Tag Archives: Suspense

A DESPERATE MAN (Appalachian STAR 1) by Deanndra Hall-review

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A DESPERATE MAN (Special Forces: Operation Alpha) (Appalachian STAR 1) by Deanndra Hall-review tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 14, 2023

Come Hell or high water, he’ll protect them all.

PATCH
Reinvention.
That’s what I’m doing. After losing so much, it’s time to rebuild and not look back to the life that tried to destroy me. Moving to Kentucky and building a home for rehabilitating prisoners after incarceration keeps me motivated and gives me purpose. But when I meet a courageous and strong woman on the run, I know that she needs more than just my help. And believe me, I’m going to give her the world.

PENNY
Reinvention.
I can’t live in fear and pain any longer. With an abusive ex-husband on my trail, I have to get away and start over. Rebuilding my life hundreds of miles away in Kentucky seems like the only answer to my prayers. I certainly didn’t know what I was wishing for. Meeting the rugged, determined, and handsome Patch makes me want so much more for my future. But when my past resurfaces and my life is on the line, it’s only Patch and his team of unlikely allies that I can truly count on. He’s my confidante, but is he desperate enough to save me once and for all?

•••••••

REVIEW: A DESPERATE MAN is the first instalment in Deanndra Hall’s contemporary, adult APPALACHIAN STAR erotic, romantic suspense series set in the Special Forces: Operation Alpha series featuring characters first introduced in the books and series by Susan Stoker. This is forty-three year old, former US Army helicopter pilot Patrick ‘Patch’ Scott , and thirty-four year old, miniature model/diorama maker Penny Markley’s story line.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Patch and Penny) A DESPERATE MAN focuses on the start up of Appalachian STAR, search and rescue operation that hires former inmates from US prisons. Patrick ‘Patch’ Scott was forced into retirement when gunfire blew out the windshield of the helicopter he was flying, imbedding glass into our hero’s eye. Opening up Appalachian STAR in the mountains of Mallie, Kentucky gives Patrick Scott, and several former inmates a second chance at a life and a career but the team at Appalachian STAR are about to get their first big test when a rainstorm all but destroys most of the Kentucky Valley. Penny Markley is a divorcee, on the run from her abusive ex, hoping to restart her career as a miniature model maker but Penny never expected to come face to face with former US soldier turned business owner Patrick Scott, the man with whom Penny will fall in love. As Penny and Patrick’s relationship turns into something more, Mallie, Kentucky will face a catastrophic disaster pushing the men at Appalachian STAR into their first big test at a rescue operation. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Penny and Patrick, and the potential fall-out when Penny’s past forces our heroine on the run, once again.

The relationship between Penny and Patrick is one of immediate attraction but Patrick continues to battle between head and heart in the wake of the demise of his marriage, and his inability to visit his adult children. Career came before family, and in this Patrick fears history repeating itself, and refuses to get involved with anyone else. Penny has known the terror of an abusive relationship, barely surviving her last encounter with her ex-husband but Penny is hoping for a new start, possibly with the man that calls to her heart. 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 secondary and supporting characters including several from a number of Deanndra Hall’s Bluegrass Bravery instalments, and books by Susan Stoker. We are introduced to Miles ‘ Bear’ McMillan; Hollywood, ghost, Priest, Reboot, Paddy and Bulldog, as well as several townspeople in and around Mallie, Kentucky. Hollywood’s story is next.

A DESPERATE MAN is a story of second chances, of a sort, for two people who never expected to find love again. The fast paced premise is intriguing with a detailed look at search and rescue, and helicopter information; the romance is seductive and provocative; the characters are lively, captivating and real.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Deanndra Hall is a working author living in the far western end of the beautiful Bluegrass State with her husband of over 35 years and small menagerie of weird little dogs. When she’s not writing, she’s editing. When she’s doing neither of those two things, she’s having dinner with friends, spending time with family, kayaking, eating chocolate, drinking beer or moonshine, or looking for something that she put in the wrong place and can’t seem to find (which is pretty much everything she owns).

