Archives for August 24, 2020

* Review * THICK AS THIEVES by Sandra Brown

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * THICK AS THIEVES by Sandra BrownThick as Thieves by Sandra Brown
Published by Grand Central Publishing on August 25, 2020
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five-stars

In this tantalizing thriller, a woman uncovers lifelong secrets as she searches for the truth behind her father's involvement in a heist gone wrong.

Twenty years ago in the dead of night, four seemingly random individuals pulled the ultimate heist and almost walked away with half a million dollars. But by daybreak, their plan had been shot to hell. One of them was in the hospital. One was in jail. One was dead. And one got away with it.

Arden Maxwell, the daughter of the man who disappeared all those years ago -- presumably with the money, after murdering his accomplice -- has never reconciled with her father's abandonment of her and her sister. After countless personal setbacks she decides to return to her family home near mysterious Caddo Lake, and finally get answers to the many questions that torment her. Little does she know, two of her father's co-conspirators -- a war hero and a corrupt district attorney -- are watching her every move.

Ledge Burnet, a rebellious teen at the time of the heist, evaded his jail sentence by enlisting in the army. Now he's back in town to care for his ailing father -- and to keep his eye on the county's corrupt district attorney, whom he suspects was the real murderer. Although the two are bound to silence because of the crime they committed together, each has spent years waiting and hoping that the other will make a fatal misstep. But the arrival of their elusive accomplice's daughter, Arden, who may know more about the missing money than she's telling, sets them both on red alert. She ignites Ledge's determination to expose the D.A.'s treachery . . . and sparks a desire he wishes to deny.

 

A stunning uncovering of secrets, lies and corruption! Sandra Brown has indeed brought her A game with the release of THICK AS THIEVES and I could not have loved it more. The drama and mystery from the start hooked my attention quickly and held it throughout the twists and turns of finding out what truly happened that night. I loathed putting it down for even a minute before finding out the whole story.

Arden Maxwell is an interesting character. She’s returned home two decades after the night that changed her life forever and just wants answers once and for all of what happened to her father. Did he really abandon his family for the draw of almighty greed or did he meet with foul play? Arden has secrets of her own that are slowly given to the reader as we fall under her spell and begin to hope for a brighter future for her.

Ledge Burnet won me over fairly quickly. We know from the start that he was the troubled teen that took part in the heist for his own reasons, but Arden doesn’t know he was involved as they begin to connect over remodeling her house, his family business and his concern over the shoddy DA having her in his sights.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys an interwoven mystery that takes many twists and turns before light is shed on what truly happened. The added hint of a romantic entanglement between Arden and Ledge adds a great dimension to the story line.

 

 

 

 

 

PUBLISHER: GRAND CENTRAL PUBLISHING

RELEASE DATE: AUGUST 25, 2020

AVAILABLE FORMATS: AUDIO, E-BOOK, HARDCOVER

In this tantalizing thriller from #1 New York Times bestselling author Sandra Brown, a woman, seeking to learn her father’s involvement in a twenty-year-old heist that ended in murder, runs afoul of his accomplices.

Twenty years ago in the dead of night, four seemingly random individuals pulled the ultimate heist and almost walked away with half a million dollars. But by daybreak, their plan had been shot to hell. One of them was in the hospital. One was in jail. One was dead. And one got away with it.

Arden Maxwell, the daughter of the man who disappeared all those years ago — presumably with the money, after murdering his accomplice — has never reconciled with her father’s abandonment of her and her sister. After countless personal setbacks she decides to return to her family home near mysterious Caddo Lake, and finally get answers to the many questions that torment her. Little does she know, two of her father’s co-conspirators — a war hero and a corrupt district attorney — are watching her every move.

Ledge Burnet, a rebellious teen at the time of the heist, evaded his jail sentence by enlisting in the army. Now he’s back in town to care for his ailing father — and to keep his eye on the county’s corrupt district attorney, whom he suspects was the real murderer. Although the two are bound to silence because of the crime they committed together, each has spent years waiting and hoping that the other will make a fatal misstep. But the arrival of their elusive accomplice’s daughter, Arden, who may know more about the missing money than she’s telling, sets them both on red alert. She ignites Ledge’s determination to expose the D.A.’s treachery… and sparks a desire he wishes to deny.

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five-stars

* Review * THE WEDDING DATE DISASTER by Avery Flynn

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * THE WEDDING DATE DISASTER by Avery FlynnThe Wedding Date Disaster by Avery Flynn
Published by Entangled: Amara on August 25, 2020
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four-stars

I can’t believe I have to go home to Nebraska for my sister’s wedding. I’m gonna need a wingman and a whole lot of vodka for this level of family interaction. At least my bestie agreed he’d man up and help. Too bad he had to catch a different flight than me. Then his plane got delayed. And finally—because bad things always happen in threes—instead of my best friend, his evil twin strolls out of the airport.

If you looked up doesn’t-deserve-to-be-that-confident, way-too-hot-for-his-own-good billionaire in the dictionary, you’d find a picture of Will Holt. He’s awful. Horrible. The worst—even if his butt looks phenomenal in those jeans.

Ten times worse? My buffer was supposed to be there to keep me away from the million and one family events. But Satan’s spawn just grins and signs us up for every. Single. Thing.

Fine. “Cutthroat” Scrabble? I’m in. I can’t wait to take this guy down a notch.

But somewhere between Pictionary and the teasing glint in his eyes, our bickering starts to feel like more than just a game…

 

A billionaire cowboy wanna-be? I’m in! Avery Flynn brings humor mixed with a steamy enemies to lovers trope to life in THE WEDDING DATE DISASTER and you are sure to be smiling when you turn that final page.

Hadley is a fun character to unravel. She puts off a self-assured persona, but slowly begins to show her scars and insecurities as they grow closer.

Will wears his own scars on his sleeve and is determined to think the worst in every situation. Spending time with Hadley and her extended family shows him another side to life, but will it change anything?

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys an enemies to lovers trope with humor, sass and lots of heart mixed in.

four-stars

* Review * ONE NIGHT ON THE VIRGIN’S TERMS by Melanie Milburne

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * ONE NIGHT ON THE VIRGIN’S TERMS by Melanie MilburneOne Night on the Virgin's Terms by Melanie Milburne
Series: Wanted: A Billionaire #1
Published by Harlequin Presents on September 1, 2020
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five-stars

She’s chosen him to awaken her!

Demure Ivy Kennedy is determined to lose her virginity by her thirtieth birthday. And there’s only one man she trusts with the role—Louis Charpentier, king of no commitment.

Louis has long denied his attraction to the red-haired beauty. Ivy deserves nothing less than the happily-ever-after she’s always dreamed of and is ultimately looking for long-term romance. Louis avoids relationships, thanks to his parents’ marital misery. But her request has started a fire… How will one night of unleashed passion ever be enough?

 

Attention grabbing characters, delectable passion and a swoon-worthy blindside of love! With the first book in the Wanted: A Billionaire series author Melanie Milburne shines with ONE NIGHT ON THE VIRGIN’S TERMS. I was invested in Ivy’s story as soon as she began to unravel it, and once Louis came into the picture I was done for. Really enjoyed this fast paced story!

Ivy Kennedy is feisty and adorable, but has one insecure side of her that’s driving her crazy. She just has to get over her hangups and lose her virginity before she turns 30 or the world will not be okay.

Louis Charpentier is a delight. He has his own hangups from the way he grew up, but he’s a kind soul and has a gentle heart beneath his standoffish side. Watching him fall hard for Ivy is really enjoyable.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys an older brother’s best friend story with a virgin/hardened playboy theme. I’m looking forward to more in the series!

five-stars