Kimberly’s Review – Page 67

February 25, 2016February 20, 2016

Kimberly reviews The Friends We Keep by Susan Mallery

TITLE: The Friends We Keep
SERIES #: Mischief Bay #2
CHARACTERS: Gabby, Hayley & Nicole
AUTHOR: Susan Mallery
PUBLICATION DATE: 02/23/16
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
In this insightful and compelling story from book club favorite Susan Mallery, three close friends test the boundaries of how much a woman can give before she has nothing left

After five years as a stay-at-home mom, Gabby Schaefer can’t wait to return to work. Oh, to use the bathroom in peace! No twins clamoring at the door, no husband barging in, no stepdaughter throwing a tantrum. But when her plans are derailed by some shocking news and her husband’s crushing expectations, Gabby must fight for the right to have a life of her own.

Getting pregnant is easy for Hayley Batchelor. Staying pregnant is the hard part. Her husband is worried about the expensive fertility treatments and frantic about the threat to her health. But to Hayley, a woman who was born to be a mom should risk everything to fulfill her destiny—no matter how high the cost.

Nicole Lord is still shell-shocked by a divorce that wasn’t as painful as it should’ve been. Other than the son they share, her ex-husband left barely a ripple in her life. A great new guy tempts her to believe maybe the second time’s the charm…but how can she trust herself to recognize true love?

As their bonds of friendship deepen against the beautiful backdrop of Mischief Bay, Gabby, Hayley and Nicole will rely on good food, good wine and especially each other to navigate life’s toughest changes.

REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts This is the second in the Mischief Bay but you do not need to read that one first to read this. I love Mallery’s work. The Fool’s Gold series is one of my favorite series of all time. But every year Mallery throws in one book from another series and while I enjoy them they just aren’t the same as the FG series.

These books are not as light hearted and easy as the FG series. There is more to these. There is a moral to these stories for lack of a better word. There is more life to these stories… More reality. The characters from Mischief Bay have a lot going on. First there is Gabby. Gabby is just ready to go back to work after her twins start school. Heck she is just ready to go to the bathroom alone without interruption which any mom understands. But her husband, step-daughter and his ex just seem to add so much drama in her life that I have to say I wondered why she wanted to be there. Her hubby is wrong for the way she is treated versus the way the daughter is treated and I really just wanted to slap him.

Then there is Nicole. Really I didn’t like her at first. She had a preconceived notion of her son’s favorite author and I was just bored with this part of the story. Yes we end up with HEA of course but it is pretty predictable.

And finally there is Hayley. This was a hard part of the story for me. Having gone through fertility treatments I got it. I understand her want of a child but to risk her life for one was just idiotic and I wanted to slap her as well. Again it works out. Hayley hits rock bottom and starts to rise again with a new lease on life but in the meantime she was so desperate that I had a hard time.

Now after all of this I want to say I enjoyed the story. I love anything that Mallery writes but I am glad to get back to Fool’s Gold and visit with the town I love.

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

February 24, 2016February 20, 2016

Kimberly reviews Fighting Dirty by Lori Foster

TITLE: Fighting Dirty
SERIES #: Ultimate #4
CHARACTERS: Merissa & Armie
AUTHOR: Lori Foster
PUBLICATION DATE: 02/23/16
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
With the life he’s led and the muscles he’s gained, Armie Jacobson isn’t afraid of anything. Except maybe Merissa Colter’s effect on him. It’s not just that she’s his best friend’s little sister. Fact is, she deserves better. Women pursue him for one night of pleasure, and that’s all he wants to offer. Until rescuing Merissa from a robbery leads to the most erotic encounter of his life.

Good girl meets bad boy. It’s a story that rarely ends well. But Merissa is taking matters into her own hands. No matter how he views himself, the Armie she knows is brave, honorable and completely loyal. And as past demons and present-day danger collide, they’re both about to learn what’s truly worth fighting for…

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts This might be my favorite from the series. Maybe it was because of Armie or Maybe because of Rissy but most likely because from book one we knew these two had a connection. Yeah it was the typical “can’t be with my best friends little sister” kind of story… but there is so much more to it.