 

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Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q Sutanto

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Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q Sutanto

 

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Description:
Vera Wong is a lonely little old lady–ah, lady of a certain age–who lives above her forgotten tea shop in the middle of San Francisco’s Chinatown. Despite living alone, Vera is not needy, oh no. She likes nothing more than sipping on a good cup of Wulong and doing some healthy detective work on the Internet about what her Gen-Z son is up to.

Then one morning, Vera trudges downstairs to find a curious thing–a dead man in the middle of her tea shop. In his outstretched hand, a flash drive. Vera doesn’t know what comes over her, but after calling the cops like any good citizen would, she sort of . . . swipes the flash drive from the body and tucks it safely into the pocket of her apron. Why? Because Vera is sure she would do a better job than the police possibly could, because nobody sniffs out a wrongdoing quite like a suspicious Chinese mother with time on her hands. Vera knows the killer will be back for the flash drive; all she has to do is watch the increasing number of customers at her shop and figure out which one among them is the killer.

What Vera does not expect is to form friendships with her customers and start to care for each and every one of them. As a protective mother hen, will she end up having to give one of her newfound chicks to the police?

 

 

Review:

Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto is a fun crazy captivating mystery.  We meet our heroine, Vera Wong, who is a lonely Asian elder woman (60’s), who lives above her tea shop in Chinatown.  Her shop is always empty, other than a local man who visits daily to have many different kinds of special teas with Vera.  Her life is about to change when one morning she finds a dead man in her in her tea shop.  The police don not pay attention to the case, as they decide the dead man died due to a bird allergy.

Vera decides to take it upon herself to investigate who murdered this man (even if the police do not feel he was murdered). When she gets strange visitors to look in her tea shop, Vera begins to make a list of suspects, and pushes herself into these new people’s lives; as she is determined to find the murderer, and in a short time she becomes close to all her new friends. We meet Riki, San, Oliver and Julia with her little girl, Emma.  Is one of them the murderer?

What follows is Vera’s constant putting herself into her so called suspects lives, navigating the many secrets and lies; learning everything about each of them. Vera constantly makes food/dinner for them, as well as pushing her wonderful tea; with all of them becoming close to her.  We get to see the POV’s on all of the five main characters.  At first, I did find Vera a bit bossy and annoying, but that didn’t last long as she was a quirky grandma sleuth, who for the most part was hysterical.  I loved all five characters, as they were so great together, especially with Vera also being such a good matchmaker.  As she learns the truths of their lives, she manages to cut the suspect list, until she finally realizes who is the culprit.

Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers was a fun, delightful, heartwarming, captivating cozy mystery, with fantastic characters.  Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers was so very well written by Jesse Q. Sutanto.  If you enjoy cozy mysteries that are pure fun, you need to read this book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publishers

 

 

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Don’t Back Down by Sharon Sala – a Review

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Don’t Back Down by Sharon Sala – a Review

 

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Description:
Army veteran Cameron Pope arrives back in Jubilee, Kentucky, for the first time in years. He barely has time to catch his breath when he becomes embroiled in a race of life or death for his little niece and a deadly hunt for the human traffickers who are destroying the peace of his mountain town. When he’s reunited with Rusty Caldwell—a woman from his past who he’s never stopped thinking about—he wants to believe they can finally be together. But Cameron is shocked to find out that Rusty belongs to one of the rich families in Jubilee—the same rich folks who scorn the rural families living on the surrounding mountainside, in spite of knowing nothing about them. With their community in the crosshairs, Cameron and Rusty will have to find a way to end the feuding and take down the human trafficking ring if they’re to have a chance at happiness.

 

 

Review:

Don’t Back Down by Sharon Sala is the first book in her new romance suspense series, Jubilee, Kentucky.  I am a fan of Sharon Sala, having read and loved her previous series; and this first book was great.  The story started 5 years ago, when our heroine/hero met at a bar, and had a night of passion, as he was shipping out to Afghanistan. Both of them still dream about that night, sorry they didn’t give out their names.

