Tag Archives: Mystery

Wolf Rebel by Paige Tyler – a Review

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Wolf Rebel by Paige Tyler – a Review

 

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Description:
She let him get away

SWAT werewolf Rachel Bennett is hounded by nightmares after a vicious attack left her with PTSD. Not knowing who or what she can trust anymore, she’s relieved to be assigned to a high-profile protective detail. Diving into work might be the distraction she needs, until she notices the mysterious hunk who seems to follow her wherever she goes—and recognizes him.

Now he needs her help…

After he’s badly injured, former Navy SEAL Knox Lawson seeks out Rachel when he realizes he’s turning into a werewolf. He’d once been part of the group hunting her kind, but he knew he had to quit when he found Rachel in his crosshairs. Now he desperately needs her help.

Rachel isn’t sure she trusts Knox, but having him around keeps the nightmares—and the monster creating them—away. Knox might not know much about being a werewolf, but there’s no doubt he’ll do everything in his power to win her trust and keep her safe.

SWAT Series:
Hungry Like the Wolf (Book 1)
Wolf Trouble (Book 2)
In the Company of Wolves (Book 3)
To Love a Wolf (Book 4)
Wolf Unleashed (Book 5)
Wolf Hunt (Book 6)
Wolf Hunger (Book 7)
Wolf Rising (Book 8)
Wolf Instinct (Book 9)
Wolf Rebel (Book 10)

 

 

Review:

Wolf Rebel by Paige Tyler is the 10th book in her wonderful SWAT: Special Wolf Alpha Team series. As noted in previous reviews for this series, I love how Tyler always gives us wonderful, romance suspense stories, that are exciting, pulse pounding action filled, as well as great couples and hot alpha men that are part of the SWAT team. 

Rachel Bennett, our heroine, is a former cop turned werewolf, and is a member of the Special Wolf Alpha team.  Rachel suffers terrible nightmares (PTSD) from when she was seriously injured as a cop fighting off a deranged clown in Tennessee, which also caused her to become a werewolf.  The nightmares have begun to surface again, causing Rachel to be sleep deprived.   She is one of the Swat members assigned to protect an Assistant District attorney and family during a trial, which has caused a number of threats against the attorney.

Knox Lawson, our hero, is a former Navy seal, who is now working for a security firm.  Knox was part of a group of hunters that went after werewolves, until he quit when he realized that they were bad people; which he also got shot defending one the Swat team members, who was under attack.  The person he took the shot saving the swat member was Rachel.  In a short time, the injury will cause Knox to begin to display werewolf tendencies, and he goes to Rachel to get help learning how to deal with his new ability.  At first Rachel wants no part of him, but realizes he saved her life, and was not part of the hunter group, instead working with a security firm, also protecting the attorney. Knox was drawn to Rachel, especially after hearing her screaming during one of her nightmares, and slowly they both realize that they are “the One” for each other.  Both have their own issues; Knox with controlling his temper and his wolf and Rachel finding a way to get past her nightmares that have become very real.

Tyler continues to change the game a bit in this story; besides werewolves, and vampires, Wolf Rebel brings us an evil creepy entity in the form of the clown that Rachel sees, and is more than a nightmare.  This was a haunting new horror aspect, with the entity being able to switch to other bodies, and not only traumatizing Rachel, Knox, Diego, and but me too.  Lol   

What follows is an exciting, intense, action-packed adventure that will keep us glued to our seats, especially when this entity becomes very real.  The last 1/3 of the book was a wild exciting race to save the attorney, as well as their own lives.  The defendant in the trial, who was very powerful was hell bent on murdering the attorney, causing so many dangerous situations for all,; there was a surprising twist, as well as the part with Rachel and the entity also had us holding our breaths.   

Paige Tyler does it again with another intense, intriguing, exciting and sexy story. I loved Rachel and Knox together, and got a kick out of Rachel and some of her teammates finding a way for Knox to stay with them.  Wolf Rebel is another fabulous addition to this series.  If you have not started this series, I suggest you do so, as it is a fun, exciting and sexy read and Paige Tyler is an author you need to be reading.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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Into the Dark by Karen Rose – Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

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Into the Dark by Karen Rose – Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

 

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Description:
When Michael Rowland saves his younger brother Joshua from the clutches of his stepfather, he runs for his life with his brother in his arms. From his hiding place he sees the man who has made their lives a misery taken away in the trunk of a stranger’s car, never to be seen again.

