BOOK SYNOPSIS:
When wealthy art collector Miriam Welles is crushed to death by her own Rolls Royce, the police call it a tragic accident.
But her lawyer Dade Cooley arrives on the scene in Los Angeles and quickly determines that, though the Rolls was empty, there was definitely a driving force behind Miriam’s untimely demise.
He takes on the role of detective with glee as the plot thickens.
Two more residents come to an unfortunate end, and Dade is convinced that murder is the cause of all these suspicious deaths.
When a special painting is stolen, the list of suspects grows until Dade discovers the unlikely perpetrator behind the killings.
Was it greed or love that killed the beauty?
‘Murder Mystery’ is a classic mystery story from a master story-teller.
REVIEW:
This was a good little mystery. The thing was it was very dated. Apparently this is a re-release and nothing was changed in it to bring some of it up to date. It is a funny who-dun-it that is a light read.
Good for being as dated as it is.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
TITLE: Seducing Seven
SERIES #: A What Happens in Vegas Story
CHARACTERS: Blake Turner & Seven Michaels
AUTHOR: MK Meredith
PUBLICATION DATE: October 12, 2015
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
He bet on logic. She bet on love.
Romance author Seven Michaels believes in love to her very core. She has to–not only for herself, but for her readers. So when luxury salesman Blake Turner insults not only her books but the people who read them, Seven’s ready to throw down. How dare a playboy like Blake insinuate romance lovers are full of crap?
He wants proof? Fine. She bets Blake she can make him fall for her by using the rules in her latest novel before the end of the convention, or she’ll denounce love in front of all her fellow authors and fans at the Romance Lovers Convention ball. A dangerous game to be sure, but humiliating Blake is worth the risk.
But when Seven realizes she’s the one who’s being seduced, she’s no longer sure who is playing whom…or whether she’ll have a career when the bet is over.
REVIEW:
This was a very cute, fun and quick read. I started reading think I would read just a few chapters and a couple hours later I was finished.
I really like Seven and Blake. They are both awesome, stubborn and don’t like to lose. I loved how these two met (makes me want to hang out by the elevators more often) to the firework show on the roof to the speech that Blake gives. It was a very sweet story.
I am very glad that I pick up a copy of this story. I would like to request that Six get a story!!!! Just sayin’ MK. Six needs a story too. 🙂
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley & Entangled Publishing, LLC in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.
TITLE: Vendetta
SERIES #: The Nikki Boyd Files #1
CHARACTERS: Nikki Boyd
AUTHOR: Lisa Harris
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/06/15
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
No one needs to push Nikki Boyd to excel on the Tennessee Missing Persons Task Force. The case of her own missing sister, still unsolved after ten years, is the driving force in her work. When a Polaroid photo of a missing girl shows up at a crime scene, Nikki quickly recognizes similarities to the past. The closer she gets to the abductor, the more she feels this case has become personal, and she is not the hunter . . . but the hunted.
With this explosive first book in The Nikki Boyd Files, award-winning author Lisa Harris takes you on a fast-paced pursuit of justice that will have you holding your breath until the heart-stopping finish.
REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts This is the first in a new series from an author I have not read before. The synopsis pretty much tells it all so I don’t need to repeat it. It is pretty typical as well. Lady becomes cop because her sister went missing a decade ago and not another girl is missing and she takes it personal. Typical, like I said.
I’m am 60/40 on this book. I would say 50/50 but it did keep my interest and make me want to finish it so I will give it that push over the edge. The characters are good and well written. The history of Nikki is solid and again she kept my attention. I was waiting for something about the book that would be different than others… something about Nikki that we didn’t know that gave us that “Oh now I get it” moment but it never came. I also never felt much of a connection, except the loss of a loved one, between Nikki and Tyler.