We jump to 5 years later, Cameron Pope, has returned to Jubilee, Kentucky after completing two tours, and is happy to be home near his family.  One night he gets a desperation call from his sister, Rachel, about her daughter being kidnapped.  Cameron, with his service dog, Ghost, become embroiled to find his niece.  Ghost, who spent years in Afghanistan with Cameron, managed to find her, and Cameron rescues little Lily. 

Rusty Caldwell, our heroine, is a top-rated FBI agent, who solves a crime, and is currently recovering from injuries.  She is approached by Agents who have been trying to stop human traffickers, and since she has family in Jubilee, she agrees to visit family members she has not seen in many years; using the guise of visiting while on leave to recover.  When the FBI learns that Cameron is a Military Veteran, whose credentials were top notch, and they inform Rusty to work with him. 

Cameron is shocked when he meets Rusty, as she was the woman he constantly dreamed of.  Rusty, doing research, recognizes Cameron, and couldn’t wait to meet him again and work together. They both worked closely together, investigating a number of people in Jubiliee that were involved, but most of all to find the head honcho who was behind the human trafficking.  Rusty, Cameron and Ghost made a fantastic team.

What follows is an exciting, tense story that held my breath throughout; with many people part of the human trafficking. Just when they think they have discovered the Boss, things change rapidly.  Though this was an exciting mystery, I oved the romance between Cameron and Rusty; they made such a great couple, and the chemistry between them became ultra-steamy.  Their romance throughout was a major part of this story.  I loved Ghost, who was a fantastic dog, and a major part of the rescue/investigation. 

Don’t Back Down was so very well written by Sharon Sala.  I loved the characters, the town, and especially our couple, and dog.  I can’t wait to see what Sala has next.  If you like exciting suspense, and romance, I suggest you read Don’t Back Down.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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Hidden by the Doctor by Kennedy L Mitchell-review tour

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Hidden the by Doctor (In Clear Sight 4) by Kennedy L Mitchell-review tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 8, 2023

Miller
Being a single father in witness protection isn’t ideal, but it’s the only option to keep the baby I technically stole safe. Staying hidden is simple until the night I beat down the door of the only doctor in town, demanding help, and I meet the woman who changes everything.
I’m danger and violence; she’s innocent and caring. I’ll corrupt her, and potentially bring the threat of the MC after me to her doorstep.
Too bad for Dr. Caradee Blacksmith, I’m too selfish to care.
Because I want her no matter the risk.

Caradee
I should be terrified of the massive stranger with tattoos covering every inch of skin and penetrating gray eyes that conjure dirty thoughts I have no right to think. But there’s a sick baby in his arms. He’s not what I expect, throwing my perfectly controlled life into a type of chaos I had no idea I needed. He’s everything I never knew I wanted, making me feel alive with every flaming touch.

But when men who look like him come to town wearing leather vests with hate and violence behind their eyes, I have to decide if this new way of living is one I’ll fight for or if I’ll turn my back on the man who showed me how amazing it is to be obsessively loved.

••••

REVIEW:HIDDEN BY THE DOCTOR is the fourth instalment in Kennedy L Mitchell’s contemporary, adult, IN CLEAR SIGHT erotic, romantic suspense series focusing on Grandger Texas, and a small community of people living in the WITSEC program. This is former MC member Miller, and doctor Caradee Blacksmith’s story line.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise including violence, murder and strong language, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Miller and Caradee) HIDDEN BY THE DOCTOR follows Miller in the aftermath of a massacre between rival MCs. On the order of his MC president aka his father, Miller found himself at a crossroads when he discovered he was being tested and his assignment was to kill every man, woman and child but upon his arrival, everyone was already dead, and the only survivor was an infant child, a child Miller knew he had to save. In the WITSEC program for turning evidence against his former MC and his father, Miller and baby Carlie were now in Grandger Texas, where Miller would come face to face with Dr. Caradee Blacksmith, the woman with whom Miller would fall in love. As Miller and Carlie navigated the ins and outs of their new relationship, Miller knew it was only a matter of time before his past discovered his whereabouts, threatening the woman with whom he was falling in love. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Miller and Caradee, and the potential fall-out as the Blazing Skulls MC sets their sights on our story line couple.

