Monthly Archives: April 2021

The Crown of Gilded Bones by Jennifer L. Armentrout – a Review

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The Crown of Gilded Bones by Jennifer L. Armentrout – a Review

 

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Description:
She’s been the victim and the survivor…

Poppy never dreamed she would find the love she’s found with Prince Casteel. She wants to revel in her happiness but first they must free his brother and find hers. It’s a dangerous mission and one with far-reaching consequences neither dreamed of. Because Poppy is the Chosen, the Blessed. The true ruler of Atlantia. She carries the blood of the King of Gods within her. By right the crown and the kingdom are hers.

The enemy and the warrior…

Poppy has only ever wanted to control her own life, not the lives of others, but now she must choose to either forsake her birthright or seize the gilded crown and become the Queen of Flesh and Fire. But as the kingdoms’ dark sins and blood-drenched secrets finally unravel, a long-forgotten power rises to pose a genuine threat. And they will stop at nothing to ensure that the crown never sits upon Poppy’s head.

A lover and heartmate…

But the greatest threat to them and to Atlantia is what awaits in the far west, where the Queen of Blood and Ash has her own plans, ones she has waited hundreds of years to carry out. Poppy and Casteel must consider the impossible—travel to the Lands of the Gods and wake the King himself. And as shocking secrets and the harshest betrayals come to light, and enemies emerge to threaten everything Poppy and Casteel have fought for, they will discover just how far they are willing to go for their people—and each other.

And now she will become Queen…

 

 

 Review:

The Crown of Gilded Bones by Jennifer L. Armentrout is the 3rd book in her fantastic Blood and Ash series. I loved the first two books in this series, and could not wait to read more about Poppy and Cas, and I am happy to say I loved this book even more.

The story begins immediately after the last book ended, with Poppy receiving a harsh introduction to Cas’s parents (The Queen and King of Atlantia), as well as the people of Atlantia. Though she is now the wife of Atlantia’s prince (Cas), as well as the Chosen one, she is the true ruler of Atlantia, as she carries the blood of the gods.  But many do not respect her, and someone she considered a friend betrays her and puts her life in danger; because of her uncontrollable powers, the bond between Cas and Kieren has been broken, as all the wolvens are now fully bonded to her. It will take Cas, Kieran and the other wolvens to find a way to rescue her, and learn more about her powers and true heritage.

Poppy will embark on a journey to stop the Blood Crown from destroying Atlantia, but first she needs to find a way to meet with the King of the Gods to ask for help, as well learn her heritage and how to deal with her powers.  She and Cas must decide to step forward to take over her rightful crown, in order to defeat the enemy.   

Poppy and Cas are just so great together, as their steamy scenes were fun and cute. The camaraderie between them as well as Kieran, makes this such a fun enjoyable story, especially releasing the tension with all the dark and violent scenes throughout the entire book.  Armentrout continues to give us great secondary characters, Kieran, Vonetta, Delano, Naill, Emil, Hisa, as well as the god awful villians.

As I have noted previously, Poppy was a fantastic heroine, being strong, feisty, independent, a fierce warrior in her own right; and I got a kick out of her many questions, which Kieran teased her a lot about.  Cas was equally as wonderful as Poppy, being strong, loyal, and totally in love with Poppy.   

What follows is an exciting action filled adventure that had me holding my breaths so many times.  The last half of the book was mind-blowing, with intense violence, danger, constant action, heart wrenching and surprising twists, making me unable to put the book down. There were so many reveals, shocking twists along the way, especially the last third of the book, which was mind blowing and filled with many emotions. 

The Crown of Gilded Bones was another intriguing continuation to this fantastic series, with wonderful world building, and lots of action, suspense, violence, passion and fantastic characters.    As we race to the exciting heartbreaking, shocking, mindboggling climax, there are some amazing revelations.  The Crown of Gilded Bones also a fun, enjoyable, romantic and intense story line that had a bit of everything.

Bravo to Jennifer L. Armentrout, who has once again written such an amazing high fantasy, that kept me glued to my seat. Though the ending was a cliffhanger, it was so well done, with me cheering Poppy on. I was surprised to learn that this is no longer an trilogy, and will end up with 6 books in this series.   I suggest if you enjoy fantasy, you need to read this series, but you must start with the first book.

