TITLE: Black Willows
SERIES #: Trapnell Thriller #2
CHARACTERS: Trapnell Siblings
AUTHOR: Jill Hand
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/22/20
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A mysterious cowboy is stalking the eccentric Trapnell siblings. Is he a supernatural entity or a hired killer? To complicate things, the will making them heirs to their billionaire father’s estate is missing and a relative has returned from a watery grave.
Last time, the Trapnells saved the world from destruction. This time they may not be able to save themselves. Black Willows is a darkly funny Southern-fried adventure, complete with Voodoo, arson, and alligators.
REVIEW:
I am on the fence about this book. Not because it wasn’t well written but it seemed so soap opera like. And also had every stereotypical southern trait ever mentioned.
I found myself skipping a lot of the story and skipping just to the dialogue so I knew what was going on.
Not my cup of tea leaves.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
TITLE: The Girl She Wanted
CHARACTERS: Alexa & Carrie
AUTHOR: K.L. Slater
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/22/20
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
What if my sister is unstable and everyone can see it but me? What was she really doing standing over Florence’s cot in the middle of the night?
Alexa has always looked up to her older sister Carrie. Carrie lives in Alexa’s family home, and adores her one-year-old niece Florence. Alexa doesn’t know how they would cope without her. So when Carrie is suspended from her job as a senior nurse, accused of the most terrible crime, Alexa reels in disbelief. Alexa knows how caring Carrie is, and as she watches Florence gurgling and cooing whenever Carrie is around, she knows her little girl is in safe hands.
Alexa’s husband doesn’t trust Carrie. He wants her out of the house, unable to ignore what people are saying about her. But when he suggests that Carrie could be a danger to their daughter, Alexa shuts him out. Nobody will ever come between her and her sister.
Then Florence is hurt while in Carrie’s care and Alexa at last starts to wonder. Alexa has always wanted to protect Carrie from the past they have hidden. But does Alexa know what Carrie wants? And will the secret that has kept the sisters together now destroy her little girl?
A completely gripping rollercoaster of a read about the darkness families hide behind closed doors. Fans of Gone Girl and The Girl on the Train will be hooked on The Girl She Wanted.
REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts If given the chance would you believe your own sister or your husband? And would you trust your sister with your precious child or trust your husband’s instinct and keep her far away?
I had a hard time getting into this book but once I did I enjoyed it. There was some suspense as to why Carrie was fired and did she really hurt the people she was nursing which I found interesting and kept me wanting to read to find out what really happened.
I also worried for the baby. The title led me to believe something was going to happen one way and that then it didn’t. So I kept waiting.
Interesting read.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
TITLE: Don’t Look
SERIES #: Pike, Wisconsin #1
CHARACTERS: Lynne & Kir
AUTHOR: Alexandra Ivy
PUBLICATION DATE: 12/01/20
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
IF YOU’RE ON HIS LIST
A woman’s naked body is discovered, cold and pale as the surrounding snow–except for the crimson scarf around her neck. The weeks that follow bring more victims and evidence of a terrifying pattern. The killer has a list. And every woman on it will get what she deserves . . .
YOU’RE AS GOOD
Dr. Lynne Gale followed in her father’s footsteps to become a vet in Pike, Wisconsin. For years, she’s had little contact with Kir Jansen, son of the town’s late sheriff. Suddenly he’s back, insisting that Lynne’s in danger. She can’t believe anyone would target her, but someone is hunting the women of Pike, savoring every last moment.
AS DEAD
Kir hoped that his father’s frantic calls about a serial killer were just an old man’s delusions. But the body count doesn’t lie. In this quiet town, a monster stalks and kills. And soon, Lynne’s will be the last name on his list . . .
REVIEW:
Yay! A New series from Alexandra Ivy!!!
I love Ivy’s writing. I have loved her writing back to her paranormal and into the suspense genre. She, honestly, never disappoints me. And she didn’t this time either.
