Category: 4 Star

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Kimberly reviews Faceless by Alexandra Ivy

TITLE: Faceless
SERIES #: Oike, Wisconsin #2
CHARACTERS: Wynter & Noah
AUTHOR: Alexandra Ivy
PUBLICATION DATE: 08/24/21
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
BE CAREFUL
A masked robber, a gunshot, an endless nightmare left in its wake. Wynter Moore was just four years-old when she witnessed the murder of her mother. For twenty-five years she’s tried to blunt the trauma with ambition. Yet each year, she shuts down her popular Iowa restaurant to return to her small hometown of Pike, Wisconsin, to grieve. Only this time, her visit will be marked by new danger and shocking discoveries about the past—and about her mother.

WHAT YOU DIG FOR
Why kill her? That’s what scrawled on the picture Pike’s recently deceased sheriff left behind for Wynter. Pulledfrom surveillance tape, it shows the fatal hold-up—and raises unnerving questions. Soon, Wynter is opening a Pandora’s box of dark revelations and suspects. When frightening incidents and threats start coming, it’s clear that Wynter is a target herself. Enemies seem to abound—except for one man . . .

YOU JUST MIGHT GET KILLED
Game warden Noah Hunter has tried to convince himself that Wynter is just a friend ever since they met in grief counseling as teenagers. But now that she’s in danger, that denial is over. Traveling to her side, he helps Wynter retrace the treacherous steps of her complex mother’s life—before she loses her own. Because someone wants—needs—Wynter gone, forever.

REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts This is the second in the Pike, Wisconsin series but can easily be a stand alone. In this story we meet Noah and Wynter.

Decades ago Wynter’s mom was killed during an armed robbery, or at least that is what Wynter was told, but new evidence is coming to light that makes Wynter want to investigate what really happened. Noah is “just friends” with Wynter even though it is becoming harder and harder to convince himself of that but when Wynter needs help Noah is right there to give her the support she needs.

I found this story really interesting. Yes, it is a romance and Noah and Wynter find love during the chaos of the investigation but the twists and turns that Alexandra Ivy puts us through is what this story is really all about.

Alexandra Ivy became one of my faves with her paranormal romance and I have read every book she has written since. And this book is just another to put on your TBR shelf by Ivy that does not disappoint.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews Dawn Unearthed by Carrie Ann Ryan

TITLE: Dawn Unearthed
SERIES #: Ravenwood Coven #1
CHARACTERS: Sage & Rome
AUTHOR: Carrie Ann Ryan
PUBLICATION DATE: 08/19/21
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
NYT Bestselling Author Carrie Ann Ryan begins a new witchy paranormal series where a magical town keeps its secrets, but those in it must find a way to keep themselves safe.

The moment Sage Reed makes her way to Ravenwood, she knows the small town lives up to its mystical lore—even if she doesn’t believe that she’s a witch. After losing her husband, she’s ready for change, and her aunt’s bookstore affords the perfect opportunity.

Rome Baker has secrets of his own—even some that he’s kept from the town he calls home. But when a striking and intriguing stranger saves his life the moment she steps into his path, his inner bear knows that she’s the one for him. However, with the town under fire, he worries he might run out of time before he can show her what they can have together.

A new enemy is on the horizon, one who hides in the shadows, whose history is steeped in lies. And if Sage and Rome aren’t careful, Sage’s new powers won’t be the only thing that spirals into flame.

REVIEW:
I agree with everyone who started out their reviews with “Finally! Carrie Ann has written a paranormal again” because it’s about time. I became a fan of Carrie Ann early in her writing and I have watched her grow into the writer that brought this story to life.

Sage is an incredible character. Sometimes I wanted to hug her, sometimes I wanted to talk to her and sometimes I wanted to be her. As she learned her history and became the witch she was meant to be I cheered for her. Rome is the perfect mate for her. But I felt every feeling she had as she discovered what fans of paranormal only wish they could actually experience.

I am so excited to read more of this series.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews Bloodless by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child

TITLE: Bloodless
SERIES #: Pendergast #20
CHARACTERS: Pendergast
AUTHOR: Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child
PUBLICATION DATE: 08/17/21
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Agent Pendergast faces his most unexpected challenge yet when bloodless bodies begin to appear in Savannah, GA, in this installment of a #1 New York Times bestselling series.

A fabulous heist:
On the evening of November 24, 1971, D. B. Cooper hijacked Flight 305—Portland to Seattle—with a fake bomb, collected a ransom of $200,000, and then parachuted from the rear of the plane, disappearing into the night…and into history.

