Tag Archives: Contributers Reviews

Dark ‘N’ Deadly by Tee O’Fallon – a Review

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Dark ‘N’ Deadly by Tee O’Fallon – a Review

 

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Description:
ATF Special Agent Eric Miller and his explosives detecting K-9, Tiger, pull over a truck, the contents of which are explosive. Literally. More shocking, the driver is the kid brother of a woman he left behind. One who still haunts his days and his nights.

They’d never so much as kissed, but Tess McTavish never forgot the handsome, dangerous agent who vanished in a shroud of mystery. Now the last thing she needs is an ATF agent with his own agenda. Doesn’t matter that Tess and her brother are innocent. If Eric learns the truth of their past, they’ll never be free.

Eric’s drive for revenge against the man who targeted him and his colleagues in a deadly explosion still burns hot inside him. Another bomb is about to be detonated and he’s sure there’s a connection between that man…and Tess’s family. But Eric and Tiger will do everything they can to protect the woman he’s falling for from what’s coming…

Each book in the Federal K-9 series is STANDALONE:
* Lock ‘N’ Load
* Armed ‘N’ Ready
* Dark ‘N’ Deadly

 

Review:

Dark ‘N’ Deadly begins with Tess McTavish receiving a cryptic phone call from her little brother, Jesse, saying the words she had prayed for “……….I want out………”.  When Jesse had to abruptly end the call, Tess had no idea what would happen next.

Eric Miller was driving with his K-9 officer, Tiger, when a truck in front of him lost it’s truck bed’s cap.  Eric turned on his lights to pull the guy over, but the driver had other ideas.  Eric gave chase and the driver finally pulled over.  When the tag came back as bogus, he knew something was off.  As he approached the vehicle, there were other signs that put him on alert and let him know that he was pulling over a “sovereign citizen”, who happened to be hauling two partial drums of ammonium nitrate that sovereigns use to blow things up.  The driver then left his vehicle and ran, but Tiger gave chase and apprehended the guy pretty quickly.  Once Eric learned the boy’s name was Jesse McTavish, he couldn’t believe it.  The resemblance to Tess was unmistakable, but he had no idea how much his life was about to change.

When Tess arrived at the station, she couldn’t help but wonder why it had to be Eric Miller who had pulled her brother over.  She did know one thing……..she would do whatever she had to to get her brother out of the nightmare she had ran from so many years ago.  When she gets to talk to Jesse, they come up with a sort of plan for how Jesse would answer the questions that they both knew would be asked of him.  Eric comes into the room to begin and is not really prepared for seeing Tess again, but he reigns in those ‘old’ feelings and begins.  It doesn’t take long for him to catch on to the fact that Tess is signaling Jesse.  Wondering what they are hiding, he soon realizes that Jesse is just a pawn in a bigger plot and that the kid really had no idea how much trouble he could be in.  When Jesse agrees to help them find out who is behind the shipment, Tess is uneasy, because she knows down to her toes that once Eric finds out who they are related to, all bets will be off.

Dark ‘N’ Deadly is an amazing story.  The world that O’Fallon has built with this series is unparalleled.  The characters she writes about are rich and complex and leave you wanting more.  Tess’ backstory is one of isolation and abuse.  Once you read why she had to leave her brother behind, your heart will break.  Eric didn’t have as bad of a childhood as Tess and Jesse, but it shaped his life in a way that left him craving control.  What hit him even harder was his team being killed during an op. The chemistry between Tess and Eric is palpable.  The building suspense keeps you turning the pages faster, but it’s their interactions, both intimate and just their every day rapport, that endears them to the reader.  The secondary characters, some of whom we’ve met in previous books, are well written and only add to the story.  Once again, O’Fallon has written a truly amazing story that will leave you cheering.  I can’t wait for the next installment.  Well done, Tee O’Fallon!!!!  Very, very, very well done!! 

