Still See You Everywhere by Lisa Gardner – a Review

Still See You Everywhere by Lisa Gardner – a Review

 

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Description:
Frankie Elkin is an expert at finding the missing persons that the rest of the world has forgotten, but even she couldn’t have anticipated this latest request—to locate the long-lost sister of a female serial killer facing execution in three weeks’ time.

She has called herself “death,” but people called her the devil.

The case was sensational. Kaylee Pierson had confessed from the very beginning, waived all appeals. Despite the media’s chronicling of her tragic circumstances—the childhood spent with a violent father—no one could find sympathy for “the Beautiful Butcher” who had led eighteen men home from bars before viciously slitting their throats. Now, with only twenty-one days left to live, Pierson has finally received a lead on the whereabouts of the sister who was kidnapped over a decade ago, and she needs Frankie’s help to find her. The Beautiful Butcher’s offer:

When was the last time your search ended with finding the living?

Unable to resist the chance for a rescue, Frankie takes on Pierson’s request. Twelve years ago, five-year-old Leilani went missing in Hawaii. The main suspect? Pierson’s tech mogul ex-boyfriend, Sanders MacManus. Now, on a remote island in the middle of the Pacific—the site of MacManus’s latest vanity project—fresh evidence has appeared. In order to learn the truth and possibly save a young woman’s life, Frankie must go undercover at the isolated base camp. Her challenge: A dozen strangers. Countless dangerous secrets. Zero means of calling for help. And then the storm rolls in…

 

 

Review:

Still See You Everywhere by Lisa Gardner is the 3rd book in her Frankie Elkin series. I have read a number of books by Gardner, and I think she is one of the best authors who write suspense thrillers, as I have loved all her books. Frankie Elkin, our heroine, is the star of this series; she is a recovering alcoholic, who is an expert in find missing people that are cold cases. Over the years she has found 15 people, with the majority not found alive.

The prologue has Frankie visiting a prison, where a serial killer (The Beautiful Butcher) is on death row, having viciously killed eighteen men; with her execution scheduled in three weeks. Kaylee receives a letter from her long-lost sister, who disappeared many years ago.  She believes her sister (Lea) was kidnapped by her ex-boyfriend, and she wants Frankie to find her and help her escape.  She convinces Frankie to take the job, which is in a remote lodge on a Hawaiian Island owned by the ex-boyfriend. 

Frankie flies to the private island, and poses as a staff member, helping with cooking and cleaning rooms; she gets to know many of the staff, as she learns more about MacManus and his protégé, Lea. I really liked many of the staff members, especially the cooks Ann and Trudy; and slowly becomes closer to all of them (Vaughn, Ronin, Charlie, etc.). Frankie needs to know who she can trust, especially with MacManus arriving with his security team, and Lea.  She begins to suspect there is someone who is possibly sabotaging the resort.  

When Frankie meets Lea, she tries to question her, but finds her not fully cooperative, claiming she knows nothing about a letter to her sister, whom she has not seen in 12 years. Frankie then discovers that Kaylee has escaped from death row, which is why MacManus has added extra security.  They all suspect that Kaylee will be coming for them; and Frankie begins to suspect that Lea is also very much involved.

What follows is an amazing, action-packed and exciting thriller, where Frankie finds herself in a number of dangerous situations. The last half of the book was an extremely tense thriller that kept me glued to my kindle.  Especially in the last quarter of the book, with the tension escalating as everyone was fighting for survival. Still See You Everywhere is a gripping fast pace story that is filled with danger, drama, fear, and everyone’s lives on the line. As we get closer to the end, there are a number of surprises and twists.

Once again, Lisa Gardner gives us a fabulous intense exciting story, that was very well written. As noted previously, you can never go wrong reading Lisa Gardner, who always writes fantastic suspense psychological thrillers.  I suggest you read Still See You Everywhere, which was a fantastic story.