The relationship between Miller and Caradee is one of immediate attraction but neither one is in any position to start something new. Caradee continues to struggle with a lifetime of betrayal, and Miller needs to protect the small child he has claimed as his own but time spent together felt like the family both had been missing, a family that was about to be destroyed in an act of betrayal and vengeance. The $ex scene are intimate, erotic and aggressive but I dislike the liberal use of a certain four-letter word throughout the story.

The secondary and supporting characters include several members of the Blazing Skulls MC-the prez, Stetson and Beast). We are reintroduced to Max and Rachel (Guarded by the Officer 1), Grayson and Anne (Cherished by the Agent 2), Shade, Trap and Georgia (Saved by the Officers 3)l Caradee’s mother, baby Carlie, and Caradee’s ex fiancé Kurt.

HIDDEN BY THE DOCTOR is a story of power and control, murder and madness, acceptance and love. The fast paced premise is gripping and riveting; the characters are determined and energetic; the romance is seductive and provocative.

My only complaint is the whereabouts and condition of two secondary characters including Stetson and Miller’s sister Megan.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Guarded by the Marshal
Cherished by the Agent
Saved by the Officers

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

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Kennedy lives in Dallas with her husband, son, and 80lb Goldendoodle who still believes he’s a lap dog. A bookworm at heart, Kennedy loves to snuggle up in bed or by the campfire with an unputdownable book. She began writing two years ago with Falling for the Chance and has no plans of stopping. Her novels are witty, action-packed, and offer enough steam for a great facial. If you like strong heroines and sexy, tattooed men who can’t keep their hands off them, then this author is the one for you.

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A Sinister Revenge by Deanna Raybourn – a Review

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A Sinister Revenge by Deanna Raybourn – a Review

 

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Description:
Veronica’s natural-historian beau, Stoker, has been away in Bavaria for months and their relationship is at an impasse. But when Veronica shows up before him with his brother, Tiberius, Lord Templeton-Vane, he is lured back home by an intriguing job offer: preparing an iguanodon for a very special dinner party.
 
Tiberius has received a cryptic message—along with the obituaries of two recently deceased members of his old group of friends, the Seven Sinners—that he too should get his affairs in order. Realizing he is in grave danger but not knowing why, he plans a reunion party for the remaining Sinners at his family estate to lure the killer out while Veronica and Stoker investigate.
 
As the guests arrive and settle in, the evening’s events turn deadly. More clues come to light, leading Veronica, Stoker, and Tiberius to uncover a shared past among the Sinners that has led to the fatal present. But the truth might be far more sinister than what they were prepared for.

 

 

 

Review:

A Sinister Revenge by Deanna Raybourn is the 8th book in her Veronica Speedwell Mystery series.  I have not read this series, though it does read well as a standalone; but would have probably been better to have read some of the more previous books.

Veronica Speedwell, our heroine, is a very good amateur sleuth, in historian times.  In the last book, she and her lover, Stoker broke up, and she has been helping his brother, Tiberius on an assignment.  Now, Tiberius wants her help, and also Stoker’s; seems someone is sending threatening cryptic messages regarding a death from twenty years ago.   On that day, twenty years ago, Tiberious hosted friends at his family estate, they called themselves the Seven Sinners; and one member of their party died due to an accident. In present time, Tiberius decides to bring back members of their group to his estate for a reunion party; especially after reading the obituaries of two members of the Seven Sinners.  Tiberius knows someone is out to kill him, and together with Veronica, Stoker, and a younger brother, they welcome the group, with their wives.

What follows is a slow burn story, with Veronica and Stoker still at odds, but together they are determined to discover who in this group is behind the threats, at the same time keeping a protective eye on Tiberius.  Three of the Sinners arrive; Count Pietro Salviati & his wife, Beatrice; James Maciver & his wife Augusta, and Doctor Timothy Gresham & his sister, Elspeth.  The story picks up half way through, when it gets very exciting.  There are a few twists and surprises, with one death that throws things for a loop.  Veronica begins to find clues, and just when she suspects one person, everything changes, as she comes face to face with the real killer; and Veronica’s life is in danger.  Will she survive?

