Monthly Archives: August 2017

The Wolf of Kisimul Castle by Heather McCollum – a Review

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The Wolf of Kisimul Castle  by Heather McCollum – a Review

 

The Wolf of Kisimul CastleAmazon / B&N / Kobo / BAM / Book Depository

Description:

The Wolf of Kisimul Castle Mairi Maclean is kidnapped on her wedding day by the enemy of her dead husband. Taken north to the water-surrounded Kisimul Castle, she is held captive in the name of retribution. But The Wolf of Kisimul Castle soon learns Mairi is not a docile pawn in this game of war between neighboring Scots. Nor will she be frightened into walking down the aisle to wed the fierce Highland chief. Alec MacNeil is set on revenge. When he finds his enemy dead, he takes his wife to replace the one that was murdered. An eye for an eye. A bride for a bride. But Mairi is more tiger than kitten and refuses to bend to his will. Set stubbornly against one another, the passion that flares between them threatens to tear Alec’s strategy to shreds.

 

Review:.

The Wolf of Kisimul Castle is the first book I’ve read by Heather McCollum  and I enjoyed it from start to finish.  It is part of a series, but it is not necessary to read the others, as it’s a standalone book.

Mairi Maclean is about to get married for the second time. Her first marriage had been for the good of her clan. It has never been about love; it was all been about duty, and this time it’s the same thing.. what is good for her clan. Her brother tries to tell her it is OK to marry for love, but Mairi thinks this marriage will benefit the clan, so she will “learn” to love her new husband.

Mairi is a strong, and resourceful woman who isn’t afraid to speak her mind. When Alec takes her captive, she doesn’t cower in fear, but makes a comfy home in the dungeon ( I did have a chuckle at that scene). Alex kidnapped Mairi because he wanted revenge; Alec will take from the MacInnes what was taken from him. A bride for a bride seems fair in his eyes.  Alec’s wife was murdered by the McInnes clan,  but what he got was Mairi, a fiery and sassy heroine, whom he falls for.

Danger, and intrigue haunt the castle. People say its cursed. Is it? Or is it the fact the laird is a lonely and unhappy man, with many duties and responsibilities. Alec and Mairi had amazing chemistry throughout. I absolutely loved the characters. They were all amazing and complemented each other really well. The secondary characters had some great one liners. There were many times the book had me chuckling at their antics or the words they would throw at each other. The Wolf of Kisimul Castle was entertaining and had plenty of twists to keep you reading.

Reviewed by Julie B

Copy provided by Publsiher

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Before She Ignites by Jodi Meadows – a Review

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Before She Ignites by Jodi Meadows – a Review

 

Before She IgnitesAmazon / B&N / Kobo / BAM / Book Depository

Description:
Mira Minkoba is the Hopebearer. Since the day she was born, she’s been told she’s special. Important. Perfect. She’s known across the Fallen Isles not just for her beauty, but for the Mira Treaty named after her, a peace agreement which united the seven islands against their enemies on the mainland.

But Mira has never felt as perfect as everyone says. She counts compulsively. She struggles with crippling anxiety. And she’s far too interested in dragons for a girl of her station.

After

Then Mira discovers an explosive secret that challenges everything she and the Treaty stand for. Betrayed by the very people she spent her life serving, Mira is sentenced to the Pit–the deadliest prison in the Fallen Isles. There, a cruel guard would do anything to discover the secret she would die to protect.

No longer beholden to those who betrayed her, Mira must learn to survive on her own and unearth the dark truths about the Fallen Isles–and herself–before her very world begins to collapse.

 

 

Review:

Before She Ignites by Jodi Meadows is the first book in her new YA fantasy Fallen Isles Trilogy. Mira Minkoba, our young heroine, is the face of the Mira Treaty; someone whom the people believe in and trust, even if she is only a teenager.  In reality, Mira doesn’t really understand the political aspects of her role and is only a chosen spokesperson that is given a script to read to the public.  Mira spends most of her time with her guard and friend, as they help train and take care of Dragons, who are protected, as part of the treaty.  Mira adores her two little dragons, LaLa and Crystal. 