Reviewed by Barb

Owned Copy

 

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Rescue Cowboy Style(Lone Wolf Anthology)by Rebecca Zanetti-review

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Rescue: Cowboy Style (Lone Wolf Anthology) by Rebecca Zanetti-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 27 , 2021

Headlined by western romance legend Diana Palmer, three celebrated New York Times bestselling authors combine their talents to celebrate the wildest version of man’s best friend–the noble wolf. Each novella revolves around a rugged man and his trusty wolf protector as an opportunity for happily ever afters arise. Filled with sizzling tension and well-drawn characters–animal and human alike–this anthology is sure to resonate with readers looking to answer the call of the wild.

Loyal as a wolf–and just as strong and untamed–three solitary heroes are about to meet their perfect partners, in this thrilling collection from a trio of New York Times bestselling authors…

RESCUE: COWBOY STYLE by Rebecca Zanetti

Trent Logan has his ranch, his friends, and his wolf, and that’s more than enough–until a shivering city girl runs into the Cattle Club to escape a Wyoming storm. Her eyes hold a world of secrets, and he’ll have to face the demons of his own past in order to save them both. 

••••••••••

REVIEW:

NOTE: My review covers RESCUE: COWBOY STYLE by Rebecca Zanetti

RESCUE: COWBOY STYLE by Rebecca Zanetti is a contemporary, adult, romantic suspense novella found in the multi-authored Lone Wolf anthology. This is cowboy/rancher thirty-two year old Trent Logan, and twenty-four year old, accountant Hallie Rose’s story line.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Trent and Hallie) RESCUE: COWBOY STYLE follows twenty-four year old accountant Hallie Rose in the aftermath of an accident on her way through Wyoming cattle country but Hallie never expected to walk into a ranch house, meeting cowboy Trent Logan, a man who stirs something deep within our story line heroine.

Trent Logan suspects Hallie Rose is on the run but our heroine refuses to reveal the truth about her past. With his ‘brothers in arms’ Trent slowly begins to break down our heroine’s walls but Trent and his fellow co-op cowboys are keeping secrets of their own, secrets that are dark and dangerous. When Hallie’s past starts closing in , Trent and his ‘brothers’ begin an investigation of their own discovering the truth behind the threats against Hallie Rose. What ensues is the quick building romance and relationship between Hallie and Trent, and the potential fall-out as Hallie’s past is determined to take down our story line heroine.

The relationship between Hallie and Trent is quick to develop. Trent believes Hallie is his very own happily ever after, the first of his ‘brothers’ to find some peace and happiness after years battling the demons from their past. There are no $ex scenes; the sexual attraction is palpable.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters. We are introduced to Trent’s ‘brothers in arms’ alluding to several more story lines and a potential new series.

RESCUE: COWBOY STYLE is a fast paced, intriguing and energetic story line. The premise is intriguing and entertaining; the romance is sweet and seductive; the characters are engaging, charismatic and numerous.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Ember (Men of Inked:Heatwave 7) by Chelle Bliss-Review tour

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Ember (Men of Inked:Heatwave 7) by Chelle Bliss-Review tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 20, 2021

INKED PROTECTOR REUNITES WITH A SINGLE MOTHER.
Rocco Caldo is tall, dark, and handsome, but not interested in love. Loyal to a fault, he can’t turn away an old friend in need or a beautiful woman on the run…especially when they have unfinished business.

Rebel Bishop is a single mom, looking for shelter, not a handout. But when her path crosses with an old flame, they uncover an ember of passion that’s been smoldering inside them both for over a decade.

Can they move beyond their tragic pasts, allowing the flame to burn bright into their future?

Ember is the seventh full-length standalone novel in the Men of Inked® Heatwave series by USA Today bestselling author Chelle Bliss®.

••••••••

REVIEW:Ember; book 7 in the Men of Inked: Heatwave series by the brilliant Chelle Bliss is here and it’s setting the pages alight! As always, I’m a sucker for reading a series in order, and this one holds true as well. In the last book; Spark, I was a little nervous about what CB had in store for her readers, but I should have known better.