(Personal note:  Very early in the book, O’Fallon tells about an event in West Memphis, Arkansas where two policemen were killed by sovereign citizens.  My ex-husband, and the father of my children, was a cop in West Memphis for over 20 years.  I personally knew both officers who were killed.  One ate supper at my table so many times when he was training so many years ago.  My girls, and our entire community, were devastated over those deaths. The schools were on lockdown and we watched the actions play out on live tv at my office that day.  My oldest was home, and was maybe 75 yards from where the literal shoot out happened once the perps were located.  I called to make sure she had the doors locked and could literally hear the gunshots as the situation came to an end.  It was terrifying having to tell my daughter to get down in case a stray bullet from a high powered rifle came towards our home.  Every year, on the anniversary of their deaths, our community still mourns their loss.)  

Reviewed by Vickie

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

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The Highland Outlaw by Heather McCollum – a Review

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The Highland Outlaw by Heather McCollum – a Review

 

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Description:
Shaw Sinclair, chief of the outcast clan of Sinclairs of Caithness in northern Scotland, has made a deal with the devil. Despite his strength and lethal skills, he needs help—specifically from a woman—to accomplish his mission to bring a bairn to safety to the coast. When he meets the brave and beautiful Alana Campbell at a Samhain Festival, he decides she’s the one. Alana Campbell is ready to show the world she’s just as skillful with a sgian dubh as any man. Attracting the attention of the brawny chief who coerces her to join him on his journey to the coast of Scotland gives her that very opportunity. Sparks flash between them as they’re forced to act as husband and wife to accomplish the deadly mission. However, when secrets threaten to tear them apart, they have to decide if their differences outweigh the reality of their feelings…

“To Laird Shaw Sinclair, 7th Earl of Caithness The infant who journeys under the protection of this letter is of strong health yet might succumb to an assassin’s poison. Therefore, she must be taken to safety shielded by the fierce Sinclair clan. Take the child to the ruins of St. Andrews castle, where a ship will ferry her over to France to be raised in secret until such time as she can be claimed. In return for your service, Castle Girnigoe and the lands historically kept by the Sinclair Clan will be retaken from Edgar Campbell of Glenorchy to be returned to Clan Sinclair. The child must arrive, alive, to the ship before the winter snows blanket the Highlands. May God in his ultimate wisdom and power guide you and see that you protect this very important child.”

 

Each book in The Campbells series is STANDALONE:
* The Scottish Rogue
* The Savage Highlander
* The Wicked Viscount
* The Highland Outlaw

 

 

Review:

The Highland Outlaw by Heather McCollum is the 4th book in her Campbells series.  It starts out with the premise of a small child being taken to safety. The missive charges Shaw Sinclair the job of delivering the baby girl.  Shaw is Laird of the Sinclair Clan and whilst promising to deliver a baby to safety, the wet nurse (a woman employed to breastfeed another woman’s child) he employs dies on the journey, spotting his chance he uses every trick in the book to persuade Alana to join him…… 

Alana is sick of being under appreciated, No one takes her seriously!! And finding out her mother is alive (in previous books it was thought she had died) spurs Alana on to find and rescue her. Her help comes in the form of charming if not slightly rude Shaw Sinclair. 

Their journey is fraught with danger, people are after the child, and will stop at nothing to achieve it. 

But lies have a habit of surfacing, Campbell’s and Sinclair’s are sworn enemies, but as the journey progresses, it’s getting harder and harder to remain enemies, and pretending to be husband and wife is blurring the lines. 

Double dealings, treachery, betrayal and lots of action keep this book going at a great pace. 

So why does Shaw have to deliver this baby? And to whom? Is she special in anyway? What happens if the baby doesn’t get delivered? And will Alana find her mother? And these secrets that Shaw and Alana have, will it really spell the end of this Laird and his feisty lass? 

Another good book by Heather McColllum in The Campbell series. We’ve met a few of the characters in this book in previous stories, so it was nice to add a little more background to it all. 

Reviewed by Julie B

Copy provided by Publisher

 

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A Family by Christmas by Viv Royce – a Review

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A Family by Christmas by Viv Royce – a Review

 

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Description:
Chocolatier Emma Miller has a new business selling bonbons to the residents of the quaint town of Wood Creek. When a tiny visitor stops by her shop with an interesting request, Emma is intrigued. The young girl needs chocolates that will help her widowed dad fall in love, preferably with her teacher. What Emma didn’t count on was Casey’s ever so charming and handsome dad, Grant, stepping into her life. She has to remind herself to be cautious because the one thing she learned in foster care is that people always leave.