Mira accidently learns some truths about the Dragons that seem to be disappearing, and is thrown into prison (Pit), which is the lowest depth of  humanity.  Mira has always had anxiety, and when she sits in her prison, trying to understand what is happening, she begins to hyper ventilate when the lights go out.  Mira must find her courage, and learn to make friends with her co-prisoners to find a way out.  After a month in the worst conditions, Mira is unexpectedly released to one of the Fallen Isles leaders, and taken to another area where they want to her talk to the people.  Mira learns more, seeing some of the dragons killed and used for illegal trafficking; she surprises the leaders and warns the people that they are being lied to.  Mira will with the help of her guard and friend, manage to escape, but she is determined to help save the inmate friends who she met and helped her. 

What follows is an exciting and interesting adventure, where Mira will rise up and learn that she has powers she never knew existed, and with her friends they will fight an all out battle for survival to escape the prison.  I really liked Mira, as she was a simple girl, who followed what was expected of her; but had her own flaws (anxiety), and insecurity.  It was nice to see her grow in maturity and strength during the course of their adventure.  The secondary characters, her guard, friend, inmates, including the villains were well written.  As in most first books of fantasy, there are some slow parts, which is necessary to allow us to learn the new world and meet the main characters.  Early on, I was not enamored with the flipping around between many time elements, which did cause some confusion.  I did like the Dragon storyline, but would have liked a lot more.

Meadows has done an excellent job of creating this world, and I look forward to what she has in store for us in the future books.  The ending, which did have a few twists, is not truly a cliffhanger, but it is left open for continuation of the story.   Before She Ignites was a good start to this series, with an excellent leading character, good secondary characters, exciting, bad villains and dragons. If you enjoy fantasy in a different world, I suggest you give Before She Ignites a try.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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Drunk Dial by Penelope Ward-Review Tour

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DRUNK DIAL by Penelope Ward-Review Tour

Drunk Dial

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / ibooks

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 21, 2017

It seemed like a good idea at the time. Look up Landon Roderick, that boy from childhood whom I’d never been able to forget—even though he so easily forgot about me—and call him.

Then again, anything sounds like a good idea when you’ve had a little too much wine before bed, right? It was supposed to be just a quick, meaningless, prank call. Instead, I went off on him—unloading thirteen years of pent-up emotions.

I didn’t think he’d call me back.

I certainly could never have anticipated the weeks of sexually tense phone conversations that followed as I got to know the man he’d become.

Turned out, Landon had never really forgotten me, either. That special connection we had was still there. I opened up to him, but there were also things about me he didn’t know. And he had his own secrets.

Over the countless hours we talked on the phone, I wondered what would happen if we actually saw each other. One night, I did something impulsive again. Only this time, I went to the airport and booked a ticket to California. We were about to find out if one phone call could bring two lost souls together or if my drunk dial really was all just a big mistake.

•••••••••••

REVIEW:  DRUNK DIAL by Penelope is a contemporary, adult stand alone erotic, romance story line focusing on California food truck vendor Landon Roderick, and twenty six year old dancer Rana Saloomi.

Told from first person point of view (Rana) DRUNK DIAL follows the rekindling friendship between Michiganders Rana Saloomi, and Landon Roderick. Thirteen years earlier, Rana’s family lived above the garage on the Roderick’s property but hard times meant the family disappeared without saying goodbye. Fast forward to present day and our heroine decides to confront the boy she left behind years before. One drunk dial later, Rana will reconnect with Landon Roderick-a young man, now living in Los Angeles, who has struggled in the ensuing years as much as our story line heroine. What ensues is the rekindling friendship and long distance romance between two people whose lives took unexpected turns.

Rana and Landon are two flawed characters who have battled and won. Rana’s earlier years were fraught with heartbreak, issues of low self-esteem, and rebellion; Landon’s struggled with living a lie throughout most of his life. Rana’s drunk-dial phone call rekindled Landon’s interest in the young girl he would never forget-a young girl who has changed in more ways than one.

