Bowled Over Americano by Carolyn Arnold – a Review

Bowled Over Americano by Carolyn Arnold – a Review

 

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Description:
Sara Cain isn’t your typical thirty-two-year-old woman. Murder detective by day, writer and… sleuth by night? Just as long as there’s enough coffee to keep her going…

When her first novel gives her trouble, Sara goes for a walk to clear her writer’s block and ends up stumbling right into a real-life murder mystery. Magnum, an adventurous beagle, comes running off leash toward her in the local park, and she returns him home only to find his master dead on the entry floor.

Cliff Cunningham was a championship bowler with a mean streak and a temper, and police are pegging his Golden Pin bowling trophy as the murder weapon. While any number of people could have clocked a strike by knocking him on the noggin, the prime suspect is a friend of Sara’s mother—and she expects Sara to prove the woman’s innocence. A tall order, as the case isn’t officially hers and belongs to a rival detective.

But a promise is a promise, and Sara soon finds herself sleuthing undercover—and off the clock—in a world of polyester shirts and rental shoes. It’s not all bad, though, as she’s taking her friend and partner Sean McKinley along for the ride. They are better together than they’ve ever been split, and they’re not amateurs at finding killers.

Despite being up against small-town hijinks and colorful characters who threaten to roll their efforts into the gutter, they are having fun. That is, until they get close to the killer and a dangerous twist puts their lives at risk.

A completely addictive caper full of twists that offers up a serving of murder, a dollop of romance, and a dash of humor. This perfect blend of robust and sweet is bound to hit the spot with readers who are fans of Verity Bright, Tonya Kappes, and Agatha Frost.

 

 

Review:

Bowled Over Americano by Carolyn Arnold is the first book in her new Sara and Sean Cozy Mystery series.  I am a big fan of Carolyn Arnold, having read all her different series; and I looked forward to this new cozy mystery.

We meet Sara Cain, our heroine, who is a homicide detective with the Albany police department.  She is a detective by day, and writes a mystery novel at night; one night she decides to take a walk and finds a loose dog she recognizes. When Sara brings the dog, Magnum back to his home, she finds the owner of the dog dead.  Another detective is assigned to the murder of Cliff Cunningham, a famous bowler; but when Sara’s mother asks her to investigate the murder, because her friend was arrested, Sara decides to be a sleuth at night.  Her partner Sean McKinley is currently working with Sara, on another case, searching for the killer of Aubrey Southgate; but he agrees to help her with looking into this other case, without letting their boss know.

We learn quickly that Sean has a strong crush on Sara, though she likes him, but she won’t let any possible romance happen between them, since it against the rules.  I really liked Sara and Sean together.  Sara is smart, savvy, independent, fun and is a coffeeholic; Sean is the opposite, more skeptical, but very charming.  It was great to watch how both Sara and Sean work on the two different investigations. The third partner is Magnum, the cute beagle, who Sara brought home, and occasionally helps.

What follows is an exciting, suspenseful, entertaining, and fun story. Both Sara and Sean manage to find clues with some twists, that will help find the real killer in their case, including discovering the person behind the wrongful arrest of Sara’s mothers friend.  To say too much more would be spoilers, as once you get to the second half of the book, you really need it all. Detective Davenport was not a good cop, and totally bad news with his minimal quick investigations, thankfully Sean and Sara will discover the truths. Bowled Over Americano was a wonderful murder mystery, in a small town, dangerous killers, as well as a fun romance and some humor.   Bowled Over Americano was very well written by Carolyn Arnold.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied for review

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Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross – a Review

Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross – a Review

 

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Description:
After centuries of sleep, the gods are warring again. But eighteen-year-old Iris Winnow just wants to hold her family together. Her mother is suffering from addiction and her brother is missing from the front lines. Her best bet is to win the columnist promotion at the Oath Gazette.

To combat her worries, Iris writes letters to her brother and slips them beneath her wardrobe door, where they vanish―into the hands of Roman Kitt, her cold and handsome rival at the paper. When he anonymously writes Iris back, the two of them forge a connection that will follow Iris all the way to the front lines of battle: for her brother, the fate of mankind, and love.

