Author Archives: Barb

Shadow Dance by Christine Feehan – Dual Review & Giveaway

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Shadow Dance by Christine Feehan – Review & Giveaway

 

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Description:
As the head of the New York City Shadow Riders and his branch of the Ferraro family, Geno bears the weight of dual responsibilities on his broad shoulders. There’s nothing more important to Geno than protecting his territory and his famiglia. So when his own parents become the latest victims in a string of vicious murders, Geno is ready to go scorched earth. He thinks he has the assassin in his sights, but he’s unprepared for the firestorm their connection ignites….

Amaranthe Aubert’s lithe dancer’s body conceals a spine of steel. Even held captive and faced with the threat of lethal interrogation, she’s not about to cave under pressure. She had nothing to do with the murders, no matter what the ruthless man in front of her believes. But before Amara knows what’s happening, Geno connects to her in the shadows, stripping her bare of all artifice. Now, she has no way to hide her true reason for being in New York–and nowhere to run from the man who’s very presence steals the very breath from her lungs….

 

 

Barb’s Review:

Shadow Dance by Christine Feehan is the 8th book in her fantastic Shadow Riders series. I have note that I loved this book, as we got to meet the New York Ferraro family, and throughout the whole book we spend so much time with all of our favorite Chicago family.  So much fun and entertaining. Refresher:   Shadow riders have the ability to blend themselves to the shadows wherever they are, making themselves invisible to anyone.  The Ferraro family runs a legitimate business; they use their ability to help others in need to solve various problems and dispense justice.  They are an extremely powerful and close-knit family that is totally loyal to one another, also protecting the people that in live in their community.

We meet Geno Ferraro, the head of the New York Shadow Rider family. He protects his territory, and his two brothers.  Geno senses something is amiss, with a number or murders against shadow riders all over the US & Europe. He thinks he has found an assassin, and calls Stefano to help him interrogate this person. 

We meet Amaranthe (Amara) Aubert, our heroione, who is a famous dancer, now in New York to perform in the upcoming Romeo and Juliett show.  Amara, is captured by Geno, as he threatens her, thinking she is one of the murderers.  But soon he realizes with Stefano’s help, that she is a shadow rider working for the Archambault family to secretly find the enemies.  Amara knows that she needs to reveal her true reason for being in New York, especially with two powerful Shadow Riders leaders. Geno realizes that Amara is the one for him, and their attraction to each other is immediate, though Amara will not open up her heart, as she is determined to complete her mission. In a short period, Amara begins to fall hard for Geno, as well as his two fun brothers.  The romance between Geno and Amara was fierce and inspiring, as they were fantastic individuals, with Amara also being a powerful shadow rider.  Everything changes for both of them, as Geno never thought he would find the woman of his dreams, and Amara never had a family. 

As noted above, all the members of the Chicago Ferarro’s played such a big part in helping fight the enemy, as well as other riders from various states.  I just loved seeing all of my favorites, and the fun they had teasing each other. Amara was an amazing heroine, with her fast-moving ability within the shadows, including at one time saving Stefano’s life. 

Shadow Dance was an emotional story on many levels; the danger and threats from the evil shadow riders, as well as the sizzling romance between Geno and Amara, not to mention the wonderful bond all the Ferraro’s have for each other.  Geno wasn’t thrilled that Amara wanted to continue be a shadow rider, but he knew that any fears he had, resulted in her own fears for him. I will not give spoilers, as I do not want to ruin it for you; especially since this was a masterpiece. 

Shadow Dance was a captivating, exciting, suspenseful, action-packed from start to finish; especially the fantastic last third of the book; where all the Ferraro family was is in danger.  Their romance was sizzling and I did love Geno and Amara together. This was an awesome addition to this series, and I was very happy that we will get more Shadow Riders stories from other families.

Christine Feehan once again gives us a fabulous story, which was so very well written.  This is a fantastic Paranormal series (quickly becoming my favorite series).  If you have not read this series, you need to start with the first book.  If you have read them all, you will love this one.

 

Sandy’s Review:

SHADOW DANCE is the eight instalment in Christine Feehan’s contemporary, adult SHADOW RIDERS paranormal, erotic, romance series focusing on the Ferraro Crime Family. This is Shadow Rider Geno Ferraro, and ballet dancer Amaranthe “Amara’ Aubert’s story line. SHADOW DANCER can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

WARNING: Due to the nature of the story line premise there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

SOME BACKGROUND: The Shadow Rider male must find his mate –a woman who is capable of riding the shadows-or at the very least with the ability to bear children with the shadow-riding gene. Within the family, the Ferraro siblings are tasked with finding a mate, fated by DNA, who is capable of continuing the family line. People with the ability to ride the shadows are few and far between, and future generations are at risk if no mates are found with the shadow-riding gene. The Ferraro’s are also part of the Chicago Underworld-a crime family linked to both legal and criminal activity.