I guess this would fall under the inspirational suspense more than anything else. And while interesting it just really didn’t do it for me. I can imagine some will love this series. I am just not one of them.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
TITLE: Fever
SERIES #: Club Inferno #3
CHARACTERS: Colleen & Chase
AUTHOR: Jamie K. Schmidt
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/17/15
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Readers of Fifty Shades of Grey and Bared to You will savor a visit to Club Inferno, the erotic playground where glitz and glamour mix with leather and whips.
Deep in the shadows of her exclusive fashion resort, Couture, Colleen Bryant presides over a much more intimate world: Club Inferno. The successful businesswoman and sex instructor has built an empire that caters to the BDSM elite, but now she finds herself longing for something a bit more ordinary: a man to love. She’s not sure how to find someone who will accept what she does for a living—or the kinks that drive her wild—until her old flame, ex-pro football player Chase Fairwood, comes back in her life.
There’s no woman as hot, sexy, or exciting as Colleen—and Chase knows it. He also knows he’s man enough to play her games, and to give as good as he gets. His return to Club Inferno reignites Colleen’s scorching demands, along with a new determination to test his resolve. Soon he’s competing against a rival Dom to brand Colleen as his own. But Chase has a secret weapon: the burning desire to offer his body—and his heart—in sweet surrender.
REVIEW:
3.25 Hearts Well I am on the fence of this one but leaning more towards liking it which is why I gave it the tip over from down the 3 star middle.
So I have liked the other two in the series and liked them. I enjoy the camaraderie that the people of Couture have and enjoy the way this club is set up. There is just more to it than a sex club so it is a bit different than other BDSM series. But the problem comes with Colleen and Chase. We have known both of them since book one and it was no surprise to have them come back together since they were together already and seemed to have the chemistry still.
But…. Chase is not the kind of guy I think of as a sub. Sure he is a ex-football player and a big guy and I am absolutely positive that guys like this are out in the world but I am not sure they would be the kind of guy I was into. Actually I know they wouldn’t be but then again I would never pull of the part of Colleen.
So I had a hard time enjoying the guy as a sub and not the Dom. It seems off to me. And while I enjoyed the rest of the story it was hard to get past that. I guess I will stay away from books with Dominatrix and sub and stick with Dom and sub in the future.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
We are so excited to bring you the Release Day Launch for Elisabeth Naughton’s CROSSWINDS!! CROSSWINDS is Episode 3 in the Rising Storm Series brought to you by 1001 Dark Nights. This episode is out today so make sure you grab your copy and pre-order the following episodes in this amazing new series!!
Welcome to Storm, Texas, where passion runs hot, desire runs deep,
and secrets have the power to destroy…
Nestled among rolling hills and painted with vibrant wildflowers, the bucolic town of Storm, Texas, seems like nothing short of perfection.
But there are secrets beneath the facade. Dark secrets. Powerful secrets. The kind that can destroy lives and tear families apart. The kind that can cut through a town like a tempest, leaving jealousy and destruction in its wake, along with shattered hopes and broken dreams. All it takes is one little thing to shatter that polish.
Reading like an on-going drama in the tradition of classic day and night-time soap operas like Dallas, Dynasty, and All My Children, Rising Storm is full of scandal, deceit, romance, passion, and secrets.
With 1001 Dark Nights as the “producer,” Elisabeth Naughton and Dee Davis use a television model with each week building on the last to create a storyline that fulfills the promise of a drama-filled soap opera. Joining Kenner and Davis in the “writer’s room” is an incredible group of New York Times bestselling authors such as Lexi Blake, Elisabeth Naughton, Jennifer Probst, Larissa Ione, Rebecca Zanetti and Lisa Mondello who have brought their vision of Storm to life.
A serial soap opera containing eight episodes in season one, the season premiere of Rising Storm, CROSSWINDS, debuts September 24th with each subsequent episode releasing consecutively this fall.
So get ready. The storm is coming.
