Book Review: The Nameless by Barbara Cutrera

The Nameless

by Barbara Cutrera

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The past, present, and future collide when Anya, Etherea’s last Oracle, is kidnapped by a stranger called Nameless. She soon discovers that her captor has plans to use her in order to seek revenge against Emil, the sociopath who stole his innocence and memories and turned him into a vicious fighter and ruthless killer. When he realizes that Anya’s power holds the key to his past, Nameless decides to modify his plot and keep her for himself.

Impulsive and stubborn, Anya, daughter of Tabitha and Alexi, rapidly uncovers pieces of her captor’s past, including his name: Xander. As she glimpses his history, she quickly loses her fear of Xander, finding goodness within him when he becomes her selfless, fierce protector. “Every heart can be reached,” her mother once told her, adding, “Where there is love, there’s hope.” But will Xander’s refusal to accept his own worth prove Anya’s mother wrong?

Pursued by Emil and his henchmen, the couple discover their passion and love as they uncover more secrets about Xander’s early life and try to accept Anya’s startling last prophecy. Even as they flee from one country to the next, both are determined to stop Emil before the promise of what is meant to be can be crushed by the events of the past. If Anya’s final vision doesn’t come to pass, then Etherea’s future itself is in jeopardy.

 

My Rating:

Favorite Quote:

Life is equitable in that we each have our share of inequities.

My Review:

The Nameless was my favorite installment of The Gift Series, although there is obviously room for more and a chance for a new favorite to come.  I immediately fell into the story and felt the urgency, tension, and confusion of the character of Anya as the tale begins with her kidnapping in the midst of a siege and explosion.  Her kidnapper has big plans to use her as an instrument in his plot of revenge, although he is forced to toss all his carefully made plans, one-by-one, as he falls for his captive.  

I rarely read this genre but I have enjoyed this series immensely.  The storylines have been highly active and eventual as well as engaging, imaginative, colorfully descriptive, emotive, and incredibly steamy.  The premise of The Nameless was creative and unique and I was intrigued by the alluring characters while also horrified by the atrocities the character of Xander had endured.  The world created for the story was an odd conglomeration of the middle ages with horse-drawn wagons and magic in use in the rural countryside, in high contrast to the beginnings of the industrial revolution with mass transit, cars, telephones, and electricity in the nearby cities.  Such is the beauty of the fantasy genre, which is only limited by the author’s imagination, and Ms. Cutrera’s appears abundant and enviably nimble.  

Empress DJ

 

ABOUT BARBARA CUTRERA  

Barbara Cutrera is the author of contemporary romance, romantic suspense, paranormal romance, fiction, and mystery novels. She became addicted to reading and creative writing at an early age but didn’t decide to write her first novel until she was in her 30s. Even then, she was unaware that she was destined for a writing career. Barbara, who is visually impaired, was a rehabilitation counselor before she became a full-time author. She believes our minds are only limited by the restrictions we place upon them. Her greatest passions are for writing, reading, spending time with family and friends, listening to music, cooking, and drinking Dr. Pepper. Originally from Louisiana, Barbara, her husband, and their son moved to southwest Florida in 2004 and love the diversity of their coastal community.

To learn more about Barbara and her works, read her blog, and enjoy extra content, go to www.onmywayuponline.com. There, take advantage of the opportunity to subscribe to her monthly newsletter in order to receive updates, participate in giveaways, and read extra content not readily available to nonsubscribers.

 

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Book Review: Better Left Unsaid by Barbara Cutrera

Better Left Unsaid

(The Limitless Series #2)

by Barbara Cutrera

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Release day June 6, 2017

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Cate Nasello, who is mute, collides with Logan Kirkland, a blind business owner, on a downtown Sarasota sidewalk one morning on her way to work. Unable to communicate with Logan because of their individual physical limitations, she unsuccessfully attempts to apologize. The events that follow force the beautiful, petite Cate out of an emotional isolation that began eighteen years earlier when a murder-suicide destroyed her family. 

