help with the award for his book his excuses follow along the lines of an introverted author who’s reclusive, and not good with people. But the second he house swaps we see an outgoing guy. Who’s great with people and throwing parties. So, I’m not sure what exactly happened or was he really reclusive at all? I chuck it up to Connor bringing something out of him.

His bisexuality comes up often and he explains it well even if there’s so many people in his life that don’t get it. Connor’s jealousy, his parents thinking. But each time Noah stood his ground and I commend his entire argument with his bisexuality. Well written.

I wanted to see Christmas morning with Noah and Connor and I wanted more interaction with his sister but we didn’t see that. It’s okay because the ending of the book made it worth the holiday absence! 

I liked this holiday read and found it to be a lot about discovery, acceptance, and love.

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Review Tour: Fool's Gold by Sarah Madison #Review #Giveaway

Sarah Madison - Fool's Gold

Author: Sarah Madison

Cover: Reese Dante

Release Date: July 29 2016

Amazon US

Amazon UK 

Available on KU

Add to you Goodreads here.

Blurb

Eight years ago, Jake Stanford had it all: a spot on the U.S. Olympic Equestrian Team and the love of his life, Rich Evans. A tragic accident wipes out everything in the blink of an eye. Hard work and sacrifice get him another shot at Olympic Gold, but only if he puts his past behind him and agrees to work with Rich again.

Bound by secrets he cannot share, Rich was forced to give up Jake eight years ago. Now he has a second chance to help Jake realize his dreams. But the secrets that drove them apart haven’t changed, and Rich must face them or risk losing Jake forever.

 Review

This is a second chances book, in more ways than one. When we first see Rich and Jake they are young, in their early 20’s. Jake is set to be in the Olympics. Their love is somewhat a secret. They work together and their love of horses and each other is what keeps them going. Until a really horrible accident changes everything.

When the book jumps eight years into the future things have changed some but not as much as you’d think. Jake, is once again vying for the Olympics. He and Rich aren’t together but that’s all going to change.

This book is told in three different POV’s. Mostly in Rich and Jake's but there is also the POV of Donald, Jake’s dad. That was not something I expected at first. See, Donald is not at all likeable. Downright deplorable. He is a huge reason that Rich and Jake break up. So, to see his POV at first was angering. We are in the mind of a homophobic shystee guy… But, and I mean it, but,  I think it ends up being the best thing about this book.

Donald, for all his flaws, loves his son so much. When we are in his POV that part is 100% clear. We go from hating this man to actually liking him. NOT EASY. Because I really hated him in the beginning. That was the best surprise of this story.

Of course Rich and Jake are amazing and in love and they fight for the Olympic gold and for each other in a breathless sort of way. 

I’m not one for horse events honestly. I don’t understand them. And even though horses are gorgeous and I find them to be amazing creatures, personally I’ve never had interest in them. So this book had to keep me interested in spite of that and it did. I was able to gasp at the falls and understand the horse- man bond in a way I just never really got before. I didn’t get frustrated with too much horse talk. It all balances somewhat. 

Only one issue I had with this book and it was ever so minor was I thought the inner dialog was too much at times. Inside Rich’s or Jake’s head sometimes dragged on a bit longer than necessary. But that is the only thing and it’s a small thing.

Overall this is a beautiful, strong second chance romance with sweet surprises and a lot of overcoming.

Author Bio

Sarah Madison is a writer with a little dog, a large dog, an even bigger horse, too many cats, and a very patient boyfriend. An amateur photographer and a former competitor in the horse sport known as eventing, when she's not out hiking with the dogs or down at the stables, she's at the laptop working on her next story. When she’s in the middle of a chapter, she relies on the smoke detector to tell her dinner is ready. She writes because it’s cheaper than therapy.

Sarah Madison was a finalist in the 2013 and 2015 Rainbow Awards. The Boys of Summer won Best M/M Romance in the 2013 PRG Reviewer’s Choice Awards. The Sixth Sense series was voted 2 nd place in the 2014 PRG Reviewer’s Choice Awards for Best M/M Mystery series, and 3 rd place in the 2105 PGR Reviewer’s Choice Awards for Best M/M Paranormal/Urban Fantasy series.

If you want to make her day, e-mail her and tell you how much you like her stories.

Website: http://www.sarahmadisonfiction.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SarahMadisonFic
Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/SarahMadisonAuthor/
E-mail: akasarahmadison@gmail.com

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