*****
TITLE: Crosswinds SERIES #: Rising Storm Episode #3 CHARACTERS: AUTHOR: Elisabeth Naughton PUBLICATION DATE: October 8, 2015 ORDER LINKS: Amazon | iBooks | GooglePlay
BOOK SYNOPSIS: Secrets, Sex and Scandals … Welcome to Storm, Texas, where passion runs hot, desire runs deep, and secrets have the power to destroy… Get ready. The storm is coming.
Lacey Salt’s world shattered with the death of her brother, and now the usually sweet-tempered girl is determined to take back some control—even if that means sabotaging her best friend, Mallory, and Mallory’s new boyfriend, Luis.
REVIEW PROVIDED BY: Kelly NUMBER OF HEARTS: 4 Okay Elisabeth if you ever decide to not be an author (which I know you won’t) you could become a writer of soap operas. You seriously nailed the evil soap queen perfectly. I absolutely and totally hate Lacey. So I believe you did your job!!!
I have forgotten how much anxiety soaps give me. The Rising Storm series is doing a great job of giving me the feeling of hope and then crushing my little heart. 🙂 I can’t wait to see what happens in the next episode. Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley & Evil Eye Concepts in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.
Before topping multiple bestseller lists–including those of the New York Times, USA Today, and the Wall Street Journal–Elisabeth Naughton taught middle school science. A voracious reader, she soon discovered she had a knack for creating stories with a chemistry of their own. The spark turned into a flame, and Naughton now writes full-time. Besides topping bestseller lists, her books have been nominated for some of the industry’s most prestigious awards, such as the RITA® and Golden Heart Awards from Romance Writers of America, the Australian Romance Reader Awards, and the Golden Leaf Award. When not dreaming up new stories, Naughton can be found spending time with her husband and three children in their western Oregon home. Visit Elisabeth Naughton’s website.
TITLE: Rock Redemption
SERIES #: Rock Kiss #3
CHARACTERS: Noah St. John & Kit Devigny
AUTHOR: Nalini Singh
PUBLICATION DATE: October 6, 2015
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | Amazon UK | B&N |iBooks | Kobo
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Kit Devigny could have loved rock guitarist Noah St. John. Their friendship burned with the promise of intense passion and searing tenderness…until the night Noah deliberately shattered her heart.
Noah knows he destroyed something precious the night he chose to betray Kit, but he’d rather she hate him than learn his darkest secret. All he has left is his music. It’s his saving grace, but it doesn’t silence the voices that keep him up at night. Chasing oblivion through endless one-night-stands, he earns a few hours’ sleep and his bad boy reputation.
When a media error sees Noah and Kit dubbed the new “it” couple, Kit discovers her chance at the role of a lifetime hinges on riding the media wave. Wanting—needing—to give Kit this, even if he can’t give her everything, Noah agrees to play the adoring boyfriend. Only the illusion is suddenly too real, too painful, too beautiful…and it may be too late for the redemption of Noah St. John.
REVIEW:
Over the last three Rock Kiss stories we have seen Noah as the bad boy of the band. The one who doesn’t care about anyone except the members of the band. The one that uses women at every turn. And the one who will never find the love that Fox and David found. But in Rock Redemption we get to see that Noah is more than just a bad boy. Noah is a man that has a dark past and doesn’t believe he deserves the love and trust of the only woman he has ever loved.
Noah and Kit’s story is a heartbreaking story of a man trying to find his place in the world. This story tugged at my heartstrings with every page. Noah’s past is heartbreaking, yet it has made him stronger than even he knows. Kit is a very strong and forgiving woman. The has loved Noah for years, even after he betrayed her and broke her heart.
Noah and Kit are perfect for each other. I loved seeing them both learn to maneuver the tricky line between friendship and love. I am really enjoying this series and I can’t wait to see what Nalini has in store for Abe.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley & TKA Distribution in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.
