Wildlife biologist Mac
Barrett avoided his hometown of Scarlet Falls for years—too many bad
memories. But when he receives the news that his father is dying, he
rushes home only to discover he’s too late. Shaken, Mac retreats to his
remote cabin seeking peace and solace. Instead, he crashes his jeep to
narrowly avoid running over the naked body of a woman lying in the road.
Even more disturbing, when he regains consciousness, the body is gone.
Police
detective Stella Dane wants to believe Mac, even if his story about the
vanishing body seems far-fetched. But when Mac’s description matches
the missing woman she’s been searching for, it raises a disturbing
question: How does a dead body disappear?
Mac and Stella will
have to work together to find the answer and catch a psychotic
kidnapper—and quickly. The killer has a deadly message to send, and the
case is about to become personal…
Review: I was given an ARC of Seconds to Live from NetGalley for an honest review and this is my review.
This
was the third book in the Scarlet Falls series and it can be a stand
alone book even though it does refer to some things that happened in
previous books it really does not give anything away. However, I
personally would recommend to read the books in order so you get the
entire feel of the series the way the author meant for it to be read and
I can honestly say it has been an excellent series and well worth
reading it in its entirety.
Now for my review of Seconds to Live. I
really enjoyed Stella and Mac's story and their pairing as a couple in
this series. She is the person who saw beyond the "show" he was putting
on for his family and saw there was more to Mac then he was letting on. And man was there more when he came clean and let Stella and his family know
he had been working for the DEA and not just avoiding the family in the
rainforest observing otters. As for Mac he was always running from
commitments and his family until he realized they needed him and wanted
him around and he could not get Stella out of his head. Needless to say
these two had sparks flying off them throughout the book.
As for the
mystery part that was also interesting. A person was taking people who
had prior drug habits but had been clean for some time and for some
reason was killing them and making it look like an OD. Stella has a
number of suspects from a husband who seems to abuse his wife to a skin
head who has a problem with women in authority. With Mac's help will she
be able to figure out who her killer is before he kills his third
victim who is also a very close friend of hers who she has taken under
her wing and has been helping or will they be too late?
I am giving Seconds to Live five out of five stars.
All Detective Mason Callahan wanted was a quiet fishing trip with the guys—a chance to get away and unwind before Halloween.
Until
he finds the body of his boss, Denny Schefte, near their remote Oregon
cabin. Now all he wants is to catch the sadist who slit Denny’s throat
and covered his face with a mask. Mason was the last person to see him
alive and will stop at nothing to find his friend’s murderer.
When
the FBI learns of the mask left at the scene, they realize they have a
serial killer on their hands—one who is targeting cops. They assign the
case to Special Agent Ava McLane, despite her engagement to Mason.
Barely recovered from her own nearly fatal injury and her sister’s
attempted suicide, Ava hopes she is ready to chase another killer.
But as she delves into the increasingly disturbing case, the killer may be closer than expected—dangerously close.
Review: I was given an ARC of Targeted from NetGalley for an honest review and this is my review.
Targeted
was another excellent book by Kendra Elliot and the fourth book in her
Callahan and McLane series. Even though this is part of a series it can
be read as a stand alone. It does make references to the previous books
but does not give any true spoilers about who the killers are so none of
that will be ruined for you just some other plot parts might be ruined
by not reading the books in order.
As for this book the dynamic duo
of Mason and Ava are back to try to find another crazy killer and this
time the killer is hitting close to home. His victims are cops and his
first victim was Mason's beloved boss who he killed right under Mason
and three other cop's noses while they were away on vacation together.
What kind of killer does that? Then to make things interesting he covers
his victims faces with a mask from a villain from a horror movie.
Because Mason is a witness he can't officially be part of the case so
that leaves it up Ava and a talented task force to try to figure out who
is after these officers and why and who will be next? With the body
count raising and a false confession will Mason and Ava figure out who
is doing the killing before someone else dies?
I also loved that this
book let us learn more about Ava and her sister's relationship and more
about her childhood. It was nice getting to know Ava better. It also
touched on Zander a bit more so it was nice seeing more of him.
Overall,
this book had it all, an in depth look at the characters in the series
and a great mystery. I am definitely giving it five out of five stars.