Told from third person perspectives SHADOW DANCER follows in the aftermath of the murder of Geno’s parents Eugene and Margo Ferraro. Someone is killing Shadow Rider couples, and Geno is about to discover the Ferraro family has been targeted. Enter ballet dancer and elite investigator Amaranthe Aubert, the woman with whom Geno will fall in love. As Amara and Geno begin investigating a series of attacks against anyone connected to the Ferraro family, our couple will discover that all is not well in the world of the Shadow Rider, past sins are about to reveal a darkness that has targeted the Ferraro family. What ensues is the building relationship between Amara and Geno, and the potential fall-out as Geno’s need to protect Amara threatens their future and their own happily ever after.

The world building continues to focus on the world of the Shadow Rider: their ability to ‘ride the shadows’, and those who are trained to serve justice when a ‘rider’ cannot be sentenced through regular law enforcement. As each member of the Ferraro finds their own happily ever after, secrets will reveal a past haunted by neglect and abuse.

The relationship between Geno and Amara is one of fated mates but Amara has been tasked with investigating the people or person’s responsible, having been lead to believe the Ferraro’s may be the key. When Geno’s ‘shadow’ entwines with our story line heroine’s, Amara knows immediately that separating from Geno could mean death to them both. The $ex scenes are limited but passionate and intense.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and powerful secondary and supporting characters including most if not all of the previous story line couples, even if just by way of mention of total involvement. We are reintroduced to Geno’s brothers Salvatore and Lucca, and Dario Bosco, a non-rider who is aware of the Shadow Rider’s existence. The requisite evil has many faces.

SHADOW DANCE is another dramatic story of family and relationships, betrayal and vengeance, power and control, fate and love. The premise is edgy, detailed, complex and dark; the romance is spirited and provocative; the characters are impassioned, desperate, powerful and determined.

She nodded, never looking away from his dark gaze. She did love his eyes. “I’m very sure. I’m not going to doubt us again.”
His smile was slow in climbing to his eyes, but when it reached them, it lit up the deep blue until her stomach began to perform loops and somersaults.
“You’re lethal to women, Geno.”
“Just to you, I promise.”
He cupped the back of her head gently and bent to brush his lips across hers, featherlight, before she could protest that she was wearing lipstick. As kisses went, it was fairly virtuous. It shouldn’t have made her heart pound like a drum out of control, but it did. He didn’t stop there. He shifted her, easily bringing her onto his lap, urging her to straddle his thighs.
Amaranthe knew better, but she couldn’t help herself. He mesmerized her. Large hands at her waist, he lifted her, and she settled one knee on either side of his thighs. His lips moved on hers again and again. Barely there. Whispering. Never hurrying. So light. Coaxing her with tenderness as if he knew everything she said was bravado. She was still afraid to go into his world with him.
Geno had kissed her with fire, but not like this. Not with tenderness. Not so she could taste raw emotion. He was giving her a gift—showing her how he felt. Her lips trembled beneath his. This was a terrifying moment even as she reveled in it. His chest was hard as it rose and fell against the softness of her breasts. His tongue slid along the seam of her lips, and her heart contracted.
I want you for myself, Danzatrice Ombra. You’re the only thing I’ve ever wanted for me. The only woman I’ve looked at and known I had to have, or it would be no one. If you turn me down, there will be no arranged marriage. No children with another rider. You are my partner, Amaranthe. I feel it with every breath I take. Feel it, too. Want me the way I want you.
He whispered poetic words like that into her mind, and she knew she would never be able to resist him. It didn’t matter that he was so far out of her league, and she had no idea how to be with a man like him, she knew she couldn’t walk away from him.
She saw his absolute resolve. He meant every word he said. His life had been dictated to him, his every path, his every breath and step. He was done with giving every aspect of his life to everyone else. He would choose his wife. The woman he would marry. If he couldn’t have the woman he loved, he would choose to be alone. She saw that determination in him. When Geno made up his mind, he was absolute steel.
I’m so afraid I’ll embarrass you, Geno. I have no idea what to do or say around these people. I don’t belong with them.
His mouth brushed across her lips again. Gently. Coaxing. So tender her stomach did a slow somersault and her sex clenched. She held herself very still, frozen in place, but the need for flight was paramount. Every inch of the front of her body was pressed tightly against him. His masculine scent enveloped her so that each time she inhaled, she took him deep into her lungs.
You don’t need to belong with them, Amara. You belong with me. I’m the one who needs you, not them. I don’t belong. Haven’t you noticed? I’m not the same as the rest of them and I make them uneasy. I’ve never minded, but I don’t want you to feel that way. I don’t want you uneasy around me.
How could he think that? Did she make him think it was him? She slid her palms up his chest and linked her fingers behind his neck, her mouth moving under his in answer.
It isn’t you I’m afraid of, Geno. I love being with you, and I’m comfortable with you. It’s the others in your world.
His teeth teased at her lower lip, tugging very gently while his palm curled around the nape of her neck and his thumb swept along her cheek.
Give yourself to me, la mia danzatrice ombra. I swear, you’ll always be safe with me. I’ll make you happy.
There was no resisting him. She didn’t even want to resist him. He was right.
I want you to know you will always come first. Always.
Excerpted from Shadow Dance by Christine Feehan Copyright © 2023 by Christine Feehan. Excerpted by permission of Berkley. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.

