Location: Canada
Member Since: Dec. 01, 2010

Sue Leonhardt

Smashwords book reviews by Sue Leonhardt

  • The Wrecking Crew on July 13, 2011

    The Wrecking Crew is a sequel to The Defector, in which Janac made his debut. After reading The Defender, by Mark Chisnell, I was so impressed...I had to read his sequel, The Wrecking Crew.And again I was not disappointed. I could not put this book now. Drug warlord Janac has turned to piracy to fund his battle for control of the Australian narcotics trade. When he attacks the MV Shawould on an evil night in the South China Sea, it seems he has also found the perfect next victim for his psychotic games. Phil Hamnet and his wife Anna are taking a last voyage on his cargo ship before the impending birth of their twins. Phil escapes the pirate attack, but Anna is taken hostage to prevent him from revealing the pirate operation to the authorities. Janac puts Phil to the ultimate test: will he sacrifice Anna and the children to save the lives of unknown sailors? And if not, then just how many ships and deaths will it take to make him reconsider. It's an awful decision for anyone to have to make, but for a man who's already had to make it once before - in a lifeboat, adrift in the vastness of the Pacific - it's a living nightmare. You will find yourself sitting on the edge of your chair, and be totally wrapped up in the adventure.A definate 5 Star rating.
  • In Leah's Wake on Aug. 25, 2011

    I received this book "In Leah's Wake" by Terri Giuliano Long, through a free download from Smashwords.At first I thought I would not be able to relate to this book, as I am married with no children, but I was presently surprised. Feeling the pressures that go along with being a teenager, and being pushed by her father to be the best high school soccer player around, Leah Tyler decides to choose her own path. She starts dating a high school drop out who smokes weed, does coke, and parties. She falls in love with him. She quits hanging out with her old friends, stops putting soccer as a top priority and rebels. Leah's family is falling apart. Her parents aren't as happy as they used to be and Leah's younger sister is trying to bridge the widening gap between Leah and her parents. Leah's dad try's to help Leah but only ends up pushing her farther away. I liked the book, but didn't love it. I would recommend it to those who like reading family dramas. It does a good job at capturing a family in distress with a teenager that feels the need to rebel. The family dynamics were interesting and there was truth to the story. It is a good example of how relationships are tested and ultimately how hard they can be to maintain. It reminded me of when I was a teenager and the stupid decisions that I used to make that seemed right at the time.
  • King Of Paine on Sep. 29, 2011

    "King of Paine" by Larry Kahn was an amazing read.I received Kindle version free from the author through Goodreads ebooks giveaway.Larry Kahn produced an amazing whodunit novel,that will keep the reader turning the pages until the end.I read the book in one sitting.King of Paine offers fully-developed characters who struggle with a range of intriguing end-of-life issues while everything they care about is at stake. It is true that readers who liked The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo will enjoy this novel. Frank Paine is not your typical FBI agent. He's an ex-Hollywood stud with a kinky past. When a ruthless stalker uses Frank's indiscretions to involve him in an erotic cat-and-mouse death match, his investigation points toward a missing biochemist. His hunt for her secret haven takes one tragic turn after another, until he finds himself facing an impossible dilemma. Someone will die as a result of his decisions, and it may be his soulmate. Or him. This was a thought-provoking suspense novel...and deserves a definate 5 Star rating.If you enjoy reading mystery, suspense thrillers... this is the book for you. Thank you Larry for allowing me to read your novel.
  • Caraliza on Oct. 07, 2011

    I received the free download of this book, "Caraliza" by Joel Blaine Kirkpatrick through smashwords.Author Joel Kirkpatrick pulls us in emotionally from the very first pages of this sad tale of a teenaged Dutch girl sold into servitude and near starvation in an early 20th century New York slum, and the young man who is doomed to save her from her oppressor, and at any cost. Their story spans almost an entire century, full of rich, well-developed characters and paranormal twists that will keep you guessing until the complete mosaic of their life together is revealed in the very last pages. A story that is sad, chilling, and uplifting.
  • Deadly Stillwater on Nov. 06, 2011