Reviewed by Barb

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A Grave Robbery by Deanna Raybourn – a Review

A Grave Robbery by Deanna Raybourn – a Review

 

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Description:
Lord Rosemorran has purchased a wax figure of a beautiful reclining woman and asks Stoker to incorporate a clockwork mechanism to give the Rosemorran Collection its own Sleeping Beauty in the style of Madame Tussaud’s. But when Stoker goes to cut the mannequin open to insert the mechanism, he makes a gruesome discovery: this is no wax figure. The mannequin is the beautifully preserved body of a young woman who was once very much alive. But who would do such a dreadful thing, and why?

Sleuthing out the answer to this question sets Veronica and Stoker on their wildest adventure yet. From the underground laboratories of scientists experimenting with electricity to resurrect the dead in the vein of Frankenstein to the traveling show where Stoker once toured as an attraction, the gaslit atmosphere of London in October is the perfect setting for this investigation into the unknown. Through it all, the intrepid pair is always one step behind the latest villain—a man who has killed once and will stop at nothing to recover the body of the woman he loved. Will they unmask him in time to save his next victim? Or will they become the latest figures to be immortalized in his collection of horrors?

 

 

Review:

A Grave Robbery by Deanna Raybourn is the 9th book in her Veronica Speedwell Mystery series. We get to see Veronica and Stoker at the start, as they both worked for Lord Rosemorran’s helping restore his many collections for future display.  It was nice to see both Veronica and Stoker settling into their affectionate relationship, as they are both clever, witty and always challenging each other.  Veronica Speedwell is a lepidopterist, a woman who is ahead of her time, and Stoker is a scientist and adventurer. They make a terrific team.

Lord Rosemorran lets them know that he has acquired a new purchase, which would be a birthday present for his young daughter; it was a wax figure of Sleeping Beauty, similar to Madame Tussaud’s. He wanted Stoker to add a mechanism to make the figure look alive.  When Stoker goes to cut the mannequin open, to his shock he discovers it was not wax, but a preserved young lady.  Unable to let this go unpunished, both Veronica and Stoker set out to solve this crime. They try to learn how long this body was deceased, and they call their friends, JJ (journalist) and Mornaday (detective) to help search the newspaper and police archives for missing young ladies.

Veronica and Stoker follow a trail that led them first to a circus, to get some answers, but JJ was able to find a girl who drowned 15 years ago, which will lead them to Plumfield’s mortuary to track down who the girl was.  The new Plumfield owner was able to find some papers, and he will be one of the new characters that help Victoria and Stoker; as well as Spyridon, who helped Stoker hide the body.  They were all very good characters, and fun.

What follows is wild adventure that will eventually lead them to a dangerous killer. The mystery was very compelling, as well as a number of twists as we reach the climax.  Veronica and Stoker, as well as JJ and Mornaday will plan a trap to catch the true killer, putting some of them in danger. I really enjoyed both Veronica and Stoker, as they were lots of fun, and romantic. A Grave Robbery was very well written by Deanna Raybourn. 

Reviewed by Barb

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The Hero (Game of Chance 3) by Susan Stoker-review

The Hero (Game of Chance 3) by Susan Stoker-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 5, 2024

Any soldier who gets out of the service with his life should be happy to leave danger behind. Though his army brothers are content running their new business in Maine, Kendric “Bob” Evans isn’t ready to give up the fight. He’s been supplementing his hours with covert rescue missions organized by the FBI. But his latest charge may be more than he bargained for.

Marlowe Kennedy is on a routine archaeology dig in Thailand when she’s arrested for drug trafficking. She has suspicions about the true culprit, but even when she’s rescued from prison, there’s nothing she can do about it without proof. Her protective bodyguard’s only objective is to keep her safe until they cross the border into friendly territory.

The best way to do that? Travel as man and wife.