A brutal crime steeped in legend and malevolence:
Fifty years later, Agent Pendergast takes on a bizarre and gruesome case: in the ghost-haunted city of Savannah, Georgia, bodies are found with no blood left in their veins—sowing panic and reviving whispered tales of the infamous Savannah Vampire.

A case like no other:
As the mystery rises along with the body count, Pendergast and his partner, Agent Coldmoon, race to understand how—or if—these murders are connected to the only unsolved skyjacking in American history. Together, they uncover not just the answer…but an unearthly evil beyond all imagining.

REVIEW:
4.25 Hearts Pendergast, D.B. Cooper and Vampires…. What more could a girl want? Whenever I am able to get a Pendergast book I rush through whatever I am reading so I can get to these books by Preston & Child. And I really couldn’t wait to get to this one.

I have read all of the Pendergast books. I have always loved vampires. I have always been interested in D.B. Cooper. I really couldn’t wait to get to this one. If you do not know who D.B. Cooper is….he is an interesting real life hijacker who parachuted out of an airplane on a stormy night with what today would be a bit over $1M dollars. And it is to this day the only unsolved aviation hijacking in American history.

Anyway…. This story was back to the way I fell in love with Pendergast. I felt like I was reading one of the original stories. This is the best one in the series in a number of years. And that is saying something because all of the books in the series are good.

It can be read as a stand alone but I don’t know why anyone would not want to read the entire Pendergast series.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews The Bullet by Iris Johansen

TITLE: The Bullet
SERIES #: Eve Duncan #27
CHARACTERS: Eve & Joe
AUTHOR: Iris Johansen
PUBLICATION DATE: 06/08/21
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Eve Duncan and Joe Quinn must protect the life of a brilliant scientist so that she can live long enough to bring her discovery to the world, in this fast-paced thriller from #1 New York Times bestselling author Iris Johansen.

Diane Connors is a dedicated doctor with the world’s biggest secret, a discovery that could have shocking global ramifications. But while conducting private research trials, word has gotten out. The wrong people have heard the news and now want to hide Diane’s achievement for their own ends.

With nowhere else to turn, Diane finds herself on the doorstep of the last man she wants to ask for help: her ex-husband, Joe Quinn. Joe has remarried, and he and his wife, Eve Duncan, seem blissfully happy in their quiet, rural life until they are faced with the challenge of risking it all—even their marriage itself—for the greater good …

Now Eve is trapped in a web of murder and deceit as powerful enemies rush to cover up the truth, determined that Diane’s discovery goes with her to the grave—even if Eve and Joe get buried with her.

REVIEW:
This is the 27th book in the Eve Duncan series. You would think by now it would be old and tired by now but the story keeps getting better. I will say I really do not think these stories can be read as stand alone. I mean I guess if you do not care about the backstory of Eve and Joe you might be able to pick it up but Eve and Joe have had a lot to deal with over the years and this story really needs to have that backstory to help you understand what they could be losing.

In this story Joe’s ex-wife comes back because she needs help and she has no one else to turn to. But this puts Joe and Eve into a perilous situation.

Another great read by Iris Johansen. Any fan of suspense or romantic suspense should already know about this series but if not you need to start because this series will be one of your favorites.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews Now You Know by Nora Valters

TITLE: Now You Know
CHARACTERS: Lauren
AUTHOR: Nora Valters
PUBLICATION DATE: 06/06/21
ORDER LINKS: Amazon

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Everything I’ve suffered, you will too…

Lauren has worked hard to create her dream life: a perfect fiancé, a great job, and a safe, cosy home.

But then, out of the blue, it all goes terribly wrong and Lauren finds her job is on the line, her fiancé is accusing her of cheating and someone is writing terrible things on her car.

At first, Lauren thinks this is just a horrible run of bad luck. But as her life spins out of control in a series of escalating disasters, it begins to dawn on her that these aren’t random events. She’s under attack.

And she’s certain that whoever is doing this won’t stop until they’ve completely destroyed her life.

But she’s wrong – they won’t stop until she’s dead.

REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts Talk about having bad luck. At first Laren thinks life is just picking on her but too much is happening to have it be coincidence. So now Lauren has to figure out what is going on and who is responsible.

I had a bit of a hard time in the beginning of this book as it was a bit slow to get started but we have to figure out who Lauren is to understand all that is going wrong. Once I was into it I was really interested. I will be honest and say I figured out the who pretty quickly but I could not figure out the why and how.