The relationship between Landon and Rana is slow to build-late night phone calls and texts followed by a long distance love affair that will come to fruition when Rana makes an emergency trip to California in search of the man with whom she had fallen in love. The $ex scenes are intimate and seductive without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There are some scenes of anal play that may not be suitable for some readers. I did have an issue with the lack of condom usage. There was never any mention of condoms during our couple’s sexual times together- fiction and the possibility of no unwanted pregnancies aside, I do believe that romance authors have an obligation to present safe (safer) $ex scenarios.

We are introduced to Rana’s father Eddie Saloomi, as well as a glimpse at her crazy roommate Lenny; Landon’s parents Marjorie and Jim Roderick, and his best friend Ace; and Lilith-a young girl whom Rana mentors in the Big Sister program.

DRUNK DIAL is a sweet story of second chances (of sorts) for two people whose lives were destroyed by secrets of the past. The text is simple; the one-on-one interactions between Rana and Landon are awkward, almost adolescent in nature as they come to terms with the past and the present- For me, Rana’s personality quirks felt contrived and forced. The premise is entertaining; the characters are damaged; the romance is a second chance at love and a happily ever after.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Drunk Dial teaser

About The Author

Penelope WardPenelope Ward is a New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling author. She grew up in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor, before switching to a more family-friendly career. She is the proud mother of a beautiful 11-year-old girl with autism and a 9-year-old boy. Penelope and her family reside in Rhode Island.

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Chasing a Legend (Kavanagh Legends #4) by Sarah Robinson-Review Tour, Excerpt & Giveaway

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CHASING A LEGEND (Kavanagh Legends #4) by Sarah Robinson-Release Day Tour, Excerpt & Giveaway

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CHASING A LEGEND
Kavanagh Legends #4
by Sarah Robinson
Release Date: August 22, 2017
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, romance

Chasing a Legend

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / | Amazon UK | Amazon AU/  B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / iBooks | Books a Million | Google Play | Penguin Random House

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 22, 2017

A topnotch manager and agent, Quinn Kavanagh pictures a life outside of his family’s renowned MMA gym. Beneath his sleek exterior, Quinn has a secret passion for sculpting. But after a nearly fatal motorcycle accident, he’s struggling just to walk again, let alone get back to the studio—and it doesn’t help that the doctor in charge of his physical therapy is his childhood crush. Quinn’s always ready for a fight, but the bittersweet sting of unrequited love has him begging for mercy.

Dr. Kiera Finley is determined to make her medical residency a success. Six years ago, she gave in and shared a single passionate night with Quinn. Now she’s just hoping the cocky lover from her past doesn’t derail her plans for the future. Little by little, though, Kiera gets to know another side of Quinn. She knew he was a family man, devoted to his parents and brothers, but he’s also a free spirit trapped in a cage—and only she has the key. To heal both Quinn’s body and soul, Kiera’s tempted to give him a special kind of medicine.

With their own heartwarming HEAs, Sarah Robinson’s Kavanagh Legends novels can be read together or separately:
BREAKING A LEGEND
SAVING A LEGEND
BECOMING A LEGEND
CHASING A LEGEND

•••••••••

REVIEW: CHASING A LEGEND is the fourth installment in Sarah Robinson’s contemporary, adult KAVANAGH LEGENDS erotic, romance series focusing on the Kavanagh family of MMA fame. This is twenty seven year old MMA manager and agent Quinn Kavanagh, and twenty four year old Dr. Kiera Finley’s story line. CHASING A LEGEND can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary. CHASING A LEGEND fast forwards the series approximately three years.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Quinn and Kiera) CHASING A LEGEND is a second chance story line that focuses on the rekindling romance between Kiera Finley, and Quinn Kavanagh. Six years earlier Kiera walked out of Quinn Kavanagh’s life, breaking his heart and destroying his soul. Fast forward to present day wherein Kiera is now working on her doctorate in physical therapy, and comes face to face with the man she has always loved-Quinn Kavanagh-but a man she barely recognizes since the accident that almost destroyed his life. What ensues is the rekindling romance between Quinn and Kiera, and the fall out when Kiera’s future, once again, interferes with the couple’s plans.