A Sinister Revenge was a very good mystery, though it was a bit slow early on.  I really liked Veronica and how brave she was, as well as her independence.   As noted, the last half of the book was very exciting, with some twists and surprises along the way. A Sinister Revenge was very well written by Deanna Raybourn.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

 

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TOUCHED BY ICE (Ice Breaker Cold Case 4) by Cynthia Eden-a review

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TOUCHED BY ICE (Ice Breaker Cold Case 4) by Cynthia Eden

 

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 28, 2023

Cold case. Hot romance.

Aiden Warner has power, fame, and money. What he doesn’t have? Answers. His twin brother vanished when Aiden was a teen, and the mystery has haunted Aiden for years. He will do anything, pay any price, to learn the truth. Luckily for Aiden, there is one woman out there who can help him solve the mystery from his past.

She deals with the dead.

Dr. Antonia “Tony” Rossi has a reputation—she finds the dead. She’s an expert when it comes to discovering remains and identifying the deceased. Someone has to give justice for the missing, and she’s made it her life’s work to be the voice for those who can’t speak. Tony’s a loner by nature, uncomfortable with attention, and definitely not a woman who seeks the spotlight.

He thinks he can buy her. Newsflash, he can’t.

Aiden is used to getting what he wants, and what he wants now? Antonia. He figures he can pay her to do the job, and the case will be closed but…he’s wrong. About her. About himself. From the minute he meets her, Aiden is obsessed. He expected Antonia to be brilliant, but he doesn’t expect the hot surge of desire he feels for her.

Someone will kill to keep the past buried.

But now Aiden’s attention has a killer focused on Antonia, too. Someone who will not allow her to uncover any of his dark secrets. And if he has to, he will bury Antonia so deeply that no one will ever find her again.

It’s not the past that can destroy you. It’s the present.

When Antonia is threatened, Aiden realizes that nothing matters but protecting her. For years, his heart has been locked away, but she’s brought him to life again. He will not lose her. Will he fight for her? With everything he has. Would he kill to protect her? In a heartbeat.

Together, Aiden and Antonia will hunt for the murderer who has been hiding and waiting to strike again. The dead are going to speak, and Antonia will make sure she gives them justice.

•••••

REVIEW: TOUCHED BY ICE is the fourth 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 forensic anthropologist Dr. Antonia ‘Tony’ Rossi, and thirty-two year old, billionaire casino owner/businessman Aiden Warner’s storyline. TOUCHED BY ICE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

NOTE: For fans of Cynthia Eden, there is a slight cross over with the author’s Wilde Ways series.

Told from third person perspective TOUCHED BY ICE follows the building romance and relationship between forensic anthropologist Dr. Antonia ‘Tony’ Rossi, and thirty-two year old, billionaire casino owner/businessman Aiden Warner in the wake of Aiden hiring our heroine to find his twin brother. Aiden’s twin brother Austin has been missing, and presumed dead, for close to fifteen years, and Aiden has been desperate to uncover the truth. Dr. Rossi’s reputation for ‘finding’ the dead has drawn Aiden to the woman with whom he will fall in love but Tony isn’t interested in taking on any more cases until Aiden reveals he knows more about Tony than she could have ever imagined. Tony will agree to help locate Aiden’s missing brother but all does not go well when our couple are targeted the closer they get to uncovering the truth. What ensues is the building relationship between Tony and Aiden, and the potential fall-out as Tony begins to suspect everyone in Aiden’s life, including the man, himself.

Aiden Warner lost everything the day his twin brother Austin went missing but the amount of blood and destruction in the family’s cottage meant something bad had happened to his brother. As Aiden and Tony begin investigating the who, how and why, it becomes apparent that several of the locals know more than they are willing to say. The murder of a local real estate agent, and the poisoning of Tony’s dog proves that our couple have been targeted, possibly by the same person or persons responsible for killing Austin Warner.

