Tag Archives: Barb’s Reviews

Left Behind by Sharon Sala – a Review

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Left Behind by Sharon Sala – a Review

 

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Description:
Everything that was lost will be found again.

Jubilee PD Officer Wiley Pope thinks he’s ruined things with Linette Elgin. He hasn’t seen or heard from the local nurse since their date gone wrong. But when Wiley’s trip to the bank turns into a robbery with Linette as one of the hostages, his training and protective instincts kick into full gear. A heroic bullet to his armor-protected chest is enough for Linette to forgive Wiley’s past mistakes and begin anew.

While his love for Linette grows daily, Wiley finds himself in over his head when a murder investigation is linked to Pope Mountain. If that wasn’t enough, a woman from Wiley’s father’s past abandons her seven-year-old daughter at the police station in an attempted money scheme. But the minute the woman signs over her parental rights, Wiley and Linette welcome the wary little girl into their family and show her what real love looks like.

 

 

Review:

Left Behind by Sharon Sala is the 4th book in her wonderful Jubilee, Kentucky series.  The story focuses on Wiley Pope, who loves his job as a Jubilee police officer.  Wiley has a crush on Linette Elgin, who is a local hospital nurse, but after a date that ended up wrong, due to two ladies who ruined the date; Linette wanted nothing to do with Wiley.   When a robbery at the local bank occurs, Linette finds herself as one of the hostages; with Wiley one of the cops coming to the rescue. Linette sees how he protected the hostages, and sees all that he does, she relents and decides to give him a second chance.

A murder investigation begins in Pop Mountain, with a woman shot in the back. Turns out that the woman’s brother was murdered, and she was found in the mountains with a serious injury. Wiley is assigned to guard her at the hospital; and learning more about the attempt on her life.  There are bad people, who have tried to kill the women, who they fear would identify them; but friends and police are on top of things, with the woman safe.

A woman, Corina, from Wiley’s father’s past, brings her 7-year-old daughter, to the police station, in an attempt abandoned the child in a money scheme; Wiley finds himself adoring the little girl, Ava.  He makes a deal with Corina, that he will adopt her, and free Corina to her move on with her own life.  Ava, was a cute and adorable child that everyone, including all the Pope family, as well as Linette loved. Ava did have a rough life in her 7 years, and as she meets all of the Pope family, Linette, she is beside herself as now having a family that she will love.

Left Behind was an emotional, wonderful, sweet story, with all the members of the Pope family playing a big part in this story.  Wiley and Linette made a great couple.  Everyone love young Ava, and Wiley was so happy to have Linette and Ava as his family.  There were a couple of suspense mysteries that played a large part of this book.  Left Behind was very well written by Sharon Sala. 

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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A Matter of Class by Mary Balogh – a Review

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A Matter of Class by Mary Balogh – a Review

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Description:
Reginald Mason is wealthy, refined, and, by all accounts, a gentleman. However, he is not a gentleman by title, a factor that pains him and his father within the Regency society that upholds station over all else. That is, until an opportunity for social advancement arises, namely, Lady Annabelle Ashton. Daughter of the Earl of Havercroft, a neighbor and enemy of the Mason family, Annabelle finds herself disgraced by a scandal, one that has left her branded as damaged goods. Besmirched by shame, the earl is only too happy to marry Annabelle off to anyone willing to have her.

Though Reginald Mason, Senior, wishes to use Annabelle to propel his family up the social ladder, his son does not wish to marry her, preferring instead to live the wild, single life he is accustomed to. With this, Reginald Senior serves his son an ultimatum: marry Annabelle, or make do without family funds. Having no choice, Reginald consents, and enters into a hostile engagement in which the prospective bride and groom are openly antagonistic, each one resenting the other for their current state of affairs while their respective fathers revel in their suffering.

So begins an intoxicating tale rife with dark secrets, deception, and the trials of love—a story in which very little is as it seems.

 

 

Review:

A Matter of Class by Mary Balogh was a sweet historical standalone novel.  Reginald Mason is wealthy, refined, and, by all accounts, a gentleman. He is the son of a wealthy coal merchant, with his father not considered to be part of the regency society. Reginald has made friends in the society, using money and gambling for his fun.  Mr. Mason is not thrilled with Reginald’s constant playboy fun, and he is determined for Reginald to get married and have children. The Masons and the Ashtons have been neighbors for 20 years, but do not speak or interact in any way.