Quinn Kavanagh continues to struggle with the loss of the only woman he has ever loved. Six years have yet to heal his broken heart, and a near –fatal accident compounded Quinn’s agony when the object of his affection becomes his only chance for recovery. Kiera Finley’s future beckoned but leaving behind the man that she love broken more than her heart but her faith in any hope for a future with Quinn Kavanagh.

The relationship between Quinn and Kiera is one of second chances; a rekindling romance that proves twenty years of friendship and love is more powerful than a lack of communication, or misdirected thoughts about their final goodbyes. The $ex scenes are intimate and seductive without the over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including the entire Kavanagh family, as well as new MMA manager Flynn Gallagher, who has caught the eye of the only female in the Kavanagh clan-cousin Casey. There is some great back and forth banter between all of the siblings, as well as the Kavanagh matriarch Dee.

CHASING A LEGEND is a passionate story of family, friendship, second chances and love. The premise is engaging and spicy with some amusing and playful moments. The characters are dynamic and colorful; the romance is fated, provocative and emotional. CHASING A LEGEND is a moving and captivating story from the pen of Sarah Robinson.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Breaking a Legend
Saving a Legend
Becoming a Legend
Chasing a Legend

Click here–>Read the Free Short Story Set Between Becoming a Legend and Chasing a Legend!

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

excerpt

 

 

“I’m leaving Legends now. My bags are packed, so be ready to go as soon as I get there,” Quinn said into the phone, his thick arm flexing as he twisted it to look at his watch.
“UK, here we come!” his older brother Kane shouted through the line. Quinn could practically see him fist-pumping the air. “You’re the best manager ever, Q!”
“Better believe it, Killer.” Quinn laughed before disconnecting the call and pushing his phone into a small interior pocket of the leather jacket that fit snugly over his chiseled back and broad shoulders.
Straddling his prized possession, a classic Ducati he’d kept in pristine condition for years, Quinn pulled on his helmet and gloves. His shaggy black hair peeked out from under the edges of the helmet, framing his face. Though covered in leather, glimpses of his love of ink showed on his neck and hands. What could not be seen was how the tattoos continued onto his chest and back as well. He loved the images, and each one had a special meaning to him—a falcon across his chest in midflight to symbolize his yearning for freedom, a dragon wrapping his arm to mark the fire in his blood, the Kavanagh family crest and motto in Gaelic on his back to represent family pride, along with phrases and names of people and moments that had made him who he was.
But the small metal bar through his eyebrow, or the piercings in his ear? Those were just for fun.
The motorcycle roared to life beneath him, easily heard from blocks away, as he pulled out onto the main street and headed for his parents’ house to meet his brother. He might not live there any longer, but he’d grown up in that house, and it would always feel like home. The whole neighborhood was his home; he knew everyone there, and everyone knew the Kavanaghs—for better or worse.
Quinn rode past the quaint houses in the Woodlawn area of the Bronx, going through a mental checklist of everything he needed to do before Kane competed next week. The International MMA Championship, held in London this year, was the biggest mixed martial arts competition in the world. Kane had won that championship the last two years, giving him the title of World’s Greatest MMA Fighter. Kane planned to win a third time next week and Quinn was eager to stand by his side when he did.
It’d been three short years since his brother had been thrust into the public spotlight after winning his first U.S. National Championship in Vegas. Quinn beamed proudly at the memory. Even though he wasn’t the one in the cage, he still felt a part of his brother’s success, having managed his entire career from the beginning. Kane’s win was Quinn’s win. It was a win for all the Kavanaghs—something they each really needed after everything the family had been through.
As he approached his parents’ street, he signaled with both his right hand and turn signal that he was switching lanes. A large truck whistled past, completely ignoring his signal. Quinn yanked the bike to the left, narrowly escaping a collision as his heart leapt into his throat.
Asshole.
Taking a deep breath to calm the adrenaline shooting through his body at the close call, Quinn carefully looked around, and once he’d confirmed that the right lane was clear, he again signaled his intentions. Sliding the bike into the right lane, he accelerated, eager to get to his childhood home.
That was his last thought before it happened.
His family.
How happy he was.
How much he loved his life.
A silver sedan parallel-parked against the curb nosed out into the right lane, directly in front of Quinn’s bike. His eyes widened as the air left his lungs, and he attempted to swerve around the sudden obstacle.
But there was no time. There was no space.
The front wheel of his bike slammed into the front wheel well of the sedan, and Quinn was weightless. He barely had a moment to blink before he was twisting through the air—over the handlebars, over his bike, over the sedan.
He heard the impact before he felt it.
His body skidding over the unforgiving pavement as wind rushed past him—a crunching, tumbling screech. Car horns firing, people screaming—or was he screaming? The echoes inside his helmet both muted and deafened.
But then he felt it, and it was fucking hell.
The crack of bones, a searing pain shooting through him. Every nerve ending in his body set on fire at the force of impact, consuming him till he was certain he couldn’t stand another second of it. Sliding across the pavement, his skin burned against the grating asphalt, his leather gear no match for the unforgiving surface.
And then it was quiet.
So fucking quiet as he stared up at the sun and waited . . . for what, he didn’t know.
He wasn’t connected to his body, but somehow trapped inside it. Quinn tried to call for help, tried to get up, but his lungs and limbs ignored his commands.
Just as his eyes began to flutter closed, the pain overtaking him, pushing him beyond what he could ever handle . . . he saw her. Her strawberry-blond hair falling down past her soft pink cheeks, the sun creating a halo behind her. Her fingertips grazed his face, and she whispered to him so softly he barely made out what she said. Light blue eyes, nearly translucent in their brightness, told him to just hold on . . . don’t let go . . . don’t give up.
And then she was gone.
And so was he.