Doctor Dani Novak has been keeping soccer coach Diesel Kennedy at arm’s length to protect him from her dark secrets. When they are brought together by the two young brothers who desperately need their help, it seems they might finally be able to leave their damaged pasts behind them.

But as the only witness to the man who kidnapped and murdered his stepfather, Michael is in danger. As Diesel and Dani do all that they can to protect him, their own investigation into the murder uncovers a much darker web of secrets than they could have imagined.

As more bodies start to appear it’s clear that this killer wants vengeance. And will wipe out anything that gets in his way…

 

 

Review:

Into the Dark by Karen Rose is the 5th book in her Cincinnati romance suspense series.  The last book I had read in this series, I had noted that it was one of the best thrillers of the year.  I have read a few of Rose’s other series, and they were equally as awesome.  I was thrilled to find out that Into the Dark returns to the Cincinnati series, which has some wonderful secondary characters. Once again, Rose gives us a sensational book, which not only keeps us on the edge of our seats with intense and exciting action, but was also an emotional and heartwarming story. 

The book starts off with a bang, as teenager Michael Rowland is being chased by first his step father, trying to run away with his 5-year-old brother, Joshua.  Michael is protecting Joshua from his evil father, and just when he thinks he is safe, he sees his father murdered by another man. 

Michael, who is deaf, will run into his coach Diesel Kennedy (our hero), who will notice that Michael is bleeding and brings him to Doctor Dani Novak, who will treat Michael.  Dani, our heroine, is also deaf in one ear; works with abused children, and is able communicate with the deaf using sign language.  She is also an emergency foster care provider. The police find the father’s body, and early on suspect Michael may have killed his father, since his mother claims he did.  But evidence will prove that Michael is innocent, but his life is in danger, as the murderer will find out that Michael can identify him.

Both Dani and Diesel will take on the responsibility of taking care and protecting both Michael and Joshua at her place.  The best part of this is all the wonderful secondary characters we have come to know in the previous books (Marcus, Stone, Scarlett, Meredith, Deacon and Adam, just to name a few), who are cops, FBI, doctors, therapists; who all come to their aid and work together to protect the boys, as well as try to find the murder; especially since so many bodies are showing up. 

There are two main parts of this story; a mystery revolving around a murderer, who is a vigilante, killing anyone who was trafficking or abusing children, even if he killed innocent people along the way; and the romance between Diesel and Dani.  Make no mistake this is a very heartbreaking and emotional story, with topics such as child sexual abuse, HIV, human trafficking, etc. We couldn’t help but feel sorry for both Michael, and Joshua, and I loved how Diesel and Dani were with them.  We know that Diesel has always love Dani, but she has held him off due to her lack of confidence (losing a boyfriend to suicide) and mostly due to her HIV status.  It was great to watch as she slowly brought down her wall to open her heart to Diesel, and both boys.

This is just the beginning of an intense & complex murder mystery that will result in more murders. What follows is an amazing story that held me on the edge of my seat from start to finish.  Even though we knew who the murderer was, it was an action-packed thriller, with Diesel, Dani and the rest of this great team in danger so many times. We held our breaths, as their lives would hang by a thread.  In between these many tense moments, I loved how Diesel and Dani opened their hearts to Michael and Joshua, and the close bond between them and their strong, smart and loyal team of close-knit friends and family.