The relationship between Aiden and Tony begins acrimoniously as Tony refuses Aiden’s attempts to convince her to help. Tony is overwhelmed in the wake of a recent discovery, and finding another young body brings up too many memories of crimes long ago but Tony knows that Aiden will never rest until his brother’s body is found, and in this Tony is hoping the truth will bring some peace to the man with whom she is falling in love. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The secondary and supporting characters include Aiden’s right hand man and security specialist Smith Sanders; as well as police chief Barrett Montgomery, veterinarian Levi Russell, his assistant Sharon, and real estate agent Melanie Rodgers. We are reintroduced to Memphis Camden (Falling for the Ice Queen 2), and his brother Saint Camden (Ice Cold Saint 3). Smith Sanders story is next in TRAPPED IN ICE.

TOUCHED BY ICE is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, greed and addiction, forgiveness and love. The fast paced, action packed premise is captivating and intriguing; the romance is seductive and provocative; the characters are desperate, determined and dynamic.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Frozen in Ice
Falling for the Ice Queen
Ice Cold Saint

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Cold-Blooded Liar by Karen Rose – Review & Excerpt

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Cold-Blooded Liar by Karen Rose – Review & Excerpt

 

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Description:
San Diego homicide detective Kit McKittrick loves the water. She lives on a boat, and when she’s not solving crimes with the SDPD, she’s assisting her foster sister with her charter fishing business, scuba diving, or playing with her poodle. But there’s nothing that intrigues Kit more than a cold case, so when an anonymous caller leads her on the path of a wanted killer, she’s determined to end the decade-long manhunt.

Sam is soon released but goes home with both a newfound distaste for the SDPD and a resolve—not unlike Kit’s—to uncover the truth. Kit and Sam repeatedly butt heads in their separate investigations but are forced to work together to find one of the deadliest serial killers the city has faced in a decade.

 

 

Review:

Cold-Blooded Liar by Karen Rose is the 1st book in her new San Diego Case Files series.  I am a big fan of Karen Rose, as she writes fantastic crime drama’s that are exciting and tense from start to finish.  I will always read her books.

We meet Kit McKittrick, our heroine, and a San Diego homicide detective, who is considered one of the best in solving crimes.  She and her partner, Baz have worked together for many years, and they are currently deep into a cold case, revolving around a serial killer, who has eluded them and recently killed again.  Kit is close to her foster parents, who also willingly help other young girls to foster, to give them a better life. 20 years ago, Kit’s sister was found murdered, with no resolution over the years, leaving her with terrible memories; this cold case has her determined to find this killer, who kills only underage young girls.   

Sam Reeves, is a psychologist, who treats clients who are court ordered.  One of his patients, is a pathological liar, and when this patient begins revealing strange details, Sam decides to anonymously report this to the SDPD hotline, without revealing his identity, especially keeping patient confidentiality. Kit and Baz discover the tipster’s name, and arrest him, thinking he could be the murderer; since he left a clue to where the woman maybe buried. In a short time, Kit knows that Sam is not the killer, and is released. Since he wants to help get more information, he continues to call Kit with some clues he gets from the client’s ex-wives. 

What follows was very exciting, intense, mindboggling, suspenseful, and action-packed thriller.  The San Diego homicide team was very good, with Baz, Navarro, Connor working closely with Kit to find the killer before he kills again.  I liked Kit’s family, and Sam’s friends who were always there for each other.  Sam also finds himself attracted to Kit, who she knows is innocent, shying away from any romantic feelings. I suspect that we will see more of Sam and Kit in the next book of this series. Cold-Blooded Liar was a fantastic thriller, with so much emotional and passionate feelings along the way. 

Karen Rose once again gives us a fabulous story, with great characters, and a major surprise at the end. I could not put the book down, as it was exciting from start to finish.  If you like crime dramas, you should be reading Karen Rose.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

COLD-BLOODED LIAR by Karen Rose
Berkley Hardcover | On sale February 28, 2023

                              Excerpt

Longview Park, San Diego, California

Monday, April 4, 5:30 p.m.

