Book Reviews – Page 2

* Review * HEARTBREAKER by Elise Faber and Kat Mizera

March 4, 2025 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * HEARTBREAKER by Elise Faber and Kat Mizera

Heartbreaker by Elise Faber, Kat Mizera
Series: Gamebreakers #2
on March 10, 2025
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She was just supposed to be a one-night stand…

But then she became my world.

Once, I was the lead guitarist of the hit rock band, Midnight Sun. Then a tragic accident took everything from me. I can no longer play guitar, my wife left me, and the future I worked so hard for is slipping away.

All I am now is a grumpy, infamous, former rockstar.

So, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that I’m not in the market for a woman, especially not Jade Cantrell—who’s as beautiful and talented as she is sweet.

Then the media pounces on a story about the two of us, and suddenly we’re zipping off to a mountain retreat and writing an album together.

I can’t keep it strictly business—no matter how hard I try.

And the more I get to know her, the more I know I don’t have any hope of keeping her out of my heart.

One night will never be enough.

I'm going to keep her forever.

When the Game Breakers meet more than hearts will be broken…

They’ll claim, protect, and...maybe just rock their women's worlds.

Fast paced and attention grabbing! The second book in the Gamebreakers collaboration between Elise Faber and Kat Mizera dives right into the heart of the matter as rocker Royal Ewing is foisted back into the musical scene he’s been hiding from with a blast. There’s emotion, heartache, joy and love all mixed together into one delicious story. I loved his family of best friends and how they quickly included her into the mix. I wanted more history on what exactly happened between him and his band, and I wanted a bit more of a deep dive of development into their relationship as a whole, but I really enjoyed them together and the gist of their story as a whole. I can’t wait for the next book in the series!

I loved the wholesomeness of Jade and her life with her grandma. Her warmth is what made it easy for Royal to connect and let his guard down. My favorite part about Ewing was his love for his niece Frankie. They were simply adorable together.

I recommend this book as well as the previous one in the series to anyone who enjoys easy to like characters who aren’t afraid to work towards finding that forever after when it crosses their path.

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* Release Blitz/Review * WALKING RED FLAG by Lani Lynn Vale

March 4, 2025 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Release Blitz/Review * WALKING RED FLAG by Lani Lynn Vale

Walking Red Flag by Lani Lynn Vale
Series: Semyonov Bratva #3
on March 4, 2025
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Goodreads

Life isn’t fair.

If anyone on Earth should know that, it’s Milena Semyonov.

She’s suffered blow after blow, and the hits just keep on coming.

Just when she’s sworn off being happy, that maybe being numb is the better way to navigate life, she meets him.
Cutter Carson Clayborne.

The man that finally shows her how a real man is supposed to treat her.

Just when she didn’t think life could get any worse, the man that abused her as a young, impressionable teen is back, showing her that life can, in fact, get worse.

When she’s ready to quit, Cutter is there, making sure that she knows that he’ll be there, whether she wants him there or not.

He is her husband, after all. And the unlikely pair have an understanding that they’ll stay married for two years, make a baby, and join two crime syndicates in unholy matrimony.

Cutter has other plans, though. He only agrees to the original plan to make her his.

He won’t ever give her up. What’s his stays his. And there’s not a man on the earth that’ll ever touch Milena again. Not with Cutter alive and able to take out anyone that tries.

High octane goodness! Vale is shining bright with the character development in her Semyonov Bratva series! There’s not a huge amount of family business happening on the pages, but there’s a heartwarming connection between the siblings that is really endearing to see and lots of drama along the way as one after another falls for their forever love. It’s Milena’s turn this time and a terrifying introduction turns into true love when Cutter saves the day. His family back story is really good as well and I hope we might see a spin-off series down the road for his siblings because they have some huge stories to tell! Maybe another MC series in our future? I’m crossing my fingers!