4 Hearts
Excerpt from ROCK REDEMPTION by Nalini Singh
Kit groaned at the sound of her phone. Reaching out blindly toward the nightstand, she hurled mental curses upon herself for forgetting to turn it off so she could catch some uninterrupted sleep before her four-a.m. makeup call.
It’d be fun and great for her career, her agent had said when recommending Kit take the superhero flick. Coming off two serious and emotionally wrenching projects, Kit had taken Harper’s advice and jumped on board the high-budget, high-octane venture. Unfortunately, Harper had forgotten to mention the four hours it would take to put her into the head-to-toe makeup required for the role. Daily.
“What?” she snarled into the phone without checking to see who it was.
“Hey, Katie.”
Every cell in her body snapped wide awake. Lifting her eyelids, she just stared at the ceiling through gritty eyes. Her heart thumped, her throat moving convulsively as she swallowed. She hated that he could still do this to her, hated it, but her visceral response to Noah wasn’t something she could stop. She knew because she’d tried for the past two years and three months.
“Noah,” she said flatly. “Do you know what time it is?”
“Two fifteen,” he answered.
Kit should’ve hung up. God, he’d hurt her. So much. But there was something in his voice that had her sitting up. “Are you drunk?” One thing she knew about Noah: no matter his bad-boy rep, he was never wasted. He might give a good indication of it, but look closely and those dark gray eyes were always sober.
“Probably.” A silence, followed by, “I just wanted to hear your voice. Sorry for waking you.”
“Wait,” she said when he would’ve hung up. “Where are you?”
“Some dive.” He took a deep breath, released it in a harsh exhale. “I’m sorry for being an asshole. I wanted to tell you that. I don’t want to go without saying that.”
“Noah,” she said, a horrible feeling in her stomach. “Where exactly are you?”
“The Blue Flamingo Inn off Hollywood Boulevard. Far, far, far off.” He laughed, and it held no humor. “It has a neon sign of a blue—surprise!—flamingo that’s flashing right through my window. Looks like someone stole the curtains.”
Having already grabbed her laptop, which she’d left beside the bed after answering some e-mails before sleep claimed her, she found the Blue Flamingo Inn. But Noah was already gone, having said, “I love your voice, Kit,” in an oddly raw tone before hanging up.
He didn’t pick up when she called back.
“Damn it! Damn it!” She shoved aside the blanket under which she’d been buried, having turned the AC to ice-cold as she usually did at night. Shivering, she tugged on a pair of jeans and an old sweatshirt over the panties and tank top in which she’d gone to sleep.
Pulling her black hair into a rough ponytail to keep it out of her eyes, she ran through the house, phone in one pocket, credit card and driver’s license in the other. In the kitchen, she grabbed her keys off the counter and shoved her feet into the tennis shoes by the door that led to the garage.
She was in her car and on the way to the motel three minutes after Noah had hung up, mouth dry and an ugliness in her gut. “Please be okay, please be okay, please be okay,” she kept saying, the mantra doing nothing to calm her down, but at least it kept her mind focused.
She wanted to call Molly and Fox, or the others in the band, but no one was currently in the city. Schoolboy Choir had completed the final show in the band’s hugely successful tour just over two weeks earlier. Day after that, they’d all gone their separate ways to recharge and regroup.
“Much as I love these guys,” David had said with a grin that reached the dark gold of his eyes, “I’ve been looking at their ugly mugs daily for months. We need to go blow off some steam separately before we start snarling at each other.”
At the time, Kit had nodded in understanding, having had that same experience while working on location for long periods. Tonight, however, she wished the others were all here, not scattered across the country, because something was very wrong with Noah.
“Noah doesn’t do drugs,” she told herself as she drove as fast as she dared, not wanting to risk getting pulled over and further delayed. “He isn’t the kind to—” She couldn’t say it, couldn’t even think of Noah ending his life. “No,” she said firmly, her hands white-knuckled on the steering wheel. “Noah isn’t like that.”