Pilot Grant Galloway is touched by his daughter’s gift and is curious about the person who made the world-class chocolates. But when he steps into Emma’s shop full of delicious smells and tasty morsels, he forgets to breathe. And it has nothing to do with his favorite dessert. She’s pretty and kind, and when she has to deal with a difficult client, his protective instincts kick into high gear. But he risked his heart once. When his wife died, it left him broken. He’s just now beginning to pick up the pieces, and he and his daughter will be leaving town once the holidays are over.

Thanks to some Christmas wishes, though, these two might discover that their carefully laid plans are about to change.

 

 

Review;

I just loved A Family by Christmas.  Viv Royce writes a very sweet and charming story about giving love a chance and finding that sometimes you just have to let your heart lead you to where you are meant to be.  I absolutely love these fast paced Christmas reads set in a small town where boy meets girl and vice versa, they become friends and realize they’re falling in love.  Viv Royce hit’s all my high points with this one and kept me entertained from beginning to end.  Emma is the type of person you’d want to become friends with as she’s just so down to earth, kind, helpful and wants to make people happy with her chocolate creations.  Let me tell you the descriptions of her bonbons had my mouth watering, and I couldn’t help but get into some of my favourite chocolates paired with a glass of wine as I read this one.  As for Grant figuring out single parenthood to his adorable little girl Emma he had me swooning numerous times. He’s definitely the type of guy that any women would be lucky to have.

A Family by Christmas is the type of story that makes you just want to settle into you favourite chair, light the fireplace, pour a glass of wine and forget about the outside world for a few hours.  Emma, Grant and his daughter Casey are a cute trio and they keep you entertained throughout.  You just get caught up in their lives/adventure and there’s just something about adding in the Christmas season that always for me adds that magical touch to the story.  This one had all sorts of magical touches, from Casey’s chocolate request for daddy to fall in love, to Emma helping Casey overcome her fear of singing in front of a crowd, to Grant helping Emma make her bonbon deliveries, and the annual winter fair.  Toss in a fun secondary cast of characters in  Grant’s family and this story has all the ingredients to make you fall in love with a Family by Christmas.  If you love a sweet romance with the Christmas season as the backdrop then you can’t go wrong with this one by Viv Royce.   A Family by Christmas will have you thinking of the Christmas season and your favourite hallmark movie all at the same time. 

Until next time my little book loving elves, happy reading!!

Reviewed by Marcie

Copy provided by Publisher

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For Witch or for Poorer by A.E. Jones – a Review

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For Witch or for Poorer by A.E. Jones – a Review

 

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Description:

When magic isn’t so magical. 

A lonely wolf. 

Maeve Callahan has never had a true family to call her own. Recently adopted into the West Coast pack, she will do anything to stop her past from destroying her newly found brothers. Unfortunately, the evil wolf who raised her and a vengeful coven have other plans. When a warlock is called in to help, Maeve’s instant attraction to him couldn’t be worse timing.

A power-shy warlock. Giz Kelly does not cast spells. Period. His father taught him the hard way that magic can destroy the people you love. But when the supernatural team he works for gets called in to help the pack, he finds himself breaking his vow in order to protect Maeve.

When the coven attacks and lives are at stake, can Maeve and Giz embrace their powers to save the pack and each other? And in doing so realize that love can be the greatest magic of all? 


Paranormal Wedding Planners ...
In Sickness and In Elf
From This Fae Forward
To Have and To Howl
For Better or For Wolf
For Witch or For Poorer
Till Demon Do Up Part (coming soon)

 

Review:

For Witch or For Poorer by A.E. Jones is the 5th book in her fun Paranormal Wedding Planners series.  I’ve read this series from the beginning. And I’ve loved every book so far. 

Maeve was recently adopted into the pack. (We meet her in the last book “For better or for Wolf”) She loves her new family, (especially her “newly found brothers”) and there is nothing she won’t do for them. She will protect them with her very life. And she might just have to do that!! The wolf who had raised her (who in fact wasn’t her father) is bringing in the big guns, a powerful witches coven. What does he want? 

