"Consumed" (Firefighters Series #1) by J.R. Ward

"As she got out her notes, she thought of her new boss's pep talk. Someone had died in at least two of those old warehouse fires. And hell, she had been permanently changed. So there were crimes to solve here. There was still something worth fighting to protect. And in this case, it was justice."....

Anne Ashburn is a fire fighter. She was, until one fateful night that changed the path of her career. Now she’s an arson investigator. The story takes place in New Brunswick, Massachusetts. An exciting and fast paced read right from the beginning.

One of her fellow fire fighters, Danny McGuire, is a hot shot. Suffering his own problems, and seemingly a death wish. Danny and Anne don’t exactly team up to investigate a string of suspicious fires, but their jobs tend to throw them together. Anne misses her firehouse crew.

Hopefully her new career direction will help both of them set their lives back on track. Until the arsonist decides to target Anne, maybe there will be no redemption for her. A bit of a love story, fast paced action and drama. I enjoyed reading this book. Life can “Consume” you in so many ways if you don’t fight back. Anne is a strong woman. If anyone is going to get through a storm, it will be her.

Thank you J.R. Ward, Netgalley, Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books.

Buy the first in this new "Firefighter" series on Amazon: pre-order now: click here!

"Crime" 7 Short story and novellas by Michael Smith

“Welcome to Kake, Alaska, home to 557 year-round residents and a hundred thousand visitors in summer-well technically 558 if we count you. You are now living adjacent to the Tebekof Bay Wilderness Area where the most exciting things to happen are fishing, whale watching, and the occasional animal mauling.”....


This is the first in a series of seven short story, novellas, by author Michael Smith. I agreed to read and review all seven of these “Crime” stories. I’ll write and publish separate reviews for each story. They all look interesting, and I’m looking forward to each story.

In this crime thriller short we meet Zane Perelli. A city cop that has up and moved to Alaska with only as much of his belongings as he could check through at the airport. What adventures await him? Moving to “Bear Country” may not be as peaceful as one might think.

A body is discovered, and Zane, now a new deputy in this small town, is involved. He moved away from this kind of thing didn’t he? Or did he. I was actually surprised at the story line. It wasn’t the one I predicted as I started reading.

A quick read, with all the right crime enticing elements. Different characters, but “Crime” is the theme of each. Enjoyed this story! Onto the next, “Crime: Full Circle.”

On a Hawaiian beach Inspector Ralph Houston approaches a man he’s been seeking. 15 years of searching has come to an end. Why?Ralph approaches the man, letting him know he’s there, but allowing him to walk away. What’s a little more time after 15 years? Inspector Ralph has a plan in place though.

The back story takes place in a small Alabama town. A personal tragedy influences Inspector Ralph’s life and future, including the last 15 years leading up to the meeting on the beach.

Who is the man on the beach? Will Inspector Ralph get what he came for? Another “Crime” novella by this author. The only thing I found slightly off, were words used that would not normally be used in a story taking place in the United States. We don’t refer to “department stores” as “departmental stores.” Inspectors are usually referred to as “detectives.” Still a decent story. Now onto the third, “Crime”: A Story of Betrayal.

This is the 3rd book of author Michael Smith’s “Crime” series short story and novellas.

Captain Ben Churchinoff of the Juneau, Alaska police force is investigating a missing woman case. Unusual in this quiet area of town for a missing person. Usually it’s a hiking incident or a bear encounter. This time, Adrienne Gregor, may have met her fate, and not by natural causes.

Churchinoff decides to handle this case himself. His deputy is sure it’s a bear attack, Ben not so much. With little to go on, Ben thinks Adrienne’s sister may be able to help them.

Is Adrienne dead already or is their time to save her? Is the killer watching Ben? This one in the “Crime” series was the best one so far. Really liked this novella.

Sheriff Bill McCallum over sees the small town of Pine Ridge. Considered an outsider by the residents, they may need to put their faith in him now. A dismembered body is found, and the rumors are running rampant.

This is the 4th book in the “Crime” series by this author. I think the writing is also improving as I go along. I like seeing progress. All the stories are good so far, but I see them getting better. I think this author might consider putting them all into a single book. Would make a great read. Either way, nice short enjoyable story lines.

Bob’s case is winding down, with no answers as to how the dead body ended up at the edge of town. Suddenly, an event sparks the town and the gossip all over again. Will it lead to a killer?

Something is just on the edge of Bob’s memory. Will it lead to the   answers? A great short “Crime” story. 

“She had suffered a prolonged and viscous attack. All her fingers were broken and one of her arms was cut several times and quite deeply. She had been tortured slowly before..”... The scene of this “Crime” short story takes place in a town called Shalgrove, Yorkshire England. This is the 5th in this series. Even better than the previous stories. You can see the author progressing in technique. This small town is shocked by the murder of a young woman. Everyone involved is badly shaken by the death of 18 year old Melanie. DI Preston and Maltby are investigating this case. Gruesome details come to light about how Melanie died. Will the details lead them to a clue about who is responsible? More bodies? More young girls? Keep you guessing until the end. "Crime" part 2 with the last 2 reviews follows this post....

"Crime" Part 2 of the 7 part novella series by Michael Smith

The King family has moved from across the pond to America. Believing they need a new start, Alex and Linz, bring their children, Gemma and Jack, to what will hopefully be a new beginning. The only problem, there was a murder just before they left. A classmate of Gemma's was brutally killed. Now there’s been a murder in their new town. Is this a coincidence? Is someone after the family? This town isn't used to dealing with murder in their midst. So many secrets. Not everyone is sharing what they know. This family appears close, but what they're keeping from each other may be their undoing. This is the 6th book in the “Crime” short story, novellas by this author. Another page turner. You’ll be surprised by the ending. Entertaining thriller.

Alice’s sister went missing a long time ago. Alice and her boyfriend, Edward, return to her hometown in North Carolina for a short vacation, when there is news of her long lost sister. Trying to help the detectives get to the bottom of this may cost Alice. Alice wasn’t fond of her sister’s behavior, and is caught between wanting answers, the truth, and vengeance. When facts about her sister’s disappearance come to light, is Alice somehow involved? Why would someone try to hurt Alice all these years later? Are their clues to Jennifer’s last night before she went missing? Alice does her best with the detectives to find the answers. The authors writing has certainly progressed in a positive manner. This is the 7th book in his “Crime” series. Love the short, finish in one night stories. Looking forward to reading more work from Michael Smith. Thank you Michael Smith Look for Michael Smith's work on Amazon: click here!