Ok, lets state the obvious and move from there… Yes, Kir and Lynne become amatuer detectives and somehow figure out what the cops can not. This is not new in the genre. So yes, that is obvious and unrealistic but we do not pick up these books to read realism.
Now Kir returns to town to bury his father. His dad knows there is a serial killer out there and he was getting letters from the killer. But Kir comes back and realizes that his dad was right. And Kir also meets Dr Lynne, a vet, and a romance blossoms.
Alexandra Ivy always writes great characters. I would want to be friends with Kir and Lynne. And I would certainly want them on my side if my death seemed suspicious. And their romance that comes from their time together is expected and wonderful.
I am happy to see Ivy with a new series. I never miss her books and can’t wait to meet more of the people from Pike.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
TITLE: Silent Ridge (original title: Dark Falls)
SERIES #: Detective Megan Carpenter #3
CHARACTERS: Megan & Ronnie
AUTHOR: Gregg Olsen
PUBLICATION DATE: 12/04/20
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
They say your past can come back to haunt you. For Detective Megan Carpenter, her past might just come back to kill her.
Detective Megan Carpenter is no stranger to horrifying crime scenes, but when she arrives at the home of a woman whose body has been brutalized, Megan is shocked to discover that she knows the victim. Monique Delmont helped Megan when she was in danger years ago. And the killer has left a disturbing calling card… two laminated photographs of a sixteen-year-old high school girl – Megan.
Someone is taunting her in the worst way possible and Megan is convinced she knows who is responsible. She just has to find him.
With the help of her new partner, Deputy Ronnie Marsh, Megan begins to unravel the clues that will lead them to the killer including links to three female murder cases from nearly twenty years ago – one of which was Monique’s daughter.
But to protect those closest to her, Megan must continue to hide the dark truth of her past, even if that means lying to her team about her connection to Monique.
When two photographs of a teenage Megan are found at her boyfriend’s place in Snow Creek, she knows the killer is circling and ready to strike again.
Can she get to him before he finds her? And will she pay the ultimate price for trying to keep her terrifying past buried?
An addictive edge-of-your-seat crime thriller from the Number One, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today and Amazon Chart bestselling author.
REVIEW:
When I requested this book from NetGalley it was titled Dark Falls but now it has been changed to Silent Ridge. Not sure of the reason for the change but I wanted to get that out of the way for those confused by the name change.
This is the third in the series and while I somehow missed book #2 having read the first in the series, Snow Creek, it was helpful to know the character already. I am not sure someone just coming into this series will appreciate the character as someone who has read one or both of the previous books.
I don’t know how I feel about this book. I mean I really like the writings of Olsen but I am already a little tired of Megan. I am not sure why everyone she encounters as a detective she has known before. And I am not sure I appreciate all the baggage she comes with. That being said she is a strong character who prevails above her past.
Will give the series more time to develop. And I hope we see a few more sides of Megan.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
TITLE: Haunting In Old Tailem
SERIES #: Haunting Clarisse #3
CHARACTERS: Clarisse
AUTHOR: Janice Tremayne
PUBLICATION DATE: 12/01/20
ORDER LINKS: Amazon
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
An Australian Ghost town. A resident demon and a local Shaman. A confrontation with evil awaits.
Clarisse realizes that running from evil is not a bad idea until you figure out you can’t hide. When some ghosts get tired of hanging around, they latch onto you. At the centre of the war on evil is a historic Church that carries dark secrets within its walls. After she meets with the local Shaman, Clarisse discovers secrets with evil consequences by digging too deep into the town’s past. When matters become complicated, she visits a circus of young performers on the outskirts of town triggering unexpected paranormal events and unleashing memories of a one-hundred-year curse. After being caught in the crossfire of a battle for evil supremacy, Clarisse confronts Little Charlie as he rallies the town’s ghosts into an impeccable evil stronghold.
Can the local Shaman and townsfolk rally in her quest to defeat the evil incarnate or will the town succumb to Little Charlie and his evil crew?
