Book Review - What's in a Name? by Sally G Cronin

Our legacy is not always about money or fame, but rather in the way that people remember our name after we have gone. In these sixteen short stories we discover the reasons why special men and women will stay in the hearts and minds of those who have met them. Romance, revenge and sacrifice all play their part in the lives of these characters.

 

Buy link Amazon
My Review 

It is the first fiction book written by Sally Cronin that I’ve had the opportunity to read. I was drawn into What’s in a Name collection and went on reading until the last story was done. I would call most of them  " tales with a twist."  I really did enjoy this book...you may need some tissue at times. You will love the unexpected and won’t think to put the book down. I found it hard to put down

The motives and emotions of the characters in all of the stories were well defined and expressed. I really liked the fact that each story came to a satisfying ending and the next story quickly engaged me with the new people and place. It's undoubtedly one of my most FAVORITE reads of 2017, in my TOP 5. Sally Cronin creates stories that will keep you flipping pages and loving it!

I won’t tell you what they are about because being short stories I would reveal important details and I want other readers to live themselves the emotions I experienced. What I can tell you is that each story is as touching and compelling as the next one. The thread that links them all stories or characters is sacrifice and romance. Children, parents, lovers, life being lived.

These stories are for me like a fragrant flowers bouquet, each flower having its own special color and scent.

If you are short on time, What’s in a Name allows you to read something start to finish, which I love. Great for airplanes or a one hour mental break, beside being just great for personal "escape from the world.”

Book Review - Boji Stones by Sandra Cox

 Maureen Sinclair has a secret that could rock the modern world. More than just a charming antique set with unusual stones, the copper band she wears on her forearm is an ancient amulet filled with healing power. Her world is turned upside down by danger and betrayal when two men discover her secret. One is a scholar. One is a madman. Now Marnie must fight for her life and the life of the man she loves while protecting the Boji Stones.

Buy link:  Amazon

My Review

I have always liked the novels that I’ve read by Sandra Cox and Boji Stones is no exception. Call it the romantic in me, but I always love a great ending. The book starts with the magnanimity of gods who give to five mortal women a magical amulet: of power, beauty, creativity,  knowledge and healing.

The story then moves to present-day times. We meet Maureen Sinclair who is the nowadays owner of the healing amulet. But there are other people having their eyes on the precious object.

 Can Jack Wolfe, the handsome professor, be a tool of the evil forces wanting to grab it? You can feel the sparks between Maureen and Jack, though she and her loyal friend Hank suspect he is behind the many bad things happening in her life.

The characters are fun and realistic, even Bella, who wants back the beauty amulet that was stolen from her. There’s a great scene when Maureen and Bella join forces in a hospital room.

I especially loved the plot in this book. The plot moved along nicely with twists thrown in. When you think the story goes to a predictable direction, a twist pushes everything to a rollercoaster of events. I loved how each chapter ends with a snippet, the POV of the mean character. This snippet becomes a cliffhanger. It doesn’t let you close the book and makes you want to find out who is who and what their target is.

It’s a nice, quick read; making it the perfect romantic suspense book.