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Psy-Changeling, Guild Hunter, and Rock Kiss series Nalini Singh usually writes about hot shapeshifters and dangerous angels. This time around, she decided to write about a beautiful, charismatic guitarist with a dark past. If you’re seeing a theme here, you’re not wrong.
Nalini lives and works in beautiful New Zealand, and is passionate about writing. If you’d like to explore her other books, you can find lots of excerpts on her website. Slave to Sensation is the first book in the Psy-Changeling series, while Angels’ Blood is the first book in the Guild Hunter series. Also, don’t forget to swing by the site to check out the special behind-the-scenes page for the Rock Kissseries, complete with photos of many of the locations used in the books.
TITLE: The Risk
SERIES #: Xtreme Heroes #1
CHARACTERS: Julia & Noah
AUTHOR: Skye Jordan
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/16/15
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Former Olympian turned physical therapist to the elite Julia Bailey knows all about pushing the limits. But when a sexual harassment suit costs her a dream job—not to mention her reputation—she takes on the biggest risk of her life. Rehabilitating the X Games’ most notorious bad boy might be just what she needs to secure the funds for her own treatment center. Problem is, the only kind of recovery her new client is interested in is under-the-covers freestyle—gear optional.
Daredevil snowboarder Noah Hunt is a rock star—on and off the slopes. A recent accident might have him down, but he’s far from out. He doesn’t care what the sexy therapist with the sweet curves says. He’s got sponsors to impress and trophies to collect, and taking things slow and steady just ain’t his style. A little dirty talk and a sizzling night later, Julia learns just how fast and hard he likes to play. Too bad for him, his heart goes all in, and one wrong move could cost him more than just his career.
REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts So this is a new series for Jordan. I love her Renegades series. I mean seriously I end up with a new book-boyfriend every time one of the books from that series comes out. So here is what I think happened with this book….
I wanted it to match the Renegades but it didn’t and I was disappointed. Now I know that is not fair. Each book should have its own expectations and not base it on an old series but come on we all do it. I wanted to end up with a new book-boyfriend and when I didn’t I was a little heartbroken. BUT…. that being said I really enjoyed the book. I enjoyed the story and I mostly enjoyed the characters.
Julia well she would be the friend that would drive me crazy but we would still be friends. Noah well actually I can imagine setting him up with my friend (you know the one who drives me crazy) but I wouldn’t want him for my own.
But give this new series and try. Just don’t go in thinking this is a Renegades book because you will be disappointed.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Lots of awesome items for this week’s “Gift Idea For The Book Lover”! Scroll down below and check out this week’s items and let me know which is your favorite?
Silhouette Print Set Reading Nautical Book Black and White Tree Birds Coral Fish
There are few things better than a good book. This lovely young couple seems to have found two very remarkable ones. A bit of nature has unfurled from the pages of each book. For the lady, an elegant sapling is home to several lively birds. For the gentleman, fish swim through coral and, if you peek near the base, you’ll see a tiny seahorse.
These two prints are gorgeous statement pieces for any home.
You will receive the pair of prints. Both are reproductions of my original silhouettes. They are printed on white, archival, heavyweight photo matte paper that measures 8.5 x 11 inches for easy framing.
*****
Angel Devil Metal Art Bookends – Free USA Shipping
Alice in Wonderland is a classic book that has a special spot on the bookshelf for many. This pendant necklace is Lewis Carroll’s character, Alice. It would be a fun gift for any Alice in Wonderland fan.
This pendant necklace started as a previously loved Rummikub game piece. The back of the pendant will have a number on it. It has a background of sheet music with Alice gazing… Probably in her looking glass.
It is sealed and coated with durable epoxy resin.
The pendant measures 1″ x 1 1/2″. Dangling from the bottom is a cluster of beads and charms including a bronze tone clock charm and a treble clef music note.
The pendant hangs from a 22″ bronze tone ball chain necklace.
I have other Alice in Wonderland necklaces.