Annabelle is the daughter of nobility, well known for her incredible beauty, but after being caught running away with a carriage man, in a compromising position with all of her beaux having withdrawn their proposals, leaving her in a disgrace with no dowry available.    Upon hearing about Havercroft’s daughter’s disgrace, Mr. Mason goes to Lord Havercroft to offer a solution; he will marry his son to Annabelle, with a sizable dowry and redemption from her fall from grace.

There are a number of flashbacks, when Reggie and Anna would occasionally meet by the lake between the two homes.  It started when Anna was around 8, and the banter between them even at a young age was cute. As they get older and years pass, they would accidently see each other again; with both talking or bickering about their lives. I got a kick out of their distant entertaining friendship, that no one knew about.  I did like both mothers, who like each other, but the fathers were never willing to talk, even though they wanted Reggie and Anna to marry.   Both Reggie and Anna consent to the marriage, even if they are somewhat antagonistic to each other.  As the wedding approaching, I really did care about both of them, as they slowly learned to accept the marriage. 

A Matter of Class was a very good historical story, with a wonderful couple, even though the families were distant to each other.  Reggie and Anna were great, and after the wedding, some secrets are revealed; I loved the ending.  A Matter of Class was very well written by Mary Balogh.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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Half-Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout – a Review

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Half-Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout – a Review

 

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Description:
The Hematoi descend from the unions of gods and mortals, and the children of two Hematoi pure bloods have godlike powers. Children of Hematoi and mortals–well, not so much. Half-bloods only have two options: become trained Sentinels who hunt and kill daimons or become servants in the homes of the pures.

Seventeen-year-old Alexandria would rather risk her life fighting than waste it scrubbing toilets, but she may end up slumming it anyway. There are several rules that students at the Covenant must follow. Alex has problems with them all, but especially rule #1:Relationships between pures and halfs are forbidden. Unfortunately, she’s crushing hard on the totally hot pure-blood Aiden. But falling for Aiden isn’t her biggest problem–staying alive long enough to graduate the Covenant and become a Sentinel is.

If she fails in her duty, she faces a future worse than death or slavery: being turned into a daimon, and being hunted by Aiden. And that would kind of suck.

 

 

Review:

Half-Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout is the first book in her Covenant series.  I have read almost everything by Armentrout, but I never read Covenant; which is now a rerelease.  Alexandra (Alex) is a half-blood, born of a pure-blood “Hematoi” mother and a human father. Half-bloods only have two options: become trained Sentinels who hunt and kill daimons or become servants in the homes of the pures. Alex was schooled at Covenant, until her mother decided to run from Covenant with her daughter, with them hiding for three years.  One day, Alex finds her mother has been killed by daimons, and she escapes; and while on the run, she is saved by the Sentinels, and returned to Covenant.

When her uncle and stepfather want to relegate her to being a servant; it is Aiden (her sentinel friend) who convinces them that Alex has a lot of potential, especially since she managed to kill a couple of daimons while on the run, which impressed him. Aiden offers to teach Alex, volunteering to train her, during the summer, giving her the chance to be allowed to stay in the Covenant; both the uncle & stepfather agree.  

Alex learns from her stepfather that her mother is still alive, but she is now a daimon, which she has a hard time believing that.  In the middle of the night, she leaves the Covenant, to find her mother. She and her friend Caleb are kidnapped by the daimons, and discovers that her mother is now one of the daimon leaders.  In order to save Caleb, Alex will end up killing her mother, who was trying to change her to a daimon.  Aiden and the sentinels manage to find Alex and Caleb, and bring them back to Covenant; as she realizes that the implications of her actions needed to change her ways.  Alex will learn some truths about why her mother left three years ago; as she has more abilities that she never knew, since Seth (Apollyon) has a bond to her.   Alex has slowly fallen for Aiden, but knows that a relationship between pure-blood and half-blood is forbidden. Alex learns more about Seth, but she only cares about Aiden.

Half-Blood is an exciting and different kind of paranormal story line revolving around Pures and Half-Blood, and the enemy, daimons.  I really liked Alex, even though early on she a bit wild; but the last half, she improved a lot.  I liked her and Aiden together, but I wondered where this will go in the next book, since Seth is now a bigger part to the story.  Once again, Jennifer L. Armentrout has me waiting for the next book. 

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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You’ll Never Find Me by Allison Brennan – a Review

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You’ll Never Find Me by Allison Brennan – a Review

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Description:
Nothing brings family together like crime.

Working alone as a private investigator is tough. Estranged from her PI family, Margo Angelhart does what she must to get by—including taking on sordid cases that pay the bills, even if she’d rather be helping those the justice system has failed.

