Ricochet by Keri Lake-a review

RICOCHET by Keri Lake-a review

Ricochet

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 9, 2015

The only sure way to destroy a man is to take what he cannot live without.

Three years ago, I had everything.

A beautiful wife.
A son.
A reason for living.

Until a ruthless task force, assembled under Mayor Michael Culling, with a brutal strategy to make the streets of Detroit ‘safe’, ripped away everything I loved in a deadly hunt called The Culling.

They tried to kill me, too. I wish they had. Now I’m cursed by the memories of that night, and the words I whispered to my dying wife.

A promise—to avenge the wrong and set it right.

I’m no longer Nick Ryder. I’m a masked vigilante. Faceless. Loveless. Fearless. A man with nothing left to lose—one who’s seen the dark and violent truth behind the city’s flawless veneer.

Michael Culling doesn’t know who I am. Or what I want. All he knows is that I’ve kidnapped his beautiful wife.

An eye for an eye—isn’t that how the saying goes? And Aubree Culling is the perfect pawn to destroy him.

If she doesn’t destroy me first.

WARNING: **Not recommended for readers under the age of 18 due to graphic violence, sex and strong language. Trigger warning for self harm.

•••••••••••

REVIEW: RICOCHET is a contemporary, adult, standalone, dark romance from author Keri Lake focusing on revenge and retribution. This is former computer game designer Nick Ryder, and abuse counselor Aubree Culling’s storyline. The storyline is set in the dark and seedy underbelly of Detroit’s criminal element and the political elite who believe themself above the law.

Told from alternating first person points of view (Aubree and Nick) as well as several third person perspectives RICOCHET follows Nick Ryder as he seeks revenge for the murder of his wife and son, and the horrific nightmare that has been left in its’ place. Three years earlier Nick walked into a brutal massacre, of which, his beautiful wife and son did not survive. With Nick left for dead, the killers set the house ablaze and walked away without a second glance. What ensues is a dark, gritty and graphically violent plan to take down everyone responsible including the people calling the shots. Enter Aubree Culling-Mayor Michael Culling’s wife, and the perfect target to start Nick’s vendetta.

Aubree Culling is the mayor’s wife, and therefore, guilty by association. As Nick sets his sights on destroying Mayor Culling, Aubree will be abducted and held hostage while Nick sets his plan into motion. But Aubree has a secret, one that Nick will soon discover, pushing our anti-hero to avenge the woman with whom he is falling in love. There is a slight ‘Stockholm Syndrome’ or ‘Capture Bonding’ feel to the storyline wherein our heroine will fall for the man holding her hostage.

RICOCHET is a graphically violent storyline about a man obsessed with vengeance against those that destroyed his life. Nick Ryder is a one man vigilante; a broken soul who continues to suffer with the pain and grief, and the memories of the suffering inflicted upon the people that he loves. Nick is a man, who without remorse or guilt sets into motion a plan to avenge the murders of his wife and son. He is ruthless and unforgiving; no one will survive his need for retribution. The only thing grounding Nick is his growing love for the woman he holds hostage but Nick never expected to survive at the end.

I am not from Michigan but I grew up aware of Detroit’s reputation as the ‘murder capital of USA’ and the ‘Devil’s Night’ path of destruction and chaos. Our family would watch the fall out from a night where the criminal element, as well as the copy-cats who destroyed a little bit more of the city of Detroit. Keri Lake weaves a fictional tale of retaliation that is centered in and around the Devil’s Night pandemonium and anarchy on the streets-a ‘free for all’ that was all but ignored by the political structure and law enforcement of one of America’s most dangerous cities.

RICOCHET is a story about retribution and revenge; acceptance and moving forward; falling in love and never letting go. It is also about two people whose lives are forever connected; scarred; and emotionally ravaged. The premise is dark, gritty, raw and graphic; the characters damaged, brutal and destroyed; the romance intense and all –consuming. There is a happily ever after but one that comes with a price that is the reality of Nick Ryder.

Copy supplied by Netgalley.