I can make custom pendant necklaces from any book! Please take a peek at some of my other book and reading themed jewelry.
*****
Monogrammed Book Holder Magazine Rack – Personalized with name monogram initials and choice of pattern, chevron, moroccan, zebra
This personalized Book Caddy is sized just right to keep books (even over-sized ones), magazines and coloring books together and near. Your choice of many designs to match any room decor. Imprinted with vibrant permanent non-toxic inks.
Select Pattern, Color, Name Band, Color
MEASURES: 12 ½”h x 12 ½”w x 8 ½”d
** Super easy adult assembly and constructed of sturdy MDF wood
Please specify personalization desired at check out.
If items are no longer available, please contact the seller to request further information.
TITLE: A Silver Wolf Christmas
SERIES #: Heart Of The Wolf #17
CHARACTERS: C.J. Silver & Laurel MacTire
AUTHOR: Terry Spear
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/06/15
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Fans of shapeshifter romance will be thrilled to spend Christmas with the Silver Town werewolf pack…
C.J. Silver is eager to help the new she-wolves in town renovate the old hotel in time for the holidays, especially if it means spending time under the mistletoe with the alluring Laurel MacTire.
The bustle in the long abandoned hotel attracts the attention of human ghosthunters out to prove the place haunted, but the bigger problem is keeping them from discovering the werewolves in Silver Town. CJ and Laurel have to pull the wool over everyone’s eyes. Working together is a surprisingly hot holiday treat for two attractive and clever wolf shifters
KELLY’S REVIEW:
3 Hearts I enjoyed this story. I liked that it was set at Christmas time, yet didn’t have a huge “it’s a Christmas story” vibe. I really enjoyed C.J. and Laurel’s relationship. It was nice to see them grow as people and as a couple throughout this book. I enjoyed the ghostly elements of the story too.
I really liked the new wolfs we meet too. I am hoping that means more stories in the future :).
All and all this was another really good read by Ms. Spears
KIMBERLY’S REVIEW:
4 Hearts I enjoyed this story. It is set at Christmas but I wouldn’t exactly say it is a holiday story. But it is still an enjoyable shifting story with a bit of a different kind of paranormal and a bit of suspense.
In the beginning I had a bit of a problem with this book. CJ seemed like a teenager with his first crush. He was written very young but as the book moved forward he seemed to change into a man and not a teen. I liked Laurel right off. She is the alpha of her three sisters and seems really mature which is why I couldn’t see her and CJ together at first.
We learn that the girls are in town for more than renovating the old hotel and it begins to feel a little like a ghost story. Is there is a ghost wolf? A haunted hotel? And what happened to the previous owners and the girls aunt?
After I got more into the book I enjoyed it more. The beginning was a bit rough and I did have a bit of a problem with how quickly to the reader the romance happened. It seemed like one day they were interested in each other but distant and the next they were dating and then mated. It just seemed fast to me. But as the book moved on the romance became more real to them I enjoyed it more. The suspense part was an added enjoyment. As I said I don’t know that I would call this a Christmas story even though it is brought up a few times but as a fan of paranormal romance you will enjoy it no matter what time of year it is.
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.
TITLE: Wish Upon A Christmas Cake
CHARACTERS: Katie & Sam
AUTHOR: Darcie Boleyn
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/02/15
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The most wonderful time of the year?
Katie Warham has just one wish this year…to have the best Christmas ever!
If only she could lock herself away in a cloud of flour and sugar at her cosy little tearoom, Crumbtious Cakes, instead of spending the festive season trapped with her judgemental mother, crazy Aunt Gina and loved-up celebrity brother Carl…
But Katie never expected her ex-boyfriend, widower Sam – and his two adorable children – to turn up on her doorstep. She didn’t think that any man could tempt her under the mistletoe this year, but Sam might just prove the exception! And as the snow begins to fall and Katie puts the final touches to her famous Christmas cake, she begins to wonder, could her Christmas wish actually come true?
This holiday season, snuggle up by a roaring fire with a mulled wine and enjoy Darcie Boleyn’s festive winter warmer!
REVIEW:
I had a bit of a hard time with this story. First it was set in first person and that, for me, takes away from the story. I never felt a connection between Katie and Sam. Katie is just a bit uptight to me. I never really enjoyed reading her and since it was first person it was hard to move beyond her and enjoy the story.
Katie has been pining over Sam for years and compared every guy since to him. Sure we all have “the one that got away” but it seems to me she is the one who let him go so why is she upset? I don’t know. While this story had a lot of the Christmas spirit in it for some reason it just didn’t work for me.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
NYTimes and USA Today Bestselling Author Darynda Jones has won numerous awards for her work, including a prestigious Golden Heart®, a Rebecca, two Hold Medallions, a RITA ®, and a Daphne du Maurier, and she has received stellar reviews from dozens of publications including starred reviews from Publisher’s Weekly, Booklist, and the Library Journal. As a born storyteller, Darynda grew up spinning tales of dashing damsels and heroes in distress for any unfortunate soul who happened by, annoying man and beast alike, and she is ever so grateful for the opportunity to carry on that tradition. She currently has two series with St. Martin’s Press: The Charley Davidson Series and the Darklight Trilogy. She lives in the Land of Enchantment, also known as New Mexico, with her husband of almost 30 years and two beautiful sons, the Mighty, Mighty Jones Boys. She can be found at www.daryndajones.com.
*****Kelly’s audio review of Brighter Than The Sun*****
TITLE: BRIGHTER THAN THE SUN SERIES #: Charley Davidson #8.5 CHARACTERS: Reyes Farrow AUTHOR: Darynda Jones NARRATOR: Lorelei King RUN TIME: 3 Hours & Minutes PUBLICATION DATE: October 06, 2015 ORDER LINKS: Amazon| Audible | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
All his life, Reyes Alexander Farrow has suffered the torments of the damned. Only one thing has given him hope: the woman who radiates a light that no mortals can see; a light that only the departed can see…
Told from his point of view, BRIGHTER THAN THE SUN chronicles the first time Reyes ever encountered Charley, and how their relationship has been the one thing that can either save him or doom him.
REVIEW PROVIDED BY: Kelly NUMBER OF HEARTS: 5
I have to start the review by telling you that BRIGHTER THAN THE SUN is not your typically Charley Davidson book. This is not the light hearted fun full of Charley antics story. When I received this book to review I was given a warning that this book was dark. Very dark!!! If you read the excerpt below you will get a glimpse of how dark, sad and heartbreaking this story is. Fans of Charley’s series already know some of what happened to Reyes as a kid but in Brighter Than the Sun we unfortunately get an upclose and personal view of his world as a kid.
After reading BRIGHTER THAN THE SUN, I can safely say that I love Reyes even more than I did before. Reyes lived through hell in his childhood. It was beyond heartbreaking to read/listen to his back story. It was heartbreaking to read/listen to him when he first meets Charley. It is heartbreaking to read/listen to the things that happen to Charley.
It was great to see just how much Reyes loves Charley. How much from the first moment of Charley’s life that Reyes was there. This story was beyond heartbreaking to suffer with Reyes, but seeing Charley though his eyes and to learn just how important she is to him was wonderful.
Ms. King does an amazing job of reading this story to us as always. I am looking forward to the next installment of this series.
Charley & Reyes fans will enjoy this story even if they need to make sure to have a good supply of tissues close by.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from MacMillan Audio in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.
Excerpt
I’m curled in a corner of the basement, shivering like a little bitch and licking my wounds from the latest encounter, when I hear my sister crying at the door. I try to assure her I’m okay, but the edges of my vision darken and a beckoning light appears in the distance. I collapse and drift toward it. Weightless. Ethereal.
I always drift toward it.
Not literally. I’ve been locked in the basement by a psychopath. I don’t get out much. But mentally.
You should probably know that even though I’m twelve, the circumstances of my existence are not normal. The things that happen to me are not normal. The things in my head are not normal. And the light that I’m drifting toward, the warmth I feel from it, the . . . forgiveness for all my abnormalities, is as abnormal as I am.
I’m three the first time I see it, and in a very similar state. I follow it. I close my eyes, take a deep breath, and drift toward the white-hot pinprick of light burning the back of my eyes. The closer I get, the brighter it becomes until, just when I think I’ll never see again . . .
. . . she appears.
This tiny being peeking out from between a lady’s legs. I don’t know what to think at first, besides I shouldn’t be looking between a lady’s legs. But she is dying, the lady, so I figure it’s okay. I wouldn’t look at her bad anyway. My head doesn’t always work right, but even at three, it knows not to look at a lady bad.
Anyway, she’s shaking. The lady. Not shivers like if she’s cold, but deep shakes like if something’s wrong. Her head is thrown back and her body is stiff. The nurses hold her down as a doctor pulls at the light. At the thing. The tiny being that was in the lady’s belly, and suddenly it all makes sense.
Not the light, but that whole “Where do babies come from?” thing.
It’s disturbing, but not so disturbing as the lady. One of the reasons my head doesn’t work right is because I feel what others feel. Could ever since I was a kid. A littler kid. I can feel other people when they’re mad or pissed or in pain. That’s how I know when to stay away from Earl. When to run and hide. It doesn’t always work, but it’s damned sure worth a shot.
But right now, I feel the lady’s pain and it hurts and I almost leave if not for the light. I try to catch my breath once more. To be near it. Near her. Just a little longer.
She comes out in a whoosh of baby and liquid and a light so bright, I can hardly see—and I’m mesmerized. Then the pain stops and I can breathe normally again. The lady is still. A solid, constant note sounds in the room, and people gather around her and the baby. Everyone except the man holding the lady’s hand. He is doubled over. His shoulders shake, and I realize the people around the baby—most of them, anyway—are dead. They’re people from the past come to see the light. Ghosts. Whispers.
Their faces are full of wonder, but they are blocking my view, so I push them aside and drift closer. She is wailing like babies do. Then she sees the lady. Her mother. The woman standing beside the doctor, looking down at her. I’d never seen anything like the emotion in the mom’s expression, and I think how it must be love, because it’s soft and caring and tender.
I’m glad for the baby and sad at the same time. The mother touches her face. The baby’s. Tells her to be strong. Stronger than she was. Then she kisses the man’s bowed head, and I think about how I didn’t know ghosts could cry. Then she does the impossible: She steps into the baby’s light and is gone.
In a small village in New York lives Jane Doe, a girl with no memory of who she is or where she came from. So when she is working at a diner and slowly begins to realize she can see dead people, she’s more than a little taken aback. Stranger still are the people entering her life. They seem to know things about her. Things they hide with lies and half-truths. Soon, she senses something far darker. A force that wants to cause her harm, she is sure of it. Her saving grace comes in the form of a new friend she feels she can confide in and the fry cook, a devastatingly handsome man whose smile is breathtaking and touch is scalding. He stays close, and she almost feels safe with him around.
But no one can outrun their past, and the more lies that swirl around her—even from her new and trusted friends—the more disoriented she becomes, until she is confronted by a man who claims to have been sent to kill her. Sent by the darkest force in the universe. A force that absolutely will not stop until she is dead. Thankfully, she has a Rottweiler. But that doesn’t help in her quest to find her identity and recover what she’s lost. That will take all her courage and a touch of the power she feels flowing like electricity through her veins. She almost feels sorry for him. The devil in blue jeans. The disarming fry cook who lies with every breath he takes. She will get to the bottom of what he knows if it kills her. Or him. Either way.
TITLE: Murder Mystery
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Author Information
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A little about Darynda, 
