Book Review: Where the Blame Lies by Mia Sheridan

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WHERE THE BLAME LIES

Author: Mia Sheridan
Reading Level: New Adult
Genre: Mystery| Dark | Romance
Released: September 13, 2019
Review Source: Purchased

Abducted.
Terrorized.
Imprisoned.

At nineteen-years-old, college student Josie Stratton was kidnapped by a madman and held shackled for ten months in an abandoned warehouse before she finally escaped her hellish prison.

Eight years later, when the body of a young woman is found chained in the basement of a vacant house, Cincinnati Police Detective Zach Copeland is instantly reminded of the crime committed against Josie Stratton. Zach was just a rookie on the perimeter of that case, but he’s never forgotten the traumatized woman with the haunted eyes.

As more information emerges, the crimes take on an even more sinister similarity. But Josie’s attacker died by suicide. Does the city have a copycat on its hands? A killer who picked up where the original perpetrator left off? Or are they facing something far more insidious?

Josie has spent the last eight years attempting to get her life back on track, but now there’s a very real chance she could be the unknown suspect’s next target. As Zach vows to keep her safe, and Josie finds herself responding to him in a way she hasn’t responded to any man in almost a decade, the investigation takes on an even more complex edge of danger.

As past and present collide, Josie and Zach are thrust toward a shocking and chilling truth. A revelation that threatens not only Josie’s life, but everything she’s been fighting so desperately to reclaim.

Woooooowwwww! I was unprepared for this one. First of all Mia Sheridan is one of my favorite authors. I’m obsessed with her writing. The emotion she evokes from you is next level. Having said all that, I wasn’t ready for Where the Blame Lies.

I went in blind only knowing from a friend that it was a little dark. I’ve read a lot of dark books and this one is definitelyyyyy on the dark side but please don’t let that deter you from reading it.

I love Josie. She is the exact type of person I would hope to be in her circumstances. A fighter, resilient, determined, I could go on. She’s been through some things, an understatement but you need to read it to see for yourself.

Zach is sooooo freaking amazing. He’s a gorgeous detective assigned to protect Josie and work on the ongoing case. He’s so supportive and caring and I just love him so much. I also am a huge fan of his partner Jimmy, such a sweet man.

I’m rating this book 5 stars because it was an incredible, psychotic, beautiful, shocking, CAN’T PUT IT DOWN, story and I highly recommend it. Even if you’re not a true crime lover I recommend it because it’s Mia effin Sheridan.  If you’ve never read her before, I’ll try not to judge you but GET ON IT, I promise you won’t be disappointed.

Book Review: Monster in the Closet by Karen Rose

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MONSTER IN THE CLOSET
Romantic Suspense #19
Author: Karen Rose
Reading Level: New Adult
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Released: August 29, 2017
Review Source: Netgalley

The Sunday Times bestselling author of Every Dark Corner returns with an exclusive novel celebrating ten years of Karen Rose's thrillers in the UK. MONSTER IN THE CLOSET reunites readers with characters from Karen Rose's bestselling Baltimore series.

A mother is dead, and now her killer hunts the child that witnessed the brutal crime...

Private Investigator Clay Maynard locates missing children for clients, but has nearly given up hope of finding his own daughter, cruelly stolen from him by his ex-wife twenty-three years ago.

Equine therapist Taylor Dawson has chosen to intern at Daphne Montgomery-Carter's stables so that she can observe the program's security director - her father, Clay Maynard. Trying to reconcile the wonderful man she's getting to know with the monster her mother always described, Taylor never expects to become the target of a real monster, the man who murdered the mother of the little girls she works with at the stable. Neither does she expect to fall for Ford Elkhart, Daphne's handsome son, who is dealing with his own demons. As family and friends gather for a wedding, Taylor starts to imagine a permanent life in Baltimore.

But not if the real monster gets to her first...

Monster in the Closet is the first book I have ever read from Karen Rose and I have to say that I really enjoyed it.  Although it is book 19 in the Romantic Suspense series, I was able to read it as a standalone.  I will probably go back at some point and read through the whole series, however, because I really liked Karen's writing.  This book took over my life while I was reading it, as thrillers tend to do.

Jazzie Jarvis, which I love her name by the way, experiences the worst trauma a child could experience.  She is an 11 year old little girl, thinking her mom forgot to pick her up from school, she walks home only to discover her mom has been brutally murdered.  The even worse part is the killer is still in the house looking for something.  Jazzie quickly hides to stay safe, doesn't utter a single word, and remains silent for fear that the killer will find her even in the weeks to come.  Due to her silence, she joins a horse therapy program to help heal her trauma.  There she meets Taylor Dawson, an intern at the program who wants to help Jazzie but is harboring some secrets.