Haunting in Old Tailem is the third book of the Haunting Clarisse Series. If you like spine-tingling, chilling, creepy and spooky supernatural thrillers, then you will love this story by 2020 USA Readers’ Favorite International Book Awards Finalist in Supernatural Fiction, Janice Tremayne.
Pick up your copy today and follow Clarisse through her battles with evil!
★ This book can be read as a stand-alone
REVIEW:
First the synopsis says that this can be read as a stand alone. But I think having not read the first two I missed out on something. I feel I didn’t have a good feel for the characters even after getting to know them in this book.
Clarisse is a clairvoyant who goes to Australia to work with Henry but a spooky church in the town becomes more of the focus than the work Henry needs to do. Soon it becomes clear that this is not just ghost haunting but way more. Like Satan and his henchmen attracting legions to do is bidding. Including children who visit the town.
I was really looking for a ghost story but got more of a horror flick. Seems that the read is either dull or action packed. There is no in between. I have to say that once I was reading it I was fine with continuing but I was not jumping up to grab the book after having set it down.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
TITLE: The Bright and Breaking Sea
SERIES: Captain Kit Brightling #1
CHARACTERS: Kit Brightling & Rian Grant
AUTHORS: Chloe Neill
NARRATOR: Danielle Cohen
RUN TIME: 10 Hours & 55 Minutes
PUBLICATION DATE: November 17, 2020
ORDER LINKS: Audible | Amazon | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Chloe Neill brings her trademark wit and wild sense of adventure to a stunning seafaring fantasy starring a dauntless heroine in a world of magic and treachery.
Kit Brightling, rescued as a foundling and raised in a home for talented girls, has worked hard to rise through the ranks of the Isles’ Crown Command and become one of the few female captains in Queen Charlotte’s fleet. Her ship is small, but she’s fast–in part because of Kit’s magical affinity to the sea. But the waters become perilous when the queen sends Kit on a special mission with a partner she never asked for.
Rian Grant, Viscount Queenscliffe, may be a veteran of the Continental war, but Kit doesn’t know him or his motives–and she’s dealt with one too many members of the Beau Monde. But Kit has her orders, and the queen has commanded they journey to a dangerous pirate quay and rescue a spy who’s been gathering intelligence on the exiled emperor of Gallia.
Kit can lead her ship and clever crew on her own, but with the fate of queen and country at stake, Kit and Rian must learn to trust each other, or else the Isles will fall.
REVIEW:
Pirates, magic and mayhem..
Such a wonderful start to a new series for Chloe Neill. The Bright and Breaking Sea follow Captain Kit Brightling and her crew. Captain Brightling is tasked with saving a member of the Crown. The task includes sharing the leader role with Viscount Rian Grant. The success of the mission will depend on how well these two can and will work together.
I listened to The Bright and Breaking Sea on Audio. Danielle Cohen is a new narrator to me. I thought she did a wonderful job narrating this book. I will say that there was a time or two when she said a word that caught me off guard. But only because that is not how I pronounce them. But I had to remind myself that this story takes place in New London.
I am very much looking forward to the next adventure in the Kit Brightling series! If you are looking for an adventure romance who’s main character is awesome I would suggest picking up this book.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley & Tantor Audio in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.
Hello! Thank you for joining me. I’m very excited to be here, celebrating the release of THE LASARAN, the first book in my new Aldebarian Alliance series. To help you get a feel for some of the characters you’ll encounter in the story, I thought I would borrow Sheldon (a character from my Immortal Guardians series) and have him interview Taelon and Lisa, the hero and heroine of THE LASARAN:
Sheldon: Hi, guys. Nice to meet you. I’m Sheldon.
Lisa: Nice to meet you.
Taelon: Good to meet you.
Sheldon: Everyone around here is very curious about you, Taelon. You really caught us by surprise.
Taelon: I’m equally curious about all of you.
Sheldon: Would you mind answering a few questions? Not many are in the know as far as what you are, but those who ARE tend to be . . . how should I put this . . .
Marcus: *calls from a room down the hallway* Enormous gossips?
Sheldon: *laughs* Yeah. But we keep it in the family so to speak.
