Knowing Vera by Rachelle Ayala Book Review (Tomoson)

I reviewed Knowing Vera (Romantic Suspense, Family Drama) (Chance for Love)in exchange for honest review from Tomoson. The book was written by Rachelle Ayala and published by Rachelle Ayala Publishing. This post contains Amazon Affiliate links and images.

First, the book is a part of the chance for love series. Knowing Vera is book #3. Vera has also appeared in other Ayala books: Hidden under her Heart and Broken Build, both I have reviewed before.

The book starts off dramatic. The year is 1991 The introduction is short and ends in suicide. Vera is a child then. The book then fast forwards to Vera as an adult. The year is 2014. 23 years had past.

Next, Vera, who is dating Zach. Zach is a former athlete, who lost part of his leg, saving someone else. The two have a friends with benefits relationship (sex), but Zach wants to date and start something serious. Their relationship is filled with family secrets on both sides. Vera breaks up with Zach because of one of those secrets. 

The book was a good read. Rachelle has an excellent writing style. 

The book is available in paperback and kindle. The book is also prime eligible.



I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Your Daily Bible Verses Book Review

I read Your Daily Bible Verses, in exchange for review from Tomoson. The book was written by Rachelle Ayala. I received a copy of the book via Smashwords.

The book provides daily bible verses for each day of the year. You can use the book to memorize scripture or get a daily pick-me-up. The book is in a simple format: The Date and the verse. No fancy images or commentary taking up space. At the end of the book, Rachelle provides tips on memorization, which I need. I need to know other verses besides:

Amen
Jesus Wept
In the beginning, God created the heavens and earth. 
The Lord is my shepherd, I can not want (ok that sounds wrong). maybe it's I shall not want. 

I loved reading this book.


http://www.rachelleayala.com

http://www.facebook.com/rachelleayalawriter

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Hidden under her heart by Rachelle Ayala Book Review (Tomoson).

I read Hidden Under Her Heart, in exchange for review from Tomoson. The Book was written by Rachelle Ayala and Published by Rachelle Ayala, LLC. I received an electronic copy of the book.

About the book: (copied from Tomoson)
Maryanne Torres is a compassionate nurse who fails at relationships. After a string of losers, she swears off premarital sex, hoping to land a marrying type of man. Lucas Knight, a law-school dropout, moves to California to train for the Ironman Triathlon. He's smart, sweet, and everything Maryanne wants in a man, but their relationship suffers from his dedication to the sport. Seeking consolation in the arms of a handsome preacher's son, Maryanne attends a church party where she is raped. Maryanne is pregnant from the rape and plans to abort. But the identity of her rapist is hidden in her baby's DNA. Lucas asks Maryanne to seek alternatives and pledges to support her through the pregnancy. When Lucas becomes the prime suspect, Maryanne must clear his name and make a life changing decision. The rapist has other ideas. In order to destroy the evidence, he offers Maryanne an illegal offshore abortion. With Maryanne's life in danger, Lucas races to save her and her baby. However, Maryanne hides a secret that threatens to tear them apart forever. A 99,000-word women's fiction, HIDDEN UNDER HER HEART deals with the consequences of rape and abortion. [Content Advisory: This book has a pro-life slant. There are a few swear words. The rape is not shown, but there is one mild sex scene between Maryanne and her boyfriend.]

My review:
The book starts off with Maryanne, a latina,  a nurse in an allergy clinic, giving Lucas, African-American,  shots. Lucas is being a big baby and the relationship had not started yet. Maryanne is currently abstinent until marriage (which I loved, since I am celibate). Maryanne and another co-worker has a bet in progress. Whoever has sex first, buys the other a three day weekend at a spa (wish I had a friend like that lol. I will win). Lucas likes Maryanne, but Maryanne shows little to no interest at first, even though he is tempting. Lucas is an athlete, with an interesting mother and sister. Mama Lucas is a trip. The couple (Maryanne and Lucas eventually went on a date in the park, which led to a kiss, but no sex). They became boyfriend and girlfriend, and then broke up. This takes care of the first few chapters. There is tension from Lucas's family about him dating outside of his race.

