NetGalley Reviewer nix21230

Title: Unchained (#3 Blood Brothers) Author: Samantha Wilde This is the third book in the Blood Brothers series by Samatha Wilde (Keith) -- and it's another corker by Wilde!  A fantastic, hard-to-put-down romantic thriller with a medical and ethical theme. Fabulous, fast-paced writing is carrying the story to a happy ending via a few twists and turns. Highly recommended! Brooks Ivanov, the brother of Alexis who we met in the first book in the series, has been kidnapped, sold and tortured for medical research; and personal gain of his owner. His memory is destroyed and he's at the end of his tether, believing death would be better than his current circumstances.  Camryn Bayfield is trying to keep a low profile and accepts a job working as a nurse in the Utah dessert. During her first shift she's tasked with administering drugs to Brooks, but her gut feeling tells her something is not as it should be. She starts asking questions, but doesn't get any satisfactory answers. ...

At the end of this week it'll be twenty weeks since I was approved by NetGalley and by the end of July I earned the Top Reviewer badge (a great motivator!). My first three featured reviews were for; The Adult Side of Dyslexia by Kelli Sandman-Hurley - my review - Amazon Fail To Fight (A Second Chance At Forever Romance (Unrequited Love Series Book 1)) by Maci Dillon - my review - Amazon The Velocity Mindset by Ron Karr - Amazon Interestingly, my first ever NetGalley review was The Velocity Mindset by Ron Karr, so indeed a great start to my NetGalley experience.   My approach to NetGalley My approach to NetGalley has been to only have two or absolutely max three books in my Shelf at any given time. This has ensured that my feedback ratio is well above 80% at all times. It also encourages me to only pick books that I know I'm going to have time finishing reading and reviewing.  To build up my profile I have focused on picking books from the "Read Now" section, sele...

During tender conversations, the task is not to solve, but to simply listen. Title: Listen: How to find the words for tender conversations  Author: Kathryn Mannix  Mannix is providing so many life lessons in this packed book, all focused on tender listening and putting others at the forefront. She freely shares her many years of experience from working in palliative care including the use of CBT techniques in tender conversations. The book also includes a bit of a plea to all of us to prepare for the time when we're approaching the end of this life, to ensure practicalities like power of attorney is in place.  Mannix uses 'tender conversations' to describe sensitive and respectful conversations; yes there may be some pain involved, but the pain doesn't' need to be overcome, but rather acknowledge, by being fully present.  "It's stories, not rules, that change people" By asking curious questions during tender conversations we can seek, explore and clari...

Title: Conscious Crafts: Quilting - 20 mindful makes to reconnect head, heart and hands Author: Elli Beaven Introduction section:   I fully agree with Elli Beaven's statement about how quilting is a perfect escape from a busy life including work and family; a chance for some 'me time'. Using words like conscious and mindful in the title of this book, I am hoping many more will discover quilting and take up this amazing hobby. It a fabulous craft combining artistic and mathematical skills.  Tools, equipments and techniques sections:  This section of the book contains lots of useful tips and tricks, all presented in a straight forward and easy to understand way. The projects section:  I like the fact that the projects are starting out as rather quick and easy to then get more complicated and time consuming. A perfect step by step progression from simple coasters via cushions to full sized quilts. Beginners would benefit from doing all the projects in the book, whe...

Title: Sing for me - #2 Balefire series Author: Tam DeRudder Jackson This fantastic rockstar meets girl next door (literally!) romance story is fast paced, believable and engaging. Tam DeRudder Jackson has used the perceived stereotype of rockstars to great effect and created a very worthy second book in the Balefire series.  Ashleigh loves the garden at her rental place and she has negotiated a reduction in her rent in exchange for maintaining it. When she's not gardening she is working as a substitute teacher or writing concert reviews for a local paper. She fast becomes friends with her neighbour Diane who loves having Ashleigh around and they regularly eat together whilst making small talk.  Blu is the lead singer in the famous band Balefire and after a gruelling first leg of their world tour, he returns home to spend some time with his mother before hitting the road again. He's never liked the neighbours so he makes sure his arrival on his Harley Davidson is as noisy as...

Title: Soundproof (#5 in Waterproof: Navy SEALs) Author: Jo Chambliss A beautiful and heartfelt story of one Navy SEAL's quest to find three women despite their original unsuccessful attempt.  Cailyn Ridley works as an oncology nurse and is asked by two of her patients, Roberta and Amy, if she'd like to join them for their final trip around Europe, an end of life bucket list trip of sorts. After confirming she'll still have a job when she returns from her absence of leave, the three women set off on their travels.  They are having a fabulous time until they are suddenly kidnapped on their way home from a Flamenco evening in Spain. Roberta and Amy convinces Cailyn to pretend to be a boy, smears her face in dirt and dress her in male clothes from the rags provided by their captures. The rouse works as Cailyn is set to work as a house servant to the terrorist cell they now belong to.  A group of Navy SEALs are tasked with rescuing five women captured under similar circumstan...

Title: Trophy Wife Author: Evie Baxter  Evie Baxter has done it again, and this is even better than the three previous books she's published in the last few months. The woman is one mean writing machine! A fast-paced story where all is not as it first appears.  Victoria is labelled a gold digger by most, and Ice Queen by others. Bastian is intrigued as he senses that there may be more to Victoria than the perfectly made up face, the expensive designer clothes and the dangerously high heels. This is a beautiful romantic story with a twist, where the Trophy Wife take centre stage rather than her rich husband. It's a story about survival and escape from an abusive relationship, with the support from family and friends, and how trusting other men can be a possibility under the right circumstances.  Good news! For all lovers of Evie Baxter, there are another FOUR books in the works!!! Also, all her books are currently available on Kindle Unlimited - click for link to Evie Baxt...