Armie has been the playboy of the series. Sure the other guys were too but Armie was more so but once we, as the reader, knew where his heart really belonged it was sweet torture waiting for their story to come out. But it was well worth the wait. Merissa is adorable. She is sweet but also a fighter and I don’t mean in the MMA way. She wants to be independent but is just so head over heels in love that she is almost starry eyed for Armie. They belong together.

I also enjoyed the suspense part of the story. It’s not a who dun it kind of suspense since the reader knows pretty quickly but it keeps the story really moving and while a lot happens it is not overdone. The story really flows well and keeps your attention.

But the best part of this story is the bro-romance. The guys from the gym are family. They have each other’s backs and no questions asked are there to support them and yet the ribbing they give each other is sweet in a masculine way. And the connection between Cannon and Rissy and Cannon and Armie are beyond wonderful. Everyone should have a brother and friend like Cannon. The humor that Lori Foster puts in her books makes me smile which doesn’t happen a lot.

I look forward to the new series with some familiar faces. As much as I love Armie. I think Leese just may steal my heart away and I can’t wait.

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

February 9, 2016February 6, 2016

Kimberly reviews The Witches Of Cambridge by Menna van Praag

TITLE: The Witches Of Cambridge
CHARACTERS: Amandine, Noa and Others
AUTHOR: Menna van Praag
PUBLICATION DATE: 02/09/16
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
For fans of Alice Hoffman, Sarah Addison Allen, and Adriana Trigiani, “The Witches of Cambridge” reveals an astonishing world where the heart’s deepest secrets give way to the magic of life-changing love.
“Be careful what you wish for. If you’re a witch, you might just get it.”
Amandine Bisset has always had the power to feel the emotions of those around her. It s a secret she can share only with her friends all professors, all witches when they gather for the Cambridge University Society of Literature and Witchcraft. Amandine treasures these meetings but lately senses the ties among her colleagues beginning to unravel. If only she had her student Noa s power to hear the innermost thoughts of others, she might know how to patch things up. Unfortunately, Noa regards her gift as a curse. So when a seductive artist claims he can cure her, Noa jumps at the chance, no matter the cost.
Noa’s not the only witch in over her head. Mathematics professor Kat has a serious case of unrequited love but refuses to cast spells to win anyone s heart. Her sister, Cosima, is not above using magic to get what she wants, sprinkling pastries in her bakery with equal parts sugar and enchantment. But when Cosima sets her sights on Kat’s crush, she conjures up a dangerous love triangle.
As romance and longing swirl through every picturesque side street, the witches of Cambridge find their lives unexpectedly upended and changed in ways sometimes extraordinary, sometimes heartbreaking, but always enchanting.

REVIEW:
This is the first story by this author and I found it really hard to follow. She has an odd way of writing. It felt more like I was reading from a script. Yes I know it was third person, which I have read before even though it is not one of my favorite ways, but the sentences were clipped so it felt like direction instead of conversation.

The witches are normal for lack of a better term. They are everyday women who happen to have an extra sensory power but the problem was I never connected with any of them. I really just didn’t care. Maybe it was because of the writing style. Maybe I wanted some “bubble, bubble, toil and trouble” which I really didn’t get but I just found I wanted to get done with the book.

I can see how someone would enjoy this story. I really can. I am just not one of them. This is a great book that you can pick up when you have time and put down for a while and come back to and not feel like you have missed anything but that is not the kind of book I enjoy.

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

February 2, 2016January 31, 2016

Kelly & Kimberly review SEAL Wolf In Too Deep by Terry Spears

TITLE: SEAL Wolf in Too Deep
SERIES #: Heart of the Wolf #18
CHARACTERS: Allan Rappaport & Debbie Renaud
AUTHOR: Terry Spears
PUBLICATION DATE: February 2, 2016
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Debbie Renaud is a police diver working on criminal cases with SEAL Allan Rappaport. She admires him greatly for his missions in the Navy, plus he’s just plain HOT. Allan seems to share her attraction, but what she doesn’t know is that her partner is wolf shifter.

Allan is really hung up on his smart, beautiful dive partner, but he can’t get involved with a human outside dive duty. Yet when she gets between a werewolf hunter and his intended victim, one of the members of Allan’s pack, they run into real trouble, and their lives are altered forever.