I am in awe of Karen Rose, as her books are so well written with fantastic characters, evil villains, a great couple, and a totally intense mystery that keeps you in suspense to the very end.  If you love suspense, with a touch of romance and a thriller all the way, you should be reading anything by Karen Rose. I know I will.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

Cincinnati, Ohio Saturday, March 16, 4:00 p.m.
Michael winced at the ball of fear lodged in his gut. It actually hurt. What was the doctor going to do? What was she going to ask?
He’d seen the understanding in her eyes when he’d asked if the lady cop could be the witness instead of one of the two men. Dr. Dani knew.
Dammit.
He’d followed her into the same exam room he’d been in before. Sitting on the paper- covered table, he watched as the lady cop took po¬sition in the corner, her expression kind.
Shit. She knew, too. His face flushed hotter than fire. Now they’d all know. They’d tell the two men outside. They’d tell Coach Diesel. Everyone will know.
His stomach churned in misery as the nurse came in. She looked businesslike, at least. The interpreter came in last and met his eyes.
“I’m here for you,” she signed without voicing for the others. “I’m bound to confidentiality. You get that, right? I’ll never share what you say with anyone outside this room.”
He nodded. “I get it.” It didn’t really help. She’d still know. And he wasn’t worried about her telling anyone anyway. It was the others who’d tell. Especially the cop. She had to report abuse. So did the doctor and nurse. They were required to by law. Just like teachers. Which was why he’d never told any of his teachers.
He fought the tears stinging his eyes. He would not cry, dammit. This was humiliating enough without him crying.
The interpreter closed the door and suddenly the room was very crowded. More crowded than it had been before, even though Coach Diesel had also been here, taking up more space than two of the women put together.
At least the social worker had stayed outside to talk to the two detec¬tives, but this room was too crowded. Too many people. Michael’s chest began to hurt, his breath coming faster and faster, and he clamped a hand over his mouth, afraid he’d be sick. Fan- fucking- tastic.
Dr. Dani had been preparing to check his shoulder, but from the corner of his eye he saw her pause, her gloved hand slowly rising to touch his face, like she was afraid he’d bolt.
His gaze shot up to meet hers. Gentleness. That was what he saw and felt. All that he saw and felt. She was stroking his face gently, her oddly colored eyes so patient.
No blame. No mockery. No questions. Just . . . gentleness.
“Breathe with me,” she signed with her free hand, then placed it on her chest. He watched as she breathed in and out, realizing that he was matching her pace without even trying. The nausea slowly went away, leaving him . . . tired.
“So tired,” he signed and she smiled sadly.
“I know. You can rest later. I’m not going to leave you.”
He swallowed hard. “They’ll put me in jail. You can’t stay with me then.”
Her jaw tightened, not in anger, but in determination. “I’ll fight for you, but try not to worry just yet. I want to check your shoulder, okay?”
He thought about his bruises, the deep scratches from the night he’d fallen in the woods, Joshua in his arms. The bruises had faded, but some of the scratches were still there. They’ll think I fought him. They’ll think I did it. That I killed him.
His anxiety rose once again and his head spun.
Dr. Dani’s hand cupped his face again, squeezing lightly so that he looked at her. “Breathe, honey. Breathe with me.”
He tried. He really did. But he was so damn tired. He felt the sob surging from his gut, clogging his throat. He tried to fight it, but he couldn’t. It broke free and he dropped his head, unable to keep his cries silent.
He hated to cry out loud. Hated the sounds he made. His mother used to tell him that he sounded like an animal when he cried. So he’d learned to cry with no sound at all.
But not today. He could feel the sobs coming out of his throat and the tears coming out of his eyes and he couldn’t stop them.
Dr. Dani’s arms came around him and held him tight, rocking him gently, stroking his hair.
Like he wished his mother had done, every time he’d cried. But she never had. Not once.
Tentatively he reached around the doctor’s back and gripped hand¬fuls of her white coat. She nodded against his cheek and he held on until he exhausted himself with weeping and was able to choke back the stupid sobs. They’d seen. All the women in the room had seen him cry.
Heard him, too.
God.
New humiliation washed over him. But he was too tired to panic anymore. Someone tucked some tissues into his hand and he pulled back from the doctor’s warm hug to mop his face and blow his nose, his eyes now fixed downward. He couldn’t face her. Couldn’t face any of them.
He drew a deep breath through his nose, hoping he wasn’t snorting too rudely. Then froze. He drew another deep sniff, realizing he could smell chocolate.
He looked up then, but all he saw was Dr. Dani, dabbing at her own eyes.
She cried, too. For me. It was . . . a lot more than he’d expected.
His hands were moving before he realized it. “You smell like chocolate.”
She smiled, blinking away more tears. “My shampoo,” she answered, then drew a breath of her own. “I’m not going to tell you that everything will be okay, because I don’t know what’s going to happen. Except that I won’t abandon you.”
“Or Joshua?”
She nodded firmly. “Or Joshua.”
He chanced a look around, saw that the other women were waiting patiently. His interpreter’s eyes were wet, as were the nurse’s. And the cop’s. That surprised him. No one looked angry. No one looked dis¬gusted.
They just looked sad.
He turned back to the doctor. He trusted her word, that she wouldn’t abandon his brother. Still, Joshua was not her responsibility. He’s mine. He’d do what he needed to do to get him back. Starting with this exam. Nervously he ran his fingers through his hair, wincing when he brushed over the stitches he’d all but forgotten with the arrival of the detectives. “Okay, I’m ready. You can check my shoulder.”
He just prayed she wouldn’t need to see anything more. That she knew that he’d been hurt by a man was humiliating enough. Her seeing it? All the women seeing it?
That was too much.Posted by arrangement with Berkley, a member of Penguin Group (USA) LLC, A Penguin Random House Company. Copyright © Karen Rose, 2019.


