Sunday, August 26, 2018

REVIEW: Embattled Seal by J.M. Madden

Embattled SEAL (Lost and Found #4)Embattled SEAL by J.M. Madden
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

If you haven't read the 3rd book - Embattled Home - this review may contain SPOILERS for you so - SPOILER ALERT for EMBATTLED HOME (Lost and Found #3).

We meet Harper in book 3 of the Lost and Found series - Embattled Home - as he helps to protect a mother and daughter from harm. Harper gets injured and as his co-workers fret about him in the hospital, someone totally never known about shows up, shocking the co-workers.

Okay, onto my review for Embattled Seal. And I'll also give a spoiler warning just in case, but honestly, I think I have to, just a little this time.

We find out that Harper's demons and fear that he'd harm his loved ones kept him away from them for a long time. That world he left behind comes to the forefront when he's injured and the wife his current world didn't know he had, shows up to support him and find out where their family stands.

She helps him deal with the hospital staff and then because of his injuries, rents a house for two weeks so he can heal and they can discuss where to go from here.

This story shows just how much both Harper and Cat struggle with their own insecurities but how they both fight to overcome them, together. It shows how much finding LNF was a godsend for Harper and it shows how it's not just his wife that Harper has to make amends to.

Okay, that's my review.

Let me tell you now that I don't want this LNF world to ever end. I find myself getting so emotionally involved in each story and rooting for both the guy and the girl of each story. Luckily, there is still Duncan's story and then some novellas and spin off series' so I'm good for a bit.



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Friday, August 24, 2018

REVIEW: Embattled Home by J.M. Madden

Embattled Home (Lost and Found, #3)Embattled Home by J.M. Madden
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The way the book started out, I wasn't sure I was going to continue because I thought I was missing a few pages or chapters. But as I kept reading, I realized that there is a method to the way these stories are intertwining and to just sit back, relax, and enjoy the story.

So I did.

I enjoyed seeing how strong Lora truly is beneath everything that happened to her and how her little girl was such a strong spirit behind her momma.

I loved how LNF righted the wrong the client had manipulated them into.

I loved Chad's family, but hated that floozy until the end of the book.

I loved how we saw the push and pull between Chad and his brother; the love and support his sister gave Lora and how his momma treated Lora and her daughter like family from the get go.

I love how a child can make a grown man melt at just a look, or a hug.

I love the brotherhood that is shown throughout these books.

I love, I love, I love.

I love that the book is light on the sex, but heavy on building the relationship, even if the love is nearly instant.

I hurt for Duncan trying to help a fellow veteran out while also denying himself some happiness.

I was SHOCKED at the end when (I'M NOT GOING TO SPOIL IT FOR Y'ALL, GEEZ... go get the book and READ it PLEASE!).

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Tuesday, August 21, 2018

REVIEW: Embattled Minds by J.M. Madden

Embattled Minds (Lost and Found, #2)Embattled Minds by J.M. Madden
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Book two in the Lost and Found series, while I had hoped for Duncan or Chad, J.M. Madden gives us Zeke and Ember. We meet them both in Embattled Hearts.

What is this series about? This series is about those that served in the military and may have come back with scars. Whether the scars can be seen or not seen, they are there and these veterans are learning to live with them and learning their way in the civilian world now that they're discharged/retired from the service.

Back to Zeke and Ember.

Zeke and a few of the guys from LNF started going to the bar once a week to acclimate to being around people and out in public as well as face their own obstacles. Zeke and Ember dance around their attraction to each other while facing their own obstacles.

The way that Zeke and Ember are brought together tugged more, but how Zeke handles Ember's Dad the first time they meet, I'm sold on these two.

This story was subtle and while not as suspenseful as Embattled Hearts (John and Shannon's story), it had me not wanting it to end.

I love the dynamics of the characters in the LNF series so far and cannot wait to start the next in the series (I love binge reading).


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Monday, August 20, 2018

REVIEW: Embattled Hearts by J.M. Madden

Embattled Hearts (Lost and Found, #1)Embattled Hearts by J.M. Madden
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I get into these moods where I want to read certain genre's and I was looking for my Alpha Male retired military men and the strong women that catch their eye with a plot that keeps my attention, maybe some romance, some suspense, some banter.

Well, I got it and the characters also showed frustration, anger, fear, love, and friendship.

SPOILER ALERT --- maybe...

Lost ~n~ Found Investigations (LNF) is the company Duncan, John and Chad started after they all retired from the military (but how did they retire Tamm? Um - You gotta read to find out!). Shannon is hired to work as their receptionist. She's new to town, has some baggage and unbeknownst to her, it follows her. (How Tamm? Again, YOU gotta read to find out.)

Each of the guys are fond of her in their own way, but she stirs something in John and Chad and Duncan both see it. John and Shannon won't allow themselves to see it either, until something happens and Shannon needs help (Grrr TAMM, tell me more - um NO, I told ya - you gotta read for yourself).

During the story, other characters are introduced. Some are bit players, and one grabbed my heart and then pissed me off (dang you J.M., I hope there's more with him!). I love when a story does that to me.

So Tamm, what aren't you telling me?

I'm telling you my thoughts without spoiling it for YOU. GAH!

Anyway, why, truly did I give this book five stars?

J.M. Madden held my attention from the first word. Shannon, John, Duncan and Chad are engraved into my heart and I now have the rest of the series waiting to be read.

Now, you're all saying Tamm, you didn't tell me ANYTHING. Well, I don't want to spoil it for you, but if you must know... Everyone has demons, some are physical, some are mental. John has both and how he overcomes them warmed my heart to no end. The way Shannon did not "mother" him or the other guys, yet took care of them in her own way, also warmed my heart.

Want me to tell you more?

Well, I'm not going to.

If you want to read a story(ies) about disabled veterans and just how very ABLE they are, then get started with the prequel and this book. It's worth handing over your heart to J.M. for!



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REVIEW: The Embattled Road by J.M. Madden

The Embattled Road (Lost and Found, #0.5)The Embattled Road by J.M. Madden
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I wish more series started out like this when heading into a series of books!

One of my favorite types of stories to read involves a character or characters in or retired from the military and the work they do afterwards. However, none have started like this.

This is the prequel to a series. And I cannot believe I have NOT READ THIS SERIES SOONER. There, I said it. Right off the bat, just from reading the prequel.

We're introduced to three men, each battling wounds, inside and out and each, in their own way. This is a short novella - about 60 pages.

I won't spoil this for anyone, and no, I didn't read it before reading Embattled Hearts but, it give you background into the three men and why they are the way they are.

Do you have to read this first? No.

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