Taelon: *smiles* I’d be happy to answer your questions.
Sheldon: Good. So . . . you’re an alien.
Taelon: Yes. I’m from the planet Lasara.
Sheldon: Okay. I think the one burning question that’s currently on everyone’s mind is . . . What’s up with aliens and butt probing?
Taelon: *blinks* What?
Sheldon: I said, what’s up with aliens and—
Taelon: I heard you the first time. I just have no idea what you’re talking about.
Sheldon: You know . . . Aliens are always abducting humans and probing their butts.
Taelon: *looks askance at Lisa*
Lisa: Hey. Don’t look at me. He said ALIENS do it.
Taelon: I admit this is the first time I’ve heard of such.
Sheldon: Really? Lasarans don’t do that?
Taelon: We do not. And on behalf of the Lasaran people, I can tell you with absolute certainty that none of us are interested in discovering what’s up your butt.
Marcus: *calls from the room down the hallway* Good move! With Sheldon, you never know what you’ll find.
Lisa: *laughs*
Sheldon: *scowls* Oh ha freaking ha.
Lisa: *turns to Taelon* By the way, I forgot to mention that Susan and Dana said you should NOT under ANY circumstances read Sheldon’s mind.
Taelon: *regards Sheldon with suspicion* Why?
Sheldon: It’s nothing. I’m not plotting against you or anything. They just like to tease me about some of the sex stuff they see up there.
Taelon: *eyes widen suddenly* Oh. *looks flabbergasted* Really? That sort of thing is legal on Earth? In public?
Sheldon: *face reddens as guffaws erupt down the hallway* She said NOT to read my mind. NOT to read it.
Taelon: *swiftly nods* I will certainly refrain from doing so in the future.
Lisa: *peers up at him curiously* Why? What did you see?
Taelon and Sheldon: Nothing!
Lisa: *lips twitch*
Sheldon: Anyway, as I was saying . . . *pauses* Wait. What was I saying?
Lisa: You were talking about butts.
Sheldon: Right! Speaking of butts, Lisa . . .
Taelon: *expression darkens* Speak of Lisa’s butt and I’ll kick your ass.
Sheldon: Wow. You’ve really got Earth vernacular down, don’t you
Taelon: *narrows his eyes*
Sheldon: *grins* I wasn’t going to mention her butt. I was going to ask her about someone else’s.
Lisa: Taelon has an awesome butt.
Taelon: *grins and takes her hand* Like it, do you?
Lisa: Hell yes.
Sheldon: Gross.
Taelon: *laughs *
Sheldon: So, Lisa, rumor has it you held one of the network’s special ops soldiers at gunpoint and ordered him to strip down to his skivvies.
Lisa: Actually, I held him at gunpoint and Taelon ordered him to strip.
Sheldon: Kinky.
Taelon: *looks at Lisa* I don’t think that word is translating correctly.
Lisa: What is your translator telling you it means?
Taelon: Curly.
Lisa: *grins* Yeah. That’s not it. Not the way he used it anyway.
Sheldon: You have a translator?
Taelon: Yes.
Sheldon: Where?
Taelon: Embedded in my brain.
Sheldon: Cool.
Lisa: *smiles* It is. But we’ve discovered it’s a little like autocorrect and can really miss the boat sometimes. I’ll explain what kinky means to him later.
Sheldon: *winks* I bet you will.
Lisa: *laughs*
Sheldon: So you really did disarm and hold a network special ops soldier at gunpoint?
Lisa: Yes.
Sheldon: That was pretty ballsy.
Taelon: *smiles* Yes it was.
Sheldon: Strong women are so hot.
Taelon: I agree. *wraps an arms around her* And Lisa is the strongest woman I know.
Lisa: *leans into his side* Flatterer.
Sheldon: Don’t go getting all lovey dovey on me, guys. I still have more questions to ask. Taelon . . . *looks at Taelon and sighs* Ah hell. You’re thinking about her butt now, aren’t you?