 

 

Karen Rose’s publisher is graciously offering a paper copy of INTO THE DARK to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe

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A Christmas Gathering by Anne Perry – a Review

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A Christmas Gathering by Anne Perry – a Review

 

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Description:
As beautiful as it may be, their friends’ country home is not where Lady Vespasia wishes to spend Christmas with her new husband, Victor Narraway. She’d rather pass a relaxing holiday at home with him–especially because Victor, former head of the London Special Branch, seems to be hiding some undercover dealings with the other guests who have gathered in the spacious home.

As tensions grow among the couples, the young and beautiful Iris Watson-Watt becomes the center of several men’s focus. Unbeknownst to Vespasia, Iris carries a message for Victor that may help unmask a British traitor. As Victor plots his moves, he is reminded of a similar case from twenty years before, when a young Frenchwoman also carried a clandestine message–one that resulted in her murder, still unsolved to this day. Victor has always been tormented by his failure to protect her–and now, with all eyes on Iris, Victor must act fast before history repeats itself.

With the joy of Christmas at risk of being forgotten and Vespasia feeling alone on this holiday meant to be shared with loved ones, Victor must ultimately learn to forgive himself.

 

 

Review:

A Christmas Gathering by Anne Perry is a mystery that takes place in the English country side. I have not read Perry’s other mystery series, but this reads very well as a standalone. The story revolves around an older married couple, Lady Vespasia and her husband, Lord Victor Narraway, who have been married for three years.   It is Christmas time, and Vespasia would love to stay home together and enjoy the holiday.  Victor is a retired head of London’s Special Branch, and when he accepts an invitation to spend Christmas at a long-time friend’s country estate, Vespasia suspects he has to do an undercover assignment.

Besides the host (Max and Lady Amelia Cavendish), there are three other couples in attendance.  As everyone gathers for the nightly meal, tensions arise, as the hostess shows her dislike for Vespasia by her sarcastic comments. 

Vespasia is experienced and savvy in her older age, and reads people very well.  She discovers that Victor has to meet someone to pass over documents that might reveal a traitor.  What she also learns is that Victor had a similar case 20 years ago, when the woman he was supposed to protect was killed; which Victor has never forgotten what he terms was a failure. Victor will meet the woman, take the documents and when he returns to the estate, someone is shooting at him.  Victor does arrive safely, but finds out later that evening, the woman who gave him the documents was attacked, with her life hanging by a thread.   déjà vu?

What follows is an interesting mystery that will bring Vespasia to become more active to find the truth, and discover who indeed is the traitor and in doing so save Victor’s life.   Victor does put his life in danger when he knows the culprit wants more than those papers, as a long standing hatred will reveal why Victor is the real target. 