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Total Eclipse of the Moon by Zoe Forward – a Review

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Total Eclipse of the Moon by Zoe Forward – a Review

 

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Description:
If he doesn’t break the curse tying him and his brothers to the Crown of England as paranormal terrorist hunters, they’ll be forced to execute him.

An accidental demon possession erodes Shane Lanzo’s sanity. Sometimes he’s in control. Sometimes not. His only hope is the witch who cast the curse, which is a problem. The last two times he approached her, the feisty enchantress somehow tamed the demon inside him, but rendered him useless against his desire for her.

Madeline Edney sucks at being a witch. Her casting the curse on the lycan brothers was a fluke, and it destroyed her life. She’s been hunted by the Crown ever since to make sure she doesn’t try to undo the curse. She never expected Shane to find her so easily. He’s a temptation that promises zinger chemistry, her absolute weakness. One taste was gratifying. Two was foolish. Three has become an addiction. Lifting the curse requires she forfeit her life, but if the hunters kill her, it leaves Shane at the mercy of the Crown. Either way she dies.

Shane has a choice: freedom for his family, risking Madeline in the process or a chance at happiness with the witch who fated his brothers as prisoners for eternity.

 

 

 

Review:

Total Eclipse of the Moon by Zoe Forward is the 3rd book in her Crown of Wolves series. The Lanzo brothers (Lycans), are bound to the Crown’s command, as they have  been cursed to be the Crowns weapons, and destroy all enemies. We meet the fourth brother, Shane, who was presumed dead; but he has been accidently possessed by a demon; with both fighting for control.  Shane is determined to find a way to break the curse tying him and his brothers to the Crown of England, as paranormal terrorist hunters. Though he has met her a couple of times, he has not been successful to get the witch to remove the curse that she put on all 4 brothers.

Madeline Edney, a witch, who has limited powers, does her best over the years, to avoid Shane or any of the other brothers, since she really doesn’t know how to remove the curse.  Madeline knows the Crown is always keeping an eye on her to not remove the curse; she is very much aware that lifting the curse will cause her death. 

Shane does find Madeline, who is able to help tame his demon, especially when she sings.  Both Shane and Madeline find themselves very attracted to each other, with sizzling chemistry; giving into their passion, which is now addicting.  Madeline manages to leave Shane behind, leaving him to return home to his family, who are shocked that he is still alive.

What follows is an exciting, tense, action-packed adventure that kept me unable to put the book down.  I loved the chemistry between Shane and Maddy, and prayed they would find a way to be together, especially with her possible loss of life if she removes the curse. Shane, who is totally in love with Maddy, wanted to remove the curse, but he did not want her to die doing it.  He had to find another way to save her. It was great to see the whole family together: Roman, Nova, Ky, Vivi, as well as Cora, Evie, Dom, Antonio and at the end, I did like Baku (the demon).  I do not want to say too much more, because you need to read this book, without me ruining it for you

Total Eclipse of the Moon was exciting through most of the book, with non-stop action, great characters, and a world filled with witches, secrets, enemies, vampire and battles. I thought that Shane and Madeline were so great together. Total Eclipse of the Moon was so very well written by Zoe Forward. 

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied for Review

 

 

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Meet Me in River’s Edge by Nan Reinhardt – a Review

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Meet Me in River’s Edge by Nan Reinhardt – a Review

 

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Description:
He ticks every one of her “never again” boxes…

Jo Weaver loves her job as a boat mechanic for her family’s marina in River’s Edge, Indiana. But when she’s pulled away from her high school reunion with her sisters to fix a stranded yacht, she can’t restrain her irritation. Jo doesn’t like wealthy men who think they can have whatever they want, and she has no intention of falling for rich and charming again.