While struggling to deal with her past and her present challenges, Cate meets Jake Genter, a handsome paramedic who offers her comfort and the opportunity for romance. Impulsive and intense, Jake reminds Cate that life is meant to be lived to the fullest. She realizes that she can love and be loved by someone, something she never expected due to her muteness and her troubled history. Immediate attraction and an impetuous love affair lead to more than a hasty fling, but Cate wonders whether or not Jake’s overprotectiveness stems from his love for her or his own fear of betrayal. 

As their whirlwind courtship develops into a serious relationship, Cate finds her voice by using technology in order to reach not only Jake but also others worldwide. Yet, some people from her father’s criminal past have long memories and want to keep her silent. Cate knows that if she intends to have a lifetime with Jake and her new family and friends, she’ll have to save herself from her father’s legacy and the terrible secret in Jake’s past that threaten their future happiness.

 

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

  … the furnishings had been bought second-hand. This was partly because Cate had put all of her savings and most of her monthly income into buying and maintaining her home, but it was also because she loved the idea that the things she bought had some sort of history. She liked to imagine that everything in her house had a happy story that went along with it.   


I’ve never been able to talk, but you know that doesn’t mean I can’t speak.   


I’m a strong man who lives to love and protect you, but that also makes my fear of losing you my greatest weakness.  

My Review:

 Barbara Cutrera cleverly introduced us to her new character of Cate by having the main character from her previous novel – the luscious Logan – bump into her on the street. Logan being blind could not see her, and Cate being mute, could not answer him when he apologized and asked if she was hurt.   What a cunning conundrum. I adored Logan in Sight Unseen and relished his continued involvement in this story.   

Born without a voice box, Cate was totally mute and incapable of sound.  I had never contemplated such a thing.  Not a sound.  Merely pondering the inability to speak seemed unimaginable, but attempting to comprehend a total lack of sound - no crying, laughing, screaming, etc. – well, my tiny mind was boggled.  Cate had led a quiet and solitary life of minimal subsistence and limited interpersonal encounters. 

Cate’s singular and silent life took on a rapid level of upheaval and personal development with near constant activity once she started seeing a handsome man named Jake, who had come to her aid as a paramedic on a 911 call.  One kiss and their lives were never the same.  Their worlds quickly entwined, meshed, and melded.  Both had suffered unspeakable (no pun intended) childhood traumas and continued to struggle with trust issues and anxieties.  The intrepid couple took on each other’s drama and while vulnerable when apart, they were remarkably resilient once united.  Ms. Cutrera turned out an emotive, well-balanced, and thoughtful storyline with alternating hits of sensual steam, humor, and drama, as well as the most satisfying ending I can recall in ages.  This tale will most likely keep me ruminating for days.  

Empress DJ

ABOUT BARBARA CUTRERA

Barbara Cutrera is the author of contemporary romance, romantic suspense, paranormal romance, fiction, and mystery novels. She became addicted to reading and creative writing at an early age but didn’t decide to write her first novel until she was in her 30s. Even then, she was unaware that she was destined for a writing career. Barbara, who is visually impaired, was a rehabilitation counselor before she became a full-time author. She believes our minds are only limited by the restrictions we place upon them. Her greatest passions are for writing, reading, spending time with family and friends, listening to music, cooking, and drinking Dr. Pepper. Originally from Louisiana, Barbara, her husband, and their son moved to southwest Florida in 2004 and love the diversity of their coastal community. 

To learn more about Barbara and her works, read her blog, and enjoy extra content, go to www.onmywayuponline.com. There, take advantage of the opportunity to subscribe to her monthly newsletter in order to receive updates, participate in giveaways, and read extra content not readily available to nonsubscribers.

