ARC REVIEW Rising Storm episode 7+8: Weather the Storm and Thunder Rolls

This week's episode of Rising Storm, Weather the Storm is brought to us by Lisa Mondello. Really not much happens in this one which is why I'm choosing to do both 7 and 8 in this post. Weather the Storm is about the Pastor and his wife dealing with the fact that their son has just been diagnosed on the autism scale. Lisa Mondello does a great job with the internal struggle of Tara and Bryce's marriage dealing with not only the changes they have to make as a family with an autistic child but with an older child acting out because of the added attention their sibling is getting. It also touches on Bryce's fear of dealing with his son, because of childhood experiences. I think Lisa Mondello did a great job with the story, if you take out the few references to Storm and the other players of the series this could be a really good stand alone novella about making marriage work romance.

In this book is also Dakota being a drama queen, her and Senator Rush break up and he opens his big mouth about him and Ginny just to hurt Dakota's feelings, you almost feel bad for her; and also Kristin and Travis' affair isn't as secret as they would think.

The season finale!!! and boy did I call it.  That is one thing about this series it was very predictable on what was going to end up happening. I was right about another thing, and so help me I was hoping I was going to be wrong about this, it ended in a cliffhanger.

Hannah has just recently realized she is in love with the wrong brother. She doesn't even remember how her relationship with Tate started it just kind of did. But now she knows how Tucker feels, and there's no denying it any longer. It's just too bad Tate walks in on them after Tucker and Hannah have sex for the first time. Tucker tells his family that even if it means losing his brother Hannah is worth it.

And so the climactic reveal... We all knew what Dakota was going to do. As much as she hates Ginny and now Senator Rush it's no surprise she finds just the right opportunity to spill the beans, especially after she went through all the trouble of finding proof. So everything I thought would happen with Ginny happened except she has an unexpected friend. That's all I'm saying about that I hope I was vague enough not to spoil it.

Overall, this story, I liked the Hannah, Tate, and Tucker story. Normally I don't care for love triangles but this one was so short and to the point I liked it. The big explosion of secrets was greatly amusing. I loved and hated how this ended.
Overall, the series, it wasn't enough for me. I love my HEA and as a soap that will never happen. I have lots of predictions for what will happen, but unless my feelings about this series change to a Love to Hate thing I doubt I will read the next season.

I would like to thank InkSlingerPR for offering this series for me to read and even though I didn't really care for it it was an experience and I'm glad I got to read it. A great big KUDOS to all the authors who took part and to Julie Kenner and Dee Davis for coming up with this ingenious idea, best of luck for the future seasons.            

ARC REVIEW Rising Storm episode 6: Take the Storm by Rebecca Zanetti

Episode 6: Take the Storm is brought to us by Rebecca Zanetti. One of my favorite authors by far, normally I love everything she writes but I can't give this one higher than a 3.5 star. I enjoyed it more than the first three. Unlike the others this one is probably the only one that can be read out of order and you still kinda get what's going on. Rebecca Zanetti wraps up the drama very nicely and puts it in a nutshell as a good reminder, and a filler to "fill in" those who might be lost or came in late (just like a soap would do). This one, I like how things progressed in the story, but was really disappointed with the ending. I felt like hitting Marisol with her own book the whole time. I love Patrick, I feel sorry for him he deserves better.

So this episode centers around the eldest Moreno child, Marisol. Marisol put her life on hold when her parents died to help raise her two siblings, Ginny and Luis. Patrick Murphy has patiently waited on the sidelines as a friend for Marisol. Finally with Ginny and Luis old enough Patrick makes his move; Marisol however still isn't ready. Marisol has never done anything for herself and this is her chance. Patrick tired of waiting gives Marisol an ultimatum, be with me completely or not at all.
Also in this episode; more drama between Mallory, Luis, and Lacey. Dakota really starts to show signs of delusion and high ambitions but the Senator isn't a man to cross, neither is his mummy. Dakota also gives her sister, Mallory, some really bad advice. Brit and Marcus kiss and make-up and Ginny and Lucas are happy.

With every passing episode the foreshadowing of the impending storm and all hell breaking loose drives me more and more insane. Come on already get with the drama I know I'm not getting a happy ending. The fuse is long enough just let the thing blow.    

ARC REVIEW Rising Storm episode 5: Calm Before the Storm by Larissa Ione

Rising Storm episode 5 Calm Before the Storm is brought to us by Larissa Ione. Now this is what I'm talking about; this was a nice blend between nice and happy and vindictive sneaky backstab-e-ness. I don't think I have read Larissa Ione before but I liked this one. I think the biggest problem with this book and it's so stupid, I know I'm being picky but it's the only thing that really bugged me in the entire book. At one part they are at a cookout and Marie Louise says, "If anyone wants a hot dog instead of a burger, I'll give you directions to Dairy Queen." I have lived in Texas my whole life and never ever have I associated Dairy Queen with hot dogs; steak fingers, yes; big and thick burgers, yes; Blizzards, without a doubt; but not hot dogs. If I wanted a hot dog I would go to Sonic. See I told you it's stupid, and I understand in different regional menus, but it just bugged me.