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone that enjoys a heartwarmingly sexy series of siblings that will do anything for one another with the hint of danger always in the background due to their upbringing. Close knit and heartwarming as well as suspenseful and heartfelt. Great series!

Title: Walking Red Flag

Series: Semyonov Bratva #3

Author: Lani Lynn Vale

Genre: Mafia Romance

Tropes: Enemies to Lovers/OTT Hero

Release Date: March 4, 2025

BLURB

Life isn’t fair.

If anyone on Earth should know that, it’s Milena Semyonov.

She’s suffered blow after blow, and the hits just keep on coming.

Just when she’s sworn off being happy, that maybe being numb is the better way to navigate life, she meets him.

Cutter Carson Clayborne.

The man that finally shows her how a real man is supposed to treat her.

Just when she didn’t think life could get any worse, the man that abused her as a young, impressionable teen is back, showing her that life can, in fact, get worse.

When she’s ready to quit, Cutter is there, making sure that she knows that he’ll be there, whether she wants him there or not.

He is her husband, after all. And the unlikely pair have an understanding that they’ll stay married for two years, make a baby, and join two crime syndicates in unholy matrimony.

Cutter has other plans, though. He only agrees to the original plan to make her his.

He won’t ever give her up. What’s his stays his. And there’s not a man on the earth that’ll ever touch Milena again. Not with Cutter alive and able to take out anyone that tries.

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AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

B&N / KOBO / APPLE BOOKS

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ALSO AVAILABLE

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

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UNIVERSAL

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

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COMING SOON

Releasing April 8

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

B&N / KOBO / APPLE BOOKS

UNIVERSAL

AUTHOR BIO

Lani Lynn Vale is an American author of humorous romantic suspense novels. Born in the Great State of Texas, she has lived the majority of her adult life in East Texas where most of her novels are based. She’s married to her high school sweetheart whom her readers refer to as “LLV’s Bearded Half.” She published her first novel, Boomtown. in the summer of 2013 after the birth of her third child. She’s gone on to publish over 100 novels, with most of them going on to become USA Today Bestsellers.

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PROFILE / PAGE / GROUP

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TIKTOK

Filed Under: Book Reviews, Release Day Blitz

* Review * HUSBAND MISSING by Lisa Regan

February 28, 2025 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * HUSBAND MISSING by Lisa Regan

Husband Missing by Lisa Regan
Series: Detective Josie Quinn #22
Published by Bookouture on March 19, 2025
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Detective Josie Quinn’s world shatters when she returns home to find her house ransacked, and her husband, Noah, missing. When she kissed him goodbye hours earlier, called to the discovery of a woman’s body at a protest, they were putting the finishing touches to a nursery for their first adopted child. But now the house is empty, Noah’s bloodied handprints trailing the walls.

Every fiber of Josie’s being screams to investigate. But her team warn her to keep her distance as they follow a connection to a recent robbery in Denton. But Josie can’t quiet the voice telling her the handprints Noah left are leading her somewhere, and the trail ends at an upturned box of her long-dead abusive mother’s possessions: faded photos, jewelry, a lock of hair, and a few old newspaper clippings.

Beside herself with worry for Noah, and unexpectedly confronted by the trauma of her past, Josie throws herself into work. The woman’s body found during a demonstration outside a children’s hospital belongs to Gina Phelan, daughter of the powerful and influential Phelan family. Trawling the CCTV is a welcome distraction, but everything changes the moment fingerprints from the knife that wounded Gina match to prints found in Josie’s own home.

Her head spinning as the two cases collide, Josie’s only option is to delve into the life of the monster who terrorized her as a child. The key to everything is hidden in the box of her mother’s mementoes. But is Josie strong enough and fast enough to find it in time? And at what devastating cost to those she loves most?