Kit pulled the handkerchief across her nose and mouth as she watched the two CSU techs meticulously uncovering what was, indeed, a grave. Based on the odor, the body had been there awhile.

They’d arrived at the mystery caller’s coordinates to find that the ground had settled somewhat, creating a slight depression that measured five and a half by two and a half feet.

Ground-penetrating radar had shown a body.

The victim had been small.

Kit slipped her hand into her pocket, finding the little cat-bird figurine. Stroking it with her thumb. Please don’t be a child.

“I hope it’s not a kid,” Baz murmured, echoing her thoughts.

All homicides were difficult. Even drug dealers murdered on the street had been loved by someone. Were missed by someone.

But the child homicides were a completely different level of hell.

She looked away from the grave to where Sergeant Ryland, the CSU leader, was making a plaster cast of the only footprint they’d found in the area. It was a man’s shoe, size eleven.

“You got anything for us, Ryland?” she called.

“I just might.”

She and Baz walked from the grave site to where someone had stepped off the asphalt path, leaving the single footprint in the strip of ground between the path and the field of grass.

Ryland finished pouring the plaster over the footprint, smoothed it out, then set the timer on his phone. “Thirty minutes for the plaster to set. Come see the photos I took of the print while I wait.” He retrieved his camera and beckoned them closer. “There was lettering on the sole of the shoe-likely a brand name. I can’t quite make it out in the photo, but I’m hoping to get detail from the plaster cast.”

“So it’ll be seventy-two hours or so,” Baz said and Ryland nodded.

Kit leaned closer to the screen. “Can you zoom in on it?”

Ryland did, handing the camera to Kit. “I can make out what looks like a Y at the end of the brand name, but-“

“Sperry,” Kit said. “Sorry to interrupt, Sergeant. I recognize the logo. They’re Sperry Top-Siders.” She gave him back his camera. “My sister runs a charter fishing business and sometimes I first mate for her on my days off. A lot of her customers wear them.”

Ryland studied the photo. “You could be right.”

She was, Kit was certain. “Trouble is, that’s a popular shoe. I’ve even got a pair.”

“So do I,” Baz said. “Tracking those will be nearly impossible.”

Kit shrugged. “But when we find the guy who owns these shoes, we can put him at the scene. Any way to get a weight estimate on the wearer?”

Ryland shook his head. “Ground’s too hard. Barely enough sinkage to get the plaster cast. I’ll let you know when I have something definite.”

“Detectives?” one of the techs at the grave called, his tone urgent. “Something over here you need to see.”

“Thank you, Sergeant,” Kit said, then approached the grave alongside Baz, schooling her expression. If it was a child’s grave, she would maintain her professionalism. She’d let herself react later, when she was alone.

“Victim’s a postpubescent female,” the tech said when they were graveside. “The ME will be able to give you a better age than I can, but I’m guessing somewhere between fourteen and eighteen.”

Feeling Baz’s eyes on her, Kit reassured him with a quick glance. She was fine.

He always worried about her reaction when the victim was the same age that Wren had been when she’d been murdered, but after four years as a homicide detective, Kit had seen far too many victims who’d been Wren’s age. It never got easier.

She hoped that it never would.

Excerpted from Cold-Blooded Liar by Karen Rose Copyright © 2023 by Karen Rose. Excerpted by permission of Berkley. All rights reserved.

 


 

 

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The Heist (Team Zulu 3) by Julie Weaver-review

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The Heist (Team Zulu 3) by Julie Weaver-review

 

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 28, 2023

♥ A morally grey ex-navy SEAL,
♥ A heroine on the run and in need of protection, and
♥ Touch her and you die vibes.

Freya

I’ll do anything to escape the controlling monster who’s tormented me for years, even if it means putting my life at the mercy of a criminal. When Kane Daniels breaks into my gilded cage, he doesn’t realize his loot will include more than gold and diamonds—it’ll include me.