Reviewed by Sandy

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Soul Resurrected by Keri Lake-Blog Tour and Giveaway

Soul Resurrected by Keri Lake-Blog Tour and Giveaway

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Soul Resurrected
Sons of Wrath #2
by Keri Lake
Release Date: October 31, 2013
Genre: paranormal, UF, adult

SoulResurrectedCover

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble /

As Wrath’s fiercest son, Logan carries the scars of fifty years spent in the most dreaded prison of the underworld, for a sin he’d kill to keep secret. Enduring decades of gruesome torture has left Logan feared by and detached from others, until a female Alexi’s blood resurrects his soul from death and, with it, the pleasures he’s been denied for so long.

Plagued by shame of her own, Calla is drawn to the ruthless demon, Logan, whose insatiable craving for her touch rouses buried passions and, for once, leaves her feeling desired.

A dark and dangerous evil has been reawakened, however, and when Calla is drawn too close to its breeding grounds, Logan vows to summon the violence of Wrath in order to keep her safe. First, though, Calla must save him from a past riddled with deceit and corruption … but only if she can accept the chilling consequences of unearthing his vilest skeleton.

Sons of Wrath
Never gamble with vengeance …

Review:

Detached. That is the first word that comes to mind for me to describe Logan as this book starts. He has literally been through hell and brought back to life by Calla. To say he is angry at the world is an understatement, but, once you find out his back story, you can totally understand his anger and his detachment. The shame he carries is unfathomable, and when he finds himself attracted to Calla, he tries everything in his power to scare her and push her away. And, he almost succeeds……………

Calla finds herself at a crossroads. Her Alexi group has been disbanded and she is taken in by the Sons of Wrath after she saved Logan. She has one thing on her mind: vengeance. One of her fellow Alexi contributed to her brother’s death and she has vowed to track him down and make him pay. But when she finds herself attracted to the enigma that is Logan, Son of Wrath, she is oh so tempted………

There is A LOT going on in this book. There is a species of “supes”, known as the Sang, thought long extinct that has been brought back by a nefarious group that can lead to the ultimate destruction of everyone, human and supe alike. Once things start going askew, the Brothers (Sons of Wrath) head out to engage the enemy, whom they think are the Lycans. Little do know that the Sang are adding to their numbers and using the Lycans to bait the Brothers. Or, is it the Brothers that they ultimately want?

Once the story unfolds, the action is pretty much nonstop. And brutal. The torture that some of the beings in this book endure is very graphic. The bad guys are B.A.D. But, once the Brothers finally figure out exactly what is going on, they move heaven and earth, and the underworld, to make things right. And, once Logan and Calla learn each other’s darkest secrets, they know absolutely that they belong to each other.

The premise of this story is a good one, but I had a little trouble following at times. Like I said, there is A LOT going on in this one. With that said, it was an enjoyable read, but very dark and not something that would usually pique my interest. I enjoyed the interaction of the Brothers and really liked Logan and Calla’s interaction as well. I also have to admit that when Calla finally learns Logan’s secret, I teared up. I loved the way that Calla stood up for Logan and his humble acceptance of her love for him. And the mating ceremony at the end? Very well done.

If you’re looking for something edgy and dark with a little twist, this one is for you.

Copy supplied by the author

Reviewed by Vickie M.

excerpt

Calla followed behind Bennett, stepping out onto the freshly fallen snow of the back property. Sunlight flickered like diamonds across the enormous yard. Snow had begun to melt, leaving small patches where browning grass peeked through. The edges of the property continued beyond, as if it stretched on forever.

Something emerged from the forest to the left.Large. Dark. Ghastly. It charged toward the two of them with two more joining up at each flank. Bennett stepped in front of Calla and walked out to meet the enormous hounds.

Hellhounds.

Nothing about them looked intimidating as they sniffed Bennett and trotted behind at his heels, back in her direction.

Calla’s breath hitched the closer they approached and the clearer their form came into view. Bones peeked through matted and gnarled fur, and exposed flesh pocked their coats. No dog in creation compared to the hounds. Not even the lycans. Bigger with red, menacing eyes, and unmistakably hellspawn, each beast carried its own intimidating dark aura.

… yet yielded at Bennett’s command. All three sat in a perfect row, like soldiers, standing at attention.