Action packed and heart-wrenching! Lisa Regan shines at heartfelt suspense and this edition of Detective Josie Quinn really lets her shine as she delivers worry and despair all at the same time as keeping a case fresh and addictive in the forefront! It’s always a joy to watch Josie tear a case apart and get justice for those wronged, but when a case personally touches her, we get to see the heart of the person she is when she has to come to grips on her fear and emotions while still prioritizing getting to the truth in time to make a difference. Great core cast, great suspense and really filled with heart in each and every book. I can’t wait to see what’s next for Josie!

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* Review * GRINDING by Jami Davenport

February 28, 2025 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Grinding by Jami Davenport
Series: Portland Icehawks #6
Published by Cedrona Enterprises LLC on February 27, 2025
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Camden
I’m a grinder, an expendable guy who’s always on the edge of losing my spot on whichever team I’m on at the time. When I’m put on waivers by my current team, I’m picked up by the Portland Icehawks, a second-year expansion team. And that’s when things start to get really interesting.

Inez
I’ve been promoted to assistant GM of the Icehawks hockey team. My first move was to claim Camden Hale off waivers. Now I’m facing a backlash of criticism. There’s even more trouble brewing. Camden and I have explosive chemistry, the kind that blows up in our faces and destroys everything around us. Now my boss wants me to cut Camden, but I can’t let him go. I believe in him even though no one else does, including Camden himself.

Endearing characters and explosive chemistry! I’m a big fan of Davenport’s hockey teams and this one is really fun to get into the heart of because it’s an expansion team and the guys are coming into the mix of things with hurt feelings and regret on their mind as they are handed over from their previous home with lots to prove. In the beginning it was touted as a series with a mix of romantic suspense as well, but that aspect has never been successfully fleshed out to really make it a plus of the series. This book for instance had a huge opportunity of a missing brother that could have been acted on and investigated, but fell disappointingly flat. I liked Camden and Inez, but wanted more development … especially once the sneaking around was over. The characters were both easy to like and their support system of friends/family were beneficial to the set up. I’m looking forward to more to come in the series.

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* Review * BEACH VIBES by Susan Mallery

February 25, 2025 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Beach Vibes by Susan Mallery
Published by Canary Street Press on March 18, 2025
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What would you do if you caught your brother cheating on your best friend?

While Beth is proud of her Malibu beach shop, Surf Sandwiches, she's even prouder of her charismatic brother Rick, who rose from foster care through surgical residency. She makes subs, he saves lives. Life takes a turn for the happy after she finds out Rick is dating her new best friend, Jana. Then Jana’s handsome brother adds even more sparkle to Beth’s days...and nights.

But when she catches Rick with another woman—like, with-with—her visions of an idyllic family future disappear in one awful instant. Either she betrays her brother, or she keeps his secret and risks losing the man she loves and her best friend.

An emotional journey of love, loss and going with your heart! Mallery is adept at weaving a character into an attention grabbing, easy to like individual while setting the stage to develop the core plot to allow her reader to co-exist in their world. Descriptive prose made it easy to like Beth and her business life while joining her on her journey to help others and broaden her circle with the new friend she meets while volunteering. Jana has a heartwarming family backdrop to guide her as she builds a better life for she and her young daughter. She doesn’t always trust her instincts after past mistakes, but hopes for a brighter future with each undertaking. I enjoyed their friendship and the twists and turns it took as things didn’t add up to what they were expecting, but the depth of their caring enables them through.

I enjoyed this book as a whole and felt like there was a delightful story told and enjoyed, but there was also a void left in giving a resolution. I feel like at some point there should have been something further between Beth and her brother and fallout if there was going to be any from her continued connection with him. I definitely walked away lacking a satisfactory conclusion to all of the emotions.

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* Review * DEAD MAN’S LIST by Karen Rose

February 25, 2025 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * DEAD MAN’S LIST by Karen Rose

Dead Man's List by Karen Rose
Series: The San Diego Case Files #3
Published by Berkley on March 4, 2025
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On a long-anticipated second date with police psychologist Dr. Sam Reeves—right as things are getting steamy—Kit stumbles across the mutilated body of a local San Diego politician. The man was loved by many of his constituents but is hated and reviled by many more. That the suspect list is long surprises no one, but exactly who ends up on it stuns Kit and her team.

