Reading and Reviews (Cockrell and Imbalzano)

I'm an author, but I'm also a reader. From time to time, I'll share my reviews of present and past reads. My available time to read is limited because I write, but I love to curl up with a paperback or an eBook at night for the last hour of my day. 

I tend to read what I write, but not exclusively. Besides Romantic Suspense and mystery, I read crime and law novels, once in a while a true story, WWII historicals, romance, and mainstream character driven books.

Here are some of the books I've read recently or in the not-too-distant past. Maybe you'll discover a new book or author. 

The Downtrodden (The Brown Rain Series, book 2) by Connie Cockrell 

After their near-miss with the Children of God, Alyssa and Kyra are hesitant to trust strangers again. The world after the mysterious brown rain isn’t what they had been expecting, but they cannot go back. Hunger and thirst drive them onward, and duty takes them into the embrace of another survivor community.

Will they find a more open welcome this time around? Or is the depravity of man more universal than Alyssa and Kyra can comprehend?

My Review:

I read the second book in this series by Ms. Cockrell as a bookclub choice. Although I don't normally read Sci-Fi, I'm glad I got to be entertained by this story. On one hand, it's bleak and sad, but on the other it kept me glued to the pages...there was hope. The characters are vivid, which is always a plus for me. This future world is totally believable. There is definitely a moral to be learned. There is definitely an underlying lesson. I am going to have to read book one. You don't have to read book one to enjoy book two.

https://www.amazon.com/Snapshot-Murder-Izzy-Munro-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0CFKB7V5Y/ 

 

Island Detour (Sunrise Island Series book 1) by Maria Imbalzano

Falsely accused of wrongdoing at a Princeton Prep school, Sophie Kearns accepts a temporary teaching position at an environmental school in the Florida Keys to wait out her suspension. The time away is meant to be an anxiety-free escape, but her clashes with the hot but arrogant marine biology teacher, Max Heaton, are anything but tranquil.

Max is determined to start an environmental research institute at the school, but he suspects the gorgeous new Lit teacher, who lacks even the most basic outdoor skills, is there to hinder that dream. Yet something about her tames the demons from his past, and he can no longer ignore the fire she’s lit inside him.

 My Review:

Sophie Kearns is falsely accused of wrongdoing at the prep school where she teaches, just as she’s about to rise to an elevated position and reach her dream. She escapes to an environmental school in Florida owned by an old friend who offers her a temporary position while she awaits the verdict. She’s totally out of her element, and one of the biology teachers, Max, finds every excuse to clash with her over her ineptness at the outdoor activities. He mistakenly concludes she’s there to hinder his goals at the school, and he’d like to drive her away. 

Physically, Max and Sophie are attracted to each other from day one. But Max is arrogant and a hot head focused only on his aspirations. Sophie is uptight and not suited for the layback atmosphere and outdoorsy routine at the school. Plus, Max has a huge trust problem. 

As Sophie falls in love with a style of life she didn’t know she even liked, she also falls for Max. Max of course falls for her too, but he can’t get over his fear that there is something she isn’t disclosing. They come together, and they fall apart. Several times. When Sophie finally comes to the realization she can never be a prep school teacher again, she has to make a decision what path to follow. Max wants her to stay and work with him on his dreams, but he’s afraid of holding her back and won’t tell her. 

The biggest problem for both of them is their reluctance to communicate openly, to make assumptions without full disclosures, and to run from what will make them really happy. Will they finally admit their true feelings? Will the pathways open for Max to complete his dreams? Will Sophie turn her back on a way of life for which she yearns? 

If you’re up for a lot of angst and some well done love scenes, this book is for you.

https://www.amazon.com/Unexpected-Laylah-Abrams-ebook/dp/B0CK8T9ZWR/