Category: Review Sunday

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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 Mystic’s Accomplice by Mary Miley Theobald

TITLE: Mystic’s Accomplice
SERIES #: Mystic’s Accomplice #1
CHARACTERS: Maddie Pastore
AUTHOR: Mary Miley Theobald
PUBLICATION DATE: 06/01/21
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The first historical mystery in award-winning author Mary Miley’s 1920s Chicago-set series introduces reluctant sleuth Maddie Pastore and takes readers into a dark and dangerous world of mobsters, speakeasies and seances.

It’s 1924, and Maddie Pastore has it made. A nice house, a loving husband with a steady job – even if it is connected to Chicago’s violent Torrio-Capone gang – and a baby on the way. But then Tommy is shot dead, and she learns her husband had a secret that turns her life upside down.

Penniless and grieving, Maddie is only sure of two things: that she will survive for the sake of her baby, and that she’ll never turn to the mob for help. So when she’s invited to assist a well-meaning but fraudulent medium, she seizes the chance. She’s not proud of her work investigating Madam Carlotta’s clients, but she’s proud of how well she does it.

When Maddie unearths potential evidence of a dark crime, however, she faces a terrible dilemma: keep quiet and let a murderer go unpunished, or follow the trail and put herself and her baby in mortal danger . . .

With its Prohibition-era setting, lively characters and enthralling historical detail, The Mystic’s Accomplice is an ideal pick for readers who enjoy 1920s-set mysteries.

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts This was kind of interesting. I have been interested in mob life since I really learned about who Al Capone was. Not just the “Scarface” we hear about but the real man. Anyway….. I thought I would pick up this book since it is a start to a new series.

Maddie’s husband has a history with the Chicago mob but when Maddie is widowed and pregnant she will do what she needs to do for her baby. I really liked Maddie. She was going through the hardest moment in her life and she persevered.

I think fans of gangster/mob stories will enjoy this new series.

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

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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 Rebel’s Karma by Rebecca Zanetti

TITLE: Rebel’s Karma
SERIES #: Dark Protectors #13
CHARACTERS: Karma & Benjamin
AUTHOR: Rebecca Zanetti
PUBLICATION DATE: 06/08/21
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
There’s no denying destiny . . .

For too long, Benjamin Reese has masked his deadly skills and temper with loyalty and humor. A vampire-demon hybrid, he fiercely protects his family, guards his brothers, and destroys the enemy without mercy. But when he discovers one fragile, beautiful blonde—a woman once mated to a Kurjan, no less—every primal instinct he has buried for centuries roars to life. With the mating mark she roused on his hand entwining their fates, no one will prevent him from keeping her safe and making her his, forever . . .

Or desire . . .

Karma wishes she could remember her last name. Or if she even had one. All she has in this confusing new world is a desperate duty to save the innocent. That means destroying the dark, dangerous, and desirable Benjamin Reese and everything he loves—an impossible task even before his touch arouses a passionate hunger she can’t afford. She’s certain a deadly enemy watches her every move, but it’s not until Benny kisses her that she tastes true danger…

REVIEW:
4.75 Hearts As a fan of Rebecca Zannetti I look forward to every book that comes out but honestly I have waited for what seems like forever for Benny’s story. And I was not disappointed.

Benny and Karma are meant for each other but they do now know it… Well, maybe they do but Zanetti doesn’t make it easy on them.

I could tell you the synopsis and give you a short view but you can read that in other reviews. What I want to say is this series is on #13 with more planned but Zanetti has not let this series go stale. Each character is one that begins to live with you and the reader will automatically recall her characters when someone asks you your go to PNR series. Talon, who has a cameo in this book, is a favorite of many fans.

I will say you can read each story as a stand alone but I am not sure why you would. You need the background to really appreciate each story.

If you are a fan of PNR then you probably already know this author and series but if not you will not be disappointed.

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

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Kimberly reviews Undercover Wolf by Paige Tyler

TITLE: Undercover Wolf
SERIES #: STAT #2
CHARACTERS: Harley & Sawyer
AUTHOR: Paige Tyler
PUBLICATION DATE: 05/25/21
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
An unexpected partnership leads two wolves to reconsider everything they know…

Alpha werewolf Harley Grant isn’t exactly comfortable with her inner wolf. Even though she’s on a STAT Team where she can use her abilities because her teammates know about her, she refuses to do so, putting herself and sometimes them at risk.

Alpha werewolf Sawyer Bishop would give anything for his M16 Team to know about his inner wolf, but his teammates are mistrustful of anyone or anything with inhuman abilities. When he meets Harley on an overlapping case and realizes she’s a fellow wolf, he’s more than a little intrigued.

Now that STAT and MI6 have to team up to stop a crew of supernatural bad guys intent on causing a nuclear meltdown, Harley can no longer deny her wolf and Sawyer can no longer hide his. As they grow closer to resolving the case and grow closer to each other, they discover things aren’t what they seem and revenge could cost them their lives.

STAT (Special Threat Assessment Team) Series:
Wolf Under Fire (Book 1)

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts So here is the deal. I read so many books by Tyler in the SWAT series that two things happened… 1. I kind of got tired of her werewolf stories and 2. I decided to give the STAT series a try because, well, I had read so many of the SWAT series.