KELLY’S REVIEW:
3 Hearts Another good story in Ms. Spears Heart of the Wolf series. While this was not my favorite in the series that I have read so far I did really enjoy it.
I really liked Allan and Debbie’s story. It was fun to watch them circle each other. While I liked Allan and Debbie I think my favorite part of this whole story was Rowdy. I love the homicide detective and hope that he will get a story soon. I am thinking he would be perfect for Tara.

KIMBERLY’S REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts While enjoyable this story just wasn’t one of my favorite wolf shifter stories. First it was a bit too wordy. So many things repeated, I never really felt the connection between Allan and Debbie, the suspense part was really obvious and it just didn’t have much on the romance side to me.

Allan is ok. He just doesn’t seem like the alpha (2nd alpha really) that he should have been. He is sweet. He deals with Debbie well really but just nothing screams “ALPHA WOLF” to me about him. Debbie is just blah. Honestly I never really found myself liking her. I mean I didn’t hate her but she was just there, if you know what I mean.

The story is interesting in the whole “who is killing werewolves” but nothing really much happens. I guess that is it. It was just a bit too boring for me. No heat, no real suspense, no nothing. Again it was an ok read and if you have read the series you should continue with this one. Maybe the next in the series will be better…. Could Rowdy be the lead? Now that would be an interesting idea.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley & Sourcebooks Casablanca
in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

February 1, 2016January 31, 2016

Kimberly reviews Breakdown by Jonathan Kellerman

TITLE: Breakdown
SERIES #: Alex Delaware #31
CHARACTERS: Alex Delaware
AUTHOR: Jonathan Kellerman
PUBLICATION DATE: 02/02/16
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
In #1 New York Times bestselling author Jonathan Kellerman’s thrilling new blockbuster Alex Delaware and Milo Sturgis investigate the murder of a Hollywood actress pushed to the limits of sanity.

Psychologist sleuth Alex Delaware is surprised to get the call when well-known TV actress Zelda Chase turns up half-naked, half-mad in the LA’s rural Westside. He has little connection to the starlet, save a psychiatric evaluation he performed on her adopted daughter several years ago, a child who has since vanished without a trace and whom Zelda refuses to talk about. When the actress turns up dead a few weeks later without a scratch on her, Delaware calls in police lieutenant Milo Sturgis to help him crack the case—or at least the wall of silence surrounding it. When the body of a second actress turns up with the same mysterious cause of death, Delaware and Sturgis start to wonder—is this a copycat case or a coincidence? When they uncover the death of another actress, a star from another era who vanished decades ago, never to be found, they realize they’re facing one of the their most baffling, mind-bending cases yet.

REVIEW:
This is the latest in the Alex Delaware series. Actually number 31 to be exact. Delaware is a character that a reader will never tire of. He is a child psychologist and this time he is asked by a friend to look at a child of one of his friends clients. All seems fine until five years later when the child goes missing and the mother is murdered. Alex and his friend team up to find the missing child. As they move along in their search they find more deaths and more mystery.

I have always found this series to be very interesting. Alex is a compelling character that no matter how many times I read about him I find I enjoy him. The mystery is always well written as well. I usually have an idea of what happened but I am not always right which makes me enjoy it even more.

The one thing is the books are not action packed but more of a methodical mystery. And don’t worry about it being #31. You can start right in and still understand it just fine.

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

January 29, 2016January 17, 2016

Kimberly reviews Keep On Loving You by Christie Ridgway

TITLE: Keep On Loving You
SERIES #: Cabin Fever #4
CHARACTERS: Mackenzie & Zan
AUTHOR: Christie Ridgway
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/26/16
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
In an enchanting new romance from USA Today bestselling author Christie Ridgway, love comes home to Blue Arrow Lake when childhood sweethearts get an unexpected second chance…

Mackenzie Walker’s siblings have all found their happy-ever-afters, but she has everything a single girl needs in her California mountain hometown. Family, friends, a thriving business…and memories of Zan Elliott, her first love, whose touch—and betrayal—she’s never forgotten. Now, ten years after he left town, Zan returns to manage his late grandfather’s estate…and flip Mac’s life upside down with one heated glance.

Documentary filmmaking has taken Zan all over the globe, yet nowhere was far enough away to make him forget Mac. Seeing her ignites their incredible chemistry all over again. Mac’s trust won’t be easily won, however, especially when Zan’s inheritance jeopardizes her family’s hard-earned dreams. But every moment together is challenging Zan to stop living life through a lens and dare to let his guard down for a chance at forever…

REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts This is the final story about the Walkers. To be honest I am not sure if there will be another in the series but the Walkers have had their turn and Mac was the last holdout. But now we have her story. And it is a story of second chances and first loves.