This is a fast paced story once it gets started. Keeps you interested and reading until the very end.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews Pack Up The Moon by Kristan Higgins

TITLE: Pack Up The Moon
CHARACTERS: Lauren & Joshua
AUTHOR: Kristan Higgins
PUBLICATION DATE: 06/08/21
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Every month, a letter. That’s what Lauren decides to leave her husband when she finds out she’s dying. Each month, she gives Josh a letter containing a task to help him face this first year without her, leading him on a heartrending, beautiful, often humorous journey to find happiness again in this new novel from the New York Times bestselling author Kristan Higgins.

Joshua and Lauren are the perfect couple. Newly married, they’re wildly in love, each on a successful and rewarding career path. Then Lauren is diagnosed with a terminal illness.

As Lauren’s disease progresses, Joshua struggles to make the most of the time he has left with his wife and to come to terms with his future–a future without the only woman he’s ever loved. He’s so consumed with finding a way to avoid the inevitable ending that he never imagines his life after Lauren.

But Lauren has a plan to keep her husband moving forward. A plan hidden in the letters she leaves him. In those letters, one for every month in the year after her death, Lauren leads Joshua on a journey through pain, anger, and denial. It’s a journey that will take Joshua from his attempt at a dinner party for family and friends to getting rid of their bed…from a visit with a psychic medium to a kiss with a woman who isn’t Lauren. As his grief makes room for laughter and new relationships, Joshua learns Lauren’s most valuable lesson: The path to happiness doesn’t follow a straight line.

Sometimes heartbreaking, often funny, and always uplifting, this novel from New York Times bestselling author Kristan Higgins illuminates how life’s greatest joys are often hiding in plain sight.

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts I could sum up this book in one word… WOW!

Lauren is dieing and decides to write her husband 12 letters for the first year after she is gone to get past his grief. Each letter includes something he should do to move on. She writes other letters as well that through her words teaches us who she is and why Joshua fell in love with her in the first place.

WOW! I said it again. There are so many emotions in this book. The letters that Lauren writes are worth the read themselves. The character throws in humor and heartbreak into each of her words. And the life that Joshua is pushed into is one that will lead him to happiness while Lauren still lives in his heart.

Again, I say WOW! This book is heartbreaking and uplifting. Higgins writes a book every person should read. And also gets the reader thinking that we should get out pen and paper and start our own letters to our loved ones.

WOW! Just WOW!

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews The Stepsisters by Susan Mallery

TITLE: The Stepsisters
CHARACTERS: Sage & Daisy
AUTHOR: Susan Mallery
PUBLICATION DATE: 06/08/21
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
#1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery pens a love story of a different sort…a heartfelt tale of friendship between two women who used to be sisters.

Once upon a time, when her dad married Sage’s mom, Daisy was thrilled to get a bright and shiny new sister. But Sage was beautiful and popular, everything Daisy was not, and she made sure Daisy knew it.

Sage didn’t have Daisy’s smarts—she had to go back a grade to enroll in the fancy rich-kid school. So she used her popularity as a weapon, putting Daisy down to elevate herself. After the divorce, the stepsisters’ rivalry continued until the final, improbable straw: Daisy married Sage’s first love, and Sage fled California.

Eighteen years, two kids and one troubled marriage later, Daisy never expects—or wants—to see Sage again. But when the little sister they have in common needs them both, they put aside their differences to care for Cassidy. As long-buried truths are revealed, no one is more surprised than they when friendship blossoms.

Their fragile truce is threatened by one careless act that could have devastating consequences. They could turn their backs on each other again…or they could learn to forgive once and for all and finally become true sisters of the heart.

REVIEW:
OK first let me say if you have not heard of Susan Mallery you have been living under a rock. Mallery is one of the best authors in the genre of romance and women’s lit. Mallery drags you in from the first few pages and this is no exception.

Daisy and Sage became stepsisters at a young age and when Cassidy is born of the union Daisy is outnumbered and alone. Now, we are almost two decades later and things are going to change. Cassidy is hurt and needs to stay with Daisy and Sage will be there for her baby sister no matter that she and Daisy are estranged and neither of them plan to ever see each other again.

I love Mallery, if you couldn’t tell from the start of this review, and stories like this are why. There is so much to this threesome of sisters that they don’t see in themselves or each other. I loved and hated these characters. I was on Daisy’s side more often than not but once in a while it would change and I could see why Sage was the way she was.