Enter Ryan, pastor's son, who is also interested in Maryanne. Ryan invited Maryanne to a party at his parent's house, where Maryanne was drugged and raped. That scene was powerful. Maryanne was dazed and confused. One minute she was playing a game, tipsy, maybe drunk,  and the next, in a dumpster. Maryanne barely remembers the party. That's when the book went from light to heavy reading. I wanted to know who raped her, his location, and the nearest weapon in the room. Anyway, the people at the party is trying to blame Lucas for the drugging and rape. Maryanne's father wants her to have an abortion,

The book was a good read. I have read and reviewed Ayala's work before, so I knew the book would be good. The book was light reading in the beginning, but progressed to heavy reading. The book also flowed well. It had a lot of intense scenes, from Lucas trying to get MaryAnne to go home from the party, to the infamous video, to Maryanne's father showing up at her house.

Social Media:

http://www.rachelleayala.com

http://www.facebook.com/rachelleayalawriter

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Broken Build Book Review

I read Broken Build by Rachelle Ayala, in exchange for review from Tomoson.

The book is available in paperback and kindle.

About the book: (paraphrased from Amazon)

Jennifer wants to let go of her past. She gets a job in Silicon Valley in a start-up company. Then, she gets involved in blackmail, murder, and broken code. The manager of the company, David starts to investigate Jennifer when a man, last seen with her, is found dead. Both parties must stop a killer while saving someone from their past.

My review:

This book brought challenges--to read--not because of the author--but because of technology. Once again, kindle for pc kept freezing and the kindle--the formatting was off. I copied the wrong format to the kindle. Definitely considering using Adobe Digital Editions to review books at first, before trying to read on my kindle or kindle app. Or using Cloud reader on Google. 

Other than that--on to the book:

The beginning was descriptive. Jen is being blackmailed by The muscle man. She changed her name and people still know of her past.  The blackmailer knows where she lives, even drops off notes to her house. Jen even used to date his brother, who died.   Jen is a build engineer, I think, working on a program as well.  Her purse with phone was stolen a few days before. The muscle man, who wants more from Jen, that what she is willing to give. She is helping him with coding. Jen gave him part of a company code to help with a college class. Jen could be fired for this, along with a few other things, if they pulled a background check. Then, something major occurs, which puts Jen in the middle of an investigation as a person of interest. Can't tell you now, but read the book. .99 on kindle. 

Rey, the muscle man, is still dealing with the death of his brother. He wants the code to have a better life, in addition to getting custody of his daughter. 

Then, you have David Jewell, the CEO of Jen's company. The company is working on a shopping program, but the coding is still broken. The software finished on time--will help the company go public. If the software fails, the company may face layoffs. 

I started reading the book this week and it was very good. Very intense. There is a crime, an investigation, and people, trying to keep their past, past. 

@AyalaRachelle (twitter)

http://www.rachelleayala.com
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I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Michal's Window Book Giveaway

Welcome to the Michal’s Window book Giveaway

Hosted by: Savory Savings

Sponsored by: Rachelle Ayala (author of Michal’s Window!)

Last month Savory Savings was excited to share with you a book that was not in her usual range of reads – but was so incredibly well written and beautiful, that she cannot believe I had not read it before!  That book, Michal’s Window, by Rachelle Ayala, is one that she keeps telling random people about.  It is an old story, but current.  It is technically religious fiction, but topical.  If you are looking for a read that will keep you wanting more and immerse you in a world you have never know, check this book out!


Rachelle Ayala (the fabulous author of this book) offered one signed paperback copy and TWO e-copies to Krista to give away!  That means there will be THREE winners in this giveaway!  BUT WAIT…There’s MORE!  She decided to lower the e-copy price for the run of this giveaway – giving you the opportunity to download this epic love story for under $2.00!!  So run, do not walk, to your computer, tablet or phone and download this awesome book for less than a cup of coffee.  You can grab it on Amazon or Barnes & Noble.   


Savory Savings also had the opportunity to interview Ms. Ayala and is sharing that over on her blog - check it out to find out some thoughts on the book development, what she's currently working on and more!


This giveaway is for US and Canada Residents, 18 and older only.  The giveaway will run from May 3, 2013 at 5 PM CST until May 17, 2013 at 8 PM CST.  Any questions about the giveaway should be directed to Krista at Savory Savings.

Entry-Form

Savory Savings did not receive any compensation for this post.  Disclosure: I did receive the products for free and am sharing my opinion with you.  My opinion may differ from yours.  Savory Savings and Perfect Chaos are not responsible for sponsor prize shipment.  This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Facebook.  We hereby release Facebook of any liability.  Winner(s) will be contacted by email and will have 48 hours after the giveaway ends to respond before another winner is selected.  All entries will be verified.