Marcus Alvarez left home and never wanted to return, but with his father gone and his mother struggling he came back. When he left he drifted around until he come to a ranch in Montana. The man who owns the ranch has acted like a father to Marcus, he has taught him so much and even plans to leave the whole ranch to Marcus. Marcus was going to just stay long enough to check things out then leave again; that was until he saw Brittany Rush. Brittany has always had a crush on Marcus and he came back even better looking than before he left. Brit doesn't understand why Marcus left and is even more confused by why he won't stay. Marcus knows he is not good enough for Brit and even more aware of the fact that her family hates his. Star Crossed lovers, Brit is willing to deal with her family if Marcus is willing to give it a shot. But Brit's family is out to make sure they aren't together.

Mallory finally listens to Luis and his apologies, and agrees to give them another shot but they have to start over. Luis is ecstatic he finally has Mal back in his life and he confides in her the secret that has been bugging him. Ginny and Logan are happy and not letting the rumors get them down. Dillon faced with Marcus asking questions confesses that he is the reason  his father left. Marcus is glad and completely ok with the fact that the Sheriff scared off his dad, but pissed that he should have been the one to do it. Marcus confides to Brit the circumstances why he left and even why he is struggling to stay.  Sebastian is getting tired of Dakota already and as much as I hate Dakota and I know if the secret get out it will ultimately affect Ginny also I hope Dakota ruins Sebastian reputation and career.

Overall, I enjoyed reading this one even if I was cursing at the ending.  

ARC REVIEW Rising Storm episode 4: Dance in the Wind by Jennifer Probst

Rising Storm episode 4: Dance in the WInd is brought to us by Jennifer Probst. (YEA!!!) Yes I love Jennifer Probst and no my review will not be biased, all my reviews are honest and honestly this is my favorite one yet. Finally we get to nice people, Ginny Moreno and Logan Murphy. I like Ginny the poor girl is stuck between a rock and a hard place and now enter Logan. There isn't much vindictive backstabbing in this one (one reason I like it) we follow up on Dakota being a slut and selfish, the dirty little secret of Travis Salt and the return of Marcus Alvarez. There is also more on Hannah Grossman and the fact that she's dating one brother and lusts after the other. So this was a good one lots of internal struggle.

It start off with a party, the welcome home party for Logan Murphy everyone is there. Logan feels wrong about having feeling for Ginny but something draws him to her and the fact that she hasn't treated him any different than anyone else. Ginny is feeling guilt, lots of guilt and not just because she might or might not be carrying Jacob's baby but lying to everyone about it and now to top it all off she is having feelings for Logan. Marisol throws a get together and the sister's learn what Lacey did to Luis and Mallory and Marisol's friendship with Patrick Murphy just maybe more than a friendship. Luis also overhears Payton and Francine (just waiting on that one to happen) in the hospital and finds out just why Celeste Salt keeps referring to Jacob's baby as "Miracle Baby".

Overall, I really enjoyed this one. It's like one of those episode where everyone is happy and nothing goes wrong right before the shit hits the fan. I'm scared because of that, I know soaps, I know it's only a matter of time before Ginny's secret gets out and then everyone is going to hate her (I'm picturing the worst) I so want her to have a happy ending.    

ARC REVIEW Rising Storm episode 3: Crosswinds

The continuing saga of drama of Storm Texas brought to us by Elisabeth Naughton. First off I like Elisabeth Naughton unfortunately I really didn't like the characters. I think one of the things that keeps me from really liking this so far as a series is that I LOVE HEAs, and I know just like every other soap out there there isn't going to be a HEA....ever. Hell, Luke and Laura didn't even get one. Once again my main problem wasn't the writing style, it was the one of the main characters and what they did.

Lacey Salt is the stereotypical selfish, woe is me teenager, she use to be sweet and nice, not that we really see any of that it's just what other characters are saying, now after the death of her brother she has turned into a backstabbing cunt. (I hate that word that is how strongly I hate this girl, her and Dakota, two peas in a pods). Lacey is understandably grieving her brother and the fact that Ginny has moved in and is pregnant, Lacey's use to being the baby and now her mother has shifted her attention to Ginny and the baby. Lacey feels left out like nobody cares any more, but the manner she chooses to act out in is what makes her a cunt.

Poor Mallory her father's gone and left the family in a bind and now she thinks her best friend is stealing away her boyfriend. Mallory doesn't know what to do, she's just sixteen and never had a serious boyfriend before and doesn't know how to handle it. Luis isn't ready to take the next step with Mallory he wants to concentrate on getting into a good college, but now Lacey is flirting and kissing him and his boy hormones are trying to override his common sense, and as a teenage boy he says all the wrong things to Mallory and rebuffing Lacey just may have made things a whole lot worse. Jeffry Rush is the one Mallory turns to for help but boy hormones again and Jeffry pushes her away.

While the teenagers are getting themselves in a whole lot of mess Logan Murphy comes home finally after being discharged from the military. Lacey isn't just being a bitch to Mallory she is taking it out on Ginny too. Ginny almost confesses it all to Brittany but then she remembers Brittany's father is the man she had the affair with and just might be the baby's daddy.  