Bearded, built, and covered in tats, Kane looks like a sexy Viking warrior wrapped in biker gear, embodying every filthy fantasy I never knew I had. It’s been a long time since I could choose anything for myself, and I’m choosing him.

But the devil I fled has dangerous men hunting me, and they won’t hesitate to eliminate anyone who stands in their way. I’m tougher than I look and have faced unimaginable suffering many times in my life, but losing Kane could be the first thing to break me.

Kane

After getting out of Team Zulu, my life is exactly the way I want it. No commitments. No responsibilities. No killing. And then a brazen blond forces her way into my world, turning it upside down.

Freya Palmer is exactly the kind of trouble I should avoid, but when I learn of the nightmare she’s endured, my protective instincts kick in, and the black ops skills I never wanted to use again suddenly seem mighty useful. Because the man who hurt her badly wants her back, and I’m going to be the one to stop him.

Our arrangement is temporary. She’s living with me until she’s safe, but what if my heart wants something more permanent? How can I ask Freya to stay with me when all she dreams of is being free?

••••••

REVIEW:THE HEIST is the third instalment in Julie Weaver’s contemporary, adult TEAM ZULU erotic, romantic suspense series focusing on the members of an under cover Black Ops Unit known as Team Zulu. This is thirty-two year old, former US Navy SEAL Kane Daniels, and twenty-five year old Freya Palmer’s story line. THE HEIST can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty.Any important information from the previous storylines is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Freya and Kane) THE HEIST follows in the wake of a contract to secure Kane’s brother Wyatt enough money to retire but Wyatt needs Kane’s help, help to drive the targeted and getaway car, a car that is about have a desperate and unwanted passenger. Freya Palmer has been a prisoner of French National, billionaire arms dealer Andre Matisse for close to seven years, never having anticipated the cruelty and abuse at the hands of the man who offered her family financial security but Andre’s manipulations placed Freya at a disadvantage, meant to destroy Freya’s freedom by threatening the safety of the people she loves. The break-in and robbery at Andre’s mansion gave Freya a chance at an escape but she never expected to come face to face with her future in the guise of former US Navy SEAL Kane Daniels. Keeping Freya Palmer safe means not only hiding from Andre Matisse but both the Mexican and Colombian Cartels but Team Zulu underestimated Andre’s reach, when Freya is recaptured and imprisoned by the man she is hoping to take down. What ensues is the building but forbidden relationship between Freya and Kane, and the potential fall-out as Team Zulu warn Kane away from Freya, as Freya becomes collateral damage in a war that was never hers to begin.

Wyatt Daniels is desperate to complete one final job, a heist meant to net the team a small fortune but his brother Kane has struggled since an assignment that went horribly wrong, preferring to live his life alone, on a boat that has seen better days. Knowing he owes his brother one final favor, Kane never anticipated a volunteer hostage, a woman desperate to escape the cruelty of the man Team Zulu was sent to rob. Kane doesn’t do relationships, and Freya has plans to return to her family, so an affair based on proximity means one or the other is about to break their heart.

The relationship between Freya and Kane begins when Freya begs Kane to help her escape. Freya has been used and abused by her captor but making her escape could place her family in the direct line of fire. Kane never expected a volunteer hostage but his need to protect outweighs the direct orders of the people in charge. The $ex scenes are intimate, passionate and erotic but I dislike the use of a certain four-letter word, although only used once, more for shock value than anything else.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and energetic secondary and supporting characters. Kane’s brother Wyatt and his wife Maggie who have issues with our story line hero-Kane has struggled since the last assignment, and prefers to remain in solitude, away from family and friends; Elias Shepherd (The Hit #1), Brandon and Sage (The Payback 2), and well as brothers Vaughn and Owen, and Freya’s sister Lena. The requisite evil has many faces.

THE HEIST is a story of power and control, betrayal and vengeance, family and relationships, acceptance, forgiveness and love. The fast paced premise is intriguing and compelling; the romance is seductive and intense; the characters are desperate, determined and charismatic.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
The Hit
The Payback

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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