“The larger one in the center is Magnus.” Bennett pointed as he spoke. “The other two are Zeus and Diesel.”

“Interesting names.”

Without the slightest bit of humor, Bennett glanced over. “Master Gavin can be rather unconventional.”

The low rumble of growls indicated the dogs weren’t entirely sold on Calla. A snarl warned she’d better not try to pet one.

Bennett barked something in a language Calla didn’t recognize. The dog quieted and Ben turned to her and spoke in the common word, “You’ve been introduced. I suspect they’ll leave you alone now.”

“You suspect?”

“Humans aren’t much sport to them.” He arched a deformed brow. “Too easy a kill.” A wave of his hands and all three dogs retreated back toward the woods.

“Thank you, Bennett.”

“Of course.” He turned back toward her as if to return to the house. “Will that be all, miss?”

“Yeah Ben, thanks again.” Calla cautiously ambled out into the yard, a shiver running down her spine as the cold seeped into her bones.

A wall of leaves and vine created a path that Calla followed through the maze. Her skin prickled, as if something trailed her steps and she glanced back. Tracking a few yards behind, Magnus’ red glowing eyes zeroed in on her.

Calla’s stomach tightened. Something in those eyes, though, suggested only curiosity, as the hound didn’t approach, but instead sat back on its haunches, seeming to wait. She continued on.

Cloaked from the sun, the inside of the maze made a dark and eerie intrusion on her mind, giving the illusion that it could have been night, if not for the rays of light filtering through the branches. With slow and cautious steps she advanced deeper into darkness. Tingles crawled her spine and she rubbed her arms to settle the goose bumps forming on her skin, her eyes searching the foliage all the while, waiting for something to jump out. Nothing. A crackle echoed from behind and Calla spun around, dagger drawn and pointed … at Magnus. She straightened from her defensive stance and tipped her head. Eye to eye, they stood only a few yards from each other—as if both unsure whether to trust the other. She sheathed the dagger and huffed. “If you’re going to follow me, quit with the sneaking up. Got it, dog?”

Magnus’ eye twitched.

Calla backed up a couple of steps before carrying on. The hound kept his distance, but continued to follow. Growling brought Calla to a halt A warning? Was she going somewhere she shouldn’t? She looked over her shoulder, staring at the dog, puzzling his intent. Pins and needles intensified across her skin. Her stomach clenched.

“What have we here?” A ghostly whisper in her ear forced her back a step.

Keri Lake

about the author

Keri LakeKeri Lake is a married mother of two living in Michigan. She writes paranormal romance, urban fantasy and loves a good, tragic love story. Though novels tend to be her focus, she also writes short stories and flash fiction whenever distraction manages to suck her in to the Land of Shiny Things.
When she isn’t toiling away on plots and protagonists, she enjoys reading, music and travel. If she could create mystical powers for herself, she’d have the ability to flash to anywhere in the world. And if she could flash to anywhere in the world at this very moment, she’d be staring at the ocean from her adirondack chair on the shores of North Carolina.

Website:  http://www.kerilake.com
Twitter:  http://twitter.com/KeriLake
Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/KeriLakeAuthor
Pinterest:  http://www.pinterest.com/kerilake/
Goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5335601.Keri_Lake
Amazon Author Page:  http://www.amazon.com/Keri-Lake/e/B006VY7EM6

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NOTE: The Reading Cafe is NOT responsible for the rafflecopter giveaway. If you have any questions, please contact the author.

GIVEAWAY is open INTERNATIONALLY

1st Prize:

1-$30 Amazon Gift card
1-Signed Paperback Soul Resurrected (Sons of Wrath, #2)
1-Limited Edition Print signed by Julian Christian & Keri Lake
1-Property of Logan T-Shirt
1-Soul Resurrected Tote Bag
1-Soul Resurrected Notebook & Pen set
1-Sons of Wrath Wine Glass Charm set
1-Soul Resurrected Book Mark
1-Soul Resurrected Coffee Mug

2nd Prize:

1-$20 Amazon Gift Card
1-Signed Paperback Soul Resurrected (Sons of Wrath, #2)
1-Soul Resurrected Tote
1-Soul Resurrected Notebook & Pen set
1-Soul Resurrected Purse Clip
1-Sons of Wrath Wine Glass Charm set