Being with her brothers and a new pack should bring her peace, but peaceful is anything but how Maeve feels. And the wolf inside her, that can’t be let out, not under any circumstances!!! But she needs a little independence, after twenty-five of being controlled by her “father” Maeve wants a little freedom.

Giz/Tim is the nerd of the paranormal security force. (We’ve meet the rest of the team in previous books) he’s the tech guy, the wizard genius, and literally a wizard. But Giz has a secret, one he’s not even willing to share with the guys in his group (and he trusts them with his life) 

Maeve and Giz meet on pack grounds and there is an attraction of sorts, but both are wary, so after a sort of flirty conversation, they both go their own ways. Giz is aware that Maeve is still fragile after years of verbal abuse, and the last thing she needs is him. And he’s aware of her three brothers, and really, he doesn’t do relationships….. 

The pack is attacked by the Lunadorium (the coven of witches) they’ve already dealt with Maeve’s father, and now they’ve set their sights on the pack and Maeve. 

The romance between Giz and Maeve is a slow burn. They feel that each doesn’t deserve happiness, so push or try to ignore their feelings for each other. 

This has to be my second favourite book in the series (fingers crossed Sullivan gets a book ?) 

Reviewed by Julie B

Copy supplied for review

 

 

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Earl of Kent by Lauren Smith – a Review

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Earl of Kent by Lauren Smith – a Review

 

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Description:
Christmas has never been more wicked…

HE’S BATTERED AND BROKEN…
Targeted by the enemies of a friend, roguish Phillip Wilkes, the Earl of Kent, is nearly killed in a violent attack. Beaten and left for dead, he is rescued and nursed back to health by a beautiful angel that he’s convinced exists only in his dreams. When he recovers and learns his heart was burning for none other than the sister of his closest friend, he knows she is forbidden to him. He runs away from the only woman who has ever shown him true kindness because who could ever learn to love a broken man?

SHE BELIEVES IN THE HEALING POWER OF LOVE…
Ella Humphrey is cursed when it comes to love. Two overprotective brothers and the entire League of Rogues, are determined to protect her at all costs, even from falling in love. She feels trapped. When a man at death’s door is delivered to her care, she recognizes him as the friend of one of her brothers, and more importantly as the man she secretly loved for years. As her affection deepens for the wounded earl, she envisions a happy future with him. Yet the moment Phillip can walk again, he leaves Ella and breaks her heart.

CAN MISTLETOE WORK MISCHIEF AND MIRACLES?
A year later, Ella fears she’ll never find a way back into Phillip’s guarded heart. He becomes a recluse, too afraid to show the world how broken he is. Ella manages to convince Phillip to escort her to a country estate for a Christmas party. Snowed in at a small village inn, Ella finally has a chance to seduce the earl and remind him that broken bodies and broken hearts can be healed.

 

Review:

Earl of Kent begins with a prologue set in London, December 1816. This is the story of Ella Humphrey (sister to Charles Humphrey, Earl of Lonsdale and Graham Humphrey. Her mother is the Dowager Countess of Lonsdale) and Philip Wilkes, Earl of Kent.

Philip and Ella first meet when she’s fifteen years old and he’s twenty-three. He’s just lost his mother and father to typhus and inherited his father’s title at a young age. She’s very taken with him, even though he’s her brother Charles’ age. She tries to get him to kiss her but being a gentleman, he only presents her with a gentle kiss on her forehead. Embarrassed, she leaves the room, her heart broken but unable to forget him.

If you’ve read this series, many of the characters are familiar. Incidents coincide with the other novels as well. The novels, including this one, are well written with characters that are broken in different ways. The path to love isn’t smooth and makes for a well told intricate and thrilling tale. I don’t do spoilers, so I can only tell you that I thoroughly enjoyed this novel as well as the others in Lauren Smith’s wonderful series.

Reviewed by Georgianna

Copy supplied for review.

