Book Review Wednesday: Eternal Road, The Emissary 3: Love Hurts, The Choice: Unexpected Heroes. @HowellWave, @MarciaMeara, @gmplano

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A woman sitting on the beach reading a book. Her back is to the camera, with ocean in front. Done in a wash of faded colors

If today’s post seems a little out of place, that’s because I’m a day late with my book reviews. I already had a post in place yesterday, so I moved my reviews to Hump Day this week. Every now and then you just have to go with the flow.

I have three titles to share, all from authors I admire. I’m pleased to say I’ve read and enjoyed every book each of these fabulous authors has released to date, so it’s no surprise I found their latest offerings equally up to snuff. All three are also Story Empire colleagues. That’s right–if you haven’t already heard the news, Gwen Plano has joined SE, and we couldn’t be happier! So today, it’s a blog 3-FER for SE reads, all recommended with plenty of fanfare and applause! 🙂

book cover for Etneral Road by John W. Howell shows blue and white 1965 Oldsmobile on road heading into cloudsEternal Road
John W. Howell

A combination of paranormal suspense, fantasy, and time travel, Eternal Road delivers on multiple levels. James dies in a car accident and finds himself on the “eternal road” where his soul offers ripe pickings for Lucifer. James hooks up with Samatha (Sam) a soul he knew in grade school, now a woman, who partners with him through numerous learning experiences that take them through various moments in history–the OK Corral, the Alamo, WWII–and even decades into the future, where the human race is at stake.

What stood out for me in this story was the spiritual aspect of good vs. evil, the love and protection of God, and the choices the characters have to make. The love between James and Sam transcends that of mortal scope, and many of the scenes related to their family (when they’re able to reach those moments) are beautifully written and heart warming. Eternal Road delivers adventure, history, fantasy, and spiritual warmth in equal measures. Although the ending delivers a solid wrap to the events, I could easily see this becoming a series, and would eagerly sign on for future stories! 5 Stars.

AMAZON LINK
Genre: Historical Thriller > Supernatural Thriller

book cover for The Emissary 3 by Marcia Meara shows silhouettes of couple gazing an ocean, angel wings over skyThe Emissary 3: Love Hurts
by Marcia Meara

In The Emissary 3: Love Hurts, author Marcia Meara returns to the world of Jake, Dodger, and Azrael—two emissaries and an angel whose job is to keep humans from making poor life choices. Azrael is in charge (or “Boss” as Jake calls him, to the non-amusement of Azrael) with Jake and Dodger working as his emissaries. Jake and Dodger have physical bodies, but they have previously passed from this life—which becomes a problem when Dodger falls for Juliet, a girl he sees at the library.

Azrael is willing to give Dodger a chance to explore his feelings and develop a relationship with Juliet, but the complications far surpass those of a normal couple, especially given Dodger is unable to share with Juliet who he really is or what he does.

As in past Emissary novellas, the story abounds with warmth and humor. I never tire of Azrael suddenly appearing and giving Jake a jolt. There is plenty of banter between angel and emissaries, but also plenty of near-parental type guidance and sternness from Azrael. That big angel has a huge soft spot for his recruits!

The story is polished with spot-on dialogue and emotions that tug on heart strings but ultimately leave the reader with a feel-good finish. This is a beautiful story, and a beautiful wrap to an enchanting series! 5 Stars.

AMAZON LINK
Genre: Paranormal and Urban Fantasy

Book cover for The Choice by Gwen Plano shows silhouettes of man and woman from back holding hands on rocky beach, helicopter with search beam in starry night skyThe Choice: the unexpected heroes
by Gwen Plano

If you enjoy military fiction and political intrigue, you’ll enjoy this well-polished and plotted novel. The sequel to The Contract: Between Heaven and Earth, the story delves into the murder of Brad and Sarah (from book one) and who ordered their deaths. The author does provide a forward which helps cover what occurred in the first novel if you are new to the series.

In The Choice, new characters are introduced, including two who set up a romantic theme. I liked how the relationship grew and flourished between Jim and Donna. The bulk of the story, however, focuses on the investigation and political twists and turns as our “unexpected heroes” work to stop a power-hungry man known as “the Lion” from creating a one-world government. The pace moves steadily throughout with a few unexpected and well delivered twists at the end. 4 Stars.

Amazon Link
Genre: Military Policy > Mystery Action Fiction > Action and Adventure Romance

Thank you for checking out my latest round of reviews. As always, I hope you have your nose buried in a good book and I wish you happy reading!

56 thoughts on “Book Review Wednesday: Eternal Road, The Emissary 3: Love Hurts, The Choice: Unexpected Heroes. @HowellWave, @MarciaMeara, @gmplano”

  9. What a wonderful treat to find this morning! Lovely to see your fantastic review of TE3 here in such good company. Thanks so much for including it, Mae! And great reviews all the way around for John and Gwen, too. My TBR pile inches ever higher with the addition of The Choice. (I’m nearing the finish line for Eternal Road, and of course, I don’t have to add mine to the pile, having pretty much seen how it plays out. 😀 )

    Thanks for sharing these, Mae! You rock! 🙂 ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓

    • Marcia, you had me chuckling with your comment about “pretty much seen how it plays out.” 🙂
      I’m glad you liked my review. Thanks for keeping me entertained with that big angel and his emissaries. It was a pleasure to include my thoughts about them along with John and Gwen’s books today!

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply ↓

  11. Thank you, Mae, for your wonderful review. I’m so pleased you liked The Choice. I’m honored to be considered along with John Howell’s Eternal Road and Marcia Meara’s The Emissary 3. ❤

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply ↓

  20. Boy, you have a knack for making every book sound wonderful…and I’m guessing they really are. I’m such a slow reader, I think I’ll always be three or more steps behind you, though:) Good luck to all three authors!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓

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