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Keri Lake-Soul Avenged Guest Post and Blog Tour

Keri Lake-Soul Avenged Blog Tour

SoulAvengedBlogTour
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Keri Lake-Guest Post on Writing

For a working mom of two, squeezing in a few hours here and there for writing can be close to impossible.  Throw in laundry, grocery shopping and long commutes and well, some days are just more difficult than others.  I suppose this is why my muse tends to take an ‘on call’ status—front and center when I’m ready to roll.  Don’t get me wrong, there are days when I can’t summon a single sentence and begin to question silly things like the spelling of simple words.  Fortunately, those occasions are few and for the most part, I get cooperation from my imaginative half.

So how does a book manage to get written in the thick of this war zone?

Simple.  I wake up at ungodly hours.

My alarm goes off at four sometimes three in the morning—well before I have to get up and on with my day.  With peace and quiet (and a really strong pot of coffee), I can crank out 3-4,000K words in a sitting.  I’ll blame my half-asleep state for the dark nature of my stories at that hour.  If there’s time later in the evening to throw some words on the page, I might squeeze in another 1-2K.

Soul Avenged was written in six weeks.  In part, based on excitement for the characters and the storyline—I couldn’t wait to get up in the morning to finish scenes from the night before.  The other part was recognizing that I wasn’t really supposed to be indulging this little distraction.  I was supposed to be writing the second book of my Halos trilogy.

Did I mention that I’m easily distracted?

Like a kid with her hand in the cookie jar, I scrambled to write this book as fast as I could get it out of my head, the characters prodding me along all the while.  I kept a notebook beside the bed for those last minute details I knew I’d forget by morning.  I like to visualize the very final scene in the book—it keeps me galloping like a maniac toward the finish line.  And the end of Soul Avenged was plotted well before anything in between.

My method of writing wouldn’t appeal to most.  The first drafts ain’t pretty—lots of dialogue and very few descriptions of anything.  The idea is to write as fast as I can for as long as the muse is game.  For my hectic lifestyle and me though, it works.  It gets stories written—maybe even a little faster than if I had all the time in the world to do nothing but write them.

Keri

SoulAvenged

ORDER: Amazon/ Barnes and Noble / Amazon.uk / Smashwords

SOUL AVENGED (Sons of Wrath, #1)
By: Keri Lake
Release Date:  February 6, 2013
Genre:  Adult Paranormal Romance/Dark Urban Fantasy
ISBN:  978-0-9848517-3-7
Number of pages:  533

ABOUT THE BOOK

Passion is blind in vengeance and love …

Ayden’s suburban home was invaded by a pack of Lycans.

The brutal attack is the only memory she carries of her former life.

Now, one motive burns in her soul:

KILL THEM ALL.

The Sons of Wrath—a brood of vengeance-dealing warrior demons—band with Ayden to hunt the Lycans on Detroit’s most deadly feeding grounds.

Kane Walker should’ve been her easiest kill.

Unfortunately, the newly bitten Lycan has something she wants—clues that may finally lay her past to rest. To reach them, she must be willing to submit to the sensual pleasures awakened by his touch.

Time is running out.

In seven days, Kane will become what Ayden despises most. She can halt his transformation but the antidote requires the ultimate sacrifice. As the beast takes hold, Kane becomes more of a threat.

Ayden must choose between her lust for revenge, or surrender to her enemy and discover a horrible truth.

Sons of Wrath
Never gamble with vengeance

****************

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Keri Lake

Follow Keri: Goodreads / Website / Twitter/ Facebook

Keri Lake is a married mother of two living in Michigan. She writes paranormal romance, urban fantasy and loves a good, tragic love story. Though novels tend to be her focus, she also writes short stories and flash fiction whenever distraction manages to suck her in to the Land of Shiny Things.

When she isn’t toiling away on plots and protagonists, she enjoys reading, music and travel. If she could create mystical powers for herself, she’d have the ability to flash to anywhere in the world. And if she could flash to anywhere in the world at this very moment, she’d be staring at the ocean from her adirondack chair on the shores of North Carolina.