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Bound by Grace: Book 3 of The Gift Series by Barbara Cutrera

Bound by Grace: Book 3 of The Gift Series

by Barbara Cutrera

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Tabitha, adopted daughter of Jordan and Noah, finds herself kidnapped by slave traders and spirited away from her home country of Amare. Beautiful, gentle, and capable, Tabitha, an artist, is determined not to be sold into slavery. The birthmarks on the back of her left shoulder that resemble Etherea’s two moons might ensure that she’s never purchased, but they might also result in her death.

Arrogant, brilliant, and successful, Alexi is an inventor and businessman who doesn’t approve of slavery. Yet, he’s compelled to buy Tabitha, both to save her and to solve many of his own problems in his home country of Skye. Underestimating Tabitha’s kind heart and inner strength, he refuses to believe that he can ever love or be loved by anyone. Abandoned as a newborn, Alexi is certain of his own abilities but not of his own self-worth.

When Tabitha’s efforts to reach Alexi’s heart result in a tragedy for which he blames himself, their future together seems unlikely. But Tabitha’s capacity to love and forgive the man who can’t forgive himself is crucial when it comes to saving them both. Alexi must realize that he is bound to Tabitha in the most fundamental of ways if they’re to be truly free.

Excerpt

“May I touch?”

“You may,” replied Madam.

He glowered at the slave trader and said imperiously, “I didn’t ask you. I asked her.” Looking back to Tabitha, he repeated formally, “May I touch?”

Unable to speak, she nodded. No buyer had ever addressed her directly when she’d been involved in an auction. She didn’t know if it was a good sign or a foreshadowing of some game the man intended to play with her.

The stranger went to stand behind her and pushed some of her long, blonde hair away from her left shoulder then held it to the side. Using the fingertips of his free hand, he traced the outlines of the birthmarks with a slow, light touch that made Tabitha feel an unfamiliar tingle between her legs and made her nipples harden. Eventually, the man leisurely moved his fingers towards Tabitha’s hair, which he was still grasping with his other hand. He loosened his hold so that the mass hung straight down her back but wove the fingers of both hands through the silken waves.

“Have you always worn your hair this long?” he inquired stiffly.

“No,” she answered in an unsteady voice. “It has always been long, but not this long. It hasn’t been cut since I was taken prisoner.”

“And how long ago was that?”

“Six months.”

“And no one has bought you, despite the beauty of your face, body, and hair.”

“They fear my birthmarks.”

“They are ignorant fools, no matter how educated.” Gently combing his fingers downwards, the man said, “They buy rock when they could have diamonds.”

My Rating:

Favorite Quote:

That was her man.  She could very well be dying, and he’d order her to live. 

My Review:

Bound by Grace is book three in The Gift Series, and while it could be read as a stand-alone volume, the complicated family history would be much easier to unravel if the previous books were read.  I have enjoyed the creativity and thoughtfulness of this series, being unaccustomed to the genres of fantasy, paranormal or even much historical romance.  However, regardless of whatever world people find themselves in, observations of human nature and emotions cross all dimensions.  The two protagonists in this tale were interesting character studies. Tabitha was abducted and eventually sold into slavery after six months of sea travel and various slave actions at every port.  Alexi, a brilliant, driven, and emotionally distant inventor who had a need for female company and no interest in taking in a wife, purchased her before she was to be turned over to a brothel.  Alexi had been a foundling, abandoned at birth in an alley.  The rejection from her parents left Alexi with a sense of detachment and emotional inadequacy.  The storyline was imaginative, yet easy to follow and entertaining.  The primary plot elements were the evolving love story and unraveling Alexi’s parentage, which provided an emotive and sensual tapestry to weave this inspiring and inventive tale. 

Empress DJ

ABOUT BARBARA CUTRERA  

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Barbara Cutrera is the author of contemporary romance, romantic suspense, paranormal romance, fiction, and mystery novels. She became addicted to reading and creative writing at an early age but didn’t decide to write her first novel until she was in her 30s. Even then, she was unaware that she was destined for a writing career. Barbara, who is visually impaired, was a rehabilitation counselor before she became a full-time author. She believes our minds are only limited by the restrictions we place upon them. Her greatest passions are for writing, reading, spending time with family and friends, listening to music, cooking, and drinking Dr. Pepper. Originally from Louisiana, Barbara, her husband, and their son moved to southwest Florida in 2004 and love the diversity of their coastal community.