I am rating this book 4 trees because it kept me at the edge of my seat the entire time I was reading.  I really connected with the characters and thought that Karen Rose did a really great job with character development.  I recommend this book and have plans to read the whole series.

Book Review: Wired by Julie Garwood

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WIRED
Buchanan-Renard #13
Author: Julie Garwood
Reading Level: New Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Released: July 4, 2017
Review Source: Netgalley

A beautiful computer hacker and a bad-boy FBI agent must collaborate—in more ways than one—in the sizzling new novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Julie Garwood.

Allison Trent doesn’t look like a hacker. In fact, when she’s not in college working on her degree, she models on the side. But behind her gorgeous face is a brilliant mind for computers and her real love is writing—and hacking—code. Her dream is to write a new security program that could revolutionize the tech industry.

Hotshot FBI agent Liam Scott has a problem: a leak deep within his own department. He needs the skills of a top-notch hacker to work on a highly sensitive project: to secretly break into the FBI servers and find out who the traitor is. But he can’t use one of his own. He finds the perfect candidate in Allison. Only, there’s one problem—she wants nothing to do with his job and turns him down flat.

What Liam doesn’t know is that Allison is hiding secrets that she doesn’t want the FBI to uncover. But Liam will do nearly anything to persuade her to join his team, even break a few rules if that’s what it takes. A temptation that could put his job—and both of their futures—on the line… and longing for more . . .

When I first read the blurb about this book I knew I had to read it.  A female hacker working with an FBI agent and sparks fly?!?!  Sign me up!  I am slightly obsessed with this type of suspense/mystery/romance!

This is my very first time reading anything by Julie Garwood and I was impressed.  This book is a part of a series but can be read as a standalone.  I read it without any issues without reading the other books.  Wired starts with Allison watching a news report where some lowlife hackers stole thousands from a retirement home basically wiping out the funds of all the elderly people, leaving them with nothing.  This story really struck Allison and she wanted justice for those people.  She made it her mission to bring the hackers down.

I really liked Allison, I felt a connection with her character because she is such a bad ass at hacking and is confident in her abilities but at the same time she has some baggage with her family.  The only family she really has that she can count on is her sister.  Her parents passed away and they were forced to live with their aunt, uncle, and cousin but never felt welcome.

Then there is Liam Scott, FBI agent and mysterious bad boy.  He teams up with Allison and there are some serious fireworks between the two.  He never wanted a relationship or family but being around the gorgeous, smart, Allison had him rethinking everything.

I an rating this book with 4 stars because I really enjoyed it.  I was fascinated with the plot and characters and look forward to reading more book by Julie Garwood.  I recommend this one!

Book Review: Midnight Target by Elle Kennedy

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MIDNIGHT TARGET
Killer Instincts #8
Author: Elle Kennedy
Reading Level: New Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance | Suspense
Released: April 25, 2017
Review Source: Berkley

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Score and Midnight Revenge...

Four years ago, Cate’s entire life changed when she discovered she was the daughter of a supersoldier. But Jim Morgan’s overprotectiveness has pushed her away. These days, she’s working as a freelance photographer and living the dangerous life Jim never wanted for her.

When Cate snaps a photo linking a corrupt South American politician with the leader of a notorious drug cartel, her mercenary father leads a team to rescue her—only to get shot and critically wounded in the process.

As Morgan’s operatives rally together on a revenge mission, they’re faced with new alliances and old heartaches. Cate is forced to work with David “Ash” Ashton, the man who broke her heart two years ago, while Liam Macgregor and Sullivan Port resurface after years apart to finally try to deal with everything they’d left unsaid.

Soon it’s all-out war between the cartel and the mercenaries—with two couples caught in the middle of the blood feud. Love and redemption are within their reach...but first they have to make it home alive.

Elle Kennedy does NOT dissapoint with Midnight Target.  This is the last book of her Killer Instincts series and boy it is it every bit, if not more so, as good as the first book.  The good think that I'm finding about this series is that the books can be read as standalones.  I have only read book one and this book out of the series but make no mistake I do plan on reading the entire series.