Blog-Tour-Schedule-blue

 

February 6

Lola’s Reviews
Bookaroo-Ju
Delphina Reads Too Much
Romancing the Dark Side

February 7

K-Books
Scribbler’s Sojourn
Talk Supe

FEBRUARY 8

J.A. Belfield
A Simple Love of Reading
Bawdy Book Blog

FEBRUARY 9

Reading Infection

FEBRUARY 10

Bianca2b

FEBRUARY 11

Booked & Loaded
Reading Between the Wines
I Smell Sheep

FEBRUARY 12

Readaholics Reviews

FEBRUARY 13

PRUFReads Blog
The Jeep Diva

FEBRUARY 14

Rabid Reads

FEBRUARY 15

Jocelyn Adams

FEBRUARY 16

Paranormal Reads

FEBRUARY 18

Bitten by Paranormal Romance

FEBRUARY 19

Book Monster Reviews

FEBRUARY 20

Carolyn Brown Blog
The Autumn Review
Grave Tells News & Reviews

FEBRUARY 21

Twimom227

FEBRUARY 22

Paranormal Itch Reviews

FEBRUARY 23

Better Read Than Dead

FEBRUARY 24

Jean BookNerd

FEBRUARY 25

Paranormal Book Club

FEBRUARY 26

Urban Fantasy Reviews

FEBRUARY 27

Moonlight Gleam Bookshelf

FEBRUARY 28

The Reading Cafe

March 1

Book Lovin’ Mamas
Synchronized Reading

MARCH 2

Pages of Forbidden Love

MARCH 3

Awesomesauce Books

MARCH 4

Herding Cats & Burning Soup

Paranormal Cravings

MARCH 5

Under the Covers

MARCH 6

Fictional Candy

 

Soul Avenged Blog Tour “Fire & Ice” Giveaway Info:

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Grand Prize:  (Valued at approximately $280)

1-Kindle Fire HD (approximate value $199)

1-Signed Paperback Soul Avenged (Sons of Wrath, #1)

1-Sons of Wrath t-shirt

1-Sons of Wrath coffee mug

1-Soul Avenged Notebook

1st Runner-Up:  (Valued at approximately $75)

1-$25 iTunes giftcard

1-Signed Paperback Soul Avenged (Sons of Wrath, #1)

1-Sons of Wrath t-shirt

1-Sons of Wrath coffee mug

1-Sons of Wrath notebook

2nd Runner-Up: (Valued at approximately $35)

1-Signed Paperback Soul Avenged (Sons of Wrath, #1)

1-Sons of Wrath t-shirt

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Soul Avenged by Keri Lake-a review

Soul Avenged (Sons of Wrath #1) by Keri Lake-a review

SoulAvenged

ORDER: Amazon/ Barnes and Noble / Amazon.uk / Smashwords

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 13, 2013

Passion is blind in vengeance and love …
Ayden’s suburban home was invaded by a pack of Lycans.
The brutal attack is the only memory she carries of her former life.
Now, one motive burns in her soul:

KILL THEM ALL.

The Sons of Wrath—a brood of vengeance-dealing warrior demons—band with Ayden to hunt the Lycans on Detroit’s most deadly feeding grounds.
Kane Walker should’ve been her easiest kill.
Unfortunately, the newly bitten Lycan has something she wants—clues that may finally lay her past to rest. To reach them, she must be willing to submit to the sensual pleasures awakened by his touch.

Time is running out.

In seven days, Kane will become what Ayden despises most. She can halt his transformation but the antidote requires the ultimate sacrifice. As the beast takes hold, Kane becomes more of a threat.
Ayden must choose between her lust for revenge, or surrender to her enemy and discover a horrible trut

*********************

REVIEW: Long ago, Demons and Lycans have lived in harmony… Until one kind, humans, decided to change that. For the Lycans, it is to dominate or be dominated. And some have become ruthless, because of their nature that their numbers have suspiciously climbed. To control the growth of the Lycan population; and for other personal reasons, a mad scientist, General Jackson Wade, created an almost indestructible human army…the Alexi soldiers.