To learn more about Barbara and her works, read her blog, and enjoy extra content, go to www.onmywayuponline.com. There, take advantage of the opportunity to subscribe to her monthly newsletter in order to receive updates, participate in giveaways, and read extra content not readily available to nonsubscribers.

Book Review: Sight Unseen by Barbara Cutrera

Sight Unseen 

by Barbara Cutrera

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Marketing consultant Beth Panera thrills at the prospect of working with computer engineer Logan Kirkland to make his new business, Sight Unseen, a success in Sarasota, Florida. When they meet face-to-face and Beth discovers that Logan is blind, she welcomes the opportunity to learn how someone who is visually impaired can live independently and run his own business. Despite her hesitation when it comes to trusting men, she and the sexy, charismatic Logan become fast friends, comfortable with each other and their unique talents and quirks.

 Once the Sight Unseen store opens and their business association ends, they decide to explore their relationship on a much deeper level. Logan’s blindness and society’s preconceived notions about it are only two of many difficulties that they face as a couple. 

Beth comes to think of Logan as her “blind warrior,” a strong, handsome, honorable man she loves in spite of her fear of betrayal. However, it becomes clear that Beth is not the only one in their relationship who has trust issues to resolve. Logan’s greatest challenge lies ahead, and Beth’s blind warrior must fight the greatest battle of his life if he wants to win her heart forever. 

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

I’m dying to know.  Spice up your mother’s world, and tell me if being with a blind man was different than being with a sighted man.

If you did want to try it, we could write books about BDSM and the blind and call them Fifty Shades of Black.

My only choice is to do everything to the best of my ability, so people don’t think I’m worthless because I can’t see!

 

 

My Review:

Other than the obvious issues, I have never given much thought to the specific challenges complete blindness from birth would entail.  If I had never viewed color, a sunrise, a delicate flower, how would I ever grasp the totality or feelings these items invoke?  Sight Unseen gave me a bit of perspective regarding this and for that alone, I thank the author for the insight, and then I want to thank her for the entertaining and heart-squeezing tale.  The writing was descriptive and comprehensively detailed, whether it was a visual scene, task, or event.  The storyline was interesting, engaging, and emotive, regardless of what side you stand on the various challenges or social issues presented.  And oh how I adored these characters - I would snap Logan up in a blink.  I am more than curious to see how the family issues and unresolved challenges will evolve and be handled in subsequent books.  I also found a new word for the day, which is something that always excites me, as I love new vocabulary - Blindisms.

Empress DJ

About the Author

   

Barbara Cutrera is the author of contemporary romance, romantic suspense, paranormal romance, fiction, and mystery novels. She became addicted to reading and creative writing at an early age but didn’t decide to write her first novel until she was in her 30s. Even then, she was unaware that she was destined for a writing career. Barbara, who is visually impaired, was a rehabilitation counselor before she became a full-time author. She believes our minds are only limited by the restrictions we place upon them. Her greatest passions are for writing, reading, spending time with family and friends, listening to music, cooking, and drinking Dr. Pepper. Originally from Louisiana, Barbara, her husband, and their son moved to southwest Florida in 2004 and love the diversity of their coastal community. 

To learn more about Barbara and her works, read her blog, and enjoy extra content, go to www.onmywayuponline.com. There, take advantage of the opportunity to subscribe to her monthly newsletter in order to receive updates, participate in giveaways, and read extra content not readily available to nonsubscribers. 

Goodreads page 

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Book Review: Compromising Positions by Barbara Cutrera

Compromising Positions 

by Barbara Cutrera

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Josie Hollingsworth is beautiful, tenacious, and successful. She’s also haunted by her past. For years, her brilliant, mentally ill parents consistently compromised their children’s sense of security. But Josie worked diligently to distance herself from their world, a world filled with hallucinations and anxiety. However, now that her sister has also succumbed to mental illness, Josie fears that all of her efforts were for nothing, that she’s doomed to the same fate.

