Review: Prophecy's Healing by Brenda Dyer

Title:  Prophecy's Healing, Book 5, The Prophecy Series
Author:  Brenda Dyer
Genre:  Paranormal Romance
Book Size:  904 KB / 322 Pages

Her love for him has spanned time.

After years of betrayal, Julia Murphy is starting over and attempting to leave her broken-hearted past behind. As a waitress at The Green Tree nightclub, she’s working to save enough money to finally take the college courses that will kick-start her new future. But fate has other plans. When two men viciously attack her, a tall, menacing stranger comes to Julia’s aid and thrusts her on a wild journey into a past that death has erased and a world she didn’t know exists.

His past and future collide

As the deadliest vampire warrior in the Surrey squad, Ace is feared and avoided, which is fine by him. He cares for nothing and nobody, including himself. But when he rescues a pretty waitress from a deadly attack, he can’t deny he’s drawn to her. However, this newfound attraction comes with consequences Ace never could have foreseen. He comes face to face with his tormented past, and Julia is the link. Now, he must decide whether he’ll fight for a love that’s spanned the ages, or if he’ll allow centuries old hate and betrayal to destroy their futures.

This is Book 5 in the Prophecy series and while it could be read as a stand-alone, it probably wouldn't make as much sense unless you read the whole series in order.

Throughout the series, Ace has always been grouchy and mean. He wasn't mentioned a whole lot, but the other books weren't about him. Fair enough. In Prophecy's Healing, we find out why he acts the way he does. Two hundred years ago in the past, he'd been betrayed by a woman he loved. A cliche' story plot, but fun to read nonetheless. In the end, her betrayal gets her killed and Ace lives with the residual effect of not only the betrayal, but the fact that he'd been the lucky soul who killed her.

Fast forward to present day Surrey, BC. Julia is working in a dive bar hustling drinks and hates it. Why she works there and not flipping burgers at a greasy spoon or making change at Wal-Mart is unknown, but that's beside the point. The author had to put them together and does so in a way that's enjoyable to read. I mean, what's better than a super tall, super muscular, long-haired, bad-ass alpha male vampire rescuing a weak human female from two drunk brutes after last call? Again, cliche', but well written.

Throughout the story there's all sorts of angst - should she? No! Should he - Hell no! Back and forth, push and pull....I almost quit reading because the overdone melodrama of it all. But again, the author's talent kept me turning the virtual pages. Kudos to Ms. Dyer.

Prophecy's Healing is a good book. I recommend reading all the books in order, however.

**** Four Stars

 

Review: For Love & Vengeance (The International Romance Series, Book 2)

For Love and Vengeance: The International romance Series, Book 2
Author: Johnny Ray
Genre: Mystery, Suspense

 

 FOR LOVE AND VENGEANCE is an International romantic thriller filled with action and adventure that jumps across the globe as Vance searches for a girl he had only spend one night with, but one that promises to the perfect fit in his

life. All he has to do is rescue her and keep her from becoming another casualty in the "for the better good", a lie he was given earlier when his previous girlfriend was murdered.

When everyone lies to you--trust your gut instinct
If that fails--start over
For your love deserves the best
And murderous terrorist your vengeance
May God have mercy on their soul

Both the Americans and the Russians think Victoria works for them exclusively. In truth; the Pack, an International
Crime Syndicate, brutally controls her while they launder money in America by buying distressed houses for terrorist sleepers. While she executes the perfect escape, staging her death during a shark attack, she makes one mistake--she meets Royce, who worked as a special operative several years earlier, the night before disappearing.

Royce, on the other hand, wants nothing to do with any American led special operations after he had been lied
to in order to keep him focus on his prior mission. His girlfriend had been abducted and brutally murdered earlier while they had kept him in the dark. The last thing he had ever expected was another woman in his life, especially a
Russian spy. Furthermore, he never would have believed that she would be the one thing that would encourage him to finish a mission that he should have taken care of the first time.

Royce is well trained on how to discover the truth, so although Victoria's apparent shark attack was well conceived he knows better. He had used the life of a surfer bum for years as his cover. The more lies he uncovers, the more suspicious he becomes until finally he feels like he has little choice. His prior operation was so top secret even the CIA were told nothing He didn't need them then, and he sure the hell didn't need them this time either. The last time it was for country--this time it was going to be personal.

 First let me say: That was the longest freaking "blurb" I've ever seen! Blurbs are short, sweet, and to the point. They garner a reader's interest. Entice them to buy the book. This blurb not only was cause for instant skimming, but it's a reviewer's nightmare.

Anyway, on to my review...

When I first came across this book it had a different cover. That must have changed at some point. But I don't judge a book by its cover (by the way, the old cover was better. This one looks like it was slapped together). Also, this book was advertised in the Romance category - which is what the Romance Wench reads.

Let me just say THIS IS NOT A ROMANCE!

Not one to waste a perfectly good chance to read a new story, I forged on. Trudged on. Forced myself to turn the ebook page and continue. Why do I do that to myself? Because I'm an optimist. I keep telling myself the book will get better.

It didn't.

The characters were flat and though their emotions were written, I felt none of it. After the hero and heroine meet in the beginning of the book, we don't see the woman again until near the end. WTF kind of romance is that? That said, I did like Victoria's character and wish she'd had a bigger part in the book. Revolving the story around Royce and only him made for a long, boring read.


The story in itself was interesting, meaning the concept was good. If Johnny Ray had only taken the time to check for typos, find his frequent missing words, and hired an editor, this story might have received a better rating.

 Oh! And by the way, Mr. Ray... You might want to double check your "blurb". There's a HUGE typo in the opening when you call your male character "Vance" instead of Royce. It's shit like that that drove me bananas!

* 1-Star Review