All children’s book
illustrator Claire Turner ever wanted was to be a mother. After six
years of trying to conceive, she and her husband, Josh, have finally
accepted that she will never be pregnant with a child of their own.
Yet
once they give up hope, the couple gets the miracle they’ve been
waiting for. For the first few months of her pregnancy, Claire and Josh
are living on cloud nine. But when she begins to experience debilitating
headaches, blurred vision, and even fainting spells, the soon-to-be
mother goes to the doctor and receives a terrifying diagnosis. Since any
treatment could put their unborn baby’s life at risk, the Turners must
carefully weigh their limited options. And as her symptoms worsen,
Claire will have to make an impossible decision: Save her own life, or
save her child’s?
Review: I was given an ARC of Saving Abby from NetGalley for an honest review and this is my review.
Saving
Abby is another excellent book by Steena Holmes that takes her reader
on an emotional journey that they will not soon forget. I went from
laughing to crying while reading this book and felt a number of emotions
in between.
As a reader I don't know what I would have done in
either main characters shoes. In Josh's case I know I would have been
angry the love of my life may die if she did not get the treatment she
needed right away. But, I am not sure how I would handle the pregnancy
knowing that is what may kill her. Even though we both wanted the baby
so badly. Would I resent my wife for keeping the baby and risking her
life and blowing up our perfect life for unborn child? Or could I accept
her choice and know she may die but at least if all goes well I will
have the child we created together when she is gone?
Then there is
Claire she finally gets pregnant after being told it will never happen
and then she hears oh btw you have stage 3 brain cancer and you can't
get treatment because you are expecting. Knowing you gave up one child
and how badly you wanted this child an abortion is not an option and
this may kill you and your husband resents it you decide to wait and see
what happens. Would I choose my unborn baby over my life, maybe?
These
are the things these charters are dealing with and it is their
emotional journey that you go on. Saving Abby is an emotional ride that
will make you laugh and cry. I am giving this book five out of five
stars.
At the grisly murder
scene of a teen prostitute, Virginia state trooper Riley Tatum’s past
roars back to haunt her. When she was a teenage runaway, she was
kidnapped, drugged, and left unconscious on the streets. She has no
memories of what happened, only strange recurring dreams of two men
playing cards.Former FBI agent Clay Bowman, Riley’s old flame,
is Shield Security’s newest member. He’s plagued by the unsolved case of
a serial killer nicknamed the Shark who murdered girls as part of a
sadistic poker game. Only one girl survived. With the Shark now bent on
evening that score, Clay has a chilling suspicion: Riley is the girl who
escaped the Shark’s deadly amusement—and she is his next prey.
As the Shark gets ready to play his hand, can Riley and Clay stop him—or will this killer finally claim the one who got away?
Review: I was given an ARC of The Shark from NetGalley for an honest review and this is my review.
Mary
Burton was definitely on her game with The Shark, her first book in her
new series, and if this book is any indication of what we as readers
have to look forward to with the Forgotten Files I can't wait for more.
This book had it all: romance, suspense, murder and a few twist that
most people will not see coming, in short it was the whole package for a
great summer read.
I loved the characters Riley and Clay. I also
liked the fact that they had a bit of history with each other as well so
this was sort of a second chance book for them to get together as a
couple. As for the idea behind the story I found that intriguing as
well, using young women who live on the streets as stakes in a poker
game. If you win the game the girl lives, if you loose she dies. What a
twisted way to play poker and a brilliant idea for a book. Years ago
Riley was the only girl who lived in a game against the Shark and now he
is back and wants the one who Lady Luck thought fit to let go. Clay and
Riley work together to make sure that this time the Shark and cards
don't have a different outcome for Riley this time around.
I am giving The Shark five out of five stars.
The moment detective
Reed Novak steps onto the crime scene, he knows the case is going to
rock his world. A beautiful young woman murdered at home. No sign of
forced entry. No motive. She’s obviously not the killer’s first victim,
and Reed’s instincts tell him she won’t be his last. Reed’s first clue
comes via a mysterious text that links to a dating profile, but even
more intriguing than the clue is the person who sent it.
