Author Archives: Barb

Wrecked by Dianna Love – a Review

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Wrecked by Dianna Love – a Review

 

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Description:
Hallene Clarke spends her time finding missing children for other people but now she faces the most dangerous hunt of her life – to rescue her sixteen-year-old half-sister. The girl has been kidnapped, but the ransom isn’t money. She’s being used as a pawn to ensure a deadly attack happens.

Samuel “Party Man” Leclair never found his place in life until being brought into the HAMR Brotherhood and put on the FALCA team. Now his future is in jeopardy after risking his life to help an unknown female operative, Hallene, during the op that failed to extract a kidnapped senator.

Hallene offers him a chance at redemption and will lead Sam to the kidnapper holding the senator if he’ll help her rescue her half-sister and keep his team out of this. This enemies-to-lovers romantic adventure is fraught with assassins, unexpected twists, wild action, and sizzling romance as Sam and Hallene discover the attack planned to strike the US is to force two superpowers into war.

This is a spinoff from the Slye Team Black Ops Romantic Action Adventure series where HAMR Brotherhood was introduced in Kiss The Enemy.

 

 

Review:

Wrecked by Dianna Love is the 1st book in her new HAMR Brotherhood Falca Team series. I was thrilled to find out that Dianna Love was bringing us a spin off of her fabulous Slye Temp series, as she is a master at romance suspense.  You can always be sure that Dianna will give us a thrilling story, filled with suspense, danger, action, excitement throughout.

We meet our heroine, Hallene Clarke, as she is in the midst of searching for her half-sister, who was kidnapped; her career is devoted to find missing children, and now this is close to home. Hellene is on site of where the kidnappers are hiding, and finds herself captured, but someone will rescue her.

Sam Leclair, a member of the HAMR Brotherhood/FALCA team, is also on site to rescue a kidnapped senator, and comes across Hallene, whom he rescues, but the bad men escape; Sam is injured and sent home to recuperate.  To his surprise, Hallene shows up and offers him a job, which will lead Sam to the kidnapper holding the senator, if he will help her rescue her half-sister, and not tell his team.

What follows is an exciting tense adventure with Hallene and Sam, as they were constantly in danger, with us holding our breaths often. I loved Hallene and Sam together, as slowly their attraction began to sizzle, with them trying to control their emotions.  The last half of the book was so exciting and suspenseful, that I could not put the book down.  I will not give spoilers, as there is so much happening non-stop, it would ruin it for you.  This is such a fantastic story, which you need to read from start to finish.       

Wrecked was a fantastic enemy to lover’s romantic adventure, filled with exciting action, suspense, surprises, and a sizzling couple in Sam and Hellene. The ending was a frantic race to the finish.  If you have not read anything by Dianna Love, you are missing a lot. Wrecked was so very well written by Love, and if you like romance, suspense, fantastic characters, great couples, bad villains, excitement, and fun, then you need to read this series.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied for Review

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When The Echo Calls by Steve N. Lee – a Review

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When The Echo Calls by Steve N. Lee – a Review

 

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Description:
Sometimes a dog isn’t just a dog — it’s hope.
Left for dead in the gutter, Rio struggles to his feet and lurches into the shadows for a place to hide. Life has always been brutal, thanks to a monster of an owner, but at least he’d had food, a bed, a place to call home. Now…?

Ben’s life ended when he lost his family. Drink no longer dulls the pain; therapy is a joke; friends have moved on. He’d had everything, yet now…?

But when the broken man meets the broken dog, they discover something neither had ever dreamed could exist… a reason to go on.

In a story as heartwarming as it is heartbreaking, When the Echo Calls explores how hope can be found in the most unexpected of places if only we have the courage to look for it.

 

 

Review:

Where the Echo Calls by Steve N Lee is another one of his standalone novels that centers on a dog.  Having read the previous books by Lee, I looked forward to reading this one.  I really enjoyed this book, though I did have mixed feelings, which I will detail later in this review. 