Born into the international Briggs Hotels empire, Alex Briggs has never felt comfortable with his life of privilege. Abandoning his family’s business to pursue medical research, he’s far more at home in his lab. When the yacht he restored himself breaks down on the way to an important conference, Alex begrudgingly goes in search of a boat mechanic and falls, literally, into Jo Weaver’s arms. The fireworks he feels are impossible to ignore.

Jo does her best to keep Alex in the business zone, but he keeps slipping into something more. Can she trust her fragile heart, especially when Alex and his life-altering research are so far from River’s Edge?

 

 

Review:

Meet Me in River’s Edge by Nan Reinhardt is the 2nd book in her The Weaver Sisters series. Meet Me in River’s Edge, revolves around the second Weaver sister, Jo (they are triplets). River’s Edge is a small town that has a wonderful community. It was great to see the Weaver sisters again, as they are such a wonderful close-knit family.   Jo Weaver, our heroine, loves working at her family’s marina as a boat mechanic.  

All three sisters are attending their high school reunion, when a young man accidently bumps into Jo, which turns out that the man’s yacht is stranded, and he was told to look for the Weaver sisters.  Jo agrees to leave the reunion (changing her dressy outfit to her overalls) to help him, though she looks at him like a wealthy “river rat”, men who cruise on fancy boats; she had a bad past experience on one of those men. 

Alex Briggs, our hero, comes from a wealthy family, and owns the fancy yacht. Alex has always stayed away from the family business, not comfortable with his privileged life; pursuing medical research (he is a diabetic) and his lab with a friend to develop equipment for diabetics. Alex finds himself totally attracted to Jo, though she early on is antagonistic with him, but in a short time, she will begin to see Alex in another light. Despite her keeping her heart safe, especially from someone who hurt her in  the past, Jo is finding herself falling for Alex, as he already has fallen for her.

The repair of the boat will take longer to fix, as Jo will need to get her father to work on it.  Alex and his mentor Rich, make arrangements for the guests to move forward to the next stop, and they both stay in River’s Edge. Jo and Alex each begin to tell some of their past events that hurt them; Alex lost his twin sister, which still haunts him, despite not being his fault; Jo became pregnant when she was young, with the man having treated her badly, and she eventually had a miscarriage. 

They both become very close, and when he needs to continue his trip to New Orleans, giving a speech on his new developments; she knows he will return.  But while on the phone with Jo, in New Orleans, he passes out due to an insulin pump malfunction, and is taken to the hospital.  Jo flies to be with him, but Alex decides to send her away, as he feels she deserves better than always worrying about his condition.

Meet Me in River’s Edge was a wonderful, fun, sweet romance and heartwarming story. Nan Reinhardt gives us a wonderful couple, as well great secondary characters that were so likable, with a terrific atmosphere in this small town.

Meet Me in River’s Edge was so very well written by Nan Reinhardt, which is no surprise, as I loved her last book, as well as her previous series.  If you enjoy a sweet romance, wonderful couple, great secondary characters, and pure fun, I suggest you read this book. I look forward to the next book in this series.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied for Review

 

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Secrets and Scallywags by Elizabeth Pantley – a Review

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Secrets and Scallywags by Elizabeth Pantley – a Review

 

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Description:
When this club selects a book, magic happens. They become the main characters in the story when the mystery comes to life.

This month’s book selection takes them to a charming island community that’s abuzz over a mysterious boat that washed ashore. Rumor has it that it’s the same pirate boat that sunk a year ago in the bay. The one that supposedly sank with treasure aboard.

When the club meets the ghosts of the men from the boat, they learn the astonishing secrets of the treasure. These ghosts can’t move on until it is found.

Can the motley group find the treasure and free the ghosts? They better, since it’s the only way they can exit the book and get back home.

 

 

Review:

Secrets and Scallywags by Elizabeth Pantley is the 5th book in her fun entertaining Magical Mystery Book Club series. Refresher: Paige and her Aunt Glo, inherited the grandmother’s country inn, which comes with a magical library.  The magical library consists of 8 members, who choose a book, and they are transported into the story, with cozy mysteries that they have to solve. This is a lighthearted and fun series, with wonderful characters and a magical cozy mystery.

Our mystery book club gains a new member, Valeria, as all the current members welcome her, and explain how things work in their special secret magical library.   The book they choose contains pirates and lost treasure, which takes them to a charming island community. The residents are all taking about the boat that washed ashore, and it was the same boat that was attacked a year ago, by pirates.

The club meets the 4 ghosts and Bucko (ghostly parrot) from the boat, who are able to communicate with them, but unable to touch.  They learn about the secrets of the treasure, which the captain pleads with them to help take on a quest to free them.  Seems the pirates that destroyed their boat, stole their treasure, but most important, they stole a valuable bracelet that belonged to the captain’s mom. The club needed to retrieve the necklace, for them to enable them to be free and continue their mission to stop the bad pirates.