 

Review:

Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross is the first book in her new Historical fantasy romance, Iris at the Front series. I am a big fan of Rebecca Ross, as I have read and loved her previous books. We meet Iris Winnow, our heroine, at the start, when she watches her brother leave to fight in the gods’ war, with a promise to write to her. The setting of this story had the feel of WW1.  Iris, who is 18 years old, becomes a reporter for the Oath Gazette, with a possible promotion, knowing her competition is her rival, Roman Kitt.  Both of them started out as not liking each other, with both trying to best each other’s columns to have a chance at the promotion.  Iris started sending out letters to her brother, who never responded.

In this slight element of fantasy, her letters are mysteriously magically rerouted to Roman, as both had a special magic typewriter. Neither one knew who was sending or receiving these letters, with both using different names; in a short time, their feelings for each other will change. Through the letters, both Iris and Kit start falling in love, though she still thinks she is in love with Carver (his middle name).

After Iris’s mother dies, and the war of the gods escalates, she quits her job at Oath Gazette and becomes a war correspondent, leading her into the dangers of war, including the front lines. Worried about Iris, Kit decides he needs to join her, help protect her during this war of the gods. 

This was a very emotional and heart-wrenching story, but most importantly was the amazing romance between Iris and Kit; they were so great together. I loved Iris, as she was a strong and independent heroine, who was always ready to help others in need. Kit was also very good, especially when he realized he was falling in love with Iris, and gave up everything to join her as a war correspondent; his love for Iris was so beautiful.

Divine Rivals was a story filled with grief, tragedy, death, with humans fighting in the midst of this horrible war; a war started with two gods, Enva and Dacre, who were enemies.  Divine Rivals was well written by Rebecca Ross, that was heart wrenching, with so much heartbreak, horrors; but the wonderful sweeping love story between Iris and Roman was fantastic. I will say that the ending was a surprise and somewhat mixed.  I am happy that Ross will have more books in this series.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

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The Lonely Hearts Book Club by Lucy Gilmore – a Review

The Lonely Hearts Book Club by Lucy Gilmore – a Review

 

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Description:
Sloane Parker lives a small, contained life as a librarian in her small, contained town. She never thinks of herself as lonely…but still she looks forward to that time every day when old curmudgeon Arthur McLachlan comes to browse the shelves and cheerfully insult her. Their sparring is such a highlight of Sloane’s day that when Arthur doesn’t show up one morning, she’s instantly concerned. And then another day passes, and another.

Anxious, Sloane tracks the old man down only to discover him all but bedridden…and desperately struggling to hide how happy he is to see her. Wanting to bring more cheer into Arthur’s gloomy life, Sloane creates an impromptu book club. Slowly, the lonely misfits of their sleepy town begin to find each other, and in their book club, find the joy of unlikely friendship. Because as it turns out, everyone has a special book in their heart—and a reason to get lost (and eventually found) within the pages.

 

 

Review:

The Lonely Hearts Book Club by Lucy Gilmore is a wonderful and emotional standalone novel. The storyline revolves around 5 main characters, who will eventually form a book club.  We meet Sloane Parker, our heroine, who loves her job as a librarian, and is engaged to a chiropractor doctor.  Sloane always is outgoing when meeting people in the library, and then she meets Arthur McLachlan, who is mean grumpy old man, constantly hurling insults to anyone who looks his way.  In a short time, Arthur makes sure to come to the library when he knows Sloane is there, happily insulting her, but Sloane enjoys giving it back to Arthur.

One day, when Arthur doesn’t show up, Sloane becomes concerned when a few days pass with no Arthur. She decides to track him down, and learns he was bedridden, having checked himself out of the hospital. Though he was grumpy, Arthur was happy to see Sloane.  When she loses her job, because of her visitation, Sloane makes it her business to visit Arthur every day, including at times staying over his house to help him.