Enter Stone Romero, a sexy, charismatic, strong-willed pediatrician. After their unlikely meeting in an Austin, Texas Emergency Room, Stone intuits Josie’s need for support during her time of crisis. He offers her his help, assuring her that there are no strings attached despite their mutual attraction. Josie soon realizes that Stone, grieving the loss of his identical twin and repressing anger regarding his own childhood issues, needs her help as much as she needs his.

Relocating to Stone’s hometown in northern Louisiana, they work to begin a new life together. For the first time, Josie discovers love, intimacy, and explosive sex. As scandals resulting from both Hollingsworth and Romero family secrets come to light, they lead to terrible tragedies and horrific violence. Josie recognizes that Stone is the one man in the world who will never put her in a compromising position. She prays that it’s not too late for them to have the storybook ending that she never imagined would be within her grasp.

Excerpt

“Josephine,” he murmured.


“Hm?”


“Don’t move,” Stone said quietly.


“Why not? Did I hurt you?”


“No. Shhh.”


“Stone –”


“We’re not alone.”


“What do you mean we’re not alone? This is our property, and there are acres of it.”


“Shhh. Be quiet and still.”


She obeyed, waiting. At first, she wondered if someone had come onto their land to hunt without permission. Then she saw the pack.


For some reason, Josie experienced no fear as she watched the wolves circle them. She counted five during the next few minutes as she remained absolutely still in Stone’s arms. The wolves seemed regal, calm, and curious. Josie, who had never seen a wolf outside of pictures or on television, was fascinated. She watched without moving as the largest one went over to the pile of their clothing and sniffed it. As he moved away, the others did the same before slipping out of Josie’s line of sight.


She continued to remain motionless as Stone held her. He was obviously watching the wolves, whatever they were doing. She could hear the beating of his heart under her left hear. It was steady and strong. He wasn’t afraid either. He seemed tranquil and relaxed. Well, most of him did. The part that remained inside of her was hardening again, and she felt herself quivering around him and fought the urge to move.


There was movement behind her as the wolves walked away from them through the woods. Before she could ask Stone why he’d just done what he had, he lowered her onto the ground and began to thrust in and out, surrendering to a punishing rhythm that soon brought them both to climax. Stone collapsed on top of her afterwards and lay with his head buried against her neck for a long time.


“Why?” was all she could manage to ask.


“The wolves accepted me and Nelson a long time ago. These wolves must be their descendants. They seem to have an understanding with me, and I wanted them to have that same understanding with you. They got a good whiff of our scents from the air and from our clothing, but I wanted them to know you were mine.”


Josie laughed and asked, “You marked me like when a dog pees on a tree?”



“More like when a male wolf mates with a female. I wanted them to know that you and I were connected in the most primal of ways."

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

I would make the most perfect trophy wife.  After all, I look like Barbie, know how to get my way, and would probably make classically beautiful babies with the handsome doctor.  Of course, they might all be schizophrenic, OCD- laden, anxiety-ridden children, but the Christmas card pictures would look fabulous!

You and your stupid way of thinking... Stop worrying about what people will think and what you believe the Bible says and just love your remaining twin enough to save his life!

You know, for being an 'ass-backwards fool who's slow to change' you're pretty smart and kind.

It's nice to live in a town where everyone knows you and most people are genuine, whether they're genuinely sweet or nasty.

"You know what my granddaughter likes to call me?"  When Josie shook her head, Miss Iris said, "Sherlockeisha Holmes."  When Josie laughed, the woman added, "She says they should make a TV show about me and my deductions."

Her father hadn't protected her, yet a pack of wolves had.  The irony of it was too much.

Your father was simultaneously brilliant and dense.