Mac and Zan were the IT couple 10 years ago but then Zan walked away and never really looked back. But even while gone he kept Mac tied to him by sending postcards from all over the world which was just enough to not let her forget. And now he is home and she doesn’t know what to do. She knows she should guard her heart but that is easier said than done sometimes. Zan knows he will be leaving again and is only back because he has to deal with his grandfather’s estate. But then he sees Mac again and he knows he has to have her for the time he is back.

I enjoyed the story but at times it got a little wordy. Mac was a bit needy and wanting of love so badly that she sometimes seems desperate. Zan is an all around good guy. I liked him but never really fell for him, if you know what I mean. But having read all of the series I really enjoyed seeing all of the Walkers happy and content. You can read this as a stand alone but I wouldn’t recommend it. The family is worth reading about and Ridgway is always a guarantee of an enjoyable story.

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

January 27, 2016January 17, 2016

Kelly & Kimberly review Mercury Striking by Rebecca Zanetti

TITLE: Mercury Striking
SERIES #: The Scorpius Syndrome #1
CHARACTERS: Jax Mercury & Lynn Harmony
AUTHOR: Rebecca Zanetti
PUBLICATION DATE: January 26, 2016
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
With nothing but rumors to lead her, Lynne Harmony has trekked across a nightmare landscape to find one man—a mysterious, damaged legend who protects the weak and leads the strong. He’s more than muscle and firepower—and in post-plague L.A., he’s her only hope. As the one woman who could cure the disease, Lynn is the single most volatile—and vulnerable—creature in this new and ruthless world. But face to face with Jax Mercury…

Danger has never looked quite so delicious

KELLY’S REVIEW:
5 Hearts Where do you begin when a story blows you away? When I read Scorpius Rising (the prequel to this series. If you have not read this go read. It give you an awesome foundation for the whole Scorpius Syndrome series). I knew this was going to be a very interesting and intense series. And boy howdy was I right.
Mercury Striking picks up where we left off in Scorpius Rising with the world in complete and utter disarray. We follow Lynne Harmony in her plight to find a way to slow down the Scorpius bacteria. Lynne great!!! I loved her in the prequel and loved her even more after Scorpius Rising. She is determine, loyal and willing to do what it takes to get the job done. Even if that means blackmailing Jax into doing her dirty work.
This bring me to Jax Mercury. If there is ever an apocalypse I want a Jax Mercury my leader. Jax is everything you can image about a bad-boy soldier. And he is perfect. Even Jax’s flaws are perfect. I will tell you that he is a bit of an ass in the beginning, but he will grow on you. I loved these two. Love their journey. I am already looking forward to what will happen next to them.
But Jax & Lynne were not the only characters that I fell in love with. Wyatt, Sami, Tace, Raze and Bryon are all amazing.
If you are looking for a new series that will knock your socks off, pull at your heartstrings, make you root for the underdogs and want to see the world survive the Scorpius apocalypse. You really need to pick up a copy of Mercury Striking and find out if there is a chance for the world.

Favorite Line:
“Jesus.” He pressed his palm against her breastbone-directly above her heart.

“I like the blue.”

“ You feel good. Can I keep you?” she mumbled.

KIMBERLY’S REVIEW:
4 Hearts I automatically request anything from Zanetti. I have enjoyed every book she has written so far and I can say the same about this. The problem was with me. I am not into the whole post-apocalyptic world. Never wanted to read Hunger Games. Don’t pick futuristic stories. It is just not my style. So when I rated this book I kept that in mind.

The other thing was I did not read the novella, Scorpius Rising, so I was a bit confused about this world. So all-in-all I started by having a hard time reading this. But then I decided to get into the characters and the story and sort of ignore the world it is set in. And while it might not have been easy I was able to enjoy the story. I enjoyed Jax and Lynn and enjoyed the other characters in the book as well. I wouldn’t say it is my favorite Zanetti book. Trust me I have a list a mile long for that. But considering everything this is an enjoyable read.