 

 

About the Author

Sarah RobinsonSarah Robinson is the bestselling author of The Photographer Trilogy and the Sand & Clay rock star series. A native of Washington, D.C., Robinson has both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in criminal psychology. She is married to a local police officer who is just as much of an animal rescue enthusiast as she is. Together, they own a zoo of rescue and foster animals.

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Thrill Seeker (Sinful in Seattle #1) by Taryn Quinn-a review

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Thrill Seeker (Sinful in Seattle #1) by Taryn Quinn- a review

Thrill Seeker

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Amazon.au /

ABOUT THE BOOK : Release Date August 15, 2017

He saved me…

I wasn’t paying attention that night after work. I was just in a hurry to get to my car.
But someone was watching.

A stranger waited in the shadows, and he tried to hurt me. But another man also came out of the darkness, ready to defend me.

I serve billionaire Max Chapel his dinner every evening.

He’s powerful. Mysterious. And just as dangerous, but in a much different way.

He destroyed me…

But is it destruction if I asked him, the man who’d saved me, to tear my clothes? To take me roughly while the fear and helplessness still raged inside my belly?

He made me whole again…

Not just physically, but emotionally. He unlocked a side of me I never knew existed. But he knows.

He practically owns this whole town.

Now he wants to own me.

••••••••••

REVIEW: THRILL SEEKER is the first installment in Taryn Quinn’s (Taryn Elliott / Cari Quinn) contemporary, adult SINFUL IN SEATTLE erotic, serialized novella. This is billionaire IT developer Maximus ‘Max’ Chapel, and restaurant hostess Georgia Barrows’ story line.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Max and Georgia) THRILL SEEKER follows the building relationship between billionaire businessman Max Chapel, and restaurant hostess Georgia Barrows. For months, Maximus Chapel has been dining at the trendy, upscale , family owned Bellamy restaurant in Seattle, Washington but Max’s reasons for frequenting Bellamy’s comes in the form of the beautiful Georgia Barrows-a woman that Max is determined to call his own. When Georgia is attacked in the underground parking Max’s quick actions save our heroine from more than a purse snatching gone wrong. With adrenaline pumping through their veins Georgia acts completely out of character and begs Max Chapel to take her-right there. Embarrassed and unsure about the next step Georgia runs but is unable to stop thinking about the man that calls to her heart. What ensues is the building, and highly sexualized relationship between our leading couple, as Georgia considers what it is she truly wants from Max Chapel.