We meet Rio at the start, when he is kicked out of a car; badly injured, he struggles to get up and hide in the shadows. Rio’s life has always been rough, being a dog fighter, and with a mean owner.  As Rio tries to heal a bit, he is desperate to find food, and keeps an eye out for his missing owner (who never comes); he doesn’t understand why people are mean, and looks at other dogs, who seem happy.  After a short time on the outside, animal control will capture Rio, and bring him to a hospital, with the Vet fixing his bad injuries.  I really liked the hospital assistant (he called her Wierdo), who was so wonderful taking care of Rio, and desperately trying to find a home, knowing the people tend to shy away from a dog that did fighting.   I will say close to the first half of the book, it was very emotional and depressing to see what Rio had to go through.

It was difficult to read when Rio was adopted, by not really good people.  The story changes when Rio meets Ben, who lost his family a long time ago. Both Ben and Rio were broken, and perfect to help each other. I loved how Ben did everything make Rio learn how to be a dog, and I got a kick out of Rio seeing other dogs in the park.  To say too much more would be spoilers, as the last half of the book was very well done as well as emotional; so much happens at the last quarter of the book, that you need to read.

Where the Echo Calls was a heartbreaking, as well as heartwarming story.  I loved Rio, and Ben, and some added characters later on.  My mixed feelings were the first half of the book, which had me putting the book down for a bit, since it was depressing; and I do love dogs. Where The Echo Calls was well written by Steve N Lee.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied for Review

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The Fireman’s Christmas Wish by Nan Reinhardt – a Review

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The Fireman’s Christmas Wish by Nan Reinhardt – a Review

 

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Description:
Her heart is wide open, but he’s nailed his shut.

Preschool teacher Harley Cole has always viewed life through rose-colored glasses. With a career she loves, friends she enjoys, and a home that is her haven, there’s only one thing missing—finding her soul mate. As the holidays approach, Harley is inspired to help her former high school crush rediscover his holiday joy. It’s just a good deed…until the feelings she thought were gone come rushing back.

Fire Chief Becker Lange returns home to River’s Edge with a heavy heart. His divorce has emotionally ravaged him, leaving him more confused than ever about what women want. So to protect himself from another failure, he closes his heart. And then Harley Cole makes him a flirty dare that she can help him overcome the holiday blues. Beck’s not sure he wants to, but Harley’s a hard woman to tell no.

Can the magic of Christmas and a sweet stray kitten bring these two lonely souls together?

 

 

Review:

The Fireman’s Christmas Wish by Nan Reinhardt is the 3rd book in her The Lange Brothers series.  Harley Cole, our heroine, is a teacher and volunteer for all activity in River’s Edge, as well as a huge Christmas fan.  Harley is not only beautiful, but also makes the perfect girl next door, though she has no boyfriend.

Becker Lange, our hero, is the Chief for River’s Edge Fire and Rescue.  Becker is divorced, and keeps walls around his heart.  After his divorce, Becker returned to River’s Edge, assumed the responsibility of this family, being loyal to his two brothers and mother; their father abandoned them years before, showing up for money on rare occasions.

Becker has always been friends with Harley, and with Christmas near, she is determined to get him to help her with all the preparation, including putting up trees and decorations at her place, his place, and fire department.  With Harley dragging him everywhere, Becker begins to awaken his feelings, which keeps him still trying to be nothing more than friends.  Best laid plans never work. 

I absolutely loved the part where Becker finds a kitten outside his house, and in a short period he finds himself loving Lucy and adopts her; of course, Harley falls in love with the kitten too.  The parts with the kitten were precious.  I really loved Becker and Harley together, and prayed they would give in to their feelings. 

Closer to the end, Becker is surprised to see his father (many years later), and learns why he has come.  Becker and his brothers, as well as his mom will make amends in this time of need. Beck’s past does hold him back, but will he find happiness with Harley and be her happy place? 

Nan Reinhardt gives us a wonderful couple, as well great secondary characters that were so likable, making this story even better.   The atmosphere of this small town was terrific, with a sweet romance, and wonderful friends to lover’s story.

