Book Review: Thirteen West by Jane Toombs

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Thirteen West

Written by Jane Toombs

Published by  Books We Love Ltd.

Mainstream Fiction

167 Pages   

~You won't believe your eyes~ Thirteen West by Jane Toombs

Thirteen West- Book Synopsis 

Ever been inside a state psychiatric hospital? That's an experience Sarah Goodrow Fenz had hoped never to repeat. Years ago, as a young woman, she'd been a student nurse taking her psychiatric affiliation at the state hospital. Now, matured and affluent enough, with an adult daughter by her side, Sarah is suddenly compelled to pick up a drunken derelict off the streets of San Diego and take him to a motel. Leaving her daughter standing speechless in the street, Sarah hails a cab, shoves the derelict inside and rides away.

Compelling, horrifying and too real to ignore, Thirteen West. Can love bloom in the midst of horror?

Book Review of Thirteen West

My goodness, where to start. Perhaps the appropriate place to begin is on the sidewalk where we are first introduced to Sarah Goodrow Fenz, a strong woman who is unable to turn her back on a street bum. There’s a reason why she extends a helping hand. Sarah knows the man. It’s been a long time, but somewhere under the layers of soiled clothes and the stench of alcohol, lives a man she once knew, a man who needs a turn of luck and someone there to care. 

As the story unfolded, I was touched by the character’s compassion. Even though Sarah knows what risks are at stake, she can’t turn the cheek and look the other way. She’s determined to save Frank, but helping him means placing herself in an uncomfortable situation, one she fears will inevitably force her to confront a past she’d rather leave alone. 

  It’s easy to see why author Jane Toombs has a backlist of bestsellers and remains one of the most cherished authors of our time. Mastering the art of building suspense while creating memorable characters, author Jane Toombs turns this novel into another respected work of literary genius.

The dialogue will keep readers in fits of laughter while the story itself will keep readers invested in the work of Jane Toombs. Sharply written, Thirteen West  entertains throughout. I often found myself cautiously peering around the next corner while walking down the hallways of a fictional psychiatric hospital embedded with secrets and its share of horrors.  

Having worked as a psych tech in a local psychiatric hospital, I can tell you with absolute certainty-Jane Toombs capitalized on her personal knowledge by writing a clever fiction novel her fans won’t soon forget.  Kudos to Jane Toombs. Once again, you blew me away. 

I’ll recommend Thirteen West for many years to come.

 ~Reviewed by Destiny Blaine~

International bestselling author Destiny Blaine writes in all genres under several pseudonyms. Her pen names have earned bestselling status at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Bookstrand, and All Romance Ebooks. You can find her on the web at www.destinyblaine.com or follow her on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/DestinyBlaine

Book Review: Storm of Desire by Cara Marsi

Romance Reviews Submitted by Authors Proudly Presents

Storm of Desire

Written by Cara Marsi

Published by Cara Marsi

Romance

98 Pages

 

Storm of Desire—Book Synopsis 

Corporate attorney Samantha Greco needs some peace and quiet to come to a decision about her career. Instead, while an icy nor’easter rages outside, she finds herself trapped in a cottage on Fenwick Island with Aiden Rourke, a man she used five years ago when she ran from the heartbreak of her fiancé’s betrayal.

Aiden Rourke has loved Sam for years. For one glorious night she was his. But then she fled, wounding his ego and his heart. Thrown together again, they soon discover time hasn’t diminished their fiery passion for each other. Only Aiden has ever been able to melt Sam with just a look or a touch. But the fear that she’s like her mother, who used men mercilessly, scares Sam to death.

The storm outside is nothing compared to the storm of desire, fear, and guilt raging inside Sam. But during their wild weekend together, Sam and Aiden draw closer and realize their all-consuming passion for each other masks deeper needs and desires.

When the storm ends, will they go their separate ways? Or will they find the courage to face the future together as one?

Book Review of Storm of Desire by Cara Marsi

Samantha is a beautiful but lonely attorney struggling to rise in her career. To sort her thoughts she drives up the coast to her mother's vacant home and is caught in a dangerous storm. What she finds there is more than just a couple frightened cats.

Enter Aiden--a ruggedly handsome, emotionally grounded hunk of man who knows what he wants. He is not expecting anyone to be occupying Lisa's home when he arrives to secure the residence for the raging storm.

What impressed me the most about this book is how beautifully the author paints pictures with words. I could easily visualize how the characters were feeling by their body language and actions. Cara Marsi is truly gifted in the choreography of words.

The first scene caught my interest and I loved the wit with which the author writes. I laughed during Sam and Aiden's first encounter because it was written so realistically that I could picture hers and his response. I won't elaborate so as not to spoil the scene but I loved it! The author did a superb job of drawing me in quickly and holding my interest.

Sparks flew right away between the characters and without a supporting cast these two characters were definitely strong enough to carry the book on their own. The story flowed very well and was a true pleasure to read. I loved the subtle mention throughout the story of the frightened cats during a dangerous storm that lasted a couple of days.

While Sam and Aiden wait out the storm, each struggles with past feelings while caving into their undeniable attraction to one another. The passion is hot, descriptive and extremely loving which I truly enjoyed. Each love scene was written with a deft touch and though very descriptive and not leaving anything to the reader's imagination, the sex was sweet and hot but never offensive.

The characters are very well drawn and you're not left wondering what their thinking. The author does a great job of balancing the emotions of each one. I found myself relating to Sam and her troubled past while cheering her on for all she'd overcome. Aiden is as solid as they come and if all men were as loving, tender and patient as him the world would be perfect. I loved him. He's deeply romantic and tender yet strong in all the right ways.

Sweetly erotic with a generous portion of bedroom action, Storm of Desire is a great read with a very fitting title. Nicely done.

~Reviewed by Storm Savage ~

Storm Savage is the author of a fresh, original and ultra sexy vampire series that has consistently climbed into best seller lists at Extasy Books and other book sellers. Her hot rebel biker vampires continue to thrill and capture new readers daily. She also writes under many other genres and has 20 books contracted thus far soon to be released. You can find her at www.nightbrigade.wetpaint.com and follow her around the web from there.