What follows is a fun story that has all the members trying to find clues where the missing necklace and gems might be found.  I really enjoy this series, as it is so very entertaining.  All the characters in the Magical Mystery Book Club are very good, with Paige and Glo being the leaders, and Frank (the talking cat) always enjoyable. I really like all of the club members, and get a kick out of Mollie, their own resident ghost.

Secrets and Scallywags was another terrific and fun addition to this series, with all of the members in the middle of this mystery; trying to save the ghosts. There were a few surprises throughout, which was so much fun and a blast to read. Secrets and Scallywags was a wonderful lighthearted fun magical mystery, which was very well written by Elizabeth Pantley.  I look forward to the next book.

Reviewed  by Barb

Copy supplied for Review

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Beneath Dark Waters by Karen Rose – Review & Excerpt

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Beneath Dark Waters by Karen Rose – Review & Excerpt

 

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Description:
There’s no safe place for a child to hide when danger comes from every direction.

Public prosecutor J.P. “Kaj” Cardozo has only lived in New Orleans for six months, and he’s already working on a high-profile celebrity sexual assault case that’s made headlines all over the country. But when his son becomes the target of a kidnapping attempt as a threat to Kaj, he is desperate to keep him safe and turns to a private investigative firm famous for their protection services.

A veteran Marine, Val Sorensen is glad to have found a new career with Broussard Investigations. Her latest assignment as the bodyguard to ten-year-old Elijah Cardozo reminds her why–Val is a kick ass guardian with a tender heart. Through her duties, Val grows fond of the boy–and his handsome father.

But when the high-stakes investigation reveals an explosive network of crime through a revived drug gang, lingering deep-seated corruption in the NOPD, and a group of murderers-for-hire targeting Kaj, Elijah, and his star client, they’re all left scrambling for safety…

 

 

Review:

Beneath Dark Waters by Karen Rose is the 28th book in her Romance Suspense novels, and the 2nd book in her New Orleans series. As I have mentioned previously, I am a big fan of Karen Rose, as her suspense thrillers are amazing, and unputdownable.  Beneath Dark Waters is another fabulous book that is once again over 600 pages. Rose always creates fantastic heroes and wonderful secondary characters, as well as evil villains; and this does not change in this book, as she writes another masterpiece. Beneath Dark Waters is a tense, violent, exciting, non-stop action filled story that kept me on the edge of to my seat from start to finish.

We meet Assistant DA J.P. (Kaj) Cardozo, when his 10-year-old son, Elijah, who was almost kidnapped.  Kaj fears for his son’s life, especially since he doesn’t trust some of the New Orleans Police Department, and hires Broussard Investigations to protect him. Burke Broussard’s private investigation firm has an excellent reputation, and after talking to Kaj, Burke assigns Val Sorenson, a former marine, to be his son’s bodyguard.

Val is very good at her job, and has been very successful in protecting young kids, as well as having a past connection implicating drug gangs.   Val is a strong, savvy and fantastic guardian, very caring around children; she also ensures that Elijah, being a diabetic, takes his medicines and eats the proper food. Val moves into Kaj’s home, with her dog, Czar (huge dog), who has been trained.  I quickly fell in love with Czar and how close the dog protected Elijah.

Val, Kaj, and other members of the Broussard team, begin to investigate deeper into the kidnapping attempt, realizing that is a more dangerous and explosive crime, between a drug gang, murderers who will stop at nothing to kill anyone standing in their way, as well deep corruption in the New Orleans P.D. Kaj, Val and Elijah, as well as members of the team, find their lives deep in danger.  Kaj is currently working on two high profile cases, involving the death of a doctor, who was beaten to death, as he was blamed for the death of his son; the other is a trial with an actress accuseing an evil man of rape. Both cases have some connection, with a group of evil and dangerous hired killers, who have no qualms of committing murder; as well as the police corruption.

Both Val and Kaj slowly become attracted to each other, not to mention Val also becoming attached to Elijah. They each have their own past trauma, with each sharing their history.  Kaj having lost his wife to cancer, and taking good care of his so; Val was brutally raped by three Marines, which she needed therapy to move on with her life.

Corey Gates, and his friends Bobby and Ed are evil villains, who have involvements in both of Kai’s cases, and will stop at nothing to get what they want, even killing the younger Gates brothers. Throughout the book, from start to finish, there were so many murders, emotions, grief, torture, PTSD, as well as twists and turns. Who will survive the onslaught?

What follows is an intriguing, intense, exciting, and edge of your seat suspense story line that had me holding my breath so many times.  This story was very tense from all the way through, especially with the evil villains constantly killing off many innocent people.  As we raced to the wild climax, I prayed for the for the survival of all the good people, and the demise of the main villain. I do not want to give spoilers, as you really need to read this book from start to finish.