Rebel is true to her name, a Rebel. She’s tough and stubborn, she’s learned to grow a second skin after the hand she has been dealt. However, as one tough chick, she forages on and survives. After her latest mistake, she is now running from an abusive set on hurter her more than he already has. She turns to Carmello for help, and that leads her right back to Rocco.

Oh Rocco, my Rocco. The Gallo men…there isn’t any like them…anywhere…

Rocco and Rebel have a history, a history of a steamy night full of passion and pleasure, everything that could lead to a forever kind of relationship. Then, due to horrible accident, the pair are ripped apart and love doesn’t mean what it should anymore. Rocco turns a cold shoulder to love and any kind of meaningful relationship, until 10 years later when Rebel is back and asking for his help.

There is nothing better than a good second chance romance, I’m a sucker for one for sure. My most favorite moments in this book are the ones between Addy and Rocco. We all know that Rocco is a Gallo, he’s tried and true, he’s protective and just spicy enough to make him tip the scales hot.

When Rebel comes back into his life, asking for his help and protection fir herself and her daughter, he has one choice. Do whatever it takes to prove to Rebel that he can protect her and Addy. When drama breaks out Rocco is there, when Rebel is unsure how to act or who to trust, Rocco is there. He’s doing everything in his power to prove to Rebel that they are worth a second chance. Is it enough? Can they make it work? Read and find out!

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Flame
Burn
Wildfire
Blaze
Ignite
Spark

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sarah

 

USA Today bestselling author Chelle Bliss currently lives in a small town near the Gulf of Mexico. She’s a full-time writer, time-waster extraordinaire, social media addict, and coffee fiend. She’s written over ten books and has two series available. She loves spending her free time with her boyfriend, 2 cats, and her hamster.

Before becoming a writer, Chelle taught high school history for over ten years. She holds a master’s degree in Instructional Technology and a bachelor’s in History. Although history is her first love, writing has become her dream job and she can’t imagine doing anything else.

WEBSITE – FACEBOOK – NEWSLETTER – TWITTER – INSTAGRAM

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Highland Warrior by Heather McCollum – a Review

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Highland Warrior by Heather McCollum – a Review

 

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Description:
Joshua Sinclair was once the fiercest and most notorious warrior of the mighty Sinclair clan of Northern Scotland. But now there’s nothing and no one that can make him take up arms again. Except a beautiful woman, it seems.

When Kára Flett, daughter of a fallen Norse chief, finds herself unexpectedly sheltering the strongest, most brutal warrior in the land, she throws together a risky and outrageous plan to bring him to her side. Threats of violence bounce right off him. Offers of gold seem to entice him even less. Desperate enough to use the pleas of the village children to sway him, she’s shocked when he’s completely unmoved. There’s only one tactic left for her: seduction.

Her hasty proposition falls completely by the wayside, though, as she and the Highlander come together in a carnal inferno. But bringing him into her life also brings his enemies to her clan’s doorstep—the very clan Kára is trying to protect. And as their feelings deepen, Joshua will have to decide between duty and love once and for all.

 

Review:

Highland Warrior by Heather McCollum is the 2nd book in her Sons of Sinclair series. This is the second book in the Sins of Sinclair Series. I’ve not read the first one and I don’t think you miss anything

Kara needs a champion, someone to teach the men of her clan to fight, and the clan needs a protector. Seizing her chance, she attempts to seduce and woo Joshua to her cause!! 

Joshua has had enough of fighting, he wants a quiet life now, he needs to atone for the many things he’s done in the name of war!  

The scenes with the rolling hills and the smell of the heather, are so well written you can imagine yourself there. Nothing is superfluous, there isn’t anything there that doesn’t need to be there. Strong characters, a great cast of supporting characters too. 

I like Joshua, he’s no nonsense attitude had me smiling and agreeing with him. Kara on the other hand! She came across as a little immature! Not wanting to listen to anyone and their thoughts! Joshua has to pick a side. His eyes are opened to the way the people are being used and exploited! He can train and protect this new clan, or he can walk away…. And when people he thought were friends turn against him, it has Joshua looking at the bigger picture! 

Having been married before Kara never expected to meet and fall for anyone else, a widow and a parent, she has more than enough on her plate, oh and avoiding the advances of an unwanted suitor. She thought she would utilize Joshua’s skills, but spending time with him, she sees more than just a warrior. 