After returning to Maine, as Bob and Marlowe navigate this treacherous terrain with the help of their friends, they face vengeful authorities, a vindictive frame job, and perhaps most important of all—turning their fake marriage into something real

••••

REVIEWTHE HERO is the third instalment in Susan Stoker’s contemporary, adult GAME OF CHANCE erotic, romantic suspense series focusing on a group of former US Special Forces soldiers (Callum ‘Cal’ Redman, Kendrick ‘Bob’ Evans, Jackson ‘JJ’ Justice, Riggs ‘Chappy’ Chapman) who own and operate a tree service, search and rescue, Appalachian Trail maintenance company called Jack’s Lumber. This is thirty-five year olds, Kendric ‘Bob’ Evans, and archaeologist Marlowe Kennedy’s story line. THE HERO can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. An important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Kendrick and Marlowe) THE HERO follows the rescue of our story line heroine from a Thai prison. While on an archaeological assignment in Thailand, Marlowe Kennedy would find herself framed and imprisoned for drug possession and trafficking. Without benefit of defense or help, Marlowe has given up hope until a visit from an American stranger telling her to be prepared. Enter former US Special Forces soldier Kendrick Evans, and the man with whom Marlowe will fall in love. Upon her explosive rescue, Marlowe and Kendrick find themselves on a cross continent run, wherein Marlowe will become the woman to save our hero’s life. What ensues is the quick and forced relationship between Marlowe and Kendrick, and the potential fall-out as their journey and struggles through Asia, continue back home.

The world building focuses on the betrayal of our story line heroine. Framed for a crime she did not commit, Kendrick Evans is ‘hired’ to rescue the woman with whom he would fall in love but their escape gets more dangerous, the closer to their final destination.

The relationship between Kendrick and Marlowe begins as a rescue but a potential safe haven finds our couple forced into a marriage to protect their lives. On the run now as a married couple, they will quickly discover their mutual attraction adds a further hurdle as Kendrick battles not only the elements but a fight to survive. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, energetic and impassioned secondary and supporting characters including Kendrick’s friends and former teammates, most of whom we have met in the previous instalments. April and JJ’s story line is next.

THE HERO is a story of betrayal and vengeance, greed and retribution, friendships and relationships, acceptance and love. The suspense filled premise is intriguing and captivating but I struggled a little bit with the sting operation meant to reveal the truth, an operation that left our heroine vulnerable. The characters are determined and dynamic; the romance is seductive .

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
The Protector
The Royal Game

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Murder Road by Simone St. James – a Review

Murder Road by Simone St. James – a Review

 

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Description:
July 1995. April and Eddie have taken a wrong turn. They’re looking for the small resort town where they plan to spend their honeymoon. When they spot what appears to be a lone hitchhiker along the deserted road, they stop to help. But not long after the hitchhiker gets into their car, they see the blood seeping from her jacket and a truck barreling down Atticus Line after them.

When the hitchhiker dies at the local hospital, April and Eddie find themselves in the crosshairs of the Coldlake Falls police. Unexplained murders have been happening along Atticus Line for years and the cops finally have two witnesses who easily become their only suspects. As April and Eddie start to dig into the history of the town and that horrible stretch of road to clear their names, they soon learn that there is something supernatural at work, something that could not only tear the town and its dark secrets apart, but take April and Eddie down with it all.

 

 

Review:

Murder Road by Simone St. James is another one of her excellent psychological thrillers.  Murder Road takes place in the summer of 1995, centered between newlyweds April and Eddie. They are embarking on road trip to for their honeymoon destination, only to discover they had taken a wrong turn to Coldlake Falls; as they end up on a deserted highway called Atticus Line. On the dark road, a flash of lightning shows a woman slowly walking; they stop and offer her a ride, which she hesitates, but then accepts.  April notices blood on the girl, and they rush to find a hospital, to help the her; who in a short period dies. 

 Detectives Quentin and Beam show up at the hospital, and after being interrogated, they warn April and Eddie, not to leave town.  Instead of being good Samaritans, they now are considered suspects. Unexplained murders have been happening along the Atticus line for many years, and legend has it that a vengeful spirit roams the road, hunting for hitchhikers.  Rumors say twenty years ago, someone was murdered, unable to identify her, they name her Jane Doe, but legend calls her The Lost Girl.