As a rule, Alexi soldiers are forbidden to pursue any of their personal vengeance. But Ayden isn’t just any other Alexi soldier. She is General Wade’s first and prized immortal creation to succeed. In addition, he alters the Alexi’s memories so they only remember the last few minutes of their attack. A fuel when it comes to combats with the Lycans. That memory alone and the mentality that she does not belong to no one, has made her decide to leave the compound and to seek revenge. Partnering up with the Sons of Wrath, demon warriors of vengeance, they have managed to eliminate a significant number of Lycans in the Detroit city. Still, something did not seem right…

Kane Walker, a Director for the Children’s Cancer Institute, has only days before he becomes one of Ayden’s most hated enemy. But with any physical contact with Ayden, images will flash in her mind. A memory? Hers, or the Lycan who had killed her? She does not know, and she’s determined to find out; promising his death in the end before his final transformation. However, going through with this new mission might mean a disaster to the rest of her Alexi life. So is she ready to find out the truth? And what will she do to Kane as he brings forth warm sensual feelings that are foreign yet pleasant to her?

SOUL AVENGED is the first novel of Keri Lakes new series the Sons of Wrath. As was stated above, Wrath demons are warriors of vengeance, they are the sons of the demon Prince, Wrath. They are responsible to punish those who have wronged on earth. Furthermore, they don’t make deals, rather they make contracts. That was how Ayden happened to be under their protection and has become her partners when seeking out to eradicate the Lycans.

This novel contains some gruesome scenes as are shown in horror films. As detailed as it was, the scene did not bother me…but for a reader with a weak stomach, might be a different story. This was an exciting and entertaining read. Although it’s Ayden’s and Kane’s story, meeting the sons of Wrath (Gavin, Logan, Calix, Zeke and his twin brother Zayne) makes it a quintuple excitement because they must find their Tazschla (mate) or suffer the Sovidon where it forces them to choose a mate to ensure the continuation of their species.

Copy supplied by the author

Review by Neni

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Cover Reveals-December 22, 2012

COVER REVEALS-December 22, 2012

 

TITLE: The Lost

AUTHOR: Vicki Petterson

SERIES: Celestial Blues

RELEASE DATE: March 2013

 

 

 

 

 

TITLE: Shadow Falls (The Beginning)

AUTHOR: C.C. Hunter

SERIES: Shadow Falls

RELEASE DATE: 2013

 

 

 

TITLE: Immortal Seduction

AUTHOR: Jennifer Lynne

SERIES: Gods of Love #4

RELEASE DATE: March 2013

 

 

 

 

TITLE: The Key Inheritance

AUTHOR: Jen McConnel

SERIES: N/A

RELEASE DATE: January 2013

 

 

 

 

TITLE: Harmonia’s Kiss

AUTHOR: Deborah Cooke

SERIES: Dragonfire 4.5 Novella

RELEASE DATE:  July 2010

For everyone that is a fan of Deborah’s Cooke DRAGONFIRE series, HARMONIA’S KISS is a novella featuring some of the Dragon Teeth Warriors but Deborah released a NEW COVER this week.

ORDER LINKS: amazon/ Barnes and Noble

Enchanted for thousands of years, the shape-shifters known as the Dragon’s Teeth Warriors have awakened to find the world a vastly different place. Their leader, concerned for their morale, dares to take them on a mission to confront the fullness of everything they’ve lost. Little does Drake realize that this dangerous mission will give him a renewed purpose. And if they succeed these Pyr will have to question everything they thought they knew about the past-and confront a quest for the future

 

TITLE: A Kiss of Blood

AUTHOR: Pamela Palmer

SERIES: Vamp City

RELEASE DATE: June 2013

 

 

 

 

TITLE: Dire Desires

AUTHOR: Stephanie Tyler

SERIES: Eternal Wolf Clan

RELEASE DATE: July 2013

 

 

 

 

TITLE: Must Love Fangs

AUTHOR: Jessica Sims

SERIES: Midnight Liaisons

RELEASE DATE: August 2013

 

 

 

 

TITLE: Soul Avenged

AUTHOR: Keri Lake

SERIES: Sons of Wrath #1

RELEASE DATE: 2013

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