That is, until a cheating husband case she’s working intersects with her siblings’ corporate espionage investigation, forcing Margo to cooperate with the Angelhart firm. Now, as the siblings compare notes, it’s clear they need to work together before a white-collar crime escalates to murder.

With far more questions than answers and a key suspect on the run, they’ll need the whole family to pitch in. But as they investigate the ever-twisting mystery, Margo isn’t sharing everything. Can she learn to trust her family and heal their once-close relationship before her secrets put those she loves most in danger?

 

 

Review:

You’ll Never Find Me by Allison Brennan is the start of a wonderful new series, Angelhart Investigations. The Angelhart family owns their own private investigation firm, and Margo Angelhart broke away from her family and opened her own PI firm, taking all kinds of cases.  When her father was sent to prison for killing a man, and though they knew he was innocent, the father did not want to reveal anything and accepted his prison term.  Margo wanted to find the truth, but her mother (who runs the Angelhart PI firm) was determined to keep whatever secret her husband had; this led Margo to go on her own. She still sees the family on occasion, during celebrations. 

The story starts with Margo helping a woman, who suffers from an abusive husband. Margo arranges for Annie and her two children to take the minimal, and leave while her husband is at work; no phones, no computers, nothing to reveal anything.  With Margo’s help, Annie does escape, with no one knowing where she is ending up.  Eventually, the bad husband (state trouper) will discover both Margo and her uncle, helped his wife leave, and he is determined to get her back at any cost; even if they themselves do not know where she was.  The husband claimed his innocence, as its his right to abuse or rape her. 

The second story involves corporate espionage, but Margo has taken a case whose wife thinks he is cheating on her.   She hasn’t found any evidence that her husband is cheating, but the wife begs for her to keep checking for a couple more days.  Margo follows him, and discovers the husband (Logan Monroe) and a woman (jennifer) unconscious on the floor; she breaks into the house to help both of them, and cops are called.  To her surprise, her brother Jack and sister, Tess are also on the scene, and learns from them that the woman, Jennifer is being investigated for possible corporate espionage. Margo realizes that the wife who claimed her husband cheating, has more going on, and she joins hands with her family to discover the real truth, that involves crime, a thief and a wife trying to scam her husband for money.

I thought Margo was a terrific investigator, especially handling both of those cases.   I loved her family, especially Jack, who was beside her in both of the cases; he pushed for Margo to work with the family on the espionage case.  The rest of the family members, Lulu, Tess, Nico and their mother (she’s the boss) were all great.  Logan was the man whom his wife thought he was cheating, and he turned out to be a big help with the Angelhart team; as well as Jennifer, who had information regarding the company she worked for.

You’ll Never Find Me was an exciting compelling double mystery thriller.  It was nice to see all the Angelhart siblings work together, working toward putting the family back as a team. Allison Brennan gives us a fantastic story that was so very well written.  I look forward to reading more from this series, Angelhardt Investigations.  

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

 

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Storm Warning by David Bell – a Review

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Storm Warning by David Bell – a Review

 

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Description:
A man living on a Florida barrier island must protect his family from both an approaching hurricane and a relentless killer.

Jake Powell is racing to get off the island as a powerful hurricane approaches. When he finds his best friend Dallas, the building manager, dead from a blow to the skull, Jake realizes there’s more than the storm to fear. There’s a murderer on the island, maybe even still inside the nearly abandoned building.

Dallas had repeatedly run afoul of the wealthy owners of the building by complaining about code violations and the precarious state of the condos. But he’d also once told Jake that every resident had a secret they’d come to Florida to escape. Had one of them killed to conceal their sins? As a dozen people shelter together in hopes of surviving the deadly hurricane, a second murder makes it all too clear: one of them is a dangerous killer.

 

Review:

Storm Warning by David Bell is an exciting thriller, which kept my attention from start to finish.  Jake Powell, our hero, is living on an island in Florida, and with an approaching powerful hurricane, he makes plans to leave. The few residents in their decrepit building don’t want to leave, and the manager, Dallas watches over them.  When Jake hurries to leave, he finds Dallas dead from a blow to the head.  Jake is concerned, as he knows that there is a murderer within the building.  With the roads closed off, Jake decides he has to stay to protect those residents still there. 

Jake left his wife and daughter in Ohio, to escape temporarily in Florida, but to his surprise, his wife and daughter decided to visit Jake, just about getting into the building as the Category 3 hurricane begins to escalate on the small island. 