And this is the best she has written in a while. I really believed Tyler needed to change her writing completely. I mean the SWAT series was near 20 books. But she came back in this book. The action packed story kept me interested the whole time. The romance was well written and Sawyer is just yummy!

This book is why a reader should always give new series a chance to stand on its own.

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

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Kimberly reviews Darkness Betrayed by Alexandra Ivy

TITLE: Darkness Betrayed
SERIES #: Guardians Of Eternity #17
CHARACTERS: Brigette & Xi
AUTHOR: Alexandra Ivy
PUBLICATION DATE: 05/25/21
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
When a conspiracy threatens what’s most precious to The Guardians of Eternity, they must depend upon their one-time enemy to protect them in the latest from New York Times bestselling author Alexandra Ivy . . .

Once, Brigette was the conduit through which the ultimate evil reached Earth. Now she’s just a lonely Were isolated in an Irish cottage, cut off from her animal and humanity alike. When a band of rebels approach her to take down the king of the vampires, she knows denying them means certain death—but even if she warns the king, he may not listen to the likes of her.

From the moment Xi slips into Brigette’s bedroom to escort her to his king, he sees the heartbreak that hides behind her guilt. The elusive vampire has fought for centuries to master his own regrets, and his word will convince the king to value hers. Neither can escape the attraction between them, even as partners on an undercover mission. But there’s no room for pleasure when their work might redeem her to the Guardians completely—or send them to the death they’ve evaded for so long . . .

REVIEW:
It’s about time! We are finally getting Brigette’s story. I was so glad and here is why. I knew there was more to Brigette than the evil we have seen in some of the previous books. Brigette is, well, hard to like. At least until this book.

Brigette really does things for what she thinks is the greater good. She is trying to protect the people she loves and, for that matter, the world as a whole. She might not do it in the right ways but it really is with good intentions. I knew she had it in her!!!

Xi is a cool character who I really enjoyed. How many times have you thought “If I could be a fly on the wall” and know what happened in another room. Well Xi can sorta do that. He can fade into other objects which is pretty cool. But it is also helpful to Brigette while she is undercover. They are perfect for each other.

Ivy is one of my favorite authors. I have liked every book she has written and this book is no exception. I can say that this book “can” be a stand alone but it is a better read when you have the history that Ivy has imagined as you read the entire 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 Final Twist by Jeffrey Deaver

TITLE: The Final Twist
SERIES #: Colter Shaw #3
CHARACTERS: Colter Shaw
AUTHOR: Jeffrey Deaver
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/01/21
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
“The master of ticking-bomb suspense” (People) returns with a devilishly good thriller, and reward seeker Colter Shaw’s most personal case to date.

Just hours after the harrowing events of The Goodbye Man, Colter Shaw is hot on the trail of a missing person whose disappearance he desperately hopes to explain: his own father.

Following the enigmatic clues his father left behind, Shaw explores one site after another, seeing clearly for the first time what strange business his father was up to–and what dangerous people he was working against. But when Shaw is caught by these same people, he’s rescued by an intruder: his own older brother Russell, from whom he’s been estranged for more than a decade. After saving Shaw, Russell stays on, and the brothers–both very different and oddly similar–join forces to identify the family.

This novel is a race against time to both find the family and to pursue leads to solve a decades-old mystery.

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts This is the third in the Colter Shaw series. In this one we follow Colter to San Francisco where he wants to take up where his dad left off on a whistleblower case. The evidence went missing years ago and Colter wants to do what his dad wasn’t able to do and find the evidence and bring BlackBridge Corporate Solutions to its end.

There are a lot of characters in this book and most of them are after Colter, hoping to stop him before he finds the evidence that will bring everyone down. But Colter knows not only is the company’s downfall at stake, now an entire family is slated to be murdered.

The story was very action packed and seemed to have a twist or turn every few pages. This is a good suspenseful thriller, well written and a page turner.

On a personal note, I lived in the Bay Area for over 2 decades and it was fun to know where Colter was while he traveled around the city.

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

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Kimberly reviews Smoke And Mirrors by Skye Jordan

TITLE: Smoke & Mirrors
SERIES #: Forged In Fire #2
CHARACTERS: Isabel & Logan
AUTHOR: Skye Jordan
PUBLICATION DATE: 05/31/21
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Another sizzling firefighter romance from New York Times bestselling author, Skye Jordan.

I’m taking a break from women. I’ve been lied to once too often, and I’m over it.
Then Isabel, my best friend’s little sister, blows into town without notice, bringing the past with her. Her secret past.
From the moment she crashes poker night and hustles the whole firehouse out of a couple hundred bucks, I know she’s not telling the truth about why she’s here.
Lies have influenced my entire life. They’ve also torn my world apart too many times already.
But by the time the truth comes out, she’s tangled around my heart like barbed wire, and there’s no way out unscathed.

REVIEW:
This is the second in the Forged In Fire series by Skye Jordan. I have enjoyed Jordan’s work for a number of years and I enjoyed this story as well.

Logan and Tucker could be a bit much. Actually at times it was down right irritating. But Isabel is who really made this book for me. Logan and Isabel were childhood sweethearts so they are getting a second chance at love.

Isabel is great. She isn’t afraid to work or get her hands dirty. Yet she is all woman. She is sensitive and loving but also cautious and has been hurt before. I want to be friends with her.

Another great story from Skye Jordan. And it can be a stand alone but since it is only the second in the system I suggest getting book one, Flashpoint.

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