My Review:

Compromising Positions was non-stop drama, action, and intrigue.  It was an intense story that was off to quick start and maintained a break-neck speed of shocking personal revelations, twisted secrets, abysmal childhood histories, crippling parental mental illnesses and dysfunction, and steamy love scenes.  The main characters, as well as the plot, were authentic, flawed, a big ball of awkward, and heavily laden with tension; yet there was also a steady undercurrent of humor that thrummed along with the taut storyline.  And the sensual scenes - they sizzled and snapped! 

While all the characters were deeply damaged in some way, most of them were also incredibly smart, lovable, clever, and endearing - even when they frustrated me.  This small town was quite the soap opera, but then again, most of them really are... I know the rural inbred redneck community where I was unfortunately reared certainly was.    

Empress DJ

Barbara Cutrera is the author of contemporary romance, romantic suspense, paranormal romance, fiction, and mystery novels. She became addicted to reading and creative writing at an early age but didn’t decide to write her first novel until she was in her 30s. Even then, she was unaware that she was destined for a writing career. Barbara, who is visually impaired, was a rehabilitation counselor before she became a full-time author. She believes our minds are only limited by the restrictions we place upon them. Her greatest passions are for writing, reading, spending time with family and friends, listening to music, cooking, and drinking Dr. Pepper. Originally from Louisiana, Barbara, her husband, and their son moved to southwest Florida in 2004 and love the diversity of their coastal community.

To learn more about Barbara and her works, read her blog, and enjoy extra content, go to www.onmywayuponline.com. There, take advantage of the opportunity to subscribe to her monthly newsletter in order to receive updates, participate in giveaways, and read extra content not readily available to nonsubscribers.

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http://www.onmywayuponline.com

Cover Reveal: Compromising Positions by Barbara Cutrera

Compromising Positions

by Barbara Cutrera

Releasing June 21, 2016!

Josie Hollingsworth is beautiful, tenacious, and successful.  She’s also haunted by her past.  For years, her brilliant, mentally ill parents consistently compromised their children’s sense of security.  But Josie worked diligently to distance herself from their world, a world filled with hallucinations and anxiety. However, now that her sister has also succumbed to mental illness, Josie fears that all of her efforts were for nothing, that she’s doomed to the same fate.

Enter Stone Romero, a sexy, charismatic, strong-willed pediatrician.  After their unlikely meeting in an Austin, Texas Emergency Room, Stone intuits Josie’s need for support during her time of crisis.  He offers her his help, assuring her that there are no strings attached despite their mutual attraction.  Josie soon realizes that Stone, grieving the loss of his identical twin and repressing anger regarding his own childhood issues, needs her help as much as she needs his. 

Relocating to Stone’s hometown in northern Louisiana, they work to begin a new life together.  For the first time, Josie discovers love, intimacy, and explosive sex.  As scandals resulting from both Hollingsworth and Romero family secrets come to light, they lead to terrible tragedies and horrific violence.  Josie recognizes that Stone is the one man in the world who will never put her in a compromising position.  She prays that it’s not too late for them to have the storybook ending that she never imagined would be within her grasp.

Excerpt

“Josephine,” he murmured.

“Hm?”

“Don’t move,” Stone said quietly.

“Why not? Did I hurt you?”

“No. Shhh.”

“Stone –”

“We’re not alone.”

“What do you mean we’re not alone? This is our property, and there are acres of it.”

“Shhh. Be quiet and still.”

She obeyed, waiting. At first, she wondered if someone had come onto their land to hunt without permission. Then she saw the pack.

For some reason, Josie experienced no fear as she watched the wolves circle them. She counted five during the next few minutes as she remained absolutely still in Stone’s arms. The wolves seemed regal, calm, and curious. Josie, who had never seen a wolf outside of pictures or on television, was fascinated. She watched without moving as the largest one went over to the pile of their clothing and sniffed it. As he moved away, the others did the same before slipping out of Josie’s line of sight.