Beneath Dark Waters was very well written by Karen Rose, which was an intense thriller, with non- stop action all the way.  As I have said before, Karen Rose never fails to give us an amazing fantastic well written thriller that is intense, always on the edge, with fantastic characters, evil villains and a wonderful family you care for. If you love suspense, with a touch of romance and a thriller all the way, then look no further then Karen Rose.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

BENEATH DARK WATERS by Karen Rose
Berkley Hardcover | August 15, 2023
                                    Excerpt

“Morning, Val,” Burke rumbled in that deep Cajun drawl of his. “You have a new client. Bring a cupcake for him.”

Okaaaay. Holding the two cupcakes, Val walked to Burke’s office door, hearing the whir of Joy’s motorized wheelchair as the older woman followed her, unabashedly curious. A shiver of trepidation raced down Val’s spine.

A moment later, she knew why. Assistant District Attorney Jean-Pierre Cardozo was coming to his feet, having been seated in one of the chairs in front of Burke’s desk. She’d first met him at a party back in the summer. Burke and his staff had been celebrating with some clients after closing an all-hands-on-deck case when Cardozo had arrived, dressed in an expensive black suit that made him look like a Fortune 500 CEO.

He’d been charming as hell and impossible to ignore, despite her best efforts-that day and later. Unable to resist, she’d found herself googling him later that evening, learning surprisingly little personal information. Other than a few of the cases he’d tried up in the New York City courts, the man had no real internet presence, which took a lot of talent. Burke’s IT guy, Antoine, would surely have been able to dig up a lot more, but she’d been unwilling to ask. Unwilling to voice aloud that the man had fascinated her.

She knew only that he’d recently moved from New York and that his first name was spelled K-a-j, but pronounced Kai, rhyming with pie. And she only knew those tidbits because she’d overheard Burke telling someone else in the firm.

After that day, she’d seen Cardozo twice. Once a couple weeks ago at another party at a friend’s restaurant, Le Petit Choux. He hadn’t stayed long, and she’d managed to avoid him. Their most recent crossing of paths had been in a courtroom the week before, a plea hearing for one of the criminals whose crimes Burke’s group had exposed. No words had been exchanged between them either time, but Val had noticed the man’s every movement.

He moved so very nicely. And he was a good guy, prosecuting bad guys, but that smile he’d worn . . . He could get her to trust that smile. Which meant he was dangerous.

He didn’t look anything like that now. He was as handsome as before, his dark brown hair neatly combed, his face freshly shaven. His khakis were unwrinkled, the sleeves of his casual button-up shirt rolled up, exposing tanned forearms. He even wore a tie printed with whimsical dinosaurs. But his expression appeared haggard, as if he hadn’t slept at all.

And his dark eyes were full of fear.

Val glanced to the corner of the room, revealing the source of his fear. A boy of about nine or ten sat at Burke’s little meeting table. His hair was white-blond, unlike Cardozo’s. But their faces were too much alike for them not to be related. Father and son, she thought.

She hadn’t realized that Cardozo had a child, and she didn’t want to think about why that disappointed her. It didn’t matter that the child had a mother, that Cardozo had a significant other. It didn’t matter because she was not interested in ADA Cardozo, first name Kaj that rhymed with pie.

The child, however, had captured her attention. He clutched a tablet in his hands, staring down at it with a vacant look that Val recognized all too well.

She’d seen it in the mirror plenty of times.

He’d been traumatized. He didn’t look up, so Val turned back to his father.

“Hey,” Val said quietly, because the mood in the room was brittle. “It’s good to see you again, ADA Cardozo.”

The man’s throat worked as he swallowed. “Likewise. This is my son, Elijah. Elijah, this is Miss Sorensen.”

My new client? Val wondered. She looked at Burke, who inclined his head toward the boy, gesturing her to engage.

“Hi, Elijah,” she said, approaching the table. “I’m Val.”

The boy didn’t look up until Val put the cupcake in front of him. “Hi,” he whispered.

It was one tiny word, but said with a determination that won her respect. She pointed at the cupcake. “That’s yours.”

“And that one, too?” Elijah asked, pointing at the cupcake still in her hand.

“Pfft. No,” she said, using her best duh tone. “This one is mine. You’re a greedy one, aren’t you?” She smiled so that he would know she was teasing.

The boy’s lips quirked up before returning to a grim line. “Was worth a try.”

“It’s always worth a try when cupcakes are on the line. Are you my new client?”

Elijah pushed Harry Potter-style glasses up on his nose. “I guess so.”

