Embryo 3 & 4 by J.A.Schneider -reviews

Embryo 3: Raney & Levine by J.A. Schneider-a review

About the book:Release Date February 14, 2014

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Another doctors-&-cops adrenalin-packed thriller: First, tension enters Jill’s & David’s relationship over what to do about newborn Jesse. They both love him, but David feels that he’d be safer adopted anonymously. Suddenly their stress turns to horror when they discover that a murderous religious zealot is after both Jesse – whom he calls “devil spawn” – and Jill & David’s hospital which he calls “the devil’s workshop which must be destroyed!” This time, the whole hospital is threatened… Jill and David join forces with the police in a terrifying race to track down a killer, and to prevent an unthinkable catastrophe.

Review:

Dr. Jill Raney & Dr. David Levine just can’t catch a break…………. As they try to decide what would be best for baby Jesse, murder surrounds them again. Someone is targeting pregnant women who have sought infertility treatment at the world renowned hospital where they work. It doesn’t take long for them, and the police with whom they’ve become all too familiar with, to figure out that a psychotic, religious fanatic is not happy with the work being performed at the hospital. And, once they figure out that Jesse is also a target, they both agree that no one else could love and care for him as they could.

As they start the process of trying to figure out whom this crazy person is targeting their patients, they soon figure out that they too are in the crosshairs, as well as their hospital. And as they’ve proved in the previous stories, they will do anything to keep the ones they love safe. But, as terror grips the city, will Jill and David be able to figure out who is behind all of the craziness and keep themselves safe as well? Well my friends, you’ll just have to read and find out!

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Embryo 4: Catch Me by J.A. Schneider-a review

About the book: Release Date September 8, 2014

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A terrifying serial killer who just targets couples, and leaves taunting notes for the NYPD signed CATCH ME… At a loss, police request the help of doctors Jill Raney and David Levine, police friends and detectives on their own. Both have helped when cops’ hands are tied, or in ways that even police forensics never imagined.

But this killer, a sharp shooter, is always a step ahead. He wears gloves and disguises, shoots victim pairs at random with an unregistered gun, and leaves no physical evidence or eyewitnesses. He’s enraged to hear that David is also a crack shot, and intrigued with the couple’s adopted little son, Jesse, almost one year old, dubbed by the media “the miracle baby,” and already showing signs that he is as intuitive as his mother…

The killer draws closer, gripping New York City and the entire nation in horror, pulling Jill and David into the worst terror they have yet encountered.

Review:

Catch Me begins with a horrific attack in Central Park, as there is a serial killer on the loose, one who is targeting couples. Even though his past targets had both been killed, only one was fatally wounded in this particular attack. Beth, a veteran who was pregnant, survived the attack, as did her little boy, Ricky. Once she is taken to the hospital, Jill and David get involved with the case. They are becoming all too comfortable with things like this and working with the police, with whom they’ve become friends.

The killing escalates quickly and David is soon contacted by the killer who taunts him with “catch me”. They soon realize that the killer is insinuating himself into situations where he mingles with some of the doctors and nurses, which puts everyone on edge.

The anticipation surrounding Jesse’s first birthday has everyone abuzz as well. But as they prepare for Jesse’s party and presentation, for lack of a better word (there will be press and medical types there to see his progress), and the killing escalates, tensions rise. They’ve figured out that he has killed everyone he’s targeted, except for Beth. Is this someone out to torment her, or did he make a mistake? And, as David and Jill are drawn deeper into the intrigue, they question everything. Will Jesse’s big day go off without a hitch? Or, will the catch me killer see his demented fantasies come true? I hate to say it again, but, you’ll have to read to find out!

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J.A. Schneider does a masterful job with her characters stories. As I’ve said before about her books, they start with the first word. She doesn’t go off on tangents that don’t pertain to a specific character or plot point. She simply tells their stories. Not that the stories are simple at all! There is intrigue and suspense weaved into the life and death story that she tells in each book. Her characters are totally relatable, but I will say that the bad guys in these last two books blurred a bit for me. Even though they had different “triggers”, they were awfully similar. I love that we’re getting to see Jesse’s progress as well and the bond that is developing between he and his mom and dad. The cast of supporting characters are great as well. (And, I’m glad to see that the book covers are progressing as this series evolves.) If you love medical drama and suspenseful thrillers, these are definitely for you! I look forward to the next installment……

Click HERE for Vickie’s review of EMBRYO 2

Reviewed by Vickie M

Copies supplied by the author