THRILL SEEKER is a quick read; a hot and spicy novella length story of one man’s obsession with Georgia Barrows, and Georgia’s acknowledgement that she is willing to give Max what it is he wants. Max is about to start a dangerous game-a game where one or both could lose their head and their hearts.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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The Good Daughter by Karin Slaughter – a Review

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The Good Daughter by Karin Slaughter – a Review

 

The Good DaughterAmazon / B&N / Kobo / BAM / Book Depository

Description:
Two girls are forced into the woods at gunpoint. One runs for her life. One is left behind…

Twenty-eight years ago, Charlotte and Samantha Quinn’s happy small-town family life was torn apart by a terrifying attack on their family home. It left their mother dead. It left their father — Pikeville’s notorious defense attorney — devastated. And it left the family fractured beyond repair, consumed by secrets from that terrible night.

Twenty-eight years later, and Charlie has followed in her father’s footsteps to become a lawyer herself — the ideal good daughter. But when violence comes to Pikeville again — and a shocking tragedy leaves the whole town traumatized — Charlie is plunged into a nightmare. Not only is she the first witness on the scene, but it’s a case that unleashes the terrible memories she’s spent so long trying to suppress. Because the shocking truth about the crime that destroyed her family nearly thirty years ago won’t stay buried forever…

 

 

Review:

The Good Daughter by Karin Slaughter is the first book in her new series, which is a suspenseful psychological thriller. This was my first time reading Karin Slaughter and after finishing this book, it will not be my last. I loved The Good Daughter, which turned out to be one of the best thrillers I have read this year, and I have read quite a few.

The Good Daughter revolves around two sisters, Sam (Samantha) and Charlie (Charlotte) Quinn, who both survived a horrible tragedy 28 years ago.  The story starts in the past, in their hometown of Pikeville, North Carolina; Sam & Charlie were practicing relay running with their mom testing them; they have just moved to a small cabin, after their house was burned down.  Their father Rusty, was a defense attorney who made enemies, especially after he always managed to get the criminals off.  When they return to the house, someone enters threatening them all, causing a terrorizing event that results in a death, two brutal attacks and a family that is devastated.

We now are in the present, 28 years later, with Charlie stopping at the school to return something, and all hell breaks loose, as the shots can be heard throughout.   Charlie and one of the teachers (Mason) race the halls to try to help, only to find two people dead, and the shooter pointing the gun on them self.   The police come with guns threatening to kill the shooter, and Mason is determined to convince the police to allow her to surrender.  So much of what happens in the school, brings forth terrible emotional memories for Charlie, who continues to live in Pikesville with her husband, and her father.  Sam has not returned for many years, having left when she was a teenager.  Sam was the most physically  damaged in the attack when she was a teen, but she managed to have a very successful career as a lawyer, though she does suffer; when Rusty has a heart attack, Sam will be called home.  It has been 20 years since Sam and Charlie have seen each other, as they had become a little estranged, but they still loved each other.  While Sam has suffered physically, Charlie is the one who still suffers emotionally,  which includes secrets that she has not told her sister or husband.  Sam will work on Kelly’s (the young shooter) case while her father is recovering, and Charlie will help.  As the present mystery unfolds, we will return occasionally to the past with the point of view of either Charlie or Sam, as we learn more of what happened then.

What follows is an intense, exciting, mind boggling story line that has us holding our breath throughout.   Sam will uncover some clues that make her second guess what really happened at the school.  One of the things Slaughter has done so well, is show us a small town that has not forgotten the event from the past, which they show with their terrible treatment of the victims; we get the see the narrow minded attitudes of the police, district attorney, and the families involved in that tragedy.  We also get to see how much Sam and Charlie’s lives changed, and how it has affected them all these years. 