With the building slowly falling apart, Jake will convince other apartment dwellers to move into one of the bigger units, with them all staying close together; especially with a dangerous murderer still at large. When there is another murder, the residents are not sure who to trust, but Jake is determined to protect them all, as they are fighting for their lives. They are all completely cutoff from the mainland, while those in shelter together, keep their hopes in surviving the deadly hurricane, as well as a murderer. Some of the residents claim they saw a man inside the building, but is this their imagination, as they are on high alert.

Just when the eye of the hurricane gives the vibe of relative calm, Jake will let his wife, she is an expert on handling boats, and daughter take the boat to the mainland for help, praying they will survive.  During the time they were all together, we got to meet other residents, and their stories; even though there was some suspicion among them. I did like Jake, as the was a terrific leader, always trying to keep them all safe. 

Storm Warning was an exciting story that kept me glued to my kindle.  This was an interesting cast of characters, which were very good.  Storm Warning was very well written by David Bell.  I did think that the murderer was different than anyone would have guessed.   I enjoyed the book, and suggest if you like thrillers, you should read Storm Warning.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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A Happier Life by Kristy Woodson Harvey – a Review

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A Happier Life by Kristy Woodson Harvey – a Review

 

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Description:
A tender and touching novel about a young woman who discovers the family she has always longed for when she spends a life-changing summer in North Carolina.

Present Keaton Smith is desperate for a fresh start. So when her mother needs someone to put her childhood home in Beaufort, North Carolina, on the market—the home that Keaton didn’t know existed until now—she jumps at the chance to head south. Keaton’s grandparents died in a tragic car accident before she was born, so she’s eager to learn more about the family she never met. But even though she has help from her charming next-door-neighbor, his precocious ten-year-old son, and a flock of endearingly feisty town busybodies, Keaton soon finds that she has more questions than answers.

1976: After meeting her adoring husband Townsend, Rebecca “Becks” Saint James abandoned the life she knew and never looked back. Forty years later, she’s made a name for herself as the best hostess North Carolina has ever seen. Her annual summer suppers have become the stuff of legend, and locals and out-of-towners alike clamor for an invitation to her stunning historic home. But she’s struggling behind the façade. Becks strives to make the lives of those around her as easy as possible, but this summer she is facing a dilemma that even she can’t solve. And as the end of the season looms, she is brought to a decision she never wanted to make.

As both Keaton and Becks face new challenges and chapters, they are connected through time by the house on Sunset Lane, which has protected the secrets, hopes, and dreams of the women in their family for generations. For fans of Summer of ‘69 and The Notebook , Last Summer on Sunset Lane explores the power of family, the bonds of friendship, and the boundless nature of love.

 

 

Review:

A Happier Life by Kristy Woodson Harvey is another wonderful story that we have come to expect from Harvey.  Keaton Smith, has been fired from her successful job; and her mother asks her to travel to Beaufort, North Carolina (her childhood home) to clean up the home that hasn’t been lived in for decades.  Keaton’s mother and uncle have never returned to that home, after the death of their parents; and once it’s cleaned up, Keaton will put it on the market to sell. There are two POV’s in this story, the present and in the past, 1970’s.

Rebecca (Becks) and Townsend fell in love, and despite her family not accepting that her husband was of a different religion, she married Townsend having a wonderful marriage. Rebecca Saint James became a household name in Beaufort, as the best hostess in North Carolina, with her annual suppers and local parties; with everyone hoping to get invitations to their historic home. Keaton finds her journals, and begins to learn about Becks wonderful life with Townsend for more than 40 years.  Her grandparents died in a car accident, and Keaton was determined to discover what really happened all those years ago.

Keaton quickly meets a number of friends of Becks, who recognize her as she looks like Becks, and they go out of their way to make her feel welcome.  A friendship with these wonderful older ladies, escalates as she learns more about Becks; keeping the memory of Becks and the wonderful things she did all these years.  Keaton works hard to clean the place, and even her newfound friends would come over and help her.  She also meets her next-door neighbor, Bowen and his wonderful adoring son, Anderson; which will lead to a slow burn romance, and her feelings about possibly staying in Beaufort.

A Happier Life is a wonderful journey with fascinating chapters revolving around Keaton in present day and Becks from the past, learning more about what happened to Keaton’s grandparents when they died. It was nice to see Keaton’s brother show up, and help her find more clues to solve the mystery. I love how Keaton begins feel at home, especially with Becks friends and how much they all loved Rebecca Saint James.