I really enjoyed this story, and I thought Vespasia was an excellent heroine, who despite her older age (60’s) was a fabulous character and great detective. I have not read the previous Victorian mysteries by Perry, and had no problem reading this book.   A Christmas Gathering is set in Victorian England, and was very well written by Anne Perry.  If you enjoy historical London backgrounds and an excellent mystery, I suggest you read A Christmas Gathering.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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Hidden Cove by Meg Tilly – Review & Giveaway

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Hidden Cove by Meg Tilly – Review & Giveaway

 

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Description:
When Solace Island gallery owner Zelia Thompson’s close friend Alexus Feinstein of the prestigious art gallery Feinstein & Co. dies of a “drug overdose,” Zelia’s intuition sounds an alarm. The Alexus she knew didn’t do drugs and had everything to live for.

As Zelia begins looking into the circumstances of her friend’s death, what she uncovers will put her life in imminent danger. Will Zelia–with the help of the reclusive crime fiction novelist Gabe Conaghan–be able to unravel the mysterious happenings surrounding Alexus’s untimely death? Or will she become the bloodthirsty artist’s next victim?

 

 

Review:

Hidden Cove by Meg Tilly is the 3rd book in her Solace Island series. Zelia Thompson, our heroine, is a successful gallery owner on Solace Island.  She receives a painting from a friend in another state, who is also a gallery owner, but Zelia is appalled how dark and scary the painting is.   She turns down the request to show the painting, and a short time later her gallery friend dies from a drug overdose. 

Gabe Conaghan, our hero, is a successful author, who is vacationing on Solace Island, and when he sees Zelia in the coffee shop, he is immediately attracted to her.  Zelia is always busy and doesn’t notice Gabe, which will change soon enough, but before that she realizes that her friend could not have overdosed as she never took drugs’.  Gabe will begin to help Zelia investigate the circumstances of her friend’s death, and soon their friendship will escalate into a steamy romance.  When Zelia’s employee goes missing, they do not think anything of it, as she occasionally goes away for a few days.  But once Gabe finds somethings, they realize that perhaps her employee friend was kidnapped. 

We also get the POV of the murderer, and see clearly his insanity, and the desperation of the woman he kidnapped.  We have no idea who he is, until much later in the book.  Gabe is determined to stay near Zelia to protect her, and she also hires the other gallery friend’sowners assistant to help her

What follows is an exciting, intense, suspenseful adventure as Zelia’s life is in danger, and Gabe must find a way to save her.  The romance between Gabe and Zelia was sweet, as we watched them both slowly falling deeper in love.  Their romance heats up, and the danger escalates for Zelia, as we race to an exciting and suspenseful climax.  I do not want to give spoilers, as you will need to read this book to discover who the culprit was.

Hidden Cove was a fun, enjoyable and captivating read, as well as having a great couple, excellent secondary characters, with a sweet romance and mystery.  This reads very well as a standalone.  Meg Tilly once again gives us another great romance suspense to enjoy. I wholly recommend you read the Solace Island series.

Reviewed by Barb

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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The Deception by Kat Martin – a Review

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The Deception by Kat Martin – a Review

 

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Description:
When missing turns to murdered, one woman’s search for answers will take her to a place she never wanted to go…

After searching for her sister for two long years, Kate Gallagher is devastated when she’s called to the morgue to identify Chrissy’s body, the runaway teen the victim of a brutal attack. Guilt and grief send Kate into a tailspin. She failed Chrissy once…she won’t do it again. Even if finding her sister’s killer means following a lethal bounty hunter into the heart of darkness, placing both their lives in danger.

Working at Maximum Security has taken Jason Maddox down some dangerous paths, but never for a client he’s so drawn to, or for a case so monstrous. As clues lead them deeper into the city’s underbelly, connections to human trafficking draw them closer and closer to peril, but even Jase’s warnings can’t convince Kate to walk away. As the deadly operation puts a target on their backs, they’ll have to decide what matters most: the truth…or their lives.

 

Review:

The Deception by Kat Martin is the 2nd book in her Maximum Security series. We meet our heroine, Kate Gallagher, when she must identify her sister’s body in the morgue. Kate has not seen her sister for over two years, when she left home at the age of 16, and after viewing the body, she goes to a bar to bury her pain, grieving that she wasn’t there for her sister.  Though she owns her own successful business, Kate is determined to find out who did this to her sister; when the police do not have any clues, she will take matters in her own hands, and hire a private investigator.