So, Midnight Target is about Cate, Jim Morgan's daughter.  She recently discovered she was his daughter, and what a shock that was for her to learn her father was a lethal soldier.  Cate is a freelance photographer and ends up capturing a very compromising picture of a powerful person.  In comes her father and his team, including Ash, the man she's had a crush on for years, to rescue her.  Only, the situation is much worse that they thought it would be and reinforcements are definitely needed.

I love Cate and Ash.  The whole forbidden love story-line is my favorite to read.  Ash, out of respect to Jim, considers Cate as off limits.  However, sometimes the heart wants what the hear wants.  I also did not see the relationship with Sully and Liam coming.  I won't go into to many details to avoid spoilers!

I'm rating this book with 4.5 stars because it was freaking amazing and just like the first book, a heart stopping action packed book.  What an adventure Elle takes you on, she is one of my favorite story tellers.  I highly recommend this series if you're ready to read a book that has you turning the pages like no other!

Book Review: Midnight Rescue by Elle Kennedy

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MIDNIGHT RESCUE
Killer Instincts #1
Author: Elle Kennedy
Reading Level: New Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance | Suspense
Released: May 1, 2012
Review Source: Berkley

Dangerous. Ruthless. Savage. And she's the good guy.

Abby Sinclair had a desperate childhood until she was rescued and adopted by a retired army ranger who molded her into a master of self-defense. Now, she's a cunning and fearless assassin thrust into assignment after dangerous assignment, using everything she has-nerve, resilience, strength, sex-to come out on top. Her only rule: trust no one.

Abby's latest assignment is in Columbia: go undercover and snuff out a dangerous arms dealer active in the underground sex trade. But when Abby purposely blows her cover in a last-ditch attempt to free the helpless victims, deadly mercenary Kane Woodland is recruited as back-up. His mission: get Abby out of that hell hole.

The last thing Kane expects is to feel a primal attraction for Abby. But when she convinces him to join her on her perilous mission, their newfound passion could put the lives of their whole team at risk.

Midnight Rescue is unlike any books I have read lately!  It not only has romance, but also A HUGE AMOUNT of action!!  I sat on the edge of my seat almost the entire book.

This book is the first book in an 8 book series.  It starts out with Abby Sinclair, a deadly BAD ASS assassin, going undercover to expose and eliminate a truly evil group of men.  She intentionally blows her cover to be taken captive and get closer to freeing innocent victims.  Abby's boss is very worried about her safety so she reaches out to an awesome group of mercenary men to rescue Abby.  Little did they know, that was only the beginning of a dangerous mission.

I have to start by saying I freaking love that Elle Kennedy gives us such bad ass women that can kick some serious ass and are fiercely independent!!  These are my favorite heroines to read about.  I also loved Kane.  He was so sexy, strong, and about his business.  GAHHHH you know the man made it on my book boyfriend list.  I truly enjoyed getting to know all the men in the mercenary team and all the women on the assassin squad.  The sexual tension is undeniable as always with Elle Kennedy!

I am rating this book 4 stars because it was a great action-pack, suspenseful story that had me staying up late to finish it.  I can't read the rest of the books in this serious.  I can only imagine it getting better and better as we get to know more about all the characters!

Release Blitz and Giveaway: Dirty by Belle Aurora

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DIRTY
RAW Family #2
Author: Belle Aurora
Reading Level: New Adult
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Released: October 31, 2016
Review Source:  ARC provided by publisher

My marriage seemed perfect from the outside looking in. People envied me. They wanted my life, wanted to be me.

Mrs Alejandra Gambino.
Wife of Dino Gambino. Daughter of Eduardo Castillo.
Respected. Loved. Mob royalty.

They had no idea of the horrors that lurked behind closed doors. They didn't know I was at the lowest point a person could reach.

Enter Julius Carter.
Aloof, handsome, blue-eyed Julius Carter.

He saved me.
I screwed him over.

Now everybody was after me. My life was forfeit.
It was only a matter of time. I was a dead woman walking.

The question was, who would get to me first?

OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG!!!!  To say that I have been anticipating this book since I read Raw is a GROSS UNDERSTATEMENT!!  This is one of my most waited for books of 2016 so I was absolutely ECSTATIC to receive an arc of this book.

I will try to be as spoiler free as possible for those out there that haven't jumped aboard the "RAW FAMILY" series train.  Words of advice from me, JUMP ON NOW.  This series has been insannnne!

I devoured this book in one setting, I COULD NOT put it down.  It was one hell of a ride that had me at the edge of my seat the entire time.  It is important to read Raw, the first instalment of this series because Dirty picks up from where Raw leaves off and there are many spoilers for Raw in Dirty, so GO READ RAW then buy Dirty immediately after.  It will be impossible not to, trust me.