Unable to leave, April and Eddie manage to have the owner of a B&B allow them to stay. At first Rose, was very weird, but in a short time, Rose opens up, and beings to help them, explaining the stories from the past. They learn more about the ghostly legends of The Lost Girl.  They also meet Beatrice and Gracie Snell, two teenage sisters, who are wannabe detectives, with lots of information about the missing people.  Truly, they were better then the detectives.  Both Eddie and April have their own secrets, which neither knew about; they both suffered from domestic abuse, adoptions, and personal drama.  As we reach closer to the end, there is a surprise that will reveal some things from the past.  Besides that, I really liked April and Eddie.

What follows is an exciting, dark, suspenseful and creepy mystery in both time periods, which kept me hooked to find out what happened.  Murder Road was an exciting and awesome mystery, with a slight paranormal element, as well as being chilling and captivating.  The mystery has so many surprises, which were gripping and horrifying at times; a page turner all the way. Simone St. James did an amazing job writing this captivating thriller. If you enjoy suspenseful thrillers with a ghostly background, you should be reading Murder Road.

Reviewed by Barb

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Dark Angel/The Investigator by John Sandford – Reviews

Dark Angel/The Investigator by John Sandford – Reviews

 

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Description:
Letty Davenport, the tough-as-nails adopted daughter of Lucas Davenport, takes on an undercover assignment that brings her across the country and into the crosshairs of a dangerous group of hackers.

Letty Davenport’s days working a desk job at are behind her. Her previous actions at a gunfight in Texas—and her incredible skills with firearms—draw the attention of several branches of the US government, and make her a perfect fit for even more dangerous work. The Department of Homeland Security and the NSA have tasked her with infiltrating a hacker group, known only as Ordinary People, that is intent on wreaking havoc. Letty and her reluctant partner from the NSA pose as free-spirited programmers for hire and embark on a cross country road trip to the group’s California headquarters.

While the two work to make inroads with Ordinary People and uncover their plans, they begin to suspect that the hackers are not their only enemy. Someone within their own circle may have betrayed them, and has ulterior motives that place their mission—and their lives—in grave danger.

 

Review:
Dark Angel by John Sandford is the second book in his exciting Letty Davenport series. Letty is an investigator for Department of Homeland Security, but her real boss is with Senator Christopher Colles. She has garnered a lot attention from her last case, with other government leaders interested; but she is asked to help with a joint operation between Homeland Security and the National Security Agency.  Letty will partner up with Rod Baxter, an NSA security computer programmer; as they will need to go undercover to infiltrate an organized cell of hackers known as “Ordinary People”.  Both Letty and Rod agree that they suspect NSA leaders are not telling them all the facts. 

Letty is smart, calm, fantastic ability with guns, and determined to find the information that they need; Baxter is the programmer/hacker guru, who is not a fan of any violence.  They are both opposites, but they each have a sense of humor and focus on what needs to be done. They make contact with some hackers, showing them, they can break down Ordinary People. After they complete the work, things turn violent, as the breakdown brings in a dangerous adversary; a Russian crew is murdering people from the Ordinary People hacker group. Letty and Baxter realize the real danger is with the Russians who are bent on revenge against the OP group, as well as fighting a battle with Ukraine.

What follows is an exciting and intense thriller in the last half of the book.  Letty asks for help bringing in her CIA friend Barbara, who also is great with guns, and Kaiser (her previous partner), as well as other help from NSA.  The hackers, who they worked with earlier, and Baxter are trying to bring down the Russian attack on Ukraine; while Letty and her team prepare for the Russian invasion.

The final attack was wild, haunting and riveting, with violence, murder, and a fantastic ending.   Dark Angel was suspenseful, fast paced, and action packed throughout, with a lots of violence, murder, espionage and hackers.  I loved Letty, who was a sensational leader, and happy to see Kaiser join closer to the end, as well as Barbara.  I also like the rest of the team and hackers who were very good characters. Dark Angel was very well written by John Sandford.

