Tag Archives: Misted Pines

The Woman by the Lake (Misted Pines 3) by Kristen Ashley-review

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The Woman by the Lake (Misted Pines 3) by Kristen Ashley-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 11, 2024

Nadia Williams needs somewhere peaceful to sort through her grief after her mother is brutally murdered. She finds a cozy cabin at the side of a tranquil lake in the quaint town of Misted Pines in the Pacific Northwest.

The minute she arrives, she knows it’s perfect.

The very night of her arrival, however, someone—or something—is scratching at her window.

The next morning, she meets her one and only neighbor, Doc Riggs. He’s a rough, good-time guy who rubs Nadia wrong immediately. They clash, and neither of them are happy to be sharing their lake.

But soon, Nadia learns the lore around her cabin, and how the townsfolk are certain it’s haunted by the ghost of the man who was murdered there fifteen years before.

Riggs and Nadia are suddenly thrown into a tangled web of history, betrayal, grief, secrets, with only one thing certain.

Someone—or something—wants them off that lake.

••••

REVIEW:THE WOMAN BY THE LAKE is the third instalment in Kristen Ashley’s contemporary, adult MISTED PINES romantic suspense series focusing on the people of Misted Pines. This is single father and contractor Andrew ‘Doc’ Riggs, and primary school teacher Nadia Williams’ story line. THE WOMAN BY THE LAKE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary..

Told from first person perspectives (Nadia) and third person (Riggs) THE WOMAN BY THE LAKE follows Nadia Williams as she takes a leave of absence from her job, escaping the memories left behind in Chicago, Renting a cabin by the lake in Misted Pines, Nadia would come face to face with her neighbor, contractor Doc Riggs, the man with whom Nadia would fall in love but all was not well in Misted Pines, and the cabin she was renting would become the focus of ghost stories, hauntings, and a case of unsolved murders. As Nadia, Riggs, and Sheriff Harry Moran began to research the history of a family murder, Riggs would find himself embroiled in his own family squabble with the mother of his nine year old son. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Nadia and Riggs, and the potential fall-out as our couple, and the town of Misted Pines must reconsider what happened in the past and why.

The world building follows several paths; is detailed and intriguing as Misted Pines holds too many demons that have yet to let go. Add the usual small -town gossip and busybodies, as well as those who deem themselves above everyone else, and our couple must contend with secrets and gossip wherever they go.

The relationships between Nadia and Riggs begins acrimoniously as Riggs is known to throw obnoxiously loud parties. Nadia was hoping for to take time to rest, relax and reconsider her future but never expected to find herself falling for a man, and his nine year old son. The $ex scenes are passionate and intimate without the use of over the opt, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, enthusiastic and often questionable secondary and supporting characters. We are witness to the return of Cade and Delphine (The Girl in the Mist 1), Rus Lazarus (The Girl in the Woods) as well as Sheriff Harry Moran. We are introduced to Riggs’ son Ledger, as well as Rigg’s mom Gail, and friends Storm and Viggo, Bubbles and Lucille, Rigg’s questionable ex Angelina, and several local residents of Misted Pines.

THE WOMAN BY THE LAKE is a story of secrets and lies, murder and mystery, betrayal and obsession, family and friendships, relationships and love. The thought provoking premise is intriguing, haunting and dramatic; the romance is seductive and intense; the characters are stubborn, honest and charismatic

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
The Girl in the Mist
The Girl in the Woods

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

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Kristen Ashley was born in Gary, Indiana, USA. She nearly killed her mother and herself making it into the world, seeing as she had the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck (already attempting to accessorise and she hadn’t taken her first breath!).

Kristen grew up in Brownsburg, Indiana but has lived in Denver, Colorado and the West Country of England. Thus she has been blessed to have friends and family around the globe. Her posse is loopy (to say the least) but loopy is good when you want to write.

Kristen was raised in a house with a large and multi-generational family. They lived on a very small farm in a small town in the heartland and existed amongst the strains of Glenn Miller, The Everly Brothers, REO Speedwagon and Whitesnake (and the wardrobes that matched).

Needless to say, growing up in a house full of music, clothes and love was a good way to grow up.

And as she keeps growing up, it keeps getting better.

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THE GIRL IN THE WOODS (Misted Pines 2) by Kristen Ashley-review

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THE GIRL IN THE WOODS (Misted Pines 2) by Kristen Ashley -review tour

 

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 21, 2023

This body would be the last for Zachariah Lazarus…

The Crystal Killer’s latest casualty was discovered in a sleepy town in the Pacific Northwest, Misted Pines.

His years in the FBI, and tracking the Crystal Killer, have taken their toll on Rus. He lost his marriage to the job. And the burdens he carries for the victims was crushing him.

Misted Pines has recently survived a killer’s rampage and a town scandal that made global news. The media was primed to devour a new story. So Rus already has his work cut out for him.

But it’s more.

Something is just not right with this latest victim.

As Rus works with the local sheriff to unravel the mystery, the victim’s employer, Lucinda Bonner, decides she’s going to do everything she can to help.

