Virlana Kardash
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Readers' Favorite 5 Stars
If you are looking for a romance suspense novel with a touch of a whodunnit, Virlana Kardash’s Cherry Blossom Blues is a must-read for you. Weaving a tangled web of mystery around an intriguing plot, Kardash introduced me to an exciting, dynamic, well-crafted cast. Kardash pays great attention to detail, but just enough so as not to bog down the plot's pace. The subtlety of the storyline hooked me, keeping me flipping through page after page. The vivid depictions colorfully brought the scenes to life, making me feel like I was next to the characters in every scene, closely following as the events unfolded. Kardash depicts the cast’s emotions, juxtaposing their complex traits. This made it feel like I was on a wild emotional roller coaster ride as I connected with them. I was hurled into a world of espionage, romance, murder, secrets, operatives, thrills, and so much more in this page-turner.
Reviewed by Keith Mbuya for Readers' Favorite
Readers' Favorite 5 Stars
Author Virlana Kardash skillfully portrays Susanna’s emotional evolution through a harrowing journey of grief to the hesitant prospect of new love. It’s such a relatable and heartfelt journey that readers won’t be able to resist getting attached to her and hanging onto every moment of her adventure. Her journey feels authentic, and the internal conflict between vulnerability and strength is characterized by the close narration of her speech, thoughts, and actions that indicate the emotional struggle going on inside her. The espionage subplot is also tightly woven into the romance to keep both strands of the story relevant. Kardash’s ability to build tension, both in the action sequences and in Susanna’s emotional world, creates an engaging, page-turning read where there is never a dull moment. The relationship between Susanna and Robert at the center of events is multi-layered, with trust and secrecy played out in striking dialogue exchanges that are slick, but believable, making their growing bond feel realistic and nuanced. Overall, Cherry Blossom Blues is a highly engrossing drama with heightened
but realistic emotions, and I’d certainly recommend it to fans of accomplished romance novels.
Reviewed by K. C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
Readers' Favorite 5 Stars
Virlana Kardash’s storytelling shines through her ability to balance gripping legal drama and emotional character development. The political landscape of D.C., with its layers of bureaucracy, secrecy, and power plays, adds an exciting and realistic dimension to the story. The romantic moments between Susanna and Robert are filled with chemistry, but there’s always an underlying sense of danger as Robert’s true motives are kept in question. This tension adds an extra layer of suspense as the plot progresses and the stakes rise. Susanna must navigate her professional responsibilities while untangling the mysteries surrounding her. With a well-paced narrative and strong characters, Cherry Blossom Blues offers a thrilling escape into a world where love and trust are as uncertain as Susanna's legal battles. The novel is a perfect read for those who enjoy the complexity of romantic suspense.
Reviewed by Carol Thompson for Readers' Favorite
Readers' Favorite 5 Stars
Cherry Blossom Blues by Virlana Kardash is an action-packed romance novel that will have your heart racing for various reasons. Not only is the attraction between the two main characters almost palpable but with danger lurking around every corner you can't help but get sucked in. Kardash does a brilliant job of setting up an intriguing world of espionage and suspense from the start, getting right into it with a very interesting case in which both main characters are somehow involved. From that point on, the reader is taken on a rollercoaster ride of events with Susanna and Robert. I loved the pacing of this story as it never allows you to get bored but it also doesn’t speed past any necessary details or important interactions between the main characters. I enjoyed getting to delve into Susanna’s past and watching their relationship develop despite the circumstances they found themselves in. Overall, this is a wonderfully written book and I highly recommend it.
Reviewed by Miche Arendse for Readers' Favorite