 

 

 

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Description:
By age twenty-four, Letty Davenport has seen more action and uncovered more secrets than many law enforcement professionals. Now a recent Stanford grad with a master’s in economics, she’s restless and bored in a desk job for U.S. Senator Colles. Letty’s ready to quit, but her skills have impressed Colles, and he offers her a feet-on-the-ground investigative work, in conjunction with the Department of Homeland Security.  Several oil companies in Texas have reported thefts of crude, Colles tells her.  He isn’t so much concerned with the oil as he is with the who is selling the oil, and what are they doing with the profits? Rumor has it that a fairly ugly militia group might be involved. Colles wants to know if the money is going to them, and if so, what they’re planning.  Letty is partnered with a DHS investigator, John Kaiser, and they head to Texas.  When the case quicky turns deadly, they know they’re on the track of something bigger.  The militia group has set in motion an explosive plan . . . and the clock is ticking down.

 

Review:

The Investigator by John Sandford is the 1st book in his new Letty Davenport series. This is a spin off of Sandford’s US Marshall Lucas Davenport series, with his adopted daughter, Letty taking center stage. At the age of 24, Letty is working for US Senator Colles, but she is bored and ready to quit, but Colles is impressed with her skills and offers her a job doing investigative work along side of the Department of Homeland Security. Letty learned at a young age from her father, on handling firearms, knowledge of police procedures, handling tense situations as well understanding all kinds of investigative reports.

Letty is pared with Homeland Security investigator John Kaiser; at first John wasn’t sure that Letty would make a good partner. But she quickly proved that she knew what she was doing, not to mention her sharp abilities using guns. In a short time, they began to trust each other, making them have a great working relationship.  

Their mission involves checking out recent oil thefts in small Texas towns, as a number of oil companies have reported thefts. Rumors are reported that a militia group may be involved, and what are they doing with the profits from the stolen oil?  While doing their investigations, they discover an oil company employee, and wife is murdered in their home; with some other people also being murdered. Letty and John begin to suspect that this militia group is planning a possible anti-immigration explosive attack at the Tex-Mex border. With time running out, Letty and Kaiser alert Homeland Security and local police to help stop the attack. Who will survive?

The Investigator was an exciting, intense story line, with the last third of the book had me unable to put the book down.  I really liked Letty, who was a compelling heroine, with her overall intelligence, amazing ability with guns, and so very confident and independent. The Investigator was very well written by John Sandford. I look forward to more of Letty Davenport.

Reviewed by Barb

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Heartbeat by Sharon Sala – a Review

Heartbeat by Sharon Sala – a Review

 

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Description:
Sean Pope already lost Amalie Lincoln once. This time, he will risk everything to never have to say goodbye to her again. Amalie Lincoln moved to Jubilee, Kentucky, to start fresh, build her business, and heal the scars of her past. Little did she know she’d run into Sean Pope, a beloved childhood friend she hasn’t seen in decades. But on the day she moves to town, a helicopter explodes under suspicious circumstances, wreaking havoc on the families of Pope Mountain. As the Jubilee PD dives into their investigation of the incident, Sean and Amalie find comfort and a budding romance with each other. Life in Jubilee becomes exactly what Amalie hoped for. But as the investigators uncover the truth and the crooks behind the attack set Amalie in their sights, Sean must face the danger or risk losing Amalie forever.

 

 

Review:

Heartbeat by Sharon Sala is the 3rd book in her wonderful Jubilee, Kentucky series. We meet our heroine, Amalie Lincoln, who grew up in foster care, with no true happiness; especially as a baby being found in the woods.  She was able to go to college and became a CPA, but at the age of 25, Amalie suffered a horrific car wreck caused by a drunk driver, and was badly burned, which took at least two years to recover. Her neighbor helped her sue for damages, which she won, leaving her well-off financially. She took a trip to Jubilee, Kentucky for a vacation, and decided this is where she wants to live.

Amalie relocated to Jubilee, and opened her own shop as a CPA, and needed help to set up her computer, as well as security; she calls Sean Pope to help set her up.  Upon seeing each other, both look very familiar, which they will learn that they knew each other at school at the age of 7, as he stopped her being bullied.

Amalie’s first day in town, a helicopter explodes close to the elementary school, with terrible debris landing on the ground; Sean and his two brothers, were heroes, as well as police making sure the children and teachers were all safe.  In a short time, Sean and Amalie knew they had a bond, and were totally attracted to each other; with Sean not caring about some of the noticeable scars on Amalie.  Love was in the bloom with this wonderful couple, as the Pope family opened their hearts to Amalie, welcoming her into their big family.

