Skinned by CeeRee Fields – a Review

Amazon

Description
Josephine ‘Jo’ Rayburn’s life was finally falling into place. She has a man she loves one who accepts her prickly personality, snarky attitude, addiction to knitting along with all her other quirks. Everything was going so well she is ready to take the next step in their life together.

Then bodies start dropping, and her past catches up with her.

Rhysian Rhys Harrison loves Josephine. Her porcupine-like defenses shield a warm a gooey center that only he’s allowed to see. That she accepts and cares for his mentally challenged brother as well is the icing on the chocolate cake. He’s ready to ask her to marry him.

But when his ex-fiancée crashes back into his life, the picture-perfect future he sees with Josephine begins to unravel.

Amidst bitter betrayal, misunderstandings, crazy family, and dodging hitmen can Josephine and Rhysian find a way to forge their path to the future they crave? Or will this case be the one that tears them apart for good?

The Rayburn Mysteries
Book 1 Gravedigger 
Book 2 Skinned 

Review: 

Skinned by CeeRee Fields was really good…… This is the second book in the Rayburn Mysteries series. Same characters as in the first book. Does it make a difference if you don’t read the first one? 

I loved Josephine “jo” all her little quirks, the partnership she has with Sullivan (her work partner) is close, their banter made me chuckle. The closeness she has with Rhysian was lovely, they just fit, they complement each other perfectly. Her wildness needed his calm to keep her grounded.  Her tolerance for her more “prettier” half sisters, she never resented them, she just accepted them.  Her put downs were hilarious, fast coming and usually relentless, most people never got a word in or a quick enough comeback. She’s protective of the ones she loves, she’ll defend them and will always have their back.  She has no filter whatsoever, the amount of times I laughed out loud. 

Rhysian was pretty unflappable, living and loving Jo gave him peace he never thought he’d have. He loves that she’s so careful with his brother Rian, it only makes him love her more, and now she’s said yes to marrying him, he’s hopeful that a live in caregiver he’s hired will help him look after his brother, and get Rhys back to finish off his training to be a pediatric doctor, all is right in his world. Well it was….. 

We have a killer that is skinning it’s victims, could it be linked to a previous case? Things are all pointing that way, but Jo isn’t convinced, she’s certain it’s someone else, but who? It’s bringing back terrible memories of a past case, and her own past, could it be the same person? 

A murder mystery book, but more!! It’s the first time I’ve read a book like this, and not been able to put it down. This would make a great film; in fact I could see is being made into a series. 

The characters all come to life, they gel, the words flowed, no jumping around. I really liked it. I almost spat my coffee out when I read where Jo’s mother wanted Rhys’s input on tantric sex!!! I laughed till I had tears. Too funny.  And the scene where he almost proposes to her, she’s covered in blood and vomit, but the conversation has so funny. 

I must admit, I didn’t think Rhys ex-fiancé was needed in the book. But the further I got into the book, the more I realized he had needed to see her and to put her in the past where she belonged. Was there any chemistry between Sharon and Rhys ? Absolutely none, and that made me smile, she had her chance and she blew it big time. 

So, do you need to read the first book? I don’t think so, but I feel I’m missing something, so I may just have to go back and read the first book. 

Reviewed by Julie B

Copy supplied for Review