 

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Against the Rules by Laura Heffernan – a Review

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Against the Rules by Laura Heffernan – a Review

 

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Description:
RISK EVERYTHING …….
 
Holly has taken herself out of the dating game since breaking up with her cheating, thieving ex. She barely notices Marc, who comes into the game store every week, hoping to get her attention. Her friends insist it’s time to take on a new role, to leave Quiet Holly behind and embrace her inner flirt. And on paper, Marc’s great: cute, funny, and a hardcore gamer just like Holly is.
 
Then there’s Nathan. He’s everything twenty-eight-year-old Holly wants…except he’s also her friend’s father. Absolutely off-limits. But as she and Nathan playtest a new legacy game together, they’re growing closer. The game is complex and intriguing, and there’s no way to know how choices will pan out. What seems like a good idea could lead to disaster…or sweet victory. But in gaming, as in love, sometimes you have to roll the dice and take your chance . . .

 

 

Review:

Against the Rules by Laura Heffernan is the second book in her Gamer Girls series. 

In the last book (it’s not necessary to read, but it does give you a little background to take you into this book.) Holly finds out her fiancé had been cheating on her, and he’s stolen money from her, so she dumps him…. 

But that has given her confidence a huge knock, so she retreats into the shop she works in (a gaming shop).  After her friends (Gwen and Shannon)  convince her to go out and have a little fun, she plucks up the courage to go out, but with whom? 

Nathan is her best friend’s dad, so she shouldn’t be looking at him, but there is something about Nathan that appeals to Holly, and once they start playing this new game, she sees him a whole new light. (And to be honest, she’s always had a little crush on him)

Marc is Holly’s indecisive game customer (but is that to get Holly’s attention?) he comes in and they discuss the games. When he finally plucks up the courage to ask her out, it’s via text (but it’s the modern world and dares are now arranged that way, I suppose?) 

And after a couple of disastrous online chats, Holly needs to get out into the real world and date (can’t do it all online) 

So …… who will Holly choose? And what about the cheating thieving ex? You know somewhere along the line he’s going to make an appearance. Will she be sweet talked into letting him back into her life? 

I’ll have to be honest, I liked this one, but not as much as the first book (She’s Got Game) the characters bounced off of one another, where in this book, I don’t get that same feeling. 

I did like the game thought at the beginning of the chapter, but not sure I needed to hear so much about the Game they were playing. 

Reviewed by Julie B

Copy supplied for review

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A Lady Never Tells by Lynn Winchester – a Review

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A Lady Never Tells by Lynn Winchester – a Review

 

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Description:
Richard Downing may be a viscount of impeccable character, but he’s bored beyond belief of dancing at balls, faking smiles, and making dull conversation. So when he stumbles upon a house maid with defiance in her striking blue eyes and a dagger hidden in her skirts…well, color him intrigued.

Raised with a rather…peculiar upbringing, Lady Victoria Daring is full of secrets and surprises. As part of His Majesty’s personal homeland spy network and as a master of disguises, Vic is charged with infiltrating high society to uncover the enemies hiding in plain sight.

But Richard is the first man to see through her disguises–and infiltrate deep into her heart. Too bad his family is at the top of her list of suspects…

 

 

Review:

A Lady Never Tells by Lynn Winchester is a Regency Historical Romance standalone.  A female Victorian spy (that’s a new one on me) thinking it might be part of a new series.

Victoria works with her family, but it’s not a normal family business…. Victoria is a spy!! She works infiltrating London’s society scene (finding out who are traitors to the crown) she a fighter and a good one, she’s also a master of disguise (going undercover is part of the job) her siblings have done their jobs, it’s now her turn……

Richard is bored….. bored with his endless existence. Bored with the same faces, going to the same homes, dancing with the same people. So when he comes across a young maid (he literally bumps into her) he’s curious, and later he sees her again, she has a dagger. Well that has him very intrigued. Who is she? And what is she up to?

Meeting Richard is not on Victoria‘s agenda, she’s here to gather information and he’s getting in the way!! And more importantly he’s on the family’s list of people to spy on!!!

Will Richard find out about the double life Victoria leads? And what will he think when he finds out she’s investigating his family?