Sloane meets Maisey, a clairvoyant and Arthur’s next-door neighbor. The two of them become friends, and together they make it their business to watch over Arthur.  When Maisey notices a man parked by Arthur’s house for a few days, she confronts him, and learns that he is Arthur’s grandson, Greg.  Of course, the grumpy Arthur treats his grandson as bad as the others.  Soon Mateo ( Sloan’s coworker from the library, who is also a trained nurse) will join them, as he becomes part of the newly set up book club. 

What follows is we learn more about each of the group, their lives, their secrets, their personality, and even Arthur slowly opens up. Especially when Nigel, a former enemy of Arthur, joins the book club. The characters were great, with so much fun humorous banter between them; you couldn’t help but care about each of them.  All 5 were an unlikely group of friends, who were always there to support each other, with each having their own favorite books.

The Lonely Hearts Book Club was so very well written by Lucy Gilmore.  This was a joyous story of friendship, that was heartwarming, emotional, fun, humorous, with each person dealing with love as well as their own grievances.  The Lonely Hearts Book Club was a fantastic read.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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Smolder by Laurell K. Hamilton – a Review

Smolder by Laurell K. Hamilton – a Review

 

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Description 

  • Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, goes up against an ancient evil set on destroying all she holds dear in the new book in the Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling series.

My name is Anita Blake and I’m no stranger to killing monsters. But this time, it’s personal…

The wedding of the century is almost here. My wedding – to Jean-Claude, the new vampire king of America. But not everyone wishes us well. Humans think I’m on the side of the monsters. And the vampires fear their king is under the spell of the most powerful necromancer in a thousand years – me.

When the St. Louis police summon me to a brutal murder scene linked a nationwide slaughter of vampires and humans, I know there is more than just a killer to catch. An ancient evil has arrived in town, hell bent on destroying everything – and everyone – I love.

Even I cannot face this alone. Jean-Claude and I must embrace our triumvirate to save both vampires and humans, and to prove that love conquers all. 

 

Review 

Smolder by Laurell K. Hamilton is the twenty-ninth book in her series with our Preternatural U.S. Marshal and vampire hunter Anita Blake. 

It’s not necessary to read them all (it’s a pretty long series) but it does help a little. But saying that I’ve not read them all, I’ve only read her recent ones, and I managed to keep abreast of who is who and what is what ? 

Anita Blake is preparing for her wedding to the vampire king of America Jean-Claude. (They’ve been an item/couple for many years, and you’ll see their relationship in most of the books) 

So the story starts with Anita’s best friend U.S. Marshall Ted Forrester. Whilst he is admiring himself in his  best man clothing, Anita gets a phone call from the local police. They think the Sunshine Murderer has hit again. 

But, that’s not the only thing going on in St. Louis. An ancient being has arrived to challenge Jean-Claude for his vampire crown. And it’s not looking good for Jean-Claude! He might be the most powerful vampire around, but he’s still no match for the newcomer! Will he lose his crown? 

Then you have both humans and vampires thinking neither one should be with the other! Humans think Anita will take the vampire’s side over theirs, and the vampires think Anita will eventually turn their king against them! 

Although I’ve not read all the books in this series, the ones I’ve read have given me the impression Anita has become a pretty powerful entity, she has many powers at her fingertips, and this book sees her utilising most of them…..

So, what with keeping her vampire partner alive and on his thrown, she’s keeping humans happy, the vampires are needing constant reassurance she’s not out for his powers, she’s also trying to work out who the Sunshine murder is and can she catch them this time? Anita did seem to be juggling quite a few emotional balls in the air as well! Did she need to be? I didn’t think so! But that’s just me ??‍♀️ 

There are a few spicy moments ? but they don’t slow us down too much (nothing as distracting when the MC’s getting carried away with page after page ?) 

I keep meaning to go to the beginning of this series, I’d love to read how far she’s come, and I’d like to know when Anita and Jean-Claude first met.

I’m also getting the feeling this was a set up for the next book! A few of the threads that could have been sorted weren’t! And I did feel the ending a little vague! 

But I did enjoy the book immensely, the author can definitely weave a tale, twenty nine books in and the character still had plenty to give. 