The last third of the book was simply amazing, with excitement, revelations and multiple twists that blew our minds, especially since we needed to keep up with them.  Sam and Charlie were great characters that had us also emotionally tied to them.  I do not want to tell too much more, as it would be spoilers, and this book is too good to ruin.  The Good Daughter was a fantastic read, so very well written by Karin Slaughter.   I suggest you read The Good Daughter, as it is a must read.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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The Reluctant Thief (Stolen Hearts #4) by Mallory Crowe-a review

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THE RELUCTANT THIEF (Stolen Hearts #4) by Mallory Crowe-a review

The Reluctant Thief

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 7, 2017

Former cop Scott Hart’s life as he knew it was taken in a fraction of a second when his wife was murdered. After years of research and questionable alliances, he’s finally about to come face to face with the man who killed her. Except when he’s arrested for a crime he didn’t commit, his revenge plans are put on hold. But he has one ace in his pocket. He has one of the best hackers in the world on his side.

Computer hacker Toni knows Scott is off limits. Even if he weren’t totally hung up on his late wife, they work together. In her line of work, pesky things like crushes and emotions get you killed. But when Scott is framed, Toni knows she needs to pull out the big guns to get him out of trouble.

As much as she wants to get over Scott, she knows she can’t let him go at it alone. So she’s going to stick with him as long as he needs her, come hell and heartbreak. Who knows? Someday he might even love a thief like her.

•••••••••••

REVIEW: THE RELUCTANT THIEF is the fourth installment in Mallory Crowe’s contemporary, adult STOLEN HEARTS romantic, suspense series. This is computer hacker Toni Murray, and former Chicago police officer Scott Hart’s story line. THE RELUCTANT THIEF can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty although I recommend reading the series in order for backstory and cohesion.

SOME BACKGROUND: Following a theft that went horribly wrong, professional thieves and sisters Toni, Melody and Jennifer Murray vow revenge against the men who killed their mother.

Told from dual third person points of view (Scott and Toni) THE RELUCTANT THIEF focuses on the hunt for a killer. Several weeks earlier Toni, Jennifer and Melody’s mother was murdered on the job- a job meant to set the family up for life-but the theft of a thirty million dollar piece of jewelry resulted in the death of their mother, with the sisters on the run. Vowing to avenge their mother’s death each sister set into motion a series of events to track down the man responsible. Toni Murray will make things a little more personal when she gets up close and personal with the man ultimately responsible for her mother’s demise but interference from a former cop pushes all of Toni’s buttons and riles up her independent side. Enter Scott Hart, a man with a personal agenda of his own, and the man with whom Toni has fallen in love.

THE RELUCTANT THIEF is the culmination of four story lines that saw three sisters seek retribution and revenge for their mother’s death. With the formation of a new security team by Scott and Toni, THE RELUCTANT THIEF introduces the readers to a new series arc, as well as Peter Slade, Gage and Tristan-three men whose owns lives were destroyed by the man the Murray sisters had targeted for revenge. Slade’s story line is next in THE VENGEFUL THIEF. The premise is suspenseful and engaging; the characters are colorful and animated; the $ex scenes are limited without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

Reading Order and previous reviews
The Cocky Thief
The Beautiful Thief
The Dangerous Thief
The Reluctant Thief

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Reviewed by Sandy

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Shelter For Sophie (Badge of Honor: Texas Heroes 8) by Susan Stoker-Review Tour

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SHELTER FOR SOPHIE (Badge of Honor: Texas Heroes #8) by Susan Stoker-Review Tour

Shelter For Sophie 1

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 15, 2017

She’s shy, he’s stoic…not the hardest personality traits to overcome, but Sophie Carson and Roman “Chief” Proudfit have their work cut out for them.