To help Rus find the killer. To help Rus survive the hunt. To help Rus navigate the intricate, and sometimes sordid, history of the town of Misted Pines.

And to help Rus let go of his burdens.

•••••••

REVIEW: THE GIRL IN THE WOODS is the second instalment in Kristen Ashley’s contemporary, adult MISTED PINES romantic, suspense, series focusing on the small town of Misted Pines in the Pacific Northwest. This is FBI investigator Zachariah ‘Rus’ Lazarus, and business woman Lucinda Bonner’s story line. THE GIRL IN THE WOODS can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from third person omniscient perspective (Rus) THE GIRL IN THE WOODS focuses on the search for a serial killer nicknamed the ‘Crystal Killer’ in the wake of leaving a crystal gem in the victim’s hands. Zachariah ‘Rus’ Lazarus has been working the Crystal Killer case for years, and a another possible victim has been found in the small town of Misted Pines but Rus isn’t positive that the new case is connected, and a possible copy-cat may have found a mark. As Rus begins to interview the people in the victim’s life, our hero will come face to face with business woman Lucinda Bonner, the victim’s boss, and sometimes mother like mentor. Rus never expected to lose his heart in Misted Pines but something about Lucinda drew Rus like a moth to a flame. As Rus and the local Sheriff’s department continue their investigation Rus suspects the killer is someone he knows, someone who is tied closely to our story line hero. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Rus and Lucinda, as Rus begins to ferret out the possibilities, and the real chance there is more than one killer for their current investigation.

The relationship between Lucinda and Rus begins when Rus must interview our story line heroine. Lucinda Bonner is a single mother, a business woman whose family has lived and worked in the town of Misted Pines for over one-hundred and fifty years. Zachariah ‘Rus’ Lazarus’ family history, like Lucinda’s, is questionable at best, and we are privy to the dark and dangerous backstories of two people who wanted more than their families had offered. As Rus continued to search for the truth, our hero must come to a decision about his career going forward. The $ex scenes are passionate and seductive but I dislike the use of a certain four-letter word, used only once, more for shock value and maturity rating.

We are introduced to several colorful secondary and supporting characters including Lucinda’s nine year old daughter Madden, and her father Jaegar; Rus’s adult children Acre and Sabrina, his ex Jennifer (via phone) as well as the return of former Green Beret, former FBI field agent, former profiler turned contractor and single father Cade Bohannan, his twenty-seven year old twins/private investigators Jesse and Jace Bohannan, as well as local law enforcement, gossips and the ‘coven, and questionable townies. The requisite evil has many faces.

THE GIRL IN THE WOODS is an intriguing and edgy mystery/murder/thriller of obsession and madness, power and control, family and friendships, relationships and love. The premise is dramatic, haunting and tragic; the characters are strong, animated and spirited; the romance is stirring and intimate.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one GIRL IN THE MIST

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Follow: Goodreads / Facebook / Website / Twitter

Kristen Ashley was born in Gary, Indiana, USA. She nearly killed her mother and herself making it into the world, seeing as she had the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck (already attempting to accessorise and she hadn’t taken her first breath!).

Kristen grew up in Brownsburg, Indiana but has lived in Denver, Colorado and the West Country of England. Thus she has been blessed to have friends and family around the globe. Her posse is loopy (to say the least) but loopy is good when you want to write.

Kristen was raised in a house with a large and multi-generational family. They lived on a very small farm in a small town in the heartland and existed amongst the strains of Glenn Miller, The Everly Brothers, REO Speedwagon and Whitesnake (and the wardrobes that matched).

Needless to say, growing up in a house full of music, clothes and love was a good way to grow up.

And as she keeps growing up, it keeps getting better.

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The Girl in the Mist (Misted Pines) by Kristen Ashley-Review Tour

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The Girl in the Mist (Misted Pines 1) by Kristen Ashley-Review Tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 4, 2022

Renowned author Delphine Larue needs a haven.

A crazed fan has gone over the deep end, and she’s not safe. Her security team has suggested a house by a lake. Secluded. Private. Far away. In a beautiful area of the Northwest close to the sleepy town of Misted Pines. It’s perfect. So perfect, Delphine has just moved in, and she’s thinking she’ll stay there forever.

Until she sees the girl in the mist.

After that, everything changes.

Delphine quickly learns that Misted Pines isn’t so sleepy. A little girl has gone missing, and the town is in the grips of terror and tragedy. The local sheriff isn’t up for the job. The citizens are up in arms. And as the case unfolds, the seedy underbelly of a quiet community is exposed, layer by layer.

But most importantly, girls are dying.

There seems to be only one man they trust to find out what’s happening.

The mysterious Cade Bohannan.