Will Anita and Jean-Claude get married or will the the Sunshine murderer take precedence? Will the vampires and humans get their wishes? 

I’m definitely recommending this book if your a fan of the author, and I’m suggesting if you have the time, go to the start of the series and work your way through. 

Reviewed by Julie

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

 

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The (ex) Spy Who (maybe) Loved Me by Christi Barth – a Review

The (ex) Spy Who (maybe) Loved Me by Christi Barth – a Review

 

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Description:
NYC is exactly what scientist Blake Montgomery needs. A little decadence and a whoooole lot of anonymity, well away from the prying eyes of her charming, touristy small town of Swan Cove. Now, at the end of a whirlwind trip, she has one final thing to cross off her to-do list: a sexy fling. And the hot,. Until, of course, he shows up in her town the very next day.

Wyatt Keene is just an average guy—now. But four days ago, he was a black ops intelligence agent who spent fifteen years being someone—anyone—except himself. For one hot night, Blake makes him forget he’s supposed to start his life all over again…as himself. Talk about mission impossible.

Except suddenly Wyatt and Blake are not only stuck in the same town together, but also sharing the same office, and there’s no escaping their scorching hot chemistry. Wyatt’s trying to convince everyone, especially Blake, that he’s just a normal guy—whatever that means. But nothing spells danger like trying to start a relationship with an ex-spy who hasn’t quite left his old life behind…

 

 

Review

The (Ex) Spy Who (Maybe) Loved Me by Christi Barth is a standalone novel.  We meet Wyatt Keene, our hero, who spent 15 years as a Black Ops spy for the government, and due to a breach for a number of agents, he was retired from his job.  Wyatt is at a bar, not used to being a civilian, always looking at people; but then he notices a beautiful woman, and decides to approach her.

Blake Montgomery, our heroine, is a scientist, who works out of a lab in Swan Cove; and is at the end of her trip to New York, and sits at the airport bar, awaiting if her flight will be cancelled due to a storm.  She meets Wyatt, who is a sexy hot stranger, and spending time talking; when the flight is cancelled, they end up in Blake’s hotel room for a one-night fling. 

When Blake is back home the next day, she is told that she is being paired up with an artist, and to her shock she sees Wyatt.  At first, she is angry, that he was now in her home town, but in a short time, since they have to work together, she learns that his aunt died, and left her house to him. Blake and Wyatt become friends, with him trying to resume a normal life being an artist, and Blake is determined that their one-night fling will only be that one night. In a short time, sparks fly between both of them, with amazing chemistry. Blake is intelligent, a workaholic, totally focusing on her scientific work. Wyatt loves resuming his love of art, but still very observant from his spy days.   I really loved Blake and Wyatt, as they made a great couple, with lots of steamy chemistry between them.

What follows is a small town sweet romantic story, with espionage, and scientific research, and a wonderful couple.  Blake and Wyatt both have fears; such as Wyatt becoming aware of another scientist in Blake’s workplace that makes him suspicious; Blake has lots of pressure from her wealthy family, deciding if she wants an upcoming promotion.  When Blake overhears Wyatt talking to his former boss, she learns about his being a spy, she becomes very angry.  Will Wyatt be able to convince Blake the old days are over?

The (Ex) Spy Who (Maybe) Loved Me was so very well written by Christi Barth.  This was a wonderful fun romance, with a fantastic couple, excellent secondary characters, and in wonderful small town atmosphere.  I suggest you read this book, it was a fun read.   

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q Sutanto

Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q Sutanto

 

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Description:
Vera Wong is a lonely little old lady–ah, lady of a certain age–who lives above her forgotten tea shop in the middle of San Francisco’s Chinatown. Despite living alone, Vera is not needy, oh no. She likes nothing more than sipping on a good cup of Wulong and doing some healthy detective work on the Internet about what her Gen-Z son is up to.