Jason Maddox (Hawk), is a bounty hunter, who works for Maximum Security, and when Kate comes to the office trying to hire someone, Jason recognizes her as the hot girl in the bar the night before. He immediately offers his service to help Kate find out the truth, and warns her that from what he sees, this could be drug and sex trafficking related.  Kate wants to find the culprits who murdered her sister, and doesn’t care how dangerous it is.  She also tells Jason that she wants to work with him on the case; something he isn’t too happy about, since it is very dangerous.

The chemistry between Jason and Kate was off the wall steaming hot; though they both try to fight off their attraction to each other and concentrate on the case.  But best plans do not always work out.  They were such a great and sexy couple together.

What follows is an exciting, suspenseful adventure where Jason and Kate find themselves in intense and dangerous situations as they get closer to finding the people behind the murder.  Each discovery may have brought them closer, but they were also stymied as to who killed Chrissy (Kate’s sister).  Some of the Maximum Security team, would come to help Jason, when they expected violence. 

The last half of the book was not only exciting, but had us on the edge of our seats, worried that our heroes would not survive.  When the evidence begins to point out that there was another group more deeply involved in the sex trafficking and drugging of young girls, Jason is determined to keep Kate away, for fear of her getting hurt.  Kate was a smart and strong heroine, but she was also stubborn, and determined to kill those responsible.  I did loved Kate and Jason together, and they were an awesome team.   

The Deception was an intriguing, suspenseful, exciting story line that was also very intense throughout. The wonderful romance between Jason and Kate was perfect, as we rooted hard for them to stay together, despite Jason belief that his life is too dangerous to be with Kate.   I also liked the secondary characters who make up Maximum Security and look forward to future books showcasing them.  Once again, Kat Martin gives us another exciting thriller. If you enjoy action, suspense, romance and intense crime thrillers, you should read anything by Kat Martin. 

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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Total Control by Laura Griffin – a Review

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Total Control by Laura Griffin – a Review

 

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Description:
Navy SEAL Jake Heath has his eyes on Alexa Mays. The FBI Agent is whip smart and hot as hell, but she won’t give him the time of day. So, when she calls him out of blue, he thinks his luck has changed.

But instead of meeting up for a romantic dinner, Alexa needs Jake for a very different reason. Her counterterrorism team is hot on the heels of the extremist that Jake’s task force has been tracking for months, and now he’s on American soil. The only way she can take him down is with Jake’s help.

Alexa knows Jake is tough and relentless…and that the chemistry between them is electric. Although she’s risking her heart—and maybe even her career—by bringing him onto the mission, she doesn’t have another choice. Together, they’re an unstoppable and powerful team.

As the hours tick by and a lethal enemy gets closer to launching an unimaginable attack, Alexa and Jake need to fight fire with fire before the clock runs out. The only question is: will their own flames get in the way?

 

 

Review:

Total Control by Laura Griffin is the 4th book in her Alpha Crew series.   Jake Heath, our hero, is a Navy Seal and after finishing up a tough case, Jake takes a short vacation; and is surprised when he is contacted by Alexa, an FBI agent he has not forgotten since he has not seen her for six months, after she never returned his phones calls.

Alexa Mays, our heroine, is one of the best counter terrorism FBI agents and is in the middle of a major case, and she tells her team that they need someone like Jake to help them, as he is the best at finding people.  At first Jake refuses to help, as he already has plans to be with his family.  But Jake decides in the last minute to help Alexa, as the stakes are high with finding the persons behind a terrorist attempt.  They begin to work together, with Jake using many of his contacts to get them closer to finding the leader of this terrorist group. 

Alexa was happy with Jake’s help, but she was determined to work more with her team, keeping some things secret.  Jake of course, has his own contacts and manages to be in step with her investigation. They continue to investigate together, trying to be a step ahead of the terrorist and the plot; during the off times, their romance heats up. I loved the chemistry between Jake and Alexa, as they were so good together; but Alexa knew Jake would be leaving in a few days doing what Navy seals do, and was determined not get hurt.

What follows is a sweet and sexy romance between Alexa and Jake, which had us rooting hard that they would find a way to stay together.  But the suspense and mystery of the story line remained on the forefront with non-stop action and excitement, keeping me on the edge of my seat.  Total Control was a novella, which seemed more like a short story, and amazingly Griffin gave us a bit of everything in this book.