Another part of this story revolves around the helicopter explosion, which turns into murder.  Amalie joined Ancestry.com to look for any DNA that might enable her finding her true family. Finally, after some time, she gets a result of a connection.  Wolf Outen, is a very successful and wealthy man, and learns that the helicopter crash was planned by someone close to him, and he suspects it was his wife; working with the police, they find evidence that eventually will identify her as the culprit.   But before this, Wolf receives an email from Amalie, claiming he is her father.  To his shock, he realizes that his in-laws lied to him 27 years ago, saying his child was stillborn and deformed, and his wife died the next day. Wolf and Amalie meet and both are thrilled to have found each other so many years later.  Wolf also is worried about the wife, who tried to kill him, and decides to send some of his trusted bodyguards to protect Amalie and Sean. 

What follows is an wonderful romance that was exciting, drama, love, fantastic family with a terrific group of characters we meet along the way, as well as suspenseful.  Heartbreak was so very well written by Sharon Sala Heartbeat was a fabulous romance suspense novel that kept us glued to our seats, as it was a thrilling ride.  I wholly suggest you read Heartbeat.

Reviewed by Barb

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Ice Cold Kiss (Ice Breaker Cold Case 8) by Cynthia Eden-a review

Ice Cold Kiss (Ice Breaker Cold Case 8) by Cynthia Eden-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 27, 2024

The son of a serial killer. A devil in the flesh.

Midas Monroe knows that his big size intimidates plenty of people, and when they learn about his twisted past? Most folks go running. But he’s not like his dear old monster of a dad, despite the stories that still circulate in the press. He’s a bodyguard. Protecting and defending is his bit. No emotional attachments, ever. And no mistakes.

His latest case isn’t the same old routine. It comes with a few twists…Twist one? The woman he’s protecting doesn’t know that he’s her bodyguard. Like that doesn’t make the job an extra pain in his—

Ice. Alina Bellamy is the reigning queen of the ice. She’s an Olympic contender waiting for her moment to shine. And she’s also a woman falling hard and fast for the big, muscled, and gorgeous stranger who has just swept into her life. When they touch, she finally feels something other than the cold that has surrounded her forever.

Taken. Terrified. Lost…

Alina’s perfect world shatters when she’s abducted. Kidnapped in the middle of the night, she fears that she’ll never survive, until he rushes to the rescue. Her Midas. Big, bold, and dangerous. He spirits her away even as her abductors give chase.

Alina isn’t the first victim to be taken, and her abductors aren’t just going to let her slip away. The abduction is just the start of the nightmare that waits for Alina. And as for Midas? Sometimes, it takes the son of a devil to fight the darkest monsters who like to hide in plain sight.

Midas has never backed away from a fight. Mostly because he has a killer swing…

••••••

REVIEW:ICE COLD KISS is the eight instalment in Cynthia Eden’s contemporary, adult ICE BREAKER COLD CASE romantic suspense series focusing on the men and women who work for Ice Breakers, an online team of crime solvers whose goal is to solve cold cases. This is security specialist/body guard Midas Monroe, and Olympic ice skating contender Alina Bellamy’s story line. ICE COLD KISS can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from several omniscient third person perspectives including Midas and Alina ICE COLD KISS follows in the wake of threats against our story line heroine. Alina Bellamy is preparing for the qualifications for the US women’s Olympic figure skating team but unbeknownst to Alina, threats have been made, and her father has hired the best of the best. Enter bodyguard Midas Monroe, a man who came highly recommended to Ryker Bellamy but all is not as it appears to be when Midas discovers the threats to Alina may be connected to his past. What ensues is the building but forbidden relationship between Midas and Alina, and the potential fall out as secrets and lies threaten everyone involved.

The world building focuses on Alina’s quest for the Olympics; Midas’ past that refuses to let go; and the secrets that continue to betray our story line couple.