Then one morning, Vera trudges downstairs to find a curious thing–a dead man in the middle of her tea shop. In his outstretched hand, a flash drive. Vera doesn’t know what comes over her, but after calling the cops like any good citizen would, she sort of . . . swipes the flash drive from the body and tucks it safely into the pocket of her apron. Why? Because Vera is sure she would do a better job than the police possibly could, because nobody sniffs out a wrongdoing quite like a suspicious Chinese mother with time on her hands. Vera knows the killer will be back for the flash drive; all she has to do is watch the increasing number of customers at her shop and figure out which one among them is the killer.

What Vera does not expect is to form friendships with her customers and start to care for each and every one of them. As a protective mother hen, will she end up having to give one of her newfound chicks to the police?

 

 

Review:

Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto is a fun crazy captivating mystery.  We meet our heroine, Vera Wong, who is a lonely Asian elder woman (60’s), who lives above her tea shop in Chinatown.  Her shop is always empty, other than a local man who visits daily to have many different kinds of special teas with Vera.  Her life is about to change when one morning she finds a dead man in her in her tea shop.  The police don not pay attention to the case, as they decide the dead man died due to a bird allergy.

Vera decides to take it upon herself to investigate who murdered this man (even if the police do not feel he was murdered). When she gets strange visitors to look in her tea shop, Vera begins to make a list of suspects, and pushes herself into these new people’s lives; as she is determined to find the murderer, and in a short time she becomes close to all her new friends. We meet Riki, San, Oliver and Julia with her little girl, Emma.  Is one of them the murderer?

What follows is Vera’s constant putting herself into her so called suspects lives, navigating the many secrets and lies; learning everything about each of them. Vera constantly makes food/dinner for them, as well as pushing her wonderful tea; with all of them becoming close to her.  We get to see the POV’s on all of the five main characters.  At first, I did find Vera a bit bossy and annoying, but that didn’t last long as she was a quirky grandma sleuth, who for the most part was hysterical.  I loved all five characters, as they were so great together, especially with Vera also being such a good matchmaker.  As she learns the truths of their lives, she manages to cut the suspect list, until she finally realizes who is the culprit.

Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers was a fun, delightful, heartwarming, captivating cozy mystery, with fantastic characters.  Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers was so very well written by Jesse Q. Sutanto.  If you enjoy cozy mysteries that are pure fun, you need to read this book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publishers

 

 

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Love and Other Flight Delays by Denise Williams – a Review

Love and Other Flight Delays by Denise Williams – a Review

 

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Description:
Love takes flight in a collection of sexy, fun novellas all set at the airport from the acclaimed author of The Fastest Way to Fall.

The Love Connection
An airport pet groomer meets her frequent-flier crush and finds herself in a fake-dating situation with a professional risk assessor who moonlights as a romance author.

The Missed Connection
Two strangers share a romantic night only to discover months later that they’re professional rivals about to embark on an extended business trip together in this grumpy-meets-sunshine romance.

The Sweetest Connection
Two best friends have one week to return a lost love letter found in a candy store at the airport–and work up the courage to confess the deep feelings between them–before one of them leaves the country.

 

Review:

Love and Other Flight Delays by Denise Williams is a collection of novellas, that I had previously read, that was set at airports.  All three novellas were cute fun romantic stories, with great couples.  Since I have already posted these novellas, below will be a condensed version.  I do suggest you read these novellas, as Denise Williams wrote them so well.

The Love Connection:
An airport pet groomer meets her frequent-flier crush and finds herself in a fake-dating situation with a professional risk assessor who moonlights as a romance author. Ollie Wright loves her job as a dog groomer, but isn’t interested in a romance, until she meets Bennett Baker. Bennett has a day job, but at night he writes romance novels, and is currently facing writer’s block. When he rescues a pup in the airport, he meets Ollie, who he immediately becomes enchanted with. The chemistry between them opens her heart and he becomes inspired to write again.