So can Joshua train the men he now calls clansmen? Can he forgive the way he was tricked into helping? And how much longer will he be able to stay away from the woman who’s captured his heart? 

I love the mixture of history and romance in these books. I like the fact the women that the author writes about aren’t weak and mild, they have a mind (and a mouth) and aren’t afraid to use it. 

I’m still not sure how I liked the way the end of the book finished! But it’s still a really good read, and I’d happily recommend the book, and grab the next one. Another really well written from an author I’ve got on my “automatic to buy” list. 

Reviewed by Julie

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

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The Rebel Queen (Outlaw #1) by Lexi Blake-Review & Excerpt Tour

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The Rebel Queen (Outlaw #1) by Lexi Blake-Review & Excerpt Tour

 

 

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 20, 2021

After returning from the outer planes, Zoey expected a joyous reunion with family and friends. She couldn’t be more wrong. Her kingdom is in the hands of Myrddin, her friends are on the run, and her children are being hunted by the supernatural world. But that isn’t the worst of it. They aren’t just outlaws—they are fully grown adult outlaws.

In the four days that passed while they were gone, twelve years have passed at home. Now Zoey, Danny, and Dev find themselves in the middle of a new war where they are hunted by old foes and former allies…some they could never have imagined would turn against them.

As Myrddin’s plan becomes clear, Zoey realizes she just might hold the key to stopping him for good and reclaiming their kingdom. Doing so means risking it all to steal back an artifact out from under the wizard’s nose. The fate of everyone on the Earth plane hangs in the balance, and one wrong move could cost Zoey everything she loves.

•••••••

REVIEW: THE REBEL QUEEN is the first instalment in Lexi Blake’s adult OUTLAWS paranormal/fantasy ménage romance series-a spin off set in the author’s world of the THIEVES. This is Queen of all Vampire / and the wife of the high priest of the Seelie and the Unseelie Zoey Donovan-Quinn, high Fae priest Devinshea Quinn, and king of the vampires Daniel Donovan’s continuing story line. THE REBEL QUEEN should not be read as a stand alone as much of the premise focuses on events that happened throughout the original THIEVES series. Zoey, Daniel and Dev’s story line begins in the THIEVES.

NOTE: THE REBEL QUEEN and the Outlaws/Thieves series contains scenes of MMF/MFM sexual situations.

Told from first person perspective (Zoey Donovan-Quinn) THE REBEL QUEEN follows with the return of Zoey, Daniel and Dev. Twelve years earlier, searching for their husband Devinshea, Zoey and Daniel time-travelled through a magical painting, a portal to another world where only four days had passed. Upon their return the Earth plane, twelve years had gone by, and Zoey, Dev and Daniel’s children were now adults, having made a place and name for themselves amongst the Fae, and the vampires in the Earth realm. Daniel’s mentor turned enemy, Myrrddin Emrys, once known as Merlin, is still on the hunt for his missing grimoire and sword, a grimoire with the secrets to all of the worlds’ magical powers, taking aim at our heroine, who has hidden the cache where it cannot be found.

Upon their return Zoey, Dev and Daniel discover their children have been fighting a war, a war that took the lives of so many people they had once loved. As Zoey and her husbands reconnect with the family and loved ones, our heroine sets into motion a plan to travel back in time, in an effort to correct everything that had gone wrong.

THE REBEL QUEEN is a detailed, complex and multi-levelled story line with numerous supernatural entities. I had not had the opportunity to read the THIEVES series, and in this I was temporarily lost and confused until much of the current story line and time line revealed. I have thought I was coming into a new series but I highly recommend reading the THIEVES for back story and cohesion as many of the events of THE REBEL QUEEN are as of a result of the events in the original series. The premise is fascinating, imaginative, tragic and twisted; the romance is seductive and passionate; the characters are animated and dynamic-the back and forth between members of the family is fun, furious, frenetic and sometimes sad but it is Zoey’s attitude that struck me as selfish and narrow-minded, an attitude that didn’t bode well for her likeability in the early chapters of the story line premise.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

 

I was numb again, jogging through the halls I’d once known so well, following the children I’d born and now barely recognized. It was a dream. It had to be. There was no way that Olivia Carey had used her powers to try to choke the life out of me, no way my home had been taken over by my worst enemy. No fucking way I’d missed my children’s formative years. They weren’t warriors. They were coddled and protected.
Rhys was an eleven-year-old with a cocky grin who wouldn’t ever think to order his parents around. Rhys was a good boy who followed the rules. He was every teacher’s pet.
Evan played with dolls, not bows and arrows.
I was going to wake up. I had to. I would wake up and be safely in our bed at Summer’s palace. I would be in between Dev and Daniel, and I would tell them all about this awful dream and they would laugh at me. I would go through the portal again, but this time we would find ourselves back in Danny’s office and everyone would be so relieved to see us. We would take down Myrddin and move on with our lives.
I didn’t have to believe that prophecy. I could control this.
If I could only wake up.
“Evan, to your left,” Rhys yelled as he moved by a connecting hallway. He didn’t even look back. He simply tossed the words over his shoulder as he jogged along.
Evan zipped past her fathers and was firing down the hall before either could protest. She had two arrows off and landing in her targets as Fen leapt to her side. He growled and the third shadowy figure who’d been coming down the hall took off running. But not before Evan got off another shot, and I watched the last attacker go down even as Kelsey hustled me along.
“I think the kiddos know what they’re doing,” Kelsey assured me. “Let’s follow their lead. This is their world. They know it far better than we do.”
It was their world. Not mine. It couldn’t be mine.
We ran, the ground still rumbling under us, and suddenly we found ourselves moving through familiar doors into a dark place. Ether. But not Ether.
“What the fuck did he do to my club?” Dev stopped and stared at the changes the years had wrought.
Ether had been a high-tech nightclub where all of the supernatural world came to play. It had a light-up dance floor and a sleek bar. It had been modern and energetic.
Someone had decided to give the whole place a Hell makeover. It had been redone in shades of red and black.
“I win!” A muscular man walked from behind what used to be the bar. It had been exchanged for what appeared to be some kind of shrine. I didn’t have a chance to really look at it because Lee was right there. He held every bit of my attention.
He was so changed, but when he high-fived his brother and then grinned my way, I could see my little boy.
“I bet Rhys that Papa would be way more upset about Ether than he was about how old we are,” Lee admitted.
“I assure you, Rhys wins that bet,” Devinshea promised. “I’m upset about many things. The atrocity they’ve done to my beautiful club is merely one of them. I don’t want to see the penthouse, do I?”
“According to our spies, you do not,” Rhys replied.

 

NY Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband, three kids, and the laziest rescue dog in the world. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance and urban fantasy that she found the stories of her heart. She likes to find humor in the strangest places and believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome, or foursome may seem.

FACEBOOK / TWITTER / WEBSITE / AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

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The Cowboy of Legend by Linda Broday – a Review

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A  Cowboy of Legend by Linda Broday – a Review

 

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Description:
It’s time for a new generation to become Legend.

Deacon Brannock is determined to make a name for himself and the saloon he’s worked his whole life to afford. He was prepared for life in the Wild West, but he hadn’t counted on Grace Legend…

Grace has always fought hard for what she believes in, and after her best friend is killed at the hands of her drunk and angry husband, that includes keeping alcohol out of her town. When the owner of the new saloon turns out to be a kind and considerate man, she can’t help but wonder if they could have a future together…if they weren’t on opposite sides of every issue.

 

 

Review:

A Cowboy of Legend by Linda Broday is the first book in her new Lone Star Legends series.  When it comes to historical westerns, I always love reading Linda Broday, as she always gives us wonderful stories, great characters and continues to make us fall in love with the couples in her western historical romances.

Deacon Brannock, our hero, runs a saloon, and barely makes ends meet, as well as being a man to reckon with.  He is a cowboy at heart, and unknown to many, he takes in strays who are suffering hardships.  We meet Leah, who is pregnant, and hiding from her abusive husband; and a young orphaned boy named Izzy, who lives outside in dangerous territory, trusting only Deacon.  Deacon is determined to save enough money to buy his dream ranch with horses. Then he meets Grace Legend, a woman who stands up for women and children, and decides she needs to stop Deacon from offering liquor to the men who treat their woman as trash.