Laura Griffin is an excellent writer, as I love her Tracers series.   She has created a great couple, as I really loved the chemistry between Alexa and Jake. This was an exciting action filled story that is a quick read, and sexy.  The last half of the book was suspenseful and thrilling as they raced to stop the terrorist.  If you enjoy mystery, suspense with romance, then you should be reading Laura Griffin.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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Vendetta in Death by J.D. Robb – a Review

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Vendetta in Death by J.D. Robb – a Review

 

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Description:
The predator becomes the prey in the newest thriller in the #1 New York Times bestselling series featuring homicide detective Eve Dallas.

She calls herself Lady Justice. And once she has chosen a man as her target, she turns herself into a tall blonde or a curvaceous redhead, makes herself as alluring and seductive as possible to them. Once they are in her grasp, they are powerless.

The first victim is wealthy businessman Nigel McEnroy. His company’s human resources department has already paid out settlements to a couple of his young victims—but they don’t know that his crimes go far beyond workplace harassment. Lady Justice knows. And in one shocking night of brutality, she makes him pay a much steeper price.

Now Eve Dallas and her husband, Roarke, are combing through the evidence of McEnroy’s secret life. His compulsive need to record his misdeeds provides them with a wide range of suspects, but the true identity of Lady Justice remains elusive. It’s a challenging case, made even more difficult by McEnroy’s widow, who reacts to the investigation with fury, denial, and threats. Meanwhile, Lady Justice’s criminal crusade is escalating rapidly, and if Eve can’t stop this vigilante, there’s no telling how much blood may be spilled…

 

 

Review:

Vendetta in Death by J.D. Robb is the 49th book in her wonderful In Death series.  I am a huge fan of this series, with our fantastic heroine Eve Dallas, and her awesome sexy husband, Roarke.  Forty Nine books later, not to mention novellas, I still cannot get enough of Eve and Roarke.

Vendetta in Death was an intense and exciting story, with a violent murderer called Lady Justice.  Eve is dispatched to the scene of a horribly mutilated body, and from there, she, Roarke and Peabody become enmeshed into a case that is not only violent, but also emotional, as the victims are not nice men.

The first victim, Nigel McEnroy was a wealthy respected businessman, who was devoted to his family; but behind the scenes he was a dark and evil man, who preyed on women, either women he hired for his company, or those he picked up in bars. Nigel would drug the women, and rape them, then he would blackmail them to keep it quiet.  The second victim left his wife for a younger woman, and stole the business from under her.  The third victim brutally beat his wife into submission, and though now divorced, she still felt threatened by him.  Most of these women belong to a private support group that enabled them to share amongst themselves their stories and get past the trauma they suffered.  Lady Justice was part of this group, taking it upon herself to secretly take vengeance against the men who tortured these women, by torturing, mutilating and murdering them.

Eve and Peabody begin their investigation by finding the names of the women in the support group, and to interview all of them.  Half way through, we can guess who the murderer is, but Eve needs to find proof, and time is of essence as now there are three murders, and another one may be near.  What follows is an exciting, intense and thrilling story line that will keep us glued to our seats, unable to put the book down.  It many ways this was a different type of story, with the evil men deserving justice, but not at this horribly violent manner.  Eve having spent many years coming to terms with her abusive childhood, does not allow herself to be sympathetic, despite the evil men. Eve always stands for the dead; she is determined to stop this murderer.

Again, I have to say I just love the relationship between Eve and Roarke, and in this book it was even better; they are so great together, with their love and banter…… the best literary couple ever.  I also love Peabody, who has come a long way to not only be the perfect partner, but also stepping up more.  It is always great to spend time with the fabulous recurring secondary characters in this series; Peabody, Nadine, Mavis, McNab, Baxter, Feeney, Trueheart and Morris.

Vendetta in Death was very exciting, emotional, as well as tense and even dark, but it was a fantastic read.  From start to finish, there was never a dull moment.  J.D. Robb once again gives us a fantastic addition to this wonderful series, which I hope keeps on rolling for many years to come.  This was so well written by Robb, and if you have not started this series…..What are you waiting for?

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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