I would definitely tell you to read the novella first. I can only imagine that it will help and like I started with… Anything from Zanetti is worth reading.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley & Kensington Books-Zebra in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

January 25, 2016January 17, 2016

Kelly & Kimberly review Reckless by Kimberly Kincaid

TITLE: Reckless
SERIES #: Rescue Squad #1
CHARACTERS: Alex Donovan & Zoe Westin
AUTHOR: Kimberly Kincaid
PUBLICATION DATE: January 26, 2016
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
SOMEONE’S BOUND TO GET BURNED…

Zoe Westin may be a fire captain’s daughter, but feeding the people in her hometown of Fairview is her number one priority. Running a soup kitchen is also the perfect way to prove to her dad that helping people doesn’t always mean risking life and limb. But when she’s saddled with a gorgeous firefighter doing community service after yet another daredevil stunt, the kitchen has never been so hot.

Alex Donovan thrives on adrenaline, and stirring a pot of soup doesn’t exactly qualify. He’s not an expert at following the rules either, not even when they come from the stubborn, sexy daughter of the man who’s not only his boss, but his mentor. Determined to show Zoe that not every risk ends in catastrophe, Alex challenges her both in the kitchen and out. One reckless step leads to another, but will falling for each other be a risk worth taking, or will it just get them burned?

KELLY’S REVIEW:
3 Hearts I was happy to learn the Ms. Kincaid was going to have a new series. Then add in that this new series is about Firefighters is an added bonus.
In Reckless we follow Alex Donovan and his fire station. Alex is the adventure seeking, adrenaline junkie and all around reckless guy. But while Alex maybe be a thrill seeker he loves being a firefighter and he is great at his job. Being a firefighter is everything to Alex so when a rash decision takes away his job, he is willing to do anything to get back in the good graces of his chief.
Zoe Westin is on a mission to provide for people. She wants to use her skills in the kitchen to give back to her community. But she is not able to do it on her own. Insert on very unhappy firefighter who has to work and prove that his can follow direction even if he only is doing it to get back to the fire house.
I enjoyed this story. But there was just something missing for me. I think that the first half of the book was a tad bit slow. But as the story went on I enjoyed it more and more.
I did really like Alex and Zoe.
I am looking forward to what is next in the Rescue Squad series.

KIMBERLY’S REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts This is a new series from Kincaid that focuses in on the firefighters of Fairview. The story was good. I just never felt a connection to the two characters. Alex is an adrenaline junkie who is well… reckless (hence the name of the book). Zoe is down to earth and far from a risk taker. When Alex doesn’t follow the rules at a fire he is suspended and forced to do community service at Zoe’s soup kitchen. The problem is there wasn’t much cooking in the kitchen for me.

The book is a bit wordy and explains the same things over and over. By about the 5th time I was rolling my eyes when yet again I had to hear about how daddy didn’t trust Zoe. Get over it. But the couple is sweet. The firehouse has a number of interesting characters that will have their own stories I am sure and I look forward to it.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley & Kensington Books- Zebra in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

January 21, 2016January 17, 2016

Kimberly reviews Missing by Randa Flannery

TITLE: Missing
CHARACTERS: Rowan Quaide
AUTHOR: Randa Flannery
PUBLICATION DATE: 07/15/15
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Haunted by her best friend’s disappearance, always practical Rowan Quaide lives a life of cold logic. As an intelligence analyst, her world is ruled by who has the best strategy and Ro’s reasoned control makes her Queen.

A Chance encounter with a man from her past stretches the bounds of reason and throws her into a game of dark deception and danger. With the past creeping from her nightmares into her reality, Ro pits herself against the monster determined to destroy the new love she’s found.

As the intel gets more and more disturbing and events begin to spin out of control, she must rely on her instincts and cling to an unreasonable truth, or allow logic to tear her apart.

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts What a shock this book turned out to be. Having not read this author before and to be honest not even sure if this is the first book by the author I was unsure what to expect but I have to say this really surprised me.

The story was interesting and suspenseful but wasn’t dark like so many thrillers are these days. It seems the stories are fluff romances (which is my favorite so that is a compliment) or dark to the bone and there is no in between but this one had the perfect amount of thrill and romance to keep me interested.

I found the story to be a quick read with really well written characters. Give this book a try. I do not think you will be disappointed. And I look forward to more from this author.