Grace Legend, our heroine, is involved in a movement to defend women’s rights, especially as she watched her best friend beaten to death by an abusive drunk husband.  She is a fierce voice, and makes things difficult for Deacon, since she feels he is one of those bad men. After another attempt with the ladies, Grace realizes they overstepped and ruined a number things inside the saloon.  When she is arrested (even though she did not do anything, except being the lone women standing), her father visits her to try to get her out of jail, and makes an agreement with Deacon to make her fix up his place and free her. 

Grace accepts and in a short time, she begins to meet some people like Leah, Izzie, Harry, and knows quickly that Deacon is not like those other men.  He is kind and behind the scenes he goes out of his way to help others in need.  They do butt heads occasionally, as the sparks fly.  Soon they will find  themselves falling for each other, as they learn about their true self.  

What follows is an exciting story with nonstop action, heart stopping dangerous situations and a sweet romance between two people that we could not help falling in love with. Along the way secrets are revealed for both Grace and Deacon, bringing them even closer together. I really loved Deacon and Grace together, as they made a fantastic couple; which was a pleasure to watch them realize that they have met their ultimate love. There was some humorous fun at times, especially when the saloon added food, and shows. I loved the monkey, Jesse James; Sarge, the protective cat, and enjoyed Deacon training a wild mustang, Diablo.  Broday once again gives us great secondary characters, with a few of the women to help, especially Leah, and the boys they save. The last half of the story has Deacon and Grace joining together to find the missing orphan boys, and save them. 

Linda Broday once again gives us another wonderful new series revolving around the fabulous western historical series.   A Cowboy Of Legend was one wonderful emotional heartwarming story, with a fabulous couple, great characters as well as exciting and suspenseful. I strong suggest you read A Cowboy of Legend.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

 

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Slenderman by CeeRee Fields – a Review

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Slenderman by CeeRee Fields – a Review

 

Amazon

 

Description.
Hunting a killer is easy, unless you’re planning a wedding. 

Josephine ‘Jo’ Rayburn finally landed the lieutenant’s rank after her last case. She was exactly where she wanted to be professionally and personally now that Rhysian ‘Rhys’ Harrison had asked her to marry him. However, nothing is ever easy as Jo and her team have been tasked with helping uncover an international serial killer, one who is using a game Rhys’s brother plays and calling themselves Slenderman.

The deeper she digs the more it comes to light that the killer was actually responsible for one of Jo’s first homicide cases. A case she never solved.

Between planning a wedding that does not involve rainbow colored bridesmaids’ dresses or a virginal white wedding dress, and hunting a killer who’s plied their trade for years without being caught Jo’s two worlds are colliding.

Will this be the case Jo never solves? Or will she catch the killer while tying the knot with her man?

Reading Order: 

The Rayburn Mysteries Series:

Book 1 GraveDigger 
Book 2 Skinned 
Book 3 Slenderman

 

 

Review:

Slenderman by CeeRee Fields is the 3rd book in The Rayburn Mysteries series. I was lucky enough to read book 2 (Skinned) I was even luckier when the author sent me book 1 to read (GraveDigger). And now I’m so ready for book 3 (Slenderman) 

Jo is a cop, well actually she’s a lieutenant now. She’s worked hard for this promotion, and her life seems to working in her favour rather than against her. She’s marrying the love of her life, and work is actually enjoyable rather than a chore. But with Jo’s luck, her life is going to get a bit bumpy!! 

Rhys was a coroner when he first met Jo, but with her support he’s back doing the job he was always meant to do, be a doctor. He can’t believe how lucky he is to have her in his life, the support that he gets from both Jo and her family is tremendous. 

This couple just work on so many levels. They complement each other so well. They are like two parts of a puzzle. And they still are a hot couple when they get quality time alone. 

You don’t need to read the previous books, but I think it enhances the reading enjoyment that they will bring to this book. 

So…. two years together and still madly in love. Doctor Rhys is doin what he loves and lieutenant Jo is doing the best she can with her her role in the police department. 

The story starts out as any normal book would, a stabbing, a shooting and a few arrests! But this is the job Jo loves, but sometimes the paperwork is such a drag! She’s asked to help solve a case from the FBI (her witty one liners had me chuckling away) being drawn into the case was really engrossing, I could happily watch this as a tv series or a movie. 