The Missed Connection:
Gia, our heroine, is at the airport, on her way home on New Year’s Eve; she is coming off of a break-up with her girlfriend.  She meets Felix at the bar, and they spent the evening talking, which ended with a kiss.  A few months later, she recognizes the man she met at the airport, who happens to be a rival academic who always criticized her work, and now he is her new coworker. Gia is very outgoing, fun, friendly, and Felix is the complete opposite; he doesn’t like associating with others, keeps to himself and comes across as very stuffy. The Missed Connection was a short story, that was very well written by Denise Williams.  I did enjoy the entire opposites attract romance, which was so very well done.

The Sweetest Connection:
We meet our heroine and hero at the start (Teagan & Silas), when they were freshmen paired up in an orientation event, which led to a wonderful strong friendship. The POV’s switched between past events and present time.  They had a wonderful history together as friends, as their bond was special. Teagan has a job in a candy shop, and Silas works as a problem solver in the airport. Silas knows he is very much in love with Teagan, but refrains from explaining his true feelings, as he is afraid to lose his best friend.  Of course, we know that Teagan also has feelings for Silas, with both hiding those feelings.  The Sweetest Connection was a cute, friends to lover’s short story.

If you have not read anything by Denise Williams, I suggest you need to read her fun romantic stories. 

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

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Don’t Back Down by Sharon Sala – a Review

Don’t Back Down by Sharon Sala – a Review

 

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Description:
Army veteran Cameron Pope arrives back in Jubilee, Kentucky, for the first time in years. He barely has time to catch his breath when he becomes embroiled in a race of life or death for his little niece and a deadly hunt for the human traffickers who are destroying the peace of his mountain town. When he’s reunited with Rusty Caldwell—a woman from his past who he’s never stopped thinking about—he wants to believe they can finally be together. But Cameron is shocked to find out that Rusty belongs to one of the rich families in Jubilee—the same rich folks who scorn the rural families living on the surrounding mountainside, in spite of knowing nothing about them. With their community in the crosshairs, Cameron and Rusty will have to find a way to end the feuding and take down the human trafficking ring if they’re to have a chance at happiness.

 

 

Review:

Don’t Back Down by Sharon Sala is the first book in her new romance suspense series, Jubilee, Kentucky.  I am a fan of Sharon Sala, having read and loved her previous series; and this first book was great.  The story started 5 years ago, when our heroine/hero met at a bar, and had a night of passion, as he was shipping out to Afghanistan. Both of them still dream about that night, sorry they didn’t give out their names.

We jump to 5 years later, Cameron Pope, has returned to Jubilee, Kentucky after completing two tours, and is happy to be home near his family.  One night he gets a desperation call from his sister, Rachel, about her daughter being kidnapped.  Cameron, with his service dog, Ghost, become embroiled to find his niece.  Ghost, who spent years in Afghanistan with Cameron, managed to find her, and Cameron rescues little Lily. 

Rusty Caldwell, our heroine, is a top-rated FBI agent, who solves a crime, and is currently recovering from injuries.  She is approached by Agents who have been trying to stop human traffickers, and since she has family in Jubilee, she agrees to visit family members she has not seen in many years; using the guise of visiting while on leave to recover.  When the FBI learns that Cameron is a Military Veteran, whose credentials were top notch, and they inform Rusty to work with him. 

Cameron is shocked when he meets Rusty, as she was the woman he constantly dreamed of.  Rusty, doing research, recognizes Cameron, and couldn’t wait to meet him again and work together. They both worked closely together, investigating a number of people in Jubiliee that were involved, but most of all to find the head honcho who was behind the human trafficking.  Rusty, Cameron and Ghost made a fantastic team.

What follows is an exciting, tense story that held my breath throughout; with many people part of the human trafficking. Just when they think they have discovered the Boss, things change rapidly.  Though this was an exciting mystery, I oved the romance between Cameron and Rusty; they made such a great couple, and the chemistry between them became ultra-steamy.  Their romance throughout was a major part of this story.  I loved Ghost, who was a fantastic dog, and a major part of the rescue/investigation. 

Don’t Back Down was so very well written by Sharon Sala.  I loved the characters, the town, and especially our couple, and dog.  I can’t wait to see what Sala has next.  If you like exciting suspense, and romance, I suggest you read Don’t Back Down.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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