As a
white-hat hacker in the Delphi Center’s cyber investigation unit, Laney
Knox sneaks into some of the deepest, darkest corners of the Internet
looking for predators. Laney would prefer to stay away from Austin PD’s
most recent murder case, but she can’t ignore the chilling similarities
between that crime and her own brutal attack years ago. Laney offers to
help the sexy lead detective, but he wants more from her than just a
promising tip—Reed wants her trust. Laney resists, but as their
relationship deepens she’s tempted to reveal the closely guarded secrets
that could make her a key witness…or the killer’s next victim.
Review: I was given an ARC copy of Deep Dark for an honest review and this is my review.
The
first thing I have to say is after reading Deep Dark I will never look
at my electronic devices the same way again. This book really gets one
thinking about how easy it is for someone to get into your personal
information or even spying into your home if they know what they are
doing. I am not sure if Laura Griffin had any intention of doing this
but I know I am going to improve my devices security a bit more after
reading this book because it is something I normally would not think
about until it was brought to my attention in this excellently written
book.
Now for the book itself. What can I say? I absolutely loved
Laney and Reed's story. Both characters where so different from each
other yet they fit together so well they made the book work. I loved the
story because it dealt with something people don't think about a lot,
internet security, and they don't realize how easy it is for someone to
find you and stalk you and ultimately kill you. The chemistry between
Laney and Reed and not knowing who the killer was kept me turning the
pages in this book. I can't wait to see what Griffin has coming next in
this series.
I am giving Deep Dark five out of five stars.
When it comes to
training K-9 patrol dogs, Yardley Summers always trusts her instincts.
But when it comes to dating men, she keeps her heart on a very short
leash. Mostly, she’s too busy with her four-legged trainees at Harmonie
Kennels to commit to a relationship. Only two men have managed to
distract her: a handsome Doctors Without Borders physician who’s
suddenly gone missing—and the red-hot dog trainer from her past who’s
suddenly back in her life…
Now a K-9 rescue team leader, Kye
McGarren has never forgotten the days he trained at Yardley’s camp—or
the nights he spent in her arms. When he hears that Yardley is on a
mission to find the missing doctor, Kye is determined to keep her out of
danger. With his K-9 partner by his side, he joins Yardley on a
death-defying mission—one that reignites their mutual passion. Will Kye
be able to rescue his romantic rival…without losing the woman he loves?
Review: I was given an ARC of Rival Forces from NetGalley for an honest review and this is my review.
I
have really enjoyed this series by D.D Ayres and Rival Forces is
another great K-9 book added to this series. I loved the chemistry
between Yardley and Kye. I also found it interesting how they both had
such polar opposite K-9's they were working with but they were such
great matches for their handlers.
This book had a great romance but
also an interesting mystery about what was going on with the guy Yardley
was seeing and what happened to him and why did he just disappear that
kept the reader interested throughout the book.
I am giving Rival Forces four out of five stars.
India Sommers once had
the perfect family—until an ex-boyfriend broke in and shot her husband.
Not only did that cost her the man she loved, a respected heart surgeon
and the father of her child, but she also feels responsible. Charlie
died because of the people she hung out with before she had the strength
to change her life.
Just after moving to Whiskey Creek with her
little girl, Cassia, to start over, she's learned that her
ex-boyfriend's trial ended in a hung jury. He's getting out of jail; he
could try to find her again. And that's not all that scares her. She's
extremely attracted to her next-door neighbor, but Rod Amos is the
handsome "bad boy" type that's given her so much trouble in the past. If
she got involved with him, her in-laws would sue for custody of Cassia.
India has to keep her distance from Rod—but the more she gets to know him, the more difficult that becomes.
Review: I was given an ARC of Discovering You for an honest review and this is my review.
This
was an excellent addition to the Whiskey Creek family and one of the
first that I remember that does not have a lot of interaction with
previous characters which I sort of missed popping up for coffee and
checking in on each other. But maybe in the next book we will get an
update of all the citizens we love from Whiskey Creek.
I enjoyed Rod
and India story. They both seemed so well matched and the perfect pair
for each other. I loved how they both saw beyond what everyone else saw
and saw the real person on the inside. Rod was her perfect hero trying
to find the evidence that was needed to put her ex in jail for the
murder of her husband and nothing was going to stop him from protecting
the woman who he was falling in love with.
A great romance and a great tease for the next book maybe with Natasha and Mack?
Discovering You gets five out of five stars.
