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Darkest Perception by Shari J. Ryan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This review is for “Darkest Perception,” by Shari J. Ryan

Yet another win, for Shari Ryan! She went Dark… like, REALLY Dark, with her newest literary addition to her fictional world of characters. Without spoilers, here’s my take on this 5-star story…

Plot: Given the taglines and synopsis of the book, I still wasn’t prepared for what was in store as I began reading. I was definitely NOT disappointed, however, with the way the twists and turns played out. Shari has a special way of making the most audacious of scenarios appear almost commonplace, with her unique storytelling abilities.

Characters: Her characters have always been fully-fleshed, so I expected to fall in love with Harley and Axel, right away. But… I didn’t. Why? Because Shari quite nicely hooked me with more questions about motives and what the heck was going on, that the mystery surrounding these two, intrigued me past the point of distraction. There wasn’t time, in the beginning, to “love” the characters because the situations they find themselves in, and the way they handle (it), took up most of my time trying to find out why.

The Writing: There isn’t much more I can add to this particular section that I haven’t said before. Shari J. Ryan is an extremely gifted master of weaving stories. This one, a darker tale full of deception, just proves that point. She’s the Queen of the Hook.

In Case You Wanted to Know: There is both violence and sex(not combined) in this novel. This isn’t for the faint of heart. If four lettered words bother you, this also isn’t for you. Do NOT read this book if you’re looking for a story that has been (until recently) typical of Shari, where there aren’t master assassin-type, bad guys lurking around and someone might die. This novel plays by a totally different set of rules.

Overall: I enjoyed reading a story about two individuals who each have mysterious paths that were destined to cross. It was easy to read, easy to follow… Seeing this “other side” of Shari as she explores her scope of writing abilities is truly exciting, and I can’t wait to read whatever she dishes out next!


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Man Handler by Shari J. Ryan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This review is for “Man Handler,” (Man Cave Series/3) by Shari J. Ryan

Okay, so at this point, I feel I’m becoming quite biased. That or Shari is just that good. I’m going to go with the latter. This third installment of her newest series of standalone novels is probably one of my favorites yet, deserving of what has become her standard-- 5-star rating. I’m going to break with my traditional format here, so here it goes…

After Scarlett accepts a relocation from her current employer to BFE, So. Carolina, she and her best friend Brendan, shake up the small, stuck-in-the-50’s, little town, from day one… when Scarlett’s cavalier attitude and City Girl heels put her in the hospital and under the care of Austin Trace, a male nurse, who’s as independent and hopeless of ever finding real love, as is Scarlett.

There is language, Scarlett has a SERIOUS potty mouth, as do I, which is just one reason why so much of her I can relate to & love. There’s also some hot and embarrassing sex scenes, that couldn’t have been written any clearer, nor realistic…

The rest? Sorry, but you’re just gonna have to read it, yourself. As a RomCom, there aren’t any dark elements, no shattering heartbreaks, nor impossible to repair separations. Instead, there’s clever humor, laced into a sexy storyline, where love finds its way with more than just the two Main Characters, and it’s told in flawless 1st person POV (Scarlett & Austin).

Scarlett is really the headstrong, bad girl, with a heart of gold, that we all too often suppress, within ourselves. I loved her instantly because I know her. She reminds me of “someone” I knew when I was in my 20s.

Thanks, Shari, for the most enjoyable read yet, that felt more like a walk down memory lane!


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The Buried Book by D.M. Pulley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This review is for “The Buried Book” by D.M. Pulley

This is the second book of D.M. Pulley’s that I have had the pleasure of reading, the first being The Dead Key. And just as I instantly fell in love with that story, I did with this one, too. Here’s why...

Plot: The story follows nine-year-old Jasper, in 1950s Michigan, as he embarks on his own personal journey to find out where his mother disappeared to, after leaving him with no explanation, at his Uncle’s farm. He stumbles across his mother ’s journal she kept as a teenager, and from there, it’s down a fast, page-turning, rabbit-hole of a mystery that held me captive to the very end.

Characters: The characters, even the lesser supporting ones, were all very well thought out & described fleshy personalities. You can feel their emotions clearly, as each one is ‘on stage’. Realistic actors? Check.

The Writing: The story is told in the 3rd person, from Jasper’s POV, which adds a fresh element to the story as we experience life’s mysteries through his observant, yet innocent eyes.

In Case You Wanted to Know: There is sex and violence in this book, as well as some language and possible trigger points of rape and molestation. Yes, there are dark elements in here, and although Jasper is just a young kid, the author doesn’t hold back from putting him in potentially dangerous situations, where he is exposed to some of the most depraved aspects of desperate, oppressed, as well as greedy- human nature.

Overall: This story doesn’t end with what I’d call an HEA, instead, what you get as a finale, is a very real conclusion to the type of transition into adolescence, Jasper has had to endure. The kind of overnight growing-up that countless children have gone through since the dawn of time and the rooting of all that is evil in human beings. This was an excellent read, through & through, and again, D.M. Pulley is an author whose books and writing career, I believe I will enjoy for many years to come!


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Man Flu by Shari J. Ryan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This review is for “Man Flu,” (Man Cave Series/2) by Shari J. Ryan

Again, I should probably at this point, just title every review for Shari J. Ryan, from this point on “Just. Read. Her. Books. Trust Me.” This sassy & adorable story deserves 5 stars, and here’s why…

Plot: So, here’s what I have to say about the plot… If this was say, 10, 15, 20 years ago, I’d honestly call B.S. on it. BUT, that’s just one of the areas Shari shines in. For this storyline, as well as many of her modern-day (ones), she truly is in touch with the current times, the audacious behavior, and acts of random strangers, etc. As well as technology’s influence over our lives. And she brings these aspects to life so seamlessly, with apparent ease and lack of effort… like it’s completely normal and integrated into our culture, to where I feel like I’m still stuck in 1980-something for not knowing. Lol.

Characters: In Man Flu, you’ve got an excellent small crowd of nicely fleshed-out characters, the main two being Hannah and Logan. I could EAT their chemistry, it was that good. But I want to say I ended up feeling sorry for Rick(the ex-husband), I ADORED Hannah’s daughter, Cora, and Hannah’s assistant, Brielle, was an excellent supporting character that really held her own place & deserves a shout out.

The Writing: From Page ONE--- I was HOOKED. It is all told in single person POV, Hannah’s, and I FREAKING LOVED her voice! Like, I’m pretty sure she was sitting next to me, or on the phone telling me this story. The whole pleasurable read felt more like two girlfriends chatting it up about the last few months of zany drama. Pure writing perfection.

In Case You Wanted to Know: There is a brief (but adequate) sex scene, but- hehehe- butt- there is a TON of horribly laughable moments. I haven’t laughed so much at a character’s unfortunate luck since Shari’s “Queen of the Throne” (the book that made me fall in love with SJR, to begin with).

Overall: Hannah is newly divorced from a cheating husband who still likes to make her life hell, in any way possible. He is still the typical chauvinistic d-bag, and she is the poster child for a single mother, with a corporate job, trying to make it in a Man’s world. But, like most women, she proves her worth, and then some, flawlessly, and comes out on top, with her well-deserved HEA. Keep them coming, Shari!


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