“May I sit down?” She waited until Elijah nodded before taking the seat beside him. From this vantage point she could see the boy’s face as well as that of his father.

Cardozo lowered himself back into his chair in front of Burke’s desk, his face still frozen in a rictus of fear.

Whatever had happened, it had been bad.

Excerpted from Beneath Dark Waters by Karen Rose Copyright © 2023 by Karen Rose. Excerpted by permission of Berkley. All rights reserved.

 

 

 

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North of Nowhere by Allison Brennan – a Review

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North of Nowhere by Allison Brennan – a Review

 

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Description:
After five years in hiding from their murderous father, the day Kristin and Ryan McIntyre have been dreading has arrived: Boyd McIntyre, head of a Los Angeles crime family, has at last tracked his kids to a small Montana town and is minutes away from kidnapping them. They barely escape in a small plane, but gunfire hits the fuel line. The pilot, a man who has been raising them as his own, manages to crash land in the middle of the Montana wilderness. The siblings hike deep into the woods, searching desperately for safety—unaware of the severity of the approaching storm.

Boyd’s sister Ruby left Los Angeles for the Army years ago, cutting off contact in order to help keep her niece and nephew safe and free from the horrors of the McIntyre clan. So when she gets an emergency call that the plane has gone down with the kids inside, she drops everything to try save them.

As the storm builds, Ruby isn’t the only person looking for them. Boyd has hired an expert tracker to find and bring them home. And rancher Nick Lorenzo, who knows these mountains better than anyone and doesn’t understand why the kids are running, is on their trail too.

But there is a greater threat to Kristen and Ryan out there. More volatile than the incoming blizzard, more dangerous than the family they ran from or the natural predators they could encounter. Who finds them first could determine if they live or die.

 

 

Review:

North of Nowhere by Allison Brennan is another one of her fantastic thriller novels. North of Nowhere is a story revolving around an evil mafia family, that has been looking for their kidnapped children. It has been 5 years, since Kristin and Ryan McIntyre were saved by Tony, who was a former member of the mafia family; both Kristin (16 years old) and Ryan (10 years old, also deaf) love Tony and call him Dad.  They live in a small Montana town, close to the wilderness, with Tony working for rancher Nick Lorenzo.

Now, as the McIntyre family is closing in, they need to run, and Tony takes Lorenzo’s plane to escape, but he is shot by a member of the McIntyre family and he is forced to crash land the plane. An injured Tony forces Kristin and Ryan to run, especially with a major snow storm approaching, before Boyd McIntyre (the kid’s father) finds him. Tony calls Ruby, the kids aunt, who had also run away all those years ago, and asked her to help save the kids.

Ruby, a former marine, immediately goes to Montana to save the kids.  Nick Lorenzo, is determined to find them faster, as he needed to understand why they were running.  Kristen was strong and did all she could to take care of Ryan. Boyd McIntyre had a number of men, including a tracker, to struggle through the storm to find his kids, even though they never wanted to be found.  This was a nonstop wild action thriller, with a race against time to find Kristin and Ryan; with Boyd and his group willing to kill those in the way.  To say too much more would ruin the book, as you need to read this fantastic thriller.

“North of Nowhere” is a heart pounding gripping thriller that kept me unable to put the book down. I really liked Kristin, who was strong and determined.  I also liked both Ruby and Lorenzo, who would do anything to save the children. North of Nowhere was so very well written by Allison Brennan. This was a great psychological thriller that had so much going on from start to finish; filled with blizzard, hostile conditions, family, escape, betrayal, murder, organized crime, and an evil grandmother.   I wholly suggest you read North of Nowhere.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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Animal by Barbara Meyers – a Review

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Animal by Barbara Meyers – a Review

 

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Description:
Sometimes he’s a beast. Can Bree tame him?

After animal sanctuary director Bree is mysteriously attacked, she becomes obsessed with her rescuer, the enigmatic Griffin Lancaster.

Bree’s cooperation is key to preserving Griff’s family legacy, and his skills are necessary to maintain the sanctuary’s viability.

While Griff lives on borrowed time, he must fight an internal battle between his desire for Bree, and his determination to protect her from the evil that’s a part of him.

Their attraction to each other becomes irresistible as their paths continue to cross. To save Bree, Griff cruelly rejects her advances.

Bree nearly destroys herself before Griff rescues her once again, only this time she won’t let him escape. Bree must find a way to change Griff’s destiny because losing him again is unthinkable.

Bree discovers the truth Griff doesn’t want her to know: Saving him is possible. If she’s willing to make the ultimate sacrifice.

There’s no way either can survive without the other.

Or is there?