I was so happy to be able to read about old faces in this book, but even more excited to read about Julius and Alejandra's story.  There is a lot of action, suspense, and blood in this book so come prepared.

I am rating this book 5 stars because it is literally EVERYTHING I have been waiting for and because I could not put the book down.  Every second of the book was amazing and I cannot wait for the next book to come out.

GOODREADS LINK

 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21403041-dirty

PURCHASE LINKS

US: http://bit.ly/DirtyAMZNUS

UK: http://bit.ly/DirtyAMZNUK

CA: http://bit.ly/DirtyAMZNCA

AU: http://bit.ly/DirtyAMZNAU

B&N: http://bit.ly/DirtyNOOK

Kobo: http://bit.ly/DirtyKOBO

iBooks: http://bit.ly/DirtyiBOOKS

AUTHOR BIO:

 Belle Aurora is twenty seven years old and was born in the land down under.
At an early age she fell in love with reading. Boredom one summer had her scouring the bookshelves at home. She stumbled across Sandra Brown's Breath of Scandal and fell in love with romance.

Having been brought up in a loud and boisterous family of Croatian descent, she developed a natural love for dramatics and humor. Only some years ago had she discovered a new love.

Humorous romance novels.

Kristen Ashley and R.L. Mathewson had opened a brand new world where she could lose herself yet feel safe and at home in their stories. Belle has been known to become a screeching banshee while anxiously awaiting their newest titles.

Belle never thought she would write. It had never interested her until recently. Friend-Zoned began to form and in February 2013 Belle typed the words Chapter One. And she fell in love. With words.
With writing.
With a creative imagination she never knew she harbored.

Friend-Zoned is the first in the Friend-Zoned series. Keep an eye out for this cheeky author.

AUTHOR LINKS: Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

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Book Review: Need Me by Cynthia Eden

Need Me
Dark Obsession #3
Author: Cynthia Eden
Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Mystery | Romantic Suspense
Released: February 24th 2015
Review Source: Hocus Pocus Publishing | Netgalley

Innocent…or guilty? The cops think that Julianna Smith is a murderer. No one will listen when Julianna claims she’s innocent, and as the suspicions mount against her, only Julianna knows the truth…a killer is hunting her. Somewhere in the darkness, a stalker is closing in and preparing to deliver a final justice that she can’t escape.

He’s her only option.

Devlin Shade isn’t a man who trusts easily, and when Julianna Smith walks into VJS Protection, he’s well aware of her reputation—the sexy blond could be a cold-blooded murderer. Only when he looks at her, cold is the last thing that Devlin feels. There’s an instant attraction between them—hot, fierce, primal. And he agrees to take her case. He’ll be her bodyguard. He’ll keep her safe from the enemy hunting her, and he’ll also find out the truth about the mysterious Julianna. If she is a killer, he’ll turn her over to the cops himself.

She can’t let him get too close…

Julianna knows that she is walking a dangerous line with Devlin. She never expected to want him so much, and as they grow closer, she realizes that he’s working to uncover her secrets. But the secrets that she carries are worth killing for…and she can’t let anyone discover the truth, not even Devlin.

Killer or victim…

Soon the thin line between right and wrong is blurred. For Devlin, the case becomes personal, and all that matters is Julianna—keeping her safe and stopping the stalker who is on her trail. As he slides deeper into Julianna’s dangerous world, Devlin’s own darkness rises up. He’s played the good guy for so long, but now his mask is falling away. He isn’t controlled, he isn’t safe, and when Julianna is threatened, he will cross any line to keep her safe.

This is an Adult romance novel recommended for ages 18+ due to sexual content and mature subject matter.

This was my favourite book in the series by far. Book 1 and 2 had intriguing and heart pounding mystery and action, but Need Me totally stepped it up a notch in my books.

Again Cynthia set up the characters so good as secondary characters that when it came to them having their own books, I was actually looking forward to reading it. Granted, Julianna wasn't my favourite heroin in this series, Sophie holds that spot for me, but Julie was pretty awesome too in a completely different way. She seems to be the most messed up. Jeremy, her ex-(and now dead)husband, warped her too much in the short 2 months they were married.

Now, Julianna is being accused of murdering her husband. After all he was found dead in the bed next to her. His blood splatted on her body, her fingerprints marring the knife which ended Jeremy's life. And there's not a single lick of evidence to back up her innocent pleas. Poor gal can't get a break, and that point is proven even more when someone is out for her life.