As the SDPD reveal the victim’s sinister dealings, Kit and Sam are forced to navigate the closely guarded world of the city’s richest and most powerful citizens to find answers. But time is rapidly running out, with their sources of information dropping like flies as the killer methodically eliminates loose ends—and anyone else who stands in the way.

Fast paced and addictive! Fans of Karen Rose’s San Diego Case Files series will delight in seeing Kit and Sam growing closer as they are drawn into the heart of a high profile murder investigation with lots of twists and turns along the way. Kit’s family is playing center stage in her off time as usual and we learn a little more history on a cold case that’s near and dear to her heart. The main characters of this series are very easy to like and grow invested in and the cases they work with always draw attention. We’re left with a bit of a foreshadow of what’s to come and I am so here for it. I cant’ wait to visit Kit and Sam again! Great characters, complex crimes and a heartwarming family background.

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone who enjoys a murder mystery withs lots of twists as a core cast work together against the racing clock to bring the bad guys to justice. Kit was adopted by a great couple who have opened their doors to many throughout the years and they play a key part in the series as well.

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* Review * PIECES OF ME by Carrie Ann Ryan

February 24, 2025 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * PIECES OF ME by Carrie Ann Ryan

Pieces of Me by Carrie Ann Ryan
Series: The Wilder Brothers #9
Published by Carrie Ann Ryan on February 24, 2025
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Gabriel Wilder.
Rock God.
Voice of an angel.
And in love with his best friend’s sister.
Resisting Briar Ashford has been one of the hardest things he’s ever done.
Until the one night he breaks his promise.
Only when tragedy strikes, forgiveness slips through his fingers.

Briar Ashford never let herself fall for her brother’s best friend.
Until the night she did.
She wanted to live in the shadows, writing the songs for the stars who shined the brightest—not finding a way to co-parent with the man who refuses to pick up his guitar again.

The world is waiting for Gabriel Wilder to rise from the ashes. Only, first, he’ll have to figure out if he’s ready to finally let himself love the one woman who never knew had a claim to his heart all along.

**Pieces of Me is a rockstar, best friend’s little sister, accidental pregnancy romance in the Wilder Brothers series featuring Gabriel and Briar. Each one can be read as a complete standalone. A HEA is guaranteed!**

A highly emotional, heart-wrenching delight! When we got to the end of the original cast that made up the Wilder Brothers, I thought it couldn’t get any better … but the cousins that are joining the family just keep bringing more depth to the series and I’m loving every second of it. Gabriel’s story is powerful and carries a heavy weight into the family circle that brings a turmoil we haven’t dealt with on scene before. Seeing the transformation in him when he reconnects with Briar and the circumstances that life dealt them brings for a really poignant and heartfelt story. The characters and their relationship setup is quick to catch the reader’s attention, the pain and drama that follows is heartbreaking, but the healing and making their way through the fog is really heartwarming. I loved every minute of their story and can’t wait to see the family again.

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone who enjoys a wounded heart that rallies through life’s downtrodden times to heal and prosper when true love steps into it’s path. Great characters and a strong family support system along the way.

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* Review * PLAYOFF by Kat Mizera

February 24, 2025 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Playoff by Kat Mizera
Series: L.A. Phantoms #4
on February 20, 2025
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Turning thirty shouldn’t be a big deal—unless you’re a minor league hockey player starting to realize the big leagues might never call. It’s a tough pill to swallow.

But then, out of nowhere, I get my shot. The L.A. Phantoms are in the playoffs for the first time in decades, and with their roster decimated by injuries, they call me up.

I’m ready to warm the bench, but with a solid season behind me, they’re willing to give me some ice time. This is the chance of a lifetime. Until she walks in.

My first love. The one I never forgot.