 

 

Review:

Animal by Barbara Meyers is a slow burn shifter romance that is always a tick for me. But this is really slow, and I didn’t really gel with the main characters. It’s a really good read, but I was left feeling a little deflated afterwards. The spice scenes go from red hot chilly to somewhat nondescript and fade out!! A curse that turns you into another creature is bad enough, but when the curse also shortens your life span! No wonder Griff is always looking to be alone! 

Bree works in an animal sanctuary, she loves her job, what she’s not expecting is to be attacked one evening! 

Griff just wants it all to be over! He’s had enough of waking up and not remembering the previous night. He’s also aware that his lifespan is shorter than normal! He’s a good guy, so why was he cursed?  Yes the key to breaking the curse is pretty predictable, and I’m sure most of you will guess it pretty quick. 

Griff and Bree spend a lot of the book dancing around one another. He doesn’t want to fall in love, he doesn’t want to find Bree mutilated the next morning, and have no idea how it happened! 

I personally feel there should have been a warning about the death (especially Griff thinking of taking his own life! Personal opinion). And although fascinating, the folklore and legends did take up a big chunk of the book! I did like the idea of a single shifter living on their own, rather than the pack we usually read. It did stop rather abruptly, and I would have liked a chapter so see their future. 

So a pretty good book with lots of potential.  A good story, but with an abrupt ending. And characters that were ok. 

Reviewed by Julie

Copy supplied for Review

 

 

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Confessions of a Canine Drama Queen by Stefanie London-a Review

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Confessions of a Canine Drama Queen by Stefanie London-a Review

 

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Description:
“A swoon-tastic rom-com that readers will love from beginning to end.” —Romance by the Book on The Dachshund Wears Prada

Can you ever really forget the one who got away?

August Merriweather has always been good with animals. In fact, she’s known as Manhattan’s Dog Whisperer. Men, on the other hand? Not so much. She’s been falling for the wrong guys ever since her regrettable crush on Keaton Sax, older brother of her best friend, Leah, and the biggest jerkface this side of the Hudson.

Now an emotionally closed off widower, Keaton has become one of the most formidable men on Wall Street, but August knows his secret. He’s not driven by sales targets and bonus checks—Keaton just wants to give his family the security they never had. So when Leah asks Keaton to wrangle her over-the-top, dramatic husky at a weekend talent competition, Keaton says yes…and begs August to help him win the event for Leah.

Between obstacle courses, Molly’s husky temper tantrums and a cabin with just one bed, August is having a blast. Away from the pressure to have a “perfect life” with the “right guy,” she finds herself relaxing and getting to see the softer side of the man she once loved. Is this just a temporary truce? Or could Keaton finally be the right guy at the right time?

Paws in the City Series:
Book 1: The Dachshund Wears Prada
Book 2: Pets of Park Avenue
Book 3: Confessions of a Canine Drama Queen

 

 

 

Review:

Confessions of a Canine Drama Queen by Stefanie London is the third book in her fun Paws in the City series. Having read and loved “The Dachshund Wears Prada” and “Pets of Park Avenue” I couldn’t wait to see where we would be going with this book.

I know August Merriweather, she’s the only one who had any faith in Isla and Scout (MFC’s in previous books) and the pet talent agency they wanted to start. She’s a great character, an owner of a dog grooming business, full of opinions, and a zest for life, but the one thing she really wants most in life, is to share her life with a partner (and not a business one either!) but after one too many disappointments August has given up, it’s best just to keep running her business…..

Keaton is a widower, and the last thing he promised his late wife was to become a partner in the firm he works for. And now that’s all his life consists of, work/work/work! I found it hard to like Keaton at first, his attitude towards August did need a smack about the head!  But I had to admire both his dedication to his family and to want to make more of himself. His teen years weren’t the best, but through hard work and determination he makes his family proud.

I also liked the fact that the previous main characters of books one and two  (Isla/Theo/Scout and Lane) make appearances throughout the book, it’s great when characters continue to visit.

And don’t forget the dramatic Molly (who’s a husky by the way) for me she was the star of the book. I want a puppy just like her, so full of character, she loves August, but can’t stand Keaton (feeling is mutual) so how can Molly bring these two people together?

A talent competition is the answer, and a tiny room with only one bed ?. Working together to win the competition for Molly’s owner Leah( who is August’s best friend and sister to Keaton)

Can a puppy really bring these two together? Or will Keaton pull away from August and continue to hide his heart behind that icy wall?

There is no need to read the previous books as each book stands on its own, but it does show how the three women are friends through the books. It’s a slow burn romance, but with great moments outside the bedroom it wasn’t really noticed. Hilarious moments with Molly will have you laughing out loud.

A highly entertaining and recommended read from me.

Reviewed by Julie

Copy provided by Publisher

 

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