•••••••

REVIEW:THE GIRL IN THE MIST is the first instalment in Kristen Ashley’s contemporary,adult MISTED PINES romantic, suspense series. This is fifty-five year old former Green Beret, former FBI field agent, former profiler turned contractor and single father Cade Bohannan, and fifty-three year old, single mother, actress turned author Delphine Larue. For fans of Kristen Ashley’s books and characters, there is a slight cross over with the author’s Dream Man/Chaos/Dream Team series.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from first person perspective (Delphine) THE GIRL IN THE MIST follows actress turned author Delphine Larue hiding in seclusion in the small town of Misted Pines. Delphine has a stalker who has turned his attention on two other people in an effort to flush out our story line heroine but Delphine refuses to play, and secretly purchases a house by a lake in Misted Pines where she will first meet sixteen year old Celeste Bohannan, the youngest child of former FBI agent turned independent contractor Cade Bohannan. Cade is well aware of the danger that is following our story line heroine, and with the assistance of the FBI, Hawk Delgado and his team, and Cade’s sons Jesse and Jace, Cade knows that the woman with whom he will fall in love will have some of the best protection money can buy but all is not well in Misted Pines, when not one but two murders threaten to tear the small tight-knit town apart. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Cade and Delphine, and the potential fall-out as a psychopathic killer turns their attention on our storyline heroine.

Delphine Larue has a past shrouded in betrayal. The mother of two grown, adult women, Delphine knows a thing or two about family and relationships, and battles between head and heart watching Cade struggle with his blossoming sixteen year old daughter. With two adult sons, working alongside our hero, Cade is a respected and revered contracted profiler who has found himself on the wrong end of the local Sheriff whose work ethics are questionable at best. Trying to keep Delphine’s whereabouts a secrets, our couple quickly discover that betrayal comes from a familiar face.

We are introduced to a large ensemble cast of colorful and somewhat eccentric secondary and supporting characters including Cade’s sixteen year old daughter Celeste, and his twenty-seven year old sons Jesse and Jace Bohannan; Delphine’s daughters Fenn and Camille; Sheriff Dern; several FBI agents, local law enforcement, gossips and townies. Here’s hoping the author has plans for Jesse and Jace Bohannan.

THE GIRL IN THE MIST is a complex, detailed and edgy murder/mystery thriller of betrayal, murder and obsession, family and friendships, relationships and love. As Cade and Delphine begin to unravel the secrets of the small town where the Bohannan’s have lived and loved for generations, closeted skeletons reveals a deeper and much darker hidden agenda involving a number of prominent and scandal-ridden residents whose proclivities are about to be exposed in a town that puts ‘Peyton Place’ to shame. The premise is intelligent, intriguing, haunting and tragic; the romance is seductive and passionate; the characters are dynamic, stubborn and determined.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

I called Hawk Delgado.
It was no surprise this situation in Misted Pines was known to him. He was tasked with keeping me safe, and although this had nothing to do with me, it had to do with Misted Pines, and that was where I was. It was also not a surprise that he currently did not have any resources to devote to assisting with it.
However, he gave me two names.
Nightingale Investigations, an outfit located where Delgado was, in Denver, Colorado.
And Tanner Layne, a private investigator who worked out of a shop in Brownsburg, Indiana, which was, to my astonishment, where Joe Callahan was based.
Neither were close.
But Nightingale was closer.
Though for reasons I didn’t understand (they probably had to do with Callahan), I called Layne first, left a message as it was the weekend and waited.
It was not long before he returned my call.
He had a full caseload, but said he’d look into it and get back to me.
I then reached out to Denver, leaving another message.
Not much time passed before a woman named Shirleen Jackson got in touch, saying she’d assessed it and presented it to her boss, the man behind the name, Lee Nightingale. She would follow up with me as soon as he’d made his decision.
Within hours, I had two replies.
Layne: “We’re ready to roll when we receive word from the investigator on site that he welcomes assistance. We have a message to him. But if he doesn’t give us the greenlight, I’m afraid at this time we can’t get involved. I hope you understand. I would feel the same if someone I didn’t know pushed into one of my investigations, especially at this early juncture. Trust me when I say that it’s never helpful.”
I didn’t know who “we” was, I also didn’t ask, but I suspected he’d consulted with Callahan.
I also didn’t think this was “early.” At that point, she’d been missing nearly a week.
Which begged the question, what parents had a slumber party for their eight-year-old on a Monday evening?
I didn’t ask Layne that either.
Jackson: “We understand your concern, but Lee looked into things and the investigator contracted to assist the local authorities is second to none. In this kind of situation, although it seems contradictory, more hands on deck can make a mess.”
That was two nos of the same ilk.
I decided to focus on the “second to none” comment, knowing they were referring to the fact it was clear the locals had called Cade Bohannan in.

Follow: Goodreads / Facebook / Website / Twitter

Kristen Ashley was born in Gary, Indiana, USA. She nearly killed her mother and herself making it into the world, seeing as she had the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck (already attempting to accessorise and she hadn’t taken her first breath!).

Kristen grew up in Brownsburg, Indiana but has lived in Denver, Colorado and the West Country of England. Thus she has been blessed to have friends and family around the globe. Her posse is loopy (to say the least) but loopy is good when you want to write.

Kristen was raised in a house with a large and multi-generational family. They lived on a very small farm in a small town in the heartland and existed amongst the strains of Glenn Miller, The Everly Brothers, REO Speedwagon and Whitesnake (and the wardrobes that matched).

Needless to say, growing up in a house full of music, clothes and love was a good way to grow up.

And as she keeps growing up, it keeps getting better.

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