Sophie has a crush on the silent-but-studly firefighter next door. She’s been pining away silently while secretly helping the hardworking man by mowing his lawn—which he thinks is being done by her nonexistent husband and/or boyfriend. He’s definitely not big on neighborly chitchat, but with her stutter, that suits Sophie just fine. But now a misunderstanding at a bar has put him even further out of her reach.

Roman’s difficult upbringing on an Indian reservation is a sore spot, so when he thinks Sophie is taking advantage of poor people for medical trials at her workplace, he lets her know exactly what he thinks. But when he discovers he misunderstood, he’s man enough to admit it…and also that he should have opened his eyes to his beautiful, sensitive neighbor sooner.

As the couple gets closer, each helping the other overcome lifelong pains, for the first time in years, Roman has something to live for other than his job. And, as he discovers when Sophie puts herself in danger, something even bigger to lose…

** Shelter for Sophie is the 8th book in the Badge of Honor: Texas Heroes Series. Each book is a stand-alone, with no cliffhanger endings.

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REVIEW: SHELTER FOR SOPHIE is the eighth installment in Susan Stoker’s contemporary, adult BADGE OF HONOR: TEXAS HEROES contemporary, romance series. This is firefighter and Native American Roman ‘Chief’ Proudfit, and scientist Sophie Carson’s story line. SHELTER FOR SOPHIE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from several third person perspectives including Sophie and Roman SHELTER FOR SOPHIE follows the building relationship between scientist and researcher Sophie Carson, and her next door neighbor Native American firefighter Roman “Chief” Proudfit. Their acrimonious introduction follows Chief’s misunderstanding of the who and what of Sophie Carson-a misunderstanding that opens a new world of knowledge for both of our story line leading characters. What ensues is the building relationship and growing love between Sophie and Roman, and the fall out when a fire in an abandoned building threatens the life of the woman with whom Roman has fallen in love.

SHELTER FOR SOPHIE finds our heroine has a soft spot for the homeless who live near the hospital where Sophie works. An arsonist is setting fire to abandoned building and homes, and Sophie worries that the people she has befriended may have to move when the hospital makes plans to demolish the latest eyesore. Roman ‘Chief’ Proudfit is determined to make amends for his initial treatment of our story line heroine. His attraction to Sophie is palpable but Sophie has a propensity of placing other people’s safety above her own.

The relationship between Sophie and Roman is one of mutual attraction although Sophie’s attraction to Roman long surpasses our hero’s introduction to our story line heroine. Roman’s misunderstanding of Sophie’s position at the hospital places our hero in a position to beg forgiveness for the assumption that Sophie was not the woman she professed to be. Sophie is a strong, courageous and sassy heroine who isn’t afraid to speak her mind. The $ex scenes are intimate and seductive without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text. Susan Stoker’s heroines all have some issues that prevent the character from grabbing life by the horns and enjoying the ride. In Sophie’s case our heroine struggles with a speech impediment, as well as scars from a case of childhood abuse.

There is a large ensemble of secondary and supporting characters including Sophie’s best friends Autumn McCoy, Tory Brown and Quinn Dixon as well as most of the previous story line couples; a handful of firefighters and rescue personnel looking for love; several homeless men and women, and the Sloppy Cow’s bartender, and kinesiology instructor Erin Gardner. Erin and Game Warden Conor Paxton’s story line is next in Justice for Erin.

Susan Stoker weaves Native American and Navajo lore, culture and language into a story line that includes some elements of the paranormal as the couple struggles with an unknown enemy that threatens to destroy their growing love. The premise is engaging and entertaining; the characters are spirited and heartwarming; the romance is passionate and captivating. SHELTER FOR SOPHIE is a moving and enjoyable addition to the author’s Badge of Honor: Texas Heroes romance series.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

About The Author

Susan StokerNew York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author, Susan Stoker has a heart as big as the state of Texas where she lives, but this all-American girl has also spent the last fourteen years living in Missouri, California, Colorado, and Indiana. She’s married to a retired Army man who now gets to follow her around the country.

She debuted her first series in 2014 and quickly followed that up with the SEAL of Protection Series, which solidified her love of writing and creating stories readers can get lost in.

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