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

January 13, 2016January 9, 2016

Kimberly reviews Three Truths And A Lie by Lisa Gardner

TITLE: Three Truths and A Lie
SERIES #: Detective D.D. Warren #7.5
CHARACTERS: Det. Warren
AUTHOR: Lisa Gardner
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/05/16
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Boston Detective D.D. Warren faces her most brutal adversaries yet—a class of jaded thriller writers—in New York Times Bestselling Author Lisa Gardner’s exclusive e-Book short story

In Lisa Gardner’s second short story, after the New York Times bestseller The 7th Month, Detective D.D. Warren takes on her most intimidating assignment yet: a fifty-minute class meant to educate a horde of bloodthirsty thriller writers on the ways of actual police work. Yet sometimes life really does imitate fiction, as D.D. takes the writers through the reality of one of her most twisted cases—a case that involves a seedy motel room, drugs, prostitution . . . and a severed leg.

With Gardner’s trademark suspense, sharp observations, and thrilling storytelling, Three Truths and a Lie is a fascinating chapter in D.D.’s storied career. Includes an early look at Lisa Gardner’s next novel of suspense, Find Her, coming February 9, 2016.

REVIEW:
This is a short story in the series. I will say I did not realize it was a series when I requested it from NetGalley and it was a bit hard to walk into the story 7 books in and understand but it was still a really good story.

What is interesting is this is a class that D.D. is teaching and she is explaining about a case she had prior. It really kept my attention and wished I could attend a real class like this one day. I can’t say too much about the crime she discusses because of it being such a short story it would give too much away but it was well worth the read and one day hope I can go back and start at the beginning to understand D.D. better.

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

January 12, 2016January 9, 2016

Kimberly reviews The Covenant by Jeff Crook

TITLE: The Covenant
SERIES #: Jackie Lyons Mystery #2
CHARACTERS: Jackie Lyons
AUTHOR: Jeff Crook
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/12/16
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Jackie Lyons investigates a father’s mysterious death, in the second installment of her ghostly mystery series

When photographer and former Memphis police detective Jackie Lyons finds Sam Loftin’s lifeless body in the same location where his daughter died five years earlier, there’s no reason to think he didn’t kill himself, too. No reason, except Jackie has just seen Sam’s ghost act out the last violent moments of his life.

In investigating his murder, Jackie is drawn into a tumultuous battle between wealthy and powerful suburbanites and a charismatic preacher trying to serve the poor and homeless. But a deeper mystery lurks beneath the petty rivalries and jealousies of a gated community, one that stretches back into the distant past and reaches out to snare the youngest of this generation. A secret so dark, it can only be protected by “The Covenant.”

REVIEW:
This is the second in a series. I did not read the first but that was fine. This is a typical mystery. It left me wondering what was going to happen and the author through in twist that kept me off guard the whole time. The problem is I just couldn’t relate to the way the characters acted. It just really didn’t ring true for me. I did think the paranormal bit was written really well and was enjoyable.

I don’t want to say too much or the mystery may be spoiled but all in all I thought this was a good mystery. If you are a fan of thrillers that keep you guessing and can get past the odd way the characters are written you will enjoy this story.

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

January 8, 2016January 2, 2016

Kimberly reviews The Cruelest Cut by Rick Reed

TITLE: The Cruelest Cut
CHARACTERS: Jack Murphy
AUTHOR: Rick Reed
PUBLICATION DATE: 11/01/10
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
When a killer plays mind games with a cop, There Are No Rules.
The first victim is attacked in her home. Tied to her bed. Forced to watch every unspeakable act of cruelty–but unable to scream. The second murder is even more twisted. Signed, sealed, and delivered with a message for the police, stuffed in the victim’s throat. A fractured nursery rhyme that ends with a warning: “There will be more.” For detective Jack Murphy, it’s more than a threat. It’s a personal invitation to play. And no one plays rougher than Jack. Especially when the killer’s pawns are the people he loves. . .

REVIEW:
Review featured at www.books-n-kisses.com

First let me say if you don’t like evil personified do not pick up this book. This is not for the light hearted. It can be hard to read in some spots but the thrill part of it will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Some of it is light like the play between Jack and Liddell so it breaks up a bit of the harshness but it is still something you need to be in the mood to read. And ready to have a dark cloud around you when you do.

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