A Happier Life was such a heartwarming and wonderful story that was so very well written by Kristy Woodson Harvey.  If you enjoy a story of family, bonds of friendships, and the love of two generations; you should read this book. 

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Andrea by M.A. Abraham/ Magnetic Allure by DM Earl – Reviews

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Andrea by M.A. Abraham/ Magnetic Allure by DM Earl (Ignite Your Soul Charity Anthology- Reviews

 

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Anthology :

The Ignite Your Soul Author Event is celebrating its 10TH ANNIVERSARY! The sale of this anthology is supporting the SickKids Foundation.

From the authors of Ignite Your Soul Author Event, a collection of short love stories from meet-cute to second chances, sweet to spicy, there’s something within these pages for every romance lover.

Anthology Author List

Crystal St.Clair   
Erin Cristofoli 
J.C. Hannigan 
Cassidy London 
JA Lafrance
AW Clarke 
C.A. King 
Kayleigh Malcolm 
Shana Gray 
M.A. Abraham
Allison M. Cosgrove
Amy Ruttan 
Anjelica Grace 
Devin Sloane 
D M Earl
Jennifer Luerssen
Kendra Mei Chailyn
Melinda Falgoust 
Rachel Hope
Tricia Daniels2 

 

Andrea Description:
Andrea knows her past life is over. Now, laying in a hospital bed with her mother’s last words resonating in her mind, she waits in silence for her aunt. Only to her will she tell her secret before taking her place amongst those her parents trusted to protect and guide her.

•••••••••••••

Review:

Andrea by M.A. Abraham is a novella that is part of the Ignite Your Soul Anthology. Above is the list of authors participating in this Anthology. Since I read all of M.A. Abraham’s work, this review is only on her novella Andrea.

Andrea’s family were all killed in a car crash accident, with only Andrea surviving.  She remembered her mother’s final words before her death… “Remember what I am about to tell you; Andrea, your Zia Donna will be coming for you, or perhaps just her husband. When they arrive, they will address you as Dree, not Andrea. By doing this, you will know they are who they say they are, and are family. Trust no one who tries to take you out of the hospital but them”

Andrea is only 16, and until she sees her aunt or uncle, she pretends to still be in a semi-coma. She has been told to tell them this was no accident, that this was deliberate. Her uncle will know who order the hit, and he will keep her safe.  Her aunt and uncle, Donna and Benito, arrive from Italy, with the sons of Don Tammaso. Zia Donna whispers into her niece’s ear. “Mia Bella Dree. I have come for you. Andrea awakes, as she heard her aunt call her Mia Bella Dree. 

Andrea has a lot of pain, as well as suffering from the loss of her family; it will take time for the wounds to heal. All Andrea wants is to leave the hospital, and after disagreements with the doctor and family, she finally is released.  Andrea arrived in Italy, still very much in pain; they arrived at Don Tommaso’s home, who she meets, but she will be in the care of Zia Donna and Benito.  Luca, who is Don Tommaso’s son, is assigned to go to America, run the estate and investigate who was behind the attack.  As he leaves, he knows that one day in the far future, Andrea will be his.  The novella leaves things open, as Andrea will take a long time to recover, and until she reaches 18, she then could return to America.  I look forward to see when M.A. Abraham will complete this book, as it looks like a very good story.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied for review

_____________

MAGNETIC ALLURE
Ignite Your Soul Anthology
by DM Earl
Release Date: June 19, 2024
Genre: adult, contemporary,

As a traveling nurse, Luna Zawacki, loves the freedom her job provides Seeing new places and meeting new people always makes the work more interesting and exciting. However, a transient lifestyle makes little time for personal or even romantic connections. But when two young girls are rushed into her emergency room after a tragic car accident leaves the daughters without parents, Luna can’t resist the pull the girls’ loss has on her heartstrings. Ensuring their safety and well-being while they recover become her top priority.

Being on the hospital board poses some challenges for Eli Stanford. He likes to keep his work at work, and his home life separate from his business. But everything changes when his two nieces are fighting for their lives after a fatal crush kills his sister (brother?). Now, more than ever, Eli must trust the hospital to care for the girls. Luckily, the determined and compassionate nurse assigned to his nieces shares his vision.

As Luna and Eli drop everything to focus on the care of the innocent girls, the two grow closer. But is the magnetic allure that pulls them together a reaction to trauma or will Eli and Luna find a real connection after the devastation subsides?

