Archives for August 1, 2022

* Review * THE LAST LIE TOLD by Debra Webb

* Review * THE LAST LIE TOLD by Debra WebbThe Last Lie Told by Debra Webb
Series: Finley O’Sullivan #1
Published by Thomas & Mercer on August 1, 2022
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four-stars

Legal investigator Finley O’Sullivan searches for evidence the police overlooked, wading through secrets, lies, and betrayal to find answers. With the unsolved murder of her husband still very much on her mind, Finley must confront her own personal trauma on a daily basis. Lies are part of her livelihood, but they’re also the reason she can’t get justice for the man she loved.

When a man imprisoned for murder recants his confession, claiming he cleaned up the mess for his girlfriend—the victim’s own daughter—Finley takes on the case. She discovers the victim had identical twin daughters…and the sisters have very different accounts of the crime.

As she dives headlong into the twins’ traumatic past, Finley will have to contend with her own demons to get to the truth—before it’s too late.

 

High octane suspense! Debra Webb can always be counted on for a suspenseful read and the kick off to her Finley O’Sullivan series was no exception. Tantalizing mystery as the story unravels will keep you turning page after page. There are a lot of characters to keep up with and a bit of sidetracking here and there but overall this really interesting read will have you surprised and in awe in the end.

Finley is an accomplished woman with a lot going for her, but after her world fell out from under her she’s had to pick up the pieces in any way she can to hold onto her sanity and reality. This case turns her topsy turvy yet again as revelations come at her from both sides.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a dramatic mystery with secrets on top of secrets that will have you shocked when they are exposed.

four-stars

* Review * QUARTER TO MIDNIGHT by Karen Rose

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * QUARTER TO MIDNIGHT by Karen RoseQuarter to Midnight by Karen Rose
Series: New Orleans #1
Published by Berkley on August 2, 2022
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five-stars

Good cops. Bad cops. Only one will win.

After completing her tours with the Marines in Iraq, Molly Sutton knew she could take down any bad guy she met. But when a family tragedy exposes the dark side of her local police, she joined up with her former CO Burke Broussard, who left New Orleans PD to set up a private investigative service for people who couldn’t find justice elsewhere.

Gabe Hebert saw the toll that working for the NOPD took on his dad and decided instead to make a name for himself as one of the best young chefs in the French Quarter. But when his father’s death is ruled a suicide after a deliberately botched investigation by his former captain, Gabe knows his dad stumbled onto a truth that someone wants silenced.

Gabe goes to his father’s best friend, Burke, for help. Burke assigns the toughest member of his team, Molly, to the case. Molly can’t believe she’s being asked to work with the smoking hot chef whose chocolate cake is not the only thing that makes her mouth water. Sparks fly as they follow the leads Gabe’s dad left them, unraveling a web of crimes, corruption, and murder that runs all the way to the top.

 

This scintillating jump into a world of corruption and greed will have you hooked right off the bat! A brand new series from Karen Rose is always intriguing and this kickoff does not disappoint. In a different style of evil than the serial killers and cults that we’re used to with Rose, we embark on layers of corruption that keep building throughout and delivering an addictive story line that will keep you coming back for more. I’m looking forward to more in the series!

Molly Sutton is dedicated and trustworthy and I enjoyed getting her back story and seeing her reconnect with a familiar face to Rose fans. She’s easy to like.

Gabe Hebert is a sincere guy and I felt for him from the start. He wants answers and is willing to question whatever he has to in order to get them. He knows the man he admired and won’t settle for anything diminishing that.

I highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a high level of intrigue with a scandal interwoven and an addictive romance brewing along the way.

five-stars

* Review * BRATVA DARLING by Sabine Barclay

* Review * BRATVA DARLING by Sabine BarclayBratva Darling by Sabine Barclay
Series: The Ivankov Brotherhood #1
Published by Oliver Heber Books on June 28, 2022
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four-stars

I wasn’t prepared for her…
She just got me to pay three times as much as I wanted for a company I’ll buy and destroy.

She knows who I am. The bratva doesn’t scare her.

Intelligent, brave, and unstoppable.

I’ll make her mine.

She doesn’t know it yet, but we’re soulmates.

I’ll take her to her limits. Then give her all her heart desires.

 

Steamy, raw and addictive! The first book in The Ivankov Brotherhood series nabbed my attention quickly and did not disappoint in the drama department. I’m looking forward to more in the series!

Laura is full of confidence and sass and doesn’t take any lip off of anyone, so seeing her go head to head with these tough Bratva guys is really satisfying.

Maksim is used to getting things his way … and watching him let this woman go head to head with him is amusing and hot!

I recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a mafia read with addictive steam and aggressive characters.

four-stars

* Review * THE LIES I TOLD by Mary Burton

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * THE LIES I TOLD by Mary BurtonThe Lies I Told by Mary Burton
Published by Montlake on August 2, 2022
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five-stars

Twin sisters Marisa and Clare Stockton were sixteen when Clare’s body was found in Virginia’s James River. No arrests were made. Fourteen years later, Marisa’s friends and dedicated career as a photographer help her to cope with the open wound of the past. But Marisa still feels the hurt—and the unsolved murder isn’t the only thing haunting her.

A recent car crash has erased ten days of Marisa’s memories—a black hole leading up to the accident that’s left her disoriented. Every text and phone call from that crucial missing time has vanished, along with her phone. A photograph she took of the river has disappeared. A new neighbor Marisa believes she knows introduces himself as if he were a stranger. And there’s the growing fear that her near-fatal accident was no accident at all. As dreams of Clare and nightmares of the crash begin to converge, so do two disturbing puzzles fourteen years apart.

Putting the pieces together could be fatal. As she struggles to remember everything, Marisa closes in on a killer—without realizing that he’s already closed in on her.

 

This multi-layered tale of deceit will have you intrigued quickly and turning page after page to devour every tidbit. Highly addictive and satisfying!

Marisa Stockton is haunted by the death of her twin sister 14 years ago and after years of self-sabotage is ready to devote her life to finding the answers she has needed all of these years. She’s a complex character with faults galore, but she’s sincere and truly needs closure. I really enjoyed watching her grow and figure out her footing.

I highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a mystery filled with compelling characters who lead you down a path you’re not sure is right or not, but it’s easy to believe until the next character takes you down another rabbit hole.

five-stars

* Review * IT STARTED WITH A ROYAL KISS by Jennifer Faye

* Review * IT STARTED WITH A ROYAL KISS by Jennifer FayeIt Started with a Royal Kiss by Jennifer Faye
Series: Greek Paradise Escape #2
Published by Harlequin Romance on July 26, 2022
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five-stars

An extraordinary kiss…

…will transform her ordinary life!

While artist Indigo is painting a formal portrait of Prince Istvan of Rydiania, her buttoned-up emotions are derailed when they share an unexpected kiss! After Istvan’s family ruined her father, Indigo was warned never to trust a Rydianian royal. But even though her head tells her they shouldn’t take this any further, Indigo sees something unique in Istvan. Putting her heart on the line, she knows he’s worth trusting…with her future!

 

A sweet royal romance! With the second book in the Greek Paradise Escape we get to meet a gentle Prince who falls for an artist with a tie to his country that he knows nothing about. Secrets unravel and attraction grows as this fast paced story unfolds. I really liked them together.

Indigo is sweet and sincere, but she doesn’t admit what her connection is to his country before he begins falling for her.

Prince Istvan wants change for his country, but he’s not sure he can accomplish the goodness that he wants to bestow once he’s in power.

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone that likes a mild romance with strong characterization and a scenic backdrop as love conquers all.

five-stars