That's where Devlin steps on to the scene. Julianna hires VJS Protections when she suspects whoever killed her husband is going to come after her as well. Good thing she did hire Devlin's company, because she'd probably be dead without him.

Whilst Need Me's romantic aspect wasn't as enjoyable as the previous installments, the mystery side was definitely more interesting. The first two books dealt with stalking, Need Me kicked it up a notch and was all about murder. I couldn't put the book down. It was a really great read. In fact, I was really impressed with this one and how much of a step up it was from the first two books.

Though, there's been a small issue I've had with this series. No matter how good the mystery and suspense is, it feels like we don’t get to know the characters well. We find out about their pasts and the characters develop into love interests, but something is missing. I feel like there's still some shallowness to the characters. That being said, though, this series doesn't exactly have long books, therefore the lack of development is understandable. But it's still something I would have liked to see.

Cover Reveal: Never Gonna Tell by Sarah M. Ross + Excerpt

We are excited to reveal the cover for Never Gonna Tell by Sarah M. Ross!! We just love how the colors go so well together!!

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Never Gonna Tell
Author: Sarah M. Ross
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Romance Suspense

My name is Reagan Wilcox: high school senior by day, kick-ass investigative journalist by night. I’ve always loved observing people—especially when they think no one is paying attention.

I thought I was ready to cover any story. Work any angle.

Nothing could have prepared me for what happened that night. I wasn’t ready for what I saw. And I certainly wasn’t ready for him.

I always knew I’d write the headlines. Now, I just might become one.

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Excerpt

NOTHING BUT BLACKNESS surrounds me. I can’t move. Why can’t I move? A shiver runs through me, both from fear and the cold of the ground below me. The air is stale and smells like the earth as I try to take a deep breath. I instantly know I’m inside of something, or maybe under something. “Hello?” I call, my voice shaking and barely above a whisper. No one answers. I try again, a little louder, as I fight back tears. The only sound I hear is my heart pounding in my tightened chest, the noise filling my head. Thump, thump. Thump, thump. Thump, thump.

I blink, my eyes adjusting to the darkness, but still I can’t see a thing. Pain radiates through my arm and head, but fear pulses stronger. The air around me grows thick and heavy. Sweat trickles down my face. My clammy hand trembles like a leaf in the wind as I stretch forward, feeling for something—anything. “Calm down,” I command my nerves. “It’s going to be okay.” But even I don’t believe my lies.

I move, just an inch, to test my arm. The pain is still throbbing, but it’s manageable enough to try to get out from … wherever I am. Taking another stale breath, my right hand reaches out and connects with something hard and scratchy. Wood? It’s all around me, maybe a foot or so away. I push against it as hard as I can with one hand, but it doesn’t budge.

I’m trapped. I can’t move and I want to scream. It’s bubbling up inside, but I quash it back down. Screaming will only let them know I’m awake. That I’m alive. Panic begs to take over, to take control, but I need to get out of here before that happens. I want to take a deep breath, but can’t. There isn’t any to fill my lungs. But there has to be air coming from somewhere or I’d be dead by now, I remind myself. And that’s all I need. I focus on keeping my breathing even, counting each breath. After reaching thirty, I reach up again, trailing the tips of my fingers along the wood, hoping to find a handle or knob, but there is only a large, flat, solid piece of wood.

This is it. My worst fear is coming to life. Everything I worked for, everything I sacrificed, was for naught. My mom and dad’s faces pop into my mind as tears well in my eyes. I was so stupid. So foolish to think that I was doing the right thing. Now look where that’s gotten me.

I’m going to die tonight. I’m sure of that now. All because I vowed that I was never gonna tell.

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Sarah started her obsession with reading at an early age, often sneaking BabySitter Club and Nancy Drew books into math class. She would read any book she could get her hands on. Her love of reading quickly evolved into a love of writing and stories began to pour out of her. 

She grew up in Pittsburgh, graduated from The University of Pittsburgh with a degree in English, and taught 8th graders to love reading as much as she does for several years. Sarah will always be a proud member of the Steelers' Nation, but couldn't take the cold and moved her frozen tush to Florida where she now lives with her family and two cats. You will find her now with her trusty Kindle in hand and toes in the sand!

Sarah's debut novel, AWAKEN, released in January, 2012. Other novels include AVENGE, ATONE, ECHO OF AN EARTH ANGEL, and INHALE EXHALE.