Overall, I didn't like this one, way to much negativity. I am glad Ginny is the star of the next one. Crossing my fingers.

ARC REVIEW Rising Storm episode 2: White Lightning by Lexi Blake

Episode Two, White Lightning is brought to us by Lexi Blake. Lexi Blake is the writer of the Masters and Mercenaries and the Thieves series. I have only read one of her previous books I enjoyed it. Funny enough my problem with the book I read before and this book are pretty much in the same, I hated the main female character. This episode is centered around the conceited self absorbed Dakota Alvarez and the fall out after the disappearance of Hector Alvarez. We do see some of the other characters, it is just like a soap the layout of the character story lines intersect and play out; a little bit here of one person a little bit there of someone else. There is something that was kinda hinted at that I would love to see; a little bit F/F and who it is between is what I'm giddy about. Again like a soap a lot goes on but nothing really happens; okay I take that back something big does happen but, just like a soap, it cuts off right before it happens so you really don't see it.

Narcissistic Dakota Alvarez has to blame someone for her fathers disappearance and she lays the blame firmly at the feet of her mother. Joanne is scared she doesn't know what to do now, everything is in Hector's name and she doesn't make enough at the florist shop to pay the mortgage and bills. She's lost and knows she can't go to her father for help. Sheriff Dillon knows he has to hold off it would not be appropriate to make a move on Joanne now so soon, but he does know her worries and arranges a new job for her, working as an assistant to the towns matriarch. I think it is a requirement for all soap opera story lines to have a patriarch/matriarch that rules the roost; Marylee Rush is Storm's. The mother of Senator Sebastian Rush and she is very much the politician she is a controlling overbearing woman who knows exactly what is going on and as long as it doesn't affect the family image or her son's political career she doesn't care. She puts on a good face being nice to everyone because everyone she is nice too is a vote for her son. Sebastian Rush is looking for his latest piece of ass and he has his eyes set on someone young and gullible, he should have learned the first time getting involved with Ginny not to shit where you sleep but this young nubile girl he can't resist.

Overall the only reason I disliked this one was because of my extreme dislike to both Dakota and Senator Rush who are predominate in this book. I look forward to seeing how things are going to play out with the characters that I like. So two episodes down six more to go I have my fingers crossed that it gets better, but just like a T.V. show I'll get through the first season and then make a decision on whether to continue on or not.      

ARC REVIEW Rising Storm: Tempest Rising by Julie Kenner

From the evil master minds of 1001 Dark Nights, Evil Eye Concepts brings us a soap opera in novella form. A Julie Kenner and Dee Davis brain child together they brought together six other authors to bring life to the strife filled town of Storm, Texas. As first books in a series go this was really good. It had a great catch your attention first chapter. It introduced all the major characters and gave great insight to their personality and character. However much like every soap opera out there a lot and nothing at all happened at the same time. What it did was introduce the characters and hint and tell you where their individual story would be going. I was a little disappointed, I was expecting more. I hate half the characters already, lots of selfish people. I hope when I get to their respective books I see them in a different light.

Ginny Moreno and her best friend, Jacob Salt were on their way back home for a college break. Things had been awkward between them ever since they made the drunken mistake of sleeping together. They just talked about things and hopefully were going to get things figured out on this trip home. The drive home was slowed by a raging storm and when a deer jumped in front of the car Ginny swerved and the car flipped. Ginny survives, Jacob doesn't. Ginny also discovers she's pregnant but the big secret is that she is almost certain it is her ex's. Her forbidden lover, a married man, a politician. But she lies and tells everyone it's Jacob's baby. Jacob's parents embrace Ginny like a long lost daughter. Marisol was left to raise her two siblings after their parents death. She loves both Ginny and Luis and as much as it hurts she must come to realize Ginny needs to do do what she must for the good of her and the baby.

Sheriff Dillon Murphy is and has always been in love with Joanne, but she married a bastard, Hector Alvarez. Dillon knows in his gut the Hector abuses Joanne but has not proof of it. Dillon is tired of waiting for Hector to mess up he has made his feelings clear toward Joanne clear to her now he just has to wait for the right time to make his move.

Dakota Alvarez is dying to get out of Storm, she thinks her ticket out is Jacob Salt, but then he dies and she feels even more trapped and she blames Ginny and doesn't want to believe that the baby is his. Mallory Alvarez hates her life, the only good thing about it is her boyfriend Luis, her mother is weak and her sister is conceited, her brother Marcus was the smart one and left as soon as he could, and her father is a hateful manipulator she know he hits her mother. Lacey Salt is struggling dealing with the death of her brother and now she has to deal with Ginny moving in pregnant, and her mother Celeste coddling Ginny. Joanne has no one to talk to, he father disowned her when she married Hector and she has to sneak around just to see her mother and her sister, Hannah. Kristin Douglas knows something is up with her employee Joanne, but is willing to let it go because Joanne knows something about her that is better left unsaid.  

Overall, I look forward to the rest of the series. I am glad because the characters I actually like in the series so far their books are written by my favorite authors. Next week Episode 2: White Lightning by Lexi Blake