She continued to remain motionless as Stone held her. He was obviously watching the wolves, whatever they were doing. She could hear the beating of his heart under her left hear. It was steady and strong. He wasn’t afraid either. He seemed tranquil and relaxed. Well, most of him did. The part that remained inside of her was hardening again, and she felt herself quivering around him and fought the urge to move.

There was movement behind her as the wolves walked away from them through the woods. Before she could ask Stone why he’d just done what he had, he lowered her onto the ground and began to thrust in and out, surrendering to a punishing rhythm that soon brought them both to climax. Stone collapsed on top of her afterwards and lay with his head buried against her neck for a long time.

“Why?” was all she could manage to ask.

“The wolves accepted me and Nelson a long time ago. These wolves must be their descendants. They seem to have an understanding with me, and I wanted them to have that same understanding with you. They got a good whiff of our scents from the air and from our clothing, but I wanted them to know you were mine.”

Josie laughed and asked, “You marked me like when a dog pees on a tree?”

“More like when a male wolf mates with a female. I wanted them to know that you and I were connected in the most primal of ways."

About The Author

Barbara Cutrera is the author of contemporary romance, romantic suspense, paranormal romance, fiction, and mystery novels. She became addicted to reading and creative writing at an early age but didn’t decide to write her first novel until she was in her 30s. Even then, she was unaware that she was destined for a writing career. Barbara, who is visually impaired, was a rehabilitation counselor before she became a full-time author. She believes our minds are only limited by the restrictions we place upon them. Her greatest passions are for writing, reading, spending time with family and friends, listening to music, cooking, and drinking Dr. Pepper. Originally from Louisiana, Barbara, her husband, and their son moved to southwest Florida in 2004 and love the diversity of their coastal community.

To learn more about Barbara and her works, read her blog, and enjoy extra content, go to www.onmywayuponline.com. There, take advantage of the opportunity to subscribe to her monthly newsletter in order to receive updates, participate in giveaways, and read extra content not readily available to nonsubscribers.

Book Review: Jordan's Way by Barbara Cutrera

Jordan's Way

by Barbara Cutrera

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Jordan, daughter of the famed healer Collum, has always taken pride in her independent nature and in the fact that she’s the only woman on the planet Etherea who possesses “the healer’s gift.” This ability allows healers to sense what is wrong with their patients and, therefore, to treat them more effectively.  Most others respect her because of her talent but consider her an evolutionary mistake.  However, she finds acceptance, excitement, and purpose by treating soldiers in the war camps.  Enjoying her nomadic life, Jordan is comfortable with her uniqueness and doesn’t believe she needs the love of any man in order to be fulfilled.

When she begins to have premonitions and is captured by enemy soldiers, Jordan becomes embroiled in a quest to save the great-niece of her King, a child who is the product of rape and is being used as a pawn by her own father.  The baby will suffer a fate worse than death if she isn’t rescued before her first birthday. Noah, the King’s bastard son, is not only intent on saving his infant cousin and avenging the murder of her mother, but he also knows he’s the ideal match for Jordan.  Like her, he’s respected but is also set apart from others.  Unlike her, his separateness results from the circumstances of his birth and from the berserker rages he succumbs to during battles.  These rages make him the perfect weapon and help to relieve the fury and guilt he’s carried within since his own mother's murder.

As Jordan and Noah travel along the border of Amare in their attempts to find the baby and stop the infant's rapist father from carrying out his evil plot, both come to understand that love and desire are the most important tools they have in their own quest to stay alive and together.  But a twisted part of Noah’s past will threaten his life and sanity.  If Jordan can’t heal him, body and soul, then her final premonition will come true.  If it does, then both of the lovers are doomed. Jordan refuses to accept that outcome, but her strength of will may not be enough to prevent tragic events from robbing her of the future she longs to have with Noah.

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

“If you’re cut, then you’ll bleed the same blood as this girl here or me.  Your station is more important, but your life itself is not.”