The Fireman’s Christmas Wish was a terrific story, that was very well written by Nan Reinhardt. If you enjoy pure fun, enjoyable romance, wonderful couple, and great secondary characters, then you need to read all three books.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

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Under a Wicked Moon by Zoe Forward – a Review

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Under a Wicked Moon by Zoe Forward – a Review

 

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Description:
They are the ultimate weapon. The ultimate secret. They are the Crown’s wolves.

Lycan Ky Lanzo is bound by the Crown’s command. His latest mission directive was deceptively simple. Get yourself caught. Now, Ky’s been bound, drugged, and collared by an unknown enemy in a facility that knows enough about him to neutralize his lycan strength and his telekinetic magic. But he’s not alone in his cell. Because there’s someone else with him. Someone exquisite. Someone altogether forbidden…

For Vivi Kinley, another month gone by means another full moon trapped in a cell with a moon-crazed lycan. There once was a time I’d never kill a living creature. Only, Ky is different. He’s powerful, latently sexy…and wanting him is dangerous trouble. Because sexual attraction is exactly what their captors want—and it’ll be an icy day in hell before she’ll allow it.

Now, Vivi and Ky have one chance at escape and to discover what twisted organization did this to them—and make them pay. The good news is that Ky might have found his near-impossible lycan mate. The bad news is that she might be programmed to kill them all…

 

 

Review:

Under a Wicked Moon by Zoe Forward is the second book in her new Crown of Wolves series.  We meet our hero, Ky Lanzo, who is bound to the Crown’s command, along with his brothers, Roman and Flynn.  They are cursed to be the Crown’s weapons, to destroy all enemies.  Ky was sent on a mission by himself, only to be captured by Germans; being drugged and forced to wear a collar, which takes away his strength. When he wakes up, he realizes there is another person in the cell with him.

Vivi Kinley, our heroine, has been trapped in the cell for a long time.  She sees Ky, who just arrived, and senses that the villains seem to want them to bond together, especially sexually.  But Vivi will not allow that, nor does Ky, though he is attracted to her.  Neither understands why they are there, and quickly learn that Vivi has been locked up for two years.  Ky, whose head is messed up due to the drugs, realizes that Vivi is being brainwashed to do commands that require to kill. 

After a couple of months, Ky’s brothers rescue him and Vivi, and quickly they escape.  We learn that Vivi’s sister, whom she thought was dead, is in fact alive, and mated to Roman.  The family worries how dangerous Vivi is, since she is programmed to respond to a command; the fear is will she attempt to kill them, since she is not in control.  Ky knows he cannot act on his feelings for Vivi, but has a difficult time since he knows she may be his mate, but is she safe?

It was great to see the family together, trying fight off the enemies, including possible internal enemies of the Crown.  I liked how Vivi and her sister, Nova slowly respond to each other, despite their memories being removed.  I also loved Ky and Vivi together.  To say too much more would be spoilers, but the last half of the book was very exciting and entertaining.  

Under a Wicked Moon was exciting through most of the book, with non-stop action, great characters, and a world filled with secrets, enemies, monarch, gods, angels and lots of battles.  Under a Wicked Moon was so very well written by Zoe Forward.  I cannot wait for the next book in the Crown of Wolves series.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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Dead Man’s Hand by James J. Butcher -a Review

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Dead Man’s Hand by James J. Butcher -a Review

 

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Description:
On the streets of Boston, the world is divided into the ordinary Usuals, and the paranormal Unorthodox. And in the Department of Unorthodox Affairs, the Auditors are the magical elite, government-sanctioned witches with spells at their command and all the power and prestige that comes with it. Grimshaw Griswald Grimsby is…not one of those witches.

After flunking out of the Auditor training program and being dismissed as “not Department material,” Grimsby tried to resign himself to life as a mediocre witch. But he can’t help hoping he’ll somehow, someway, get another chance to prove his skill. That opportunity comes with a price when his former mentor, aka the most dangerous witch alive, is murdered down the street from where he works, and Grimsby is the Auditors’ number one suspect.

