I needed a hanky and a hug

To Honor by D.F. Krieger (The Review)

Who knew two little words would have such a strong impact on me. I was warned that I may need a tissue or two. If you’re looking for something sweet and sassy...well this ain’t it, but if you want to sink you teeth into a gut-wrenching romance then settle in and enjoy the ride.

I normally don’t get caught in the cover craze, but the emotional from this one really caught my attention. Her pain is nearly palpable.

From the first sentence to the last I wanted to be angry with the hero, Derek. I tried, but the way Ms. Krieger has written him, he’s so contrite, so remorseful of his actions it’s hard to maintain any anger at him. If anything I felt sorry for him.

And, Evelyn. Evelyn took me on a journey of emotions I’d forgotten. She’s a woman who has suffered many tragedies and is only hanging onto life by a thin thread. The only thing keeping her on her day to day path is her husband’s love. When that’s taken away from her, that thread breaks and she does the only thing possible, she chooses to die.

I don’t want to give away too much so I’ll stop right there. This story touched my heart in a way few romances do and if this was a movie it would definitely be one of those tearjerker Lifetime movies. This wasn’t a rags to riches, or a marriage of convenience. This is a glimpse into a marriage with two flawed people and how they fight back to regain their love and sanity. There was so much heart in this story I wondered if the author had lived through it.

A must read, just have a hanky at the ready. 

Review for Deaf isn't Dumb by Tara Chevrestt

Whenever I think about this memoir the phrase, "I am an overcomer, yes I am," comes to mind. I'm truly amazed at what Tara Chevrestt has accomplished. Deaf isn't Dumb in an inspiration to those with disabilities as well as those without. As I was reading the Ms. Chevrestt's accounts of bullying, ignorant school administrators and idiot bosses I was blown away. She had numerous reasons to give up and succumb to being handicapped and use her hearing loss as an excuse not to live in the world, but she didn't.
I love that she worked, you've got the read her account of working in the lingerie store and learned how to drive. (I'm totally jealous that she's able to drive and I've had to stop due to my visual impairment) and she's living her dream as a writer.
There were a few things that made me sad, flat out angry, but there were also lots of things that made me laugh. Reading Deaf isn't Dumb was like listening to a friend relate intimate moments from her life. I took away a better sense of the author and more importantly I was encouraged to live a better quality of life. Having a disability isn't an excuse to give up living, but a chance to see in a unique way, that others take for granted.
Deaf isn't Dumb is worth your time and money. I strongly recommend that you read this memoir for yourself. Thank you Ms. Chevrestt for sharing your life.

You're stupid. You're retarded. You shouldn't have this job. These words lit a fire of determination in one deaf woman who set out to prove to the aviation world…and the world in general that deaf isn't dumb.

Deaf Isn't Dumb is a motivational story of a young woman, Tara, who faces the challenges of growing up "hearing impaired" in a hearing world. Follow her as she recounts everything from childhood bullies to work related restrictions, and funny misunderstandings from mispronounced words to fear of Federal Air Marshals. In this tale, straight from the heart, learn that simply because one is deaf—contrary to popular misconception—it doesn't mean they are dumb.

Buy Link:

Breathless Press

Amazon

You can find Tara

Blog

Facebook

Blog Hop, Fiction and Reviews

I know you're wondering how I'm going to fit all of this in this post, right? Okay first order of business. Blog Hop. You know the drill, if you've been to Decadent Decisions before. I keep things simple. Leave a comment for a chance to win a Valentine prize. I'll post a picture of the prize a little later, on the contest page.

I'm also over at The Romance Studio Valentine shindig. Leave a comment there for a chance to win a $15 GC.

Oh and when you leave a comment, please include your email address. I need to know whom to contact. Links to The Romance Studio and the Valentine's Day blog hop are in the upper left hand corner.

In the meantime here a few authors I've read and have reviewed over the last couple of weeks. Maybe you'll discover a new author or two.

Hawthorne by Sarah Ballance Romantic Suspense

I loved the surprise ending. Yes, there is a surprise and I’m not going to ruin it. Let me tell you, I love a good ghost story and Hawthorne delivered on its promise with a vengeful ghost, a haunted plantation and a missing will.

This story caught me off-guard and knocked me for a loop. I’m one of those readers or viewers who can generally figure out the storyline fairly quickly, but this story just blew me away.

At the opening we glimpse Emma Grace returning to her ancestral home after a ten year absence, her grandmother has passed away and the will cannot be found. Despite knowing she needs to return to settle the estate, two things bother her, her accident and the love she had for the caretaker’s son, Noah.

Noah has some lingering sadness over Emma Grace’s accident, because she left and he never got to pursue the love he had for her. And he stayed at Hawthorne, hoping one day she would return.

Who wouldn’t want a guy like this and I couldn’t wait for these two character to get together. After all this is a romantic suspense and that first kiss...sigh.

This story kept me swiping my Kindle, I couldn’t read fast enough and the bread crumbs sprinkled throughout the story...I enjoyed the emotional element. Who hasn’t had a budding love just waiting to blossom, but there’s a twist. One I didn’t see coming until the author wanted me too.

So if you’re looking for a quick read, that will have you thinking about the ending long after you’ve read this great story, Hawthorne is the read for you.

Amazon

Rosemary & Mistletoe by Bianca Sommerland Erotica

This was a sweet, sexy story. All Rosemary wants to do is spend Christmas with her nest. After the trauma they all sustained I can see why. If you haven’t read Rosemary Entwined, no worries there’s enough backstory sprinkled in so the reader isn’t lost.

Rosemary is a succubus, a demon who feeds off sexual energy

Then of course I was curious as to how one woman could take on seven men. Call it a fascination of mine.

I just liked this story. It was funny, romantic, sweet, sexy and made me want to learn more about these characters. The characters are not perfect, they all have flaws and that really appealed to me.

Also once I started reading I couldn’t put it down. I was only going to read a few pages, since the hubby wasn’t home and ended up reading until about two in the morning. I love stories that keep me riveted to the page and willing to ditch sleep to find out what happens next.

Nicely Done!

Amazon

Daughter of Lust by Ann Mayburn Erotica

If you want to read a book your absolutely cannot put down. This is the one. The characters were so compelling, the struggle real. OMG I was only going to read a little bit of the story while I was in the car, but I tuned out my husband. When I got home I ignored my son. I did not put the story down until I finished and even then I didn't want it to end.

I loved Natalia Shura, a Cambion, part human part demon. She has no idea of her heritage and the emotions she goes through while coming into her powers, she thinks she's losing her mind most of the time. It was very nicely done.

And  there are such vivid creatures in the story as well, like the Nightmare and some of the demons and devils mentioned.

Did I mention I didn't want this story to end?

If you've read this far, don't forget to leave a comment with your email addy.

Good luck and don't forget to Indulge Your Inner Romantic!