This is a blended family and are all mixed up and needs to heal together.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews The Taken Girls by Glenn Cooper

TITLE: The Taken Girls
CHARACTERS: Marcus Handler
AUTHOR: Glenn Cooper
PUBLICATION DATE: 06/03/21
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
They were taken. They returned. They never aged.

A family is abducted.
There are no signs of a struggle. Their Italian holiday villa is untouched. There are no ransom demands. The parents and two little girls, Victoria and Elizabeth, have simply vanished.

The daughters are returned.
Four years later, the girls appear back at the family’s holiday home. But they are the exact same ages they were at the time of their abduction. Their parents are still nowhere to be seen.

Only one man can solve the mystery.
Marcus Handler, a retired CIA officer, is hired to investigate. He wants Victoria and Elizabeth’s disappearance explained. But his hunt for answers leads Marcus to a disturbing truth and a reckoning with his own troubled past…

REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts When a family goes missing there are so many questions but five years later when the girls come back looking the same age without the rest of the family and having cancer there are even more questions.

This is a well written story that kept me interested. There were some parts I felt were added just for more pages and some characters that really added nothing to the story but to confuse the reader but all in all it was a page turner. I did think the author rushed the end a bit to give us all the answers but I would take that over closing the book and wondering what happened to ____.

It would sound like I didn’t like the story very much but I actually did enjoy it. As I said this is a page turner to keep you wondering what happened and what is up with these little girls.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews Her Ocean Grave by Dana Perry

TITLE: Her Ocean Grave
SERIES #: Detective Abby Pearce #1
CHARACTERS: Abby Pearce
AUTHOR: Dana Perry
PUBLICATION DATE: 06/02/21
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Over the cliff edge, she sees a broken body on the jutting rocks below, the waves crashing all around. She can’t see the girl’s face, which is covered by her long, brown hair. But she knows her. She met her just yesterday…

When Samantha Claymore doesn’t return home after an afternoon bicycle ride on Martha’s Vineyard, Detective Abby Pearce acts immediately. She knows from experience how quickly a lost girl can become a tragedy. Back on the island for the first time since she ran away as a teenager, Abby hopes solving Samantha’s case will make up for her past mistakes… But, as the media swarm and Samantha’s grieving mother joins the search, the police find no trace of the beloved sixteen-year-old—even when a reward is offered for her return.

Trawling through old case files, Abby discovers that Samantha is not the only girl to have gone missing in the small community of Martha’s Vineyard. She’s convinced more could follow, but her team insists there’s no link to be found. Until Samantha’s best friend is found dead at the bottom of a cliff the next day…

After searching Samantha’s bedroom and trawling through the files on her computer, Abby digs into the death of Samantha’s father five years ago at sea, following the trail to one of the island’s most powerful families. The same people who failed to protect Abby the night she was forced to leave as a young girl. Is there anyone left on this quiet island who Abby can trust? Can she find Samantha before more innocent lives are taken?

An absolutely unputdownable and nail-biting crime thriller that will have you racing through the pages. Perfect for fans of Lisa Regan, Kendra Elliot and Gregg Olsen.

REVIEW:
I do not recall ever reading this author before but I will certainly read more of her work. The synopsis sounded interesting so I thought “why not?” since it was the first in the series and I am so glad I requested it.

Abby moves to Martha’s Vineyard to start over. She will be a detective in a much more laid back area than in NYC, or so she thinks. But when Maddie is assigned a case that isn’t at all laid back.

Abby has so many eyes on her including her new boss, her new partner, the mayor and a local journalist just to name a few. And let’s not forget the suspense of the case of the missing daughter of a cosmetic mogul.

I found this story to be interesting and well written. Abby is someone I would like to be friends with and certainly someone I would go to in an emergency for help. The characters are well rounded.

Can’t wait for the next in the series.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews Wendy, Darling by A.C. Wise

TITLE: Wendy, Darling
CHARACTERS: Wendy & Peter
AUTHOR: A.C. Wise
PUBLICATION DATE: 06/01/21
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A lush, feminist re-imagining on what happened to Wendy after Neverland, for fans of Circe and The Mere Wife.

For those that lived there, Neverland was a children’s paradise. No rules, no adults, only endless adventure and enchanted forests – all led by the charismatic boy who would never grow old.

But Wendy Darling grew up. She left Neverland and became a woman, a mother, a patient, and a survivor. Because Neverland isn’t as perfect as she remembers. There’s darkness at the heart of the island, and now Peter Pan has returned to claim a new Wendy for his lost boys…

REVIEW:
I am not sure what I expected but it wasn’t this. This is a darker story than the Disney version of what we know of Peter Pan and Neverland. Some parts are scary and downright depressing but that doesn’t mean it is not a good read. It really is one. Just don’t go thinking this is DIsney.