Proving his innocence will require more than a little legwork, and after forming a strange alliance with the retired legend known as the Huntsman and a mysterious being from Elsewhere, Grimsby is abruptly thrown into a life of adventure, whether he wants it or not. Now all he has to do is find the real killer, avoid the Auditors on his trail, and most importantly, stay alive.

 

 

Review:

Dead Man’s Hand by James J. Butcher is his debut novel, which is the first book in his new series, The Unorthodox Chronicles.  The Unorthodox Chronicles is a magic world, with human Usuals and paranormal Unorthodox; the Department of Unorthodox Affairs and Auditors are government magical elites, with witches who use spells to control their power.  There are two main characters who lead in this story.

Grimshaw Griswald Grimsby failed in his attempt to be an Auditor, and with his mentor now dead, Grimsby has become the prime suspect.  He works at a restaurant to make some money, using his witch abilities, until he is approached by The Huntsman (a retired assassin for the Unorthodox), who at first plans to kill him; but then Mayflower (the huntsman) realizes that Grimsby is innocent.  Despite their obvious differences, they partner to find the real culprit.

Where Mayflower, is considered a legend, who has been around forever, and is an expert in all Unorthodox and Auditor affairs; even though he is now retired, he needs to find out who killed his former mentor.  It is Grimsby who Mayflower needs to help him, with his witch abilities.  Grimsby was in many ways a coward, bumbling up many things, while Mayflower would usually save him.  I found that both main characters were not totally likeable, with Mayflower being hard and sarcastic throughout, and Grimsby totally off the wall for the most part.  Closer to the end, they managed to work well together. 

Dead Man’s Hand is a unique urban fantasy adventure, at times suspenseful; with witches that enforce the Unorthodox.  Grimsby and Mayflower are constantly thrown into chaos and danger; with Grimsby a reluctant witch, Mayflower a grumpy veteran, and mystery that has many twists and turns.   Will they survive?  Dead Man’s Hand was well written by James J. Butcher, though I did think there was too many details and redundancy.  If you like Urban Fantasy, I do suggest you give this book a try.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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The High Notes by Danielle Steel – a Review

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The High Notes by Danielle Steel – a Review

 

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Description:
Iris Cooper has been singing ever since she can remember, hitting the high notes like no one else. When she is twelve, her father convinces the owner of a bar in Lake City, Texas, to let her perform, and she stuns the audience. In the ensuing years, never staying anywhere for long, father and daughter move from one dusty town to the next, her passion for music growing every time she takes the mike in another roadhouse.

But it is not an easy life for Iris with her father in charge and using her income to pay for gambling, women, and booze. When she starts to tour at age eighteen, she takes on a real manager. Yet he exploits her too, and the singers and musicians she tours with are really the only family she has. It is they who give Iris the courage to finally fly free, leave the tour, and follow her dreams.

After years of enduring the hardships of the road, exploitation, and abuse, to do what she loves, her big chance comes as her talent soars. But at the top at last, Iris still has to fight every step of the way. In The High Notes, Danielle Steel delivers an inspiring story about finding the strength to stand up for yourself and your dreams, no matter what it takes.

 

 

Review:

The High Notes by Danielle Steel is another one of her wonderful standalone novels.  We meet Iris Cooper, who at 12 years old, lived with her drifter father, as they moved around a lot.  Iris loved to sing, and had an amazing voice for someone her age.  Her father, who also drank, took her to a bar to sing, and over the next number of years, he made money on her singing, until she reached 18 years old, when she decided to go on her own, as her father always spends her money for himself.

Iris tours for over nine years, as her manager also exploits her, but she makes friends with other musicians on her tours. Her friends give her the courage to pack up and leave the tour and follow her dreams.  She goes into hiding in a small town, and meets Boy, a singer on a band, who becomes her friend (no romance), and together they make great music.  Iris convinces Boy to go with her to New York, to meet with a recommended manager. She auditions with Clay Maddox, who is a very successful and likeable manager.  He loves Iris voice, and when she mentions to Clay about Boy, who she feels also has a very nice voice.   Clay hires both Iris and Boy, with Iris career soaring, with a tour and album.  Boy ends up being the opening act, and he too with eventually become famous.   Iris’s ex manager tries to force her to return, but Clay will stop him, proving the ex-manager was a bad man.