So who is the Slenderman? That is what you’ll have to find out for yourself. But there are a few clues to help you figure it out. 

Reviewed by Julie

Copy supplied for review

 

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The Freshman (College Years 1) by Monica Murphy-Review Tour

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The Freshman (College Years 1) by Monica Murphy-Review Tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 22, 2021

I started flirting with a guy while waiting for my car to be serviced. Now granted, he wasn’t just any guy. Tall. Dark. Hot. Mysterious. Can you blame me for wanting to talk to him? He’s in town visiting his parents. So am I. He goes to the same college as I do. Such a coincidence. Almost as if our meeting is destined…

But I shouldn’t believe in that sort of thing. I am single as a Pringle and always ready to mingle. Until I keep running into Mr. Tall, Dark and Mysterious everywhere I go. Tony Sorrento. Turns out he’s on the football team. I mean, I’m not one to chase after a sexy jock but, okay. I’m down. And did I mention he’s only a freshman?

Our fathers are business rivals, and they forbid us from dating. We need to keep this on the low. Can we remain friendly? Sure. Maybe turn our friendship into friends with benefits? Most definitely. Here’s the thing though. I didn’t plan on catching feelings for him so quickly. Seems like he’s falling pretty hard for me too.

Defying our fathers’ wishes is only asking for trouble, but is being with Tony worth the risk?

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REVIEW:THE FRESHMAN is the first instalment in Monica Murphy’s contemporary, new adult THE COLLEGE YEARS romance series-a spin off from the author’s THE CALLAHANS. This is eighteen year old, college freshman Tony Sorrento, and twenty year old junior Hayden Channing’s story line. You do not have to have read The Callahans but I recommend reading the series for back story and cohesion as The College Years focuses on the secondary characters from the previous series.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Tony and Hayden) THE FRESHMAN follows the forbidden relationship between eighteen year old college freshman Tony Sorrento, and twenty year old college junior Hayden Channing. Hayden and Tony had never met before the day they found themselves at the local car dealership but unbeknownst to our couple, Tony and Hayden’s father were business rivals, and as such were forbidden from seeing one another. Upon their return to college, Tony would run into Hayden, on the first of many meetings that would eventually lead to a romantic affair but as Tony’s love for Hayden grew, threats of another nature would force Tony to chose sides between the woman with whom he was falling in love, and the family he hadn’t been close to in a very long time. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Tony and Hayden, and the potential fall-out as keeping their relationship a secret is about to be exposed.

Hayden Channing struggles with the age difference between herself and Tony but more so the possibility that her relationship with Tony is about to affect her father’s business. Tony knows that once their relationship is exposed, there may be no going back but the Sorrento family dynamics is slowly deteriorating from within.

The relationship between Hayden and Tony is one of immediate attraction but their father’s rivalry is threatening any possibility of a happily ever after. Hayden continues to struggle with Tony’s age, and Tony struggles with what is happening back home. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including most if not all of the The Callahan leading couples. We are reintroduced to the original supporting characters, all of whom will have their own story to tell: Jackson and Caleb.

THE FRESHMAN is a fast paced, wonderful and exciting story line of forbidden romance; a slight age-gap love affair that is reinforced by Hayden’s continuous need to reflect on their differences. The premise is entertaining and captivating; the romance is tender and seductive; the characters are energetic and familiar but I struggled with the immature nature and attitude of the parents, often times reminiscent of what you would find in a young adult story line.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Monica Murphy is the New York Times, USA Today and #1 international bestselling author of the One Week Girlfriend series, the Billionaire Bachelors and The Rules series. Her books have been translated in almost a dozen languages and has sold over one million copies worldwide. She is both self-published and published by Random House/Bantam and Harper Collins/Avon. She writes new adult, young adult and contemporary romance.

She is a wife and a mother of three who lives in central California on fourteen acres in the middle of nowhere along with their one dog and too many cats. A self-confessed workaholic, when she’s not writing, she’s reading or hanging out with her husband and kids. She’s a firm believer in happy endings, though she will admit to putting her characters through angst-filled moments before they finally get that hard won HEA.

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