    I received this free ebook "Deadly Stillwater", through Goodreads Giveaway through the author,Roger Stelljes. He delivers an action packed, thriller that is the second book in the McRyan Mystery Series. Mac McRyan, a fourth-generation cop, is faced with a complicated daytime kidnapping, a media storm surrounding the case, and political scrutiny. It is a case of betrayal and revenge that will ultimately strike at the soul of the St. Paul Police Department. From the searing streets of St. Paul to the icy shores of Lake Superior to the murky waters of the St. Croix River, "Deadly Stillwater" is a non-stop rush you won't be able to put down until its last thrilling minute.This book was well written and kept me glued to the chair.A definately enjoyable read
  • Lawman on Nov. 07, 2011

    I received "Lawman" by Virginia Llorca through the Goodreads ebook giveaway.Can two hearts make time for each other, with their busy lives, and make it work? This is a fast paced fun read about a young widow and a Government "operative". He tries to keep the needed secrecy of his job from interfering with his hoped for relationship with a willful young widow. Lily Scofeldt is a 24 year old widow with two preschool children living in Iowa,and agent Tim Sa Raia is also divorced with a 13 year old daughter living in Chicago.These people never seem to get out of bed. Lots of quickies.I laughed when Tim left her house one time and said" Thank you sincerely for the hospitality".This book is light entertainment. Easy read but it shows the deeper side of what it takes to commit to a relationship, second time around.
  • Love, Lies, and Deception on Oct. 05, 2013

    I received a free download of "Love, Lies, and Deception" by L.P. Dover, from the author in exchange for an honest review. Twenty three year old Marissa Chase and her friends are going to Fiji for spring break, and it's their last break before they all graduate and head their separate ways. The foursome included Marissa and her best male friend, Kristian, and her best girlfriend, Emily, and her boyfriend, Justin. Kristian's girlfriend, a model couldn't get the time off work in New York to go on the trip. On the way out of the apartment, heading to the airport with her friends, Marissa trips down the stairs, and lands in her neighbour's arms, Alec Holden...definitely a alpha male. Marissa was instantly attracted to him, but she had just broken up with her boyfriend, Jason, a few days ago. Alec was from Newport Beach, California, and had been a avid surfer. Marissa was intrigued by Alec, and was looking forward to seeing him when they got back. When Marissa got back from Fiji,Alec invited her to come to his apartment for dinner. She was ready for a new relationship...and was open to new possibilities. When Kristian found out she was meeting Alec for dinner, he told her to be careful, he seemed to be holding something from her...and was acting weird. Twenty five year old, Alec had tried the college thing, at Berkeley studying economics, but his mind was only on surfing. He was now helping to fix up his old aunt's house. Alec had too many secrets. As the relationship between Marissa and Alec grows, hidden dangers evolve in this web around her. This is a novel of secrets, lies, betrayal and murder. Will Marissa figure it all out before it is too late? People are not who they seem to be. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer... A fast-paced romantic suspense novel, with believable characters, that will grip you right to the end. I gave it 4 Stars
  • Dark Before Dawn on Jan. 26, 2014

    I received a free download of "Dark Before Dawn" by Stacy Juba in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed this YA paranormal thriller, geared mostly for the teenage group but also would be enjoyed by any adult. Dawn Christian, sixteen had moved from Boston, to Covington, Maine, and now was starting her junior year at a new high school. But Dawn suffered from premonitions, and her mom wanted her to just forget about her "feelings", and get on with her life and try to make friends. But she didn't fit in...she was different. Dawn's father died when she was in first grade, and her mom had remarried, Jeff, an editor at the Gazette, and now she had a stepbrother, Ken who was seventeen years old. Eventually Dawn met two other girls at school, one who was totally devoted to her mentor/psychic, Serina, and one in training. Dawn is drawn into their group and hidden meetings. Sewrina had tried to turn them against their families. But two people in the same school, both had been in accidents, best friends and both killed. Dawn had to decide what path she was going to take, a choice to continue developing her talent or go up against her only two friends. The short chapter format briskly moves the story along. The story is well developed and the characters are human. A very enjoyable read.