Lisa: He probably wouldn’t tell you if he was, but I have no problem admitting that I’m thinking about his.
Tracy (Sheldon’s girlfriend): *strolls down the hallway in form-fitting yoga pants and a tank top.* Hi, Guys. Don’t mind me. I’m just passing through on my way to get a drink after my workout.
Sheldon: *stares after her* And now I’m thinking about HER butt. *rises* Catch you later.
Lisa: *watches him leave, then looks at Taelon*
Taelon: *offers her a boyish grin* I WAS thinking about your butt.
Lisa: *laughs*
______________________________
I hope you’ll enjoy Taelon and Lisa’s story!!
The Lasaran Book #1 Aldebarian Alliance By Dianne Duvall
April 21, 2020
New York Times bestselling author Dianne Duvall brings readers the first novel in a thrilling new sci-fi romance series full of action, intrigue, humor, and happily-ever-afters.
Taelon searches the galaxy for his younger sister, who mysteriously disappeared while on a diplomatic mission. When an ally reveals that she was seized and is being held prisoner on Earth, Taelon descends upon the blue planet, intent on freeing her and exacting vengeance. However, all does not go as planned. Before he can find her, Taelon is captured and becomes the subject of torturous experiments. For what feels like an eternity, all he knows is pain and fury… until a mind tentatively touches his own and a woman’s voice forever changes his world.
After suffering tragic losses, Lisa is finally beginning to carve out a future for herself when chance sends her to the Anomalous Cognition Research Institute. What at first appears to be a benign organization seeking participants for a psychic study instead turns out to be a government facility harboring a much darker intent. Lisa discovers this too late and soon becomes the unwilling subject of a terrifying experiment. Just as fear and desperation threaten to consume her, a deep, compelling voice penetrates the looming insanity and lends her hope.
Having seen only the worst of humanity, Taelon is shocked when Lisa risks everything to free him. Together the two make their escape, and Taelon finds himself fascinated by the small human woman who—despite all she’s suffered—can still laugh and tease and lure smiles from him. Friendship swiftly grows between them as they work together to evade soldiers intent on capturing them and find themselves hunted by mystifying preternatural beings. Through it all, Lisa steadfastly remains by his side, stealing more of his heart each day while she helps him unravel the mystery of his sister’s fate. Can they find his sister before the hunters find them? If they survive their quest, will Taelon have to bid Lisa farewell… or can he coax her into leaving her planet and joining him for the adventure of a lifetime?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Dianne Duvall is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author of the Immortal Guardians series and The Gifted Ones series. Reviewers have called Dianne’s books “fast-paced and humorous” (Publishers Weekly), “utterly addictive” (RT Book Reviews), “extraordinary” (Long and Short Reviews), and “wonderfully imaginative” (The Romance Reviews). Her books have twice been nominated for RT Reviewers’ Choice Awards and are routinely deemed Top Picks by RT Book Reviews, The Romance Reviews, and/or Night Owl Reviews.
Dianne loves all things creative. When she isn’t writing, Dianne is active in the independent film industry and has even appeared on-screen, crawling out of a moonlit grave and wielding a machete like some of the vampires she creates in her books.
For the latest news on upcoming releases, contests, and more, please visit DianneDuvall.com. You can also find Dianne online . . .
– (1) $50 Amazon Gift Card
– (2) An Aldebarian Alliance, Immortal Guardians, and The Gifted Ones by Dianne Duvall Prize Pack
*Please be aware, that should conditions worsen due to COVID-19, the author reserves the right to substitute an Amazon.com gift card of their choice amount for the prize pack. Thank you for your understanding in this matter.
TITLE: Black Willows
TITLE: The Bright and Breaking Sea
Hello! Thank you for joining me. I’m very excited to be here, celebrating the release of THE LASARAN, the first book in my new Aldebarian Alliance series. To help you get a feel for some of the characters you’ll encounter in the story, I thought I would borrow Sheldon (a character from my Immortal Guardians series) and have him interview Taelon and Lisa, the hero and heroine of THE LASARAN:
