Archives for June 22, 2024

* Review * THE WILDFIRE GIRL by Carolyn Arnold

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * THE WILDFIRE GIRL by Carolyn ArnoldThe Wildfire Girl by Carolyn Arnold
Series: Detective Amanda Steele #11
Published by Bookouture on June 20, 2024
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four-half-stars

The woman panics as the thick smoke starts to curl under the locked door. She can’t breathe and desperately tries to open the window, but it’s been sealed shut. Falling to the floor, she finally accepts there’s no way out of this room alive. And as her vision starts to fade, she prays she dies before the flames find her.

When human remains are discovered behind a dumpster in Woodbridge, Virginia, Detective Amanda Steele rushes to the scene. Her heart drops when she arrives and is hit by the unmistakable stench of gasoline. Soon, her worst fear is confirmed: the victim was burned alive.

With only an engraved gold wedding band surviving the blaze, Amanda knows it could be days before they have a confirmed ID. But when her partner Detective Trent Stenson arrives, he pales at the sight of the ring, recognizing it as belonging to his Aunt Gertrude’s husband, Don.

Trent is convinced his aunt isn’t involved, but as more is unearthed about her troubled relationship with her husband, and she fails to provide an alibi, Amanda isn’t so sure. Desperate to prove his aunt’s innocence, Trent soon discovers someone from Don’s past is back in Woodbridge—someone who wants revenge. But Amanda and Trent are shaken to their core when that person is discovered brutally murdered.

Convinced the cases are linked, Amanda knows she has to find the cold-blooded killer before they strike again. And as Trent becomes even more emotionally entangled in the case, she’s terrified he could become the next victim…

 

Exhilarating excitement! With the next book in the Detective Amanda Steele series we get quickly thrust into a new case that hits too close to home for Amanda’s partner Trent and delivers twists and turns that have us reeling throughout. I enjoyed the case as a whole, but I’m still getting a little put-off by how long the will they or won’t they cat and mouse attraction is dragging on with Amanda and Trent. Great characters and police procedural with ongoing drama and always an enjoyable read.

four-half-stars

* Review * ALL OUR TOMORROWS by Catherine Bybee

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * ALL OUR TOMORROWS by Catherine BybeeAll Our Tomorrows by Catherine Bybee
Series: The Heirs #1
Published by Montlake on June 18, 2024
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five-stars

When Chase Stone’s estranged father dies, leaving his multibillion-dollar business to his children, no one is more surprised than Chase. Growing up outside of the high-stakes world filled with human vultures, Chase and his sister, Alex, are less than enthusiastic about stepping into their father’s shoes. That is until they learn of a half brother they didn’t know existed and must find to share their inheritance with.

Piper Maddox was the elder Mr. Stone’s übercapable assistant—abruptly fired two weeks before his death. She knows everything about Stone Enterprises and the man who built it. But Piper has no desire to work for another member of the Stone family. Even one as down-to-earth as Chase.

Desperately needing financial security, Piper agrees to return so long as kissing up to Chase and accepting unwanted advances are not part of her job description. A promise that becomes a serious hurdle for both of them. Piper and Chase scramble to find the third Stone sibling before the media does, sharing secrets along the way. Secrets that can bring them together or tear them irrevocably apart.

 

Catherine Bybee can pour on the drama like nobody’s business! I was hooked from beginning to end on the first book in her new series The Heirs and couldn’t put it down until I devoured every page. It ends on a smidge of a cliffhanger because they have finally located the unknown sibling and are going to see him, but it just leaves room for our excitement to build leading up to Max’s book later in the year. I really hope Alex gets her own story as well.

Great characters with an addictive storyline kept me entertained throughout. Their story was fast paced and very satisfying.

five-stars

* Review * FOUL PLAY by Kat Mizera

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * FOUL PLAY by Kat MizeraFoul Play by Kat Mizera
Series: L.A. Phantoms #2
on June 18, 2024
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four-half-stars

The Phantoms are back with a vengeance… and the City of Angels will never be the same.

When the world's top supermodel’s friend zones you, what's a determined hockey player supposed to do?

Change her mind.

But it’ll take more than a trick play to convince her.

Cheyenne is more than a stunning beauty; she's a part of my life, my bed, and now my heart.

But she has a plan—one that doesn't include marriage or serious relationships.

She likes me, but its not enough. I need to know if I’m enough.

It’s time to man up and lay it all on the line.

It’s now or never.

 

Sweet, sexy and sentimental! The second book in the L.A. Phantoms hockey series by Kat Mizera was a fast paced delight. I loved Ivan with all of my being and adored watching him commit and enjoy his happiness. Cheyenne was too aloof for my liking and while I did enjoy her, I felt a disconnect from her a bit. I loved their story and everything about this series. I think Harper and her fight to make the team what it is was downplayed more than it should be and would love to see that angle kept front and center a bit more going forward, but I’m wholeheartedly enjoying this series. If you haven’t started it yet, this is a great book to kick off with!

four-half-stars