••••••••

REVIEW:MAGNETIC ALLURE by DM Earl is a contemporary, adult short story, part of the IGNITE YOUR SOUL charity anthology. This is travelling nurse Luna Zawacki, and businessman Eli Stanford’s introductory story line.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Luna and Eli) MAGNETIC ALLURE follows in the wake of a deadly accident that took the lives of Eli’s brother and his wife but left their two children struggling to survive. Luna Zawacki is a travelling nurse, working the ICU when the children are brought in but Luna never expected to come face to face with her future in the guise of Eli Stanford, the children’s uncle. A quick introduction, and a mutual need for space, finds our couple spending the night together as they make plans for potentially something more.

MAGNETIC ALLURE is a fast paced, quick read, approximately five chapters in length that reveals the introduction to our story line couple. The premise is engaging and captivating; the romance is fast and passionate but mostly implied; the characters are single minded and strong-willed. MAGNETIC ALLURE ends on a bit of a cliff hanger-there is more to come.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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The WildFire Girl by Carolyn Arnold – Review

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The Wildfire Girl by Carolyn Arnold – Review

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Description:
The woman panics as the thick smoke starts to curl under the locked door. She can’t breathe and desperately tries to open the window, but it’s been sealed shut. Falling to the floor, she finally accepts there’s no way out of this room alive. And as her vision starts to fade, she prays she dies before the flames find her.

When human remains are discovered behind a dumpster in Woodbridge, Virginia, Detective Amanda Steele rushes to the scene. Her heart drops when she arrives and is hit by the unmistakable stench of gasoline. Soon, her worst fear is the victim was burned alive.

With only an engraved gold wedding band surviving the blaze, Amanda knows it could be days before they have a confirmed ID. But when her partner Detective Trent Stenson arrives, he pales at the sight of the ring, recognizing it as belonging to his Aunt Gertrude’s husband, Don.

Trent is convinced his aunt isn’t involved, but as more is unearthed about her troubled relationship with her husband, and she fails to provide an alibi, Amanda isn’t so sure. Desperate to prove his aunt’s innocence, Trent soon discovers someone from Don’s past is back in Woodbridge—someone who wants revenge. But Amanda and Trent are shaken to their core when that person is discovered brutally murdered.

Convinced the cases are linked, Amanda knows she has to find the cold-blooded killer before they strike again. And as Trent becomes even more emotionally entangled in the case, she’s terrified he could become the next victim…

 

 

Review:

The Wildfire Girl by Carolyn Arnold is the 11th book in her wonderful Detective Amanda Steele series. I am a big fan of Arnold, having read most of her books, and I love this series, which continues with another great addition.  Amanda Steele, our heroine, is a homicide detective in Dumfries, Virginia Police Department. Amanda and her partner, Trent are called to the scene of a violet murder, as a man was burned to his death. Upon arrival, Amanda is hit with a terrible stench of gasoline, with the knowledge that the victim was burned alive.  Trent reveals to Amanda that he recognizes the victim’s wedding ring, which belongs to his Aunt Gertrudes abusive husband, Don.

Despite his believe that his aunt isn’t involved, more clues do point at the aunt being the possible perpetrator, especially with her not revealing a few lies, such as being in the vicinity at the time of her husband’s death. Amanda worries that Trent isn’t being objective.  Another woman is found murdered, and Amanda and Trent learn that the woman who was stabbed is someone from the husband’s past, whom he brutally abused, causing severe burns on the woman’s face years ago. Was this woman out for revenge, and did Don kill her before he was killed?

Amanda and Trent are a great team, and I like them together. Amanda is a great detective, very strong, independent, and always able to solve any case. Amanda has an adoptive daughter, who she worries about a lot, because of her always busy on a case.  She seems happy with Logan, who always watches over Zoe.

What follows is an exciting, suspenseful, intriguing, tense mystery, that kept me unable to put the book down, as this was a fantastic thriller. From the start, you become engrossed into the story, as Trent was determined to prove his aunt’s innocence, and Amanda doing her best to protect him from being too involved. The storyline was very interesting, especially the abuse by the victim against his wife, and former woman of the past. To say too much more would be spoilers.

The Wildfire Girl was a fantastic crime thriller, that was another gripping addition to the Detective Amanda Steele series. It was a compelling intricate suspenseful plot, excellent police procedural, great characters, edge of your seat thriller, with some surprises at the end.  The Wildfire Girl was once again so very well written by Carolyn Arnold, which is the norm for this author; as I am loving this series. If you like mystery thrillers, police procedural, then you need to be reading this series.

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 cozy mysteries, police procedurals, 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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