The differences in Victoria and Richard’s family life is very different. Victoria came from a large family with lots of love and laughter. Her father brought his daughters up to think for themselves and to have an opinion. Richard had only his brother, his family life sounds very cold and lonely. So meeting Victoria was probably like a breath of fresh air, she isn’t like the rest of the London society, she has a mind of her own, and isn’t afraid to speak out, and to see a woman fight was a novel experience for him too.

I liked the characters very much, and hope to read more of Victoria’s siblings. The writing felt a little stilted at times, and it could have had a little more action, but other than that a nice afternoon read.

Reviewed by Julie B

Copy provided by Publisher

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Exercise is Murder by Carolyn Arnold -a Review

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Exercise is Murder by Carolyn Arnold -a Review

 

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Description
Getting in shape isn’t an easy walk in the park…..

Running junkie Katie Carpenter takes a tumble down a ravine and ends up facedown in the Hudson River. The police conclude her death was an accident, but those who were close to Katie aren’t buying that she just tripped and fell—including her pro-athlete boyfriend. But it’s Katie’s fitness trainer and friend who hires the McKinleys to investigate. 

Anything but an easy case to solve, Sean and Sara will break a sweat trying to figure out who had the most to gain from the young woman’s death. Sadly for Sean most of the evidence seems stacked against Katie’s boyfriend—a man Sean idolizes. Can he put aside being starstruck long enough to view things objectively? If Katie’s killer is going to be caught, he and Sara will need to remain flexible and it might require bending the rules a bit.

Romance. Humor. Murder. Are you looking for a murder mystery without all the graphic violence and foul language? Something that you can enjoy in an afternoon and walk away feeling good about afterward? 

How about a dash of humor and romance? If so, meet former detectives Sean and Sara McKinley. 

When a billionaire leaves them all his money, they no longer have to work, but they find themselves sticking to what they’re good at—solving murders. Undercover, off the books, and around the world, they’ll get to the bottom of things…and romance it up along the way.

 Read in any order or follow the series from the beginning: 
The Day Job is Murder
Vacation is Murder
Money is Murder
Politics is Murder
Family is Murder
Shopping is Murder
Christmas is Murder
Valentine’s Day is Murder
Coffee is Murder
Skiing is Murder
Halloween is Murder
Exercise is Murder

 

Review:

Exercise is Murder by Carolyn Arnold is the 12th book in her McKinley Mysteries series. I haven’t read any of the previous books, but they are all different stories, so you don’t have to read them in any order. 

Sean and Sara are investigators for “Pay It Forward Investigations”  (Quick recap) Sara and Sean used to work for Albany police department, and they would still be there if it hadn’t been for Sean and a random act of kindness to an elderly gentleman. And who in turn paid it forward ….. The man was in fact a multimillionaire, and so Sean and Sara were rich overnight……

The couple are called in after a murder involving a runner is committed. (Their personal trainer has asked for they’re help) 

There aren’t many suspects, and sadly for Sean his idol is in the frame (Levi is a pitcher for a baseball team)  

The police have closed the case and called it an accident, but Sean wants to find out more, the more he listens to the detective, the more he thinks they aren’t really interested, it’s an open and shut case!!!! 

As the case evolves, both Sean and Sara are convinced it wasn’t an accident. If it was Levi, then why? 

I have to admit I’m not usually a fan of husband and wife duo’s (I instantly think of the old 80’s telly series “Hart to Hart”) but I was pleasantly surprised, it’s really well written, Sean and Sara bounce along pretty well. Plenty of laughs and a few surprises. And the fact they don’t have a perfect marriage (Sara finds out that Sean is a huge sports fan and kept it from her) it doesn’t seem like much, but if it’s important to Sean then Sara wants to know, she feels a little hurt, is there anything else he’s hiding? Is there more to her husband than meets the eye? 

We have a few characters that have been in previous books, and they all seem relevant to the story (nothing worse than having people that aren’t really needed in the story) 

It’s a short story, so it won’t take long to find out whodunnit. 

And the murderer is ….. Well you will have to read to find that bit out?

Reviewed by Julie B

Copy supplied for review

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