Over a period of time, Iris and Clay (there is an age gap), will slowly begin to fall in love, and her life becomes filled with happiness.  Iris also wants to bring some old friends who stood by her into life.  The High Notes is a wonderful sweet story, filled with hope, tragedy, friendship, love, bad people, with a fantastic heroine.  I loved The High Notes, which was so very well written by Danielle Steel.  This is a story not to be missed.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

 

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Voice of Fear by Heather Graham – a Review

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Voice of Fear by Heather Graham – a Review

 

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Description:
A killer is looking to silence them, once and for all.

FBI agent Jordan Wallace is close to cracking the human trafficking case she’s been working, when she does the one thing she should never do: let her guard down. The botched undercover mission is semisalvaged by the last-minute appearance of criminal psychologist Patrick Law, but Jordan can’t imagine making a worse first impression. Especially when she’s partnered with Patrick moving forward.

Patrick’s innate ability to get inside a criminal’s head is an asset for the Krewe of Hunters. But Jordan wishes she could protect her own thoughts from her new partner. Patrick assures her that both she and her thoughts are safe with him, but Jordan’s less sure about her heart. Letting someone have her back has never been her strong suit, but with a dangerous killer still at large, trusting in Patrick might be the only thing keeping them alive.

 

 

Review:

Voice of Fear by Heather Graham is the 38th book in her Krewe of Hunters series.  I am a big fan of Heather Graham, as her romance suspense books are always exciting and action packed.  Voice of Fear is the third book in this trilogy arc.  The last two books were centered on Colleen, who is an FBI agent (with the Krewe Hunters), and her sister Megan.  In Voice of Fear, Jordan Wallace, our heroine, an FBI agent is the lead, with the third Law family member (triplets), Patrick Law, as the hero in this book. 

The story starts with Jordan working undercover, finding herself captured by human traffickers, trying to escape. Just when she thinks they will kill her, she is rescued by the FBI and Patrick Law. The FBI and Krewe team manage to save other women being sold to other countries. Patrick went out of his way to tell Jordan that she was wrong not to have a backup, nearly getting herself killed. With the man behind the human trafficking still missing, Patrick and Jordan are teamed up as partners.  Even though they got off on the wrong foot, in a short time they become great partners, and eventually a romance will bring them even closer.

It was great to see other members of the Krewe team, especially those who have unique abilities. The Law triplets each possess unusual powers, such as Colleen being able to hear voices in her head, and Patrick, who is criminal psychologist, and can read minds; not to mention that many Krewe members can see ghosts.   Both Patrick and Jordan can see ghosts, and one ghost, Alfie will play a major part in this story, trying to save an old friend, before he moves on.

A powerful and evil vicious dangerous killer is still at large, and Jordan, Patrick, and the team do everything to find him before he kills again. What follows is a tense exciting thriller that will have Jordan, Patrick, and all the wonderful Krewe team, such as Coleen, Ragnar, Angela, Jackson, Mark, Megan, and other members of the Krewe team, working together to save the women. I loved Patrick’s dog, Bry-Bo, who was so helpful when danger was near. To say too much more would be spoilers, and you need to read this from start to finish, as there are some twists and surprises.

It was a wild tense last third of the book, as we raced to the climax, had me holding my breath to see who will survive.  Voice of Fear was an exciting, intense, suspenseful, dark story of murder, with a sweet slow burn romance, great couple and lots of action throughout. Once again, Heather Graham gives us a wild, mindboggling thriller, that kept our attention from start to finish.  I did like that both Patrick and Jordan were a great couple.  If you like intense supernatural thrillers, which is written so very well by Heather Graham, then I suggest you read Voice of Fear.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

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Last Seen Alive by Carolyn Arnold – a Review

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Last Seen Alive by Carolyn Arnold – a Review

 

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Description:
The woman lies so still as her blood soaks into the soft bedcovers beneath her. A tear runs down her face as she looks at the wedding band on her finger. She had loved her husband so much…

When Detective Amanda Steele unexpectedly reconnects with an old boyfriend, the last thing she expects to see lying on his bed is the dead body of his wife, Claire, who walked out on him four years ago.

