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Captured by Elizabeth Bolling


Review
Elizabeth Bolling’s “Captured” intrigues with a cocktail of suspense and romance.

The novella follows Meredith Clarke, a consultant at a small marketing firm, who has philosophical thoughts about marriage and singleness as she approaches her third year of marriage.

Her thoughts are cast in a new light when she is kidnapped at a gunpoint, and during her captivity, there is much reflection about her life and relationships.

Bolling uses multiple perspectives to tell the story, including that of Meredith’s husband, Rob Clarke.

Although the plot is relatively linear, it is written in a way that has the reader wondering what happens next.

One of highlights of the novella is Bolling’s ability to incorporate interesting details, such as the décor of the kitchen, into her writing without being boring. The details make the story feel much more real.

The dialogue of the novel is also well-written, and the exchanges between Meredith and her kidnapper, as she tries to understand him, are particularly interesting.

Being a romance novella, there is no shortage of pages dedicated to romance and sex.

With Meredith’s husband having been involved in an affair in the past, the chemistry between Meredith and her husband is pleasantly uncharacteristic of the romance genre.

At its core, the novella is a romance piece that explores the ideas of fidelity and relationships, with a suspense-filled plot moving it forward. Anyone who is a fan of the genre will love “Captured.”

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Going Home by Kim Welsman

Review
“Going Home,” the first book in a series, goes where few science fiction novels have gone before – with a female protagonist and antagonist– and executes in a way that will have all science fiction fans wanting more.

Kim Welsman’s 103-page novel is set on Earth a few hundred years from the present. The plot takes off when a sage-like alien, named Sygen, appears in front of a general, bearing a powerful gift and the message that the newly emerging Agency will be tremendously harmful to Earth.

Fast forward a few years, the determined protagonist, Lyrissa, is tasked with infiltrating the hateful yet powerful Agency to get in contact with Peggy, an enigmatic being with a mysterious agenda.

The novel’s plot is relatively simple, yet intriguing and engaging. It also almost has a spy novel feel to it, with secrets, targets, and contacts.

Welsman is able to build a world that is reminiscent of present Earth, but also has plenty of futuristic components. Welsman’s creations, such as the soma-like drug Zyloftin, help move the plot forward, as well as make the world more interesting.

The writing is punchy, with relatively short sentences and paragraphs, making the book an easy yet affective read.

The novel’s usage of females in a variety of strong roles is innovative for the genre, making the novel feel refreshing.

The combination of an intriguing plot, strong writing, and a fresh take on the genre make “Going Home” a worthy buy for any science fiction fan.

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Her Something Impetuous by Kim Hunt Harris




Review
Kim Hunt Harris’ “Her Something Impetuous” shines with a brilliantly humorous and romantic take on the post-divorce life of a middle-aged woman from the suburbs.

The novel follows the adventures of Karen Way, a recent divorcee whose impetuous visit to a tattoo parlor results in a cascade of gripping, steamy, and humorous events.

Karen’s relationship with a dreamy bad-boy tattoo artist, Will Corcorran, begins when she impulsively decides to get a smiley tattooed on her buttocks. Despite the lighthearted beginning, the relationship quickly heats up, and Karen finds herself navigating her first post-divorce relationship.

In addition to the novel’s romance component, a subplot involving police raids, planted drugs, and a mysterious stripper emerges, taking the reader on a wild journey as Karen and Will travel all around town, from the police station to a drag queen club and everywhere in between, to make sense of everything.

To complicate matters further, Karen’s ex-husband, the local district attorney, and his new, young, sexy fling somehow seem to be involved with Karen’s misfortunes.

The reality of the novel is one of its strongest features. Despite the chaos that accompanies the development of Karen’s relationship with Will, Karen does not neglect the more mundane parts of her life, such as baking muffins for a neighborhood association event, which Harris addresses in a gut-wrenchingly hilarious manner.

The multiple layers of action, mystery, comedy, and romance make “Her Something Impetuous” a must-read for anyone who likes to get laughs and romance from the same book.

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