The relationship between Alina and Midas begins as an assignment of which Alina knows nothing about. Alina believes Midas is the new head of security at the rink but Midas has been tasked with protecting the woman with whom he will fall in love. Their attraction is immediate but Midas knows that to cross the line would mean no turning back. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and test.

The secondary and supporting characters include several of the security specialists that work for the Ice Breakers Cold Case including PI Ophelia Lane, and Ice Breakers cold case member Lane Lawson. We are introduced to Alina’s father Ryker Bellamy, his security and legal team, as well as Midas’ father Henry Monroe. The requisite evil has many faces.

ICE COLD KISS is a story of betrayal and vengeance, secrets and lies, obsession, madness and murder, family, friendships, acceptance and love. The premise is intriguing, captivating and dramatic; the romance is seductive; the characters are determined, dynamic and charismatic.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Frozen in Ice
Falling for the Ice Queen
Ice Cold Saint
Touched by Ice
Trapped in Ice
Forged From Ice
Buried Under Ice

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

•••••••

LOOKING FOR an ebook DEAL?  TOUCHED BY ICE book 4 is only 99¢ for a limited time

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Village in the Dark by Iris Yamashita – a Review

Village in the Dark by Iris Yamashita – a Review

 

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Description:
On a frigid February day, Anchorage Detective Cara Kennedy stands by the graves of her husband and son, watching as their caskets are raised from the earth. It feels sacrilegious, but she has no choice. Aaron and Dylan disappeared on a hike a year ago, their bones eventually found and buried. But shocking clues have emerged that foul play was involved, potentially connecting them to a string of other deaths and disappearances.

Somehow tied to the mystery is Mia Upash, who grew up in an isolated village called Unity, a community of women and children in hiding from abusive men. Mia never imagined the trouble she would find herself in when she left home to live in Man’s World. Although she remains haunted by the tragedy of what happened to the man and the boy in the woods, she has her own reasons for keeping quiet.

Aided by police officer Joe Barkowski and other residents of Point Mettier, Cara’s investigation will lead them on a dangerous path that puts their lives and the lives of everyone around them in mortal jeopardy.

 

 

 

Review:

Village in the Dark by Iris Yamashita is the 2nd book in her Cara Kennedy series. We meet Detective Cara Kennedy, when she stands by the grave of her husband and son; as they bring up both coffins, which looks like murder (instead of an accident). Cara is determined to find the truths; her husband and son were killed a year ago on a hike. With help from police officer Joe Barkowski, as well as other residents of Point Mettier, Cara’s investigation will lead them on a dangerous path that puts their lives and the lives of everyone around them in mortal jeopardy. Having not read the previous book, which ended in a cliffhanger, the beginning was a bit confusing, but I was able to get past it easily enough.

Cara’s investigation will lead to the bodies exhumed, which turned out that the DNA was not of her husband and son, which is why she suspected that their deaths were not an accident.  She visits Point Mettier, and meets Ellie, whose son recently overdosed, with a picture shown by Ellie, which includes her husband and son.  Cara and Ellie join together to embark on the truths, which lead them on a dangerous path of bad people, putting all of them in mortal danger.  What was the connection between them?

We then meet Mia (the third lead in this story), who lived all her life with her mother, in an isolated village, called Unity, with all women, who hide from abusive men, and work together to build a protective village; using and learning how to use weapons.  Mia decided, as she got older, she wanted to leave the village and live in a Man’s world; she changed her name (carol or Jennifer), and got various jobs along the way. Then she reaches out to help someone working at the company she worked at, which eventually leads her meet Cara, both beginning to work together, with surprising revelations.

I enjoyed all three main characters (Cara, Ellie and Mia/Jennifer), and when we reach the climax, each l finding a way to help one another.  The last third of the book was very intense, dangerous and fast-paced with surprises along the way.  With all the shocking twists and turns as we reach the climax, I will not say too much more, as it would ruin it for you.

Village in the Dark was an exciting page turner that kept unable to put the book down, as we reach the climax.  Village in the Dark was very well written by Iris Yamashita. Village in the Dark was a very compelling murder mystery, with revelations that were totally surprising.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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