In this story there is talk of abuse, PTSD and Wendy and her brothers don’t get the HEA we imagined when we saw the movie. In this story Wendy is an adult and her past is catching up to her when Peter comes back and wants her children.

As Wendy has grown and is now a mom she will do anything she has to to save her daughter including returning to Neverland.

This is an incredible follow up to the original. We always wonder if the characters end up living as an incredible life as we imagined. This story lets us know that they don’t,

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews Love For Beginners by Jill Shalvis

TITLE: Love For Beginners
SERIES #: Wildstone #7
CHARACTERS: Emma & Simon
AUTHOR: Jill Shalvis
PUBLICATION DATE: 06/08/21
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A Paperback Original—Also Available as a Hardcover Library Edition

New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis continues her Wildstone series with the moving story of a young woman who has to start her life—and her love life—over again.

When Emma Harris wakes up from a coma, she learns that her fiancé and her BFF have fallen in love, she’s lost her job, and the life she knew is gone. Overwhelmed but grateful to be alive, she decides to start over from scratch. Not as easy as it sounds, of course. But she’s never been a quitter, even if she wishes she could quit rehab, where her hot but evil physical therapist, Simon, puts her through the wringer.

Desperate for a new start, Emma opens a doggy day care. Unfortunately, the only space she can afford is owned by her childhood nemesis Ali Pratt. But hey, she’s been through worse, right? She tries to roll with the punches, but a friend drops his grandpa off at the doggy day care because he can’t find senior care. On top of that, she and Ali bring the term “frenemies” to a whole new level. And then another grandparent shows up. And another.

In the midst of all that, Emma realizes she’s accidentally fallen for her Evil PT. But the most horrifying thing of all is that Ali just might have turned into the best friend she’s ever had. And as Emma grows from the pain of her past and takes on her new path, she comes to learn that life isn’t what you’re given, it’s what you make of it.

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts This is the 7th in the Wildstone series by Jill Shalvis and probably the most emotional. At least for me. This wrung me out. The emotions in this book are palpable and leave the reader breathing heavy and thinking about their own lives..

This has two love stories but the romance is second, at least to me. I think this story is more about what really makes a person happy and are you really happy if you aren’t fully happy and invested in your life.

There is so much that happens in this story. I, honestly, believe this is one of Shalvis’ greatest works. Yes, there were a couple of little things as with most books that the reader would change but I doubt there is anyone who could have made this emotional journey such a delight to read.

I can’t wait for the next in the series!

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews Shadow Storm by Christine Feehan

TITLE: Shadow Storm
SERIES #: Shadow Riders #6
CHARACTERS: Emmanuelle & Valentino
AUTHOR: Christine Feehan
PUBLICATION DATE: 05/25/21
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Danger inspires fierce passion when a new threat targets Chicago’s Ferraro crime family in this novel in Christine Feehan’s New York Times bestselling series.

A long-simmering feud between two families comes to a head in this gripping novel in Christine Feehan’s New York Times bestselling Shadow Riders series.

As the youngest member of the Ferraro family, Emmanuelle has watched each of her brothers find happiness in love while her own heart was shattered by a lover’s betrayal. For two years she’s stayed as far away from Valentino Saldi as possible—until she learns that he’s been shot during a hostile takeover of his family’s territory.

Emme’s first instinct is to call her brother Stefano for help, and soon the entire Ferraro clan arrives to bring Val back from the brink of death and protect the Saldis from further attack. With one choice Emme has re-exposed herself to Val’s intoxicating pull and dragged her family into the Saldis’ private war.

A deadly storm is brewing, and only time will tell who survives…

REVIEW:
Is it just me or has everyone been waiting for Val and Emme’s story? It seems like forever!

Val and Emma always had a spark between them but their families are at odds so it was not meant to be. And even though they had that pull the break up of their hidden romance broke Emme’s heart.

But now the families have to come together against a common enemy which brings Val and Emme together again and their hearts or bodies can stay apart any longer.

Sometimes when you wait for a story of characters you have met in other stories you can be disappointed when their story is finally read. But not when Feehan is writing the story. Feehan knows her characters but she also knows her readers and what they want. And she gave us just that in this fun, funny (thanks Dario) and sexy novel.

A paranormal Hatfield & McCoy story at it’s best!

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts