"The Wife Between Us" by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen

  Buy "The Wife Between Us" Jan. 9th 2018 on Amazon: click here

"He used to touch me that way. I told him once I loved the subtle, sexy feel of his fingers there. I get up, moving quietly in the darkness, and retrieve my burner phone and my laptop from the bottom dresser drawer. Richard cannot marry again. I begin to make my preparations. The next time I see her, I will be ready."........ 

She is about to marry the man of her dreams. At times she doesn’t feel she’s good enough for this man who expects perfection. Is Richard too good to be true, or was his ex wife so horrible he had to leave?

Vanessa is the first wife. Richard cheated on her, then tossed her from her life of luxury with him. Forced to live with her elderly aunt, and take a job where she caters to former high class friends. Drinking is her friend. Plotting and obsessing about her replacement is controlling her life. To what end though? It may not be for the reasons you'd assume. 

The first half of the book alternated between one life and another. With a huge surprise leading into the second half of the book. The final part was just so clever.

Where do we go from here? Two wives and a husband. Who is the victim, who is the manipulator? We love someone and overlook the small signs of danger, cheating, fear of loss. A thought provoking suspense. Just when you think things are figured out, you’ll never see the twist coming. Original story line considering that divorce, cheating,and remarriage is so common.

Thank you Greer Hendricks, Sarah Pekkanen Netgalley, St. Martin's Press

"Titch" by A. Ireland King

                                                                              

This short story is available on the authors website: click here!

"I stop walking and meet his eyes, realizing this is my one chance to get out. My voice comes out quieter than I intend. "I don't work for you anymore." Bronco laughs. "What else are you going to do for money?".....


"This short story introduces us to a key character in the debut novel “The Whisperer” by the author, A. Ireland King.

“Titch” is Andy Laidlaw’s nick name. Growing up as 1 of 10 children in total poverty he finds himself working for a thug named Brunco. He’s done it to protect his family. Afraid Brunco will use his younger siblings in his gang, Titch has half heartedly followed Brunco’s orders.

An opportunity arises for Titch to change his life. Does he? I found this short background story interesting. I look forward to finding out what is set in motion by Titch and his life changing decisions.

Thank you A. Ireland King.

"Two Girls Down" by Louisa Luna

                                                                                              

Buy "Two Girls Down" on Amazon: click here!

"Vega washed her hands in Cap's bathroom. She looked at herself in the mirror and thought about death. Which is what she usually did when she looked in strange mirrors in strange bathrooms. It made her think of hospitals and morgues, how a body could look peaceful but only in the way a piece of luggage looks peaceful-it was simply an item that didn't move."....

Kylie and Bailey are 2 little girls left alone in the car outside a KMart. When they disappear, they’re great aunt hires a well known bounty hunter. Alice Vega is good at finding lost children.

When Alice comes to town she gets a former cop, turned private detective, to help her with the case. Max Caplan has a few of his own secrets, like why he really left the force. A drinking problem, a divorce, and maybe a desire to redeem himself in his daughters eyes.

The characters felt real. The story was one you just fall into and can’t let go until you know the truth. Alice is a tough girl, but is she tough enough to overcome the obstacles to the missing girls? The girls grieving mother is falling apart at the seams. Media coverage isn't helping the stress and strain its putting on everyone. Everyone who knows them is suspect. 

Descriptive, detailed account of a town that could be Anywhere, USA. With rampant drug issues, an overworked, understaffed police department, they’re going to need the likes of Vega and Cap if they ever hope to find these little girls again. They can get answers in ways cops might not be able to. The police aren't exactly thrilled to have them involved and it shows. Even the FBI is coming to town for this. Getting everyone to work together will be tough. 

A thrilling suspense story from start to finish. I couldn’t wait to see what happened next, or how it all would end. The story definitely took a turn I didn’t see coming. It didn’t end the way I expected either. I love a good book that is not always predictable.

Thank you Louisa Luna, Doubleday Books, Netgalley.

"Timeless" by Simone Elise

                                                                                               

                "Timeless" soon to be available on Amazon: click here!

"I knew as soon as she turned the tables on me and pushed me away that what I'd done was a mistake. She had disappeared like she promised. And I knew she was going to keep her word about never seeing me again. Years had passed since the day she left me in prison, and no matter how many men I hired to find her they pulled up nothing."......

Six years ago Jackson went to prison. The love of his life, Amber, went on to another life. A life different than the one she had with Jackson, the biker, leader of the gang Satan’s Sons.

Now he’s out. Amber has been hiding. She’s also been keeping a secret. Will she let Jax back into her life? Amber's’ been on both sides of the law. Jax is definitely not on the legal side. Choices will have to be made.

With Jax out, and part of his crew being Amber's brothers, it’s definitely a family affair. Bad boy bikers and a little romance. A genre I’m always afraid to mention. Too many people say they don’t read the romance genre, myself included. Within those lines fall bikers, and rock stars. I almost always end up getting hooked into these story lines. This one was no different.

Just a brief look at where Jack and Amber are going. A great ending, with a great set up for the next part of their lives. The possibilities are infinite. Can't wait for another in this series.

Thank you Simone Elise and Inkitt Publishing

"The Easter Make Believers" by Finn Bell

 Buy "The Easter Make Believers" now on Amazon: click here!

"What would you do if you were given the man who did it, on his knees, gun to his head? If you knew how slim the chances were of him ever being convicted. If you knew he wasn't going to change or ever feel sorry, that he enjoyed doing it and would do it again as soon as got out. If he was smiling unrepentantly, looking up at you, confident that you can't do anything to him because good , normal people never do. Would you pull that trigger?".....


When the Chen family is held hostage by gang members, detectives Nick Cooper and Tobe White are brought in. They work the gang unit, and the ones inside the house are familiar to them.

When it’s over, one gang member is missing, and one family member is missing. Are they dead or alive? Nick and Tobe are investigating every possibility.

There is a bit of “food for thought” banter between the detectives. How people come to be the way they are. What happens to children who are young victims. I found this to be an interesting part of this story.

A snow storm descends on them as they search for Remu and James Chen. Scared for James life, they take a huge risk in the storm.

With things I most definitely didn’t see coming, and an exciting story line. The ending was a shock. Well written, intriguing characters, made this story set in New Zealand, a page turner.

Who lives, who dies? Who makes a choice to change the lives of the family involved. Can James save his family? Will the detectives find Remu and James in time, before more people die?

Thank you Fin Bell for another thrilling book!

"The Girl Who Lived" by Christopher Greyson

                                                                               

Buy "The Girl Who Lived" now on Amazon: click here!

"Faith glanced at the spot near the trail head where Kim had parked that night. For the millionth time, she wished she could turn back time=prayed that she could go back and do something, anything, and prevent Kim's death She could have thrown a tantrum when she saw Rat Face-insisted they turn around and go home. She could have suggested they call someone, convinced Kim to stay home in the first place."....

In this thriller novel we meet Faith Winters. She’s being released from the mental hospital on the tenth anniversary of the brutal murders of four people. One being Faith’s beloved sister, Kim, her father, and two family friends.

Faith is a wreck. A drunk, self destructive woman. Does Faith know deep down who committed the murders? Is someone worried she might remember? Her bad behavior keeps those she really needs from believing most of her story as events unfold. 

Released and sent home, Faith decides to try to track her sisters killer. Returning to where it all happened makes Faith relive so much of the tragedy. With a distant, but helpful mother, there aren’t many Faith will be able to rely on. She has a hard time relying on herself. How far can she get? Will she end up dead, back in the mental hospital, or solve the murders, once and for all?

Enthralling from the very beginning. Faith is a character you can’t help but become invested in. Is she innocent? Is she a victim? Is she crazy? What would you be if someone murdered those you loved?

What if Faith really saw the murderer that night? He will not have forgotten that she is “The Girl That Lived.” Lots of action, and some surprises. Who can she trust? Everyone seems to have a secret.

Thank you Christopher Greyson, Netgalley, Greyson Media Associates

"A Kiss Before Killing" by Keith McCarthy

                                                        

Buy " A Kiss Before Killing" now on Amazon: click here!

"Eisenmenger had left his small house fifteen minutes before, aware that he was late and therefore hurrying. He walked quickly to the end of the mews, looked right and left, saw nothing coming and stepped into the road. The car that hit him must have come out of nowhere. Having hit him, it disappeared into the same place and he was left sprawled on the tarmac, bleeding from an abrasion on his left temple and feeling intense pain in his chest and right knee. He was concussed, with the world whirling around him. He smelled the tarmac and heard nothing except an internal screaming in his skull."...... 

A prisoner, Edward Marsham, attempts suicide in his cell, and later dies from the complications. A pattern is emerging and other patients have died as well. People that were thought to recover. Head of the hospital, Dr. Woodfored, is suspicious. Is it a staff member?

The police investigative team consists of DCI Beverly Wharton, and her new sergeant, Tom Bayes. As pieces start to come together, another body sheds light to their suspicions. This horrific discovery has them pushing as quickly as they can for answers. A torso with no head or limbs is found. Are their others? Is it 2 cases or one? Lucky for Beverly, she has a top notch retired pathologist at her disposal, Dr. John Eisenmenger. He works special cases upon request.

The water is a little muddied by the fact of Beverly inclinations to carry on relationships with co- workers. Will this interfere in the investigation? Is there more than one killer out there, or is it all connected in some twisted way? Dr John is helping with the hospital cases, and Beverly’s dismembered case. Maybe he can tie things together.

Beverly and Bayes are not a great team. He’s a know it all, and she enjoys watching him trip himself up with upper authority. Will they ever make headway?

Gruesome at times, but definitely a page turner. In the end nobody is in the place they started. A dark road, and a dark read.

Thank you Keith McCarthy

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"Vigilante Assassin" (A Jake Wolfe Novel Book 2) by Mark Nolan

"Cody howled some more, Jake petted him on the back for a while and then faced Stuart's grave again. "Rest in peace, Marine. Fair winds and following seas, brother. We've got it from here. Semper Fidelis, until we meet again..."


Former marine, Jack Wolfe, and his war dog, Cody, are back for the second book in this series. Jack’s had a violent past. Cody has been a hero and Jack’s savior. Cody’s Veterinarian, Sarah, has become part of their lives.

All of Jack’s past is not behind him. There are still terrorists that would like to see him dead. His friends that believe in him, tend to give him side jobs and a place to live. He’s got an ex that about ruined his life, or made it miserable enough.

The new side job involves helping with an investigation. Jake and Cody are called upon when Lauren Stephens awakes to find her husband missing. A search of their large mansion turns up a gruesome discovery.

I love Jake’s character. I love his dog, and the fact that even the dog’s character has been so well developed. You can’t help but get caught up in Jake’s life, and love for his dog.

Lauren’s husband, Gene, has been keeping secrets. Now they are about to be discovered. Jake’s no fear of constant danger puts him and Cody at risk, no matter what they’re doing. The story isn’t just about what happened to Gene. There are twists and turns leading to the mafia and a Russian gang. Everything gets wrapped up, neatly tied together.

An exciting, fast paced story line. A stand alone. Definitely recommend reading the first in the “Jake Wolfe and Cody” series, “Dead Lawyers Don’t Lie.” A previous book that got me hooked into hoping this would be a series.

Thank you, Mark Nolan

Buy "Vigilante Assassin" now on Amazon: click here!

"Right Behind You: (Quincy and Rainie Book 7) by Lisa Gardner

                                                                                      Buy "Right Behind You" now on Amazon: click here!

“Family. Something that can be found. Something that can be made. The caseworker has preached it to me for years. But I never really believed. Even when Rainie and Quincy first sat me down, I remained skeptical.”.....

This is the 7th in the Quincy and Rainie series. (FBI Profilers) Definitely a stand alone book. I’ve not read any of the previous books, but will now. I want to know Quincy and Rainie better.

The story starts with a little girl, Sharlah, and her older brother, Telly. A tale of an abused and neglected childhood that ends in murder.

As time goes, Sharlah is fortunate enough to find a family that wants her. Quincy and Rainie are her current foster family. Thank goodness for their background, it’s going to take everything they’ve got to protect their family.

Telly isn’t as lucky as his little sister. Something has set him off. He’s now being hunted by law enforcement. Is he guilty? Can Sharlah save him? Is he coming to take back what he’s lost? What did Telly do?

I was so entranced from the very first page! Such a sad series of events that then turned into a thrilling story line. People are murdered, innocent and the guilty. It’s a twist to find exactly who is innocent.

Yes, it’s a tragic tale of the aftermath of abuse, but it’s also a tale of the people who have the hearts to save them. Great ending! I love the well developed characters. You just step into the story and it sweeps you away.

I’ve read other Lisa Gardner books (DD Warren series), and I’m never disappointed. Always exciting story lines, clever twists. If you like a good crime drama, FBI, police stories, Lisa Gardner has just the book for you.

Thank you Lisa Gardner, Netgalley, and Penguin Group Dutton

"An American Cage" by Ted Galdi

                                                                           

Buy "An American Cage" now on Amazon: click here!

"Danny wants to hit him in those ugly chops. But that would be a bad idea. Danny isn't a fighter. He'd never been in a fight in his life before prison. And all the ones in there he lost. Badly. He feels powerless. Shoulder's shaking, Danny steps away from the other two.".....

Danny, Phil and Monty. Three inmates about to make their escape from a Texas prison. The stakes are high, if they’re caught. With a plan to make it to Mexico, the story follows twenty-four hours in the lives of these three men.

Each with a unique story, and a common reason to want out of their confines. Can they depend on each other? Will they make it to Mexico? They each have a plan. Not everyone is as forthcoming as they may seem. They're are some outsiders mixed in that may cause the plans to change. 

When the plans get changed up a little, two of the three are going to have to figure out what’s next, and quickly. I found the characters a little on the thin side at first. Made it hard for me to like or dislike them. As time went on though I developed an empathy for 2 of them. One was nothing as he appeared, which made the story far more interesting.

Great twists, unexpected outcomes. Is there a cage in when you're locked up? Is there a cage in your head? Who holds the keys? At the end of the day is everyone alive, and will there be another cage? I actually ended up really enjoying this book.

Thank you Ted Galdi, Netgalley, and Precipice Books