But dating her could risk everything we’ve both worked for.

How are we supposed to choose between the future we’ve dreamed of and the past we never let go of?

Exciting from start to finish! Mizera’s hockey stories are always fun and exciting, but this one started off with some unexpected turmoil that really caught my attention and set the stage for an eventful read. I enjoyed this forbidden reunion of first loves story and all that it entailed. I wanted a smidge more once they were all out in the open to get to enjoy them more in their friend filled setting, but overall this was a very solid read and I highly enjoyed Rowan and Blake’s story! Detailed setting, well developed back stories and good follow through.

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone who enjoys a fast paced hockey romance with a tight knit group of teammates and friends who are always there through good and bad as each finds their forever love.

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* Release Blitz/Review * THREE GRUMPY GROOMSMEN by Emma Foxx

February 14, 2025 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Release Blitz/Review * THREE GRUMPY GROOMSMEN by Emma Foxx

Three Grumpy Groomsmen by Emma Foxx
on February 14, 2025
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Too bad she was engaged to one of my best friends.

But that idiot leaves her at the altar.

So, as one of the groomsmen, I have to be there for her, right?

Even if that includes a cross country road trip with the other two groomsmen—her best friend, Liam, and my best friend, Harrison–-to the beach house she’s inherited in South Carolina.

Sure, her car is tiny, she’s massively hungover, and Liam and Harrison hate each other (despite hooking up almost a year ago) but this will be fine.

But then I find out Liam’s in love with Ivy too.

And we’re caught in a rainstorm after a night in a Texas honky tonk, and the only option is to stop at a motel with just one room left—and only two beds for the four of us. Suddenly we’re all a whole lot closer.

When we finally get to the small coastal town of Honeysuckle Harbor two beds become only one and, well, you do the math.

Ivy and Liam think our fun, laughter-filled days and our hot-as-sin nights are just to get me and Harrison out of their systems before they head back to their lives in California. But Harrison and I are in love for the first time and we’re determined to make this foursome last forever.

Three Grumpy Groomsmen is a jilted bride why choose rom com with grumpy-sunshine combos galore, where the guys fall first, millionaires really enjoy a run down motel’s “room service”, and the girl gets her man… times three. No cheating, no other woman or other man drama, and a definite HEA.

A decadently scrumptious delight! The writing duo that makes up Emma Foxx are always great at knocking my socks off with their steam filled stories of love, laughter and debauchery, but there was just something special about this cast of characters that really endeared them to my heart. Ivy was sensitive and wounded, yet she knew her heart and she jumped in head first to new experiences. Her BFF Liam is always there for her and feels a little something extra all while equally reminiscing (and hating) the one that got away Harrison. Ford felt like the breath was knocked out of him the first time he saw her, but she was engaged to one of his BFF’s, so he couldn’t act on it … now though, all bets are off! And Ford’s other BFF Harrison (and the object of Liam’s hate-love) is the one that knows exactly how wonderful he is and how much love needs to be bestowed on him … he’s hilariously cocky and I loved him for it! Overall, this book was filled with easy to like characters who each have their own back story and family dynamic that brings a lot to the table. I loved their friendships and loved their ability to love each other as a whole. Super steamy sex scenes will delight all and the happily ever after is super sweet. Must be okay with M/M, M/M/M/F and all that entails to enjoy this book. I loved every minute of them and highly recommend their story.

Title: Three Grumpy Groomsmen

Author: Emma Foxx

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Tropes: Why Choose (MMFM)/Jilted Bride

Road Trip/They Fall First

Release Date: February 14, 2025

BLURB

I’ve had a thing for Ivy Scott since I first laid eyes on her a year ago. She’s smart, sexy, and everything I’ve ever wanted.

Too bad she was engaged to one of my best friends.

But that idiot leaves her at the altar.

So, as one of the groomsmen, I have to be there for her, right?