“Each person has his or her strengths and weaknesses.  Yours make you a precious gift, not only to your husband but to every life you touch."

My Review:

Jordan’s Way continued the intriguing fantasy/paranormal/romance/adventure started in The Healer’s Gift, with the healer’s youngest daughter Jordan taking over as the main character.  Their kingdom is at war so the story is more active and volatile with wounds, battles, attacks, betrayals, kidnappings, murders, deaths and all varieties of illnesses for the ever feisty yet compassionate young healer to handle.  She is also traveling around to battle sites treating wounded soldiers, searching for a missing child behind enemy lines, and trying her hand at being in a relationship and finding love for the first time.  Busy girl!  I enjoyed and was greatly relieved by the progressive nature of the story for a historical romance, as Jordan is spunky, independent, respected, and revered for her unique talents and gifts.  Ms. Cutrera has not only created a unique and engaging tale out of thin air, she has created an entire world with two moons, warring kingdoms, and conniving and oddly demented royals.  The story line moved quickly yet was easy to follow and remained unfailingly entertaining.  

Empress DJ

Barbara Cutrera

Born and raised in Louisiana, Barbara Cutrera was destined to be a storyteller. The author of romance, fiction, and mystery novels, she became addicted to reading and creative writing at an early age. However, she didn’t originally plan on becoming an author. She moved to Florida’s Gulf Coast with her husband, son, and Cairn terrier in 2004 and enjoys its relaxed, diverse atmosphere. Barbara, who is visually impaired, believes our minds are only limited by the restrictions we place upon them. She has a passion for writing, reading, family, friends, Nutella, and A & W Cream Soda.  You can learn more about Barbara and her work by visiting her at:

www.onmywayuponline.com

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Book Review: The Healer's Gift by Barbara Cutrera

The Healer's Gift

by Barbara Cutrera

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Ainsland, a virgin widow fleeing from her husband's murderer, and Collum, a healer who possesses supernatural abilities, are brought together by circumstance. What begins as a marriage of convenience for the couple evolves into one of great love and passion. Yet, Collum's tragic past and the ever-looming threat of Ainsland's malevolent pursuer's appearance in their close-knit rural community overshadow their ability to be truly content. When evil strikes and all seems lost, will it be the resilient, headstrong Ainsland who is able to save herself, her husband, and the people she has come to know and cherish or will Collum, determined and wise, somehow manage to rescue the love of his life before time runs out?

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

“If you don’t talk, then people won’t wonder.”

“I think we don’t trust our hearts as much as we should sometimes.  Yours may be leading you to where you should be.  Whether it’s for good or bad, I can’t say.  It simply is.”

“How I love you, Ainsland.  You are the world to me, a beautiful gift I want to keep near to me every day of my life.”

My Review:

I don’t often dabble in the genres of paranormal, or historical, or fantasy, but I decided I would for Barbara Cutrera - as I love her interesting and sweet stories as well as her thoughtful and gentle characters.  The Healer’s Gift crosses all those genres as well as a sweet romance and steamy sensuality.  I enjoyed all the varied and unique characters and had no problem keeping the large and extended family members straight.  The plot was interesting and evolved quickly, and the storyline was adventuresome, dramatic, emotive, and on occasion - breathtakingly steamy.  I am eager to reenter their world and continue the adventure with the next book in the series Jordon’s Way. 

Empress DJ 

About the Author

Born and raised in Louisiana, Barbara Cutrera was destined to be a storyteller. The author of romance, fiction, and mystery novels, she became addicted to reading and creative writing at an early age. However, she didn’t originally plan on becoming an author. She moved to Florida’s Gulf Coast with her husband, son, and Cairn terrier in 2004 and enjoys its relaxed, diverse atmosphere. Barbara, who is visually impaired, believes our minds are only limited by the restrictions we place upon them. She has a passion for writing, reading, family, friends, Nutella, and A & W Cream Soda.  You can learn more about Barbara and her work by visiting her at:

 www.onmywayuponline.com
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