Logan begs Amanda to believe he’s innocent. But she doesn’t miss the gun on a nearby table, and she’s torn when forensics reveal that not only was this the murder weapon, but Logan’s fingerprints are all over it… Could he have been framed? Or is he using his connection to Amanda to get away with murder?

Determined to uncover the truth, Amanda retraces Claire’s last steps and finds that she visited her best friend the day before her death. But Amanda is devastated to discover that the friend died in a car accident just hours after meeting with Claire. What deadly secret connected them, and could more women be in danger?

But the killer is closer than Amanda realises, and when her beloved daughter, Zoe, is threatened, she’s suddenly in a race to find the final clue before the person she loves most pays the price…

 

 

Review:

Last Seen Alive by Carolyn Arnold is the 6th book in her Detective Amanda Steele series.  I have noted this many times, that I am a big fan of Arnold, having read most of her series, and I love this series, which continues with another great addition.  Last Seen Alive was fantastic, with me unable to put the book down.  Amanda Steele, our heroine, is a homicide detective in Dumfries, Virginia Police Department

The story starts off with Amanda, having been out with friends, ends up at her ex-boyfriend’s (Logan) house, when they find the body of a woman fatally shot: the woman happens to be Logan’s ex wife, whom he has not seen in 4 years. Amanda pushes Logan out of the room, calls for help, which will also bring her partner Trent.  Amanda’s nasty sergeant, pulls her off the case, since the police suspect Logan killed his wife. Amanda knows Logan is innocent, and together with Trent, they go all out to find the murderer, with her sargeant allowing her to get back on case. Amanda was determined to uncover Claire’s last steps, and learns that her previous boss also was killed the day before.  What is the connection, and who else could be in danger.

Amanda and Trent worked very well together, with Trent getting Amanda to go home at night to be with her daughter, Zoe.  I really liked how Trent became a better partner to Amanda, and enjoyed how well they worked together.  Amanda is a fabulous heroine, who goes beyond, as well as being emotional, with somewhat of a temper; but she is a master as solving crimes. They discover that Claire (Logans ex) was involved in stealing various paintings and artifacts over the years, and they go all out to find out who was working with Claire. 

What follows is an exciting, suspenseful, intriguing, tense mystery that kept me unable to put the book down, as this was a mind-blowing thriller. There were so many suspects, and even surprises at the end. To say too much more would be spoilers, and this was a great good story that needs to be read from start to finish, especially with so much going on that keeps us glued to the book. It is important to read this story from start to finish.

Last Seen Alive was a very good excellent crime thriller that was suspenseful, intense, and kept us guessing who was the murderer to the end. Amanda and Trent were so very good together.  Last Seen Alive was so very well written by Carolyn Arnold, and I cannot wait to see what she has in store for us next. If you like mystery thrillers, police procedural, then you need to be reading this book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied for Review

 

 

 


CAROLYN ARNOLD is an international bestselling and award-winning author, as well as a speaker, teacher, and inspirational mentor. She has several continuing fiction series and has many published books. Her genre diversity offers her readers everything from police procedurals, hard-boiled mysteries, and thrillers to action adventures. Her crime fiction series have been praised by those in law enforcement as being accurate and entertaining. This led to her adopting the trademark: POLICE PROCEDURALS RESPECTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT™.

Carolyn was born in a small town and enjoys spending time outdoors, but she also loves the lights of a big city. Grounded by her roots and lifted by her dreams, her overactive imagination insists that she tell her stories. Her intention is to touch the hearts of millions with her books, to entertain, inspire, and empower.

She currently lives near London, Ontario, Canada with her husband and two beagles.

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