Even if that includes a cross country road trip with the other two groomsmen—her best friend, Liam, and my best friend, Harrison–-to the beach house she’s inherited in South Carolina.

Sure, her car is tiny, she’s massively hungover, and Liam and Harrison hate each other (despite hooking up almost a year ago) but this will be fine.

But then I find out Liam’s in love with Ivy too.

And we’re caught in a rainstorm after a night in a Texas honky tonk, and the only option is to stop at a motel with just one room left—and only two beds for the four of us. Suddenly we’re all a lot closer.

When we finally get to the small coastal town of Honeysuckle Harbor two beds become only one and, well, you do the math.

Ivy and Liam think our fun, laughter-filled days and our hot-as-sin nights are just to get me and Harrison out of their systems before they head back to their lives in California. But Harrison and I are in love for the first time and we’re determined to make this foursome last forever.

Three Grumpy Groomsmen is a jilted bride why choose rom com with grumpy-sunshine combos galore, where the guys fall first, millionaires really enjoy a run down motel’s “room service”, and the girl gets her man… times three. No cheating, no other woman or other man drama, and a definite HEA.

ADD TO GOODREADS

PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Free in Kindle Unlimited

AUTHOR BIO

Emma Foxx is the super fun and sexy pen name for two long-time, bestselling romance authors who decided why have just one hero when you can have three at the same time? (they’re not sure what took them so long to figure this out)! Emma writes contemporary romances that will make you laugh (yes, maybe out loud in public) and want more…books (sure, that’s what we mean ). Find Emma on Instagram, Tik Tok, and Goodreads.

AUTHOR LINKS

WEBSITE

GOODREADS

AMAZON

TIKTOK

INSTAGRAM

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* Review * HIDDEN ANGELS by Carolyn Arnold

February 12, 2025 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * HIDDEN ANGELS by Carolyn Arnold

Hidden Angels by Carolyn Arnold
Series: Detective Amanda Steele #13
Published by Bookouture on February 20, 2025
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As the wall is peeled back, everyone falls silent. Then they see her. The near-perfect remains of a young female, two jelly bangles and a neon necklace being the only clues to how long she had been hidden there. But who was she? And who could have possibly wanted to take such an innocent life?

When the body of a girl is discovered in the walls of a Woodbridge church, Detective Amanda Steele is immediately called to the scene. On arrival she meets FBI Special Agent Sandra Vos who explains that while negotiating a hostage incident moments before, a gun was fired. The bullet missed its target but exposed human remains.

The victim has been perfectly preserved, her jewelry and summer dress taking Amanda back to her own teenage years. DNA quickly confirms that the victim was taken over thirty years ago. Thinking about her own daughter, Amanda cannot imagine the devastation for the young girl’s family and vows to find the killer.

Amanda and her partner Trent determine the suspect behind the attempted shooting, Cameron Cofell, had a very clear reason for exacting revenge on the church’s priest. As they question the wider community, a neighbor reveals her long-held suspicions too. But when she is found murdered, Amanda knows this killer is prepared to do whatever it takes to keep their dark secret from ever coming to light.

Soon the investigation takes Amanda and Trent to an abandoned farmhouse—a place that haunts Cameron’s nightmares—where they find a faded photograph that holds the mystery of another chilling cold case. But just how far back does this evil go, and how much will Amanda and Trent need to sacrifice to find the killer?

Attention grabbing and highly addictive! Arnold’s Amanda Steele series is always top notch when it comes to having a detailed crime plotted out to take the detectives on the ride of their lives as we readers delight in the hijinks and the behind the scenes drama playing out. This particular story has a lot of twists that we weren’t expecting and keeps us on our toes as we are trying to figure out who the culprits are. There’s still some tension between Amanda and Trent that still hasn’t played out, but maybe one day. I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone who enjoys a strong female lead who always gets to the bottom of the crime and sees justice is served. Well detailed crime scenes, a well oiled police team and always lots of drama and emotions flying.

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